The idea of forming small groups of laity should not be too difficult to accept for members of a Society with Jean-Claude Colin as Founder. His vision and procedures in founding the Society were anything but amorphous and indeterminate. In his lecture 'Structures of Government' given to the Framingham workshops in 1980, Jean Coste observed that Colin was not a latter-day Confucius proposing a kind of general wisdom with which many people could identify. Colin did not found a spirit, nor even a kind of spirituality. He founded a congregation. And he spent his life formulating its distinctive features. The Society of Mary was meant to be something specific and to work for something specific. Colin's conception of the Society was not a bunch of individuals merrily and zealously going their own way. He conceived the Society as a corporate body from which each Marist is sent on mission. Anterior and superior to what any Marist may feel called to do is the work of Mary.

Life is filled with paradoxes and tensions—moments when nothing makes sense, relationships falter, or overwhelming challenges arise. These experiences can evoke deep, often hidden emotions, much like icebergs with only a small portion visible above the surface. Embracing these emotions, even the negative ones, helps us uncover deeper truths and navigate life's complexities. Practices such as journaling, talking with trusted individuals, creating art, or engaging in hands-on activities allow these feelings to surface and be processed. By confronting our inner struggles and embracing life's uncertainties, we open ourselves to growth, transformation, and the hope that emerges from life’s paradoxes.

Welcome to the formation and prayer - In the way of Mary - for Teenagers and young adults. Please learn about the Marist Story as a family through key figures like John Claude Colin, Marcellin Champagnat, Jean-Marie Chavoin, François Perroton, Pierre Chanel, Marie Jotillon, Jean-Marie Vianney, and Elizabeth Bourdon.

In his video 'What Are Laity Supposed to Be?', Bishop Robert Barron explores the universal call to holiness for all baptized Christians, emphasizing that the laity, like clergy and religious, are called to live out the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Drawing inspiration from Dorothy Day and Vatican II, Barron challenges the notion that these counsels are solely for spiritual elites. Instead, he highlights their relevance for laypeople: poverty as detachment from worldly goods like wealth, power, and honor; chastity as a rightly ordered sexual life rooted in love and selflessness; and obedience as attentiveness to God's higher voice amidst worldly distractions. He underscores the transformative power of these virtues, suggesting that if every Christian embraced them, society would be revolutionized—dismantling industries like pornography, combating human trafficking, and healing broken relationships. Ultimately, Barron calls for Christians to embody these counsels to sanctify and transform the world, fulfilling the mission envisioned by Vatican II.

In his homily, Father Jim reflects on the virtue of generosity, using the example of tax returns as a moment to assess charitable giving. He draws parallels between modern acts of generosity and biblical examples, such as the poor widow praised by Jesus for giving all she had and the widow of Zarephath who shared her last meal with Elijah. Father Jim emphasizes that the value of giving lies not in the amount but in the spirit of sacrifice and consistency. He invites the congregation to commit to regular, intentional giving, cultivating a generous character modeled on Christ’s ultimate self-giving.

In this scene from The Chosen on forgiveness, Peter wrestles with the challenge of forgiving someone who has repeatedly wronged him—specifically, Matthew, whose past actions as a tax collector caused immense harm to Peter and his family. In a late-night conversation with Jesus, Peter recounts Matthew’s betrayals, including his merciless collection of taxes, endangering Peter’s livelihood, and even preparing to turn Peter over to the Roman authorities. Peter questions how he could possibly forgive such egregious and unrepentant sins. Jesus reminds him that forgiveness is not limited to seven times but should be extended '77 times'—a call to boundless, limitless forgiveness. Despite acknowledging his new identity as Peter, the 'rock,' Peter admits he still feels like the flawed man he was before, doubting his ability to forgive. Jesus gently reminds him that relying solely on human understanding makes life harder and that forgiveness, though difficult, is a divine calling that brings ultimate peace.

The movie 'Mary' portrays a powerful and emotional retelling of Mary’s life as the mother of Jesus, highlighting her divine calling and the immense challenges she faces. From her miraculous birth, seen as a gift and a fulfillment of prophecy, to her role in the coming of the Messiah, Mary is thrust into a conflict between divine will and human authority. Herod, fearing the prophecy, asserts his power and seeks to eliminate the threat of the Messiah. Meanwhile, Mary struggles to understand and accept her miraculous pregnancy, facing societal condemnation and even the threat of death. Despite the fear and hardship, both she and Joseph commit to bringing their child into the world with love and courage. The trailer emphasizes that love will come at a great personal cost, symbolized by the piercing of Mary’s heart, but it also asserts that love will ultimately save the world.

'Nothing Else' by Cody Carnes and 'The Heart of Worship' by Matt Redman are both powerful worship songs that focus on returning to the core of faith: a genuine connection with God.

The presentation 'Emotional Coaching for Teens and Young Adults' offers a structured approach for parents to guide their children through emotional challenges, emphasizing connection, empathy, and resilience. Using relatable stories, it outlines five key steps: noticing emotions, clarifying with questions, acknowledging and validating feelings, reflecting and labeling emotions, and providing follow-up support. Grounded in research by experts like Dr. John Gottman and Dr. Jessica Borelli, the guide stresses the importance of fostering autonomy and emotional intelligence over offering immediate solutions. The presentation concludes with a prayer, seeking divine guidance for parents in this journey.

We invite you to join the St Patrick’s community in praying the rosary for the Pope’s intention which is: praying for the Church, that she may adopt listening and dialogue as a lifestyle at every level, and allow herself to be guided by the Holy Spirit towards the peripheries of the world. As a community, we aim for 1,000 Rosaries for the entire month of October. We invite you to pray with us and log in your pledge in our website www.stpatschurchhill.org as a visible sign of the power of prayer and an encouragement to others to participate in this Marian crusade.

The documentary 'The Shady Business of Trafficking Desperate Refugees' exposes the harrowing journeys of migrants and refugees fleeing conflict, poverty, and persecution across the Mediterranean to Europe. It details the exploitative networks of human traffickers who profit from their desperation, subjecting them to inhumane conditions and life-threatening voyages in flimsy boats. The film highlights the dire consequences of this migration crisis, including overcrowded reception centers, bureaucratic delays, and tragic drownings at sea. It underscores the moral and political challenges faced by the EU and calls for urgent international action to create safe migration pathways and address the root causes of displacement. Through personal stories, the documentary sheds light on the resilience and suffering of those seeking a better life, urging compassion and accountability.

The video 'What Catholic Spirituality Are You?' explores the diversity of spiritual traditions within the Catholic Church, emphasizing that while the Church is unified in its liturgy and theology, it offers various paths to holiness. It highlights seven major Catholic spiritualities: Franciscanism, focusing on simplicity, humility, and care for the poor; Jesuit spirituality, with its structured discernment and mission-driven adaptability; Dominican spirituality, centered on study and preaching orthodox truth; Benedictine spirituality, which emphasizes community life and a balance of prayer and work; Carmelite spirituality, known for its contemplative prayer and apostolic zeal; Salesian spirituality, which encourages holiness in everyday life through 'little virtues'; and Opus Dei, which integrates faith into ordinary life through discipline and unity. The video concludes that Catholicism provides spiritual paths for diverse personalities and missions, inviting individuals to find the spirituality that best fits their journey while learning from all.

Marist Spiritually. As Mary did - part 5. One Tree, Many Branches

In the HSC Studies of Religion Syllabus, each Depth Study students are required to choose a person or school of thought. In Christianity, we have chosen 'Saint Francis of Assisi'. Saint Francis is an excellent person to do as he speaks volumes for us in our world today. Saint Francis shows us how to care for creation, how to care for the poor, how to make peace where there is hatred. People like Pope Francis are inpsired by the example of Saint Francis.

Within the Religious Education high school classroom in Australia most students come from a plural context with different faith perspectives, values and life experiences. McCrindles research states 'Overall, only 9% of Christians actively practise and regularly attend a place of worship' (2022). That means out of a class of 28 students you might have 2 or 3 students who regularly attend church. This is well outside the mono Christian culture and context that existed in the past generations where there was high church attendance and a prevailing Christian world view that encouraged church attendance.