Biennial Conference of Marist Schools Australia
Over 160 Marists from Australia, from more than 50 schools gathered during the Biennial Conference of Marist Schools Australia, from July 28 to 31, in Alice Springs. The gathering showed that after 14 years Marist Schools Australia (MSA) is a unique, vital and respected part of the Australian Catholic education landscape. MSA draws together 54 Catholic schools which shape their identity and mission through the spirituality and educational approach that was introduced into the Church by St Marcellin Champagnat in the early nineteenth century, and which has continued to be developed by the Marist Brothers and Lay Marists.
Every two years the Marist Schools Australia Biennial Conference brings together Australian educators from 19 Australian dioceses, situated in seven states and territories. Each conference is intentionally focussed on enlivening the provision of high quality, contemporary evangelisation and Catholic education in the Marist tradition drawing on the annual Marist theme which in 2024 is based on Matthew 5:14-16: “You are the light of the world… let your light shine.”
This year, specifically, the Conference explored:
- Catholic Indigenous Australian insights and perspectives on Christian spirituality
- The imperative for Catholic education to identify, value, and explain robust measures of student growth to students, parents, the wider community and Australian governments
The Biennial Conference gathered Principals, Assistant Principals and Directors of Mission, from over 50 Marist schools, both MSA governed and affiliated ones. Dr John Robinson, the NSW-ACT Regional Director for MSA, was Convenor and Chair. It was also present Bishop Columba Macbeth- Green, leader of the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes, and member of the Marist Association of St Marcellin Champagnat. Bishop Charles Gauci of the Darwin Diocese celebrated the opening Mass and welcomed us all to the Diocese.
The gathering highlighted some realities: the Church is active and alive; people want to connect to a meaningful and purpose driven faith community; young people are open to its message (though how that message is expressed must be different in 2024 to 1994); the Marist spirit is attractive and vibrant; there must be good authentic leadership.
The talks were diverse, but all interesting and thought-provoking. Among the main panelists were Professor Brother David Hall gave the Introductory speech. It was welcoming, invitational and encouraging. Then, gave his speech Dr Frank Malloy, National Director of MSA, Most Rev Michael Morrissey, Bishop of Geraldton and more recently Administrator of the Broome Diocese, Dr Jacqueline Frost, Chief of Staff for Sydney Catholic Schools, and Professor David de Carvalho, MSA Director and Professor at Notre Dame University. Also the students from Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (OLSH) College Alice Springs shared their thoughts and hopes.
On July 30 the Marist travelled to Ltyentye Apurte to experience the life of an aboriginal community. The children of the school were thehosts and guides. In fact, the whole township was welcoming: the elders, the principal and staff of the school, the Chair and staff of the Australian Aboriginal Affairs Council, which is the governance authority. Brother Paul Murphy came from Alice Springs and joined Brothers Geoff Kelly and Mark Fordyce in emphasising the Marist history and presence in the township.
Other info in the Star Messenger 86