Newsletter 15: 19 November 2024

Dear Colleagues,

Share the Light of Christmas!

In this final four weeks of the 2024 school year, we are invited by Australian Marist Solidarity to “share the light of Christmas” through the 2024 Christmas Appeal to support Marist Champagnat Institute, Fiji with much needed vocational and educational resources. The Marist Champagnat Institute remains the only school in Fiji that provides support to youth who live with a learning or physical disability.

In Fiji, less than 10% of children with disabilities access mainstream education, often stopping at Year 8 and limiting their future opportunities.

School communities are encouraged to give the gift of transformation this Christmas. Donations will help empower the students at Marist Champagnat Institute, Fiji, equipping them with confidence and vocational skills to learn, dream and thrive. Marists throughout Australia are urged to donate and make a difference.

This AMS appeal is an ideal focus for students in the Season of Advent, which like Lent is a time of preparation during which we make a more concentrated focus on prayer, good works, and giving to others.

For the 2025 Schools Campaign, the focus will be on the AMS projects in the Solomon Islands. Currently, AMS supports four project partners who provide much needed infrastructure for skills training and education on the capital isalnd of Guadalcanal.

MSA has invited schools to make additional efforts to raise money for AMS in June 2025 and that AMS be a special focus for schools throughout Champagnat week.

As we prepare for the Holy Season of Advent, may the following prayer draw us closer to the light of Jesus.

Lord Jesus,

Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.

We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day,

We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.

We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.

We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.

We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.

To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!'

Amen.