The Marist Family Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Committee warmly invites you to an afternoon of reflection, listening, and shared conversation on the Australian Bishops’ Social Justice Statement, “The Cost of Our Living: Economic and Social Justice for the Common Good.”

This Easter reflection highlights that in a world marked by conflict, suffering, and division, true hope is found in the wounded yet risen Christ. Drawing on a story of Teresa of Ávila, it emphasises that Christ’s wounds remain even after the Resurrection, revealing that suffering is not erased but transformed. The disciples recognise Jesus through his wounds, reminding us that faith does not ignore pain but encounters God within it. Echoing the call of Pope Leo, the reflection urges believers to become peacemakers in everyday life—through acts of care, teaching, parenting, service, and forgiveness. These quiet acts of love show that wounds, when embraced with faith, can become sources of healing and hope for others. Ultimately, the message invites us to let Christ remove the barriers of pride and selfishness in our hearts, so that his peace, flowing from his wounds, may bring healing and renewal to our world.

Pope Francis, elected in 2013, emerged as a leader committed to reform, inclusion, and care for the marginalized. Taking the name Francis, a first in papal history, signified his commitment to the poor and the environment, inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi. His papacy followed a turbulent period in the Vatican, marked by scandals and Pope Benedict XVI’s unprecedented resignation. From the outset, Pope Francis sought to reshape the Church’s mission, focusing on the suffering and the excluded. His leadership has encountered resistance, but he continues to emphasize that change is necessary and aligns with the Church’s true calling.

“There Is a Peace” by Harvest is a gentle, reflective worship song that speaks of a deep, abiding peace found in God even amid life’s struggles and uncertainty. The lyrics emphasise that this peace is not dependent on circumstances but flows from trust in God’s presence, offering comfort, stillness, and reassurance when the world feels overwhelming. With its calm melody and prayerful tone, the song invites listeners to rest, surrender their fears, and encounter a quiet confidence that God is near, guiding and sustaining them through every season.

The April 2026 Marist Way Australia newsletter reflects on the beginning of the year with gratitude and renewal, highlighting the significant contribution of Maria Baden and welcoming Gail McCann to the leadership team. Cathy Larkin’s Lenten reflection explores the deeper meaning of Christ’s death, drawing on theological insights to emphasise that the cross should not be softened or avoided, but understood as central to transformation—where death and life are intimately connected through the Paschal Mystery. The newsletter also shares upcoming opportunities for formation and community, including the Fourvière celebration, a Marist retreat, a pilgrimage to key Marist sites in Rome and France, and the Marian Lecture featuring Rev Dr Sarah Bachelard. Throughout, there is a strong emphasis on living the Marist charism through reflection, community, and Marian spirituality, inviting members to embrace both the challenges and blessings of life with faith, guided by Mary’s example and the hope of Easter.

This prayer and reflection for Sunday, April 19, invites participants into a calm and reflective encounter with God, beginning with an Acknowledgement of Country and a mindful awareness of God’s presence through breathing and prayer. Centred on the Emmaus story from the Gospel of Luke, the session explores how the disciples failed to recognise Jesus until the breaking of bread, drawing parallels to how people today can be distracted, overwhelmed, or struggling to believe. Through reflection, discussion, and the Prayers of the Faithful, participants are encouraged to consider how life’s challenges and moments of loss can become opportunities to encounter the risen Christ more deeply. The session emphasises the journey of faith—learning to recognise Jesus in everyday life, especially in the Eucharist and in times of difficulty—before concluding with prayer, music, and a renewed awareness that God walks with us always.

The Marist Family Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Committee’s statement on domestic violence highlights it as a serious violation of human dignity and a widespread yet often hidden issue in Australia, where many victims suffer in silence due to fear and stigma. Grounded in Gospel values and the Marist tradition, the document emphasises the urgent need for awareness, education, and compassionate action, supported by Church teachings from leaders such as Pope Francis and Pope John Paul II, which affirm the dignity of every person and condemn all forms of violence. It outlines practical strategies including education, collaboration with support services, training, and community outreach, while calling members to advocate for victims, provide safe and supportive environments, and promote respectful relationships. Ultimately, the statement is a strong call to action, urging the Marist community to stand in solidarity with survivors, challenge harmful cultural norms, and actively work towards building a culture of peace, justice, and healing where all people are treated with dignity and love.

In this present period of the beginning of the Third Millennium we wish to turn in a special way to her (Mary) the one who in the night of the Advent expectation began to shine like a true Morning Star, for just as this star, together with the dawn precedes the rising of the sun, so Mary from the time of her Immaculate Conception preceded the coming of the Saviour Her presence in the midst of Israel a presence so discreet as to pass almost unnoticed by the eyes of her contemporaries shone very clearly before the Eternal One who had associated the hidden daughter of Zion with the plan of salvation embracing the whole history of humanity.