Religious Education
Marist College is first and foremost a Catholic school where education in the faith is given a privileged place. For us, evangelising means "to make Jesus Christ known and loved" and to help young people "realise how much Jesus Christ loves them ".
We want to build an environment that nurtures and strengthens our students as they are transformed into better and more compassionate people. Religious Education has an integral place in this overall goal and is central to the College's broader curriculum. Education in faith includes communicating Catholic doctrine, engendering a sense of the sacred, building a Christian community and inviting young people to care with the heart of Jesus Christ.
In striving to meet these goals the school offers:
- A Religious Education curriculum in Years 4-10 that is both academically rigorous and innovative, bringing into dialogue faith and life.
- A course in Religious Studies in Years 11 & 12, approved by the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies.
- The Year 4-10 courses and the Year 11/12 Type 2 courses are in keeping with the requirements of the Archdiocesan RE guidelines, "Treasures New and Old."
- Opportunities for the celebration of the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation.
- A host of creative and prayerful liturgies that help students further understand and celebrate their faith.
- Residential Retreat experiences for Years 11 & 12.
- Community service opportunities including a St Vincent de Paul Society conference.
In preparing students for the Church of the future, senior boys are encouraged to embrace opportunities to be leaders in prayer and community service activities. Together with the staff, they build up an ethos and a way of acting that is characterised by the family spirit given to us by our Founder, St. Marcellin Champagnat. This spirit values and respects each student as a unique individual, but also encourages him to find his true self in the community of the school and in the wider community of the Church, through openness and sharing.
As a Catholic school we celebrate major feasts of the liturgical year. As a Catholic school in the Marist tradition we particularly celebrate those days dedicated to Mary, Mother of Jesus, as well as St Marcellin's Feast Day (6 June) and other significant Church events. Such celebrations may occur within the class or year group, as a House, or as a whole College.
Prayer is a regular part of every day and every class, During the year, each class or year group has the opportunity to participate in a special Mass. On each Friday morning of the school year the boys and parents are welcome to morning Mass in the College Chapel.
We find our inspiration in Mary, whom we call our Good Mother. Her image, along with many other religious pictures and symbols, adorn the walls of the College, reminding us of our commitment to strive to be more faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.
Sacramental Programs
Confirmation is conferred upon the majority of Year Six Catholic boys. Whilst the Confirmation sacramental programs are parish-based, the Year Six classes conduct a 6-8 week program of preparation which supports the work of the Parish. During the year the Religious Education Coordinator (REC) coordinates the Sacrament of Reconciliation in each class.