Marist Justice and Solidarity Group

A Justice-Action Group at Marist College Canberra

What is Marist Justice and Solidarity?

Marist Justice and Solidarity is a group that is committed to promoting an awareness about issues of social justice, peace and human rights.  The griup consists of sudents from Year 7 through to Year 12 (in Yr 11 & 12 it is a registered unit which receives accreditation).

Marist Justice and Solidarity aims to provide a credible voice on these issues within our Marist College Community, with a desire to make a difference by advocating changes for a more just society - locally, nationally and globally.

The Key Elements of Marist Justice and Solidarity

• Justice and Solidarity - making a deliberate choice to stand with people who are marginalised or who suffer injustice because of political, economic, religious or social structures.
• Compassion - having empathy towards, and an understanding of social justice issues.
• Leadership - a basis for promoting and harnessing strong student leadership from Year 7 to Year 12.

Marcellin Champagnat and Solidarity

Saint Marcellin Champagnat, founder of Marist Education, gave the early Marists a special mission directed towards the young, especially those most neglected.  Solidarity, therefore, has a special focus on the 'cries of youth', particularly those who are victims of unjust structures and violence.  As disciples of Marcellin Champagnat we are challenged again today, to hear this call to stand in solidarity with people who suffer from similar injustices.

Marcellin's Experience of Solidarity and Compassion

Compassion is a good virtue, but it is of no use if it does not lead to action against injustice and everything that degrades humanity.

Marcellin Champagnat's negative experiences of education as a child lead him to believe that to educate young people to be good Christians and good citizens they had to know and experience love and justice.

Marcellin was a man of heart and action who was drawn to the children and youth of post-revolutionary France.  His desire to see each child know and feel God's love provided the force for Marcellin to begin Marist education.

Marcellin's particular preference for the marginalised and poor youth has become a feature of the work of Marist Schools throughout the world today.

Why make Justice and Solidarity a focus at Marist College?

• As students at Marist College, we enjoy a privileged position in the community through the quality of education we receive and the good name of the College within the Canberra community.  We have opportunities which enable us to look beyond our own situation and become open to seeing and hearing the needs of other, less fortunate people in the wider community.
• As students at Marist, we are characterised by our generosit of spirit, which enables us to respond to the needs of others and to be welcoming and hospitable.
• Marist Justice and Solidarity provides a complementary programme to the formative service activities currently operating in the College.  These include Community Service, St Vincent De Paul, Human Rights Group and House-based charities.
• Marist Justice and Solidarity also offers an opportunity to depthen our commitment to a service/justice group

Who we are looking for

Students who wish to join Marist Justice and Solidarity should show a desire to be strong advocates for, and the voice of, social justice at Marist College.  They would do this by:

• reading and learning about matters of justice
• receiving input from Solidarity staff and gues speakers
• actively participating in Solidarity events and social justice days at the school and in our community
• becoming more aware of matters of justice in the world in which we live (locally, nationally and globally

Structure of Marist Justice and Solidarity Meetings

MJ&S holds meetings regularly, every Thursday at lunchtime to plan activities, listen to guest speakers or to discuss an issue of justice which they would like to find more information about.  Most meetings will be in ET16.

The meetings are generally run by the President with some initial input from staff on how to conduct the meeting and proceed with agenda.  Marist Justice and Solidarity activities would also involve some of the students' own time outside of school.

For further information

"Let us not grow tired of doing good

and showing kindness to our brothers and sisters,

for, unless we are discouraged,

we shall reap a harvest of blessing"

(Galations 6: 9-10)

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