Nature Cycle

Journeying Together with the Marist Association

The inaugural Nature Cycle, an initiative of the Marist Association of Canberra, was held on Saturday 16 November from 2 - 7pm. This event aimed to celebrate our connection with local faith communities in this Year of the Holy Spirit, journeying together to sacred spots in Woden Valley by bike. The decision was also made to extend an invitation to students at Marist College seeking ecological justice. 

One participant described their experience this way: 

‘Whoever sows well reaps well. We were able to understand and be stewards of God’s creation by giving back to the environment through our planting. A highlight for me was the opportunity to strengthen my relationship with God in a physical way, engaging with others in a world where technology dominates. It also helped to open my nostrils to the fresh air. It would be good to build on this experience and for boys to escape from the classroom and have a religious experience like this that is physical…actually doing stuff. (Philip Scaria, Year 10 student, Marist College)

Initially a Nature Retreat on foot, the initiative morphed into a Cycle tour, although stops were timed to accommodate walkers as well. Participants completed a collage of St Marcellin Champagnat from strips of coloured paper to be framed and exhibited at Marist College marking this inaugural Marist Association event.

Cyclists received a blessing with holy water from Lourdes, France, at the water feature in Eddison Park to sanctify both participants and the waters of the duckpond! At Woden cemetery we offered prayers of remembrance at the graves of our Deceased Marist and extended families. During a sejour at Marist College Greenhouse we also planted summer colours in planter boxes donated by students from the Wood Technology program. These blooms will light up the Junior school lawn at Christmas Carols and Mass on 24 December. 

As one Marist associate said, ‘Being out in nature for several hours allowed me to really relax into the event and enjoy the invitation to have time to think and just be.’ A student from Marist College described it this way, ‘I wanted to try something new in my spiritual life. The day was more fun than I expected to be…I was worried there would be more prayer but definite highlights for me were relaxing and playing football with my friends in Eddison Park, praying together. I was even able to visit my friend’s grave. That was important for my Catholic community.’ (Cian George, Year 10).

Fr Emil from Mary Help of Christians parish also joined the Nature Cycle along with nine participants from the Association, along with students and staff from Marist College. Our journey ended with Rosary followed by Mass at Mary Help of Christians Church where we offered symbols of creation proceeding to the altar at the Offertory to be blessed and praised. In future we would like to begin and end our pilgrimage in the same spot. Sincere thanks to the participants in this inaugural event, a benchmark for future nature events sponsored by the Marist Association of Canberra.

Brendan Bergin
Senior School Teacher