After eighteen months of prayer, spiritual conversation, and community-wide discernment, the Marist Association of St Marcellin Champagnat has launched its pastoral plan for 2026–2028, a document that charts a bold and hopeful course for the Marist mission in Australia.
The plan was launched during a national online gathering on Tuesday, with 80 members of the association participating from across the country.
The event was hosted by executive director Richard Quinn.
Association leader Br Darren Burge expressed his hope that the plan “would speak personally” to each member – that they would see themselves in it, find what resonates deeply, encounter moments that gently challenge them, and discover inspiration for further action. He also invited the community to engage with the document in a spirit of prayer.
The development of the pastoral plan was initiated following the association’s Fourth National Assembly at Marist College Ashgrove in June 2025.
After the assembly, a structured national consultation process followed. A writing group prepared an initial draft grounded in assembly insights, which was then opened to members across Australia for feedback. Contributions received through this process helped shape and strengthen the final document, ensuring it reflects the lived experience, hopes, and priorities of the wider Marist community.
Mr Quinn said the plan and the national consultation process demonstrate both strong participation and a clear commitment to action.
“This is not a one-person document. It is the result of a community that has listened deeply to one another and to where God is calling us. It captures our shared commitment to follow Christ in the way of Mary and gives us a clear and practical pathway forward. It is also about ensuring the Marist vision continues to respond to the realities of our time,” he said.
The Pastoral Plan 2026–2028 is structured around six pastoral priorities
At its spiritual core is a commitment to deepening Marist identity and spirituality. Alongside this is a strong focus on engaging and empowering young people, investing meaningfully in their formation and leadership as the movement’s future.
The plan also calls the association to strengthen community and belonging, building inclusive and intergenerational communities where all are genuinely welcomed.
This connects directly to a priority of mission and outreach – reaching those on the margins, advancing greater gender inclusivity, and responding seriously to the urgent call of climate change.
Recognising that mission requires strong foundations, the plan addresses governance, leadership, and sustainability – building the structures and capacity that will allow the Association to serve its mission well into the future.
And finally, a priority of community and connection calls Marists to share their story with enthusiasm and clarity, while deepening ties across parishes, dioceses, ministries, and the global Marist family.
FULL STORY
Faith, Mission and Community Marist Association of St Marcellin Champagnat Launches Its 2026–2028 Pastoral Plan (Marist Association of St Champagnat)
