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St Marcellin

OUR IDENTITY

 

The Hermitage is a sacred place where those who are connected to the Marist mission are “at home”. It is a place of spiritual formation and rejuvenation that links the Marist story from past years to the present. It is a place of pilgrimage, inviting all who visit to a wider and deeper appreciation of what it means to be sowers of the Good News nurturing the Church into life, in the way of Mary.

OUR VALUES

The Hermitage is inspired by a way of living the Gospel, entrusted to us by Marcellin Champagnat – Presence, Simplicity, Family Spirit, Love of Work and following in The Way of Mary. Accordingly, it is a spiritual haven where those who come are listened to and engage with others in a spirit of openness and trust. The way of life at The Hermitage is unpretentious, simple and rustic. Visitors and pilgrims contribute to the practical everyday life of the community and identify with the Marist mission to make Jesus known and loved. It is a place of vitality and action, a working property which invites people to contribute to and participate in its life, and like Mary, give witness to God’s action among us.

OUR HOPE

The Hermitage is a dream space for the Spirit providing access to the Marist story. It is both a place of rest and solace and a working community where peace is discovered and beauty enjoyed. It is imbued with Marist history and heritage, a place to be reverenced and cared for. With audacity and hope we go forth from The Hermitage to make Jesus known and loved.

OUR COMMUNITY

At the core of The Hermitage is a community of Brothers who welcome all who are connected to the Marist mission – Brothers, young people, staff and students, families, parish groups, other religious groups, community groups and pilgrims.

ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT

The Hermitage is intentionally a spirituality centre that provides space for reflection and solace in a manner that is attuned to the Sacred through deep respect for the natural environment. As a dream-space for the Spirit, it provides access to the Marist Story in Australia and allows for its creative flourishing in a way that peace can be discovered anew and beauty enjoyed.

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord all the earth. Ps 96:1

Pope Francis in his encyclical Laudato Si (n. 13), reminded us of the urgent challenge to protect our common home, a challenge that brings the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development. It is our vision that all who live, work and visit the Hermitage work together to ensure this place remains environmentally sustainable. And, just as we hope that visitors will go forth from the Hermitage  with audacity and hope to make Jesus known and loved, it is also our hope that those who stay with us will be inspired to continue an environmentally-friendly way of living on their return to their own communities.

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving thanks said, “Take and eat, this is my body.” Mt 26

The Hermitage has in place a variety of practices to minimise our carbon footprint and sustain and nurture our physical environment as much as possible.

We encourage the recycling of paper, cardboard, bottles & plastics. waste management, gardening, care of the land, removal of asbestos, energy saving practices and the recent introduction of a Herb & Vegetable garden are all features of our commitment to a sustainable environment.

We invite you to live carefully and walk gently on this Gundungurra land.

How many are your works, O Lord!  In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Ps 104:24