Brazilian Marist deacon

In a ceremony on May 29 at Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Lauro da Silva Ferreira SM was ordained to the diaconate.

Lauro is the fourth graduate of the Marist international theologate, Casa di Maria, Rome, to receive major orders in recent months.

Pictured are scenes from the ceremony at the Marist parish of Our Lady of Aparecida.

[May 31]

Marist Journey of Mercy

International and interstate Marists were part of the MLA (Marist Laity Australia) seminar held at Church Hill and Hunters Hill, May 28-29.

After a day of talks and sharing at St Patricks, Sunday's progrfam featured tours of Marist sites led by historian-archivist, Fr Peter McMurrich SM (Villa Maria scenes on this page) followed by visits to St Joseph's College and the Marist Sisters, Woolwich.

Marist Laity Australia web site: click here

[May 29]

Night with Christ as Corpus Christi begins

Sydney's city-centre church of St Patrick's heralded the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ with a "Night with Christ" on the evening of Sat, May 28.

In the quiet of the much-loved Eucharistic shrine were opportunities to approach the Blessed Sacrament closely, to leave prayer petitions and to experience the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Benediction..

For St Patrick's web site click here

[May 29]

Jean Coste awards

From Rome, Marist seminarian, Tom Kouijzer SM, reports on the May 19 event remembering and honouring Fr Jean Coste, Marist historian and reknown archaeologist, with awards presented by Rome's Tor Vergata University.

"Apart from his work as historian of the Society of Mary Fr Coste was a famous archaeologist and specialist in the history of Lazio.

"These awards serve to encourage young people in Rome to excel in both their school studies as in morality. The prize, organized by the Association “Roma Fuori le Mura”, is supported by both the Marist Fathers as by the University of Roma Tor Vergata."

For details of the award and the life of Fr Coste click for English | Italian -- and video

[May 25]

Woodbury texts

The philosophical and theological texts of Dr Austin Woodbury SM are being published in book form.

Grandnephew of the "Doc", Matthew Woodbury, has begun to publish copies of his famous “texts”.

So far five of the shorter courses and writings have been printed. Anyone interested may contact Fr Paul Glynn SM (tel 02 9844 2219) for details.

[May 24]

Program:
6:00 pm : Corpus Christi Vigil Mass
6:45 pm : Exposition of the blessed Sacrament
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm : Silent candle light prayer (Reconciliation available).
8:00 pm -10:00 pm : Teachings, Readings, Hymns, and Prayerful silence
10:00 pm : Benediction

Night with Christ

Light rail roadworks in Sydney's CBD will prevent the annual 'Corpus Christi' procession from taking place from St Patrick's, Church Hill to St Mary's cathedral.

In its place local celebrations and processions are being encouraged throughout the archdiocese.

At St Patrick's itself will be held a "Night with Christ", evening devotions arranged by St Pat's Young Adult group on Sat, May 28, eve of the Eucharistic Solemnity.

[May 21]

Kristin with a parishioner of Poi, site of St Peter Chanel's martydom / .. and at one of the small Chanel chapels dotted around Wallis and Futuna

Kristin at Futuna celebrations

Kristin Young,  daughter of Hunters Hill parishioner, Marie Young, has just returned from the Pacific islands of Wallis and Futuna where she joined the celebrations of the 175th anniversary of the martyrdom of St Peter Chanel.

Kristin reports: "Thanks to the help of Fr Brian Wilson from Villa Maria, who himself has a long association with the Oceania Province, I was able to meet the Bishop of Wallis and Futuna, Mgr Ghislain De Rasilly, and to participate as one of the many pilgrims attending the celebrations. 

"I was glad to be able to carry the good wishes of the Villa Maria Marist community to Futuna and bring back stories, photos and small gifts to share on my return. Few Australians visit Wallis and Futuna so this really was a special occasion."

[May 20]

Fourvière pledge translated

Anticipating the celebration of its worldwide bicentenary, the Fourvière Pledge is being translated into multiple languages.

The Pledge - to form the Society of Mary - was originally made by the Marist aspirants at Lyons, France, in the shrine of Our Lady of Fourvière on Jul 23, 1816.

Marist Family members in Australia will join Marists throughout the world to celebrate the bicentenary event.

[May 19]

Frecso, Oratory of Pentecost, La Neylière, France / from 'Pentecost in two minutes'

Pentecost in two minutes

Click here for YouTube clip

[May 15]

Fr Tony Kennedy to lead Colinian Renewal

Australian Marist, Fr Tony Kennedy SM, has been appointed to lead the international Colinian Period of Renewal in 2017.

Based at La Neylière, France, Fr Tony, will be assisted by Fr Ad Blommerde and other confrères at the iconic Marist site in the five-month program to commence next March.

Fr Tony is present vice-superior of Marist College, Suva, and a key member of the Oceania Province formation team. Congratulations on this important appointment, Fr Tony!

[May 13] http://youtu.be/J5tr4pqWIo4

Our Lady of the Journey in Australia

A gift received recently in Sydney from the Catholic people of Nara Prefecture, Japan, expressed gratitude for the ministry of the Marist Fathers for over sixty years.

A bronze statue, replica of 'Our Lady of the Journey' in the church of Takada, was blessed by Marist provincial, Fr Bob Barber SM, during the monthly Mass for Japanese Catholics at Hunters Hill.

Three former missionaries in Nara were present: Frs Paul Glynn, John Hill and Sid Nugent.

[May 11]

Click here for the Marist Sisters'new web site.

International web site updated

From Rome the Marist Sisters advise of a new address for their updated international web site: www.marists.net

The attractive site reports on mission, ministry and happenings throughout the Marist Sisters' world.

Well done, Sisters!

[May 09].

Slaughtered pigs wait patiently for the festivities to begin at Futuna / Six Pacific bishops, including Cardinal Mafi (Tonga) joined the anniversary Mass

Futuna celebrations

Oceania Marist Provincial, Fr Ben McKenna SM, attended week-long celebrations on the island of Futuna marking the 175th anniversary of the martyrdom of St Peter Chanel on Apr 28, 1841.

For his report (on the Oceania Marist web site) click here

[May 07].

Refugee bishop for Parramatta

His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed the Most Reverend Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFMConv DD, as the fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Parramatta.

The new Bishop of Parramatta was born in 1961 in Gia-Kiem, Vietnam. He and his family came to Australia as refugees in 1980.

He has been Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Melbourne since 2011 and succeeds Archbishop Anthony Fisher in the fast-growing Parramatta diocese, fifth largest in Australia.

[May 06].

General Chapter convoked

Superior-General of the Society of Mary, Fr John Hannan SM, has sent a letter to Marists formally convoking the next General Chapter to be held in Sep-Oct, 2017.

Venue for the Chapter will be the Divine Word Missionaries' 'Centro Ad Gentes', at Nemi, a village in the Alban Hills 35 Km from Rome, Italy.

Text of the letter of convocation is available at 'Members only' section.

[May 04]

In a ceremony on Apr 30 at the cathedral of Alcala de Henares, Spain, young Marist, Daniel Fernandez Alcaraz SM was ordained priest, along with four other deacons.

Fr Daniel is the second graduate of Casa di Maria (Marist International Theologate, Rome) to be ordained this year, following Fr David Sanchez (Mexico) earlier in the month. (see April news)

Congratulations, Padre Daniel !

[May 03]

Dr Julie Thorpe's book, 'Aquinas Academy 1945-2015, A very personal Australian story', was launched at St Patrick's, Church Hill, on May 01.

Published in the Marist Series by ATF Press, the book was launched by Geraldine Doogue.

Academy Director, Fr Michael Whelan SM (pictured below) spoke at the launch in St Patrick's crypt in the company of present and past Academicians and friends. Click here for Academy web site.

[May 02]

May 18 / 29

Go to JPIC diary

[May 01]

Prayer room for Chanel House

Chanel House in the grounds of Villa Maria monastery, Hunters Hill, NSW, is home for several Marists of the community who now have a new place for quiet prayer and reflection.

One of its rooms has been fitted out as a simple prayer room, with the Blessed Sacrament reserved in a small tabernacle, gift of the Marist Sisters.

The prayer room looks out on to the picturesque grounds of Villa Maria monastery and the Peter Chanel chapel.

[May 01]