'A dark moment in U.S. history'

The Archbishop of Chigago, Cardinal Blase Cupich, has made a powerful statement on the executive order on migfants and refugees.

In his Jan 29 statement Cardinal Cupich echoes the sentiments of Pope Francis, warning "The yardstick we use for others will be the yardstick which time will use for us."

Full text: click here

[Jan 30]

New international novices

From Davao, southern Philippines, novice master, Fr Fernando Ingente SM, and his team commenced the latest international Marist novitiate on Jan 23 with five novices from Mexico, Oceania and Africa.

[Jan 27]

Dutch Marist seminarian, Tom Kouijzer SM, with his Colin calendar at the Dublin community of An Turas.

Colin calendars worldwide

The web site of Fr Jean-Claude Colin reports:

The 'Colin Calendar' for 2017 is being distributed across the globe, with a special focus on Marist formation communities and houses of welcome.

This year's calendar includes images of places established or visited by Fr Colin during his years as the first Superior-General of the Society of Mary (1836-54).

It is available in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish in both A4 and A5 format.

The Colin calendars, by the way, are made in Australia. If you'd like one click here and read on...

[Jan 26]

Sr Grace Ellul at Woolwich, Sydney, with former superior-general, Sr Margaret Purcell SM

Congregational leader visits

The Marist Sisters of Australia report on the visit of their superior-general, Sr Grace Ellul SM, to Sydney:

'We gathered in Woolwich on Jan 21 to welcome our Congregational Leader, Sr Grace Ellul, home to Australia. Grace is making her official visitation of our Unit. It was a very joyous occasion.

'We began with prayerful reflection recalling that 200 years ago Jeanne Marie Chavoin and Marie Jotillon left home and family to begin the Sisters' branch of the Marist Family. Afternoon tea followed giving us an opportunity to enjoy catching up with Grace and each other.'

[Jan 23]

Marist Charism & Culture leaders meet

The leadership group of the Marist Charism & Culture group met at the provincial centre, Hunters Hill, on Jan 19, for their annual review and planning.

Agenda items included review of a 2016 highlight activity, the leader's group pilgrimage to Rome and the places of Marist origins in France. Click here

[Jan 19]

Oceania elects General Chapter delegates

As the Provincial Chapter of the Oceania Marist Province nears its end, elections have been held for delegates to the General Chapter to be held in Rome this year in Sep-Oct.

Representing the Pacific province will be Fr Setefano Mataele, (provincial-elect), Fr Lutoviko Manu (regional superior of the Solomon Islands], Fr Susitino Sionepoe (vicar-provincial and president of the chapter) and the current provincial, Fr Ben McKenna, who is an ex-officio member of the chapter.

[Jan 19]

From Davao, Mindanao, in the southern Philippines, comes this report of the Marist profession of four young men on Jan18:

'The Brothers and Priests of the Society Mary was blessed by the Profession of four newly religious members at Marist International Novitiate Community on January 18, 2017.

'Yves Tuma (Cameroon, Africa), Emil Kenewata (Bougainville), Hayden Powick (New Zealand) and Cameron Mota (Bougainville) professed the vows of Chastity, Obedience and Poverty in a Eucharistic Celebration presided by Fr. Lionel Mechavez, SM, and  concelebrated by Marists priests and  Fr. Al Botero, DCD, the parish priest of San Miguel Parish, Eden, Toril.' More Marist Asia. Click here.

[Jan 18]

Faith-based communities in education

Anthropologist-theologian, Fr Gerald Arbuckle SM, has announced his latest book, to be released in February, 'Intentional Faith Communities in Catholic Education'. It is part of St Paul's Publications 'Educating Hearts' series.

For details, click here. A book launch is set for some time in March.

[Jan 13]

Fr Tony Kennedy at Villa Maria, Hunters Hill, before his departure for... / La Neylière in the winter

Fr Tony leaves for CPR

This year's Colinian Renewal Program will be led by Australian Marist, Fr Tony Kennedy, leaving Sydney on Jan 12 for Rome then France.

The five-month program will be held at La Neylière in central France, currently experiencing sub-zero temperatures.

Eleven Marists from several provinces and missiion districts will participate in the 'CPR' which, as Fr Tony observes, may 'breathe new life' into Marist spirituality and mission. The program commences in March.

[Jan 12]

Above: Chapter in session with Australian-born provincial, Fr Ben McKenna presiding  /  Evening relaxation over the kava bowl

Below: Provincial-elect, Fr Setefano Mataele / Australian province observer and consultant, Fr Andrew Murray  |  Opening Mass in Marist College chapel

Oceania chapter under way

The provincial chapter of Oceania Marist Province began on the evening of Jan 08, at Pacific Regional Seminary and Marist College, Suva, Fiji.

The first full day was given over to prayer and reflection. Formal sessions began on Tuesday, Jan 10, with the election of officers and provincial's report.  

[Photos: Fr Suni Halapio]

[Jan 11]

Mission anniversary

On Jan 10, 1836, the mission-minded Pope Gregory XVI officially entrusted the vast region of western Pacific to the Society of Mary.

Marist priests offer Mass this day for God's blessing on their mission, wherever that may be.

[Jan 10]

Oceania provincial-elect

Tongan Marist, Fr Setefano Mataele SM, will be the next provincial of the Oceania Marist Province.

The announcement was made on Jan 07 by present provinical, Fr Ben McKenna, on the eve of the Oceania provincial chapter.

Fr Sete, 48, will take up his new role on Jan 01, 2018. More details on the Oceania Province web site. Click here.

[Jan 07]

A good year?

For dedicated, number-loving web visitors our annual statistics afford an interesting distraction.

Click here for a summary of 2016.

Click here for the webmaster's summary comments.

[Jan 06]

'Put peace first' - UN's new leader

On his first day as the new secretary-general of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres has urged people around the world to make their New Year's resolution "to put peace first".

Portuguese-born Mr Guterres made the appeal after taking over the reins of the UN from South Korean diplomat, Ban Ki-moon, whose second five-year term ended at midnight on December 31.

Click here for Mr Guterres' speech at the UN.

[Jan 04]

MLA members with hand-crafted baby and children's clothing destined for the Philippines

Lay Marists for the Philippines

Marist Laity Australia co-leader, Andrew Dumas, reports: 'MLA is about to undertake another immersion experience in the Philippines.

'Our group includes four lay Marists, two ex-students of Marist Sisters College Woolwich and one young adult from St Patrick's in Church Hill in Sydney.

'The aim of the immersion is to get a sense of what it is like be a Marist in the Philippines.'

Follow their progress on the immersion blog:   Click here

[Jan 03]

Marist Brothers' Bicentenary

In the village of La Valla, France, on Jan 02, 1817,the young Fr Marcellin Champagnat established the first community of Marist Brothers.

As the Bicentenary of the Brothers; Foundation is celebrated throughout the world, Australian Marist Brother and composer, Michael Herry FMS, has released a new version of the 'Salve Regina' ('Hail, Holy Queen').

For the video of Br Michael's 'Salve', with images of the Brothers and their history, click here.

Congratulations, Brothers!

[Jan 02]

Marist news from Europe

Download latest 'Euroinfo'. Click here

[Jan 02]