Fr John Hill SM now / ... newly-ordained

Fr John Hill 67 years ordained

Veteran Japanese missioner, Fr John Hill SM, 92, celebrated 67 years of Marist priestly life on Jul 28.

Montbel superior, Fr Paul Mahony, and Fr Jim Harding joined Fr John for a celebratory luncheon at St Catherine's retirement facility, Eastwood, NSW, to mark the occasion.

Ordained at St Francis Xavier's cathedral, Adelaide, in 1948, Fr John spent most of his priestly life as a missionary in Japan, winning lifelong affection and national awards through his prison ministry in the Prefecture of Nara.

Happy Anniversary, Fr John!

[Jul 28]

Oceanians commence Fourvière Year at Lyon

Two Marists from the Oceania Province of the Society of Mary led an historic Eucharistic liturgy at the chapel of Fourvière, Lyon, France,on Jul 23.

Frs 'Tito Muavesi (Fiji) and 'Aisake Silatolu (Tonga), currently studying in Rome, were in France on pilgrimage to the places of Marist origins. The Mass marked the beginning of the Bicentenary Year of the 1816 pledge to form the Society of Mary.

During the Mass participants recited the Fourvière Bicentenary Prayer distributed in French and English.

[Jul 27]

Farewell to Lillian Barber

Marists of the Australian province joined family and friends to farewell Mrs Lillian Barber, mother of provincial, Fr Bob Barber.

Lillian passed away peacefully on Jul 17 after a short illness, with Requiem Mass at St Joseph's church, Merewether (Newcastle) on Jul 23.

We offer sincere sympathy to Fr Bob and his family. May Lill rest in well-deserved peace.

[Jul 24]

Fourvière event and Bicentenary prayer

Celebrations amongst the Marist Family at Hunters Hill on Jul 19 coincided with the week beginning the Bicentenary Year of the Fourvière promise to form the Society of Mary. This year's co-ordinator, Fr Paul Mahony SM, reports:

'About one hundred Marists gathered at Holy Name of Mary Church for Mass celebrated by Fr Gavin Foster who spoke of young people being inspired by the Marist Charism and how we have the mission of keeping that mission alive today.

'This was followed by a PowerPoint Presentation showing much of our Marist history around Fourvière but also had the (ghost) message from each of our founders  and foundresses sharing with us what they believe we should do in this Fourvière Year.' 

[Jul 20]

The Fourvière Bicentenary Prayer has been released. Copies of the small leaflet can be downloaded here.

Fourvière celebrations invitation

Members of all branches of the Marist Family have been invited to this year's celebrations, marking the anniversary of the 1816 pledge to form the Society of Mary at the shrine of Our Lady of Fourvière, Lyon, France.

This year's event is being hosted by the Marist Fathers on Sun, Jul 19 beginning at 1.30 pm with Mass at Holy Name of Mary church, Hunters Hill. This will also mark the commencement of the Bicentenary Year of Fourvière.

[Jul 17]

BP-ers at ACU, from left: Saw Yu Nwe, Hnin Set Win, Amoe, Thura Hein and Du Du / ...with ACU program director, Maya Cranitch and former BP-er, Rocky. Below: 'First day at school!'

BP-ers at ACU

Five graduates of the Marist-sponsored 'Bridge Program' have commenced studies at Australian Catholic University's online program at Mae Pa, Thailand.

The students, all Burmese refugees from various ethnic backgrounds, completed the 20-week Bridge Program in 2014 and 2014-15, commencing their Liberal Arts Diploma course at Mae Pa on Jul 11.

The ACU program is also conducted at the Marist Mission in Ranong, Southern Thailand.

The Bridge Program has prepared refugee youth to apply for tertiary studies since 2011.

[Jul 13]

Publicity for 'Both Ends of the Gun'

Jenny Cullen (Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney Communications) identifies key issues in the Aug 29 one-day conference by the Marist Family Peace and Justice group.

Click here

[Jul 09]

Fr Bernie Ryan memorial blessed

In a simple ceremony at East Kempsey cemetery, NSW, on Jul 06 a memorial cross and plaque was blessed honouring the late Fr Bernard Ryan SM, and his devoted ministry to indigenous people of the Northern Rivers.

Aboriginal artist, Richard Campbell's, painted cross dominates the memorial. Click here for an explanation of the painting, and see below for Fr Paul Mahony's report....

[Jul 07]

Passing of S&L graduate

Marists of the Pacific area mourn the death of Fr Michael Tondikop SM who died suddenly in Bougainville on Jul 04.

Fr Michael was part of the 'Spirituality & Lifestyle' program conducted in Australia in 2012 and had been superior of the Bougainville region of the Oceania Marist province..

On Saturday evening he had just returned from visiting small christian communities at Tohatsi, Hanahan parish, hearing confessions of school children preparing for first communion. May he rest in peace.

[Jul 05]

Fr Kevin Bates asks: gift or possession?

The world of property, security and border protection.... Go to JPIC or download here

[Jul 04]

From left: Fr Paul Cooney, Srs Grace Ellul and Jane Frances O'Carroll, Fr Tony Corcoran and Sr Vivienne Goldstein

Marist Sisters' leaders at Monteverde

The newly-elected Superior-General of the Marist Sisters, Sr Grace Ellul, has arrived in Rome with fellow-Australian, Sr Vivienne Goldstein.

Both were present at the Marist Fathers' General House, Monteverde, on Jul 03, for the memorial Mass for the late Fr Craig Larkin. They were accompanied by retiring Superior-General, Sr Jane Frances O'Carroll, and were welcomed by Frs Paul Cooney and Tony Corcoran.

[Jul 03]

Latest Euroinfo

Recent news from the European Province of the Marist Fathers includes reports on mission awarenss in Coslada and Malgrat (Spain) and an African Mass in Passau (Germany). Click here.

[Jul 03]

At 'Montbel', Hunters Hill (from left) Fr Willy Melteras (Villa Maria parish staff), Paul Molbwet (Vanuatu), Frs Michael O'Connor (Fiji) and Chris Ketsore (Brisbane) and Xavier Sariman (PNG) / Paul (3rd from left) and Xavier (6th from left) with fellow Casa di Maria students at their farewell in Rome a week ago.

Oceanians visit

Two Pacific Marist seminarians from 'Casa di Maria' international theologate in Rome, were amongst Oceanian visitors to Sydney recently.

Paul Molbwet (Vanuatu) and Xavier Sariman (Solomon Is) have completed theology studies and are returning to their home province for final steps towards priestly ordination.

Also visiting were Frs Michael O'Connor (Suva, Fiji) and Chris Ketsore (Rosalie, Qld).

[Jul 02]

June slump

Visits to this web site dropped during the month of June as interest from Eastern Europe diminished bringing daily averages to a modest 430 visits, 11,250 hits and 9,000 pages - a 12-month low.

Australia remained consistent with a 40% score, followed by Italy, France, NZ, Germany and 111 other countries..

[Jul 01]

Act Justly - special issue

Sydney's Catholic archdiocese 'Justice & Peace Office' advises:
'To celebrate the release of Pope Francis' Encyclical, "Laudato Si" we've put together a Special Issue on caring for creation! It's full of stories and ideas about how we can all respond to the messages of the Encyclical'

For the special issue of 'Act Justly' click here.

[Jul 01]

Social Justice and Marist diary for July

This month's dates include martyrdom of Blessed Peter To Rot (Jul 07) and beginning of Bicentenary Year for Fourvière (Jul 23)

Go to JPIC Diary

[Jul 01]