This page: Indigenous theology symposium Rectors' conference MAP in Davao Gift to Veech library Manziana renewal Champagnat Day message Faith outlines program |
Indigenous theology symposium 'Dreaming a new earth: indigenous spiritualities and the vision of Raimon Panikkar' Australian Marist, Fr Gerard Hall SM, has played a central role in launching Australian Catholic University’s Centre for Indigenous Education and Research (CIER) and the School of Theology 'Indigenous Theology Symposium' held in Brisbane, Jun 20-24. Among other sponsors the symposium was supported by the Australian Province of the Marist Fathers. |
The symposium hosted a public lecture on ‘The call to get in touch with our origins’ on Jun 20 at the Brisbane Campus at Banyo. Respected Ngugi Elder of the Quandamooka people, Aunty Joan Hendriks, spoke at the event about Indigenous Spirituality. She was joined by Professor Francis D’Sa, a distinguished Panikkar scholar from the Institute for the Study of Religion at De Nobili College, India. Fr Gerry, Aunty Joan Hendriks and Fr D'Sa were members of the International Spirit of Religion Project 2006-09 under the leadership of Raimon Panikkar, meeting several times in Costa Brava, Spain & Venice, Italy, involving representatives of Eastern (Hindu, Zen Buddhist, Confucian, Daoist), Abrahamic (Catholic Christian, Reform Christian, Sunni Moslem, Orthodox Jewish) and Indigenous (Aboriginal Australian, Guatamalan Indian) traditions on the theme of 'Forgiveness as a Way of Peace'.
Above, from left: Assoc Prof Nereda White [Director, Centre for Indigenous Education and Research, ACU] |
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Marists at Oceania Rectors' Conference
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Two Marists are amongst the twelve seminary rectors assembled from Jun 21 at the Seminary of the Good Shepherd, Homebush, NSW. They are Australian, Fr Michael Moore SM, Mater Redemptoris (neocatechumenal) Seminary, Perth, WA, and Kiwi, Fr Michael O'Connor SM, Pacific Regional Seminary, Suva, Fiji. The annual three-day meeting of seminary rectors from several Pacific countries provides opportunity for sharing of experiences, mutual support and inservice. |
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MAP sets sail in Davao Marist-Asia Pacific meeting in the Philippines
Above: MAP participants set out for a glimpse at Davao / Standing at the back row, from left: Frs Gil Casio (Phil), Gavin Foster (Phil), Chris Ganzon (Phil), Lionel Mechavez (Phil), Bob Barber (Aust), Suni Halapio (Oceania), Aliki Langi (Phil), Phil Cody (NZ), student John Gou Wang (Chinese scholastic, Phil) and Fr Lauro Arcede (Phil). Sitting: Frs Paul Donoghue (Oceania), Larry Sabud (Phil), Kevin Duffy (General Administration, Rome) and Paul Cooney (Aust).
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The annual meeting of Marist leadership in Asia-Pacific (MAP) has been held in Davao on the island of Mindanao, Philippines. Provincial and Mission District leaders reviewed and planned for ways of further collaborating in ministry throughout the four units represented in Asia-Pacific: Australia, New Zealand, Philippines and Oceania. Topics included formation, recruitment and other areas of ministry collaboration and support. Australia has been represented by provincial, Fr Paul Cooney SM, and vicar-provincial, Fr Bob Barber SM and the international leadership team by Fr Kevin Duffy SM (General Administration, Rome).
Above: MAP leaders in sessions, from left: Frs Chris Ganzon (Phil), Kevin Duffy (Rome), Suni Halapio (Oceania), Larry Sabud (Phil), Phil Cody (NZ), Paul Donoghue (Oceania), Paul Cooney (Aust) and Bob Barber (Aust). |
NZ's Fr Phil Cody / young neighbours on the beach at Dumalag. MAP delegates visited the waterside Marist formation community and international novitiate site at Dumalag, Davao. |
Frs Kevin Duffy and Paul Cooney near the Marist community at Dumalag / Frs Bob Barber, Paul Cooney and Aliki Langi visit the grave of Australian Marist, Fr Philip Callaghan, in Davao. |
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Marist gift to Veech Library 'Letters from Oceania' presented to Catholic Institute of Sydney
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In early June Marist provincial, Fr Paul Cooney SM, vicar provincial, Fr Bob Barber SM and Hunters Hill librarian, Rosie Payn, visited Catholic Institute of Sydney at Strathfield to hand over the ten volume copy of the 'Letters Received from Oceania' by the General Administration of the founder Jean Claude Colin (1836–54) and to be recognised by Catholic Institute of Sydney for a large donation of books from Colin Library at Hunters Hill. The letters are among the first European accounts of the lives of peoples of the Pacific and are an outstanding resource for further research. The hope of the Australian Province is that by placing the publication in Australian research libraries it will be preserved and in time its research potential will be realised.
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Manziana renewal moves to France
Kiwi Marists, Frs David Kennerley and Chris Skinner, are also on the program, Fr David being part of the international facilitating team. |
One Australian, Fr Pius Jones SM, is among the twenty Marists experiencing the international Marist renewal program at Manziana, Italy. This week (Jun 11) the participants move to France for a three-week segment visiting the places of Marist origins.Fr Pius is enthusiastic.
He says, 'It's a real renewal: the best program I've done since I've been professed as a Marist. 'The quality of the course is way beyond my expectations. The input is first class and the dynamic of mixing with Marists from all over the world is so refreshing and energising. It's inspiring to hear the stories of other Marists working in most difficult circumstances in many different places.' There are five program members from each of the Marist branches of Marist Fathers, Marist Sisters, Marist Brothers and Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary. |
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Champagnat Day message Brother Emili Turu FMS , Superior-General of the Marist Brothers, has given a special message for Jun 06, the 170th anniversary of the death of their Founder, Fr Marcellin Champagnat.
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St Marcellin Champagnat was one of the co-founders of the Society of Mary, promising on Jul 23, 1816, to form a religious family with branches of priests, brothers, sisters and laity. Fr Champagnat quickly undertook to establish the Brothers' branch in the parish of Lavalla near St Etienne, France. Recalling the words of Champagnat’s first successor, Br Francois, today's international leader of the Brothers, Br Emili Turu, says: 'On a day like this, 170 years ago, Br. François had the sad duty of informing the Institute that their loved brother and friend was dead: “On Saturday 6 June, at half-past four in the morning, our good Father Superior went to sleep peacefully in the Lord, after a serene decline of three quarters of an hour… In these sad circumstances, we invite you, very dear brothers, to unite your tears and hopes to ours. Mourn for a good father, a worthy Superior and Founder, a holy priest of Mary, our support, our guide, our tender consoler... " ' The Brothers' have recently announced the appointment of a new leader for their New Zealand Province, Br David McDonald. He will take up his appointment On Dec 19, 2010, coinciding with the reappointed terms of Sydney and Melbourne provincials, Brs Jeff Crowe and Julian Casey. Web links |
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Faith outlines for thinking Catholics 'Retired' Marist theologian, Fr John Thornhill SM, is far from retired and soon begins a five-week program, 'Some faith outlines for thinking Catholics', in two Sydney parishes. Recently moved from Brisbane to the Marist retirement community, 'Montbel', Hunters Hill, NSW, Fr John has not let age or failing eyesight get in the road of continuing theological reflections for pastoral ministry. |
He comments: 'I'm now in a reflective phase of life because of difficulty with my eyesight. It gives me the opportunity to reflect and clarify insights which might help people in the renewal of their faith.' The 'Faith outlines' program is being held in the parishes of Holy Name of Mary (Hunters Hill) and St Charles (Ryde). Ten topics will be covered over five weeks. They are:
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Large screen and easy-to-read keyboard are part of Fr John's overcoming macular genetration in his latest work at 'Montbel'. Fr John is assisted by colleague, Fr Patrick Lim (Perth archdiocese) in technical areas of web site and computer facilities. In recent years the two priests have developed 'The Emmaus Series' now receiving over a million 'hits' annually. Check it out at: www.theemmausseries.com |
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