JPIC - Marist Fathers Australia

Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation

Marist contemplative living

This week's JPIC Blog continues the theme of Marist Contemplative Living, this time authored by Fr Ted Keating SM, USA. Go to the blog: click here. [Apr 20]

Aussie camino for Wilai

The Wilai Foundation announces its Australian Camino, Walk for Wilai 2021, from Portland, Vic, to Penola, S.A. in September. In 2017 Fr Jim Carty SM (then 78 years of age) walked a rugged 740 km camino through the south-west of France to raise funds for the Foundation and its work on behalf of stateless children in S-E Asia. At 82, he plans to be part of the 200km-plus Australian camino.

For details of the walk: click here [Apr 16]

Mary's Grove.

This week's JPIC Blog reports on the transformation of the shrine of Our Lady Mother of God and of Humanity at Monte Alto, Brazil. Go to the Blog: click here. [Apr 12]

Deep Resurrection

This week’s JPIC Blog is a short reflection on the Paschal Mystery from where we are in space and time. Go to the Blog: click here. [Apr 05]

Laudato Si & Marists in Africa

This week's JPIC Blog comes from Fr Luigi Savoldelli SM and his Laudato Si project with the people of Nkoloman, Cameroon. The Paschal Mystery of this Holy Week is coming to life in many real ways here. Go to the Blog: click here. [Mar 29]

What is truth?

For Fr Kevin Bates' reflection on the iconic question of Pilate, click here. [Mar 27]

Marists and Myanmar

This week's JPIC Blog is about Fr Peter Nawt Lawt as he returns to his people in Myanmar, and about the first Marist mission to that place. Go to the Blog: click here.

Fr Peter is pictured below, seated, with members of the Villa Santa Maria community, Rome, including Superior-General, Fr John Larsen SM, second from right, who led the Marist mission in Myanmar. [Mar 22]

Contemplative Marist living

This week's JPIC Blog comes from Fr Fritz Arnold, SM, and the contemplative Marist community of Furstenzell, Germany. Go to the Blog: click here [Mar 15]

Below: Fr Fritz Arnold SM | Bernini's 'The Ectasy of St Teresa of Avila'

You took care...

This week's JPIC Blog from the Solidarity Commission of the European Province. The focus is on caring for the Sick and the Elderly – who themselves are participating in the redeeming and transfiguring work of Christ: Go to the Blog: click here. [Mar 08]

Laudato Si action plan

This week's JPIC Blog comes from New Zealand and Fr Peter Healy SM, reflecting on the recent roll-out of Laudato Si's 7-year plan. Go to the Blog: click here. [Mar 02]

Seven-year action platform

This week's JPIC Blog follows the recent webinar (see below) focussing on the seven-year action platform for developing Laudato Si strategies worldwide. Go to the Blog: click here. [Feb 23]

Marist Laudato Si webinar

Marists from all over the world and representing all branches of the Marist Family connected on Feb 11 with Fr Joshtrom Kureethadam for a webinar on Laudato Si's 7-year planning. Fr Joshtorm is Coordinator of the Sector of “Ecology and Creation” at the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

The webinar, facilitated by Marist Assistant-General, Fr Ben McKenna SM, provided its almost a hundred participants with opportunities for questions and comments to Fr Joshtrom.

For a glimpse of most of the presentation's slides: click here. [Feb 17]

Laudato Si Lent

The Global Catholic Climate Movement invites all to participate in a Laudato Si Lent. For the Lenten calendar and a host of Lenten ideas go to the website: click here. [Feb 17]

Contemplative Marist Living

In this week's JPIC Blog Fr Justin Taylor SM writes of contemplation as the energy source, 'the mystical heart' of Marist mission.. Go to the Blog: click here. [Feb 15]

Myanmar's Cardinal speaks out

Archbishop of Yangon and leader amongst Asian bishops, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, has written powerfully about the recent events in Myanmar. In his letter he addresses the people of Myanmar, the military coup leaders, the democratically elected leaders and the international community.

For Cardinal Bo's letter, click here. [Feb 08]

Ride on, Br Charlie !

This week's JPIC Blog features Brisbane-born Br Charles Randle SM and his contribution to the work of the Marist Mission Centre through 'Cycling fior Children'. Go to the Blog: click here. [Feb 08]

Above: Br Charlie on his Colnago racer | Celebrating his 80th birthday in Nov 2020. | With MMC riders in 2006. Below: Relaxing during a week-long ride in rural NSW. | Co-rider in Rome, Marist seminarian, Cameron Mota SM.

Border recycling

This week's JPIC Blog comes from Fr Tony O'Connor SM at Brownsville on the USA-Mexican border, recycling for a better life. Go to the Blog: click here [Feb 02]

One and free

For Fr Kevin Bates' reflection following Australia Day 2021, click here. [Jan 29]

Marists, refugees and migrants

This week's JPIC Blog comes from Br Ivan Vodopicec SM and the SM Solidarity Committee, Europe: as the first of four leaflets to reflect on our lives and mission. The theme is Refugees and Migrants, and draws on Marist experience and sources. Go to the Blog: click here. [Jan 20]

Ranong report

From Ranong, southern Thailand, Fr Frank Bird SM sends the annual report of the Marist Asia Foundation. Its thirty pages offer a comprehensive summary of a challenging year spent among Burmese migrant workers and their families during the pandemic. Fr Frank gratefully notes the presence of Australian Marist, Fr Kevin Redmond, (pictured below surrounded by Ranong students and with Fr Frank) whose extended stay will shortly end as he returns to Australia for the start of the new mission venture at Marayong, NSW.

For the MAF report: click here. [Jan 15)

0121 Ranong KRedmond FBird et al 0121 Ranong report

Marists and Sustainability

Superior-General, Fr John Larsen's first reflection for 2021 focuses on practical issues of sustainability. Speaking of 'ecological conversion' it is accompanied by a 'Sustainability Covenant' developed by the Marist Ecological Commission and adopted by the General Council of the Society of Mary as a model for Marist communities worldwide.

Click for: Superior-General's reflection | Sustainability Covenant For other languages (Spanish, Italian and French), go to the JPIC Blog: click here.

For earlier reflections by Fr John Larsen, go to the Superior-General's page: click here. [Jan 09]

1120 NL SG Larsen John at MMC 0319 5crpe 0121 SG 1 0121 SG 2 Sust Cov

New Year contemplation

From Rome Fr Ben McKenna introduces this week's JPIC Blog: 'Our blog this week is an invitation to begin our Journey into 2021 with a contemplative heart, one with God, to play our part in healing our wounded world.' Go to the Blog: click here. [Jan 05]

Dadirri - the deep spring

This week's JPIC Blog comes from Australian indigenous woman, Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann, who offers a listening experience for Christmas. Go to the Blog: click here. [Dec 22]

World, Church and Marists

This week's JPIC Blog follows a recent gathering in Rome of a Laudato Si circle. Fr Ben McKenna was there. Go to the Blog: click here. [Dec 14]

Ranong graduations

This week's JPIC Blog features the recent ACU graduation of immigrant youth at the Marist mission, Ranong, Thailand. Go to the Blog: click here. [Dec 07]

Māori dialogue

In this week's JPIC Blog Fr Phil Cody SM reflects on years of dialogue with the Māori people of Aotearea/New Zealand. Go to the Blog: click here [Nov 30]

Border update

This week's JPIC Blog comes from Brownsville, Texas, where Fr Tony O'Connor SM gives an update, 'Which soul of the nation?', on life, ministry and COVID-19 on the Mexican border. Go to the Blog: click here. [Nov 23]

Oceania legacy

From Rome, Assistant-General, Fr Ben NcKenna SM, sends the weekly JPIC Blog with this comment: 'The blog is going up on 15^th November: the anniversary of Françoise Perreton, a pioneer of the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary (SMSM) leaving France for Oceania in 1845. Thirty years later, on 15^th November 1875, Jean-Claude Colin, Marist Founder, went to his eternal reward. Their legacy lives on...' Go to the Blog: click here [Nov 16]

Laudato Si in action

This week's JPIC Blog is from Fr Jim Duffy SM who reports on the initiatives of Our Lady of the Assumption parish, Atlanta, USA. Go to the Blog: click here. [Nov 09]

Fr Olivier's dialogue with Islam

This week's JPIC Blog comes again from Toulon, France, where Fr Paddy O'Hare reports on the work of Fr Olivier Laurent with Christian-Islamic dialogue. Go the Blog: click here. [Nov 03]

Ecological education at Toulon

This week’s JPIC Blog comes from Fr Paul Walsh SM, Toulon, France, about the crucial role of education of young people in ecological awareness and practices. Go to the Blog: click here. [Oct 27]

Marist ecology at Tutu

Fr Petero Matairatu SM is the director of the Marist Training Centre, Tutu, Taveuni, Fiji, In this week's JPIC Blog he describes the ecologically-sensitive developments amongst the young farfmers and failies of Tutu. Go the the Blog: click here. [Oct 19]

Caring for the Cooks

This week's JPIC Blog comes from Bishop Paul Donogbue SM, Rarotonga, Cook Is, about the people's response to Laudato Si. Go to the Blog: click here. [Oct 12]

Sin is in the air

Fr Kevin Bates' weekly reflection for Holy Name of Mary parish is a perceptive look at modern world trends, corporate and human behaviour. Click here. [Oct 10]

Peace through inter-religious encounter

From Rome Fr Kevin Medilo SM shares his experience of inter-religious dialogue in this week's JPIC Blog. Go to the Blog: click here. [Oct 06]

Street boys' pandemic studies

From Davao, southern Philippines, Fr Lionel ('Long') Mechavez SM reports in this week's JPIC Blog on Balay Pasilungan's street kids studying through the pandemic. Go to the Blog: click here. [Sep 29]

A second creation

This week's JPIC Blog is educationalist Fr 'Aisake Vaisima's reflection on Marist education as a 'second creation', according to the mind of Marist Founder, Jean-Claude Colin. Go to the Blog: click here [Sep 21]

Pandemic in Bolivia

This week's JPIC Blog comes from Fr John Hopkison's 75th birthday letter reflecting on living through the pandemic in Bolivia. Go to the Blog: click here. [Sep 15]

Marist education , 'a new creation'

This week's JPIC Blog features the insights of Fr Cyr Avaligbe SM, former manager of the Institution Mariste Jean-Claude Colin de Ndiakhirate, Dakar, Senegal. Go to the Blog: click here. [Sep 07]

Respect for the planet's resources

In a short but moving video, Pope Francis forcefully speaks out against acts of “looting” against God’s creation and calls on all people to take action to protect God’s gifts “today, not tomorrow, today.” For the video, click here [Sep 04]

Season of Creation

In the spirit of Pope Francis' Laudato Si and from the Global Catholic Climate Movement, program manager for Asia Pacific, Cheryl Dugan, encourages worldwide participation in the five-week Season of Creation commencing today. Download the handy guide: click here. [Sep 01]

0920 Season of Creation program

Hope facing no hope

This week's JPIC Blog, from Fr Tony O'Connor SM, Brownsville, Texas, is the moving story of asylum seeker, Rodrigo. Go the the Blog: click here. [Aug 31]

Australia's dodos

This week's JPIC Blog comes from Fr Jim Carty, commenting on Australia's increasing loss of biodiveristy.. Go to the Blog: click here. [Aug 24]

COVID initiatives in Africa

In this week's JPIC Blog, from Yaoundé, Cameroon, and the Marist Mission District of Africa, Fr Albert Kabala reports on a range of creative initiatives during the pandemic. Go to the Blog: click here. [Aug 17]

Give it a go

This week's JPIC Blog comes from Browsville, Texas, and Fr Tony O'Connor SM, with the experience of the pandemic on the USA-Mexico border. Go to the Blog: click here. [Aug 12]

This Fragile Globe

Following the Beirut explosion and in the midst of the COVID pandemic, Fr Kevin Bates' reflects on the fragile state of our world. Click here [Aug 07]

From Hope Cathedral

This week's JPIC Blog comes from Norway, where a friend of the Marists, Elisabeth Golding, reflects on Pope Francis' Laudato Si letter on World Environment Day. She speaks from Oslo's 'Cathedral of Hope', itself constructed from waste materials collected on Norway's shores. Go to the Blog: click here. [Jul 27]

Tutu's tradition

This week's JPIC Blog comes from Fr Isaia Wairoga SM, director of the Marist Rural Training Centre, Tutu, Fiji, maintaining a long tradiion of empowering the young farmers and families of Taveuni . Go to the Blog: click here. [Jul 20]

Black lives matter: Australia-Pacific

This week's JPIC Blog comes from Marist Associate, Rev Ross Flint, Tasmania. Go to the Blog: click here. [Jul 06]

Senegal's street kids

This week's JPIC Blog comes from Dakar, Senegal, reporting on the ministry to street kids of Fr Roger Kasiama SM, director of the Marist Ministry of Family and Social Reintegration for Children in Street Situations. Go to the Blog: click here. [Jun 29]

Saturday sandwiches

This week's JPIC Blog is from Br Ivan Vodopivec SM, a member of the Marist community of Notre Dame de France, Leicester Square, London. He describes their outreach to provide simple meals for the homeless on Saturdays - and Fridays, too. Go to the Blog: click here. [Jun 23[

Refugee Week

For the range of events during Refugee Week during the Year of Welcome 2020, click here.

Home ecology

This week's JPIC Blog features the continuing environmental work of Fr Donato Kivi SM, rector of Marist College, Suva, Fiji. Go to the Blog: click here. [Jun 16]

Rosemary's Way

At its recent meeting the Marist Family Committee for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation moved to promote the award-nomnated documentary, 'Rosemary's Way', depicting the extraordinary assimilation ministry of Rosemary Kariuki amongst migrant and refugee women in Australia and their welcome by Australian communities. Former Marist Laity leader, Maria Baden, (pictured below, far right) features in some parts of the documentary which is currently part of the Sydney Film Festival.

Go to the website: click here. View trailer: click here. [Jun 15].

Prison and COVID

In this week’s JPIC Blog Sr Carlotta Calle Remaicuna, SMSM, describes from Peru how the COVID-19 pandemic has added to the problems that prisoners face. Go to the Blog: click here. [Jun 08]

Reconciliation, AUS-USA, a common need

In the wake of violence in Minneapolis, USA, and during Reconciliation Week in Australia, Fr Jim Carty, in this week's JPIC Blog, reflectis on the common need for reconciliation in both Australia and USA. Go to the Blog: click here. [Jun 01]

Laudato Si and the 8-year plan

This week's JPIC Blog from Rome links to resources for an 8 year plan inspired by Laudato Si. Fr Ben McKenna says: 'I would recommend a slow, reflective read, which will flow into practical plans: personal, communal, and institutional.'

Go to the Blog: click here. [May 29]

Reconciliation week, 2020

Wed, May 27, is National Sorry Day, remembering the landmark declaration towards reconciliation. For details of this year's Reconciliation Week and opportunities to participate, click here.

Global prayer at noon

As a climax to the Laudato Si 5th anniversary week, Catholics across the globe will be united in spirit and bring solidarity to the world in a shared moment of prayer at noon local time on May 24. Participants may register here and click here to download the Common Prayer. [May 23]

A story I don't want to tell

From Brownsville , USA, Fr Tony O'Connor SM sends this story...

Mike Seifert has lived in Texas border communities since 1989. In 2017 he became Border Advocacy Strategist for the ACLU of Texas. Here is the story he did not want to tell. click here. [May 19]

Practical ideas for Laudato Si week

In this week's JPIC Blog Sr Catherine Jones SMSM writes from Notre Dame de France, London, with practical ideas on how to observe Laudato Si week. Go to the Blog: click here. [May 18]

Laudato Si week

Pope Francis invites us to mark the fifth anniversay of his monumental letter on the care for our planet, 'Laudato Si' with a week of special prayer and reflection, May 16-24.

For the comprehensive program suggested by the Australian Jesuits, click here and here. For Pope Francis' video message, click here. [May 15]

Faith bigger than fear

This week's Monday JPICC Blog from Rome is from Fr Tony O'Connor SM on the USA-Mexican border. Facebook and food bank during COVID times. Go to the Blog: click here. [May 12]

Post-COVID, a new normal?

In this week's JPIC Blog, Rev Ross Flint ponders what a new normal might be after the pandemic. Go to the Blog: click here. [May 05]

A hunger pandemic

In this week's JPIC Blog, Fr Jim Carty points to the pandemic of hunger paralleling the COVID-19 outbreak. Go to the Blog: click here. [Apr 28]

Earth Day's 50th anniversary

Pope Francis has devoted his weekly audience on Apr 22 to marking the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Go to the text: click here. [Apr 23]

Pope's pandemic commission

This week’s JPIC Blog records Pope Francis' latest initiative to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Go to the Blog: click here [Apr 21]

Border Triduum

This week's JPIC Blog comes from Fr Tony O'Connor SM on the USA/Mexican border. Go to the Blog: click here. [Apr 14]

Street kids' response

This week's JPIC Blog comes from Davao, Philippines: the response of Balay Pasilungan's youngsters. Go to the Blog: click here. [Apr 08]

Pope Francis prays for the world

This week's JPIC Blog is the Holy Father's recent 'Urbi et Orbi' message. Go to the Blog: click here. [Mar 30]

Jaime's rooftop garden

During Rome's pandemic lock-down, Mexican Marist seminarian, Jaime Perez Martinez SM, has used time to restore abandoned garden plants and reflect on their new lease of life. Indeed, Jaime, a student at Casa di Maria, the Marist International Theologate, points to how much life can flow from these restricted times. Good on you, Jaime! A fine use of lock-down time.

For Jaime's reflection, 'Principles of Death, Principles of Life', click here. [Mar 28]

Corona and climate

From New Zealand, in this week's Monday Blog, Fr Peter Healy SM shares about Maori culture and the connections between corona and climate. Go to the Blog: click here. [Mar 23]

Pandemic - poems and prayers

With the spread of COVID-19, thoughtful reflections, poems and prayers, are emerging as well.

Click below for:

0320 COVID Poem 0320 COVID Ungar 0320 COVID Pandemic prayer 1

Lenten carbon fast

Catholic Religious Australia's calendar for the Lenten carbon fast is available, click here. (Apologies to CRI for the late uploading.) [Mar 10]

Coronavirus - a faith response

In this week's JPIC Blog from Rome, Fr Ben McKenna reflects on the current crisis through the eyes of faith. Go to the blog: click here. [Mar 09]

JPICC meets

The Marist Family Committee for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation held its first meeting for 2020 on Mar 07. The Hunters Hill session heard reports on activities including ecological programs, immersion experiences, use of social media, support for homeless, refugees and stateless children.

The committee continues to support the Marist Father's JPIC 2018 initiative to establish a world-wide Blog, a recent item of which featured Fr Jim Carty's reflections on the bushires of Australia.

Below from left: Fr Jim Carty, Andrew Dumas (Marist Laity Australia), Fr Kevin Stewart and Sr Ruth Davis SM (Fr Ron Nissen not pictured). Other Committee members are Sr Margaret Tisch SMSM, Br Paul Murphy FMS and Frs Kevin Bates and Paul Mahony. [Mar 07]

Down Under under attack

This week's JPIC Blog is Australian Marist, Fr Jim Carty's, sober comment on the ecology and climate of his homeland. Go to the Blog: click here. [Mar 02]

Br Paul's letter from Thailand

This week's JPIC Blog is a letter from Marist Brother Paul Murphy FMS working with undocumented migrant children in Thailand. Go to the Blog: click here. [Feb 26]

After the fires

In two of his regular weekend reflections, Fr Kevin Bates SM, officers thoughtful challenges in the aftermath of recent fires and floods. Click for: After the fires, unfinished business and Too much excess. [Feb 22]

Beloved Amazon

This week's JPIC Blog from Rome taps into Pope Francis' post-synodial exhortation, 'Querida Amazonia - Beloved Amazon'. Go the Blog: click here, For the full text of 'Beloved Amazon', click here. [Feb 18]

BP20 under way

The latest in the ongoing series of 'Bridge Programs' commenced in early February. Twelve young adult 'BP-ers' from various parts of Myanmar and Thailand have begun a twenty-week journey of D.I.Y. assignments geared to prepare them for entrée to higher education and employment.

BP began in 2011 as a consequence of the Marist Mission Centre's involvement with Burmese refugee camp hostels and the establishment of Australia Catholic Universty's online diploma course.on the Thai-Myanmar border.

The Bridge Program is led by a team of former-BP-ers who upload assignments to the BP website and coordinate many of the program's activities including regular Skype video sessions. [Feb 14]

Above: Participants in BP20 | Masthead of the Bridge Program website.

Below: Skype video sessions are integral to the Bridge Program in developing English language skills. | BP's signature image of a refugee youngster crossing a camp bridge into the future. | The Coordinating Team of BP20.

0220 BP20 4 0706 Maera Moo camp views 8 bridge lad

WIHW

In this week's JPIC Blog, Fr Larry Sabud SM prepares for World Inter-Faith Harmony Week. Go to the Blog: click here. [Feb 11]

Caring for the green mountain

'Villa Santa Maria', the General House of the Society of Mary, is located in the 'Monteverde' ('green mountain') district of Rome. The Marist community keeps an active ecological eye on the grounds and its groves of fruit trees, terraces and lawns.

Assistant-General, Fr Ben Mc Kenna, (pictured below, watering can in hand), took photos of the recent tree-lopping at 'Monteverde' on the heights overlooking the city of Rome.

See also 'The greening of Rome' (May 2019): click here [Feb 06]

0220 Monteverde trees 8 0409 Rome 13b Monteverde 0519

0220 Monteverde trees 9 0610 Rome 5b Gen House from roof 0519

Fr Luigi's well

In this week's JPIC Blog, from Cameroon, Africa, Marist missionary, Fr Luigi Savoldelli SM, describes a life-giving initiative . Click here. [Feb 04]

Unusual kindness

In this week's JPIC Blog from Rome, Fr Tony O'Connor shares moving stories of the experiences of his flock on the US-Mexican border. Go to the Blog: click here. [Jan 28]

Laudato Si and the Marist Family

This week's JPICC Blog from Rome features the Marist Family's planning for 2020's events surrounding Laudato Si. Go to the Blog: click here. [Jan 17]

Timo's story

Timothy Ehklokweh ('Timo' to his friends) is now an Australian citizen. Born in Karen State, Myanmar, in 1988, Timo's story reflects the success of the Marist Mission Centre's sowing seeds of hope, education and development along the Thai-Burma border for over twenty years.

Following his citizenship ceremony on Dec 18 in Brunswick, Melbourne, Timo commented: 'I especially want to thank MMC for being such a great support when we had nothing to live on or study with in the refugee camp. MMC offered great influences to me and helped a lot of young Karen to grow up with faith and education. Thank you, thank you!'

The images below tell something of Timo's story.... [Jan 02]

Above: A smiling Timo becomes an 'Aussie' | .... with his wife, Su Su.

Below: Timo as a 15-yr-old at MMC Hostel, Maera Moo refugee camp on the Tha-Burma border, 2004. Sent by anxious parents from his home village in Karen State, Myanmar, to the safety of Maera Moo, Timo began primary school at the camp, moving to high school during his MMC Hostel years. | ...with his sister, Lu Lu Paw, at MMC Hostel, 2005 | ... learning music from Hostel carer, Paul Heh Htoo Moo, himself a product of MMC's Leadership & Management program at Mae La refugee camp. MMC funded several L&M centres in the border camps of Mae La, Mae Khong Kha, Mae La Oon and Mae Hong Son.

0120 Timo 04a 1204 MMoo Timothy Lu Lu Paw

0120 Timo 04b 1205 TOH Maera Moo Xmas daynight 073

0120 Timo 05 0705 MMoo schol 5 LaSay Timothy

0120 Timo 07 1205 TOH 5j sessions Xword 2 Timo KHMoo

0120 Timo 08 1205 TOH 5h Maera Moo MAQ 023

Above: Timo with fellow hostel students during MMC's scholarship program 2005. The refugee youth could choose English language, music or art skill development. | Hostel students (Timo, second from left) helping MMC's 'The Other Half' program visitors at Maera Moo camp.

Below: Timo and hostellers with TOH 2004. | MMC's 'Chanel House' project in Maesot, Thailand, 2006, saw Timo (front centre) in an initiative encouraging self-study and online research. All 'Chanelians' are now resettled in Australia, Canada and USA.

0120 Timo 06 1204 TOH MMoo group with Hostel grp 1

Below: Timo arrives in Australia at Sydney airport, Oct 2013. | His wedding to Su Su, Melbourne, Dec 2013