News - Marist Fathers Australia

February 2025 news

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1873: It's official

On Feb 28, 1873, the constitutions of the Society of Mary received their official approval by the Holy See. Marist Founder, Ven Jean-Claude Colin, had worked on this important document since his early days in the village of Cerdon, France, until the years of retirement at La Neylière.

At the General Chapter of 1872 the final form of the constitutions was accepted and then approved by Rome. Following the Second Vatican Council the constitutions were revised and gained further approval on Sep 12, 1987.

On this day each year Marists throughout the world are encouraged to offer Mass for God's continued blessing on the Society of Mary. [Feb 26]

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Above: Present Constitutions of the Society of Mary. | Fr Colin's desk at La Neylère where he worked upon the original constitutions. | The foundational article N. 49 on the spirit of the Society of Mary.

Pre-Chapter Committee

From the Society of Mary's headquarters in Rome comes this report: 'This week from Monday to Wednesday the Pre-Capitular Committee held its first gathering at the General House along with the facilitators. A lot of work had to be carried out, which meant that the days were very intense, but satisfaction was expressed for the many matters that could be attended to.'

The committee will prepare for the General Chapter to be held in September and is pictured below. It includes Australian Marist and Assistant-General, Fr Ben McKenna SM (at far right), [Feb 22]

SM Bulletin

This week's SM Bulletin reports on preparations for the General Chapter, Novitiate orientation program and refugees at the General House.

To download click here or go to Members' Page. [Feb 23]

Welcome to Ranong, Pat

From Ranong, Thailand, the Marist Asia Foundation reports on its welcome to Patrick Milne. Pat is the grand-nephew of Marist Superior-General, Fr John Larsen SM, and is currently visiting the Foundation in Ranong, helping students improve their English skills.

The Ranong mission was established in 2006 by Fr John with help from Australia's Marist Mission Centre. For more information go to the Marist Asia Foundation website: click here. [Feb 19]

SM Bulletin

This week's SM Bulletin reports on Marist leaders gathering in Formia, formation in South America and a new church in the Solomon s.

To download click here or go to Members' Page. [Feb 14]

Palma Flor and Beyond

From the Misioneros Maristas community in Bolivia, Fr John (Hoppy) Hopkinson SM has sent a copy of Palma Fllor and Beyond, an autobiographical reflection on his missionary years in the Americas.

He writes: 'You will find in the booklet a short story or short novel concerning my life and mission here in Latin America. You may wish to reproduce it or just read it online. Feel free to share it with others. Hope you enjoy it!'

To download Palma Flor and Beyond click here. [Feb 14]

Euroinfo

From Paris, the latest edition of Euroinfo reports on the meeting of European Marist provincials in Spain, gathering of school principals at La Neylière and a pastoral assistant's experiences in Ireland.

To download click here or go to Members' Page. [Feb 14]

Pacific News

In its January News Bulletin the Marist Oceania Province reports on recent celebrations, events and planning throughout the Pacific. To download click here or go to Members' Page. [Feb 12]

Omnes Gentes planning

Members of the Omnes Gentes mission based at Marayong in Sydney's west met at Villa Maria, Hunters Hill, on Feb 10 for a day of planning. The international team, pictured below, comprises, from left, Frs Kevin Redmond (Australia District), Lauro Arcede (Asia District) and Floyd Gatana (Oceania Province).

At present they care for the parish of St Andrew's at Marayong as well as efecting a presence of the Society of Mary in the diocese of Parramatta. In recent days Fr Kevin has been appointed Dean of the newly-reconstructed Blacktown deanery.

The Marayong team is one of several international Omnes Gentes Marist mission teams worldwide. [Feb 10]

Marist Family JPIC meets

The Marist Family Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Committee gathered for its first meeting of 2025 on Feb 08 at Hunters Hill.

The committee reviewed its activites during 2024 and received reports from the various branches, before discussing possibilities for 2025. One event is likely to be a Season of Creation celebration in September.

The Committee is pictured below in the meeting room of Maryvale, Hunters Hill, from left Frs Paul Mahony SM and Jim Carty SM, Sr Grace Ellul SM (chair), Andrew Dumas (Marist Laity Australia), Br Lawrence McCane FMS, Sr Margaret Tisch SMSM and Cathy Larkin (Marist Laity Australia). (Not pictured: Frs Ron Nissen and Kevin Stewart SM.) [Feb 10]

SM Bulletin

Thie week's SM Bulletin reports on the appointment of Fr Xavier Sariman as novice master for the next international novitiate, with Fr Thilo Saft as socius, Fr Ben McKenna's audience with Pope Francis and a youth gathering in Turkey.

To download click here or go to Members' Page. [Feb 07]

Fr Hoppy's anniversaries

From the Misioneros Maristas mission in Bolivia, Brisbane-born Fr John 'Hoppy' Hopkinson SM, reports on Feb 02: 'We are celebrating my 59th anniversary of profession as well as the 34th anniversary of our commissioning here in Bolivia by Bishop Adehamar Esquival and the commencement of our first mission of San Pablo.

'Here are a few photos my recent return to the Palma Flor mission.'

Happy anniversaries, Fr Hoppy! [Feb 04]

Above: Sunday Eucharist in the village chapel. | Fr Hoppy with members of the Palma Flor community at the mission. | Fr Hoppy celebrating the birthday of Polo, great, great grandson of Doña Florentina (105 years) who is the grandmother of both Arminda and Nair, the wives of Marists, Gilberto and Javier.

Below: After a 40 deg day Fr Hoppy enjoying the cool of the night with Amador, animator of the community, and his sons. | The one that didn't get away. | Celebrating Feb 02 with the Marist community, commemorating 34 years of the mission and Fr Hoppy's 59th anniversary of Marist profession.

Laudato Si' delegation

From the Society of Mary's headquarters in Rome we read: 'This Jubilee Year is also the 10th anniversary of the publication of Laudato Si. Our General Administration is working closely with the international bodies of the Superiors General, both men and women, and with the Laudato Sí' Movement, to promote ways of celebrating in prayer and practice.

'On Jan 30, Fr Ben McKenna from our General Administration was part of a delegation having an audience with Pope Francis.

'During the meeting with the Holy Father they presented a document signed by over a thousand congregations and associations, proposing ways to further live, celebrate and preserve the Mystery of Creation in Christ.'

Fr Ben is pictured below with the Holy Father and members of the delegation. [Feb 04]

District Handover

In a simple ceremony in the chapel of Montbel, Hunters Hill, on Jan 31 the role of District Superior of Australian Marist Fathers was handed over from Fr Tony Corcoran to Fr Tony Kennedy. Most Sydney-based confreres were present, including the international team from Marayong in Parramatta diocese, and were invited to share in offering the blessing to their new District Superior.

The handover ceremony was followed by refreshments and dinner at Montbel.

Thank you for your service, Fr Tony C and welcome to the job, Fr Tony K ! [Feb 01]

Above: Retiring District Superior, Fr Tony Corcoran, opens the ceremony in the Montbel chapel | ... and hands his successor, Fr Tony Kennedy, a symbolic candle from the 2017 General Chapter and a copy of the Marist Constitutions. | Assembled Marists join in the prayer of blessing over their new District Superior. | Fr Tony Kennedy acknowledging the work of Fr Tony Corcoran.
Below: Celebration dinner in the Montbel dining room.

Br Charlie's 60 Marist years

Marist confreres and family gathered in Brisbane with Br Charles Randle SM on Jan 24 to mark the 60th anniversary of his religious profession at the Marist novitiate, Armidale, NSW, on Jan 24, 1965.

Br Charlie, a champion cyclist in his youth, is well-known for the Cycling for Seminarians and Cycling for Children annual fund-raising rides in support of the Marist Mission Centre over the past twenty years.

He is pictured below with family members and Brisbane-based Marists during the celebration at Herston.

Congratulations, Br Charlie ! [Feb 02]