December 2025 news

Turning the tap at Mocomokal

From the community of Misioneros Maristas, Bolivia, Brisbane-born Fr John 'Hoppy' Hopkinson SM reports on the completion of a water supply for the indigenous people of remote Mocomokal village.

'Dec 12 saw the blessing and inauguration of the water project at the indigenous guarani village. The village was wiped out by a flood in February 2023 and lost its water supply.

'We Misioneros Maristas saw that the most urgent need of the village was to have water and we approached the Jesuit foundation [ACIO] with whom we collaborate with our weekly radio program (now in its 14th year}. They have a team of engineers who undertake different projects in the region so with them we took up the challenge and helped in securing the finance necessary and in animating and organizing the community in undertaking of the work.'

Well done, Fr Hoppy and Misioneros Maristas ! 

For Fr Hoppy's Christmas message click here.                             [Dec 23]

Marist Way newsletter

Marist Way Australia reports: 'Our December newsletter reflects a season of deep prayer, renewal, and active hope within the Marist community.

'Framed by Advent and Christmas reflections, the newsletter invites readers to bring Christ into the world in Mary’s way—through humility, attentiveness, and presence in ordinary life. It highlights Marist Way Australia’s growing commitment to formation and connection, including strengthened engagement with St Patrick’s Church Hill, the establishment of a local Marist Way Core Committee, and renewed outreach across the wider Marist family.

'Stories of peace-building and compassion are shared through reflections on contemporary events, mission immersion experiences in Davao, and communal Christian meditation gatherings, all underscoring the call to be instruments of peace.

'The newsletter also celebrates the launch of the book 'Rekindling the Christian Flame' and the recent review of the Marist Way Australia Guidelines, affirming an inclusive vision of Mary’s spirit alive and active in the world today.'

For the newsletter, click here.                             [Dec 23}

Death of Br Terry Garrett SM

Marists in the District of Australia mourn the passing of Br Terry Garrett SM early in the morning of Dec 23.

A member of the Maryvale/Montbel community, Hunters Hill, NSW, Br Terry died peacefully after some days of palliative care at Neringah Hospital, Wahroonga, after visits and prayers from family and confreres.

A gifted craftsman, Br Terry had worked as a teacher, maintenance coordinator and staffer in a number of Marist colleges as well as at St Patrick''s city centre shrine in Sydney and in Cameroon and Rome.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Br Terry on Mon, Dec 29, at 10.30 am in Holy Name of Mary Church, Hunters Hill, followed later by interment at Macquarie Park cemetery. May he rest in well-deserved peace.

For a summary of Br Terry's life click here.   For the recent report on Br Terry's Life Membership of the Hunters Hill/Ryde Men's Shed, click here.                                [Dec 23]

SM Bulletin

The latest SM Bulletin brings greetings from the Superior-General and reports on an interreligious dialogue in Thailand and the beatification of a former student of the Marist college in Toulon 

To download click here or go to Members' Page.                               [Dec 22]

District Circular

The final District Circular for 2025 is available at the Members' Page.                             [Dec 18]

Marists in the west

From Perth, W.A., Fr Stephen Truscott SM has sent a recent photo with felllow Marist, Fr Michael Moore SM. He writes: 'Michael and I were attending the golden jubilee celebrations of Greg Bourke OCD at the parish in Morley, Perth. Greg studied with us at CTU in the 1970s. Michael is now concluding his time as rector of the Neo-Catechumenate Seminary in Perth after 33 years in the role.'

Fr Stephen has also sent information on the upcoming Enneagram workshop conducted by the Fullness of Life Centre. To register for the workshop click here. For more on the Fullness of Life Centre click here.                               [Dec 15]

Euroinfo

The December issue of Euroinfo includes reflections on the Colin Pilgrimage and reports on 'Relais Mariste 2025' and the Marist Mission workshop.

To download click here or go to Members' Page.                             [Dec 13]

SM Bulletin

This week's SM Bulletin reports on the appointment of Fr Gavin Foster as the District Superior of Australia, the distribution of the Super-General's portrait photo, Marists and Pope Leo in Turkey and the ordination of Fr Charles Sangul in Vanuatu. To download click here or go to Members' Page.                              [Dec 12]

MMC Christmas Newsletter

From the Marist Mission Centre Fr Paul Sullivan SM writes to donors: 'Our Christmas Newsletter is full of Good News.  We are celebrating the remarkable story of Jesus who was born in a stable at Bethlehem.  Jesus comes to dwell among us with the gifts of God’s love and peace. 

'MMC has been able to continue this story of God’s presence and love in our world today.  We are delighted to share with you the stories young people in the Philippines who were living on the streets due to poverty and children in Cambodia with disabilities who were isolated and excluded from education.  The people in Bougainville are now reclaiming their dignity and freedom as they deal with the pain of war, violence and abuse.  

'MMC is most grateful for your kind-hearted and generous support.  We especially pray that you and your families will be blessed with the gift of God’s peace and love as we celebrate the coming of Jesus at Christmas.'

To download the newsletter click here or go to Members' Page.                                [Dec 08]

Vanuatu ordination

In a ceremony at Port Vila on Dec 06 Fr Charles Sangul SM was ordained to the priesthood by Vanuatu's bishop, Most Rev John Bosco Baremes SM. Congratulations, Fr Charlie, as you begin your new ministries from Marist communities in Vanuatu.

Scenes from the ordination are pictured below.                              [Dec 08]

Women's Twilight Dinner

A record two hundred and twenty women of Holy Name of Mary parish, Hunters Hill/Woolwich sat down to an Advent dinner on Dec 07 in the grounds of Villa Maria monastery. The twilight meal began with the blessing of hand-crafted 'angels' by parish priest, Fr Michael Carroll SM, and took place in a picturesque setting bounded by Chanel House, the Colin Library and historic Piquet Centre and Villa Maria monastery.                              [Dec 07]   

An Advent poem

From Brisbane, Fr Gerard Hall SM has sent an Advent poem to accompany web visitors throughout the pre-Christmas season. The poem, 'St John the Baptist... and Isaiah', was first written for Majelllan magazine's Homily Series. To download click here.                              [Dec 07]

Advent under way

The many daily commuters passing by Holy Name of Mary parish hall, Hunters Hill, cannot miss the striking Nativity figures erected at the start of  Advent. The crib scene has its full complement of figures including a replacement lamb 'rustled' from the site some years ago.                              [Dec 07]

Comings and Goings

Following the General Chapter of the Society of Mary two Australian Marists have exchanged roles as Assistants-General. On Nov 30 retiring Assistant, Fr Ben McKenna SM, arrived in Sydney for a short break before joining the formation community staff at Marist College, Suva, Fii, in the New Year.

Meanwhile on Dec 05, newly-elected Assistant and former District Superior of Australian Marists, Fr Tony Kennedy SM, left for Rome to join the Society of Mary's international leadership team.

During this period, on Dec 03, Fr Gavin Foster SM was appointed to succeed Fr Tony as District Superior of Australian Marist Fathers.

We wish each of these men blessings on their new roles.                              [Dec 06]

Superior-General's Reflection

In his December reflection Fr Declan Marmion draws on thoughts from Pope Leo to encourage a positive Advent for Marists. To download click here or go to Members' Page.                            [Dec 06] 

Prayers for Papiri abductees

The Marist Missionary Sisters have joined those seeking urgent prayers for the safety of over three hundred schoolchildren and teachers abducted on Nov 21 by gunmen during an attack on St Mary's School, Papiri, in north-central Nigeria. The Sisters ask 'Stand with us in hope, trusting that God hears the cry of the poor and will not abandon his children.'  

Click here for the prayer request.                              [Dec 04]

New District Superior

Following a process of consultation the Superior General of the Society of Mary has appointed Fr Gavin Foster SM as the next District Superior of Australian Marist Fathers.

Fr Gavin has accepted this responsibility which he will take up in Feb, 2026. He is presently chaplain to St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill, NSW.

Congratulations, Fr Gavin !                              [Dec 03]

Pacific News

The November issue of the Oceania Marist Province newsletter reports on a wide range of happenings within the province including recent celebrations of the sesquicentenary of the death of Ven Jean-Claude Colin. To download click here or go to Members' Page.                        [Dec 03]

Marists and Pope Leo in Turkey

Members of the Marist Omnes Gentes mission in Samsun, Turkey, attended celebrations in Istanbul during Pope Leo's recent visit. The joint mission comprises three Marist priests (Frs Donato Kivi, Ardaldo da Silva and David Sanchez) and two Marist Missionary Sisters (Srs Irene and Juliana). They are pictured below during the Istanbul events.                            [Dec 02]

Br Terry Garrett SM

xxx

SM Bulletin

The latest SM Bulletin reports on Fr Declan Marmion at Rome USG meeting, ordinations in Africa and Fr Pat Muckian's farewell in Davao.

To download click here or go to Members' Page.                               [Dec 01]