Marist Fathers Australia

  


April 2026 news

For previous years, go to News menu, above

This page:       SM Bulletin     |     Novena for vocations     |     Euroinfo     |     Cost of Living     |     Marist Family's Domestic Violence statement     |     USA Justice & Peace Alert     |     SM Bulletin     |     International visitors     |     Villa Maria Stations of the Cross     |     In Memoriam - Fr Gaston Lessard SM   


 

SM Bulletin

This week's SM Bulletin reports on the General Council's work on Chapter decisions, Marist days in France and Chanel College, Samoa.

To download click here or go to Members' Page.                                [Apr 17]

0426 NL SM Apr 17

Novena for vocations

The annual novena to St Peter Chanel for vocations begins on Apr 19 leading to the feast day of the first martyr of the Society of Mary and of the Pacific, Apr 28.

To download the novena click for: scrolling  |  printing.                              [Apr 17] 

0425 SPC novena cover0425 SPC novena pages0425 SPC novena page prayer

Euroinfo

The April issue of Euroinfo features Fr Pat Muckian's 32 years in the Philippines, Fr Christian Ngoura's first experience of Lyon, Fr Clovis Gwencho in London and Fr François Chauvet's reflections on 'every Mass'.

To download click here or go to Members' Page.                               [Apr 17]

0426 NL Euroinfo 10426 NL Euroinfo 2

Cost of Living

The Marist Family Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation Committee offers an invitation to attend an afternoon event on May 16 to reflect on the Australian Bishops' statement on the Cost of Living

For details click here.                               [Apr 15] 

0426 Cost of Living flyer

Marist Family's Domestic Violence statement

At its Apr 11 meeting at Hunters Hill the Marist Family Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Committee released its statement on Domestic Violence. The statement follows extensive research and reflection during 2025-26 and efforts to engage with local groups and fellow Marists.  

To download click here.                              [Apr 13]

0426 DV statement0426 Marist Family JPIC logos

USA Justice & Peace Alert

From the Marist Province of USA comes their latest Justice & Peace Alert with links to current local and international issues.

To download click here.                                 [Apr 13]

0426 USA Justice NL

SM Bulletin

This week's SM Bulletin reports on profession ceremony at Davao, beginning of new novitiate, Fr Tom Ryan's latest essay on Jean-Claude Colin and novena for vocations.

To download click here or go to Members' Page.   For Fr Tom Ryan's essay click here.                          [Apr 10} 

0426 NL SM Apr 10Tom Ryan 24Jul2010 e

International visitors

Several Marists from overseas have recently visited Australia, calling on local confreres and the Omnes Gentes community.

The rector of Marist College, Suva, Fiji, Frs Kiade Rayalu, spent a week of retreat in Sydney before visiting Oceanian confreres in Brisbane, while Fr Ben McKenna, also on the Marist College staff, stayed at Villa Maria over the Easter period.

The Omnes Gentes community at Marayong in Sydney's outer west was visited by Assistant-General, Fr 'Aisake Vaisima.                           [Apr 06]

0426 Kiade Rayalu Ben McKenna VM 13crp
Above: Frs Kiade Rayalu and Ben McKenna at Villa Maria.   |   Fr 'Aisake Vaisima (at right) with Marayong Omnes Gentes community, Frs Lauro Arcede, Floyd Gatana and Kevin Redmond.

Villa Maria Stations of the Cross

Hundreds of Christians assembled by the chapel of Montbel, Hunters Hill, on Apr 03 to begin this year's Stations of the Cross through the grounds of Villa Maria monastery. Worshippers from four local churches, including parishioners of Holy Name of Mary parish, participated in the ecumenical Good Friday event. 

Pictured below are scenes from the Stations after which participants enjoyed a cuppa and hot cross buns on the monastery cloister.                            [Apr 03]  

0426 Good Friday Stations VM 2
0426 Good Friday Stations VM 40426 Good Friday Stations VM 5
0426 Good Friday Stations VM 60426 Good Friday Stations VM 8
0426 Good Friday Stations VM 100426 Good Friday Stations VM 110426 Good Friday Stations VM 13 m tea

In Memoriam - Fr Gaston Lessard SM

From the General House of the Society of Mary, Rome, comes a special edition of SM Bulletin, a tribute to Fr Gaston Lessard SM who died on Mar 28. May he rest in peace.

To download click here.                             [Apr 01]