November 2018 news
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Sorrow and Promise
Catholic Religious Australia are encouraging religious throughout the nation, as congregations and communities, to mark Sunday, Dec 02, as a day of 'sorrow and promise’ for sexual abuse.
To download their 20-page liturgy booklet, click here. [Nov 30]
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International novices gather
Ten young men have met in Davao, Philippines, to prepare for their year of preparation for Marist vows.
The Marist International Novitiate community for 2019 will represent eight countries and six provinces and districts of the Society of Mary.
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| Above, the Marist International Novitiate community for 2019. From left, at front kneeling: Mark Emzee Lazaga (Philippines) and Seremaia Turagabeci (NZ). Standing: Lesley Kinani (Bougainville), Fr Joaquin Fernandez, formator (Spain), Fr Fernando Ingente novice master (Philippines), Joel Ama (Cameroon), Hemi Ropata (NZ), Clinton Kube (Cameroon), Leonard Wuiz Amora (Bougainville), Paul Crocker (Fiji), Fabrice Souga (Cameroon), Nik Rodewald (USA), Fr Jacob Aba formator (Solomon Islands). |
Sudden passing of Br Terry Heinrich
Marists in Australia, Cambodia and worldwide are grieving the death today (Nov 20) of Marist Brother Terence Heinrich FMS (72). Br Terry had come to Sydney from Cambodia several weeks ago for some medical attention, but his death at the Marcellin (Randwick) community of Marist Brothers was sudden and unexpected.
A popular and highly-esteemed educationalist in Australia, Br Terry is better known over the past twenty years for his pioneering work amongst physically-disabled Cambodian children.
Br Terry's non-formal primary education project in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, was established in1998 with help from the Marist Mission Centre and AusAID. It was visited by MMC's 'The Other Half' exposure groups in the early 2000's where Br Terry was a welcoming and engaging host.
We offer our deep sympathy to the Marist Brothers of Australia and to Br Terry's family and many friends, especially the disabled youngsters of Cambodia. May he rest in well-deserved peace. [Nov 20]
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Above: Br Terry Heinrich with Brisbane TOH-er and former pupil, Sam Hodge, at Lavalla school, Phnom Penh, in 2005. | Br Terry (at back, near far right) with Lavalla youngsters and TOH-ers in 2000.
Below: TOH-ers with Br Terry at Lavalla in 2001 | ... with Khmer amputee, Stephen Beun, at MMC office, Sydney, in 2004 | Lavalla school, Cambodia |
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New face at St Anne's
Bouncing back from a recent convalescence, Vanuatu-born Marist, Fr Willy Melteras, is including Mass at St Anne's Nursing Home, Hunters Hill, in his pastoral work.
Since ordination in 2013, Fr Wills ('Wills' to his mates) has been assistant-pastor at Holy Name of Mary parish, a position now held by Tongan confrere, Fr Aliki Langi.
Members of the Villa Maria community, where Fr Willy now resides, provide a weekly Mass at St Anne's. [Nov 19]
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'A skip in our step'
Members of the Catholic Sudanese community were welcome guests at the 10 am parish liturgy of Villa Maria church, Hunters Hill, on Nov 11.
At the suggestion of Fr Jim Carty who has a regular ministry with the community at its Blacktown, Sydney, gatherings, the colourful group brought their characteristic song and dance to the parish Mass.
One parishioner commented: 'They were amazing, and the emotional and mental connections made between the local parish folk and the South Sudanese group were palpable... we left Mass with a skip in our step and lots of love in our hearts.' [Nov 12]
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Above: A vibrant note was added to the regular parish Mass at Holy Name of Mary ('Villa Maria') church, as the Sudanese Catholic community joined the Sunday Eucharist,
Below: Parish priest, Fr Kevin Bates, welcoming the visiting community | Fr Jim Carty adds to the welcome | President of the Sudanese Australian Catholic Community, Mr Akoko Akok, addresses the congregation. |
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Deacon Kenneth
In a ceremony on Nov 03 in Rome, Marist seminarian, Kenneth Njong Akua, was ordained deacon by Bishop Tom Burns, SM. Bishop of Menevia, Wales.
Venue was the parish church of Santa Francesca Cabrini, adjacent to Casa di Maria, the international theologate of the Marist Fathers, where Kenneth has studied in recent years.
Congratulations, Deacon Kenneth!. [Nov 08]
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Above: Scenes at the diaconate ceremony | Deacon Kenneth with Bishop Tom Burns and superior-general, Fr John Larsen.
Below: African confreres and friends entertain | Australians present were Sr Vivienne Goldstein SM, picture with Bishop Tom, and Fr Tony Kennedy, Rector of the Marist theologate. |
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Superior-General's reflection
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| Fr John Larsen's November reflection on the month of the Holy Souls is on the Members page. |
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