June news

Latest Provincial Circular

Available at Members Page                      [Jun 28]

Fr Chris in Sydney

Returning from the recent Marist Asia-Pacific meeting in Samoa, Fr Christopher Ganzon sent several days in Sydney, catching up with confreres.

As leader of the Marist Mission District of Asia, Fr Chris represents Marists working in Davao and Digos (Philippines) and Ranong (Thailand).                     [Jun 27]

MAP in Samoa

The annual meeting of Marist-Asia Pacific leaders is being held in Apia, Samoa, this week.

The provincials of Australia, New Zealand and Oceania and the Asia Mission District leader, with their vicars, were welcomed by the Apia Marist and college communities before commencing work sessions to review and plan for collaboration in the Asia-Pacific region.                   [Jun 19]

AMS 10th anniversary

At an evening gathering at St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill, NSW, on Jun 18 the Marist Brothers' development agency, Australian Marist Solidarity (AMS), celebrated its tenth anniversary.  Brs Chris Wills and Anthony Robinson and Mr David Buckley were presented with special awards for their contribution to AMS.

Retiring director of AMS, Br Allen Sherry, acknowledged the support and example of the Marist Mission Centre in the years leading up to AMS, including assisting the beginnings of the Brothers' work in Cambodia and the development of the Villa Maria centre, funded by MMC in 2005 (see further below).                   [Jun 18]

Apia bound

Representing the Marist Mission District of Asia, Frs Christopher Ganzon and Lauro Arcede passed through Brisbane recently en route to Apia, Samoa, for the annual meeting of MAP (Marist Asia-Pacific). 

During their Brisbane visit the Filipino Marists stayed at the Marist House of Welcome, Paddington, hosted by Fr Gerard Hall.                    [Jun 18]

Lay Marist commitment

Following a reflection afternoon , 'The Marian face of the Church', led by Margaret Woods (co-ordinator, Marist Laity Australia) on Jun 15 at Lavalla Centre, Rosalie, Brisbane, a ceremony in the nearby parish church saw the commitment of three Lay Marists.

The ceremony took place during the Eucharist celebrated by Marist House of Welcome leader, Fr Gerard Hall SM, and was attended by Brisbane-based members of the Marist Family.                     [June 16]

Late autumn

The webmaster's backyard: final glimpses of late autumn in the grounds of Villa Maria monastery, Hunters Hill.                   [Jun 15]

Refugee Week 2019

The Refugee Council of Australia is again promoting Refugee Week, Jun 16-22,  Thu, Jun 20 is World Refugee Day.

For details click here or go to the RCOA website.                    [Jun 14]

Sisters' Jubilees

Two former Superiors-General (Srs Margaret Purcell and Gail Reneker) were amongst five Marist Sisters honoured at jubilee celebrations on Jun 09.

The jubilarians are Srs Margaret Purcell and Philomena Hall (70 years professed), Sr Marie Berise Nash (60 years) and Srs Gail Reneker and Beverly Lewis (50 years), their period of Marist commitment totalling an impressive three hundred years!

All were present at Holy Name of Mary church, Hunters Hill for the Pentecost Sunday event with the exception of Sr Philomena, resident in St Anne's Nursing Home, Hunters Hill.

Congratulations, Sisters!                   [Jun 09]

Davao Workshop

From Myitkyina, Myanmar, Paul Brang Mai reports on the recent workshop in Davao, Philippines, on 'Funding for Mission'.

Conducted by Marist Brother Allen Sherry FMS, the two-day workshop was attended by Marist Family members from the Philippines and Oceania, as well as Paul Brang Mai, a former student in Mindanao.

Approaching the seminar Paul commented: 'I hope this seminar will be applicable and practical as I am planning to expand my mission as an educator here in Myitkyina where many young people are in loss of hope and motivation to pursue their future careers.'  For his report, click here.              [Jun 09]

Latest bulletins

Marist newsletters from Europe and Oceania can be downloaded from here: Euroinfo  |  Oceania.  The Superior-General's June reflection and recent SM Bulletins from Rome are accessible at the Members' page.                    [Jun 05]

Mission Centre annual report

The Marist Mission Centre's Annual report for 'AMCOA' in 2018 is now available. The 22-page report depicts MMC's diverse 'Sustaining Hope' projects and includes an audited financial report.

Go to MMC website or click here.                  [Jun 04]

Br Terry Heinrich remembered

From the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Marist Solidarity Cambodia reports on a moving ceremony to remember Marist Brother Terry Heinrich, founder of Lavalla school  for physically disabled youngsters: 

'On Wednesday 29th May the community of Lavalla and some staff and students from Villa Maria gathered to inter Br Terry’s ashes in the memorial that has been placed here at Lavalla. Amongst those gathered were Br Darren Burge and Jacob Heinrich – Brother Terry’s nephew who is working at the RMIT campus in Vietnam. As well as some of Terry’s ashes, a set of his rosary beads and some of his Marist symbols were interred in the niche in the memorial.