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Rome via Brisbane
Brisbane's House of Welcome was host to Kiwi Marist seminarian, Hayden Powick, during his recent return to Rome after holidays in New Zealand.
Hayden is a member of the Casa di Maria community, the Marist International Theologogate, Rome ,where Aussie Fr Tony Kennedy is the rector.
Pictured below: Hayden with the House of Werlome community and Brazilian friends | Farewell good wishes from Fr Gerard Hall. [Sep 29]
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Provincial retreat
The second retreat for Marists of the Australian Province is being held this week (Sep 22-27) at Montbel, Hunters Hill. The retreat is being led by Pauline scripture ascholar, Fr Brendan Byrne SJ, with talks held in the chapel of Montbel.
The earlier retreat was held at Ormiston, Qld, in May: click here. [Sep 26]
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Massed ukuleles
Four members of the ukulele group of Star of the Sea parish, Gladstone, Qld, joined their counterparts in Holy Name of Mary parish, Hunters Hill, over the weekend of Sep 21-22 for combined events. Both groups were formed by Tongan Marist of the Australian province, Fr Aliki Langi SM.
Highlights of the visit included accompanying the Saturday morning Mass at HNM church and a concert in the evening, pictured below. The Gladstone visitors and several of the local group also particpated in the Marist Laity meeting (see item, below) [Sep 23]
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| Above: Entertainment from the Star of the Sea ukulele group members led by Fr Aliki at the Saturday evening concert. Below: The 'massed ukeleles'. | Blessing from parish priest, Fr Kevin Bates. |
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| Above: Dancers, junior and senior, from Tonga, Philippines and Australia. Below: Massed ukuleles at Saturday morning's parish Eucharist. | Gladstone guests, Jim, Judy, Flor and Fay. |
 
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Laity report from Dublin
On Sep 21 members of the Hunters Hill Marist Laity group were given a report on the recent Worldwide Marist Laity Coordination gathering in Dublin.
Leader of Marist Laity Australia, Margaret Woods, spoke of the rich agenda for the coming years, including a more regional organisation and the formation of a new executive team: Bev McDonald (NZ), David Sanz de Diego (Europe), Elisabeth Piper (USA) and Jorge Lopez (Mexico).
During the meeting local leader, Josianne Espinosa, welcomed four members of the visiting ukulele group from Star of the Sea parish, Gladstone. (See later report). [Sep 21]
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| Above: Margaret Woods' presentation. Below: Reflection and sharing | Margaret Woods (far right), Josianne Espinosa (third from right) with leaders, past and present. |
 
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Messenger awards
Congratulations to Fr Kevin Head SM and his staff of the NZ Marist Messenger on three awards from the Australian Catholic Press Association announced at its conference dinner in Bathurst, NSW, on Sep 12. Messenger's awards are 'Best Print Magazine', 'Best original photograph' (Jonathan Pearce, March 2019) and 'Best headline' ('A Very Modern Model of a Marist Seminarian', October 2018). [Sep 20]
Below: Fr Kevin Head in Sydney in 2018 | Jonathan Pearce's award-winning cover photograph in Messenger's Lenten issue this year | Winning headline for Ben D'souza's article on life as a Marist seminarian.
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Happy feast day - the Most Holy name of Mary, Sep 12
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Mozart and melodies
The community of Montbel, Hunters Hill, was treated to a singalong hour on Sep 09, courtesy 'Gordon from Gladesville'. Montbel's baby grand resounded to wartime favourites and other jaunty melodies, interspersed with sonatas from Mozart and friends. Guests included the Marist Brothers from nearby Champagnat House.
Big thanks to 'Gordon from Gladesville! [Sep 10]
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Retreat at Hahela
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Marists from Bougainville and PNG gathered recently at Hahela, Bougainville, for their annual retreat which was led by Australian Marist, Fr Andrew Murray SM.
Sector leader, Fr Wesley Manu, reports: 'The retreat drew on the Second Book of Isaiah and encouraged our prophetic role as Christians in the world of today. We followed the process of Lection Divina (lectio, meditatio, oratio and contemplatio) with themes including the Need for Salvation, Creation, Mission, Salvation and Redemption in Christ. It was a deepening and awakening our conviction of the active living presence of God on our communities today. Thank you, Fr Andy.' [Sep 09]
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| Above: Daily Eucharist in the community chapel of Hahela. Below: View of Buka passage from the Marist house at Hahela | Relaxing over an evening 'bowl'. | Fr Andrew with confreres at nearby Buka airport. |
  
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Sr Philo's seventy years
On Sep 08, 1949, a youthful Margaret Hall took her vows as a Marist Sister and the religious name of Sister Philomena ('Philo' to her friends). Many years of Sr Philo's ministry in remote parts of the Fiji Islands, New Zealand and Australia were acknowledged as she marks seventy years of Marist life.
A recent Mass for Sr Philo in the chapel of St Anne's Nursing Home, Hunters Hill, was followed by a celebratory morning tea and 70th anniversary cake with several of her fellow Marist Sisters and members of St Anne's staff.
Congratulations, Sr Philo! [Sep 08]
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Superior-General's reflection
For Fr John Larsen's monthly reflection, go to Members' Page.. [Sep 07]
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Aussie joins La Neylière team
Fr Ray Chapman, has arrived at La Neylière, France, to begin a three-year appointment to the community. The team welcomes continuous groups of pilgrims, retreatants and other visitors to the historic Marist house, resting place of Marist Founder, Jean-Claude Colin.
Fr Ray comments: 'I’ve received a wonderfully warm welcome from the confreres and staff here at La Neylière when I arrived and I am slowly settling in. Catching up on my French has been exciting! Being a member of an international Marist community is a great pleasure. I am looking forward to spending my time here in France and I hope to make a contribution to the very significant Marist ministry of hospitality that takes place here. I look forward to welcoming all who can visit us here at La Neylière.' [Sep 05]
Below: Fr Ray at La Neylière | The historic buildings with the village of Pomeys in the background | Fr Ray with the others of La Neylière's team, Frs Jimmy McElroy, Jan Hulshof and Paul Labouresse.
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Formators' gathering
Australian Marist, Fr Tony Kennedy, was among the formators gathered in Rome for a month-long meeting-workshop recently.
Pictured below with members of the Marist General Administration are formators from Africa, Brazil, Europe, Mexico, New Zealand, Oceania and the Philippines. Fr Tony (front row, third from left) is rector of the Marist International Theologate, Rome. [Sep 04]
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