April news

This page:    Anniversary of Marist approval     |     Spring clean for historic chapel     |     St Peter Chanel SM     |     Our Brother Colin, 98     |     Provincial Circular     |     We will remember them...     |     Easter at Casa di Maria     |     Earth Day's 50th anniversary     |     La Neylière in lockdown     |     St Peter Chanel novena     |     Update from Hannah     |     Cyclone Harold     |     Spaced out at Easter     |     Easter on YouTube     |     Marist news from all over     |     HNOM on YouTube     |     Monthly message from S-G     |     Icon for Monastery chapel

Anniversary of Marist approval

On Apr 29, 1836, the infant Society of Mary received official approbation from the Church through a letter from the mission-minded Pope Gregory XVI.

The Holy Father and the Congregation 'Propaganda Fide' were looking for missionaries to send to the distant and unevangelised south-west Pacific. Marist Founder, Jean-Claude Colin, responded: 'We will work on whatever distant shore... '. (Click here for a short life of Fr Colin)

Marists today offer Mass for God's blessing on the Society of Mary.                                [Apr 29]

Spring clean for historic chapel

In anticipation of the Apr 28 feast day of St Peter Chanel, Fijian Marist, Fr Pio Fong, descended on the historic chapel dedicated to the saint for a massive 'spring clean'.

Originally part of the 'Priory' complex across nearby Tarban Creek, Gladesville, the chapel was transferred to St Peter Chanel's scholasticate, Toongabbie, in 1954 as the Priory grounds were resumed for government use.

Accounts of its origins vary. Some believe St Peter Chanel's remains lay here in the 1850's en route from Futuna to France. Others suggest it was once a washroom!

The building was again moved, this time from Toongabbie to its present site in the grounds of Villa Maria monastery, Hunters Hill, and dedicated on Jul 23, 1984. 

During the closing days of autumn 2020, the chapel received a welcome 'spring clean'. Thank you, Fr Pio !                              [Apr 29]

St Peter Chanel SM

First martyr of Oceania, Apr 28, 1841

Our Brother Colin, 98

Apr 27 is the 98th birthday of Br Colin Campbell SM, oldest member of the Society of Mary's Australian Province.

Resident at the Marist Aged Care facility, Montbel, Hunters Hill, Br Colin has a track record which includes World War II service in the Pacific, decades of missionary work in the Oceania Marist Province and continuing ministry in senior years in Sydney... see flashback photos, below. 

Happy Birthday, Br Colin!                              [Apr 27]

Provincial Circular

Latest issue available at Members' Page.                               [Apr 27]

Easter at Casa di Maria

From the Marist International Theologate, Rome, Fr Tony Kennedy reports on Easter and life at Casa di Maria during lockdown.

'Here in Rome we are all okay. The university classes are resuming after a two week break for Easter. In the community we were able to celebrate the Holy Week liturgies and a couple of birthdays. Some have been doing some more exercise on our roof.

'There have also been a lot of online meetings through Zoom with the other Marist formation houses around the world.

'This week we had some liturgy practice for the seven deacons this week. There were a number of role plays for some of the sacraments which were at times quite funny. There are some imaginative members in this community.

'We also had a meeting with some of the community from St Patrick's in Sydney discussing reconciliation. I hope everyone is well wherever you are. Happy Easter.'

Thank you, Fr Tony!                             [Apr 24]

Earth Day's 50th anniversary

Pope Francis has devoted his weekly audience on Apr 22 to marking the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.  Go to the text: click here.                         [Apr 23]

La Neylière in lockdown

From France, Fr Ray Chapman, reports on the resumption of the Colinian Renewal program at La Neylière on Apr 18:

'Greetings from La Neylière! I thought I'd send a few photos of La Neylière in lockdown. 

'We have been closed since 19th March but are surviving well at present.  Each of us is currently confined to our rooms except for a brief part of the day when we can take advantage of the gardens and surrounding area.  We are hoping that some of the other restrictions will be eased soon.

'The presence of COVID 19 at La Neylière caused a bit of a hiatus for the Renewal program but we are gradually getting back on track and everyone is well and in good health again.  We recommenced the Renewal program today with Jan Hulshof leading us in a workshop on The Reluctant Founder. It had to take place outside - mindful of the social distancing regulations and with each of us wearing masks!

'Please pass on my personal thanks to the confreres who contacted me recently.  II am on the road to recovery and hope to be fully fit soon.  Thanks also for those who have continued to pray for the success of the Colinian Renewal 2020.  Please keep them going!'                            [Apr 20]

St Peter Chanel novena

Prepared by the NZ Marist province, the annual novena for vocations begins on Sunday, Apr 19, concluding on the eve of the feast of St Peter Chanel SM, first martyr of the Pacific, For the novena, click here.                              [Apr 18]

Update from Hannah

From Longueville, NSW, Hannah Bennett gives an update on how she is coping with Multiple Sclerosis and university studies. Hannah continues to express her thanks to the many Marists seeking graces for her through the intercession of Jean-Claude Colin.

Hannah's updates are on the website of Fr Colin. Click here.                                      [Apr 17]

Cyclone Harold

From Vanuatu, Fr François Grossin SM reports of the devastation wrought by Cyclone Harold at Melsisi, Central Pentecost  Click here.                              [Apr 16]

Spaced out at Easter

Like everyone else, Marists of Villa Maria monastery, Hunters Hill, have celebrated Easter with a difference - and careful to observe social distancing. The small community held simple ceremonies for the Sacred Triduum, with special decor for their chapel along with psalms and song, and culminating with an Easter morning Eucharist and festive luncheon.                                 [Apr 13] 

Easter on YouTube 

Parishioners and other members of the Marist parish/shrine communities of St Patrick's, Church Hil, Sydney, and Holy Name of Mary, Hunters Hill/Woolwich, can follow the Easter ceremonies on YouTube.  Click below for:

St Patrick's     |     Holy Name of Mary

Marist news from all over

Bulletins from Europe, Bolivia, Spain, Oceania and combined Marist formation communities will provide engaging lock-down reading over Easter.

Click below for:

• Euroinfo
  
  
• Fr John Hopkinson's letter
  
  
• Marist formation communties combined bulletin:
      English     |     Spanish     |     French     |     Italian     |     Portuguese
  
  
• Familia Marista:  pp 1-12     |     pp 13-24
  
  
• Oceania Marist Bulletin

HNOM on YouTube

Parishioners of Holy Name of Mary parish, Hunters Hill-Woolwich, have regular access on the parish's YouTube page to a weekly celebration of Mass. Easy access is through the link from the parish website:                            [Apr 05]

Monthly message from S-G

Fr John Larsen's message for April focuses on 'stability' in these lock-down times. Click here.                        [Apr 05]

Icon for Monastery chapel

The Marists of Villa Maria Monastery, Hunters Hill, have hung a canvas icon of Ven Jean-Claude Colin in the community chapel. The move was prompted by their beginning a novena of prayer through the intercession of Fr Colin and the Blessed Virgin Mary in the face of the COVID-19 crisis.

Superior-General, Fr John Larsen SM, recently called on Marists to use the pray daily. The community of the Villa Santa Maria, the General House of the Society of Mary in Rome, pray before the original icon. Click here.

For copies of the novena prayer, click here. To download the icon (1Mb, 3Mb or 7Mb) from the Colin website and for an explanation of the icon, click here.                                 [Apr 02]