NEWS 2022 - Marist Fathers Australia

June news

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Chavoin anniversary

On Jun 30 the Marist Sisters recall the death of their Foundress, Jeanne-Marie Chavoin, at Jarnosse, France, in 1858. A ceramic tile cross marks the place of her internment in the parish church adjacent to the convent. Her remains were later transferred to the chapel of Bon Repos, Belley.

Happy anniversary day to our Marist Sisters! [Jun 30]

SM Bulletin

From Rome, this week's SM Bulletin reports on our Marist bishops and on the community of Casa Di Maria, as well as the usual update on the activities of General Council members.

Click here or go to Members' Page. [Jun 25]

Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

'This, then, is what I pray, kneeling before the Father from whom every fatherhood, in heaven or on earth, takes its name.

In the abundance of his glory may he, through his Spirit, enable you to grow firm in power with regard to your inner self, so that Christ may live in your hearts through faith,

and then, planted in love and built on love, with all God's holy people you will have the strength to grasp the breadth and the length, the height and the depth;

so that, knowing the love of Christ, which is beyond knowledge, you may be filled with the utter fullness of God.

Glory be to him whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine;

glory be to him from generation to generation in the Church and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen.'

St Paul's prayer from the second reading, Solemnity of the Sacred Heart [Eph 3:14-21]

[Jun 24}

Fr Brian Wilson's jubilee

Sydney's Fijian Catholic community joined parishioners of Holy Name of Mary, Hunters Hill, to honour the Golden Jubilee of priesthood of parish priest, Fr Brian Wilson SM. The jubilee Mass in Villa Maria church was concelebrated on Jun 19 by former P.P., Fr Kevin Bates, and Fr Asaeli Russ Vuicakau, an ex-student of Fr Brian from his teaching days in Fiji.

Pictured below are scenes from the Mass and celebrations wirh the parish council and Fijian community friends, with singing from the Fijian choir.

Congratulations, Fr Brian! [Jun 23]

Fr Floyd in Brisbane

The Catholic Bougainvillean community of Brisbane were recently treated to a visit from Fr Floyd Gatana SM, a member of the newly-established international Marist mission at Marayong, NSW. Fr Floyd is pictured below celebrating the Eucharist on Jun 15 with fellow Bougaiinvilleans at the Marist La Valla Centre, Rosalie, and with Fr Gerard Hall SM of the House of Welcome, Paddington. [Jun 17]

SM Bulletin

From Rome, this week's SM Bulletin reports on three superiors-general meeting on Trinity Sunday in Rome, publication of Samoan missionary, Léon Gavet's, correspondence and the blessing of Ranong's Harmony Centre.

For the SM Bulletin click here or go to Members' Page. [Jun 17]

Chapter feedback

Returning from their recent General Chapter, four Australian Marist Sisters gave feedback at Hunters Hill on Jun 11. Pictured below are Srs Gail Reneker, Kate McPhee (elected to the new leadership team) and Noelene Simmons (General Bursar). International communications team member, Sr Judith Lythall, also contributed to the presentation.

From Rome the Sisters have sent a photo of newly elected Superior General, Sr Sylvette Mané, with three former Superiors General, Srs Grace Ellul, Gail Reneker and Jane Frances O'Carroll. On the wall behind them are photos of earlier Superiors General. [Jun 15]

Euroinfo

The latest ssue of Euroinfo records the Zoom preparations for the General Chapter of the Marist European Province held in Rome, Jun 7-14. Accompanying the bulletin is another in the series of leaflets for the Marist Vocations Year.

To download click: Euroinfo | Vocation Year leaflet [Jun 15]

Novitiate news

From Montauto, Italy, comes the quarterly newsletter of the Marist International Novitiate. The colourful, 10-page bulletin features personal reflections from the novices and their formators. To download, click here. [Jun 15]

SM Bulletin

From Rome, this week's SM Bulletin reports on Canada's new provincial, planning for the 2023 Colinian renewal, the European Provincial Chapter and prayers for Cameroon..

For the bulletin click here or go to the Members' Page. [Jun 10]

Walking tour

One of the options for St Joseph's College Staff Spirituality Day on Jun 10 was a guided walking tour of Villa Maria monastery precinct. Historian and archivist, Fr Peter McMurrich SM, led a morning group through the picturesque grounds giving an expert historical commentary.

For the illustrated booklet, 'A Guide to Villa Maria', click here: for scrolling | for printing. [Jun 10]

Caring for Creation

The winter edition of the Marist Mission Centre Newsletter reports on environmental issues in the Pacific, as well as other projects currently funded in Asia-Pacific.

For the newsletter click here. Go to the MMC site: click here. [Jun 07]

Champagnat Day

Jun 06 marks the anniversary of the death of St Marcellin Champagnat, founder of the Marist Brothers, and one of the pioneer Marist aspirants gathered at the shrine of Our Lady of Fourvière, Lyon, France, in 1816.

The newly-ordained Champagnat pledged to play his part in forming the Marist Family, soon establishing what is now the world-wide congregation of the Marist Brothers..

Happy feast day to all our Marist Brothers! [Jun 06]

Community for mission

In his reflection for June, Superior-General, Fr John Larsen SM, reflects on an essential of Marist life: community for mission. Click here or go to Superior-General's Page. [Jun 03].

Laudato Si team farewell

From the Marist Fathers' General House, Rome, Fr Ben McKenna reports on the farewell on May 29 to a member of the Marist Family Laudato Si team: 'Our Marist Family Laudato Si Group celebrated the Eucharist in our grounds today, with a farewell to Sr Anne McCabe SM, who is now completing her term as Councillor to the Superior General of the Marist Sisters. Other members of the team are pictured below with Sr Anne and Fr Ben, from left: Br Francis Lukong FMS, Sr Akenese Afoa SMSM, Br Angel Diego FMS.' [Jun 01]