March 2022 - Marist Fathers Australia

March news

For previous years, go to News menu, above

SM Bulletin

This week's SM Bulletin reports on a new Marist community in Burundi, secondary education in Kanosia, PNG, and Pope Francis' consecration of Russia and Ukraine to Mary.

For the SM Bulletin, click here or go to Members' Page. Pictured below: Assistant-Geneal, Fr Ben McKenna (at right) with fellow Marists in Burindi. [Mar 26]

Consecration of Russia and Ukraine

On the Solemnity of the Annunciation, Pope Francis has consecrated Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The act of consecration ends with this prayer:

'Mother of God and our Mother, to your Immaculate Heart we solemnly entrust and consecrate ourselves, the Church and all humanity, especially Russia and Ukraine. Accept this act that we carry out with confidence and love. Grant that war may end and peace spread throughout the world. The “Fiat” that arose from your heart opened the doors of history to the Prince of Peace. We trust that, through your heart, peace will dawn once more. To you we consecrate the future of the whole human family, the needs and expectations of every people, the anxieties and hopes of the world.

'Through your intercession, may God’s mercy be poured out on the earth and the gentle rhythm of peace return to mark our days. Our Lady of the “Fiat," on whom the Holy Spirit descended, restore among us the harmony that comes from God. May you, our “living fountain of hope,” water the dryness of our hearts. In your womb Jesus took flesh; help us to foster the growth of communion. You once trod the streets of our world; lead us now on the paths of peace. Amen.' [Mar 25]

New Marist bishop

On Mar 17 the Vatican announced that the Holy Father has appointed Fr Yvan Mathieu SM, as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall, Canada. Fr Yvan, 61, currenlty provincial of the Marist province of Canada, has been a Marist priest for thirty four years, Congratulations, Bishop-elect, Yvan ! [Mar 18]

Fr Floyd arrives

The third member of an international Marist team, Bougainvillean, Fr Floyd Gatana SM, has arrived in Australia. He joins Filipino, Fr Kevin Medilo, and Tasmanian, Fr Kevin Redmond, to serve the people of Marayong, in Sydney's multicultural western suburbs as an 'Omnes Gentes' mission team. Fr Floyd, 34, was ordained in Dec 2020.

Welcome, Fr Floyd ! [Mar 18]

Above: Fr Floyd Gatana at work on documents to prepare for ministry in Parramatta diocese. | With Frs Kevin Redmond and Kevin Medilo at Marayong.

La Sorgente

From the Marist International Theologate in Rome, Fr Tony Kennedy SM sends the latest issue of La Sorgente (The Source), Produced by a student editorial team, the pictorial newsletter reports on recent activities of the Casa di Maria community, including Christmas, professions and diaconate ordination events. For La Sorgente, click here. [Mar 18]

Above: Some of La Sorgente's 14 pages of reports. Below: The community of Casa di Maria. Back row, from left: Clinton Kube (Cameroon), Fr Long Mechavez (Philippines), Sébastien Eyango (Cameroon), Fr Tony Kennedy (superior, Australia), Fr Larry Duffy (Ireland), Sefo Amuri (Fiji). Front row: Joseph Adjokpa (Togo), Christian Ngoura (Cameroon), Hemi Ropata (NZ), Charles Sangul (Vanuatu), Godlove Ngwese (Cameroon), Jaime Martinez (Mexico), Clovis Nformenteng (Cameroon). Not pictured, Yves Tuma (Cameroon) and recently arrived students from Oceania and Africa.

SM Bulletin

This week's SM Bulletin reports on the appointment by Pope Francis of Fr Yvan Mathieu SM as auxiliary bishop of Ottawa-Cornwall, Canada, and on a new church for Dakar, Senegal.

For SM Bulletin, click here or go to Members' Page. [Mar 18]

Farewell and Welcome

On Mar 13 the people of Holy Name of Mary parish, Hunters Hill/Woolwich, gathered for a picnic day to farewell retiring pariish priest, Fr Kevin Bates and welcome their new P.P., Fr Brian Wilson. . [Mar 15]

Pictured below: Scenes from the parish event including entertainment from the parish ukulele group, gathering around the kava bowl and mobile gelato and coffee vendors..

Marist Brothers' General Conference

Australian Marist Brothers' provincial, Br Peter Carroll FMS, is a member of the conference of leaders from around the Marist world gathered in Rome. The General Conference of the Brothers is being held over three weeks, midway between general chapters..

Pictured below, Mass on the third day of the conference with a focus on leadership in new and challenging times. [Mar 15]

Euroinfo

From Paris comes the March issue of Euroinfo, with reports on mission appeals in England, 'Voir Ensemble' in Rome, plans for the annual provincial retreat at La Neylière and reflection sheets for the Marist Vocation Year (see also below).

For Euroinfo click here or go to Members' Page. [Mar 12]

Vocation Year reflection

The international team coordinating the Marist Year for Vocations have sent the latest monthly relfection with its theme of 'Hidden and Unknown'. For the reflection click here. [Mar 12]

SM Bulletin

From Rome, this week's SM Bulletin announces the October date for the Council of the Society 2022. There is also a report of progress in the Beatification Cause of Jean-Claude Colin and an update of 'Alive in Memory'. For SM Bulletin click here or go to Members' Page. [Mar 11]

Bulletin from Brazil

From St Peter Chanel's Marist formation community, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Fr Arnaldo Da Silva SM sends the English version on their recent (9-page) newsletter: click here. [Mar 11]

News from the novices

From Montauto (Tuscany), Italy, novice master, Fr David Sanchez SM, sends the latest newsletter from the Marist International Novitiate with reflections from each of the novices on their early experience of novitiate life. The novices comment on such things as dealing with Italian bureaucrats, gardening, sport, multiculture, prayer and the mountains of Montauto. Formator, Fr Paddy O'Hare, describes what it's like to live as a senior Marist amongst the young men of the novitiate. For the (11-page) newsletter, click here. [Mar 09]

Encouragement

Mar 09 marks the anniversary in 1822 of a letter from Pope Pius VII to the Marist aspirants. Whilst not yet an official approval of the Society of Mary, the Holy Father's 'Brief of Praise' came as an encouraging step forward for the Marist project.

On behalf of his fellow aspirants, Marist Founder, Jean-Claude Colin, had been hard at work doing the groundwork for the eventual approval of the Society of Mary.

In the sixth chapter of his biography 'Jean-Claude Colin, Reluctant Founder', ('Attempts to establish the Society of Mary, 1819-1823'), pp 177-186, Fr Justin Taylor describes in detail the events leading up to the letter and its eventual arrival, including the delight of the Colin brothers when they received the Pope's message: 'The letter from Rome arrived at the presbytery at Cerdon. Pierre Colin tells us how he and his brother received it. Filled with joy they went to the church to give thanks to God.'

The anniversary, along with other dates of Marist significance, is noted in the Colin calendar produced annually for anyone keen to celebrate Marist anniversaries, available on request through the Colin website. [Mar 09]

Superior-General's reflection

In this month's reflection Fr John Larsen invites Marists to embrace contemplative prayer as part of their Lenten experience, and to focus on the March feasts of the Annunication and St Joseph. For the reflection, click here or go to Superior-General's page. [Mar 04\

Fr Hoppy's pastoral plan

Brisbane-born Marist missionary, Fr John ('Hoppy') Hopkinson, has returned to Bolivia following his recent visit to Australia and writes about the pastoral planning of the Misioneros Maristas team.

Fr Hoppy says: 'Although Gilberto, Javier and I realize that we are no longer the very active and youthful group that came together here in Bolivia some 31 years ago, we still are filled with the Marist spirit and fire that were there as we headed off to be led by the Spirit.

'We wish to share our fellow Marists our Pastoral Plan for the period 2022-2023 that we have already set under foot. In particular, we have focused on the youth and our coming together with the different social organization and popular movements that promote the human and Christian values found in the Gospels, inspired by the example and exhortations of Pope Francis.'

To see the pastoral plan, click here. [Mar 02]

Pictured below: Fr Hoppy with members of the CEBS (Basic Ecclesial Communities) planning team in Tarija, Bolivia | ... and in Bolivian festive shirt and band, shortly before returning from Australia.

Lenten calendar

From the Marist province of USA comes an invitation to use their Lenten calendar.

'During the season of Lent the Marists invite you to make use of the Society of Mary 2022 Lenten Calendar as a source for reflection in your Lenten journey. The daily thoughts focus on the Marist spirituality in living the Gospel.

'The calendar is available at https://www.societyofmaryusa.org/.../Lenten-Calendar_2022 May Mary be our guide and example of courage this Lent.'

To download the calendar directly, click here. [Mar 02]

Oceania News Bulletin

The February issue of the Oceania Marist Province newsletter features 'Keeper of the Flame', 'Samoa's 'Come and See', golden anniversaries and 'Alive in Memory' update. For the Bulletin, click here or go to Members' Page. [Feb 02]