July 2023 - Marist Fathers Australia

July 2023 news

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MCC staff Immersion under way

Teaching and ancillary staff from five Marist-founded schools have gathered at Villa Maria monastery, Hunters Hill, on Jul 30 for a four-day immersion program conducted by the Marist Charism and Culture group.

The eighteen participants will explore more of the Marist spirit and history, building on similar inservices in pre-Covid years for staff of St John's College, Lismore, NSW, Marist Sisters' College, Woolwich, NSW, Cerdon College, Merrylands, NSW, Holy Spirit College, Bellambi, NSW, and Marist Regional College, Burnie, Tas.

The MMC team is led by coordinator, Chris Commerford, assisted by Glenn Roff, Greg Collis and Kim Evans. [Jul 30]

Above: Participants in the MCC staff immersion week arrive at Villa Maria to begin with a twilight barbecue in the historic monastery grounds. Below: MCC coordinator, Chris Comerford, opens the first session of the immersion week. | Welcome by Marist District Superior, Fr Tony Corcoran SM. | Briefing by program facilitator, Glenn Roff.

Marist news from the Pacific

The latest News Bulletin of the Oceania Marist Province reports on a range of Marist events across the Pacific. To download, click here or go to Members' Page. [Jul 30]

SM Bulletin

This week's SM Bulletin will be the last until the end of August as Romans take their summer break. It reports on the International Marist Youth Gathering in Lisbon prior to World Youth Day, International Marist Laity gathering England planned for next week, Vocational meeting in Brazil and the recent Fourvière event in Sydney. To download, click here or go to Members' Page. [Jul 28]

Fr Michael Carroll returning

Having recently completed the Colinian Renewal Program, Fr Michael Carroll will be returning to Australia before long. He is pictured, below, in Passau, Germany, with Fr Alois Greiler and with the CPR group at Cerdon and Belley. [Jul 25]

0323 Colinian Renewal continues 2 Cerdon

0323 Colinian Renewal continues 3 La Capuciniere

Fourvière Camino

Voted 'the best ever', over 150 members of the Marist Family participated in this year's Fourvière celebrations, recalling the pledge by Marist aspirantsd in Lyons, France, on Jul 23, 1816. This year's event took the form of a Marist Camino organised by Marist Laity Australia.

Beginning at Bradfield Park, Milson's Point, 70 camino walkers crossed Sydney Habour Bridge before lunching in the crypt of St Patrick's, Church Hill. Buses then took the group to a concluding event in the parish hall at Hunters Hill where senior members of the Marist Family were gathered.

For an account of her experience of Fourvière Day 2023, and the Camino by participant, Sr Margaret Tisch SMSM, click here. For Johanna Larkin's reflection, A Leap of Faith, click here.

For more on the Fourvière story, click here. [Jul 24]

Above: Fourvière Camino walkers are briefed by MLA co-leader, Cathy Larkin, at Bradfield Park, Milson's Point, before their walk across Sydney Harbour Bridge. The group included young and old and a range of ethnicities.

Below: The event continues at St Patrick's, Church Hill, for input on the Fourvière story by MLA's Margaret Woods and luncheon prepared by Sr Fidelis McTeigue SM and helpers. | A large contingent of Portuguese and Brazilian communities participated in the Camino, addressed here by Fr Paul Mahony SM. | Walkers board their transport for the final segment of the celebrations at Hunters Hill.

Below: At the parish hall of Holy Name of Mary parish, Hunters Hiil, Camino participants swelled to over 150, including senior members of the Marist Family. | Reflection by Johanna Larkin. | The Camino badge. | Former MLA leader, Maria Baden, during a session of prayer. | Afternoon tea concludes the day's events. | Portuguese and Brazilians participants gather in the grounds of Villa Maria monastery.

SM Bulletin

This week's SM Bulletin reports on retreats in US and Europe, Marist Studies Summer School and new appointments for young Marists.

To download, click here or go to Members' Page. [Jul 22]

Funeral of Fr Michael Mullins

Mourners filled Holy Name of Mary church, Hunters Hilll, on Jul 20 to farewell Fr Michael Mullins SM who died suddenly on Jul 10 (see below). Marist District Superior, Fr Anthony Corcoran, presided at the Requiem LIturgy attended by family members, Marist confreres, priest friends, members of the Marist Family and many professional colleagues and other friends. Fr Paul Sullivan preached the homily (click here to download) and words of remembrance were offered by Fr Michael's brother, Peter Mullins.

Following the Mass interment took place at Macquarie Park cemetery, North Ryde. Scenes from the funeral are pictured below. May Fr Michael rest in peace. [Jul 20]

Fr Paul Glynn's 70th anniversary

Veteran Japan missioner, author and much-loved Marist, Fr Paul Glynn SM, celebrates seventy years of priesthood on Jul 19. In addition to his work in Japan Fr Paul's ministries have included vocations promotion, parish ministry, school chaplaincy, seminary spritual direction and authorship of many books whose sales have profited Third World projects.

Fr Paul is pictured below at Montbel, Hunters Hill, and in a portrait by the chapel door on his annivesrary.

Congratulations, Fr Paul! [Jul 19]

Visit of Hemi Ropata

Kiwi Marist seminarian and theology student, Hemi Ropata SM, included a visit to Sydney as part of summer holidays from the Casa di Maria, Rome. Hemi took the opportunity to meet Sydney-based Marists at Hunters Hill, Marayong and St Patrick's Church Hill before visiting relatives in Melbourne. He is pictured below at Villa Maria on Jul 17 and earlier this year with fellow students at the Marist International Theologate. [Jul 19]

Marists at APTO

Marists from Brisbane and Japan participated in a recent gathering of the Association of Practical Theology in Oceania. APTO explores the range of theological, cultural, ethical, historical and spiritual issues associated with migration in the region of Oceania.

The event featured the launch by Brisbane's Bishop Tim Norton SVD of Encountering God, a theological compilation co-edited by Robert Dixon and Beth Green.

Present by Zoom from Japan were Dr Robert Gray and Fr Michael Jacques SM. Other Marists included Frs Harry Moore, Jim Carty and Pius Jones. Convenor, Fr Gerard Hall SM, is pictured below with the group at Lavalla centre, Rosalie, on Jul 08, and with author/theologian, Aizaiah Yong. [Jul 19]

SM Bulletin

This week's SM Bulletin reports on visitation in Ireland and Paris and on Casa di Maria's summer program.

To download, click here or go to Members' page. [Jul 14]

Euroinfo

The July issue of Euroinfo brings news from the Marist province of Europe, including reports from the Marists in Meppen, 'Fr Colin and the synodal church', volunteering in France and a visit from Fr Stev Youm, Senegal.

To download, click here or go to Members' Page. [Jul 14]

Passing of Fr Michael Mullins

Australian Marists mourn the sudden passing of Fr Michael Mullins SM, 82, at Haberfield on Jul 10 with apparently Covid-related heart failure. Co-Founder of the Renewal and Pastoral Development unit, Fr Michael was highly-regarded in Australia and abroad as a facilitator, counsellor and consultant.

Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Thu, Jul 20, 10.30 am, at Holy Name of Mary church, Hunters Hill, followed by burial at Macquarie Park cemetery, North Ryde. For a brief summary of Fr Michael's life, click here. May he rest in peace. [Jul 12]

SM Bulletin

This week's SM Bulletin features comments from participants in the Colinian Renewal Program which ended on Jun 29. Co-led by Australian Marist, Fr Ray Chapman, with Fr Donato Kivi, the program was ranked by participants as an outstanding success.

To download the bulletin, click here or go to Members' Page. [Jul 07]

60th Jubilees

Marists from the Brisbane area gathered at Herston on Jul 06 for 60th anniversary of ordination of Frs John Begg and Jim Carty. They were joined by Frs Michael Rego (Tweeds Heads) and Lote Raiwalui (Fiji).

Both jubilarians were students together at St John's College, Lismore, NSW, and ordained at St Patrick's, Church Hill, Sydney, on Jul 06, 1963, later becoming missionaries in Bougainville (Fr Begg) and Japan (Fr Carty).

After the Eucharist at Herston, celebrations continued over lunch at Broncos Leagues Club, Brisbane. Congratulations, Frs John and Jim! [Jul 07]

Above: Marist confreres celebrating the jubilee at Herston with Frs John Begg and Jim Carty, from left, Frs Aidan Carvill, Michael Rego, Lote Raiwalui, Harry Moore, John Gillen, Pius Jones and Seamus McMahon.

Farewell, Fr Tony King

Confreres, family, Marist Family members and many other friends gathered at Holy Name of Mary church, Hunters Hill, on Jul 05 to bid farewell to Fr Tony King who died on Jun 27. Amongst the mourners was Bishop Bernard O'Grady OP and a large group of Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Virign Mary, Queen of the World, some of whom had travelled from Vietnam and U.S.A. to honour Fr Tony, remembering his help to bring them to Australia after the fall of Saigon in the 1970s.

The Requiem liturgy on Jul 05 was led by Marist District Superior, Fr Anthony Corcoran SM, with a homily from Fr Tom Ryan SM. Two of the Vietnamese Sisters contributed memories of Fr Tony and prayers, while long-time friend, Sr Judith Barwick LCM, offered words of remembrance.

Montbel community leader, Fr Paul Mahony, presided at graveside prayers at Macquarie Park cemetery.

Farewell, Fr Tony. May you rest in peace. [Jul 05]

District Circular

For the latest issue of the Marist Fathers Australia District Circular, go to Members' Page click here. [Jul 04]

Casa di Maria newsletter

From the Marist International Theologate, Rome, Casa di Maria, comes their latest newsletter, with 20 pages of reports on community life, hospitality, studies, pastoral experience, Italian classes, liturgical events, retreats and sport.

To download, click here. [Jul 01]

Retreat at Herston

Eight Brisbane-based Marists gathered at Herston for their annual retreat, Jun 26-30. The retreat was led by Fr Gerard Hall SM who offered reflections on Marist life and spirituality. [Jul 01]

Above, from left, standing: Retreatants Frs 'Alatini Kolofo'ou, Pius Jones and Harry Moore, Br Charlie Randle, Fr Gerard Hall; seated: Frs Aidan Cavill, Seamus McMahon and John Begg.

Academic year ends

From Rome and the Marist International Theologate comes this report: 'We give thanks for our students at Casa di Maria who concluded the academic year on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul with Mass and a barbecue. At this Mass there were installations of Acolytes and Lectors of many students. We especially want to congratulate Hemi Ropata SM on his installation to the ministry of Acolyte.' [Jul 01]

Missionary Disciples

In his monthly reflection for July Superior-General, Fr John Larsen SM, describes two recent anniversaries, his camino through the Bugey and the call to missionary life of Marists. For the reflection click here or go to Superior-General's Page. [Jul 01]