December 2024 news

Vigil at Villa Maria

Parishioners of Holy Name of Mary parish, Hunters Hill/Woolwich, gathered as usual on Dec 24 for their outdoor Christmas Eve Mass. Parish priest, Fr Brian Wilson, presided at the Eucharist which included carols from children and mothers' groups in the picturesque grounds of Villa Maria monastery. 

                              [Dec 24]

Oceania News Bulletin

The three-page December issue of the Oceania Marist Province News Bulletin concludes a year of offering comprehensive reports of Marist ministries throughout the Pacific. To download click here or go to Members' Page.                              [Dec 24]

Calendars abroad

Each year over 1,000 Colin calendars are distributed worldwide from Australia to members of the Society of Mary and friends. Pictured below with their 2025 calendars are Marists, mostly from formation communities, with their calendars for 2025 which will mark the 150th anniversary of the death of Marist Founder, Ven Jean-Claude Colin.

The calendar's illustrations include places and ministries related to the years of Fr Colin's leadership of the infant Society of Mary. Read more at the Colin website: click here.                               [Dec 21] 

Christmas card from Bolivia

From Tarija, Bolivia, and the Misioneros Maristas community, Fr John Hopkinson sends Christmas greetings. Thank you, Fr Hoppy. Feliz Navidad!                         [Dec 21]

SM Bulletin

This week's SM Bulletin contains a Christmas message from Superior-General, Fr John Larsen, as well as reports on the change of Bursar General and the Marist novices' visit to the top of the Philippines. To download click here or go to Members' Page.                                 [Dec 21]

New parish priest for Hunters Hill

District Superior of Australian Marist Fathers, Fr Tony Corcoran, has announced the appointment of Fr Michael Carroll as the new parish priest of Hunters Hill/Woolwich, to succeed Fr Brian Wilson.

He reports: 'Following my recommendation with the agreement of my council, the Archbishop of Sydney has appointed Fr Michael Carroll as Parish Priest of the Holy Name of Mary Parish, Hunters Hill, as from Feb 01 for a period of three years.

'I thank Michael for his generosity in being available to take up the responsibility of serving God’s people in Hunters Hill and wish to thank Brian Wilson for his dedicated service over the last three years.'                            [Dec 18]

Laity newsletter

Marist Laity Australia advises: 'The December 2024 newsletter reflects on the year’s key activities, including a May reflection day, the Marist Family Fourvière celebration, a November retreat, and ongoing online engagement. It highlights the September gathering of Marist leaders to discuss collaboration and the future of the Marist mission, emphasizing formation, inclusivity, and lay leadership.

'The newsletter also recounts a transformative immersion to Davao, the Philippines, and a spiritually enriching retreat at the Marist Hermitage. It concludes with reflections on Christmas traditions and community projects, underscoring themes of connection, service, and hope for the future of the Marist mission.'

For the newsletter, click here.                              [Dec 16]

Fr Tony Kennedy returns

On Dec 14 Fr Tony Kennedy returned to Australia after seven years as leader of the Marist International Theologate, Casa di Maria, Rome. He will succeed Fr Anthony Corcoran as District Superior on Feb 01, 2025

Fr Tony's role as superior of the formation community has been taken by Fr Albert Kabala, formerly major superior of the Marist District of Africa. (See SM Bulletin, below, for further details.) 

Welcome home, Fr Tony!                             [Dec 14] 

SM Bulletin

This week's SM Bulletin reports of the change of leadership at the Marist International Theologate, Casa di Maria, Rome, new District Superior for Mexico, and the international youth camp at Ranong.

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

Euroinfo

The Decmber issue of Euroinfo reports on provincial visitation in Germany, Marist Mission workshop and prison ministry in Italy. 

To download click here or go to Members' Page.                              [Dec 13]

Women's Advent dinner

Over one hundred women of Holy Name of Mary parish, Hunters Hill/Woolwich sat down to an Advent dinner on Dec 08 in the grounds of Villa Maria monastery. The twilight meal began with an introduction and grace from Fr Tony Corcoran SM, followed later with presentations then singing of carols by the Villa Maria school Mums' choir..

The now-annual dinner took place in a picturesque setting bounded by Chanel House, the Colin Library and historic Piquet Centre and Villa Maria monastery.                              [Dec  08] 

SM Bulletin

The latest SM Bulletin lists the wide range of Marist Projects funded throughout the year through the Society of Mary’s Special Projects Fund and reports on graduations at the Tutu Rural Training Centre.

To download, click here or go the Members' Page.                                  [Dec 09]

Visit of Fr Ben McKenna

Marist Fathers' General-Assistant and Secretary-General, Fr Ben McKenna SM, arrived in Sydney on Dec 05 en route to his native Tasmania for a family visit. During his stay in Sydney he will celebrate 46 years of priesthood, having ministered for most of that time in the Province of Oceania as a missionary in the Solomon Islands and later holding the positions of novice master and provincial.

In conjunction with the Australia District's Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation committee, Fr Ben maintains an international JPIC blog site with weekly updates which are posted on the JPIC page of this website. Among other portfolios he is the Society of Mary's liaison person with its Ecology, Inter-religious Dialogue, Migrants and Refugees commissions as well as the Beatification Cause of Ven Jean-Claude Colin.

Welcome back to Australia, Fr Ben. Enjoy a well-earned break.                               [Dec 06]

Fr Hoppy's Advent letter

From the community of Misioneros Maristas, Tariija, Bolivia, Fr John 'Hoppy' Hopkinson SM sends his Advent newsletter. To download the letter and descriptions of photos, click here.                               [Dec 05]

MMC Newsletter

The summer issue of the Marist Mission Newsletter reports on projects in the Philippines and on MMC's 75th anniversary event. Go to the MMC website's publications:  click here.                              [Dec 05]

Pacific news

From Suva, Fr Lutoviko Manu sends the latest issue of the Oceania Marist Province News Bulletin, four pages of pictorial updates on events in the Pacific.  To download, click here or go to Members' Page.                              [Dec 04]

Superior-General's Reflection

In his reflection for December, Fr John Larsen SM reminds Marists of the place of education and formation in their lives and ministry. 

To download click here or go to Superior-General's Reflection page.                              [Dec 01]