March 2024 news

   This page:    'The Family of Marists'     |     Novitiate begins     |     First Aid at HQ     |     SM Bulletin     |     Euroinfo     |     SM Bulletin     |     MMC Newsletter     |     Conspiracy Theorizing     |     The 'Brief of Praise'     |     SM Bulletin     |     'So wonderfully exciting'     |     Oceania News Bulletin     |     Superior-General's Reflection

'The Family of Marists'

A small leaflet summarising the beginnings of the Marist Family has recently been released. Replacing an original version authored in the 1990s by branch members, the leaflet, 'The Family of Marists: a tree with many branches', describes 'How the Marists began... Priests, Sisters, Brothers, Missionary Sisters and Laity.'

To download click here. The leaflet is also available among 'Resources' on the website of Society of Mary Founder, Ven Jean-Claude Colin.                              [Mar 28]

Novitiate begins

On Mar 25, twelve young men commenced their year of preparation for religious vows at the Marist International Novitiate, 'Eden', Davao, Philippines. The novitiate community of fifteen comprises three formators and twelve novices, representing eleven different nations.

The novices are pictured below with their formators, Fr Pat Devlin SM (far left) and Frs David Sanchez SM (novice master) and Sione Hamala SM (far right).                                    [Mar 27]

First Aid at HQ

From Rome and Villa Santa Maria, General House of the Society of Mary, comes this report of a special day this week: 'Today members of the General House community and staff were offered a training for first aid - life-saving (CPR) actions. Two professional first-aid workers gave first a theoretical input, including statistics showing the importance of not hesitating to intervene when a person needs aid.

'In the second part of the course, all those participating were instructed how to perform cardiac massage, both on adults, children and new born, how to use a defibrillator and how to perform the Heimlich maneuver in case of choking.

'All trainees proudly succeeded in the course, and will be given an official life support certificate.' 

Pictured below, First Aid training at the Marist General House for community members and staff.                           [Mar 23]]

SM Bulletin

This week's SM Bulletin reports on an ecumenical seminar in Assisi, Marist Laity commitment in USA and the start of the academic year in Fiji. To download click here or go  to Members' Page.                         [Mar 22]

Euroinfo

The March issue of Euroinfo reports on C.U.S. Dublin, Maristes en Education anniversary and the work of the new Vocations Committee.

To download click here or go to Members' Page.                                 [Mar 16]

SM Bulletin

This week's SM Bulletin includes a Stations of the Cross Lenten reflection and reports on good news from Australia and Hannah Bennett with prayers through the intercession of Jean-Claude Colin. Also JPIC in the Marist world. 

To download, click here or go to Members' Page.                             [Mar 168]

MMC Newsletter

The Autumn newsletter of the Marist Mission Centre announces plans to celebrate the 75th anniversary of MMC later this year. To download, click here, or go Marist Mission Centre.                        [Mar 12]

Conspiracy Theorizing

Fr Gerald Arbuckle's latest book, Conspiracy Theorizing: Analysis and Scriptural Critique, has received the following review from Allan Deck, SJ, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles: ‘Once again Gerald Arbuckle provides a timely, perceptive and original analysis and interpretation of one of the more salient features of today’s world. He brings to bare on the subject wide-ranging knowledge and sheds light on one of the most critical socio-psychological challenges of our time.'

The book answers to questions like: What are conspiracy theories? Why do they flourish in chaotic times such as the present? Are they dangerous? Why is conspiracy theorizing magical thinking? Why are the scriptures anti-conspiracy thinking?

Published by Routledge: London/New York, the book is available in Amazon Books and Booktopia in hardcover and Kindle.                          [Mar 12]

The 'Brief of Praise'

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.

Biographer, Fr Justin Taylor SM, writes of this and surrounding events in Chapter 6 of 'Jean-Claude Colin, Reluctant Saint'. The anniversary, along with other dates of Marist significance, is noted in the Colin calendar produced annually for those wishing to celebrate Marist anniversaries. The calendar is available on request through the Colin website and reminds Marists of suggested Mass intentions for particular anniversaries. On Mar 09 they remember deceased confreres.                             [Mar 09]

SM Bulletin

This week's SM Bulletin reports on the continuing visitation of Superior-General, Fr John Larsen SM, in New Zealand and on the commissioning of a review of Marist international formation.

To download, click here or go to Members' Page.                             [Mar 08]

'So wonderfully exciting'

From her home in Longueville, Sydney, Australia, Hannah Bennett (27) has sent a health update to Marists and friends around the world following her neurologist's report on Mar 05.

Hannah writes: 'I just wanted to update you on my MS (or lack of!). I saw my neurologist this morning who let me know that there are zero signs of disease activity (my spine looks like a typical healthy 27 year old's spine!) and am in complete remission in my brain.

'It’s so wonderfully exciting. Pending my MRIs in August my neurologist thinks I may no longer need any more medications! 

'I just wanted to pass on my thanks for all your prayers and support. Please, please pass on my thanks to the Marists across the globe who have been praying for me. I’m forever grateful.' 

After Hannah's Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis in 2017 a worldwide campaign of prayer commenced to seek the grace of healing from the Lord through the intercession of Marist Founder, Ven Jean-Claude Colin. 

The Vatican Dicastery for the Causes of Saints has strict protocols and guidelines for discernment of miraculous graces. But for Hannah, her family and many Marists today's 'so wonderfully exciting' news is surely a miracle.                              [Mar 05]

Oceania News Bulletin

From Suva, Fiji, comes three pages of colourful news of interest from the Marist Oceania Province. To download, click here or go to Members' Page.                             [Mar 04]

Superior-General's reflection

In his reflection for March, Superior-General, Fr John Larsen SM, speaks of Lent and listening to confreres of all ages. 

Go download click here, or go to Superior-General's Page.                              [Mar 02]