Marist Fathers Australia

Marist Fathers Australia

 

 

May 2024 news
For previous years, go to News menu, above

   This page:    SM Bulletin     |     Euroinfo     |     Hostel's 25 years     |     SM Bulletin     |     King of the Dance     |     SM Bulletin     |     Like Mary, Bearers of Hope

 

SM Bulletin

This week's SM Bulletin reports on Fr John Larsen's experience of meeting with the Union of Superiors-General, Fr John Harhager's forthcoming visits to NZ and Oceania, violence in New Caledonia and the meeting of three Marist commissions.

To download, click here, or go to Members' Page.                              [May 24]
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Euroinfo

This month's Euroinfo reports on the Provincial's visit to Spain, a Prayer for Vocations, assemblies in France and England and communication planning.

To download click here or go to Members' Page.                             [May 22]
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Hostel's 25 years

In 1999 the Marist Mission Centre commenced its support of a children's hostel in the remote Karen refugee camp of Maera Moo in the jungles of the Thai-Myanmar border.

Over the years it has been known as 'MMC Hostel' providing refuge for children sent across the border into Thailand by parents seeking safety and education for their children while Burmese military groups ravaged villages, schools and churches in neighbouring Karen State. 

The Hostel currently enables over fifty Karen youngsters to attend primary and secondary schools at Maera Moo in the camp established in 1990 and still offering safety for families fleeing continuing violence from the Myanmar military.

MMC Director, Fr Paul Sullivan SM, comments: 'The Hostel is very good in reporting on the life and activities of the students.'  Maera Moo's is one of three MMC-funded youth hostels in Thailand, with others at Mae La Oon and Mae La refugee camps.  For more on projects supported by the Mission Centre click here.                                   [May 20]
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Above:  MMC Hostel's students today.   |   The Hostel's advsory committee.  Below:  Each year students graduate from the camp's middle and secondary high schools.   |   Hostel students attend a training sessions from visiting NGO personnel.   |   Collecting sand as party of the rebuilding of the Hostel's prayer room. 
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SM Bulletin

This week's SM Bulletin reports on Cameron Mota's diaconate ordination in Suva, Burundi visit, guests at Samsun and Moscow visitation by Nuncio. To download click here or go to Members' Page.                              [May 17]

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King of the Dance

With links to Tongan royalty, Fr 'Aliki Langi SM, was called upon to lead traditional Tongan dancing at a recent Sydney fund-raiser. Over a thousand people attended the Bonnyrigg event to raise funds for the Hihifo Community Centre, Western Samoa. 

A surprise guest was Tonga's Prince Ata. His father, the King, will turn to the first sod of the project on Jul 02. Features of the multi-purpose facility will include an evacuation centre for natural disaster incidents for which the island nation is the world's the third most vulnerable country.                              [May 16]
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Above:  Fr 'Aliki Langi SM, 'King of the Dance'   |   Fr 'Aliki's grandniece, Helu Pongi, performing a traditional Tongan dance.   
Below: Tonga's Prince Ata at the dinner.   |   Fr 'Aliki leads the combined dancers.
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SM Bulletin

This week's SM Bulletin reports on the Annual Review Consultations as leaders of Marist Provinces and Districts (pictured below) conclude their annual gathering at the Society of Mary's General House, Monteverde, Rome. 

To download click here or go to Members' Page.                           [May 10] 
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Front row: Frs John Harhager (Vicar General), Albert Kabala (General Councillor), John Larsen (Superior-General), Kevin Medilo (Asia), Joaquín Fernández (Mexico), Tony Corcoran (Australia) and Juan Carlos Piña (General Councillor). 
Middle row: Br Joe McKee (facilitator), Frs Setefano Mataele (General Councillor), Joe Hindelang (USA), Ben McKenna (General Councillor) and Kevin Duffy (Europe).
Back row: Ms Frances Heery (facilitator), Frs Tim Duckworth (NZ), Chris Ganzon (Asia), Miguel Contreras (S. America) and Kiade Rayalu (Oceania).

Like Mary, Bearers of Hope

As the leaders of the various Provinces and Districts of the Marist Fathers gather to meet in Rome, Superior-General, Fr John Larsen SM, sends a Circular Letter, 'Like Mary, Bearers of Hope', to all members of the Society of Mary.

Fr John comments, 'I hope it will also assist us in our conversations over this week of Annual  Review Consultations here in Monteverde.

'I offer it in the spirit of the liturgical season … Mary and Disciples working together to fathom the meaning of the Resurrection of Jesus and waiting for guidance from the Spirit for our directions in mission.'

To download click here or go to Superior-General's page.                               [May 06]
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