November 2024 news

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.                              [Nov 30]

Oldest Marist priest dies

The Society of Mary's oldest member, Fr Paul Fontanier, has died in Lyons, France, on Nov 23. He was 104 yrs old, a priest for 77 years, spending the last decade of his long life in the Marist community of Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon.

At the time of his 103rd birthday, Fr Paul observed 'Years ago a fortune teller said I would not live to be old!'  Local Marist, Fr Roger Lordong SM, commented: 'His recipe for longevity embraced curiosity about everything, including politics and viruses, enthusiasm and wonder, which he has shared with many students.' May he rest in peace.                              [Nov 27]

Marist Laity retreat

The Hermitage, Mittagong, was chosen by Marist Laity Australia as the venue for a retreat weekend, Nov 22-24, led by Fr Ray Chapman SM. Members of the cooridnating committee were among the retreatants, including Fr Michael Carroll SM.

Read more at the MLA website: click here.                              [Nov 25]

SM Bulletin

This week's SM Bulletin reports on the setting up of the pre-capitular committee for the General Chapter of 2025, new Marist schools for South America and Africa and Europe's Council of the Province. To download click here or go to Members' Page.                           [Nov 22]

Funeral of Fr John Begg

Fr John Begg was farewelled at a Requiem Mass at St Peter Chanel’s Church, The Gap, Brisbane, on Nov 19. Seminary classmate, Fr Jim Carty, presided at the Eucharist accompanied by Bishop Brian Finnegan, Marist confreres and local clergy in addition to family members and a large congregation of mourners.

Members of the Bougainvilean Catholic community were well represented, participating in song and dance, acknowledging Fr John's twenty year-long ministry in their country. 

The Requiem liturgy was followed by burial in the Marist section of Nudgee Catholic cemetery.

For a short summary of Fr John's life, click here.                             [Nov 19]

Fr Hoppy at CEBs gathering

From San Salvador, Brisbane-born, Fr John ('Hoppy') Hopkinsn SM, reports: 'Presently the Marist Team, Misioneros Maristas, (Gilberto, Javier and myself) is in El Salvador from Nov 11 to 22 participating in the 12th Latín American Encounter of Comunidades Eclesiales de Base (CEBs, Basic Church Communities), a joint meeting of South American communities. We are among 200 delegates from 18 countries of the Americas.

'I am participating in my capacity as one of the two members here that form the Council of Elders considering my forty-seven years of accompanying the process of CEBs in the Latin American Church.'                              [Nov 19] 

Above: Fr Hoppy at the side of the bishop during the Eucharist at the tomb of Bishop Oscar Romero.  Below: The Misioneros Maristas team, Gilberto, Fr Hoppy and Javier, during the gathering and at the altar where Bishop Romero was assassinated. Further below: Lighter moments in San Salvador.

Star of the Sea centenary

Three members of the Marist Fathers' Australian District were present in Gladstone, Qld, for centenary celebrations of Star of the Sea church. Frs 'Aliki Langi, Michael Carroll and Seamus McMahon (pictured below) joined Rockhampton's Bishop Michael McCarthy, parish priest, Fr Andrew Chase, assistant, Fr Peter Doherty, visiting clergy and religious and many parishioners for a weekend of celebrations over Nov 15-17. Among the centenary events was a memorial walk through the church led by Sr Noreen Dunne SMSM.

Each professed branch of the Marist Family has ministered in the parish's long history since its foundation in 1885 and the beginning of a Marist presence soon afterwards through Dean Charles Murlay SM. The church building itself was blessed by Bishop Joseph Shiel on Nov 16, 1924, and withstood the famous 1949 cyclone which demolished school, convent and many other buildings. The sturdiness of the church was attested to by a former pastor in a congratulatory message. For an excerpt: click here.                                   [Nov 18]

Welcome, Fr Lauro

Special guest at Villa Maria's Nov 15 celebrations was Fr Lauro Arcede SM, arriving from the Phillipines this week to join the Marist community at Marayong, Sydney. Confreres from various Sydney communities were gathered to mark the anniversary of the death Marist Founder, Jean-Claude Colin (see below).

Fr Lauro is pictured below being welcomed by Villa Maria community superior, Fr Gavin Foster, former missioner in the Philippines and once a formator for the young Lauro.                                [Nov 16]

SM Bulletin

This week's SM Bulletin lists the delegates to the 2025 General Chapter and reports on the conclusion of General Council plenary sessions, Fr Tom Ryan's 'A Gift for Living' e-book and awards to Marists in Davao. 

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

Euroinfo

The latest issue of Euroinfo reports on important gatherings at La Neylière on the eve of the Founder's anniversary. To download, click here or go to Members' Page.                              [Nov 15]

Founder's anniversary

Marists throughout the world today celebrate the anniversary of the death of Jean-Claude Colin, Founder of the Society of Mary, at La Neylière, France, on Nov 15, 1875. This marks the start of a sesquicentenary year culminating with the 150th anniversary in 2025.

For a commemorative liturgy, click here.                           [Nov 15]

District Circular

The October issue of the Marist Australia District Circular is available at the Members' Page.                                [Nov 11]

Death of Fr John Begg

Marists in Australia and beyond note with sadness the passing of Fr John Begg, 86, on Nov 10. Former Bougainville missionary and pastor, Fr John died peacefully at Villa Maria, Brisbane, after 66 years of Marist life. He was a priest for 61 years.

Fr John's funeral Mass will be held at 10.30 am, Tue, Nov 19, at St Peter Chanel’s Church, The Gap, Brisbane. His burial will follow in the Marist section of Nudgee Catholic cemetery.   May he rest in peace.

For a short summary of Fr John's life, click here.                                   [Nov 10]

SM Bulletin

This week's SM Bulletin reports on the orientation program for new unit leaders, Canada's chapter and award, Marist Mission Centre's 75th anniversary and Fr Mikaele Tuimavave's ACU graduation. A list of confreres who have died in the past year is also included.

To download, click here for SM Bulletin  |  List of Deceased Confreres or go to Members' Page.                            [Nov 09]

MMC's 75th

A morning celebration at Hunters Hill on Nov 07 marked the 75th anniversary of the Marist Mission Centre. The agency was established in 1949 to support the newly-formed Marist mission in Nara Prefecture, Japan, inspired by the late Fr Lionel Marsden SM, following his wartime experiences on the Thai-Burma railway.

MMC's Executive Officer, Fr Paul Sullivan, welcomed over eighty guests who included donors, volunteers, advisory committee members and former directors and staff. Beneficiaries were represented by Marist Oceania provincial, Fr Milikiade Rayalu, Sr Jenny Clarke SMSM, Bougainvillean Fr Floyd Gatana and Fr Kevin Redmond on behalf of the Marist Asia District as well as members of the Catholic Japanese community and Sisters of the Good Samaritan.

Australian District Superior, Fr Tony Corcoran, read a letter of congratulations and appreciation from Superior-General, Fr John Larsen.

Special guests included 100 yr-old former volunteer, Mrs Valerie Grant, and Br Charlie Randle, who continues to raise funds for MMC through his annual Cycling for Children.

Congratulations and well done, MMC, on 75 years of 'sustaining hope'.                                       [Nov 07}

Colin novena

The customary novena for graces through the intercession of Marist Founder, Ven Jean-Claude Colin, begins on Nov 06, concluding on the eve of the Nov 15 anniversary of his death in 1875. 

Novena options in a choice of formats and languages are accessible on the Colin website at the Resources/Novena, with simple reflections on the qualities of Fr Colin, a prayer for graces through his intercession and selections from the Marist Constitutions. 

To go directly to the English Novena options, click for:  Booklet (for printing)   |   Booklet (for scrolling)     |   Prayer card   |   Prayer leaflet                           [Nov 03]

Superior-General's reflection

Noting the feasts of All Saints and Holy Souls, in his reflection for November Fr John Larsen SM cites Jean-Claude Colin's call for Marists to be men of prayer, encouraging an hour's quiet time, especially on Saturdays, for vocations. Nov 15 is the anniversary of Fr Colin's death and Marists may wishto onour him throughout this month, drawing on the many resources of the Colin website, www.jeanclaudecolin.org.

To download click here or go to Superior-General's page.                               [Nov 02]