October 2024 - Marist Fathers Australia

October 2024 news

For previous years, go to News menu, above

Pacific Publications

From Suva, Fiji, come the latest issues of the Oceania Marist New Bulletin and the quarterly Conch.

To download, click here Oceania News Bulletin | Conch or go to Members' Page. [Oct 30]

Charism & Culture

The committee for Marist Charism and Culture met on Oct 25 at the Marist Fathers' District office to review the year and begin further planning. MCC brings together representatives of Marist Fathers- and Sisters-established schools in Australia.

In addition to the well-established immersion experiences and pilgrimages to places of Marist origins, the committee is considering the development of video resources on Marist life for staff formation. [Oct 30]

Above: The MCC committee in session on Oct 25. | From left: Fr Gerard Hall SM, Andrew Biddle (Marist Fathers business manager), Chris Agnew (Holy Spirit College, Bellambi), Annette Reen (St John's College, Lismore), Greg Colles (committee), Sandra Iverson, (Holy Spirit College, Bellambi), Caroline Morizzi (Marist Sisters' College, Woolwich), Loretta Parker (chair), Lisa-Maree Browning (Cerdon College, Merrylands) and Chris Comerford (committee).

SM Bulletin

This week's SM Bulletin reports on the diaconate ordination in Rome, visit of Australian Charism & Culture group, Marist Asia-Pacific meeting in NZ and an award for Fr Gavin Foster.

To download click here or go to Members' Page. [Oct 25]

MAP in NZ

Provincial and District leaders from Marist Asia-Pacific met in Auckland recently, the venue for the annual meeting cycling throughout the MAP regions.

The gathering offers opportunity for sharing of reports and topical issues as well as consideration of collaboration between the various units. [Oct 25]

Above, from left: MAP leaders in Auckland, Frs Kevin Medilo and Lionel Mechavez (Asia District), Tony Corcoran (Australia District), Milikiade Rayalu (Oceania Province), Tim Duckworth (NZ Province), Lote Raiwalui (Oceania Province) and Kevin Conroy (NZ Province).

Fr Gavin's award

During a recent event at St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill, NSW, College chaplain, Fr Gavin Foster SM, was presented with an award for Outstanding Service to Marist Education.

In acknowledgng the significant role Fr Gavin has in the life of the College, principal, Michael Blake, commented: ' "How lucky we are to have Fr Gavin" is an often-heard comment from students, staff, parents and old boys alike. All appreciate his unfailing warmth, his infectious humour, his sensitive care and his spiritual wisdom.' Congratulations, Fr Gavin ! [Oct 25]

A Gift for Living

Fr Tom Ryan's e-book, A Gift for Living: Sharing in Christ's Mission Today, is now available on the website of the Marist Mission Centre. Fr Tom's collection of reflections and articles on a range of human and spiritual issues has been released as the 75th anniversary of the Marist Mission Centre approaches.

To access the e-book click here. [Oct 22]

Oct 29 Bicentenary coming soon

Oct 29, 2024 marks the 200th anniversary of the commencement of the first community of Marist Fathers. On this date in 1824 a third Marist aspirant, Fr Etienne Déclas, arrived at the presbytery of Cerdon in the Bugey mountains of France. As Fr Déclas joined Frs Pierre and Jean-Claude Colin, the event prompted Fr Pierre Colin to write that very day to Bishop, Alexander Devie: 'Today the Society of Mary has begun.' Jean-Claude Colin was to keep this date as the effective beginning of the Society of Mary.

To help prepare for the bicentenary Oct 29 event leaflets are available in several languages on the Colin website: click here. | For 'The Society of Mary has begun' (English), click here. | For 'Etienne Déclas, Apostle of the Bugey', click here. [Oct 21]

Six Marist Deacons

In a ceremony in Rome on Oct 20, six young Marists were ordained to the diaconate by Archbishop Paul Martin SM. The new deacons are Joseph Koffi Adjokpa (Togo), Joël Sébastien Eyango Ebonto, Godlove Ngwese Ndema, Clovis Gwencho Nformenteng (Cameroon), Hemi Waerengaahika Ropata (New Zealand) and Charles Sangul (Vanuatu).

At the end of the current academic year in July 2025 the six will return to their home units to be ordained soon afterwards. Congratulations all !

SM Bulletin & Kalendarium

This week's SM Bulletin reports on General Administration movements, on postgraduate studies in Rome and the Omnes Gentes community in Sahagun, Spain. It is also accompanied by the Kalendarium for 2025. To download click here: SM Bulletin | Kalendarium or go to Members' Page. [Oct 19]

MCC pilgrims

Staff members from Australian schools founded by the Marist Fathers and Marist Sisters have recently concluded a pilgrimage to the places of Marist origins in France. The Marist Charism & Culture group visited historic sites connected with the earliest times of the Marist Fathers, Sisters and Brothers and were accompanied by Fr Jimmy McElroy SM and Sr Teri O'Brien SM.

MCC inservices are held annually at Hunters Hill, NSW, the most recent being in August this year (click here). Welcome back, pilgrims! [Oct 16]

Above: MCC pilgrims at the grave of Ven Jean--Claude Colin at La Neylière, France. Below: Visiting the Bugey churches of Ruffieu | ...and Cerdon. | The chapel of St Michael at Le Puy.

Above: Pilgrims at La Valla around the table crafted by St Marcellin Champagnat, founder of the Marist Brothers.... | ... and at Brothers' centre of The Hermitage, St Chamond. | At Coutouvre in the cellar of the home of Marist Sisters' Foundress, Jeanne-Marie Chavoin. Below: View of Fourvière, Lyon. | Pilgrims with Marist seminarians at Casa di Maria, Rome. | At the General House of the Marist Fathers with Fr Ben McKenna SM..

Marist Family JPIC leadership

At its final meeting for 2024 members of the Marist Family Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Committee chose Sr Grace Ellul SM to succeed Fr Jim Carty SM as coordinator of the group. Sr Grace brings to the role her wide experience as a missionary in Brazil and as Congregational Leader of the Marist Sisters.

The Oct 12 meeting thanked Fr Jim for his strong leadership of the Committee since its inception as an initiative of the Marist Fathers' JPIC Committee almost a decade ago. [Oct 13]

Above: Marist Family JPIC Committee members, from left: Andrew Dumas,MLA (insert), Fr Jim Carty SM, Cathy Larkin (MLA), Br Lawrence McCane FMS, Sr Grace Ellul SM, Fr Kevin Stewart SM, Sr Margaret Tisch SMSM, Fr Ron Nissen SM, Fr Paul Mahony SM (insert).

Tutu director's visit

En route to Rome for the United Nations' Food & Agriculture Organisation annual planning event, Fr Petero Matairatu SM, called at Sydney and Canberra recently. As well as being director of the Tutu Rural Training Centre, Taveuni, Fiji, Fr Petero is vice-chairman of the Pacific Farmers Organisation Network representing over 99,000 farmers in Oceania including his native Fiji as well as Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands and PNG. He is also convenor of the Knights of Colin, a Taveuni-based group with a special interest in the person of Marist Founder, Ven Jean-Claude Colin.

During his time in Sydney, Fr Petero visited the Marist Mission Centre, Marist confreres and relatives. Welcome and bon voyage, Fr Petero. [Oct 12]

Above: Fr Petero Matairatu | .... with Knights of Colin, Tutu, and novice master of the Marist International Novitiate, Fr David Sanchez (centre). Below: ...with Frs Floyd Gatana, Marayong, NSW. and Setefano Mataele, General Councillor, Rome. | .... with former missionary in Fiji, Fr Brian Wilson. | ... with relatives around the kava bowl, Villa Maria. | ... celebrating Mass in the chapel of Villa Maria monastery, once the headquarters of the Marist missions of the Pacific. | ... leaving for Rome.

1024 Petero Matairatu Floyd G Setefano M e

SM Bulletin

This week's SM Bulletin reports on final professions in Rome, Australia's Assembly and Chapter and Fr Setefano's visit to Marayong.

To download click here or go to Members' Page. [Oct 11]

Euroinfo

The October issue of Euroinfo reports on reunions in Mexico and Lyon, Casa di Maria students in Lyon, Marist Family meeting, SMSMs in London and Marist Studies in Rome.

To download click here or go to Members' Page. [Oct 11]

Superior-General's reflection

In his reflection for October, Fr John Larsen SM, notes the final profession of six young Marists, the call to prayer for all Marists, current events and worldwide trends.

To download click here or go to Superior-General's page. [Oct 05]

Jubilarians honoured

At the conclusion of the Marist Fathers' District Assembly at Hunters Hill on Oct 04 five Marists were honoured for their jubilees of priesthood. This year's jubilarians are Frs Bernard McFadyen and Seamus McMahon (60 yrs ordained), Fr Paul Sullivan (50 yrs) and Frs Paul Hachey and Michael Rego (40 yrs). Also rememberd was District Superior, Fr Tony Corcoran, who marks 60 yrs of Marist life.

A Mass of Thanksgiving in Holy Name of Mary church, Hunters Hill, was followed by a celebratory luncheon at nearby Montbel.

Congratulations to our jublarians! [Oct 05]

Above: Concelebrated Eucharist at Holy Name of Mary Church, from left, Frs Bernard McFadyen (60 yrs), Paul Pidcock, Tony Corcoran (District Superior and 60 yrs professed), Paul Sullivan (50 yrs) and Paul Hachey (40 yrs). Below, from left, Frs Paul Hachey, Paul Sullivan and Tony Corcoran and Br Terry Garrett.

1024 Marists Jubilees 4e Terry Garrett e

Above: At the celebratory luncheon at Montbel Fr Ray Chapman proposes a toast to the jubilarians, acknowledging their combined total of 250 years of priestly life and service. Below: Vote of thanks to the catering team of Lina, Chef Peter and Kerrie for the restaurant-quality meal and table service.

District Assembly begins

Thirty members of the Marist Fathers' District of Australia gathered at Hunters Hill on Oct 01 for their first District Assembly.

District Superior, Fr Tony Corcoran SM, opened the gathering, welcoming Bishop Gregory Homeming OCD (Lismore Diocese), Frs Setefano Mataele (General Administration, Rome) and Lote Raiwalui (Oceania Province observer) as well as confreres from Western Australia, Queensland and the Sydney area. Chairperson for Tuesday sessions, Fr Peter McMurrich, welcomed facilitator, Paul Bullen, to the Assembly before Bishop Gregory led a morning of reflection and prayer.

An afternoon Chapter of Election chose Frs Gerard Hall and Kevin Redmond to be the District's representatives at the Society of Mary's 2025 General Chapter.

The Assembly will conclude on Oct 04 with the annual jubilarians' Mass and luncheon. [Oct 01]

1024 Marists Assembly 2 Bp Greg Homeming

Above: Facilitator, Paul Bullen. | Opening session of the District Assembly. | Bishop Gregory Homeming. Below: Reflection time in the parish grounds.