July 2025 news

Chanel anniversaries

July was a big month for the Chanel family. On Jul 12, 1804, in the hamlet of La Potière, near Montrevel-en-Bresse, France, Peter Chanel was born to Claude-François Chanel and Marie-Anne Sibellas. A few days later, Jul 16, in the main parish church of Montrevel, baby Peter was baptised.

 From 'A Marist reflects on St Peter Chanel': 'The Chanel family lived in the little country hamlet not far from the mountains near Switzerland. Claude Chanel was a farmer. He had some sheep and a few cows and grew some crops as well. His wife, Marie-Anne, was not a well-educated woman. She couldn’t read or write, but she had a very strong Catholic faith. They had three children before a fourth one died, so when she found herself pregnant a fifth time Madame Chanel dedicated the child in her womb to the Blessed Virgin Mary. A healthy baby boy was born, and they called him Peter.

'Years later, when Peter heard about what his mother had done, he added the name, Mary, and became Peter Mary Chanel. Later still, he chose the confirmation name of a young Jesuit saint whom he admired very much: St Aloysius Gonzaga. And so we have Peter Aloysius Mary Chanel.'  

On Jul 15, 1827, Peter Chanel was ordained priest in the provincial city of Bourg-en-Bresse, soon to join the infant Society of Mary and become one of its first missionaries -- and its first martryr and saint. 

For a short history of St Peter Chanel, click here. For 'A Marist reflects on St Peter Chanel', click here             [Jul 12]

SM Bulletin

This week's SM Bulletin reports on a Colin Pilgrimage, new District Superior for South Amercia, Fr Tom Ryan's essay on Fr Colin and the person and a bishop's visit to Ranong. To download click here or go to Members' Page.  For Colin Pilgrimage details click here.                            [Jul 11]

Marist news from Africa

With reports on events throughout the Marist District of Africa the bilingual July issue of Echoes is now available. To download click here.                              [Jul 11]

New provincial for NZ

Fr Mervyn Duffy SM has been appointed provincial of the Marist Province of New Zealand to succeed Fr Tim Duckworth SM in Feb 2026.

Fr Duffy has a wide background in secondary and tertiary education, holding a Licentiate and Doctoral degree from the Gregorian University in Rome. His teaching experience both in secondary and tertiary schools was recognised in the 2024 'Excellence in Tertiary Teaching' by NZ Catholic Bishops Conference. He has held leadership roles in the Catholic Theological College, Auckland, and has contributed extensively to Marist studies, interreligious dialogue and liturgical catechesis in New Zealand. 

Congratulations, Fr Merv.                           [Jul 11] 

Ordination dates

Four African Marists will soon be ordained to the priesthood. The ceremony for Deacon Joseph Koffi will be held on Jul 19 at Aného, Togo, while his three confreres, Godlove Ndema, Clovis Nformenteng and Joel Ebonto, will be ordained on Aug 09 at Yaoundé, Cameroon.  Let us pray for these young men.                                [Jul 09]

Conch Quarterly

From Suva, Fiji, comes the Oceania Marist Province's quarterly reflections. This issue of the Conch Quarterly features Fr Donato Kivi's report from Samsun, Turkey, Fr Milikiade Rayalu's comments on the recent Council of the Province and Fr Iosefo Vili's reflections on his EAPI experience.  To download click here or go to Members' Page.                                        [Jul 09]

Novitiate news

12 colourful pages of news and events from the Marist International Novitiate, Davao, Philippines.

To download click here.                          [Jul 04] 

Superior-General's reflection

Fr John Larsen and preparations for the General Chapter. To download click here or go to Superior-General's page.                          [Jul 04] 

District Circular

Latest issue, of the Marist Australian District Circular is available at the Members' Page.                               [Jul 01]    

Strumming together

Thai Redemptorist priest, Fr Puwanai Tantikun (Olé) CSsR, was recently guest tutor at the ukulele group of Holy Name of Mary parish, Hunters Hill. During a visit some years ago Fr Olé was inspired by the parish group, founded and led by Fr 'Aliki Langi SM. Back in Thailand he set up an adult ukulele group at St Thomas Aquinas parish, Minburi. When not strumming with parishioners, Fr Olé works as bursar for the Redemptorist province of Thailand and rector of his local community at Minburi, Bangkok.

The Hunters Hill group hosted a farewell celebration and presentation for Fr Olé on Jun 18 prior to his return to Thailand.                            [Jul 01] 

Bishop Miguel in Davao

Shortly after the announcement of his appointment as auxiliary bishop of Callao, Peru, Bishop Migeul Contreras SM called on the Marist communities in Davao, Phillippines. Some moments of his visit are pictured below, including with staff and street kids of Balay Pasilungan, Marist students of the St Peter Chanel formation community and Asia District Superior, Fr Kevin Medilo SM.                             [Jul 01]