April 2025 - Marist Fathers Australia

April 2025 news

For previous years, go to News menu, above

Anniversary of Marist approval

On Apr 29, 1836, the infant Society of Mary received official approbation from the Church through a letter from the mission-minded Pope Gregory XVI.

The Holy Father and the Congregation 'Propaganda Fide' were looking for missionaries to send to the distant and unevangelised south-west Pacific. Marist Founder, Jean-Claude Colin, responded: 'We will work on whatever distant shore... '. (Click here for a short life of Fr Colin)

Marists today offer Mass for God's blessing on the Society of Mary. [Apr 29]

0420 Approb SM 0512 Propaganda Greg XVI bust 2J crp

St Peter Chanel

On the south-west Pacific's distant isle of Futuna on April 28, 1841, the Society of Mary and the vast world of Oceania received their first martyr: Fr Peter Chanel SM. Click for 'Life of St Peter Chanel'. For 'A Marist reflects on St Peter Chanel', click here. [Apr 28]

Above: Contemporary images of St Peter Chanel including that (at right) by Australian artist, John Coburn, presented to St Peter Chanel's Scholasticate, Toongabbie, NSW, in the 1960s and now hanging at Montbel, Hunters Hill. Centre: a sister at prayer in the parish church of Cuet, France.. Below: La Potière, where Peter Chanel was born. | The parish church of nearby Cuet.

Fr Hoppy's Easter letter

From the Misioneros Maristas community in Tarija, Bolivia, Fr John (Hoppy) Hopkinson SM sends his regular Easter letter, commenting on the person of Pope Francis and other friends of the mission as well as the dire state of Bolivian politics and prospects of a seaside holiday away from land-locked Bolivia. To download click here. [Apr 25]

Anzac Day

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. We will remember them.

SM Bulletin

In this week's SM Bulletin Superior-General, Fr John Larsen SM, speaks of Pope Francis' encouragement of religious and support of the Marist mission in Turkey. To download, click here or go to Members' Page. [Apr 25]

0425 NL SMB Apr 25

A Tribute to Pope Francis

Marist Laity Australia's co-leader, Andrew Dumas, has composed a tribute, written and voice, to Pope Francis: click here. [Apr 22]

Marist Way newsletter

The April issue of Marist Laity Australia's newsletter, Marist Way Australia, is now available. To download click here. For the MLA website click here. [Apr 22]

Death of Pope Francis

The Marist Fathers of Australia join in the sadness of the loss of Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, in Rome, today, Apr 21. May he rest in the embrace of our loving Father. [Apr 21]

Villa Maria's Way of the Cross

Once again Christians from Gladesville, Hunters Hill and Woolwich joined in the annual inter-church Way of the Cross on Good Friday, Apr 18. The ceremony commenced at Holy Name of Mary Catholic church and moved through the grounds of the historic monastery ending at the chapel of St Peter Chanel. [Apr 18]

Above: Scenes from this year's Way of the Cross in the monastery grounds. Below: Hot cross buns and a cuppa prepared by parishioners for the Way participants. | Flashback: skywriting over Vlla Maria during the 2014 Way of the Cross.

Euroinfo

The April issue of Euroinfo reports on the Council of the Province, Marists in education at La Neylière, the Thrope Cup and an Easter reflection from Fr Jan Hulshof. To down;oad click here or go to Members' Page. [Apr 17]

Vocations Novena

The Society of Mary's annual novena for vocations begins on Apr 19 leading to the feast of St Peter Chanel on Apr 28. A novena booklet is available for printing (click here) or scrolling (click here).

Visit of Fr David Sanchez

After serving three years as Novice Master for the Society of Mary, Fr David Sanchez SM, visited Australia recently en route to Mexico for a short family visit. During a week in Sydney Fr David stayed at Villa Maria, Hunters Hill, calling on other Marist communities including the Omnes Gentes team at Marayong in Sydney's west. His next appointment is to join a similar group in Turkey. [Apr 15]

Above: Fr David at Villa Maria Monastery, Hunters Hill. | Sightseeing with District Superior, Fr Tony Kennedy... | ... and a new Aussie friend.
Below: Fr David presided at the profession of two of his novices in Davao, Philippines, on Mar 25 (click here). | Leaving Sydney for Mexico on Apr 15.

Star of the Sea Pilgrimage

Chaplain of St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill, Fr Gavin Foster SM, has sent photos from the 2025 pilgrimage of Star of the Sea Marist Brothers' Province. The group of twenty-eight pilgrims are associated with MSA (Marist Assocation of St Marcellin Champagnat) schools in Australia, Samoa and Timor-Leste, travelling in the footsteps of St Paul, St John, Mary and St Marcellin.

Pilgrims are pictured below in Turkey, Greece and France. [Apr 14]

SM Bulletin

The latest SM Bulletin reports on the meeting of formators, planning for the 150th anniversary of Fr Colin's death and Marist Days in Bury-Rosaire. To download click here or go to Members' Page. [Apr 14]

Superior-General's Reflection

In his reflection for April, Superior-General, Fr John Larsen SM, speaks of the recent earthquake in Myanmar and the distress in its wake, pointing to the trust we need in God's love throughout such circumstances.

To download click here or go to Superior-General's page. [Apr 04]

Marist Pilgrimage

Marist Laity Australia announce: 'Join us for a Marist Pilgrimage on Sunday, May 4 as we journey through the sacred spaces and stories that have shaped the Marist mission in Australia. Starting at St Patrick’s crypt in Sydney with a guided tour by Fr Peter McMurrich SM, we’ll travel by bus to Hunters Hill to explore key sites of the Marist Fathers and Brothers, then continue to Woolwich to hear the inspiring story of the Marist Sisters. It’s a day of reflection, connection, and deepening our understanding of Marist spirituality and heritage—all are welcome!'

To download the flyer and registration, click here. [Apr 04]

Web for Marist Family JPIC

At its Apr 03 meeting the Marist Family Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation committee set the timeline to develop a new website. The space will combine a news section with links to ongoing resources already developed by Marist Family groups and related organisations. Andrew Dumas (Marist Laity Australia) has been tasked to move the project forward.

The committee also furthered plans for a September event to reflect on issues of domestic violence. [Apr 04]

Pictured above during their Zoom meeting, top row from left: Br Lawrie McCane FMS, Fr Ron Nissen SM, Sr Grace Ellul SM (chair); middle row: Fr Paul Mahony SM, Sr Margaret Tisch SMSM, Fr Kevin Stewart SM; bottom row: Andrew Dumas (Marist Laity Australia), Fr Jim Carty SM.

Pacific news

The latest issue of the Oceania News Bulletin reports on Marist happenings throughout the Pacific in March. These include the provincial's reflection, 'Pilgrims of Hope' (Buin), St Theresa parish (Lepea), Holy Cross College Retreat (Taveuni).

To download click here or go to Members' Page. [Apr 03]