June 2025 news

Chavoin anniversary

Jun 30 marks the 167th anniversary of the death of Jeanne-Marie Chavoin, revered foundress of the Marist Sisters.

Born in the village of Coutouvre in central France in 1786 the young Jeanne-Marie followed the call of the Colin brothers at Cerdon to establish the first community of Marist Sisters. Mother St Joseph, as she was known, died in 1858 at Jarnosse, not far from her birthplace. 

We wish our Marist Sisters a very Happy Feast Day !               [Jun 30]

Above: Portrait of Jeanne-Marie Chavoin at Bon Repos, Belley, near her final resting place   |   Jarnosse: the convent building where she died and the nearby parish church where she was first buried.   Below: Tiled cross marking the original burial place of Jeanne-Marie in the church sanctuary of Jarnose   |    Descriptive panel in the church of Jarnosse.

Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

'This, then, is what I pray, kneeling before the Father from whom every fatherhood, in heaven or on earth, takes its name. 
In the abundance of his glory may he, through his Spirit, enable you to grow firm in power with regard to your inner self, so that Christ may live in your hearts through faith,

and then, planted in love and built on love, with all God's holy people you will have the strength to grasp the breadth and the length, the height and the depth;
so that, knowing the love of Christ, which is beyond knowledge, you may be filled with the utter fullness of God.

Glory be to him whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine; 
glory be to him from generation to generation in the Church and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen.'

From the Mass of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart [Eph 3:14-21]                                    [Jun 27}

SM Bulletin

The latest SM Bulletin reports on visitation of the Netherlands and the International Novitiate, Oceania's Council of the Province and Irish students on camino. To download click here or go to Members' Page.                              [Jun 27]

Pacific news

The June issue of the Oceania Marist Province Bulletin is now available. To download, click here or go to Members' Page.                             [Jun 27] 

OMP Council of the Province

Over the past week Marists in Oceania have conducted their periodic Council of the Province reviewing activities in the various sectors of the vast Pacific province.

Meeting in Suva the COP received sector and other reports and input on formation, finances, health, professional standards, Marist laity and vocations. A special session focussed on issues for the attention of the forthcoming General Chapter.                             [Jul 27] 

The Value of the Person

Marist writer, Fr Tom Ryan SM, has published a reflection, 'The Value of the Person: Jean-Claude Colin in Conversation', which explores the Marist Founder's insights along with those of the recent Popes and classic commentators. The essay is part of a worldwide focus on the sesquicentenary of Fr Colin's death, Nov 15,1875. 

To download, click here.                             [Jun 25] 

Br Peter reappointed

The General Council of the Marist Brothers has announced from Rome: 'After reflecting on the results of the sondage conducted in the province, we have appointed Br Peter Carroll as Provincial of the Star of the Sea Province for a second three-year term.

'In a letter sent to the province on 12th June, Br Ernesto Sanchez, Superior General, thanked Br Peter for his willingness and generous commitment to continue serving as Provincial: “Your closeness to the Brothers and Lay Marists, your collaborative leadership style, and your efforts to foster unity have been a true gift to the province”.

'The Superior General also thanked the Provincial Council, the brothers, the teams and committees of the Province for the work done during these years. In the same way, he also thanked the Lay Marists who continue to bring Marcellin’s dream to life in the diverse countries where they serve.'

Br Peter will begin his second term as provincial in December 2025.                             [Jun 25]

Hoppy turns 80

From the community of Misioneros Maristas, Tarija, Bolivia, comes an invitation to celebrate with Fr John ('Hoppy') Hopkinson SM on the occasion of his 80th birthday, Jun 25.

To mark this milestone the Brisbane-born missionary has compiled memories in a 40-page booklet, 'Hoppy: From Ashgrove to Toongabbie and to the Unknown' (to download click here) 

Happy 80th birthday, Hoppy!                               [Jun 25]

SM Bulletin

The latest SM Bulletin reports on General Administration movements, Asia-Pacific meeting, Marist educators in Atlanta and bishop's visit to Sahagun. To download click here or go to Members' Page.                              [Jun 23]

Marist Asia-Pacific

In Davao, Philippines, Marist Leaders from Oceania, Australia, New Zealand and Asia have gathered at Eden Mountain Resort in Davao City for their annual MAP meeting. Discussions have included future cooperation among the Marists from the Asia-Pacific region, international formation and preparation for the General Chapter in Rome in September.

The Austtralian Marist District was represented by District Superior, Fr Tony Kennedy (pictured below, 4th from right).                                [Jun 19]

Euroinfo #200!

In its 200th edition Euroinfo again reports on happenings throughout the European Marist Province. To download, click here or go to Members' Page.                              [Jun 17] 

Marist Family Thanksgiving

From Rome and the Marist Missionary Sisters comes this message on the occasion of the Marist Family General Councils' Thanksgiving Gathering: 'In a spirit of deep gratitude, the Marist Family gathered at the SMSM General House to give thanks for the dedicated service of the General Councils of the Marist Fathers and the Marist Brothers.

'This special occasion was a moment of reflection and appreciation as both councils prepare for their upcoming General Chapters.

'Like Mary at Nazareth, we treasure all things in our hearts, and in gratitude we offer them to God.' 

Scenes from the gathering are pictured below.                            [Jun 16]

SM Bulletin

This week's SM Bulletin reports on a Chapter audience with Pope Leo, planning for Colin sesquicentenary, chapter postulata and a Mexico appointment. To downlaod click here or go to Members' Page.                          [Jun 15] 

Pentecost message

Superior-General, Fr John Larsen SM, reflects on Marists, Mary and Pentecost in a video message released in several languages, To download English text, click here and for video, click here or go to Superior-General's page.                              [Jun 08] 

Menu Marcellin

A fine celebration dinner, featuring Menu Marcellin, followed a Eucharist marking the feast day of the Saint Marcellin Champagnat at Hunters Hill on Jun 06, anniversary of the death of the Saint in 1840. In extending hospitality to the Marist Fathers' community of Villa Maria monastery, the Brothers of Champagnat House honoured the link between the Brothers and Fathers and their Founders.

District Superior, Fr Tony Kennedy SM, presided at the Eucharist, introduced by community leader, Br Michael Green FMS.                             [Jun 08]

MMC Newsletter 

The winter issue of the Marist Mission Centre Newsletter reports on several projects currently supported in Asia-Pacific and includes a summary of project funding throughout 2024. To download click here or go to Members' Page or to the MMC wesbite.                                   [Jun 06]

Champagnat day

Jun 06 marks the anniversary of the death in 18840 of St Marcellin Champagnat, founder of the Marist Brothers, and one of the pioneer Marist aspirants gathered at the shrine of Our Lady of Fourvière, Lyon, France, in 1816.

The newly-ordained Champagnat pledged to play his part in forming the Marist Family, soon establishing what is now the world-wide congregation of the Marist Brothers..

Happy feast day to all our Marist Brothers!                  [Jun 06]

Oceania Newsletter

The May issue of the Marist Oceania Province Newsletter reports on another month's activities throughout the Pacific region . To download click here or go to Members' Page.                              [Jun 02]

Marist Asia's new website

The Marist Fathers' District of Asia has recently revamped its website. Its attractive format features current events in the district as well as links to Marist activities worldwide.

The site can be accessed at https://maristasia.com/  or through this webiste's About Us/Links page:               [Jun 02]