September 2025 news

 General Chapter Reports

Final Professions at Nemi

Six young Marists from African and Pacific nations took their final vows on Sep 30 in a ceremony at Nemi, Italy, attended by members of the Marist Fathers General Chapter, fellow students, Marist Family members and other friends. Superior-General, Fr John Larsen SM, received the vows while Fr Setefano Mataele preached the homily.

The finally professed are students at the Marist International Theologate, Casa di Maria, Rome: Jean Paul Dieme SM (Senegal), Lewis Kum Mvo SM and Joseph Ondoua SM (Cameroon), Leonard Amora SM and Lesley Kinani SM (Bougainville PNG) and Peter Carde Matakarawa SM (Fiji).

Scenes from the final profession Mass are pictured below. Congratulations to these young Marists.                              [Sep 30]

Aussie General for Marist Brothers

From Tagaytay, Philippines, the Marist Brothers announce the election of their 15th Superior-General, Br Peter Carroll FMS, of Star of the Sea province, on Sep 30 during the XXIII General Chapter of the Institute.

They report: 'Br Peter will exercise leadership for the next eight years, guiding the Marist Institute with faith, vision and dedication. His election marks a new chapter in the mission of the Champagnat Marists to continue the charism of St Marcellin Champagnat to make Jesus Christ known and loved, especially among children and young people.

'We trust the leadership of Br Peter in the care of Mary, the Good Mother, and we pray for wisdom and strength as we begin this important service. May it be a great step for Marists and vocations, let us pray a lot for the new Superior General and for the Marist Work.'

Congratulations, Br Peter!                                 [Sep 30]

Life Membership for Br Terry

Members of the Hunters-Ryde Hill Men's Shed gathered on Sep 29 to offer life membership to Br Terry Garrett SM. Situated in the historic grounds of Villa Maria monastery, Hunters Hill, the Men's Shed has been supported by Br Terry since it's foundation and whose forty members have drawn on his expertise and skills in both wood- and metalworking.

Congratulations and thank you, Br Terry!                           [Sep 30]

Jubilarians honoured

Seven members of the Marist Fathers' District of Australia were honoured as they celebrated jubilees of ordination and religious profession at Hunters Hill on Sep 26. The jubilarians are Frs Neville Byrne, Harry Moore and Tom Ryan (60 years ordained), Br Charlie Randle (60 years professed), Fr Peter McMurrich (50 years ordained) and Frs John Gillen and Patrick Kervin (40 years ordained).

Celebrations began with Mass followed by luncheon hosted by the community of Maryvale/Montbel. Five local jubilarians were present while Brisbane-based Frs Harry Moore and John Gillen were also honoured.

Congratulations to each of our jubilarians. Ad multos annos!                              [Sep 26]

Sr Clare Francis SM, RIP

Australian Marists mourn the passing on Sep 23 of Sr Clare Francis SM.

Marist Sisters' local leader, Sr Gail Reneker, reports: 'Clare turned 103 in August and has been blessed with relatively good health for her age, a bit of memory loss from time to time but able to show interest in things and have some good conversations. 

'When I was with her the other day she was able to talk a little and express gratitude to the nurses, to me and the Congregation.   Her fairly constant repeated words however which really touched me were "God, you are so good".'

Rest in peace, dear Sr Clare.                           [Sep 25]

First Marist professions

Sep 24 marks one hundred and eighty-nine years since the religious profession of the first Marists in 1836 in the chapel of La Capucinière, Belley, France.  Amongst the nineteen signatories were Jean-Claude Colin, Marcellin Champagnat and Peter Chanel.

The event followed the approval of the priests' branch of the Society of Mary by the mission-minded Pope Gregory XVI. On the same day a reluctant Jean-Claude Colin was elected superior-general.                   [Sep 24]

Miltrup memoirs updated

Author-editor, Christine Leonard, reports on a second edition of Fr Franz Miltrup's memoirs first launched in Brisbane in March 2023. The German Marist's record of wartime experiences was originally entitled 'My 50 Years in Bougainville' then edited by Christine Leonard and given its new title of 'When The Garamuts Beat'.

Christine advises: 'A revised edition is now available on Amazon and other online outlets in Australia and overseas. Through personal contacts in Bougainville I've been able to donate several copies which include to the Arawa Secondary School Library and the parish of Tubiana where Fr Franz spent several years. The couple who own and run the Buin Inn have also sold copies, so it's heartening to know that many copies have been circulated up there.

'The second edition has corrected some of the typos in the first printing, a small change to the cover and more than half a page on Fr Edmund Duffy SM is included which was not in the earlier edition.'  

For Christine Leonard's web site 'Leonard Stories', click here  For more on the launch of 'When the Garamuts Beat', click here.                                [Sep 22] 

Marist Way newsletter

Marist Way Australia advises: 'The September edition of our newsletter highlights the group’s new identity, shifting from Marist Way Australia to better reflect a global Marist vision of living the Gospel in the spirit of Mary.

'It shares reports on the Fourvière celebrations in Hunters Hill, monthly gatherings at St Patrick’s Church Hill to sustain Marist life after the Fathers’ departure, and upcoming events such as the Seasons of Creation gathering.

'The newsletter also includes prayers for peace, reflections on the Marist Fathers’ 157 years of service at St Patrick’s, stories of hospitality with Congolese refugee families, and a moving account of a Men’s Rite of Passage retreat. It closes with a personal reflection on returning to Davao, Philippines, where encounters with children in poverty profoundly deepened a sense of faith, gratitude, and connection.'

To download click here or go to https://www.maristway.org/News/1600.php                               [Sep 19]

Audience with Pope Leo

Participants in the General Chapter of the Society of Mary met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican this week. The Chapter commenced on Sep 15 at the Ad Omnes Gentes centre, Nemi, and will shortly elect a new leadership team. 

Other groups at the audience were the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, and of the Ursulines of Mary Immaculate gathered in Rome for their chapters and assemblies.

In his address the Pope recalled how their founders and foundresses 'successfully interpreted the signs of the times and responded wisely to new needs' and dwelt on the importance of community life in religious vocation, on obedience as an act of love, and on how vital it is for the religious to be open to the signs of the times.

Pope Leo recalled that their history is 'a splendid and varied testimony, reflecting the multiplicity of gifts bestowed by God on founders and foundresses who, in openness to the working of the Holy Spirit, successfully interpreted the signs of the times and responded wisely to new needs.'                          [Sep 19]

Euroinfo

The September issue of Euroinfo reports on Marist summer studies, experience at Sahagun and Marist Family prayer network.

To download click here or go to Members' Page.                              [Sep 19]

Peace with Creation

All branches of the Marist Family were represented at a 'Season of Creation' event at Hunters Hill on Sep 14. With the theme of 'Peace with Creation', participants reflected on the words of Pope Leo (coincidentally, his birthday) prepared for the 10th World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.

The gathering was hosted by the Marist Family Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation committee in the parish hall and concluded with a festal afternoon team provided by the Hunters Hill Marist Laity group.                                [Sep 14]

Parish feast day Mass

Members of Holy Name of Mary parish, Hunters Hill/Woolwich, were blessed with a fine, spring day as they gathered in the grounds of Villa Maria monastery on Sep 14 to celebrate their parish feast day. Parish priest, Fr Michael Carroll SM, presided at the open-air Eucharist in the historic monastery precinct.                             [Sep 14]

Marayong Marian celebrations

From the Marist Omnes Gentes community at Marayong in Sydney's west Fr Lauro Arcede SM reports on Holy Name of Mary celebrations: 'The people were delighted to know more about the Marists and expressed enthusiasm to know more about our life and spirituality.'

Fr Lauro is pictured below with Marayong confrere, Fr Floyd Gatana SM, cutting the feast day cake.                              [Sep 13]

Sep 12 at Tulip Drive

From Davao City, southern Philippines, Fr Christopher Ganzon SM reports on Holy Name of Mary celebrations (pictured below) amongst the Marist Family: 'There were about 150 people came to join us at Tulip Drive. It started with a Mass by Fr Roque with Fr Pat Muckian preaching. A simple program and dinner followed. 

'It was beautiful to see and encounter many Marists who live the spirit and bear the name of Mary. Through us, the love and mercy of God is proclaimed and shared. It is indeed a grace to belong to the family of the blessed Virgin Mary.'                              [Sep 13]

Glimmers of Grace

Sr Judith Lythall SM has shared a report from Parramatta Diocese's Catholic Outlook on an event at Mary Immaculate parish, Quakers Hill, on Aug 23: 'The parish hall came alive with a vibrant gathering, celebrating the many ways men and women express their baptismal call and unique charisms. The event showcased inspiring displays from various religious congregations and lay associations committed to serving the mission of the Church together. 

'This type of outreach focused on continuing to allow the quest of Jesus to unfold and be realised, as stated in the Bible: “I have come that you may have life – life in all its fullness.” (John 10:10). 

'Through their presence, posters and attractive brochures, members of the groups and congregations shared the various ways they express their gifts in outreach to others. The gathering reflected the insights of the Vatican II Council which in its document on the Church, Lumen Gentium, spoke of the variety of charisms which aims at unifying the ecclesial body, the Church. Furthermore, such charisms promote mission in different places and cultures.  

'Marist Family groups shared a display presenting a unified expression of the one family, men and women together living the charism of their founders.'

Pictured below are Fr Kevin Redmond SM, Sr Anne Suman Lata SMSM and Sr Judith Lythall SM.                         [Sep 13]

Fr Hoppy's letter

From the community of Misioneros Maristas, Tarija, Bolivia, Fr John ('Hoppy') Hopkinson SM sends his latest circular letter.

To download click here.                            [Sep 13]

SM Bulletin

This week's SM Bulletin updates on arrivals and reporting arrangements for the General Chapter, the Colin pilgrimage and a new Marist website, www.maristfathers.net. 

To download click here or go to Members' Page.                              [Sep 13]

Holy Name of Mary

On Sep 12, the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary, Marists across the world celebrate their patronal day. To assist with preparation and focus they can draw on a variety of resources on the website of Marist Founder, Ven Jean-Claude Colin.

One simple resource summarising key aspects of the Marist spirit is The Marist Way leaflet with its 'Twelves faces of the Marist spirit' . Inspired by Fr François Drouilly's 'Fifteen Days of Prayer with Jean-Claude Colin', the leaflet is available in a number of languages and now in large print (English only).

Click here for the Prayer to Our Lady of Pope Francis from Evangelii Gaudium.                                [Sep 12]   

Safeguarding Sunday

National Child Protection Week (Sep 7-13) concludes with Safeguarding Sunday, Sep 14. Its theme is 'Every conversation matters: shifting conversation to action'.

'Defending the rights of vulnerable people is integral to our Christian faith. Sadly, the Church hasn’t always done this well. So on Safeguarding Sunday we ask all to remember the tragedy in our past and pray for those whose lives have been traumatised that they might find lasting peace and healing.'

For prayers to support reflection click here. or the Marist Fathers' Australia District safeguarding policy and information, click here                           [Sep 11]

MMC newsletter

The Spring issue of the Marist Mission Centre newsletter is now available. To download, click here or go to Members' Page.                              [Sep 09]

Fr Gavin at Brothers' Chapter

Fr Gavin Foster has arrived at Tagaylay in the northern Philippines to assist as chaplain the General Chapter of the Marist Brothers. He is pictured below leaving Sydney on Sep 05 and being welcomed at the Chapter venue in the compnay of Marist staffer, Elizabeth Gallagher, and Superior-General, Br Ernesto Sanchez FMS.                                  [Sep 08]  

Superior-General's Reflection and Chapter Report

In his September reflection Superior-General, Fr John Larsen SM, expresses gratitude for personal blessings during his term of office. He has also prepared a report for the forthcoming General Chapter of the Society of Mary, commencing in Nemi, Italy, next week.

For the September reflection, click here or go to Superior-General's page.  For the General Chapter Report go to the Members' Page (Other Documents).                           [Sep 06]

Provincial Circular

The latest issue of the Australian Marist District Circular is now available on the Members' Page.                             [Sep 06]

Br Kevin's farewell

Fellow Marists, family and friends gathered on Sep 03 at Holy Name of Mary church, Hunters Hill, to farewell Br Kevin Jackson SM. Vigil prayers were held the evening before in the chapel of Br Kevin's community of Montbel.

The Requiem liturgy was led by District Superior, Fr Tony Kennedy, assisted by parish priest, Fr Michael Carroll, and Maryvale/Montbel superior, Fr Ray Chapman. Br Kevin's SM Brothers, Brs Terry Garrett and Charles Randle, were present on the sanctuary with the Mass attended by other members of the Marist Family. Interment at Macquarie Park cemetery followed the Mass.

Scenes from Br Kevin's farewell are pictured below. For more on Fr Kevin click here.                                [Sep 04]

Yukimbia celebrations

From Bolivia Fr John ('Hoppy) Hopkinson SM reports on recent events at Yukimbia: 'The Misioneros Maristas celebrated on Aug 15 with the Guarani indigenous community of Yukimbia in Bolivia's Gran Chaco district on the occasion of the 36th anniversary of the foundation of APG (Association of the Guarani People).

'The Marist team thirteen years ago initiated the process of Base Church Communities (CEBs) among the Guarani people and have gained their deep affection and confidence.'                              [Sep 02]

Above: Fr Hoppy with the children of the village in their traditional dress. Below: With Marcia, animator of the Yukimbia community, whose daughter,  Jessie, is in her third year of training as a nurse at the university in Tarija city in accommodation supported by the community of Misioneros Maristas.   |   Traditional dancing as Guarani folk celebrate their anniversary.

OMP bulletin

Expanded to four pages the latest Oceania Marist Province bulletin offers a pictorial summary of recent events in the Marist Pacific.

To download click here or go to Members' Page.                              [Sep 01]