February 2026 - Marist Fathers Australia

February 2026 news

For previous years, go to News menu, above

This page: Bates memorial blessed | District Superior installed | International portfolios | SM Bulletins

Bates memorial blessed

As a memorial to the late Fr Kevin Bates SM a set of benches at Holy Name of Mary church, Hunters Hill, was blessed on Feb 01.

Presiding at the simple ceremony after a Sunday Mass, parish priest, Fr Michael Carroll SM, acknowledged Fr Kevin's long service of the parish and the affection and esteem in which he was held, and thanked those who had made the memorial possible including the members of the local Men's Shed who fabricated the benches and prepared its sandstone centrepiece.

Members of Fr Kevin's family came from Geelong, Vic, to be present for the blessing.

Above: Fr Michael Carroll and parishioners at the blessing ceremony on Feb 01. | The memorial plaque acknowledging Fr Kevin's service of the parish. Below: The sandstone centrepiece, originally destined for the Benedictine Sisters' at Ermington and blessed by Bishop Armand Olier SM in Oct 1908. The stone had lain neglected in the grounds of Villa Maria monastery for over a century. | Fr Kevin's family members on one of the memorial benches. | The benches are situated in a grove of palm trees outside Holy Name of Mary church.

District Superior installed

In a ceremony on Jan 30 in the chapel of Montbel, Hunters Hill, Fr Gavin Foster SM was installed as the District Superior of Australian Marist Fathers. He succeeds Fr Tony Kennedy who was elected to the international leadership team at the Society of Mary's General Chapter in October 2025.

District Vicar, Fr Peter McMurrich, presided at the occasion (pictured below) inviting all present to raise hands in a prayer of blessing over their new leader. Congratulations and good wishes, Fr Gavin ! [Feb 01]

International portfolios

Following elections in October 2025 at the Society of Mary's General Chapter the new international leadership team were allocated various portfolios to serve the Marist world. These are now listed on the 'Contacts' page of this website. Click here. [Feb 01]

Above: The Society of Mary's international leadership team, from left: Frs Declan Marmion (Superior-General), Juan Carlos Piña (Vicar-General), 'Aisake Vaisima (General Councillor), Albert Kabala (General Councillor) and Tony Kennedy (General Councillor).

SM Bulletins

The most recent SM Bulletins report on Society of Mary membership statistics, education meeting in Rome, appointment of Fr 'Aisake Vaisima as General House superior, ordination of Bishop Jacob Aba, arrival of Fr Pat Breeze at Casa di Maria and new Unit leadership in NZ and Australia, Frs Merv Duffy and Gavin Foster.

To download click here for Jan 23 | Jan 30. [Feb 01]