April newsColin calendar: 2021 |
Click here for News 2008 to 2017 | For News 2018 to 2020 click here.
Oceania News Bulletin
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From Suva, Fiji, this month's Oceania News Bulletin includes a report on Earthbag Building Technology at the Marist Eco-Centre, Dawasamu. Click here or go to Members' Page. [Apr 29] |
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On whatever distant shore...On Apr 29, 1836, a parchment document was signed in Rome giving official approval to the Society of Mary. Three weeks later, in Belley, France, a delighted Jean-Claude Colin with his pioneer Marist confrères received the letter with due ceremony and great joy. Not long before, when the suggestion was made that the fledgeling group should undertake the missions of the south-west Pacific, Fr Colin had responded 'We will work on whatever distant shore.'' (Click here for leaflet) The document meant that the Marists were now official. It was signed on behalf of Pope Gregory XVI, who, as Prefect of the Congregation 'Propaganda Fide' (then Cardinal Mauro Cappellari) had shown himself a vigorous promoter of the missions. Marists today offer Mass for God's blessing on the Society of Mary. [Apr 29] |
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St Peter Chanel SMFirst martyr of Oceania Feast Day Apr 28 Icon written in 1991 to mark the 150th anniversary of his martyrdom on the island of Futuna, 1981. For more on his life, click here. For a short paraliturgy, click here. [Apr 28] |
Farewell, Br ColinVeteran Marist missionary, Br Colin Campbell SM, was farewelled with a vigil ceremony at Montbel on Apr 25 and Requiem Mass in Holy Name of Mary church, Hunters Hill, on Apr 26 followed by burial in the mission cemetery of Villa Maria monastery - on the eve of his 99th birthday. Br Colin's vigil and funeral (scenes pictured below) were attended by family and friends, RSL representatives and members of branches of the Marist Family. Provincial, Fr Tony Corcoran, presided at the Requiem Eucharist and a piper with bagpipes accompaned Br Colin's last journey acknowledging his much-loved Scottish heritage. Montbel's community leader, Fr Paul Mahony, led the graveside ceremony. For more on the life and passing of Br Colin, click here. Rest in well-deserved peace, Brother. [Apr 27] . |
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Provincial CircularLatest issue at Members' Page. [Apr 27] |
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SM BulletinFrom Rome, this week's SM Bulletin advises of the appointment of Fr David Sanchez SM to lead the next Marist International Novitiate. Other items include visitation of the Casa di Maria formayion community and the ongoing Zoom sessions of Unit leaders with the General Administration. Click here or go to Members' Page. [Apr 24] |
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Remember and prayFor Fr Kevin Bates' Anzac reflection, click here. [Apr 23] |
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St Peter Chanel novenaLeading up to Apr 28 feast day of St Peter Chanel, the annual novena for vocations through his intercession begins on Apr 19, concluding on the eve of the feast, Apr 27. To download a novena booklet for printing, click here. For scrolling/reading, click here. [Apr 18] |
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Passing of Br Colin Campbell SMThe oldest member of the Australian Province of the Society of Mary, Br Colin Campbell SM, died peacefully at Southern Cross Aged Care, Marsfield, NSW, on Apr18, aged 98, a week before his 99th birthday. Br Colin had served in Bougainville in World War II, returning to the Pacific as a Marist missionary for almost forty years. His latter years were spent in retirement at Hunters Hill as a much-loved member of the Maryvale/Montbel community. May he rest in well-deserved peace. For more on Br Colin's life, click here. [Apr 18] |
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| Above: Br Colin Campbell in 2019. | Coffee shop ministry at St Patrick's.. | ... and a certificate of appreciation of ten years' ministry, 2011. Below: Br Colin as an honoured Anzac, 2015. | Enjoying a cool one at Villa Maria, 2007. | Recent times, Br Colin, Jan 2021. |
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SM BulletinThis week's SM Bulletin reports on the shrine developments at Monte Alto, Brazil, the refurbishment of internatonal novitiate faciltiies in Davao, Philippines and on Italian Marist, Fr Faustino Ferrari's book 'To taste God, in the footsteps of the mystics'. Click here or go to Members' Page [Apr 16] |
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Aussie camino for WilaiThe Wilai Foundation announces its Australian Camino, Walk for Wilai 2021, from Portland, Vic, to Penola, S.A. in September. In 2017 Fr Jim Carty SM (then 78 years of age) walked a rugged 740 km camino through the south-west of France to raise funds for the Foundation and its work on behalf of stateless children in S-E Asia. At 82, he plans to be part of the 200km-plus Australian camino. For details of the walk: click here [Apr 16] |
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The BranchFrom Yaoundé, Cameroon comes the colourful newsletter, 'Rameau' ('Branch'), 16 pages of bi-lingual (English-French) news and pictures about life at St Peter Chanel's scholasticate. This issue includes an article from Fr Christian Abongbung on the Beatification Cause of Ven Jean-Claude Colin as well as reflections on the late Fr Bob Barber, well remembered from his work in Cameroon. Click here.or go to Members' Page 'Rameau' is Inspired by the biblical text, 'A branch wll come forth from the stock of Jesse' (Isaiah 11:1). [Apr 13] |
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EuroinfoThis month's news bulletin from the Marist European province features personal reflections on St Peter Chanel whose feast day is celebrated on Apr 28. Good reading! Click here or go to Members' Page. [Apr 13] |
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SM BulletinIn this week's SM Bulletin from Rome is the announcement of Fr Christian Abongbung's appointment as Assistant-General (see below) and the visit of Fr Juan-Carlos Piña to the Marist formation communities in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Click here or go to Members' Page. [Apr 10] |
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Marist Laity e-NewsletterIn its e-Newsletter of Apr 05 Marist Laity Australia links to its website and a range of topical issues for information, reflection and prayer. Click here. [Apr 02] |
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Love in actionIn his monthly reflection Superior-General, Fr John Larsen, invites Marists to accept Easter's call to love-in-action. For the reflection: click here or go to Superior-General's Page. [Apr 01] |
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