Relaxed catch-up for Marist leaders

In a brief overlap in their respective visits to Sydney, two Marist Superiors-General met briefly at the Marist Brothers' provincial residence, Drummoyne, NSW, on Good Friday, Mar 29.

The two international Marist leaders, Br Emili Turu FMS and Fr John Hannan SM, are good friends and meet regularly in Rome throughout the course of the year. The picturesque Drummoyne venue made for a relaxed catch-up amidst two busy schedules.

Superior-General meets Marists in Brisbane

At a Holy Week gathering with the Marist community at Herston, Qld, Fr John Hannan SM met with Marist Fathers from Brisbane and northern NSW communities.

The Superior-Generals moves next to the Sydney-based communities where he will join local Marists for the Easter ceremonies.

Pictured from left, standing on stairs: Frs Pius Jones, John Worthington, Harry Moore, Gerard Hall, Paul Pidcock, John Gillen and Jack Soulsby.

Front: Frs Aidan Carvill, Michael Rego, John Hannan, John Begg and Tom Ryan.

Fr Rouillac's grave amongst the Marist Brothers  / the cemetery's new columbarium in the foreground.

Fr Rouillac's handsome cross

Marist Brothers meeting for an Extended General Council Meeting at The Hermitage, Mittangong, NSW, took time off on Mar 27 to visit the historic cemetery nearby, resting place for many of their Brothers -- and an extraordinary Marist priest.

The brothers heard to story of the gift of a handsome stone crucifix to mark the grave of a well-respected and recently-deceased brother. 'It's too fine to be used for a simple brother', they agreed. So the cross was used on the grave of French Marist missionary priest, Fr Pierre Rouillac.

Fr Rouillacis known for this epic voyage in the 'Eclipse' referred to in his obituary in 'The Brisbane Courier' of Oct 22, 1922 (below)...

'Rev. Father Peter Rouillac, a noted missionary, died at a private hospital in Mittagong on Saturday. He was born in Brittany (France) in 1852, and came to Australia in 1882, subsequently joining the staff of the Marist missionaries in Fiji.

In 1901 the Rev. Father Rouillac set out from Rua Sura, in the Solomons,in a 21-ton schooner, Eclipse. Several Solomon Island natives accompanied him. After being given up for lost, the Eclipse arrived in Sydney a fortnight later.

Father Rouillac was twice ship-wrecked in the Islands; and on the lastoccasion he was so severely injured that he was compelled to abandon missionary work.

Returning to Australia he... finally took the position of chaplain to the Marist Brothers' novitiate at Mittagong.'

From left: Nick Rainnie, Jack Cullen, Will Lane, Jack Gohl, Linda Roden, Rasil Vaine-Tempest, Peter Becker, James Fogarty and Ben Quinn. (Not pictured: Ryan O'Keefe)  /  The lads' diaries and plates

Joeys boys for Bougainville

Eight senior students of St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill,NSW, will soon leave for a two-week immersion experience in Bougainville, PNG.

Accompanied by two of the College's teaching staff, the lads from Yrs 11 and 12 will spend most of their time at Mabiri where the Brothers conduct another St Joseph's School, with both primary and mid-secondary levels.

In a simple ceremony on Mar 26 during Mass at the Marist Brothers' Champagnat House community the boys were commissioned for their journey and presented with a diary and plate symbolic of the memories and sharings they are soon to experience.

'Love in Action' Cheongbuk style

Returning from a 5-day seminar in Korea Fr Paul Glynn is loud in praise of the apostolate of the 300-strong 'Kkottongnae' ('field of flowers') group.

Sisters brothers and priests of the group are supported by thousands of daily volunteers working among handicapped children, the aged and the poor.

Working with Kkottongnae founder, Fr Oh Woong-Jin (pictured below), Fr Paul led a group of Japanese pilgrims to provincial Cheongbuk, south of capital, Seoul, engaging in prayer and healing ministry as well as visiting 'Love in Action' groups working with the poor of the city.

Superior-General arrives in Australia

Fr John Hannan SM, Superior-General of the Society of Mary, has arrived on Mar 22 for visitation of the Australian province of Marist Fathers.

Left: He is pictured (centre) at Gladstone, Qld, with Frs Paul Mahony and Aliki Langi, for the first of community visits lasting until Apr 17.

Provincial secretary retires

Marists from Sydney communities and local staff members gathered at 'Montbel', Hunters Hill, on Mar 20 to farewell provincial secretary, Mrs Judy Saliba.

Retiring this week after 21 years of service to the Australian Province of the Society of Mary, her work spanned the administration of six provincials.

Judy was both a novice and pioneer in the world of Information Technology as the provincial administration made its way in to the 21st century. Happy retirement, Judy!

The Beatification prayer for Fr Colin in Ukrainian

For copies click here:
regular size or large print

Local Ukrainian interest in Fr Colin

Members of Ukrainian Catholic communities are showing extraordinary interest in the Cause of Fr Colin.

On Mar 18 a daily spike in visits to this website (with its dedicated pages for Fr Founder) revealed a surge of interest from the Ukraine making it the month's top visiting country after Australia. The Ukraine is also the fourth most popular visitor to the international Colin website.

The Ukrainian Catholic of Sydney has requested extra copies of the 'Fr Colin Leaflet' (in Ukrainian) for its members. 

Brisbane-based, Fr Jack Soulsby SM, has made recent visits to the Ukraine and arranged for translation of the Colin biography and prayer in the local language.

Sharing the Marist charism

The Australian province's new committee on the 'Marist Charism' met on Mar 18 with senior Marists from the Montbel-Maryvale community at Hunters Hill, NSW.

The committee's lay members, Glen Roff (former principal, St John's College, Lismore) and Kim Evans (deputy principal of St John's) make up the Charism Committee with two provincial councillors, represented at the gathering by Fr Gerry Hall SM. Marist Laity Australia's Andrew Dumas also participated.

The group shared their experiences of the Marist spirit and explored ways of developing the Marist charism among youth and other laity associated with Marist ministries.

'Cycling for Seminarians' over for the year

Veteran Marist cyclist, Br Charlie Randle SM, has concluded yet another 500 Km ride to raise funds for the Marist Mission Centre for the education and formation of young Marists.

Since its inception in 2000 the ride has raised close to $750,000 towards the international costs of Marist formation.

For more about the work of the Marist Mission Centre click here.

Marists in the crowd for Pope Francis

Yes, the Society of Mary and other Marist branches were well-represented at St Peter's on Mar 13 for the first appearance and blessing by His Holiness, Pope Francis.

Marist priests from the Monteverde community as well as staff and students from Casa Di Maria formation community were present with members of other Marist branches.

As ever, their images appeared first on Facebook - to which this website is indebted!

Pioneer Marist mission history launched

On Mar 03 Fr Jan Snijder's book 'A Mission Too Far... Pacific Commitment' was formally launched by Fr Gerard Arbuckle at the Aquinas Academy, St Patrick's, Sydney, in the presence of a good number of members of the Marist family, including priests, sisters and brothers who have worked in the Pacific.

The book details the intriguing early years of the Marist missions to Oceania.

Secretary-General of the Marist Fathers, Australian Fr Tony Corcoran, represented the General Administration. The author was unable to be present but sent a message in which he acknowledged the assistance of a number of associates including Alois Greiler and the publishers ATF.

Web visits climb during February

Faithful statistics-lovers may be interested to learn that the number of countries from which visitors came to this website in February rose from an average of 70 to a curious 103 countries.

Daily visits averaged 361 with a peak of 509 on Feb 09. Monthly hits were 281,000, higher than the Feb 28 chart shows, at left, and bringing the 12-monthly total to 3,190,000.