La Neylière retreat

Australian Marist, Fr Gerard Hall SM, has led the annual retreat of the European Marist province at La Neylière, France.

A fellow Australian, Fr Ray Chapman, was amongst the retreatants. He comments: 'Gerry has been giving a splendid retreat.  It has been engaging and inspirational.  Everyone is greatly appreciative of the depth and quality of his subject matter and his easy-going "Aussie" style.'

[Jul 29]

Fr Kevin Bates' Fourvière homily and song

Among the memories of the Jul 23 Bicentenary Eucharist at Hunters Hill was the homily of Fr Kevin Bates SM, who presided at the liturgy and led the singing of the song he composed for the Fourvière anniversary.

Click here for the homily and song

[Jul 28]

Fourvière pledge at St Pat's

Sydney's city-centre shrine of St Patgrick's recalled the Fourvière pledge during one its Sunday Eucharists on Jul 24 when Marist family members renewed the promise of 1816.

A page in the parish bulletin contained background to the Fourvière and the Pledge itself. Click here

A display in the crypt of the church presented information and audio-visuals on the various Marist branches.

[Jul 25]

Unit leader, Sr Cath Lacey SM, presents jubilee candles to Srs Therese, Elizabeth, Julia and Anne  /  Fr Bob Barber presides at the Eucharist

Sisters upstage Fourvière

While the Marist world marked 200 years since the Fourvière Pledge, four Australian Marist Sisters celebrated 230 years of commitment.

Jubilee celebrations at Woolwich, NSW, on Jul 24 honoured Srs Julia Lourey, Elizabeth McTaggart and Therese Campbell (each 60 years professed) and Sr Anne Saunders (50 years).

Marist provincial, Fr Bob Barber, joined Sisters and family members at Mass with renewal of vows, followed by afternoon tea and speeches in Marian House.

Congratulations, Sisters!

[Jul 24]

Fourvière day in Lyon

An international celebration of the Bicentenary of the Fourvière Pledge was held in the Basilica of Our Lady of Fourvière, Lyon, France, on Jul 23.

The basilica stands alongside the ancient chapel of the Blessed Virgin to which the pioneer Marist aspirants climbed on Jul 23, 1816.

Superior-General of the Society of Mary, Fr John Hannan SM, presided at the Mass which was live-streamed on the Internet and can been viewed from the link below.

[Jul 24]

Fourvière day in Sydney

A packed church of the Holy Name of Mary, Hunters Hill, celebrated the 200th anniversary of the Fourvière Pledge on Jul 23.

Members of all branches of the Marist Family recalled the promise of the Marist aspirants on Jul 23, 1816, to form the Society of Mary.

[Jul 24]

On Jul 23, 2016, at the Basilica of Our Lady of Fourvière, Lyon, France, the four Superiors-General of the Marist Family will lead a statement of commitment, marking the 200th anniversary of the pledge on Jul 23, 1816,
to form the Society of Mary.

For the consecration click here (and here, for the sanctuary steps)

Daring to dream...

Young people from all over the Marist world have come together in France preparing for the Bicentenary celebration of the Fourvière pledge to form the Society of Mary.

'Dare to Dream' culminates with the actual Bicentenary on Jul 23 at the Marian shrine of Fourvière, Lyon.

[Jul 22]

Founders' anniversaries

On the feast of St Mary Magdalene, Jul 22, 1816, Jean-Claude Colin and Marcellin Champagnat were ordained to the priesthood in Lyon, along with fellow Marist pioneers, Etienne Terraillon and Etienne Déclas.

The four Marists-to-be were part of a group of fifty-two yong men ordained that day by Bishop Louis Dubourg, newly-consecrated bishop of New Orleans.

The following day they were to climb the hill of Fourvière as a group of twelve aspirants to seek Mary's blessing on their hopes for the Marist family.

Happy 200th anniversary, Fathers!

Left: Jean-Claude Colin when 50 years ordained / stained glass image of Marcellin Champagnat  |  Vestments of Fr Colin / preaching cloak and clerical hat in his bedroom, La Neylière.

[Jul 22]

'To whatever distant shore....'

Fourvière backdrop to Marist vocation info: click here

[Jul 20]

For comparative statistics for Jan-Jun 2015 and 2016 click here.

Jan-Jun statistics

A six-monthly review of visits to this web site shows a 'back to normal' result, following unusual and mysterious surges in early 2015.

After blocking unwanted visitors, things have settled down to a pattern of daily visits in the 350 to 400 range. Half of these still come from commerical, Google-type sources.

Top visiting countries, after Australia, include NZ, Canada, Italy, Germany, Brazil, Thailand, Cameroon, Japan and France.

[Jul 19]

Fourvière page

As the Fourvière Bicentenary draws closer a new page has been uploaded with resources for the Jul 23 event. The page, on the Colin web site, has links to pledge, novena, Mass and prayer texts in as many as twenty-six languages.

Click here for the new page.

For the official Bicentenary web site click here.

[Jul 16]

Oceania news

The recently-upgraded web site of Marist Oceania Province is regularly carrying up-to-date pictorial news and bulletins from the Pacific.

Go to www.maristoceania.org

[Jul 13]

Fourvière Bicentenary novena

Prepared by the Marist Family committee organising the Jul 23 celebrations, a novena commencing on Jul 14 is now available.

To download: click here

[Jul 12]

Happy Birthday, St Peter Chanel

Marist saint and protomartyr of Oceania, Peter Chanel, was born on Jul 12, 1803, in the hamlet of La Potière, central France. A few days later in the church of nearby Montrevel, the infant Peter was baptised.

Later ordained priest (Jul 15, 1827), Fr Peter joined the Society of Mary in Sep 1831 and was a member of the pioneer Marist missionaries leaving for the Pacific on Christmas Eve 1836. He was martyred on the island of Futuna on Apr 28, 1841.

[Jul 12]

Aussie at formators' workshop

Fr Tony Kennedy SM is participating in the month-long workshop for Marist formators being held at La Neylière, France.

A staff member of Marist College, Suva, Fr Tony joins formators from other Marist units worldwide. The group will attend the bicentenary celebrations at Fourvière, Lyon, on Jul 23.

[Jul 10]

Fr Gavin with SJC Philippines project

From Davao City, Philippines, Fr Lionel Mechavez SM sends images of the arrival of a contingent of students from St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill, NSW, accompanied by Australian province member, Fr Gavin Foster SM (pictured far left).

The Joeys lads will experience life in the Philippines during their school vacation and were welcomed by street kids from the Balay Pasilungan centre conducted by Fr Lionel and the Marists.

[Jul 08]

Passing of Fr Keith Shepherd

Australian Marists mourn the passing of Fr Keith Shepherd SM who died peacefully on Jul 02 at Ryde Hospital after a short illness, aged 92.

Fr Paul Mahony was with him when he died, along with his brother, Reg, and other family members. May he rest in peace.

For a profile of Fr Keith's life: Click here

[Jul 03]

Latest provincial circular

Home Page 'Members only'

[Jul 01]