Fr Brian Conaghan moves

Marist confrères gathered at Montbel, Hunters Hill, on Nov 27 to farewell Fr Brian Conaghan SM as he moves to St Catherine's Nursing Home, Marsfield.

Fr Brian will benefit from a higher level of care at St Catherine's, whilst being able to enjoy regular visits to Montbel for Sunday celebrations.

[Nov 27]

'Camp Runamuck', as it is now known, enables Dads to spend unique and quality time with their children.

Monastery campers

The picturesque grounds of Villa Maria monastery, Hunters Hill, were again inundated by a sea of tents, blow-up matresses and four-wheel drives on Nov 25-26 for the fourth 'Fathers and Children' camp-out by Villa Maria primary school.

This year's Saturday evening barbecue was followed by the Dads' dramatisation of 'Red Riding Hood'.    [Nov 26]

Marist Mission newsletter

Download summer 2017 newsletter from the MMC website: click here

[Nov 25]

Just in time

Latest newsletter of CLRI (NSW) focuses on asylum seekers. Matt Golding's Christmas cartoon says it all. Click here

[Nov 24]

Fr Hoppy's November newsletter

From the Misioneros Maristas, Bolivia, Fr John Hopkinson SM sends the latest newsletter. click here

[Nov 23]

Futuna pilgrimage

Fr Andrew Murray has recently returned from a pilgrimage to the island of Futuna, scene of the 1841 martyrdom of St Peter Chanel.

His impressions and photos of the pilgrimage are recorded on the Oceania Marist web site: click here

[Nov 21]

Fr Paul Glynn leaving for Japan on Nov 20  /  .. with his brother, Fr Tony, during their missionary days in Nara

Fr Paul and Tsurumai anniversary

Veteran Japan missioner and author, Fr Paul Gynn SM, will be a special guest for the golden anniversary of the Tsurumai Day Nursery, near Tomigaoka, Japan.

Despite opposition from Communist authorities, Fr Paul's brother, Fr Tony Glynn, became a much-loved spiritual guide for hundreds of working mothers using the facilities of Tsurumai.

Whilst in Japan Fr Paul will be giving retreat days to Catholics of the Tomigaoka parish, Nara prefecture.

Bon voyage, Fr Paul.

[Nov 20]

Marist author mourned

Following news of the passing of Marist author, Fr Charles Girard SM, on Nov 11 in Algiers, New Orleans, USA, this report comes from Rome...

The sad news of the death of our confrère, Fr Charlie Girard, prompts us to remember with gratitude the significant contribution he made in the area of Marist Scholarship. Click here to read more on the Colin web site...

[Nov 19]

Above: Hayden Kennedy and Fr Gerard Hall   Below: Fr Justin Taylor at the jubilarians' celebrations

Aussies at Auckland retreat

Brisbane-based Fr Gerard Hall SM presented the recent Marist provincial retreat in Auckland, NZ, to thirty-five participants, including Australian seminarian, Hayden Kennedy.

Held at the Franciscan retreat centre, the retreat focussed on the 'hidden and unknown' God and Pope Francis' leaning towards a Marian Church and ended with a jubilarians' dinner addressed by Fr Justin Taylor.

Hayden observes: 'Fr Gerry brought the sunshine from Aus, barely a cloud all week.'

[Nov 18]

Fr Ray Chapman (back, left) with other full-time Siloam participants and Paul Beirne (director), Lis Teggelove and Kathy Clark (supervisors)  /  cuppa with Siloam group

Fr Ray and Siloam

Nearing completion of the Siloam program for the formation of spiritual directors, Fr Ray Chapman SM shares some of his thoughts about the course and the challenges that formation in this specialised ministry entails.

Fr Ray has spent the past ten months in Melbourne at the Heart of Life Spirituality Centre and is just about to graduate from the Siloam Program. Graduates are awarded a Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction through the University of Divinity, Melbourne

For Fr Ray's reflections, click here

[Nov 18]

Rome assistants meet

Two Australian members of international Marist leadership teams met in Sydney on Nov 15.

Newly-elected Assistant-General, Fr Ben McKenna, and Marist Sisters' Secretary-General, Sr Vivienne Goldstein, compared notes at Woolwich before Fr Ben's departure for Rome.

Fr Ben, former provincial of the Oceania Marist Province, was elected at the General Chapter of the Marist Fathers in Rome in October.

[Nov 16]

Dakar events

From Senegal, Fr Christian Abongbung SM, sends images of events commemorating Fr Colin's anniversary (see also below).

A Mass and meal with the Marist Family was preceded by a special breakfast for the street kids of Dakar.

[Nov 16]

Founder's anniversary

Nov 15 marks the 142nd anniversary of the death of Ven Jean-Claude Colin, founder of the Society of Mary.

Originally buried in the grounds of La Neylière, central France, Fr Colin's remains were later re-interred in a chapel built soon after his passing. Today, his grave is located in a small oratory where a newly-refurbished headstone reads 'Father, pray for your sons'.

[Nov 15]

Jubilarians honoured

Six Marist jubilarians were honoured during celebrations at Hunters Hill on Nov 10: Frs John V Walsh and Lou Molloy (60 years ordained), Frs John Jago, Chris Austin and Tony Corcoran (50 years) and Fr Tony Kennedy (25 years). The late Fr Philip Callaghan, ordained in 1967, was also remembered.

Provincial, Fr Bob Barber SM, presided at the Eucharist in Holy Name of Mary church, Hunters Hill, which was followed by dinner at nearby Montbel.

[Nov 13]

St John of the Cross retreat theme

Scripture scholar, writer and spiritual guide, Fr Michael Fallon MSC, is leading two retreats for the Australian Marist Province.

First of the retreats is being held at the Maryvale/Montbel facility, Hunters Hill. A second will follow at the Josephite Centre, Kincumber, NSW.

Fr Michael is using the work of Fr Iain Matthew ('The Impact of God') in sharing the spirituality of 16th century mystic, St John of the Cross.

For Fr Michael Fallon's web site: click here

[Nov 08]

Latest Provincial Circular

See 'Members only'.

[Nov 03]

Marist Holy Souls

Local Marists joined for Evening Prayer of the Dead in the historic mission cemetery of Villa Maria monastery, Hunters Hill, on Nov 02.

The yearly occasion honours the missionary Marists buried in the tiny cemetery, as well for Marists who have died in the past year.

[Nov 02]

'They are visual prayers and true meditations,' says Fr Michael. Some of his work is pictured below....

Fr Michael's icons

A 2010 sabbatical time in Louvain, Belgium, led Fr Michael Carroll SM into the world of iconic art.

Now chaplain at Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital**, Fr Michael continues to write icons and make them available in many quarters of the church, except for his first, 'Our Lady of Karzan' in the Russian style, which holds pride of place on the wall at his Marist residence of Herston, Qld.

**See the Brisbane Leader article of Oct 29.

[Nov 01]

Social Justice diary for November

JPICC: Click here

[Nov 01]

Marist news from Europe

For the latest Euroinfo: click here

[Nov 01]