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Farewells... With only a few hours of 2012 remaining Fr Fritz Arnold takes leave of Australia at Sydney International airport on Dec 31 en route to Germany. Fr Fritz will resume his role as local superior of the Marist community of Furstenzell before joining the international novitiate staff at Davao, Southern Philippines after Easter. Farewell Fr Fritz -- and 2012! |
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European Marist website linked
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Following the amalgamation of seven provinces in Europe in June 2008, a website for the Marist province of Europe has been developed and is now linked to the Australian province website. Click here for the English home page (the site is in seven languages). |
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Fr Fritz Arnold in Australia inbetween novitiate postings En route from one Marist novitiate to another, German Marist, Fr Fritz Arnold, is helping with German translations for the Colin website resources during a brief stay at Villa Maria monastery, Hunters Hill, NSW. During 2012 Fr Fritz has been socius at the Marist novitiate, Tutu, Taveuni, Fiji, and has now been asked to help at the 2013 international novitiate in Davao, Philippines. After a short visit to his family in Bavaria, he will join the Davao team to teach spirituality and theology as well as assisting as a spiritual director for the novices. A former assistant-general with special responsibilities for Australia, Fr Fritz is no stranger to our province. Welcome back, Fr Fritz. |
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MMC Christmas newsletter Marist Mission Centre Australia's December (Christmas) newsletter is now available on the MMC website. |
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Frs John Hopkinson and Frank Callanan / |
Visit from Bolivia Australian Marist missionary, Fr John Hopkinson SM, has returned for his second-only Christmas back home after 36 years in the Americas. Fr John's visit coincided with the 90th birthday celebrations of friend and keen supporter of the Bolivian mission, Fr Frank Callanan SM. From his Misioneros Maristas base in Tarija, Fr John is a key figure in the Basic Ecclesial Communities movement in Latin America. Thanks to the Internet the Marist team's popular weekly radio program is now heard all over the world. |
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Teaching awards for Marist Brisbane-based Marist, Fr John Gillen SM, has recently received two significant awards for teaching. Fr John received from the State of Queensland the award 'Teacher of Excellence' and from St Joseph's College, Nudgee, nominated by his peers, the 'Excellent Teacher' award. He teaches Senior History and English at the College and is chaplain to the Christian Brothers' community there. Congratulations, Fr John! |
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Fr Bernard McFadyen SM and Lay Marist, Tony Warren, after installing the icon / opposite: the Coburn painting of St Peter Chanel |
Colin icon at Sea of theSea The offical icon of Marist Founder, Jean-Claude Colin, now has pride of place over the Herbet St entrance to Star of the Sea church, Gladstone, Qld, matching the John Coburn painting of Marist Saint, Peter Chanel SM. Along with other Marist communities throughout the world, the Gladstone community is marking the Colin Year with a special focus on their Founder whose Cause for Beatification is in the process of being introduced. The 'Life of of Jean-Claude Colin' for children is also available in the parish. |
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Passing of world's oldest Marist
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Fr George Duggan SM died peacefully at the Home of Compassion, Silverstream, NZ, on Sun, Dec 16. He was 100 years of age, a Marist for 81 years and a priest for 78 years. At the time of his birthday in July, we noted: "Thoroughout his priestly life Fr George ('Chalky' to his Marist confreres) has been noted for his forthright defence of Church teaching, in hundreds of letters to editors, in periodical articles, and in several books, so showing an exemplary sense of the Marist commitment to loyalty to the Pope and the Church. "He has been controversial. But many have found a difference between the 'public' G.H.D., who could be sometimes sharp in writing, and the 'private' man who, as many Religious Sisters have said, has been a wonderfully kind and understanding spiritual director. He has served the NZ Marist province and the Church in the seminary, in parishes, colleges, as foundation Master of Rochester Hall, Christchurch, and Master of Second Novices." May he rest in peace. |
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St Patrick brought down to earth The century-year old statue of St Patrick dominating the facade of Holy Name of Mary church, Hunters Hill, NSW, has been brought down to earth for serious repairs. An observant maintenance advisor recently spotted 'bee damage' in the statue. Generations of deceased worker bees and long-spoiled stocks of honey filled and undermined the statue's hollow cavity witnessing to the departure of the queen bee long ago. As the statue was lowered from its tiny footing on Dec 14 workers noticed it was being retained by the flimsiest of fastening -- and, doubtless, the prayers of St Patrick. |
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Marist Youth Leaders at Woodlawn Seventy-three young leaders gathered at St John's College, Woodlawn, Lismore, NSW, for a week of training and adventure, Dec 07-13. The program combined outward bound type activities, leadership-building sessions and input from Fr Mark Walls SM and a youth leader team from New Zealand. Participants were students from five Australian Marist-founded schools: Marist Regional College, Burnie (Tas), Holy Spirit College, Bellambi (NSW), St John's College, Lismore (NSW), Cerdon College, Merrylands (NSW) and Marist Sisters' College, Woolwich (NSW). |
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| Above: A total of 104 touth leaders and team members gather in the Colin Centre at Woodlawn. This is the second MYL to be held in Australia for students of Marist schools, previous ones having been held in Christchurch, NZ.. Below: St John's College chaplain, Fr Paul Pidcock SM, with a young Marist leader. MYL director, Kiwi Fr Mark Walls SM, with students at Woodlawn |
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Three Marists ordained in Solomons Marist deacons Patrick Woria, Richard Harui and Godfrey Pa'asi were ordained to the priesthood in the Solomon Islands on Dec 08. Archbishop Adrian Smith SM offciated at the ceremony at Holy Cross cathedral, Honiara. Pictured below with the archbishop, from left: Patrick Woria, Richard Harui and Godfrey Pa'asi.. |
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Spirituality & Lifestyle celebrated The second 'Spirituality & Lifestyle' program for Marist Asia-Pacific drew to a close on Dec 12 with a celebratory Eucharist and luncheon at Villa Maria, Hunters Hill, NSW. Celebrating 25 years of priesthood, Fr Michael Tondikop SM, was the main celebrant of the Mass during which the eleven S&L participants from seven nations of Asia-Pacific received certificates marking the end of the 10-week program. During the ceremony Australian Provincial, Fr Paul Cooney, read messages from Superior-General, Fr John Hannan, and Oceania Provincial, Fr Ben McKenna. |
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| Above: Br Eremodo Elisio / Fr Setefano Mataele Prayers of the Faithful were read in seven languages. Below: Fr Paul Cooney reading international messages. Presentation of certificates. Music from the Philippines, Fiji and Tonga Further below: Socialising and luncheon at Villa Monastery. Thanking the cook. |
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| Above, from left: Fr Chris Ganzon (Philippines), Br Eremodo Elisio (Fiji), Fr Simon Dumarinu (Bougainville), Fr Michel Tuvini (Futuna), Br Benedito Gonetabu (Fiji), Fr Michael Tondikop (Bougainville), Br Henry Aragalia (Solomon Is). Below: Fr Austin Magara (Bougainville), Br Iosefo Cakaunivalu (Fiji), Fr Simone Ah Lo (Samoa), Fr Lolesio Tupa (Tonga), team members Frs Setefano Mataele (Tonga) and Paul Sullivan (Australia). |
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Tutu retreat concludes Novice Master for the Oceania Marist Province, Fr Boniface Kevon SM, reports a successful end to the final retreat for his four novices at Tutu, Taveuni, Fiji. The novices are likely to take their first vows as Marists in coming weeks. Three new novices from Oceania are already in Davao, Philippines, for an orientation program prior to the 2013 international Marist novitiate. Left: Novices Daniel Pambaru, Julius Nalei, Ephraim Anifaegia and Julian Tenevi at Tutu Chapel. Below: The novices with Tutu staff members. |
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The two former provinces, now making up the Province of Australia. Not shown are Timor L'Este and Oceania where the Brothers also work. |
Province of Australia: Marist Brothers reconfigure In a Mass and ceremony at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Dec 08, the Marist Brothers of the Sydney and Melbourne provinces joined to re-create the now 250-strong Province of Australia. Representing Br Emili Turú, Superior-General of the Brothers, General Councillor, Br Michael De Waas, officiated at the formal establishment of the province. In June, Br Emili and his Council appointed Br Jeffrey Crowe as provincial of the new Province of Australia for a period of three years. |
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Star of the Sea church, Burnie, Tas / Parish priest, Fr Tony Kennedy SM |
Marists to leave Tasmania Addressing parishioners of Burnie-Wynyard on the weekend of Dec 01-02, Marist Fathers provincial, Fr Paul Cooney SM, announced that.the Marists would be leaving the parish at the end of 2013. Fr Paul read a letter from Hobart's Archbishop Adrian Doyle, urging the parishioners to prepare for more lay-led ministries and expressing gratitude for the work of the Marists in Tasmania for over 50 years. Fr Tony Kennedy's appointment as parish priest has been extended to the end of 2013. |
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Men's Shed official opening In the picturesque grounds of Villa Maria Monastery, Hunters Hill, NSW, a simple ceremony saw the official opening of the Hunters Hill-Ryde 'Men's Shed' on Dec 01. Mr Gary Traill, Board member of the Hunters Hill-Ryde Community Services and Chair of the Men's Shed Committee, welcomed guests who included local Marists and Ms Mary Carey, Exec. Officer, Hunters Hill-Ryde Community Services, Clr Richard Quinn (Mayor, Hunters Hill), Clr Ivan Petch (Mayor, City of Ryde) and Hon Anthony Roberts MP, Minister for Fair Trading and local state member. |
| Below: Jacaranda blossoms dominated the 'spring fair' atmosphere of the Shed's opening / the Shed is adjacent to 'Montbel', modern retirement facility for senior Marists. Shed commiittee chairman, Gary Traill, Br Terry Garrett SM and provincial-elect, Fr Bob Barber SM. Modern woodwork and other facilities feature in the historic workshop venue. |
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Tree of Hope celebrates past, present and future World AIDS Day 2012 - see JPIC |
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November web visits For our website's statistic-lovers, here is some trivia for November 2012: Daily averages: 325 visits (10,550 hits); 1 visit every 4.5 minutes |
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