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News from 2009 Meeting of Regional Plenary Council in Sydney Beginnings in Papua New Guinea Silver Jubilee for Fijian Sister New Mission in Papua New Guinea New Zealand Marist Returns to the Ukraine
Meeting of Plenary Regional Council in Sydney
The Council very much appreciated the presence and participation of Sr Rita Raikuna who was visiting from Rome. This was Sr Rita's first visit to the Region since taking up her role as General Councillor in August 2008.Fr Michael Mullins sm facilitated the meeting. The Plenary Regional Council meets at least every two years and is responsible for the development of a regional identity and promotes interdependence and collaboration among the Sectors of the Region. An element of this year’s meeting was a review of the Regional Action Plan in the light of the directives of the Marist Sisters General Chapter held in Rome in 2008. Click here for more information on the Regional Action Plan.
Sr Lora wrote that recently she was home alone as the others in her community had gone on a pilgrimmage. A man in a wheel chair arrived at the door having been wheeled there by a non-christian neighbour. The man was wanting to receive Holy Communion. Up to this point Lora had been reluctant to give Communion as she was nervous. She was really touched that this man and his helper should disregard the heat of Africa's midday sun to come in search of Communion. The faith of this man inspired her and she has arranged to take Communion to him in his home on a weekly basis.
On 6th and 7th June the sisters in Australia gathered for their annual Assembly and to rejoice and give thanks to God with the sisters It was with great delight that the sisters gathered in the
Beginnings in Papua New Guinea
On 28th April, the feast of St Peter Chanel, Sr Teresia Raione from Fiji celebrated twenty five years as a Marist Sister. Teresia is currently undertaking a course at Marymount Centre in Sydney.
It was a delight for her companions at the course to celebrate this day with her. During a late afternoon Mass Teresia renewed her vows. The Mass had a Pacific flavour as course participants led a Gospel procession and the singing of hymns in Fijian and Pidgin. During the social which followed the evening meal a hymn of blessing was prayed for Teresia.
New Mission in Papua New Guinea
SrMarie Therese was returned home to New Zealand to visit family and friends after spending three years working in the Ukraine. During that time she also spent time in some of the Marist Sisters communities in New Zealand. It was interesting to hear of her experiences over the last three years and to learn something of the history of the Ukraine. Marie Therese has now returned to the Ukraine where she lives in community with two other Marist Sisters. She enjoys extending hospitality to those who visit the community and spending time in the garden. Learning the Russian language is another activity that takes her time but she is making good progress.
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The Plenary Regional Council, comprising of the Regional Leader, the two Regional Councillors, the Regional Bursar and the Sector Leaders of the Region recently met in Sydney. The meeting was held at Villa Maria, Hunters Hill, from 27th to 31st July.
In January 2009 Sr Lora was missioned to The Gambia in West Africa. She has been teaching Religious Education to grades 3, 4, 5 & 6 chldren in St Charles Lwanga School. Sr Lora is seen in the photo with some children she recently prepared for their First Holy Communion.
who are celebrating their jubilees this year. A lovely prayer centred on the Preamble to our General Chapter documents began the Assembly Day and provided an opportunity for prayerful reflection and sharing of our faith and Marist living. During the day the sisters reflected on living Marist religious life in the current situation in Australia. There was great appreciation for the insights Fr Kevin Bates shared with us on this topic during the morning session.
chapel at Marist Sisters College Woolwich for a Mass to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Srs Philomena Hall, KathleenDaly and Margaret Purcell, the Golden Jubilee of Sr Marie Berise Nash and the Silver Jubilee of Sr Teresia Raione( a sister from Fiji currently undertaking a course in Sydney). The rich Liturgy of Trinity Sunday provided a profound and deeply prayerful experience in an atmosphere of joy and thanksgiving. After Mass a delicious luncheon was provided in Marian House with speeches, toasts and the cutting of the special Jubilee cake. 
With the arrival of Srs Lavinia and Kathleen the Marist Community in Papua New Guinea is now complete. On the feast of the Annunciation the sisters had their first community meeting and also the joy of having Mass in their convent for the first time. On 19th April the Bishop came to Kanosia to offer Mass and bless the convent. The whole parish was involved in this festive day of prayer, feasting and entertainment. To see more pictures 
On Wednesday 4th February 2009 Sr Kate McPhee left Sydney to begin a Marist Sisters Community in Kanosia in the diocese of Bereina. Sr Anne Rounds, Regional Council of the Marist Sisters in Asia Pacific, accompanied Kate. After two weeks Anne returned to New Zealand and Kate busied herself preparing for the arrival of her two companions. In early March Sr Jane Frances O'Carroll, 
Congregational Leader, visited Kate. The woman of the village dressed in traditional grass skirts, with painted faces, flowers on their heads and leaves tucked into bands on their upper arms, placed a lei around Jane's neck and proceeded to accompany her to the sisters' home as they performed the traditional dance of the Central Province. This dance was followed by a shared meal prepared by the teachers. On 23rd February three young women from Papua New Guinea, Catherine, Celina and Mary Lily, arrived in the Philippines to continue their journey to become Marist Sisters.
There was great rejoicing in Fiji recently when Srs Kalala and Tema professed their perpetual vows s marist Sisters. Fr Suni Halapio sm presided at the Liturgy along 
with twenty other priests. The Liturgy was beautifully prepared by the youth of the St Michael's are where the sisters belong. Sr Julie Brand, Regional Superior of the Marist Sisters in Asia pacific received the sisters vows. After the Mass all present were invited to the parish hall to share a meal which had been prepared by the Marist Sisters and families of the newly professed. 
| © Marist Sisters 2011 |
Last Updated:
4 July, 2011
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