Each year prior to the feast of St Peter Chanel Marists make a novena of prayer to pray for vocations to the Marist Family.
St Peter Chanel, a Marist Father, was in the first group of Marist missionaries to Oceania. Peter arrived in futuna in November 1937. During his lifetime Peter saw little success in his work. During his first six month on Futuna he baptised only one Futunian – a dying child.
Early in the morning of April 28, 1841, Fr. Peter was wakened from sleep and clubbed to death, his skull split by the axe of a Futunian warrior. He was thirty-eight years old. He was the first martyr of Oceania and the first Marist to be canonised.
We invite you to join with us in prayer over these novena days.
Download the novena prayer here.
On Friday 23rd March Sr Sheila made her Perpetual Profession as a Marist Sister. The main celebrant for the Profession Mass was her uncle, Archbishop from Cotabato City. He was joined by Archbishop Capalla (Davao) and his Auxiliary Bishop from the Matina Parish, where the Eucharist was celebrated. A number of Priests, including Marist Fathers, concelebrated.
Sr Jane Frances Receives Sheila's Vows
Sr Jane Frances O’Carroll, Congregational Leader of the Marist Sisters, received Sheila’s vows. Sr Julie Brand, Regional Leader of Marist Sisters in Asia-Pacific was present along with religious from all branches of our Marist Family and other religious from near and far.
Sr Sheila with Her parents
Sheila’s parents, her two sisters, her brother and their families were present, together with many friends and parishioners. It was a joyful, prayerful Eucharist with beautiful music and an excellent homily. Sheila pronounced her Vows with confidence. The Church was decorated with lovely greenery and pretty white flowers.
Afterwards everyone joined us for lunch in the nearby Parish pavilion, where caterers had prepared a delicious meal. During the meal we were entertained with items, including a Fijian meke presented by Srs Val and Biri, and a Kiribati dance presented by Sr Terube.
Sr Sheila with Marist Sisters, Sector of the Philippines
All the Marist Sisters of the Sector of the Philippines had been involved in helping Sheila to organise this special day, and of course Sr Torika, Sector Leader of the Philippines, expressed the joy of all Marist Sisters when she welcomed everyone at the beginning of Mass. Sheila expressed her own words of thanks at the end of the Eucharist. In particular she mentioned the Sisters of each part of our Region – New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and the Philippines – who had been so significant in her journey towards Perpetual Profession.
Srs Val, Jane Frances (Congregational Leader) and Biri
On the Feast of the Annunciation the First Profession of Srs Biri and Val was celebrated with great joy in Mintal, the Philippines. Fr. Pat Muckian SM was the celebrant. Congregational Leader of the Marist Sisters, Sr Jane Frances O’Carroll, and Regional Leader of the Marist Sisters in Asia-Pacific, Sr Julie Brand, were present as were all Marist Sisters of the Philippine Sector.
Sr Biri Pronounces Her Vows
They were joined by members of the Marist Fathers, Marist Brothers, Marist Laity, friends and neighbours. Sr Jane Francis, Congregational Leader, received Biri’s and Val’s Vows.
Sr Val Receives Her Congregational Cross
Biri and Val were peaceful and happy as they celebrated this special event. After Mass, and the taking of photos, a delicious meal was shared. Biri and Val received many loving messages from Sisters in the Region and beyond.
Following consultation of the sisters of the Region Sr Jane Frances, Congregational Leader, appointed the new Regional Leadership Team for Marist Sisters in Asia-Pacific. The new team with Sr Julie Brand as Leader and Srs Margaret Vaney and Vivienne Goldstein as Regional Councillors began their mandate in August 2011.
On 2nd February as we celebrated the World Day for Consecrated Life, new leadership teams began their three year mandate within each Sector of the Region.
Srs Catherine, Gemma & Analulu
Aotearoa-New Zealand
Sector Leader: Sr Gemma Wilson Assistants: Srs Analulu Tanuvasa & Catherine Lawson
The Plenary Regional Council of the Marist Sisters of the Region of Asia-Pacific, 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.
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.
Session in Progress
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.
Over recent months the sisters in Asia-Pacific have been involved in discernment processes concerning leadership in the Region and within each Sector for the three years beginning February 2009. Sr Julie Brand has been appointed Regional Leader while Sr Margaret Vaney and Sr Anne Rounds have been appointed as Regional Councillors. Discernment regarding Sector Leadership has resulted in the following sisters being appointed or elected to the following positions:
