Chavoin - Marist Sisters in Asia-Pacific

Chavoin House Mass at Marist College

Empowerment through Presence was the theme of the recent Chavoin House Mass at Marist College Mt Albert, New Zealand. Sr Seini Fatai presented the following reflection during the Mass:

Empowerment through Presence
Jeanne-Marie Chavoin, Foundress of the Marist Sisters

Life is full of mysteries and we often wonder how we may ever solve some of them. I am sure that you young women of our Marist School often wonder what your future might be. Whether you are going to fulfil your dream to become a doctor or marry a handsome and successful guy or whether you are going to be a caring mother of some beautiful children, or better still perhaps a Marist Sister.

Some of the mysteries of my life began to unfold when I was as young person like you. Growing up, I really looked up to my dad because he had a way of empowering me to be the best person I could be. My dad was my greatest role model for he helped me unfold some of the mysteries in my life.

As a young person Jeanne-Marie Chavoin too was influenced by her father as she was discerning God’s will in her life. But life was a big mystery for her too, as she did not know what God wanted her to do but she waited, listened in prayers and answered His call and that is how we have our congregation of the Marist Sisters.

Chavoin’s life showed a great sense of balance. What do I mean by that? That means that she lived her life knowing that prayer and service must go hand in hand. She believed that God’s Loving Presence in the Eucharist gave meaning and spiritual power to her work. Chavoin believed that her prayer life provided her with purpose and meaning for doing her work well.

Father Colin, the founder of the Marist Family, affirms this, saying “In all the three branches of the Society (Marist Fathers, Marist Brothers and the Marist Sisters), Chavoin is the person with the greatest spirit of prayer. I believe that Fr Colin would have agreed with me that Jeanne-Marie Chavoin is a woman of balance and one who empowered people with whom she came in contact.

In our Gospel today, we see that Mary, the mother of Jesus empowered people through her attentive and loving presence at the Wedding feast in a place called Cana in Galilee. Mary noticed that the wine for the party was nearly finished so to avoid embarrassment for the host family she took the matter to Jesus. Because Mary was attentive to her Son, a positive result came about. People had lots of wine to drink. Jeanne-Marie Chavoin did learn from Mary how to be a woman of empowerment through her presence in every situation.

One of the things that we could all learn from Jeanne-Marie Chavoin is to be people (men and women) of prayer an action here in our Marist College community. If she were here today, she would remind us all, that God is the source of strength and power, and our work and learning here in this school can only find meaning in God through prayer. So, how often do you spend time talking and listening to God? As we leave today from this Eucharistic celebration, let us remind ourselves that God is always wanting to have a chat with us. Are we ready?

A Foundress is Born

Jeanne-Marie Chavoin, Foundress of the Marist Sisters, was born on 29th August 1786 in the French village of Coutouvre. Her father, Théodore Chavoin, was a tailor, while her mother, Jeanne Verchère, worked as a servant.

Jeanne-Marie Chavoin spent 30 years of her life in the village of Coutouvre. From the front door of her family home she could see the village square and the church just beyond. Jeanne-Marie’s life in Coutouvre was people-oriented. From the Chavoin home her father ran a tailor’s shop. Customers came daily, exchanging the latest news, sharing the joys and concerns of the village.

God of creation,
we praise and thank you for the birth of Jeanne-Marie Chavoin,
our foundress, Mother St Joseph.
We thank you for her parents, Théodore and Jeanne,
for their love, their courage, their acceptance of responsibility and all they taught Jeanne-Marie.
May our foundress intercede for us today,
that we may present a Marian face in our world –
a face of compassion, understanding and love,
a face which accepts people as they are,
yet encourages them to grow in goodness.
With them, may we be brought forth to the life of grace.
We pray this in the name of Jesus your Son.

Celebrating 90 Years of Marist Primary Mt Albert, New Zealand

On 7^th February, 1927, Marist Primary opened its doors for the first group of students in the parish school. Mother Bernard and Sr. Austin the two pioneer Marist Sisters had arrived on 24^th January to make the Marist sisters foundation, some 70 years since the arrival of Bishop Pompallier and the priests and brothers of the Society of Mary.

Ninety years later the school opening was marked by the celebration of Mass, a birthday cake and a replica of the photo of the infant class in 1927. The Marist Sisters were present to support the school and to celebrate with the staff, students and families. Sr Lorraine gave a reflection linking the house patrons – Pompallier, Chavoin, Bernard and Austin to the gospel of the day that called on all to be united to the vine – Jesus, the vine of our ancestors in the faith, the church community, and to each other. (Jn 15: 1-4)

Anniversary of Jeanne-Marie Chavoin’s Birth

Jeanne-Marie Chavoin, foundress of the Marist Sisters, was born on 29^th August 1786 to Théodore Chavoin, aged 20, tailor, and Jeanne Verchère, aged 19, servant. Her parents may have been young and unprepared but it seems they made a good marriage and brought up their daughters in a loving, open, happy home. Jeanne-Marie grew in an atmosphere of practical faith and came to develop what could be termed “hidden holiness”. It was this quality which was later to provide the key to her vocation.

God of creation,
we praise and thank you for the birth of Jeanne-Marie Chavoin,
our foundress, Mother St Joseph.

We thank you for her parents, Théodore and Jeanne, for their love, their courage, their acceptance of responsibility and all they taught Jeanne-Marie.
We thank you for our own parents, the families which prepared us for life.

May Jeanne-Marie Chavoin intercede for us today,
that we may present a Marian face in our world –
a face of compassion, understanding and love,
a face which accepts people as they are,
yet encourages them to grow in goodness.

With them, may we be brought forth to the life of grace.
We pray this in the name of Jesus your Son.

Chavoin Day at Cerdon College

The Cerdon College community recently celebrated Chavoin Day. In doing so they were recalling the inspiration of the Foundress of the Marist Sisters, Jeanne-Marie Chavoin. This event is always a highlight of the Cerdon College calendar. As a group of students, teachers and parents had recently been on pilgrimage to Cerdon in France where the Marist Sisters began, the theme of this years celebration was Pilgrimage. Fr Jim Carty sm presided at the Mass and shared with the college community his experience of being a pilgrim when he walked the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Spain. A number of Marist Sisters in Sydney were delighted to be part of the celebration. More photos…

Feast of Jeanne-Marie Chavoin

“A young woman believe
it is possible to transform a village
into a happier human community,
and that it is not all that difficult
to create relationships of service, friendship
and even prayer among the inhabitants.
Her ideal is the simple life of Mary
in another village, Nazareth.
(For a Marian Church by Antoine Forissier , p13)

Each year on 30th June Marist Sisters celebrate the feast of their foundress, Jeanne-Marie Chavoin. Jeanne-Marie’s Marist journey began in the village of Cerdon in the early part of the nineteenth century. She showed herself as a beacon of hope to those who were experiencing the harsh effects of the social and religious upheaval of the time. She and the sisters lived close to the people and were in touch with their daily problems and fears. Their style of presence and approach was welcomed and became a channel through which the Gospel message was received. From the small beginnings in Cerdon the Marist Sisters have spread throughout the word and are now found in Aotearoa-New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, Canada, England, Fiji, France, Gambia, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, the Philippines, Senegal, U.S.A., Venezuela and Wales.

Inspired by Jeanne-Marie’s deep and abiding faith
and her firm trust in God
we pray that we will be women of prayer
and learn from her
to live Mary’s loving concern for
and service of those in need.
Amen.

Chavoin Day Celebrated at Sydney Colleges

As the feast of Jeanne-Marie Chavoin approached, two Sydney Marist colleges, Cerdon College Merrylands and Marist Sisters’ College Woolwich, celebrated Foundress Day. At each college students, staff, parents and a group of Marist Sisters gathered to celebrate Eucharist. Those gathered were reminded that like Jeanne-Marie Chavoin, foundress of the Marist Sisters, we are called to bring the peace and love of Christ to the world in Mary’s way.

Following the Mass at Cerdon College the Chavoin Shield was presented. Each year this shield is presented to the House which has gained the most points in the four categories of Sport, The Arts, Academic and Service endeavours. There was great joy when McOscar House was named as the 2012/2013 winner of the Chavoin Shield. McOscar House is named after Sr Doreen McOscar, the first principal of Cerdon College, who recently began her 100th year.

At Marist Sisters’ College Woolwich following the Mass a ceremonywas held during which the new College leaders for 2013/2014 were presented with their badges of office. The outgoing leaders then handed over the symbols of leadership to the new leaders.

Recalling the Legacy of Jeanne-Marie Chavoin

JM Chavoin — Jeanne-Marie Chavoin Foundress of the Marist Sisters

Each year on 30th June, Marist Sisters throughout the world celebrate the anniversary of the death of their Foundress, Jeanne-Marie Chavoin. This celebration provides an opportunity to reflect on her life and be inspired anew by her trust in God, her simplicity and her compassion for others. Shortly before her death Mother St Joseph, the name given to her at her profession, reminded her sisters:

“A Marist sister’s sole desire should be to resemble the little family at Nazareth – there she will find the perfect models of poverty, simplicity and love.” (Recollections of Mother St Joseph, 108)

Spirit Alive Festival, Wollongong Diocese

The Marist Sisters participated in the Expo at the Spirit Alive Festival in the Wollongong Diocese held towards the end of May.

Their expo stall displayed a banner Jeanne Marie Chavoin, Foundress of the Marist Sisters, as well as many photos of Marist Sisters of the Region of Asia-Pacific.

Sr Iulia Pia sm – Aotearoa-New Zealand

How would I promote vocation for Women in Religious Life in the College for boys? I do not know. However, in Community, we have a holy hour every Monday evening, praying for vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life.

Every two years, I visit my family in Samoa. Recently, I was involved in my homeland parish in Samoa while I was on holiday, joining the choir, helping out in the Youth Group and visiting other Sectors of the Parish with our Parish Priest. There is vocation awareness in this community. I pray that my influence will attract some young women to the Marist Sisters.

Mary, our Mother and Jeanne Marie Chavoin, our Foundress:
Pray with us for vocations now and forever.

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