Marist Family - Marist Sisters in Asia-Pacific

Auckland Celebrations of the Fourvière Bi-centenary

It was with a great sense of anticipation that groups representing the five branches of the Marist Family gathered at Sacred Heart College on the morning of July 23 to celebrate together the bicentenary of the Fourvière Pledge made in 1816.

The day’s activities began in the chapel where we were welcomed by Brother Richard fms and as Fourvière candles were lit, we prepared to join in the opening prayer which drew together so many aspects of this special day in the Year of Mercy. The tone was set for all that would follow which began with the keynote address given by Fr Justin Taylor sm : What happened at Fourvière. This deepened our appreciation of all that had preceded the drawing up of the pledge, setting it in the context of the life and history of the seminarians who composed it.

Fr Justin Taylor sm During the afternoon a series of workshops was provided: Marian music, Mary in Art, Keeping Pledges, Early Missionaries whose names were recorded in the heart of Mary, Mary, Mother of Mercy, and the Work of Mary today as it is lived by each of the branches.

The day concluded with Mass celebrated by Fr David Kennerley sm, provincial, at the end of which candles imprinted with an image of Mary of Fourvière were presented to each branch of the family while all recited a Fourvière pledge for today. A beautiful day drew to a close leaving 150 Marist people with memories to ponder and challenges to absorb.

Fourvière Bicentenary in Australia

Hope and Joy for the Future

On Saturday 23rd July approximately two hundred and fifty members of the Marist Family gathered at Villa Maria Hunters Hill to celebrate the bicentenary of the Pledge of Fourvière. The main celebrant for the Eucharist was Fr Kevin Bates sm. Kevin concluded his homily by signing a song he had written specially for the occasion – More than Memories.

F 0716-FD-Sydney-6a-0716-Four ollowing the homily Statements of Commitment from each branch of the Marist Family were read. At the end of the Mass these statements were signed by the Leaders of each of the branches. A moving moment in the liturgy was when all present were invited to stand and read together an Australian version of the Fourvière Promise.

Following the Eucharist there was a great spirit of joy and thanksgiving as the celebration continued with a meal in the auditorium of St Joseph College, Hunters Hill. During the meal guest speakers, Maria Baden and Br Michael Green fms, shared their reflections on the Fourvière Pledge and doing the work of Mary into the future.

Pioneer Missionaries Return to Fiji

It was with heavy hearts that people gathered on April 21st to farewell Srs Torika Wong and Veronica Lum before their departure to Fiji on 23rd April. Eighteen years ago Torika and Veronica were the first Marist Sisters to go to the Philippines. Marist Fathers, Marist Missionary Sisters, Marist Brothers and postulants, Marist Laity, Partners in Marist Mission, SAMIN representatives, a host of friends and of course the Marist Sisters in Davao gathered for the farewell function that began with Mass at 6:00 pm. Fr Pat Devlin sm, District Superior of the Marist Fathers in Davao, was the main celebrant at the Mass. The backyard was well lit up with over 80 chairs in place. The sudden shower of rain at the beginning of Mass did not dampen any spirits with everyone able to shelter in the house or on the porches.

After the Mass Sr Sheila, Unit Leader of the Marist Sisters in the Philippines, welcomed and thanked all who came. Many more speeches followed with various groups expressing their appreciation of Torika and Vero. Torika and Vero then voiced their gratitude for the richness of life they had experienced in the Philippines and for the love they received during their time here.

Entertainment from various cultural groups followed before all partook of a delicious meal. It was an evening to remember and one that was a fitting tribute to the contribution Torika and Vero had made during their eighteen years in the Philippines.

Click on images below to see a larger image.

Rejoicing in the Gift of Vocation

On the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, 12th December 2015, Sr. Edna B. Gado, SM, publicly make her Perpetual Profession of the vows of Chastity, Poverty and Obedience in the Congregation of Mary. Present to witness Edna’s Perpetual Profession were her Marist Sisters, Edna’s family, members of the Marist Family and many other friends and invited guests. The Solemn Mass was celebrated at the Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Tagum.and was officiated by Most Rev. Wilfredo D.Manlapaz, D.D., STD., Bishop of Tagum. A number of Marist Fathers and Diocesan Priests also concelebrated. Sr. Sheila B. Manalo, SM the new Unit Leader of the Marist Sisters Philippines, received the vows of Sr. Edna in behalf of Sr. Grace Ellul, SM, Superior General of the Marist Sisters.

For several years now, Sr. Edna has been with the Talikala Foundation passionately ministering to Prostituted and Trafficked Women and Girls. We thank God for the gift of Sr. Edna and we continue to pray for her. We pray also for special blessings for her Mom and Dad as have they generously “given” their only daughter Sr. Edna to the Church and to the MaristsSisters.

More photos…

Magnificat~Final Profession of Sr Lilibeth

In this Year of Consecrated Life, Sr Lilibeth Cajes sm made her Perpetual Profession as a Marist Sister in Davao, the Philippines. In a simple and beautiful celebration on July 23, Lilibeth vowed chastity, poverty and obedience for life in the Congregation of Mary. Her vows were received by Sr Grace Ellul sm, Congregational Leader of the Marist Sisters. The Profession Mass took place in Immaculate Conception Parish, Mintal. The main celebrant was Bishop Guillermo Afable, the bishop of Digos, Lilibeth’s hometown.

FP5 Almost 200 people attended the celebration. All branches of the Marist Family were present. Lilibeth’s family came all the way from Digos with some of their relatives and friends. The Marist Laity were present in full force even though it was a work day.

A large number of Mintal parishioners attended and expressed their gratefulness at witnessing a Perpetual Profession of a sister for the first time. They spoke of how touched they were by the whole celebration, and especially when all the Marist Sisters present embraced Lilibeth as a sign of peace and welcome to he FP3 r. The reception that followed was held in the Parish Hall. Entertainment was provided by the various branches of the Marist Family. Hazel and Terube were joined by the Marist Missionary Sisters to perform a dance from Kiribati while the Marist Fathers’ novices sang a song they had specially composed for Lilibeth. See more photos…

Marist Consecrated Life

On the evening of Tuesday 16th June 2015, some 20 or so people gathered at St Patrick’s Church Hill in Sydney for a Marist QandA session focussing on Marist Religious Life during this Year of Consecrated Life. The panelists representing the four Religious Congregations of the Marist Family, Celina Gavia sm, Greg McDonald fms, Paul Mahony sm and Noreen Dunne smsm, answered questions and discussed issues regarding Marist Religious Life and our Mission in the 21^st Century. A further session is being planned for Tuesday 1 September.

Regional Chapter News

The Marist Sisters of Asia-Pacific Regional Chapter began officially at 9.00am on Sunday 19th October with the gathering of the members for the Opening Eucharist in the Chapel of the Vaughan Park Retreat Centre, Long Bay, Auckland, New Zealand. David Kennerley sm, Provincial of the Marist Fathers NZ, led us in our celebration of the Eucharist.

At 11.00am we gathered in the Conference Room. At the centre of our circle were two books: the Word to us through the Readings of the Day and the Word to us through our Sisters’ expressions of God’s Invitation to the Marist Sisters of Asia-Pacific. Following the singing of Michael Herry’s “A Fire on the Earth”, Sr Julie Brand, Regional Leader, a shared message from Sr Jane Frances O’Carroll sm, Congregational Leader, as well as those from other Marist Sisters and members of the Marist Family. She then handed over to Br Graham Neist fms, our facilitator.

Over the first two days time has been spent listening to and reflecting on Sr Julie’s report to the Chapter as well as reports from the Sector Leaders of Aotearoa-New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and the Philippines. There is a wonderful spirit of deep listening and sharing within the Chapter group. More photos…

Remembering Fourvière

“We have the sincere intention and firm purpose
of consecrating ourselves at the first opportunity
to founding a congregation of Mary-ists…
…and we solemnly promise
to spend ourselves and all we possess
in saving souls by every kind of apostolate
under the sacred name of the Virgin Mary
and with her protection and help.”
(Pledge of Fourvière, 1816)

Each year on 23rd July, Marists throughout the world recall the day when twelve seminarians climbed the 800 steps to the Chapel of Our Lady of Fourvière where they pledged themselves to beginning the Marist Family. They drew their inspiration from Mary’s presence in the early church and her relationship with Jesus, the Church and the contemporary world.

May the enthusiasm and fervour of the men of Fourvière continue to inspire all Marists to fervently live the Gospel after the manner of Mary .

Marist Ordination

We celebrate with Fr Willy Melteras SM on his ordination to the priesthood on Friday 29th November, 2013. This is an occasion of great joy for Marists and for the whole Church.

Fr Willy was ordained in Villa Maria Church Hunters Hill by Archbishop Julian Porteous. His brother, Fr Donald Melteras, was amongst the concelebrants. Having completed his initial formation in Fiji, Fr Willy from Vanuatu then spent the final months of his pastoral and mission experience in the Hunters Hill-Woolwich parish and its schools. Congratulations, Fr Willy! The Marist Family is delighted to have another Marist Father.

Anniversary of Fourvière

On 23rd July 1816 twelve seminarians climbed 800 steps to the chapel of Fourvière. There before the statue of Our Lady they pledged themselves to begin the Society of Mary. They declared:

“We, the undersigned, striving to work together
for the greater Glory of God
and the honour of Mary, Mother of the Lord Jesus,
assert and declare our sincere intention and firm will
of consecrating ourselves, at the first opportunity,
to founding the pious congregation of Marists.”

On this day we pray that all members of the Marist Family – Marist Sisters, Marist Fathers, Marist Missionary Sisters, Marist Laity and Marist Brothers – will be inspired anew by the enthusiasm and commitment of the men of Fourvière who promised to spend themselves and all they had for the sake of the Kingdom.

Tag: Marist Family

Hope and Joy for the Future