Tag: Marist Sister

ACRATH Newsletter May 2013

“As Marist Sisters we are invited…
to listen to the cries of the oppressed.”
(General Chapter 2008) 

Marist Sisters are happy to support the work of ACRATH(Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans) through participating in ACRATH activities and through our prayerful support.  The latest ACRATH Newsletter includes items on the ACRATH National Conference held in February, an advocacy visit to Canberra, new slavery legislation and the ACRATH RAP (Radio Awareness Program).  Readers are also invited to take part in a campaign to encourage supermarkets to have more Easter Eggs manufactured with certified cocoa on their shelves  in 2014.

Marist Sister Interviewed about Papal Resignation

Sr Jane Frances O’Carroll sm                                   (photo from New Zealand Herald)

Congregational Leader of the Marist Sisters, Sr Jane Frances O’Carroll, was spending time at home in New Zealand with her family when Benedict XVI announced his retirement.  The New Zealand Herald interviewed her about being out of Rome when this historic event took place.  In the interview Sr Jane Frances also speaks about religious life today.

View a copy of the interview here.

Peace on Earth

Prayerful wishes for a blessed Christmas and New Year from the Marist Sisters.


At the time of Christ’s birth the angels sang glory to God and prayed for peace for all.  As we celebrate anew the birth of Christ into our world and into our lives may we be filled with the joy and peace of Christ’s coming.

Taste and See the Goodness of God (Ps 34)

Twenty people gathered with the Auckland Marist Sisters’ communities to participate in a reflection day based on Fr Colin’s insight.  They came from a variety of our connections across the city.  Sr Marie Challacombe led the day with insightful comment.  A shared lunch brought the sisters and their visitors together in joyful conversation.  One participant wrote this:  “The warmth of your hospitality and the gentle reflection were object lessons in being Marist quite apart from the content which gave plenty to ponder”. 

Speaking for the Human Rights of Trafficked People

A group of women religious from around Australia, including a Marist Sister, will make their sixth annual pilgrimage to Canberra next week in a bid to influence policies affecting people trafficked into Australia.

The fifteen women, Catholic sisters and their colleagues, are all members of Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH). They will spend a week (August 19-24) in Canberra speaking to Members of Parliament, Advisors, Embassy staff, departmental officials and Church leaders in their continuing endeavours to ensure trafficked people access their human rights.

For more information about their requests to Government click here.

Recalling the Legacy of Jeanne-Marie 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)

Supporting LOGOS Youth Development Team

Sr Lorraine & Logos Team Members

Founded in 2000 by the Society of Mary, Logos works to the Marist principles of hope, reconciliation compassion, mercy, respect for others, commitment to the poor and those who find themselves on the margins of our society.  Logos, from the Greek, means ‘The Word’ – a word for Jesus.  By using this as its title, the Logos project has made a commitment to living Gospel values and making them real in today’s world.  (Logos website – www.logos.org.nz)

The Marist Sisters of Aotearoa-New Zealand have been involved with this group since its beginning, responding to the various requests for assistance as spiritual guides, providing administrative assistance, working with the team in a formative and educative way, providing resources as requested and also financial assistance.  The community at Mt Albert makes its chapel available for the sacramental programme for Marist College which is run by the Logos team.  They have also given valuable input to our annual assembly in 2010. At present Sr Juliana gives weekly administrative assistance in a range of tasks.  Recently, Sr Lorraine gave input on the liturgical year as a way of assisting the core team.

195 Years of Marist Profession Celebrated

Srs Fidelis & Margaret

Marist Sisters in Australia recently celebrated the jubilees of Sr Margaret Cummins (70years) and Sr Fidelis McTeigue (50years).  During the Mass, celebrated by Kevin Bates sm in the Marist Sisters’ College chapel in Woolwich, Margaret and Fidelis renewed their vows and received a Papal Blessing.

Sr Doreen McOscar

Afternoon tea was served at Marian House and the celebrations continued in the community room with a sing-along and the signing of a 50th anniversary banner made for Fidelis by her family in Ireland to mark this memorable occasion.

Earlier  this year Sr Doreen McOscar had celebrated her 75th jubilee more quietly.

Click here for more photos