Tag: vocation

Celebrating a Founder

“Let them always bear in mind that
they belong by a gracious choice
to the family of the blessed Mary, Mother of God,
by whose name they are called Marist,….

Let them constantly breathe her spirit:
a spirit of humility, self-denial
intimate union with God,
and the most ardent love of neighbour.”
(Spirit of the Society of Mary)

Jean-Claude Colin was born  in 1790 in the village of Saint-Bonnet-le-Troncy, France. His early years were a time of political and social upheaval in France due to the French revolution. Both his mother and father were deeply affected by the turmoil caused by the revolution. They both died in 1795 when Jean-Claude was only five years old.

Jean-Claude studied for the priesthood at the seminary in Lyon and was ordained a priest in 1816. Along with some fellow seminarians Jean-Claude pledged to begin a society which would take Mary as model – the Pledge of Fourviere. Following ordination the seminarians were dispersed to various parishes and dioceses. Jean-Claude was appointed to the parish of Cerdon where his brother Pierre was parish priest. Jean-Claude shared with his brother the dream of beginning the society of Mary. The dream of establishing a society in Mary’s name was eventually realised. Jean-Claude Colin is considered to be the Founder of the Marist Fathers and the Marist Sisters.

Each year on 15th November, the anniversary of the death of Fr Colin, Marist throughout the world remember this man who continues to inspire them as they too strive “to think, judge feel and act as Mary in all things”.

This year we are invited to join in prayer with the Marist Father as they launch the Marist Year of Vocations. To view a video in which Fr John Larsen, Superior General, launches the Marist Year of Vocations click here. A liturgy to launch the year can be found here.

 

Marists at Vocation Expo

On Saturday the 5th of October, several Religious Congregations, Diocesan seminarians and young people gathered at Saint Joseph parish, Grey Lynn Auckland for a Vocation Expo. Marist Sisters in New Zealand were represented by Srs Tulua and Seini.

The day started with a mass at 8:15 am and various people from different congregations shared  on their vocation call and charism to young people. It was a lovely opportunity to meet a lot of young Catholic people and share our Marist charism. The day ended with a lovely lunch.

Vocation…Call Waiting

Yr 12 Vocation ForumYr 12 students from Marist Schools in ACT and NSW gathered at The Hermitage, Mittagong over a weekend recently for the Marist Forum on the theme of “Vocation…Call Waiting.” On the Saturday afternoon forum participants had the opportunity to hear from a team of guest speakers who shared with the students on their vocation story. The speakers gave an insight into the joys and challenges of their vocation, an outline of the ministry that they are currently involved in and shared words of wisdom about the process of vocational discernment. Marist Sister, Noelene Simmons, was a member of this panel.

Vocation Awareness in Davao

Sr April

The month of September is Vocation Month in the Archdiocese Davao. Throughout the month the DVP (Directors of Vocations in the Philippines) Davao of the different congregations, including the Marist Sisters, visited universities, schools and parishes, posting vocation materials and holding vocation sharing with the young people of Davao.

Sr Sheila

29th September 2013 was the culmination of vocation month in the Assumption Parish, Davao.  The Marist Sisters’ Mapa community is in this parish. At the 8.00 am Mass during this culmination celebration at the Assumption Church, Sr Sheila gave a talk in which she shared her vocation story. On the same day at 3.00 pm young people and members of different religious congregations from the Assumption Parish gathered outside the Church for a short vocation talk and to view a film. This was followed by a Vocation Walk of about one hour around the nearby vicinity. Two Marist aspirants, Hazel and Mafel, from the Mintal community, and Sr Monica, from the Matina community, also took part in this walk.