Remembering Sr Mary Chris

About fifteen Marist Sisters attended a memorial Mass in St Mary’s Church Nadi, Fiji, to remember Sr Mary Christopher on the first anniversary of her death.   The paraliturgy by the tombstone was simple and meaningful. The sisters shared briefly on their memories of Mary Chris. This was followed by the blessing of the headstone by Father John Crispin sm.
We then visited the graves of all our sisters buried in Balawa, Lautoka and a placed a bouquet of flowers on their tombs. Some of the sisters included Sisters Wilfred, Regina, John Gualbert, Blaise, Sulita, Helen, Rita, Anita, Anne Marie, Amadeus, Alexis and Nolasco. On returning home to Nadi, there was a small kava ceremony to thank Father Crispin. This was followed by a delicious meal prepared by parish sector members.

Thanksgiving for 60 years as a Marist Sister

Marist Sisters in Aotearoa-New Zealand held their annual assembly from the 25th to the 28th of April. This involved a contemplative dialogue on their present reality and consideration of needs at this time. The last day of the assembly was dedicated to celebrating Sr. Kathleen Bright’s 60th anniversary of  Marist religious profession. Bishop Denis Brown was the main celebrant for the thanksgiving mass and many of the Sisters were present. Kathleen’s sister and brother in law joined in the celebration plus Brother Mark fms and his guide dog Rosco.

Keeping the Connection with Marist College, Mt Albert

Two of  Year 7 students from Marist Sisters College, Mt Albert came to visit the sisters at the Mt Albert Convent in New Zealand. One of the students had her RE Assessment with her and Sr. Patricia Bowley showed great interest in it.

The student was very surprised when she discovered that Patricia was 91. The two girls are daughters of ex-students taught by some of the sisters at Marist College in years gone by.

Easter Joy

Happy Easter from the Marist Sisters

During this sacred time when we celebrate
the great event of our redemption
may we all experience deeply
the joy, the peace and the hope
that is ours because of
our Risen Saviour.

 

Novena to St Peter Chanel

Each year for the nine days leading up to the feast of St Peter Chanel, Marists throughout the world pray through the intercession of St Peter Chanel 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.

You are invited to join us in praying that young people of today may, like Peter Chanel, respond generously to God’s call to follow Christ as Mary did. Download the novena prayer here.

 

Responding in New Zealand with a Marist Heart

Following the tragic massacre of so many members of our Christchurch community there was an outpouring of grief, compassion and support throughout New Zealand. Here in Auckland, Bishop Pat arranged a special prayer service in our church in Vermont Street which is opposite one of the Muslim mosques. We Marist Sisters were pleased to be able to attend. The church was filled up to capacity and among those were some fifty Muslim men and women who were seated at the front of the church. After the service, we crossed the road expecting to place our gifts of flowers with those already there outside the fence of the mosque. However, we found the gates open and so became part of a long procession which ended at the entrance to the mosque itself. There, we were graciously welcomed inside by Muslim women and seated inside, heard again of the gratitude for our presence and support. We came away happy to have been part of this special experience.

Celebrating 110 Years in Woolwich

Marist Sisters College Woolwich (MSCW) recently acknowledged the contribution of the Marist Sisters to Catholic Education in Woolwich over 110 years. The celebration began with a Mass presided over by Marist Fathers Provincial Fr Tony Corcoran and five of his Marist confreres. MSCW Principal Dr Anne Ireland welcomed past and present students, staff and friends of the College. The College Captains shared their reflections on life at the College over the various decades in comparison with what they currently experience. Direction of Sydney Catholic Schools, Dr Dan White, spoke of his association with the Marist Sisters over many years. Following the Eucharistic celebration those present were treated to a scrumptious afternoon tea prepared by MSCW students. The Marist Sisters left the Woolwich site in December 2018 confident that MSCW has a bright future as staff, students and college friends are guided by the Marist Compass for Life.

Reforestation Project in Fiji

On Wednesday 21st March 2019 the Marist Sisters of the Nadi community in Fiji witnessed a very simple but meaningful missioning ceremony of Sister Lora who is undertaking a reforestation project in the Yasawa Islands. Also present were Srs Lavinia Henry, Fiji Unit Leader, Noelene Simmons, General Bursar, and Lorraine Campbell, Fiji Unit Bursar.  The hymns and readings reflected the purpose of missioning Lora to the land of her ancestors named MATANIWAI. The reforestation project that she is undertaking involves planting long term and short term trees, shrubs, flowers, fruit trees and vegetables. The principles of Laudato Si as expressed  by Pope Francis are mirrored in this project. The Marist Sisters support Lora in this project and wish her well.

Celebrating in Davao City

The Marist Sisters, Marist Laity and Marist Fathers led the joyous celebration of the Feast of Santo Niño, the patron of the Davao City Main Jail Chapel . This is an annual religious and cultural festival. Devotion to the Santo Niño (Holy Child), an image of Jesus as a small boy typically dressed as a king, is a mainstay of Philippine Catholic life.

Celebrating 100 Years of Life

The centennial celebration of Sister Loyola’s birthday on 27th December was a wonderful and memorable occasion in Fiji where Sister has lived and ministered since 1962.  The day started with Holy Mass at 10.00 am in the church. The main celebrant was Fr Frank Hoare , an Irish Columba’s priest who came from Suva. Sisters own Magnificat was read by Sr Teresia after the Gospel. Thanksgiving after communion was another Magnificat sung by the choir.
The caterers produces a delicious meal of various dishes which was enjoyed by all. There were about 200 guests including Marist Sisters and a large group of sisters ex students. They donated the birthday cake which was beautifully decorated. The highlight of the morning took place at 8.00 am when the President and his wife and his entourage of four cars arrived at the convent. Sister was delighted and even overwhelmed when the President Mr Jioji Konrote presented her with a plaque and a letter from our Prime Minister, Mr Frank Banimarama.
The spirit of the day was expressed with joy and dancing and singing Irish songs after lunch.
(Click on the images below to see the full-size photo)