Rekindling the Fire!

Marcellin's Dream - Live it today!

"I have come that you may have life, and have it in abundance."
The Gospel of Jesus Christ according to St John, chapter 10 v.10

Our Mission

Our Mission as Marist Brothers is brothering into abundant life:
+ Young people, especially those most in need
+ Our Brothers in community
+ Our partners in Ministry

As Marist Brothers, we strive to live the mission of Jesus. We respond to the needs of people of our time, especially the young and marginalised. We walk with them as brothers, with care and practical concern so that they may live full and active lives.

We use the word Ministry when we refer to the works we do. In the New Zealand Province our main areas of ministry are:

EDUCATION - day schools; boarding schools; primary and secondary; Maori education; education of young people with special needs; adult education

REMAR a secondary school level movement

YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY

VOCATION MINISTRY

MISSIONARY WORK The Brothers have communities and schools in Fiji, Kiribati and Samoa. Some Brothers have joined the Ad Gentes programme, with Brothers from other Provinces, assisting in mainly Asian countries.

Formation

This is a word that means a "gradual preparation and becoming". Marist formation exists for all people, men and women, exploring a commitment to Marist life. Formation is seen as a life-long process of growth. The principal means employed on this journey are:

IMMERSION: each person has the chance to get involved in Marist life at the level of both community and ministry.

PRAYER: fostering of a vital prayer life.

STUDIES: opportunities exist for professional, spiritual and Marist studies.

ACCOMPANIMENT: all is undertaken in the company of a skilled person who walks with each person on their individual journey. After knowing the Marist Brothers for some time, as a student, involvement in the young adult ministry, or through some experience of ministry with the Brothers, some young men may think about becoming a Brother. There are four main steps in the formation of a Marist Brother:

ASPIRANCY: the first official stage; of no fixed time; seeing a Brother on a regular basis – talking about life and vocation and decision.

POSTULANCY: actually "moving in" to a Brothers’ community to see first hand what it’s like. While living in community a young person may commence studies that will assist him in his future studies in Novitiate. These studies usually have a Theological or Christological focus. Work and/or professional studies are often put on hold during this time (a period of at least six months).

NOVITIATE:
The Novitiate is a period of two years for personal and spiritual formation and provides an excellent and challenging programme in preparation for First Vows.

POST-NOVITIATE: continued professional and religious formation as a vowed Brother.

It’s important to realise that a person may choose to withdraw from this formation process at any time, and that’s okay - or he may choose to continue in the life and work of the Marist Brothers.

The initial step in Marist formation is to make contact with a Brother, prior to joining our contact programme. This programme has been designed to meet an individual’s needs as they search out their answer to the question of Marist life. Anyone who'd like to receive vocational material, please contact the Marist Vocations Ministry.

You may wish to contact:
Brother Kevin Dobbyn
or Brother Chris Maney
Flat 1, 66 Albemarle Road
Wilton, WELLINGTON 6012

Phone (04)475 9501
Fax (04)475 9464

Brother Chris Maney

Brother Kevin Dobbyn

Prayer for Discernment

Dear God,
I know you love me
and have great plans for me -
but sometimes I am overwhelmed
by the thought of my future.
Show me how to walk forward
one day at a time.
May I take heart
while I search openly,
learn about all the choices,
listen to others’ advice,
and pay attention to my own feelings.
By doing these things,
may I hear your call
to a lifestyle and career
that will let me love as only I can,
and let me serve others
with the special gifts
that you have given me. Amen.