blog

The FM Connection

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 09:53:00 +1300

Matthew Pearce, Damon Maclachlan, Br Chris Maney and Br Kevin Dobbyn

With the arrival of two young men, Matthew Pearce and Damon Maclachlan, the Beatrice Road community now numbers five. Br Kevin met Damon's family when they had called in to the community over Christmas. Damon is from Masterton originally and spent last year at the Grove in Lower Hutt. Matthew is from Whangarei and Br Kevin travelled north to met his family.

Orientation took place at Cook's Beach. During this 'getting to know you' trip, against the spectacular backdrop of the Coromandel, opportunity was taken to discuss the possibilities of the year ahead, openly and frankly.

Br Charles Howard, SG (RIP). Eulogies

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:51:44 +1300

Br Charles' funeral can still be viewed here.

Br Jeff Crowe has supplied copies of the eulogies by Br Sean Sammon, former SG (click here) and Br Charles' niece, Clare (click here).

Powhiri at St John's College, Hamilton

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:20:36 +1300

Mr Shane Tong

On Tuesday 31 January, three Brothers attended the powhiri to the new Principal and Year 9 students at St John's College, Hamilton.

On Tuesday 31 January Brothers David McDonald, (Provincial), Richard Dunleavy and Patrick Bignell attended the powhiri at St John’s College. The powhiri was held to welcome the new Principal, Mr Shane Tong, an Old Boy and the Year 9 students for 2012. It was an opportunity for the brothers to support the college’s commitment to Champagnant’s charism.

New School Year Begins

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:11:24 +1300

Champagnat Marists begin to get ready for the new academic year.

Preparation for the new school by Champagnat Marists is already evident. Some schools in the Pacific start Monday 23 January. But regardless of when school begins, on behalf of all Champagnat Marists, I would like to remind you that our mission is to wish you the best your ministry in 2012 and encourage you to remember that our mission is to make Jesus known and loved.

Pacific Leader's Forum

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:53:21 +1300

On Tuesday 17 January, the Country Coordinators of Fiji, Samoa and Kiribati met with the Brother Siaosi, Assistant Provincial in the Pacific, the Provincial and the Council to discuss leadership in the Pacific.

After receiving reports on what is happening in each country, time was devoted to discussing the strategic goals from the Pacific Assembly in May 2011 and other Pacific issues.

The Country Coordinators were appointed as the Pacific Leader’s Forum and invited to actively assist the Assistant Provincial to develop and implement a plan for the Pacific within the Province.

Pacific Leader's Forum

Br Brian Callaghan
Country Co-ordinator, Samoa

Br Kees van der Weert
Country Co-ordinator, Fiji Islands

Br Kevin O'Malley
Country Co-ordinator, for Kiribati

Province Formation Meeting

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:31:03 +1300

The Provincial and Council invited formators to Fiji to review and clarify our formation processes.

Province Formation Meeting

Despite the humidity and the stormy weather, the ambience of the dining room at Marcellin Centre Vatuwaqa, Fiji, with flowers and table cloths was the near-perfect setting for a conversation about initial formation.

On Monday 16 January, the Provincial and Council together with the brothers involved at the various stages of initial formation made use of the World Café process to review and clarify our formation steps and processes. The conversation was animated no doubt because of the questions posed which involved all in the diversity of background, level and type of education, experience, age, culture, choices and values.

The second day involved the people directly involved in initial formation. It was equally animated, even as we fine-tuned some draft documents. An open forum session had everyone sharing in a way that reflected a growing and determined effort to take responsibility for this task in the Province.

Brother Luke Fong's Perpetual profession

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:05:06 +1300

Brother Luke made his Perpetual Profession in Fiji on Saturday 14 January 2012.

Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me”. (Mt10:33)

On Saturday 14 January Brother Luke Fong made a further commitment to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ when he made his Perpetual Profession at the Church of St Vincent de Paul, Nausori, Fiji, in the presence of his parents, family, friends, Champagnat Marists, students, other religious and 22 Marist Brothers from various parts of the NZ Province.

His uncle, Father Pio Fong SM led the gathering in the celebration Mass during which Brother Luke‘s vows were received by the Provincial of the NZ Province, Brother David McDonald.

After the vow ceremony the brothers gathered around Brother Luke to invite his parents forward to be Affiliated to the province.

Once the Sevusevu, the official ceremony of welcome, was completed, the brothers spent a very enjoyable afternoon sharing stories, free time and a meal with those gathered in the parish hall below the church.

The brothers also gathered at Champagnat Institute on Sunday 15 January to celebrate again Luke’s final profession and to enjoy each other’s company.

Congratulations Brother Luke’s for your continuing commitment to our mission “to make Jesus known and loved” and for giving us a tangible sign in the Province that Something New is Happening.

Photos

St Paul's College

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 11:52:38 +1200

Classroom refurbishment

The Beauty Beyond

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:04:14 +1200

The Beauty Beyond - Discovering the Beauty of God
by Brother Romuald Gibson

This very attractively written and presented 215 page book, including 15 original
paintings, is available from MARIST PUBLICATIONS, 28 Dunstall Place, Mangere
Bridge, Auckland 2022, New Zealand. Email: bryanmckay@xtra.co.nz
Cost - including post and packaging within New Zealand, $30.00

Marist Brothers appoint a New Novice Master for Lomeri

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 09:11:39 +1200

It is my pleasure to announce that Brother Afaese has accepted his appointment as Novice Master at the combined Oceania Novitiate starting in 2012.
Brother David McDonald

Talofa! I’m Afaese Afaese from the village of Tufutafoe in Savaii, Samoa. I was brought up with a very good Catholic family background and I believe that the support I have received over the years from my own parents, aunties, uncles and siblings continues to have a positive impact on me and the life-style that I am living in as a religious.

I attended my own village Primary School for eight years then moved on to Wesley College (a Methodist School at Satupaitea, Savaii) in 1996 where I completed my secondary school years at the end of 1989. My first contact with the Marist Brothers was in 1992 and in 1993 I was accepted by the Brothers’ as a postulant. I spent three years at the Formation house and within those three years, I attended the Theological Institute at Moamoa to do some formation studies before I went to Lomeri, Fiji to do my Novitiate training for two years. I entered the Novitiate in 1996 and I was professed at the end of 1997.

In May 1998 I moved on to the Philippines to do another two and a half year of on-going formation training at our Post Novitiate. I went back to Samoa at the end of 2000 and spent one year at Mulivai community.

I returned to Fiji in 2002 to do a year of training at the Teachers’ College, Corpus Christi, Suva. I graduated and went back to Samoa for two and a half more years. I taught full time at our Primary School in Upolu until July 2005.

That year I attended the Formators’ course in Kenya, Africa for twelve months. We spent eleven months in Kenya and one month in France at the Hermitage. On my return I was appointed to Kiribati for four years to run the pre-novitiate formation centre at Lavalla, Bikenibeu, Tarawa.

I am currently doing Formation training in Sydney as part of my preparation for my next appointment as Novice Master at our combined Oceania Novitiate in Fiji in 2012.

Brother Afaese

Farewell to Br Borerei Katarake

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:53:33 +1200

The FM Connection

On Sunday 22nd May a large gathering of Brothers assembled at Number 4 Beatrice Road in Remuera to inspect the new home of the FM Connection Community and to farewell one of its members, Brother Borerei, who is off to MAPAC in the Philippines to continue his tertiary studies.

The Brothers assembled for a prayer where Br David McDonald wished him God speed and thanked him for his delightful presence among us. Borerei thanked everyone for their assistance with his language studies and the welcome he felt wherever he went. This was followed by an afternoon tea of shared contribution.

Brothers at Br Borerei's Farewell

May 2011 Pacific Assembly

Sat, 07 May 2011 06:34:35 +1200

During the first weekend of May when school holidays in Fiji, Kiribati and Samoa more or less coincided, Brothers and Lay Marists gathered at Marist Champagnat Institute for an assembly to look at the realities of our present situation and to explore the hopes and expectations for the future in the light of the developing new structures of governance in the Oceania region.

The Columban, Fr Tom Rouse, was the facilitator and in attendance was Br Anthony Robinson, the newly appointed Oceania Regional Coordinator. As well, the Provincial, Br David McDonald, deputy Br Terence Costello and Mr Alan Parker, director of Champagnat Partnership. Also participating from further afield were Br John Hazelman, a member of the Province working at MAPAC and Br Donovan Tami from the District of Melanesia.

The working groups were named after the first foundation communities set up by St Marcellin: LaValla, Le Bessat, Bourg-Argental, Saint Sauveur, Tarentaise and Marhles. After sharing their hopes and expectations for the assembly, participants got down to work. Some of the themes to be covered were the identity of the Lay Marist and of the Brother and of how each sees the other in the developing new structures of Oceania.

The work of the Assembly included gaining a better understanding of the new structures of the Oceania region when Br Tony Robinson explained the developments since the Concurrent Chapters in Sydney in December 2010. This clarification led to participants exploring mission, spirituality, the relationship between Brothers and Lay Marists in the Pacific region of Oceania (Fiji, Kiribati and Samoa) and where the Pacific was to align itself in Oceania in a way that the voice of the Pacific was heard effectively.

On the Saturday afternoon the two groups, Lay Marists and Brothers met separately to discuss their place and how they saw the way forward. Lay Marists strongly emphasized that they would continue to support and work with the brothers, whatever was decided, while the Brothers saw that connection to the new District council of New Zealand (currently the Province) was the best way to get their voice heard, provided that processes of communication were further refined.

On the Sunday morning the participants met as country groups, Lay and Brothers together, to put forward practical strategies in the areas of Lay Marist Partnership, Mission, Spirituality and Governance.

The Assembly concluded with an inspiring liturgy prepared by Br John Hazelman.

Marist Student Leaders' Forum

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 09:23:03 +1300

3 pm Thursday 3 March saw 38 student leaders from our Marist Schools gather in the Old Boys Lounge at Scared Heart for the beginning of the 2011 Forum – our fourth. (The two leaders from Te Kura Taumata O Panguru joined us later at the powhiri at Hato Petera College owing to transport issues) The twenty flying into Auckland were met at the airport by Brother Peter Henderson and the Chaperone, Mrs Janie Murray and transported to Sacred Heart.

Those attending this year were Panguru (2), Hato Petera (4), Marcellin (6), St Paul’s (3), Sacred Heart (2), St John’s (3), St Peter’s PN (2), Chanel (4), St Bernard’s (4), Catholic Cathedral (2), John Paul II H.S. (2) and Verdon (6).In addition we were joined by Mr Isoa Afamasaga from St Joseph’s College (Samoa) who came to learn the ropes so that he can lead a similar seminar for the Prefects in that school prior to their Induction on the College’s Feast Day. It was very pleasing to have Chanel back in the fold after a two year absence. They were re-invited owing to the commitment to the Champagnat charsim by their new Principal, Grant Miles. Sadly Campion College (Gisborne) have chosen again not to come. The introductions, warm-up and Opening Prayer were again held at Sacred Heart prior to the group having Dinner with the boarders. Following Diner the group was bussed over to Hato Petera where, after the powhiri, the programme and our expectations were addressed and then it was lights out – in the whare for the boys and in the kainga for the girls. For some who had flown long distances it had been a long day.

Friday’s programme started with a visit to the Bayswater Cemetery where lie Thomas and Mary Poynton who were so instrumental in Bishop Pompallier coming to New Zealand. A short drama on this was acted out by the Marcellin College leaders in period costume. After a quiz of the arrival of Pompallier (and of course Brother Michel) it was time to reflect on the things the leaders had started in their lives and the start of the Brothers by Champagnat. After the group returned to the marae for morning tea a session was held on seminal moments in the lives of the participants and then in the life of Champagnat. The latter is done through seven role plays. The first session in the afternoon was devoted to the “HOW” and “WHY” of leadership in which the group explored their personalities and then were invited to explore why we exercise leadership and the notion of service as the basis for Christian Leadership following the example of Mary the Servant Leader.

After afternoon tea the group headed off to Long Bay for a swim and a BBQ tea. Unfortunately it started to rain and plans for night prayer out in the open and a sing-a-long had to be abandoned. The night prayer was held indoors on our return to the marae and the group responded very well to the night prayer that Brother Kevin Dobbyn had planned.

Saturday morning saw the group heading for the North Shore Leisure Centre at Birkenhead for the challenges of rock climbing and high ropes. The group was sub-divided in two for these activities and the first group on the high ropes had the extra challenge of doing this in a steady drizzle. The debrief that followed their return to the marae focused on the need for leaders to move out of their comfort zone with reflection on how the participants had handled the challenges of the activities. The early part of Saturday afternoon was devoted to some simple games during which the participants were asked to stop and reflect on what they were learning about themselves in relation to their leadership skills. The participation was very enthusiastic. The latter part of Saturday afternoon was devoted to preparation of the Eucharist that was to follow Dinner. This was led by Kevin who brought to the task his wonderful understanding of how to involve youth in liturgy. At Dinner we were joined by Father Sam Pulanco from the Tertiary Chaplaincy Team who was to lead the Eucharist. Owing to Father Sam’s creativity being added to Kevin’s it was a most moving and stimulating Liturgy. For the Eucharist we were joined by several Brothers.

After Morning Prayer on Sunday morning Alan Parker led the group through the Pillars and completed the exercise by having the participants write down some practical steps they can take as student leaders to implement the Five Pillars of Marist Education. Following morning tea it was time to bring the Forum to a conclusion with a final session of Journaling (something that is done each night), an evaluation (which resulted in very positive feedback) and a formal ending of the event by the kaumatua of Hato Petera College.

The success of the Forum (in the eyes of the participants) was due to many people not least of whom were Mr Hori Pirini (the Baording Director at Hato Petera) and his “kitchen staff” who worked tirelessly all three days to attend to our catering needs. Others who deserve many thanks are Brother Bryan McKay (for all the very colourful printing of resources), Brother Peter Henderson for the many hours spent driving people around, Brother Kevin Dobbyn (for the creative Prayer and Liturgy), Brothers who called in at various stages, our Chaperone Mrs Janie Murray (a SHC parent), the Acting Principal of Hato Petera College, Mr Hohepa Campbell for allowing us the use of the College marae and vehicles, Brother John Koorey and Mr Michael O’Donnell of Sacred Heart for the Thursday Dinner arrangements.

Champagnat Marists respond to the quake: SHC

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 15:43:02 +1300

RED AND BLACK DAY – Friday 25^th February, 2011

On Friday 25^th February over 1200 students and staff dressed up in Cantabrian colours for a fundraiser towards the Christchurch Earthquake cause, and in particular Catholic Cathedral College which was once staffed by Marist Brothers under the name of Xavier College.

It was a fun day with various styles of dress worn by the staff and boys. Red and black balloons were draped around the College with red and black sashes upon poles and in the boarders’ dining room. TV One televised the event and interviewed our Principal Mr Dale. The crew were also entertained by the student body performing the haka and watched the school band play the National Anthem and the College Song. This was televised on the 6.00 o’clock news on the evening of 25^th February.

Br Dunstan and Mr Christopher Hayward, both previous staff members of Xavier College will travel with Mr Dale to Catholic Cathedral College and present the cheque to them at an appropriate time in the future.

From the Principal, Mr Jim Dale

Dear Brothers, Parents, Caregivers, Friends, Old Boys, Staff and Students

It is with great pride that I give you an update of our fundraising effort for the people of Christchurch on the Red and Black Mufti Day last Friday.

We have now reached the exceptional total of almost $33,000 due to the additional generosity of one family who matched the $13,000 raised on Friday. The generosity of the individual family is such that they wish to remain anonymous, however they were very keen to match dollar for dollar what the staff and students raised on Friday – may God Bless them.

The Old Boys continue to deposit money into the dedicated account, and have now contributed almost $6,400. Account details are available from Mrs Lyn Luxton, Manager, Development Foundation (lluxton@sacredheart.school.nz ). To Old Boys in New Zealand and overseas who have reached out in such numbers to support those in need in Christchurch my singular thanks and appreciation to all.

What an incredible and special Sacred Heart College family and Community we have. Our financial support and our prayers are nationwide and worldwide. On behalf of students, staff and friends of Catholic Cathedral College in Christchurch, I thank you from the bottom of my heart – my sacred heart.

Onwards and Upwards

Confortare Esto Vir

J A Dale, Principal

Silence for Christchurch

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 15:43:17 +1300

While community leaders from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Kiribati and Samoa have gathered at the Hermitage at Mittagong out of Sydney, we all stood for a two-minute silence in solidarity with the people of Christchurch and of all in New Zealand at the time the whole country honoured those who have suffered death and loss of life, limb, and family members in the tragedy of the Christchurch earthquake on Tuesday 22 February. In the photo is Prime Minister John Key and his wife leading the two-minute silence. To his right is Christchurch Mayor, Bob Parker.

To introduce the sacred silence Br Denis Turner (at right) who grew up in Christchurch spoke to the assembled brothers of how the tragedy has affected people in Christchurch and the families of brothers from there. On Monday 28, 50,000 people could not go to work because their jobs had disappeared with businesses buried in the rubble of bricks and mortar. The liquefaction has made the ground unstable and a number of Catholic Schools are unsafe for students and staff. The following link gives an indication of the before and after effects of the quake: http://www.abc.net.au/news/infographics/christchurch-quake/beforeafter.htm

Br Denis Gallavin (at left front), the community leader in Christchurch, spoke of the thirteen-year-old boy who went into town to buy something special for his birthday on the day of the quake and has not been seen since. He travelled on the same bus that Denis usually travels on when he goes to the city. He realises how close he himself was to tragedy, while at the same time grieving for the sake of the boy's family. Br David Greenlees (at front facing Br Denis) also has family in Christchurch and tells of his niece who has lost her house. There are so many stories like this that few of us can watch the events retold on television with dry eyes. Also in the photo are Brothers Michael Akers and Mark Murphy of Sydney Province.

Christchurch Earthquake

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 19:30:24 +1300

Br Denis Gallavin reports this morning that they have both water and electricity, as well as a spade out in the garden… However, there are ongoing quite severe after-shakes, that are frightening—one occurred as I spoke with Denis. As he went to visit Brothers Jordan McCormack and Paul Scott in the rest home around the corner from the house, he fell several times in the rising mud - the liquefaction - coming up from beneath the surface of roads and footpaths.The Catholic Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, not more than a ten-minute drive from where the Brothers' house is situated has lost its two front towers, and is possibly doomed… The overall impression in the city as they go about recovery of the missing persons is a mood close to depression. We keep our brothers, and the people of Christchurch, in our thoughts and prayers.

The FM Connection - Wellington

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 17:20:08 +1300

Earlier this month, the FM Connection in Wellington began the year with their first Mass. On the first Wednesday of each month, and continuing a tradition established in 2007, when the FM Connection began, Maurice and Natalie Atkinson host a gathering of young adults - and some young at heart - as they celebrate together the Eucharist led by Fr John Greally. Maurice and Natalie, together with Mike Gribble and Mike Andrewartha form this core team of Champagnat Lay Marists and they prepare for the gathering a week beforehand. All four have lived in Marist communities as have some of the regulars to the monthly gatherings. They are supported by brothers from Lower Hutt, as well as the odd visitor from further afield. It is becoming a way of continuing their formation in the spirituality of Champagnat Marists.

(Left to right: Fr John Greally, Maurice Atkinson, Jerome Chandrahasen and his fiancee Jessica Dench, Sue Graham, Natalie's Mum.)

They stand well connected to a long tradition. Their home in Wilton was the brothers' house when the oldest Marist school in Wellington (Marist Thorndon) was moved to Wilton to allow for an off-ramp on what was a new motorway. The school was renamed Cardinal McKeefry Marist Brothers' School (more familiarly known as Marist Wilton), now known as Cardinal McKeefry School. Fr John Greally, as well as being chaplain to St Patrick's College Silverstream and St Bernard's College in the Hutt Valley, is also a former student of Marist Wilton, completing his time there in 1976 when Br Christopher Scannell was the longest-serving principal of the new school.

Left to right back: Damon McLachlan, Rebecca McBryde, Mike Andrewartha, Sr Bernadette Rodgers RSM, Rita Kettoola, Anahita Dubash, Br Kieran Fenn

Left to right front: Natalie Atkinson, Rebecca Hornblow, Lizzie Borkin

Farewell to Invercargill

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 19:36:18 +1300

Last weekend, the formal farewell to the Marist Brothers (after 113 years in Invercargill) was held. A Mass on the Friday evening at St Mary's Basilica was very well attended. The photo at top left show Br Joseph McCarthy and Br Alan Henley reading at the farewell Mass.

Bishops Colin Campbell and Len Boyle concelebrated with 11 priests, most of them being past students of the Brothers in Invercargill. Afterwards at the Marist Rugby Clubrooms a very well attended get together provided an opportunity for a mix and mingle of the ten Brothers who attended the weekend with many friends.

At Verdon College a magnificent dinner was arranged at a tastefully decorated hall. Several speakers delivered thoughtful and moving recognition of the Brothers' presence in the city.

The College marked the occasion on Thursday with a short farewell assembly.

The photos at right, clockwise from top: the dinner at the Marist clubrooms; Tony Hanning KSG, Director of Catholic Education in the Dunedin diocese presents to Br Kevin Wanden a Certificate of Appreciation to the Marist Brothers; Br Anthony Walker points to signpost at Bluff, close to what has been the southern-most city in the Institute of the Marist Brothers; Longtime Invercargill resident and chaplai to the prison and active presence at Verdon, Br Osmund Macnamara gives a word of thanks and appreciation.

Br Denis Turner

Prefects' camp: Aquinas College (Tauranga)

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 17:49:50 +1300

During 2010 I was invited by the Hamilton Catholic Schools Office to participate in a review of the Catholic Character of Aquinas College. During the course of the review, the Principal, Ray Scott (formerly Principal of St John’s College, Hamilton) and the Deputy Principal, Terry Consedine (a former HOD Science at St John’s) asked if were possible for me to run a Camp for their 2011 Prefects. I agreed to this because the Founding Principal of Aquinas, Brendan Schollum, in making what they call their Touchstones the focus of their charism was no doubt influenced by his Marist history for a number of these Touchstones are very marial.

Thus in late January, twenty one of their 2011 Prefects (one girl missed the camp owing to ill health) gathered on the College marae for two days reflection on the Catholic Character of their College and their role in promoting this as student leaders.

Among the topics which we looked at were defining moments in our lives and how these influence us today; the “how” of leadership as determined by their personality and the ‘why” of leadership. The latter was looked at from the perspective of Servant Leadership with Mary as the Model of this.

The review in 2010 revealed that Aquinas College has a very high commitment to Service (which includes a Service Day in which the whole school participates in community work and a malaga to a rural village in Fiji) and so the Prefects were very open to the concept of Servant Leadership.

Brother Kevin Dobbyn came down from Auckland for a session on “masks” in which he explored with the Prefects the things we hide from others and ourselves that inhibit our leadership. The face painting technique that Kevin uses was well received and was rated highly in the evaluations.

The session on the first night was devoted to planning of activities that the Prefects hope to achieve this year.

The first session on the second morning was the challenge of High Ropes experience in a beautiful valley just outside the city. The facilitator kept reminding the Prefects that the experience was aimed at getting them out of their comfort zones something they need to do as leaders. It was a challenge the Prefects readily accepted.

The evaluations of the camp were very positive and the College can look forward, I believe, to great leadership from their 2011 Prefects.

Founding of the Institute and Province

Sat, 08 Jan 2011 14:07:12 +1300

Both in Wellington and Auckland 2 January is a special day for us. It is the anniversary in 1817 of the daring step Champagnat took in founding the Little Brothers of Mary. He and the young men of his parish worked together to begin what he always regarded as Mary's work where a growing band of young men worked with the children and young people, first at LaValla and then in parishes beyond, telling them the good news that they are so utterly loved by Jesus and Mary.

It was special in a way for other reasons: it was the first time Br David spoke to the Brothers as provincial and as we move towards a new structure for Oceania, one of the last occasions where we celebrate the founding (in 1916) of the New Zealand Province. It was also Br Nevil Bingley's birthday. Formalities were very brief, and the sunny day and get-together (at least in Auckland) was enjoyed by all.