Dear Friends of Champagnat.

I would like to dedicate this newsletter to the memory of the late Brother Paul Lavelle. And in doing so, I must begin by extending to you all, my sincere thanks, for the great love shown by so many, in your expressions of sympathy, your comforting presence and the beautiful way the Carew Street community house was prepared to receive Brother Paul's body for the prayer service. And that thanks comes on behalf of all the Brothers as well as Hugh Lavelle, Brother Paul's brother. The help we received in so many ways, was the embodiment of the Family Spirit, so much a pillar of the Spirit of St Marcellin. Vinaka vaka levu once again to you all.
I would like to share with you in this issue, some tributes made to Brother Paul. May I begin by directing you to the website of the Marist Old Boys in Sydney. Marist Old Boys Sydney
This is a beautiful tribute, along with photos, well worth reading. My thanks to them.

And more tributes.....

Dear Brother Kees and the Marist Brothers,
We, the family members of St Marcellin Champagnat Sector in Natokowaqa, Lautoka, send our deepest condolences with heartfelt prayers for the sudden demise of the late Brother Paul last week, Thursday 7th August 2009.

We remember Brother Paul for his great assistance and kind consideration whenever the feast of St Marcellin draws near for our Mass preparation in Lautoka, enabling our family members in our sector to fully participate in the Holy Mass with Hymns and Reading of the Gospel. Brother Paul was very instrumental and very supportive with our preparations, ever since the approval by the Marist Brothers to name our sector after St Marcellin Champagnat, and this means a lot to us. We will miss him very much.

Though we are not there with the rest of the Champagnat families to celebrate the Mass of the Resurrection for the late Brother Paul, we are all with you in spirit through prayers.
May Brother Paul's soul rest in peace.

Frances Lee, St Marcellin Champagnat Community, (Area 16) NATOKOWAQA, LAUTOKA.

Brother Paul Lavelle F.M.S.

This Marist man came into our lives only 3 years ago but in those years through telephone conversations and written correspondence he encouraged a great focus on the Sacrament of Love and to live love by being in the footsteps of St Marcellin Champagnat.

In our conversations and our written communications, Brother Paul constantly encouraged us to go to Jesus and Mary to feel comfortable in the footsteps of Champagnat. We are so thankful that he warmly gave us an attitude of gratitude (like his). We share this as we gather in our chapel to coincide with your Eucharistic Farwell to our great missionary zealots of Christian love in action and an occasionally good judge of rugby. Eternal paradise will be his and those who emulate Brother Paul Lavelle F.M.S. by living his Gospel values.

As we send our sympathy and prayerful thanksgiving to you we are so grateful for our great time in Suva and the Blessings and inspirations we received.
Fraternally for now

Ken Riley MBE. Executive Director, Queensland Hibernian Society

From Brother Clarent in Auckland.

Paul and I had a long period of friendship bound by steel. A man with a sense humour - openness and welcome to all be it with community - Marist ministries or church or rugby opportunities-special thanks for his visits and phone calls when I returned from Fiji. Blessings to ALL.
Brother Clarent.

A sad loss to all of us who have come to know this good man.
Br Paul Lavelle's life was one that was dedicated to service.
Service to his work.
Service to his family.
Service to the community.
Service to the country he has come to call home.
Service to God.

He was a kind man.
He had a noble heart.
He was generous to the fullest of the word.
We give thanks to God for his life.

Moce toka mada Brother Paul.
Vinaka, Isimeli Bola, Colonial Fiji

Dear Sam and brothers of Paul,

The news that brought the reality of Paul's death deeply affected us brothers here at St Pauls. It did not seem that long since he had had a meal with us when he came to converse all things Fiji with Clarent. We recall how the mounting probing questions to Clarry brought a mild grin and twinkle to his' eye, anticipating a masterly evasive answer from the ancient one.
He was a good friend. He spoke brotherly things with sincerity and empathy. We didn't expect him to move out of our lives so soon.

I think we all held him in high regard conscious of the fact that he wore many Marist hats there in Suva and that his quiet influence moved in many directions. We ask...who assumes the tasks which he carried so efficiently? God knows. We'll leave it to him knowing that Paul has been the good and faithful servant. Paul's brothers who now come to pray and bury him. We keep you in our thoughts at this very sad and difficult few days.
May God go with you.
From the brothers at St Pauls.....

Bula Kowase
Isa sa leqa e dua na duruvesi ni Marist Brothers e Viti.
Sa ra mai takali yadudua vakamalua tiko o ira na baraca e da donuya.Era biuta mai nodra vanua kei na vuvale me ra mai vakatavulici keda e Viti.
We are all better because of the Brother's teachings. We can't thank the Marist Brothers enough for the good they have done to our country. We should be proud, thankful and blessed to be associated with the Brothers. They have taught us a lot.

May Brother Paul, Vo rest in peace.
Loloma.
Diri.

Deepest sympathy on the death of Paul.

The Lavalla Old Boys - Denis, Pat and Paul, Peter Hokinson and his wife, Marian, Graham McKee, Bernie Foley, Sam's brother Bob Eathorne and Brian Moran (Tuakau in the early 50s) - we're in the middle of our monthly dinner at our place when we received the news. Our nearest Marist neighbour, Denis T. from Paul's homeland - West Plains and Invercargill - is passing through.

Memories of our Brothers in Fiji, among them, Eugene, Clem, Theo, Bertrand, Cletus and now Paul - you are certainly in our thoughts and prayers at this time.

With affection, admiration, prayers and thanksgiving for Paul and for yourselves.
Marist Christchurch, Denis, Pat and Paul..

Above, Hugh Lavelle, Paul's brother from Invercargill

These are just some of the many beautiful tributes we have received since Brother Paul passed away. The assurances of prayers, and the wonderful memories evoked by the many tributes, have been a source of great comfort to us, his brothers, and the members of Brother Paul's immediate family. May they comfort you who are also part of Paul's family, his CHAMPAGNAT Family.

Rest in Peace, dear Brother Paul.

Br Kees van der Weert

Champagnat Associates' Newsletter No. 5/2008 August 2008
Marcellin Centre,
P.O. Box 5448, Raiwaqa, Suva,
Fiji Islands.