A New Chapter Begins: Launch of the Association of Champagnat Marists

On the 15 February this year we launched the Association of Champagnat Marists at St Paul’s College. Since then, several participants at that gathering have provided very positive and helpful feedback which has been appreciated. These blogs have been designed to give you some more information about the Association’s purpose and structure as well as provide you with some news about what’s happening in our Champagnat Marist world in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Br Colin Divane

Why the Association?

The purpose of the association is simply to keep the Marist Brothers mission alive in Aotearoa New Zealand. Champagnat Marist education has made a positive contribution to Catholic education since the Marist Brothers first came to Aotearoa New Zealand early in the 19th century and this contribution must continue. At the same time, with their diminishing numbers, the Brothers are increasingly turning to Champagnat Marist men and women to carry the baton forward. This means, contributing to, developing, strengthening and promoting the Catholic and Champagnat Marist character of our Marist schools and communities. It is only by Champagnat Marist men and women working together to foster the mission that the work begun by the Brothers will be continued.

How? You might ask

By joining the Association, you are able to contribute to the mission as an individualand/or by becoming involved in those events and projects that interest you. However, the basic building block of the Association, is the community, small“family” groups we have named Whānau Groups. These small groups may be formed on a geographical basis, or could be project based, but all are made up of Champagnat Marists planning and working together to assess how they might support various parts of the mission.

This might include assistance at a local school, a prayer group, taking on a fund-raising project, assisting with a homework class or could be a group just interested in keeping in touch. Group members will identify the needs of their local area and respond accordingly. For the person who wishes to belong tothe Association as an individual and not be involved in a Whānau Group, this is equally important and very acceptable.

Whanau Communities

In some regions there is an expressed interest in forming a local Whanau community. In Kaikohe, Brothers Martin and Samisoni with Brendan Johnson and others are investigating the possibilities. Also, in Lower Hutt, a Brother has expressed an interest on behalf of som e very interested lay companions who for some years have journeyed together. In Auckland, a Whānau community has already been established in Ellerslie.

Under the guidance of Brothers Colin Divane and Barry Burns, a group gathered at Onslow Ave on Palm Sunday evening. This also provided an opportunity for an open discussion on possibilities of beginning another Whānau Community in Auckland.

The Wider world

The Association is part of the wider global family of Champagnat Marists. This connection offers each of us awonderful way to connect beyond our places of work and ministry. It is a reminder the Holy Spirit works across geographic borders, and we all belong and are part of something much bigger and richer, across eighty countries.

Read more about the larger Champagant Marist network.

Staff new to our schools with some Brothers.

Campion College Gisborne

Campion College in Gisborne is the venue for the meeting of the Champagnat Marist Assistant Principals and Deputy Principals on Thursday 29 & Friday 30 May. APs and DPs from our Champagnat Marist network of schools will meet to explore practical ways of

keeping our founder’s dream alive.

More about Campion College Gisborne.

Next steps

Br Barry Burns and Dan Dungey will make contact with identified Champagnat

Marists who have expressed an interest post launch.

They will hold a Collective Connection via Zoom for potential Whanau Community

Coordinators in the week of 12 May.

Champagnat Marist Volunteers

Volunteering has the power to profoundly change lives. Within the last 12 months we have had our local Champagnat Marists Tony Sinkovich (Fiji), Peter Garrick and Kieran Fouhy

(Samoa) share their gifts for the benefit of our shared mission.

Volunteers and supporters in Samoa.

To seek further information about making a difference through meaningful volunteering please contact Dan Dungey partnership@fmspacific.com

If you would like to learn more about the association, contact us at partnership@fmspacific.com

Read more about the Association.