A gathering in Rome

Although the September Meeting of the General Administration with Major Superiors is now some weeks ago, this is the first opportunity to tell you what went on at the gathering.

What follows is necessarily very much in summary form but it will hopefully give some idea of the nature of what was a new structure for the Society. Want to read more?…

17-23 December, the O Antiphons

In the final run up to Christmas we recite or sing a special set of antiphons before the Magnificat during Evening Prayer. Want to read more?…

Jean Craddock at L’Hermitage

Ten years ago Marcellin Champagnat’s was canonized and so, to honour his sanctity and relics, the six-storeyed stone buildings begun by him in 1824 have been renovated to become a sanctuary for pilgrims. Since Easter, 2000 people, including many Kiwis, have come and stayed here at L’Hermitage, Saint-Chamond, near Lyon, France. Want to read more?…

Notes from November Council meeting

At its November meeting the Provincial Council:

• Reflected on Albrecht Koschoke’s ‘The Holy Family and its Legacy’. Religious Imagination from the gospels to Star Wars. Columbia University Press, New York 2003
• Viewed a power-point summary and discussed a report from Brian on the Major Superiors meeting with the General and his Council
• Received a report of Fr John Hannan, Superior General’s visit to New Zealand this year Want to read more?…

All roads don’t have to lead to Hollywood

In terms of movies – especially good foreign ones – few words strike more trepidation into me than “The rights to the Hollywood version have been secured”. Want to read more?…

Cultivation of beauty: Life on the rebound

There is a Maori Proverb Tiakina te ātaahua o te pāua, Cherish the beauty of the paua.  Taken ecologically it means be a kaitiaki (guardian) of pāua, that is take what you and your family need and don’t be greedy!  In that way, the tasty kai that pāua is will be reserved for when you are next hungry.  The stocks will be there when you return next week or next year.  Look after the beautiful food sources that you are gifted with. Want to read more?…

Ministry Seminar

On 18 August at Manurewa there was an unusual Marist gathering. It was called by the “Ministries A” Committee which deals with Parishes and Pastoral Care, and was advertised for any Marist who wanted to come. As the photos indicate, there was a good attendance of confreres from one end of the country to the other. The topic, chosen by the committee, was “Key Themes for an Emerging Church” and was deliberately very general so as to allow the presenters free rein. This meant those arriving for the Seminar were not too sure what they were in for. Want to read more?…

Notes From Council: August / September

At its August Council the Provincial Council

• Reflected on Parker J Palmer, The Active Life. A Spirituality of Work, Creativity and Caring on the topic of ‘The Hidden Wholeness’. Jossey-Bass San Francisco 1990, 29-34
• Discussed current planning for Appointments for 2011
• Continued planning for the second Under 60’s meeting set for November 5-7
• Received and discussed tabled minutes from Finance and Archives’ committees
• Reviewed various communication organs used by the Province with a view to formulating a policy on how best to disseminate information
• Adapted the policy on Jubilees
• Received an update on the development of Maryknoll property
• In Finance: followed normal processes for both Boards; accepted the financial statement from the Marist Messenger for the year ending 31 Jan 2010; noted the settlement date of sale for 288 Oriental Parade being 20 Sept; noted the various grants for communities and ministries.
• Reflected on different confreres and proposals concerning them
• Considered Renewal possibilities and planning for the following years
• Began an initial planning for provincial Retreats for late next year
• Noted the planned meeting for NZ Marists who work with youth set for Pa Maria 7 Oct
• Received a report on Logos and its role with youth in the Diocese of Auckland
• Noted a report on Marist Laity due for November Provincial Council
• Discussed the coming new translation of the missal and the proper information of communities
• Furthered planning for a new Province Centre.

At its September meeting the Provincial Council

• Reflected on the Ordination Rite in the light of Matthew Crawford’s ordination
• Discussed questions around a 2009 Survey of Catholic Religious Institutes in Australia (a preliminary report May 2010) on members, organisation and partnership. Produced by Pastoral Projects Office of Australia Catholic Bishops conference.
• Took a final look at Appointments for 2011
• In Finance received minutes, approved payments and Income and Expenditure (July) for the Trusts; studied a preliminary Actuarial Study asked for by our Chapter 2008; received the financial statements of Church Resources.
• Prepared for the Newsletter
• Agreed to running a survey concerning the Friday Fax and Newsletter asking for suggestions for input, changes and checking the actual need for and/or relevance of each
• Reviewed the Policy on Financial Care of Confreres
• Discussed issues around personnel such as health, visitation and renewal
• Kept the Provincial Retreats 2011 on the agenda, especially who might lead them
• Appreciated that 3 applicants for the seminary are in line for 2011
• Received a review about the Gap year
• Noted that Logos is now registered with the Charities Commission
• Received a report from the Ministry A Provincial committee from its recent meeting concerning parishes / pastoral areas.

Every which way is up!

In the midst of a long cold, wet winter we take relief wherever we can find it.  If that doesn’t include fleeing the country there’s always such alternatives as a good movie, an invigorating stroll along Petone foreshore or a strong coffee.

Not everyone, of course, is as fortunate to have such options available to them.  But sometimes relief comes in other forms, too.

Just recently I had the opportunity to have a play on a new iPad. Want to read more?…

Religious Life on the rebound

I remember when the Council of the Society was held in Wellington. I was a seminarian then and most, if not all, of the provincials journeyed to Greenmeadows to visit the scholasticate. They didn’t come on pilgrimage as we might expect, but rather they seemed to visit as one visits a zoo. Want to read more?…

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