Nino Memorial, Roque Rebito, Daniel Fernandez, Thilo Saft, John GuoWang and Philip Bennenbroek have have just finished their retreat in preparation for their profession on the fest of the Annunciation, March 25. 2010.

Fr George Duggan

Ordained aged 22 and only after permission from the Holy See, George is the oldest living Marist Priest in the World.

Throughout his ministry, George has been labeled by no less than “The Tablet” as a “Defender of the Faith”. Most noted as a Professor of Dogmatic Theology at Mount St Mary’s Seminary, George also lectured in Philosophy and Church History.

George has been a wonderful, wise and compassionate confessor to many over the years.

Known at the age of 85 to have asked permission for a new typewriter because he had worn out the keys on his old one, George, until recently had regular correspondence with many of the country’s newspaper editors and their correspondents.

Longevity is obviously in the genes, as George is the nephew of the late Fr Francis Rasmussen SM, who also reached in excess of 95 years of age.

Gerry Arbuckle

Each year the Hall sponsors the four lectures in the University. Previous givers have included Raymond Brown, Archbishop John Quinn of San Francisco and Avery Dulles. This is a real honour for Gerry and the Society.

Co-director of the Sydney-based Pastoral and Refounding Development Unit, Gerry, is on a short sabbatical at Oxford University, UK, to do research for a new book in which he aims to clarify how Catholic identity can be maintained in ministries within our postmodern world.

His latest book, “Culture, Inculturation, and Theologians: A Postmodern Critique”, is to be published in September by Liturgical Press, USA.

Superior General, Fr John Hannan is greeted by Pope Benedict

As well as being a great opportunity to welcome the new General within the first year of his taking office, his visit has special significance in that it will be the first formal Visitation of the Province by a General since the days of Fr John Jago, some 16 or more years ago.

Fr Hannan is keen to have the opportunity to meet individually with each Marist while he is here; there will also be Regional Marist Meetings with him.

Phil Cody is taking responsibility for organising the timetable for John’s visit..

Craig will be home for a month or so in the middle of this year and during that time will attend the 125th Jubilee of St Patrick’s College, Wellington.

Well known for decades of musically-oriented ministry Fr Kevin took leave of Holy Name of Mary parish, Hunters Hill, NSW, to help international confreres focus on key Marist issues.

Throughout the course of the Chapter Fr Kevin put daily themes into song, mirroring to the delegates the issues they were addressing.

The songs are now available on the recently-released CD, ‘Threads’. As well as skillfully capturing the Chapter themes the album combines gentle melodies, classic modes and up-beat tunes offering easy listening and Marist insights for all.

Source: Marist Fathers Australia

From left: Sam Mano, Sione Mohenoa, Tash Tamiano, Panama Teli, Joe Tupou’vea, Lomz Brown and Francis Fehoko.

Eight-piece group Unknown Peace, many of whom work together too, at the Logos-Young and Catholic youth centre in Newton, beat the odds to come out on top at the traditionally rock-dominated Battle of the Bands national finals recently.

“We were the underdogs,” says drummer Lomz Brown.

“There were some pretty fierce bands that played that night,” says vocalist and band manager Sam Mano.

The group’s first place prize includes band gear and the chance to record a single and hit the road for a national tour this year.

After making it through three rounds of competition, the group faced yet another challenge on the night of the final at the Kings Arms Tavern when they drew the card to play last.

But even the 2am time slot didn’t dampen the spirit of their family and friends who stayed on to support them.

The band put their success down to their fun performance style.

“There’s performers and there’s entertainers,” says trumpet and keyboard player Panama Teli. “We’re entertainers.”

“We really love to get the crowd going and portray the message of our songs,” says Sam.

Although they’re new as a band, the members have a long history.

“We’ve all been friends for a long time,” says drummer and vocalist Sione Mohenoa.

After they formed temporarily for the KFC – Sounds from Your Hometown competition in May 2008 the band say they were all so “hyped” they carried on.

To win the prestigious national competition after being together for only a year is “massive”, says Sam.

“It’s pretty extreme because this time last year none of us expected we’d be gearing up for a national tour.”

Hailing from all over central and south Auckland, the band say they are like family.

Their love for working with youth shows through in their songs.

“A lot of us had experience and passion for helping youth and young people,” says Lomz.

“Our music’s really positive and people can really enjoy it.”

Sam says the message of peace is what the band is all about.

“It’s really easy to write music about sex, love and relationships,” he says.

“Our challenge is to write music that inspires and encourages young people, that’s uplifting.”

Source: Harbour News

Another change this year is the impact of the 2008 New Zealand Provincial Chapter decision which reduces the number of Provincial Councillors to four.

The Elections are in the hands of the Election Committee of Rowan Donoghue (Chair), Brian Wysocki and Matt Morris. The election for Provincial will commence April 12, with the last day of voting being Friday 24.

Once a Provincial-Elect has been voting for a new Council will begin.

Petelo Sanele, Patolo Matiasi, David Kennerley, John Hannan (in front), Chris Skinner, Pius Jones on the steps at Manziana

The twenty participants are drawn from the four congregations. Our confreres attending are: Roger Kasiama (Africa), Pius Jones (Australia), Chris Skinner (New Zealand), Patolo Matiasi (Oceania) and Petelo Sanele Sekeme (Oceania).

The directors of the program are Barry Burns fms, Marie Challacombe sm, David Kennerley sm, and Janice Ruff smsm. The central aim of the five months is to accompany the participants in a midlife journey of Christ-centred transformation for mission. In June they will make a pilgrimage to the Marist places in France.

Phil Bennenbroek

At the conclusion of the novitiate he will return to Hopetoun Street to continue his studies. Please remember him in your prayers, especially as he prepares for Profession.

Phil grew up in a Catholic family in a small rural town called Pokeno, just south of Auckland in New Zealand.  He studied electronics and computer technology and worked in New Zealand for 11 years before doing my “O.E” (Overseas Experience) in London for three and a half years.  While there, I worked as a software developer and lived in a lay Augustinian community, which is where I got my first taste of community life with all its joys and challenges.

When he returned to NZ in 2006, he started his own business as an I.T. contractor, then, in 2007, moved into the Catholic Discipleship College community in Auckland where he worked part time.  It was during this year that he began to discern more closely the possibility of joining the Society of Mary and becoming a Marist Priest.

Phil says, “I didn’t have any idea at that time that I’d be living in the Philippines within 2 years!  If I had, I probably would have said, “Thanks, but it’s not for me”.  However, here I am and loving it.  It just goes to show that we often don’t know what we will enjoy, or what we are capable of, until we give it a go.”