Fr Mike McVerry SM has a lot to be grateful for to Caritas Australia after their help in funding the hydro-electric power system at Tutu, Taveuni, Fiji.
The hydro system is a vital resource for the Marist Training Centre at Tutu as well as several other Marist communities including the novitiate of Oceania province.
The Marist Training Centre provides practical training in agricultural skills for the young farmers of Taveuni as well as periodic, live-in formation programs for married couples and families.
The New Zealand born Marist is a member of the Oceania province and is in Australia for several weeks to assist Caritas in its annual Lenten appeal, Project Compassion. He is speaking to schools and parish groups in several dioceses in NSW, Victoria and ACT including Maitland, Sydney, Canberra-Goulburn and Sandhurst.
Fr Mike is well known across the Pacific not only for pioneering the Tutu project but for his work in the development and leadership of the Worldwide Marriage Encounter movement in Oceania.