Society of Mary

Marist Fathers New Zealand: Life and spirit

Well, what a surprise

Some may call it surprising, for others it’s synchronicity when New Zealand Marists, Chris Skinner, Dave Kennerley, Arthur Toothill and John Craddock all met up in France.

Marist Places - Chris Skinner, David Kennerley, Arthur Toothill and John Craddock
Chris Skinner, David Kennerley, Arthur Toothill and John Craddock standing before the newly renovated buildings which St Marcellin Champagnat and our first Brothers built in the mid-1820s. Behind the windows of the second floor is a large room which was the centre for the first General Chapter of the Little Brothers of Mary in 1839, at which Fr Jean Claude Colin presided, and at which Brother Francois Rivat was elected Director General.

The story goes like this.

While in Sainte Foy-Les-Lyon Arthur went by train to see John at Saint Chamond. When Arthur arrived, he found Chris, and David there as part of the Marist renewal programme.

It was however a short-lived meeting as the following day they went their own ways again to various Marist Places. Chris and Dave went with their group to to La Neyliere and John took Arthur by car to La Valla.

John Craddock is working, for three years, as a chaplain for an international community of eight Brothers and four Marist Laity.

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