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MAP Marists talk ecology, education and migrants

Marist Unit leaders and deputies from Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Oceania, MAP, met June 19 -21 in Ranong, Southern Thailand.

Some of the matters under consideration included studies, ongoing formation, standardisation of agreements for contracts between each unit, professional standards and finance.

Looking forward, the meeting considered issues such as, ecology and a possible new community working with migrants and education.

The annual meeting of MAP leaders works in a fraternal and collaborative way helping build relationships of trust, support and encouragement.

The yearly event rotates between MAP Marist Units and is an opportunity for each Unit to report on mission progress and discuss further collaboration in the South Pacific and Asia.

While in Ranong, MAP participants took the opportunity to visit the Marist Asia Foundation school in Ranong and the work the Foundation does in HIV-Aids care.

Fr Ben McKenna from the Society of Mary General Administration in Rome was also present.

Image: Marist Fathers Australia

Fundamentalism book takes top international prize

News arrived, Monday, that Fundamentalism at Home and Abroad: Analysis and Pastoral Responses, a book by Fr Gerarld Arbuckle SM won first place in the Professional Books section in the Catholic Press Association USA awards.

Responding to the award, Gerald Arbuckle says he is ‘delighted’ and particularly pleased that a book on contemporary fundamentalism has been so acknowledged internationally.

“I hope the book, in some small way, can contribute to an understanding that fundamentalism in all its forms threatens the very the very peace of the world.

“I also hope it shows we can do something to stop this danger”, he said.

The citation states: “A masterpiece on an ultra-important topic.

Its chapter on Catholic fundamentalism should be produced as a mass-distributed pamphlet for every parish.

Fights the too-loosely-held notion that the opposite of faith is doubt, rather it is certitude.”

In Fundamentalism at Home and Abroad, Gerald Arbuckle argues fundamentalism is not just a radical form of Islam but is a reaction to cultural chaos.

He labels fundamentalists as dangerously simplistic people who look for certainty and who fear a loss of identity.

“While for most people fundamentalism in the modern world has become synonymous with a radical form of Islam, Fundamentalism in many shapes and forms is also very much present in Western societies”, Fr Arbuckle writes.

‘The opposite of faith is not doubt, but certitude.’ Arbuckle not only describes the cultural contexts that generate destructive and deaf certitudes but also proposes many practical and pastoral responses to them. ”

Fr Arbuckle observes that Fundamentalist economic, political, nationalistic, religious movements are rapidly developing in the world today. He is quick to echo Pope Francis, saying that these movements are anti-Gospel.

Reviewing the book, Fr James Lewis Heft, Alton M. Brooks Professor of Religion at the University of Southern California says the book is carefully argued book by a ‘veteran cultural anthropoligist’.

“Someone once remarked, ‘The opposite of faith is not doubt, but certitude.’ Arbuckle not only describes the cultural contexts that generate destructive and deaf certitudes but also proposes many practical and pastoral responses to them,” writes Lewis Heft.

Stephen Bevans SVD, Professor Emeritis of the Catholic Theological Union calls the work “timely”.

In addition, he says that Arbuckle’s sixteen practical pastoral responses to this phenomenon might help reconcile Christians among themselves and people of all faiths and political persuasions.

Gerald Arbuckle is co-director of Refounding and Pastoral Development, a research ministry, in Sydney, Australia.

The award-winning author, the New Zealand Marist priest is internationally known for his expertise in helping church leaders minister effectively in a postmodern world.

The views in Fundamentalism at Home and Abroard are similar to those expressed by Pope Francis to journalists on a plane trip home from 2015 trip to Africa and in letter dated November 2017 Pope Francis acknowledged the gift of Fr Arbuckle’s book.

Fundamentalism at Home and Abroad: Analysis and Pastoral Responses is available in Paperback and Kindle form from Amazon.

Additional source: Catholic Press Association Book Awards

Fr Pius Jones adopted by Aborigine clan

fr pius jones sm painted Garrawurra — A very special few days. Australian Marist, Fr Pius Jones painted on the face as one of the Garrawurra clan.

Australian Marist priest, Fr Pius Jones has been adopted by the Garrawurra people.

“A very special few days” is how he describes his adoption and then attending the funeral of a Garrawurra elder.

The funeral ceremony at Dhumbala, for his adoptive father, was something to behold, Pius Jones wrote to Australian Provincial, Fr Bob Barber SM.

“I sat with the Wawas (brothers) for the ceremonies. Just incredible in their richness and symbolism.”

Pius Jones says it is amazing that all the people there can tell him how he is related to them.

“The most touching part for me was when they called me over to paint me.

“My clan is Garrawurra and they are equal holders of the law/lore of the Yolungu nations. So I was painted on the face as one of the Garrawurra family”, he wrote.

His legs killing him from sitting cross legged all day, Fr Jones says “The enormity of respect they showed me was humbling.”

Source: Marist Fathers Australia

New pilgrim hostel on the Camino an exciting leap of faith

Marist Hostel — Sahagun: Click map to locate Marist pilgrim hostel

The Marist Fathers and Brothers in Europe, April 22, lauched the “Sahagún Project,” a Hostel for pilgrims on the Way of St James, the Camino de Santiago de Compostela.

The hostel or albergue is a place where those walking the pilgrimage can stop for a night, recover and share their experience of the Camino.

Located in Sahagún, an isolated town, it is geographically half way between the French border and Compostella in the French Way.

Although not yet high season, initial reports indicate the hostel is already being well used.

Records show between 20-30 pilgrims stay each night.

In 2016, 176,000 pilgrims received a Compostela certificate of completion from the pilgrims’ office in Santiago.

The formal structure of the Marist hostel is simple, involving,

Pilgrim’s coffee: At 5pm pilgrims gathers and chat over a cup of coffee or tea.
Mass and blessing: Mass is celebrated at 6:30pm each evening in different languages.
Communal dinner: Pilgrims are invited to share food and life with other pilgrims at 8:00pm.

The Europe province calls the initiative an “exciting act of faith” and a sign it is working more creatively beyond national boundaries to meet the needs of international pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela.

The team comprises three of Europe’s youngest Marist priests, Frs Andrea Volonnino, Daniel Fernándes and Toño Fernándes.

Facilities

Formally part of the Santa Cruz monastery of the Benedictine mothers, the Albergue has 50 beds of various configurations available on any given night

7 rooms with 4 bunk beds
1 room with 6 bunk beds
8 rooms with 2 beds: possibility of double/single rooms.

In addition it offers a

sitting room to chat, sit and rest
large dining room where each evening the Marist community and pilgrims share dinner, and in the morning, have breakfast before beginning the next leg of their pilgrimage
courtyard with clothes lines and laundry and where pilgrims relax
a washing machine
basic kitchen with ceramic stove and fridge
beautiful chapel.

Feedback

Open only for a few days, initial feedback on the Camino de Santiago forum is very positive.

Biarritzdon says:

“Here is my shameless salute to the newly opened Benedictine Monastery in Sahagun.

“I hope it will become a “must to” stop like Granon.

“It is clean and welcoming, there are plenty of beds in dorms and private rooms, the Dia across the street allows pilgrims to buy and share salads, roasted chicken, empanadas and an assortment of wine.

“The Marist priests are engaging and mult-lingual and the pilgrims mass before dinner is a real treat.

“A great stop at the mid-point, not to be missed.”

Bala says:

“It is a very special place. I stayed there in April, just a few weeks after they opened, and my thoughts were the same as @biarritzdon, this may well become one of those special spots to be sought out.

“The warm, friendly welcome from the priest who greeted me made me feel immediately at home.

The lovely historic facilities, the stunning church where mass is celebrated, and most of all the conversations, laughter, and fellowship at dinner and in the big living room for “coffee hour” with the priests and other pilgrims are treasured memories.”

Bernard Boisseau SM in EuroInfo writes:

“What a delight it was to witness the start of this Marist community which will welcome many pilgrims mirroring the ‘peripheries’ of our world: Christians on the margins of the Church, seekers for God.”

Sources

Pat Devlin finishes as leader of Marist Asia mission

Pat Devlin Marist Asia — Members of the Marist Asia mission district gather to farewell former District leader, Fr Pat Devlin.

New Zealand Marist, Fr Pat Devlin, May 31, finished his six year term as leader of the Marist Asia Mission district.

The District is particularly grateful to Fr Devlin for bringing it stability; for setting up structures, systems and policies that will sustain it and the Marist priests into the future.

As someone who encouraged his fellow Marists to undertake on-going formation, studies and better equip them for ministry, the District, in a statement on their website, says Fr Devlin has harnessed the potential and gifts of its members.

“We are very grateful to Fr Pat for the many good things he has done in our District over the past 6 years. We thank him for sharing his life and gifts to the people of Asia. We will be forever grateful for what he is and will be to our District.”

Shortly, Fr Devlin travels to Rome and becomes Secretary General of the Society of Mary.

His appointment comes at the request of Superior General, Fr John Larsen, also of the District of Asia.

On June 1, Fr Chris Ganzon became the new Marist Asia District leader.

Source

Marist Asia

Br Denis O’Brien joins Marist mission in Ranong

Denis O'Brien Ranong — Gil Casio SM (Philippines), Laura McLellan (NZ), Katie Fisher (NZ), Hermes Sabud SM (Philippines), Kru Luk (Thai), Aleisha Keating (NZ), Denis O’Brien SM (NZ), Frank Bird SM(NZ)

Brother Denis O’Brien, arrived Monday, in Ranong, Thailand to join the Marist Mission team.

He was welcomed at a breakfast with the volunteers Tuesday morning at one of the oldest houses in Ranong.

A 70 year old, Br Denis celebrates his 50th Jubilee of Marist Religious life this year. He plans a two year period of mission in Ranong.

In New Zealand, Br Denis’ primary ministry has been in Māori Pastoral Care, and most recently he worked in Otara, Auckland.

The Marist Mission Ranong, officially called the Marist Asia Foundation responds to the education, health and migrant worker needs of the Burmese community living in Ranong including

Education for over 200 Burmese migrant children.
An HIV AIDS community-based health project for 75 individuals and their families.
Support programmes for hundreds of Burmese migrant workers.

The Marist Asia Foundation also works with Thai government authorities, other non-governmental organisations and the local Thai and Burmese community.

Ranong is a fishing village in the South of Thailand, located opposite the southernmost town of Burma/Myanmar.

This makes it a significant border crossing town.

The latest estimates suggest Ranong has up to 120,000 Burmese migrants, most of whom work in the fishing industry.

Along with a number of Thai, Burmese and international volunteers, Br Denis joins fellow Marists, Fathers Frank Bird, Gil Casio and Hermes Sabud in the mission.

Source: CathNews