Society of Mary

Marist Fathers New Zealand: Life and spirit

Community involvement

Working in the sacred space of people’s lives is a privilege

Fullness of Life
Directors and founders of the Fullness of Life Centre, Stephen Truscott and Celia Joyce.

Being invited into the sacred space of people’s lives is a privilege says Marist Father, and director of the Fullness of Life Centre, Stephen Truscott.

Fr Truscott made the comment in an interview with Rachel Curry of The Record; a publication of the Archdiocese of Perth.

Around 30 years ago Fr Truscott and Celia Joyce established the Fullness of Life Centre in Perth, Western Australia to help people find their own paths.

The Fullness of Life Centre offers professional supervision, spiritual accompaniment, counselling, staff development, retreats, workshops and employee assistance programmes.

Fr Truscott says his “job” often confuses people in parishes; but there is no line of work in which he’d rather be.

Having worked as a young priest in several Marist parishes in Australia, Fr Truscott describes his work with people through the Fullness of Life Centre as “more engaging” and “not preachy”.

“It is a privilege to be invited into the sacred space of people’s lives in all its messiness”, he said.

“At the end of the day we’re guests on other people’s journeys”.

“A truth told is never the same as a truth discovered.”

Celia Joyce

Co-founder and co-director in the Fullness of Life Centre, Celia Joyce came to the Centre after working as a nurse and mid-wife.

“I loved my nursing, but the busyness of nursing meant there wasn’t always the appropriate care given to people”, she said.

The former mid-wife says she now helps give birth to people’s lives in another way.

“A truth told is never the same as a truth discovered.”

Secure video-conferening outreach

Through the use of secure video-conferencing technology the Fullness of Life Centre now also offers its services in ‘a space’ rather than ‘a place’.

As well as offering a convenient solution for busy people in cities Fr Truscott sees the secure video-conferencing solution as an important outreach to people on the margins, those living in rural and isolated settings, people who are housebound and even people who are living overseas.

“Location no longer limits the space in which clients and service providers meet”, Fr Truscott said.

Fullness of Life Centre welcomes all

The Fullness of Life Centre tries to offers its services to all people, particularly in marginal settings, Fr Truscott says.

The Centre is self-funding and to accommodate people it has a sliding scale of fees.

Fr Truscott and Ms Joyce both retrained to take up their current positions.

Fr Truscott has a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University, Chicago and a PhD from Murdoch University.

Ms Joyce undertook Clinical Pastoral Education at Royal Perth Hospital and Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney. She later established the Pastoral Care Department at Mercy Hospital, now St John of God, Mt Lawley. She has a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University, Chicago.

Sources

  • The Record: Publication of the Archdiocese of Perth, Western Australia
  • Supplied

NZ Marist promotes humane and safe practices on foreign fishing vessels

A change in law helping stamp out inhumane labour and unsafe practices on foreign fishing vessels in New Zealand waters is a victory for the Apostleship of the Sea, (AoS).

New Zealand Director of the Apostleship of the Sea, Fr Jeff Drane SM says there are reports of crews, while in New Zealand waters, being beaten, forced to work for minimal pay, and for days without rest.

foreignfishingvessels500The law change makes foreign fishing vessels subject to New Zealand law and the country a world leader in addressing unsafe and inhumane labour practices for seafarers, he said.

“The legislation making it compulsory for the re-flagging foreign fishing vessels operating in New Zealand waters is a first of its kind in the world”, he told CathNews.

Fr Drane says Fr Bruno Ciceri, a representative of the Apostleship of the Sea International at the Holy See’s Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, and the work of AoS, has helped to convince the New Zealand Government of the need for this legislation.

“Because AoS is a widespread global apostolate we have to address the serious issues of fisheries globally,” Drane said:

  • Fishermen are underpaid and exploited
  • they are subject to physical and sexual abuse
  • they work onboard rusty and unsafe fishing vessels
  • fishing vessels fly under flags of convenience
  • with no adherence to the law of that country, these fishing vessels exploit the fish stocks
  • the indiscriminate taking of fish stocks amounts to theft from properly registered and controlled fishing businesses and, more importantly, theft of fish resources from indigenous peoples.

The AoS and the Catholic Church globally are active in addressing these issues.

In June AoS South Asia is organising a global Fisheries conference in Bangkok and another next year in Taiwan.

AoS New Zealand delegates will be attending both conferences with a view to actions we are able to take.

So far, nine vessels had been reflagged, three were in the process of reflagging and could not fish in New Zealand waters until they had, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy said.

The Minister confirmed about nine had decided not to fish in New Zealand waters.

Sources

Cherry picker helps rural South Westland mission

Fr Michael Mahoney
Fr Michael Mahoney repairing the roof of one of South Westland’s remote rural churches. Picture: Hokitaka Guardian

Mix one cherry picker, a real sense of adventure and top it with a of love for people, and doors open for Marist priest, Michael Mahoney.

The missionary priest who spent 30 years in vibrant Brazil, continues his adventure with the Gospel, but now works in New Zealand’s remote rural South Westland.

For Michael Mahoney, the cherry picker is not only a practical help to maintain several South Westland church buildings, but is an extension of his ministry.

“What I’m doing is a service to the parishioners. People say to me ‘will you clean my chimney or top a tree”, Fr Mahoney told the Hokitika Guardian.

Owned by the parish, use of the cherry picker and Fr Mahoney’s help are not a “Catholics only domain,’ and both priest and machine came into their own last April helping the community in the aftermath of Cyclone Ita.

“People know what the priest represents and who he is; so if he is able to offer assistance to people in their lives it is a means of affirming Christianity”, said Fr Mahoney.

“To have someone doing ordinary work, part time in the community is a means of meeting many people who would never otherwise have contact with religion or a priest.”

An accomplished pianist and composer, parents have also asked Fr Mahoney to teach music to their children.

As services are gradually removed from rural areas, Fr Mahoney believes it is important for the Church to show it cares for country people; affirming their way of life, providing a spiritual presence and moving around in the community.

The parish too gets its fair share of use from the cherry picker and recently Fr Mahoney dealt with the ageing corrugated iron roof of the Hari Hari church for the grand cost of $150.

Calling it a “fix-up job” Fr Mahoney says getting a plumber in would have cost thousands of dollars; money the parish does not have.

Fr Mahoney’s energy and concern has not gone unnoticed, and parishioner, Mrs Jincey Wright, told the Hokitika Guardian that Fr Mahoney’s work was a tribute to his tenacity and commitment to the people.

It is amazing how so much can be achieved with so little, she said.

Sources: