Marist Asia Archives - Society of Mary

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

Trust, respect, openness and the Marist Mission Ranong

Trust and Marist Mission Ranong — Fr John Jolliffe working with Burmese students at the Marist Mission Ranong

“I enjoyed being Marist in the pastoral and mission-minded team of Marist confreres” writes Fr John Jolliffe SM.

John is commenting about his recent 4 week experience of Marist Mission in Ranong, a Southern Thailand fishing village.

After many years of pastoral ministry in New Zealand John Jolliffe is currently on a period of renewal and part of that time he spent with the Marist Mission in Ranong; a fishing village on the border of Thailand and Myanmar.

The Marist Mission in Ranong works among the Burmese seeking refuge in Thailand and provides

education as a key to development out of poverty and into leadership
care for HIV patients by personal home visitation, medical education, and
by practical assistance in dealing with agencies and government.

Having worked for 18 years in the local churches of the Tokelau Islands, Western Samoa and American Samoa, John approached the Ranong mission with some experience of what it means to work in a culture which is not his own.

However, while feeling very much at home again in this mission environment, in an article on the Marist Asia Foundation website, John Jolliffe quickly recognises the mission differences and acknowledges the range of cultures, difficult-to-learn languages, new relationships and the general demands of coping with life in Thai society.

What follows is some of what John Jolliffe wrote. His full piece is on the Marist Asia Foundation website.

Marist Mission

The true Marist heart of Marist Asia Foundation is clearly evident, given and received. The fact that the Burmese refugees we work among are mainly Buddhist, with a few Muslims and only a handful of Christians, adds a unique and respectful dimension to that interesting experience.

Education

Another special joy for me was how the On-Line University students were so happy to trust us and our responses.

To be trusted to listen alongside these migrants as they struggled to clarify their own thoughts and their hearts’ deep desires with such openness, honesty and passion is a specially privileged Marist memory I will prayerfully reflect on further.

I realized that, even there in the context of coping with difficult Burmese and Thai languages, I have much to learn again even in English!

Health

Visiting with Fr Gil Casio and his health team some HIV families in their poor lodgings, listening as they willingly shared their personal stories in eager and much appreciated dialogue (I knew only the visible emotions in their nonverbal communication), also exposed me to a variety of human struggles and caring interactions important for ongoing reflection and prayer.

Source: Marist Asia Foundation

Marist mission in Ranong punching well above its weight

The Marist mission in Ranong, on the Thai-Burma border enjoyed and exception 2015.

In an area where many experience oppression, few job opportunities, HIV/AIDS and lack the opportunity for education, the Marist mission in Ranong continues to punch well above its weight.

It is estimated there are over 160,000 Burmese refugees and over 1 million Burmese migrant workers seeking work in Thailand, and the latest estimates suggest Ranong alone has up to 140,000 Burmese migrants, most of whom work in the fishing industry.

Working in the fishing industry is tough work in Thailand, but more-so when you’re a migrant worker.

In 2015 the Marist mission in Ranong, officially called the Marist Asia Foundation, continues to make a difference. It

helped and supported 75 adults and children living with HIV/AIDS
ran a pre-school where all 75 pre-school children will start primary school
enjoyed an 83% retention rate of their year 4 secondary school students
succeeded in getting 90% of year 4 secondary students enrolled in the English programme
supported and educated 12 “University Online Diploma” students
enabled all the 2015 ACU university graduates to gain employment.

The Marist Asia Foundation also provided English and computer classes to help migrant workers gain more skills, enabling their likelihood of a better future.

“The more we learn about our students and migrant families the more we recognise the large obstacles and their hunger for education as a step to a brighter future”, said Fr Kevin Medillo, leader of the Marist mission in Ranong.

New Zealand Marist, Fr Frank Bird who works primarily in the school shares a similar view.

“Probably the greatest achievement is seeing 200 Burmese migrant children coming to the Marist Centre every day, safe, smiling, enjoying learning, and growing in self-confidence and hope”, he said.

Source: Marist Asia Foundation