Society of Mary

Marist Fathers New Zealand: Life and spirit

Spirituality

“Pray the News” launches

The Marist’s Pa Maria  Ministry provide a number of ways for busy people to grab moments of tranquility and to use them to look at the world with new eyes.

On Tuesday Pa Maria launched Pray the News, an Internet-based service that provides an opportunity to see the news with fresh eyes.

[Read more…] about “Pray the News” launches

Pa Maria

The new ministry at 78 Hobson Street has chosen to be called Pa Maria.

This ministry:

  • provides opportunities for individuals and groups associated in any way with the Society of Mary to develop the practice of the spirit and spirituality of the Society,
  • builds up self-sustaining networks and groups inspired by the Colinian spirit and spirituality
  • provides a place imbued with the Marian spirit for individuals and groups to meet, reflect, pray and make retreats

Denis O’Hagan asked Richard Puanaki to suggest a name. After consulting his family he suggested Pa Maria and provided the following explanation:

Maria, is of course a Maori transliteration of Mary. In addition to its well known meaning of stronghold or fortress Pa also means to be touched or to come close to, be near; e.g. Ka pa te mamae ki ahau (the sorrow touched me/the sorrow was felt by me).

Richard added that he thought this name would be easy to pronounce and spell and that it would “trip off the tongue”.

So Pa Maria denotes a secure place where people can come close to and be touched by Mary.

Emmaus Spirituality Ministry

When Futuna closed the spirituality and retreat ministry moved to 78 Hobson Street which had until then been the Provincial Offices and Residence—it changed to being called Emmaus.

This year Emmaus, the Spirituality and Directed Retreat Ministry of Jim Dooley and Sr Lyndall Brown has moved with the name Emmaus to new premises in Harriett Street, Thorndon, Wellington.