Marist Messenger

By Fr. Brian O’Connell

On 16 April 2009 at the National Archives Wellington NZ, the rich tones of the putatara (Maori trumpet) rang through the large foyer where was assembled a gathering of academics, diplomats, prelates and assorted Marists.The animated buzz of conversation died away as the formal welcome was underway. The centre of attention was the table displaying the ten volumes of the collection Letters Received from Oceania (LRO) and their compiler Fr Charles Girard sm. Read more »

Father Gerard Burns has had all criminal charges against him dropped by the NZ police after his paint and blood protest directed at an Israeli monument. Read more »

In his homily, the Holy Father explained how the Easter vigil shows the meaning of the Resurrection through three symbols: “light, water, and the new song – the Alleluia”. Read more »

by Elizabeth Isichei

If you ask a Coptic Christian when his church was founded, he will tell you that it began with the Flight into Egypt. Read more »

Fr Damian Dempsey sm called into the Messenger Office and spoke to us about the Marist mission in Ranong.

Read more »

10 years and still going strong…
by Centre Director Vanessa Lawgun

In 1999, at Hato Petera College, a vision was launched by the Marist Brothers to begin a ministry to help young people who were not succeeding in mainstream school and were at risk of missing out on their education. Read more »

by Christina Reymer
“My volunteer experience was one I will never forget.” Yvonne Powley of Auckland, a freelance researcher in Pacific development, took up the challenge offered by Mahitahi in 2006-07 to go to Kiunga, Papua New Guinea. Read more »

Saint Hannibal was born in Messina, Sicily, in. the third of four children, he lost his aristocratic father when he was only fifteen months old. Read more »

Saint Aloysius was born in 1568 in Northern Italy, the first-born son of the reigning Marquis Ferdinand Gonzaga. Even as a small child, he loved to spend time in prayer. Read more »

Irenaeus was reputedly born in Proconsular Asia in the first half of the second century. It is certain that, while still very young, Irenaeus had seen and heard the holy Bishop Polycarp at Smyrna. Read more »

This flower painting was sent by Victor to a New Zealand correspondent. He is currently on Death Row at Kabwe Maximum Security prison Zambia, on a charge of aggravated robbery, which he disputes. Read more »

by Fr John Kelly ocso

This is the 24th and last article in the series by Fr Kelly, who next month starts a new series on prayer.
According to Vatican II all of us have the Holy Spirit. But what is he doing in our lives? He lives in us with the Father and the Son. Read more »

“Rachel mourns for her children; she refuses to be consoled because her children are no more. Thus says the Lord: “Cease your cries of mourning. Wipe the tears from your eyes. The sorrow you have shown shall have its reward. There is hope for your future.” (Jeremiah 31: 15-17)
by Colleen Bayer (Family Life International)
During the month of May, we celebrate Motherhood; we celebrate the glorious and divine motherhood of Mary Mother of God, Mother of our Church, Mother of us all.
Very sadly for more than 18,000 women in New Zealand every year, there is a hidden grief – a dark pain in their heart, a secret that is often too shameful and guilt-ridden to share. Read more »

by Neil Vaney sm
A Story and an Appeal
“So my brothers and sisters, our whole business in this life is the healing of the eye of the heart, that eye with which God is seen.” St Augustine of Hippo, Sermon 88,5

When Ruth Schafers, just three years widowed, left Canada in January 2007, she felt she had slipped her heart’s anchor. Read more »

by Elizabeth Isichei
“Acedia is a most grievous sin and yet it is hardly known to anyone.”
-Thomas of Chabham, d 1236
I was talking to a very spiritual Catholic friend the other day, and I asked her if she had ever heard of acedia. She said, yes, she had, and it was one of the medicines her husband is currently taking!
Acedia (sometimes spelt accidie) is not a remedy but a spiritual sickness, closely related to sloth and depression. Read more »

A group of American tourists were travelling in the Outback of Australia, when they came upon a young Aboriginal man kneeling with his ear to the ground near some tyre tracks on a dusty side road. Read more »

Last Sunday I baptised a beautiful baby girl. When we were all gathered at her home to share food together she was in her little bed in the middle of the room, and although there was lots of noise she was peacefully asleep. Read more »

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Br Mark Creighton sm
1934 -2009

From the homily by Fr Don Hamilton sm
When we look at Mark’s life as a Marist religious, we can marvel at its simplicity and its profoundness. Read more »

Recently Deceased: Mrs W.W. Veldman, Maggie James, Eileen Malone, Fr John Morris, Norman McLeod, Fr Pat Holland
In Memoriam: June 1st Ye Tung (Thomas) Cheng, Fr Con Stapleton, Lois Mary Hurley. 2nd Mons Tom Hogan, Alex Walshe. Read more »