A Catholic Monthly Magazine

A Short History of the Marist Brothers (Comments Off)

Part 4 of 4

If we Marists can pride ourselves on our progress and achievements in the middle of last century, I don’t think we can do as much in the field of inter-Marist relations. Our congregations have, for the most part, gone their separate ways, with little contact except at the levels of leadership and local missionary activities and the occasional celebration.… More

Fr John Thornhill SM (Comments Off)

Born in Brisbane, 13 May 1929
Professed, 2 February 1949
Ordained, 30 October 1955
Died in Sydney, 28 July 2019

Tribute by Fr Thomas Ryan SM

Among the many cameos of John’s life in the funeral eulogy of his nephew Eric Robinson, what stood out were the deep affection and love that were, and are, part of his family.… More

Fr John Lopdell Mori SM (Comments Off)

Born in Napier, 5 May 1943
Professed at Highden, 7 January 1963
Ordained, 1 July 1967
Died in Napier, 24 July 2019

Although John was born in Napier, his family later moved to Wellington. He was educated at the Petone Convent School and St Patrick’s College town.… More

Fr (Patrick) John O’Neill SM (1)

Born in Fairlie, 19 September 1926
Professed, 4 February 1944
Ordained, 17 December 1950
Died in Wellington, 28 August 2019

John O’Neill was small of stature but large of intellect, a high achiever who led a humble and simple life; one who confidently engaged with political and educational leaders, but gave his life to teaching young people at school; an intellectual with two Masters degrees, one from Victoria University (NZ) and one from Cambridge University (UK), who happily lived a quiet religious life.… More

The Hope and Promise of Christmas (Comments Off)

The sad list of what’s wrong with our world goes on and on. Christmas does not change the fact that many people live in desperate poverty. Children die of malnutrition and the gap between the rich and poor grows by the minute.… More

The message of Christmas (Comments Off)

Like the shepherds who first went with haste to the stable, let us halt in wonder before the sign that God has given us: “A baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12). In silence, let us fall to our knees and worship.… More

Climate Change – A Modern Day Plague (Comments Off)

The growing threat of climate change reminds me of two Old Testament readings. The first is a warning and the second is a consolation.

The warning is given in Exodus. When Moses asked the Pharaoh to let the Israelites go, and the Pharaoh said no, God sent nine plagues  – water turns to blood, the plague of frogs, mosquitoes, horseflies, death of livestock, boils, hail, locusts and darkness – and the Pharaoh still said “no”.… More

The Bugey (Comments Off)

in Early Society of Mary History

Part 2 of 2

Text and photos by the Editor

The Marists conducted missions in 27 parishes in the Bugey region of France between 1825 and 1829. The first three were in La Balme, Corlier and Izenave (see last month’s MM). … More

Fr Jean Baptiste Petitjean SM ‘Parish Priest to all New Zealand’ (Comments Off)

Part 2 of 3

On 11 December 1841, Fr Jean-Baptiste Petitjean wrote to the founder of the Marist order, Fr Jean-Claude Colin, from Kororāreka in The Bay of Islands. In his letter Fr Petitjean recalled his first days as a Marist missionary.… More

Marists in Ranong – Critical Times (Comments Off)

Our Marist Mission in Ranong, Thailand, has been supporting Burmese Migrant children and families since 2006. In early September we have had some challenges that remind us just how vulnerable Burmese Migrants are. An order was issued from the Department of Labour in Bangkok to search and scan all 10 Burmese Migrant Learning Centres in Ranong.… More

MM 50 Years Ago (Comments Off)

First Mass, and First Christian Service, in Aotearoa New Zealand

In our issue for May, 1967, Professor John Dunmore, of Massey University, an authority on the French explorers of the Pacific, first proposed the view that the first Mass (and, ecumenically speaking, the first Christian service) in New Zealand, was said by the Dominican chaplain of de Surville’s ship, Saint Jean-Baptiste, at Christmas, 1769, at Doubtless Bay, not far from Kaitaia.… More

A Christmas Letter (Comments Off)

Two thousand years ago, a special baby was born far away in a town called Bethlehem. The baby’s name was Jesus. His parents were travelling at the time of his arrival, and the only shelter for them was a place where animals were kept.… More

2019 ACPA Awards (Comments Off)

St Patrick’s Basilica Renewed (Comments Off)

Tented scaffolding has been erected around St Patrick’s Basilica in Macandrew Rd, Dunedin, as part of a $1.7 million preservation project.

St Patrick’s redevelopment committee chairman, Sean Toomey, says the current work involves earthquake-strengthening, removing the roof to fix leaks and install new damp-proof floors.… More

Blue Christmas (Comments Off)

Tips for Dealing with Holiday Sadness

Though the December holiday season inspires feelings of warmth, belonging, connection and joy for many people, there are others for whom the month is one of increased stress, sadness, anxiety, loneliness and depression. Their experience is called a ‘blue’ Christmas, something described by the Urban Dictionary this way: “It means to have a sad Christmas, perhaps because you are away from family or alone, or even filled with thoughts of a happier time that brings tears to your eye.… More

Walking the Ignatian Camino (Comments Off)

Part 2 of 2

Marian Shrines on the Camino

In May-June 2019 I walked the Ignatian Camino -- camino ignaciano -- in northern Spain. This walk is different from the caminos that go to Santiago de Compostela in the north-west of Spain, because the camino ignaciano goes east towards Barcelona.… More

January Saints (0)

Blessed William Joseph Chaminade
(1761-1850)

Born in Périgueux, France, William Joseph Chaminade was the second youngest of 15 children in a deeply Christian family. At age ten, he went to the College of Mussidan where he remained for 20 years. He made private vows of poverty, chastity and obedience in 1775, and was ordained a priest ten years later.… More