Messenger Briefs

December

Six Sisters of Mercy and a Marist priest from one family

In the Celebrating 90 Years section of the July MM, it was mentioned on p. 41 that in the February 1942 issue, six daughters from the McDonnell family of Greymouth became Sisters of Mercy, a son became a Marist priest, the eighth wanted to become a religious but decided instead to look after her mother, and that “no mention was made of what happened to the ninth child”. A reader, Mrs Neroli Kay, wrote, “I can tell you that the ninth child was Edward, my grandfather. He married Emily Roche and they had 8 children, one of whom was my father Stan. Emily (Roche) McDonnell had a brother, Father James Roche SM, and a sister, Veronica, who became a Sister of Mercy, Sister M Therese”.

A new parish in Digos, Philippines

On 8 September 2019, Bishop Guillermo Afable of Digos, Philippines, installed Fr Christopher Ganzon SM as parish priest and Fr Pat Muckian SM as parish vicar of the newly erected parish of Our Lady of Fatima in Matti, Digos City. Marists in the district of Asia have ministered in the diocese since 2004.

Feature Articles

Wednesday 1 January(0)

January 1, 2020

MARY, MOTHER OF GOD (S)

World Day of Prayer for Peace

Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21

Pondering

The Magnificat is considered one example of Mary’s way of praying. Today’s gospel shows us how Mary prayed over her experiences in life: people she met and events that happened.… More

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Blue Christmas

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

Marists in Ranong – Critical Times

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

Walking the Ignatian Camino

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

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