In the Pacific, the Champagnat Marists continue to play a vital role in nurturing young leaders while emphasising the importance of increasing vocations to our Marist Brotherhood and laity. We recently also celebrated significant milestones, including the 90th birthday of Br Fergus Garrett and the centenary of the Marist Brothers Old Pupils Association in Samoa.
These events highlight our commitment to fostering a strong Marist community that supports both our Brothers and Lay Marists in their mission to make Jesus known and loved.
Champagnat's Charism in Marist Pasifika
Marcellin’s charism continues to inspire men and women across all parts of our Marist Pasifika. It is evident that our Champagnat Marists play a significant role in sharing Marcellin’s charism with young people within our schools. Their dedication and commitment are vital in nurturing the next generation of Marist leaders.
The future of Marist Life and Ministry within our six island countries of the Pacific—Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu—depends heavily on promoting and increasing vocations to our Marist way of life. It is crucial that these countries make visible efforts to promote Marist Brothers Vocations. There have already been commendable initiatives in Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands towards this goal.
The Postulancy Formation Team in Timor Leste Br Matthew Green (Aust) and Paul Kane (Aust) with our Pasifika Postulants L – R: Teweia Orea (Kiribati), John Chipuruka (Solomon Is), Abram Jeremiah (PNG) and Benjamin Alua (PNG).
Welcome Back, Br Frank Hough, to Madang!
We are excited to welcome back Br Frank Hough to Madang! Be Frank arrived last Sunday afternoon after months of patient waiting. Having previously been involved with Divine Word University in Madang, Br Frank is returning to familiar shores.
The Madang community is now complete and is our largest community of Brothers in Pasifika, consisting of six Brothers. The current members include:
Br John Curry: Community Leader and Formator for our temporarily professed Brothers.
Br Mark Kentsi: A supporting member preparing for graduate studies at Divine Word University.
Br Frank Hough: Assisting Br John in formation and employed as a lecturer and university counselor at Divine Word University.
Our three Brothers in temporary vows—Carlvin Rumina, Cyril Benora, and Fereore Melteror—are all pursuing undergraduate studies at Divine Word University.
Br Carlvin and Br Fereore are majoring in Religious Education, while Br Cyril is focusing on Social Work.
Happy 90th, Br Fergus Garrett!
Last Sunday, around 70 Champagnat Marists gathered at the Vatuwaqa Marcellin Community to celebrate Br Fergus Garrett’s remarkable 90th birthday. Attendees included Brothers, Champagnat Marists, members of the Fiji Education Board, and family and friends of the Brothers. Staff members from the local Fiji Times News Bulletin were also present to honour this special occasion.
Fergus Garrett leading the cake cutting event in the presence of Br Kees (community leader), Mr Bill Mar (chair of the Fiji Education Board) and others.
Br Fergus has dedicated his life to serving in Fiji since arriving in 1971, apart from a brief time spent in Samoa and Kenya. Even at 90, Fergus remains active, cooking community meals, tending to his vegetable garden, performing maintenance work, and writing articles on pressing issues in Fiji for local newspapers. He has also led the recent transition of the Early Childhood training program at Corpus Christi College, showcasing that age is no barrier to service and dedication.
Typical Br Fergus reading the chemicals found on a ‘Bongo’ while Br Luke Fong (on home holidays from Brazil), Br Kees and Br Anitelea poses for a photo.
100th Anniversary of the Marist Brothers Old Pupils Association in Samoa (1924 - 2024)
The Marist Brothers Old Pupils Association in Samoa organised a week-long celebration to mark its centenary. The Brothers in Samoa were joined by Brothers Murry Kelly, David Lavin, and Samisoni Talia from Aotearoa New Zealand, as well as Br Damien Shutt from Fiji, to celebrate this significant milestone in the life of the association.
Distinguish Former Students, Brothers and Supports who were the recipient of the Marist Excellence Award. Some of the recipients have passed away and so others represented them.
One of the founding members of this association in 1924 was Olaf Taisi Frederick Nelson, a prominent leader of the MAU Movement—a Samoan nationalistic movement at the time. As part of the celebration, attendees visited and cleaned the graves of our Brothers at Moamoa Catholic Cemetery and Olaf Nelson's grave at Tuaefu.
Madam Prime Minister of Samoa, Afioga Fiame Naomi taking the honours to cut the centenary cake in front of the Government Building. Her dad was the first prime minister of the independent state of Samoa in 1962. He was a former Marist Rugby Club player and distinguish Old Boy.
The festivities included an Opening Mass, a Traditional Welcome (Ava o le Feiloaiga), BBQ and indoor games, a President’s Dinner, a March Pass, a Va’a (canoe) outrigger regatta, a golf tournament, a Music Festival, an Online Tausala (siva/dancing), a Bazaar and Career Day, an Outdoor Sports Day, and a Corporate Dinner celebrating Marist Excellence. The week concluded with an Open Forum on Marist Education, a Closing Mass, and a Toonai (Sunday lunch).
Our Marist Brothers leaders in Samoa - 1) Br Sefo Une (Chair of the Samoa Marist Brothers Trust Board), 2) Br Afaese Afaese (Principal of St Joseph’s College, Alafua), 3) Br Siaosi Ioane (Principal of MBPS – Mulivai during the Marist Forum on Marist Education Samoa.
All fundraising activities were directed towards renovations of the two school halls at St Joseph’s College Alafua and the St Marcellin Hall at Marist Brothers Primary School Mulivai.
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