The Last AMSA Conference - Royal Pines Resort

Earlier this week, 170 delegates from Marist schools around Australia, and those who work in support and leadership of them, gathered for the sixth biennial conference of the Association of Marist Schools of Australia (AMSA) which was held at the RACV Royal Pines Resort at Benowa, in Queensland. 

The Conference Committee organised a rich and engaging programme.  Facilitated by Professor Anne Cummins (from ACU), keynote speakers included the noted Marian theologian Professor Tina Beattie (from the UK), social anthropologist Fr Gerald Arbuckle SM, Aboriginal educator and artist Miriam Rose Ungunmerr (from the NT), Brother David Hall FMS (educator and Chair of the new Province Mission Council), and Fr Kevin Duffy SM (Assistant General of the SMs, from Rome). 

The three days interweaved sessions that dealt with Marian theology, Catholic school leadership, Marist spirituality and education, the place of charism, and some key challenges provided by contemporary Western and Australian society.   As always the days were complemented by a prayer-and-worship programme and warm conviviality.

This conference was the last such conference under the old AMSA banner; the 2013 conference will be an MSA-sponsored gathering.  Brother Julian, addressing the delegates at the end of the conference, highlighted the shared origins of each of the three Marist branches that have been members of AMSA, and assured the Marist Fathers and Marist Sisters schools that, although MSA members will all come from the Champagnat family, the mutual bonds will continue and that the other Marist schools would be welcome in future conferences, not as guests but as family.

RECREATING MARIST LIFE - LAY MARISTS AND BROTHERS TOGETHER

Lay Marists and Brothers gathered recently from around Australia for the 5 day Shared Formation Experience at the Hermitage, Mittagong. Participants explored and reflected upon the XXI General Chapter’s call to live a new relationship between Brothers and Lay Marists, based on communion, searching for a greater vitality of Marist charism for the world. A key area of reflection invited participants to discern what this new relationship looks like and how together we can deepen and grow this new reality in this country.

Lay Marists and Brothers gathered last week from around Australia for the 5 day Shared Formation Experience at the Hermitage, Mittagong. Participants explored and reflected upon the XXI General Chapter’s call to live a newrelationship between Brothers and Lay Marists, based on communion, searching for a greater vitality of Marist charism for the world. A key area of reflection invited participants to discern what this new relationship looks like and how together we can deepen and grow this new reality in this country.

New Australian Marist Province

Read the latest news on the establishment of the new Australian Marist Province by downloading the Nexus publication.

Welcome to Champagnat Week 2011

HERMITAGE FOURVIERE VISIT: MARISTS RENEW THEIR COMMITMENT

On Wednesday 20th April, the Australian Marist Pilgrims followed in the footsteps of the early Marists and climbed to the top of Lyons peak and visited the shrine of Notre Dame de Fourviere. Following mass celebrated by Father John Craddock, SM, the Marists, Brothers and Lay renewed their commitment as Marists and signed a pledge which Father John placed before Our lady.

The following day we visited the shrine of the Black Madonna in Le Puy, returning for the Maundy Thursday ceremonies in the chapel at the Hermitage.

Today we celebrated the Australian Stations of the Cross as we climbed the hill behind the Hermitage;  the sounds of the Gier mingled with the Australian voices, singing hymns and praying, and echoed in the valleys round the Hermitage.