The newly elected Star of the Sea Provincial Council gathered for its first meeting, marking a significant moment as it begins shaping the direction of the Province for the next three years. The Council comprises Br Darren Burge (Provincial), Br Ken McDonald (Vice Provincial and Provincial Delegate, Pasifika), Br Peter Horide (Provincial Delegate, Aotearoa New Zealand), Br Greg McDonald (Provincial Delegate, Timor-Leste and Cambodia), Br Bryan Davis (Provincial Delegate, Aust

Following last week's successful teacher and staff orientation, St Louis High School in Kiribati launched its student orientation program this week, welcoming new learners into the school's vibrant community and setting the foundation for the academic year ahead. St Louis' new students The orientation week commenced on Monday with the arrival of Form One students, the newest members of the Saint Louis family embarking on their junior and senior high school journey. For many o

The Champagnat Marist Centre for Ecology and Sustainability in Lomeri welcomed Year 13 students from Marist Brothers High School for an enriching full-day program focused on personal growth, spiritual development, and leadership formation. The 2026 graduating class, accompanied by three dedicated teachers, spent the day immersed in meaningful learning experiences and the peaceful natural surroundings of the center. Marist Brothers High School Year 13 at Lomeri The morning pro

As the new year begins, schools and communities across the province are launching into 2026 with renewed energy. At the Instituto Católico para Formação de Professores (ICFP) , Timor-Leste, preparations are underway to welcome a new cohort of students and teachers, writes Br Paul Gilchrist, the institute's Director. ICFP staff returned to start the new academic year on 5 January 2026. After an opening prayer and a meeting with all staff, the lecturers were quickly down to wo

Marist Brothers’ Primary School, Mulivai, Samoa, began the 2026 academic year with a three-day teacher orientation programme held 26 to 28 January. The programme brought staff together for formation, reflection and planning, setting a strong foundation for the year ahead. A highlight of the orientation was the formal introduction of the new Acting Principal, Tusipepa Niko. Tusipepa is a committed Champagnat Lay Marist who has served the Mulivai school community for over 20 ye

On 22 January, Br Julian Quinlan passed away in Sydney, Australia. Below is an obituary written by Br Darren Burge, the Provincial of the Star of the Sea Province. It is with great sadness that I advise you that Br Julian Quinlan died peacefully last night at 6.14 pm in Royal North Shore Hospital (Sydney). Julian had a massive cerebral haemorrhage on Tuesday morning as he was getting out of bed and was rushed to hospital. He lingered for some days due to his strong heart and

Br Darren Burge, Provincial of the Star of the Sea Province, is currently visiting New Caledonia in his first Provincial visit of 2026. During his time there, he is meeting with Brothers Jean-Paul Delesalle and Georges Benigaud, who live near Noumea. Br Georges Benigaud, Br Darren Burge, and Br Jean-Paul Delesalle The visit includes several key engagements. Br Darren will update the community on the recent chapter held in Fiji and will meet with the Archbishop of Noumea on Fr

A week-long orientation program was underway at St Louis High School, Kiribati, bringing together new and returning staff as they prepare for the 2026 school year. Held from 12–16 January in Bishop Paul Mea Hall, the program was designed to support staff formation, reflection, and planning. It was led by senior management facilitators Frank Christopher, Deputy Principal (Junior), Tangaroa Arobati, Property Manager, and Kareaua Nawaia, Head of Student Welfare. Each day combine

On 12 January, Br Douglas Dawick passed away in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. Below is an obituary written by Br Darren Burge, the Provincial of the Star of the Sea Province. It was with great sadness that I received the news that our Br Douglas Dawick died in Auckland on 12 January at 1.00 am. Br Doug was peaceful in his final hours as he had slept most of Sunday and was well cared for by the staff at the hospital. Doug was 87 years old and had been a Marist Brother for 69

On 10 January 2026, a special Mass was celebrated at Tōtara Point in North Aotearoa New Zealand, marking 188 years since the first Catholic presence in the country. The occasion brought together the local Catholic community, clergy, religious, and members of the wider Marist family to honour both the beginnings of the Church in this land and its continuing mission today. The homily was given by Bishop Steve Lowe who reflected on the Church as a woven kete (a traditional Māor

On 1 January, Br Doug Walsh passed away in Melbourne, Australia. Below is an obituary written by Br Darren Burge, the Provincial of the Star of the Sea Province. It is with great sadness that I advise you that Br Doug Walsh died peacefully last night at 6.35 pm in Melbourne. His family, including his twin sister, Maureen, together with Br Harry Prout were with him, and praying with him throughout the day. Doug was peaceful and comfortable. Fr Wayne, the Parish Priest of Heid

The third day of the Chapter focused on the critical work of discerning and shaping the Calls of the Chapter. The day began with a beautiful Fijian prayer led by Brothers Petero Navuku, Melquiano Obe, and Jacinto Fuli Falo. Br Petero, a Fijian Brother, opened the prayer by reflecting on the lali , a traditional drum that calls people together. The lali is sounded in times of celebration, in moments of quiet reflection, and in times of difficulty, when people gather for str

The second session of the day was characterised by a process of spiritual conversation, with significant time dedicated to shared reflection and dialogue. Br Darren Burge presented the strategic documents that had been developed by the Provincial Council over many months. He explained that the intention was not to produce a detailed operational plan, but rather a set of guiding principles that express both the aspirations of the Province and its core vision. Drawing together

Day 2 of the Provincial Chapter began with an invitation for the Brothers to reflect on what was “bubbling within” them as they entered the day. Br Tony Leon guided this reflective opening, encouraging participants to attend to what was speaking to them inwardly. He also acknowledged the tragic events that unfolded at Bondi Beach the previous evening. This was followed by two minutes of silence, as the Brothers held in prayer those who lost their lives, their families, and al

On December 14, the Second Provincial Chapter of the Star of the Sea Province officially began in Nadi, Fiji. The gathering opened with a beautiful celebration of the Eucharist, followed by a deeply moving traditional Fijian ceremony. The Chapter brought together 25 Brothers from across the Province, joined by Br Peter Carroll, the newly elected Superior General and former Provincial of the Star of the Sea Province. The newly elected Provincial, Br Darren Burge, led the openi

On December 14, the Second Provincial Chapter of the Star of the Sea Province officially commenced in Nadi, Fiji. The day began with a beautiful celebration of the Eucharist, during which Br Darren Burge, with the prayerful support of his Brothers, was commissioned as the new Provincial of the Star of the Sea Province. As Br Peter Carroll, the Superior General and former Provincial of the Star of the Sea Province, was unable to arrive in time for the morning liturgy, the comm

On 7 December, the Marist Brothers community in Kaikohe marked the close of nearly 50 years of presence and service in the north of Aotearoa - New Zealand. A beautiful and deeply moving Mass brought the community together as local parishioners, friends, and former students gathered to honour the Brothers and express their gratitude for decades of ministry, accompaniment, and friendship. Br Peter Horide, Provincial Delegate to Aotearoa - New Zealand, has penned a heartfelt ref

Sixteen young Cambodians from the Marists’ LaValla Programme for Inclusive Education gathered this week for a heartfelt farewell as they set off for the airport - each proudly dressed in new tracksuits in the colours of the Cambodian flag. Their destination: the Asian Para-Youth Games in Dubai, UAE, taking place from 10 to 13 December, where they will represent their country on one of the region’s most significant sporting stages. The students travelling come from LaValla’s f

Advent is a season to pause, prepare, and take time to do something meaningful as we ready ourselves for Christmas. At the Champagnat Marist Centre for Ecology and Spirituality in Lomeri, Fiji, our Brothers and local community welcomed the season in a simple and genuinely eco-friendly way. In the weeks leading up to Advent, the initiative - led by Br Petero Navuku - brought the community together to gather scraps and unused materials from around the centre: leftover timber fr

Student leaders from 18 NSW/ACT Marist schools gathered at The Hermitage for the annual Marist Youth Ministry Student Leaders’ Gathering (SLG). Alongside the usual program, this year’s gathering included a significant milestone. On Tuesday, 11 November, the first group of Buy a Tree (BAT) seedlings was planted at the Hermitage. The Director of The Hermitage, John Hickey, and the grounds staff had prepared the planting area ahead of time. Principals holding the trees present