Br Darren Burge, Provincial of the Star of the Sea Province, recently visited Vanuatu for the first time, taking the opportunity to spend time in the Brothers community, learn more about their mission and gain a deeper understanding of the local context in which they serve. Br Darren with some students of the academic section Much of the visit centred on sharing in community life and holding individual pastoral conversations with the Brothers. An important part of the visit

From 18 to 28 September, 12 Champagnat Marists from Aotearoa New Zealand undertook their third annual pilgrimage to Rome, L’Hermitage and Lyon. It was a deeply moving journey, tracing the footsteps of St Marcellin Champagnat. Along the way, the pilgrims deepened their understanding of the Marist heart and mission and formed beautiful connections that will last a lifetime, writes Daniel Dungey, Partnership Coordinator for Fiji, Samoa, Kiribati and Aotearoa New Zealand. Our thi

Sunday 27 September was a very special day for the Marist Brothers and the wider Marist family in Aotearoa New Zealand, as three Brothers celebrated significant jubilees. Br Osmund celebrated his Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years, Br Graeme his Diamond Jubilee, marking 60 years, and Br Kevin his Golden Jubilee, marking 50 years. Held in Aotearoa New Zealand, the celebrations were attended by Provincial Br Darren Burge, who joined the Brothers, their families and friends in m

On 29 September, Br William Lawley 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 is with deep sadness that I share the news of the death of our dear Brother Bill Lawley, who died from natural causes on Tuesday 29 September. His death came as a deep shock to the Brothers, his family and the staff in the Marist office, all of whom had come to know and value his quiet presence. B

Being part of a Province spanning 11 countries creates valuable opportunities for schools to share resources, exchange knowledge and learn from one another’s cultures and experiences. Recently, Aidan Kavanagh, Head of Religious Education, Sacred Heart College, Auckland, visited Marist Brothers School in Suva, Fiji, to share resources and ideas around Catholic education. Read his reflection on the visit below. Recently, I had the privilege of representing Sacred Heart College,

September 12, the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary, marked the second gathering of the newly formed Champagnat Marist Family in Timor-Leste. Held at the Instituto Católico para Formação de Professores (ICFP), the gathering brought together 35 Marist lay people and Brothers to begin shaping their vision, activities and pastoral initiatives for 2027. The gathering builds on the official launch of the Champagnat Marist Family in Timor-Leste on 25 March, which marked a significant

During a two-week visit to Honiara, Solomon Islands, Br Tony Leon spent time with five young men undertaking the Marist Aspirancy program, supporting Br Simon Serero in their formation and vocational journey. Brothers Tony Leon, Simon Serero, Hudson Horoto and Epalle Taega with the Aspirants The six-month residential Aspirancy program provides young men with an opportunity to explore their vocation as Marist Brothers. The program currently hosts five aspirants from Papua New

From 11–25 September, three staff members and 12 students from Sacred Heart College, Adelaide, travelled to the Solomon Islands for an immersion experience. Immersions provide an opportunity for both visitors and host communities to learn from one another, gaining a deeper understanding of different cultures, ways of life and the challenges faced by communities. The group stayed at the newly renovated Marist House, located across from St Joseph’s School Tenaru and the student

On 15 September, Marists in Fiji marked a significant leadership transition as Br Kees formally handed over the role of Country Coordinator in Fiji to Br Sefo Une after 48 years of service in the country, including the past 30 as Country Coordinator. Br Kees passes the mantle of leadership to Br Sefo Une The ceremony, titled “Light to Light,” took place among Marists who have known and worked with Br Kees for decades. In a simple but symbolic gesture, both Brothers were give

On 9 September, the students, staff and families gathered at LaValla School in Cambodia to celebrate the Grade 6 graduation, with two special guests joining the school community for the occasion, Star of the Sea Provincial Br Darren Burge and General Councillor and Oceania Link Councillor Br Rajakumar Soosai Manickam, who was visiting LaValla and Cambodia for the first time. Brothers Rajakumar and Darren with the teachers at the school The ceremony began with the raising of t

Sunday, 13 September was a very special day for the Marist Brothers and the wider Marist family in Australia, as Brothers across Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne gathered to celebrate their Jubilees. This year, the Jubilees honoured Brothers marking significant milestones in their vocation – 80 years, 75 years, 70 years (Platinum), 60 years (Diamond) and 50 years (Golden) as Marist Brothers. Provincial Br Darren Burge with Br Andrew Moraghan who is celebrating his Diamond Jubil

Congratulations to Br Georges Benigaud, who celebrated his Diamond Jubilee as a Marist Brother during a special Marist Family Mass in Paita, New Caledonia, on 8 September. The Mass was celebrated by Fr François Grossin SM and attended by Vice Provincial Br Ken McDonald, Br Neville Solomon and members of the Champagnat Marist Family. Br Georges renews his vows Br Ken also presented Br Georges with a special token of appreciation from Star of the Sea Province in recognition of

The strong and enduring Marist connection between Aotearoa New Zealand and Tonga was honoured last month through a special project to restore the graves of two Brothers who played important roles in establishing and strengthening the Marist presence in Tonga. From 19 to 26 August, Br Samisoni, the only Tongan Marist Brother in the Province, was in Tonga alongside former Brothers Brendan Hickey and Brian McKenzie, undertaking restoration work on the graves of Br Urban Howie

From 14 to 16 August, 14 students gathered in Mittagong for the Game Changers LaValla Leadership Camp. Jenifer Miller, NSW/ACT Regional Coordinator for Marist Youth Ministry, reflects on the camp and the memorable experience it was for the young people who attended. Fourteen enthusiastic Year 10 Game Changers students from Marist Canberra, Red Bend Catholic College Forbes, St Patrick's Marist College Dundas, and Parramatta Marist High School travelled to Mittagong from 14 to

Br Rajakumar Soosai Manickam, General Councillor and Link Councillor for Oceania, is visiting the Marist communities in Aotearoa New Zealand from 17 to 29 August. He was warmly welcomed at the beginning of his visit by Br Peter Horide, Provincial Delegate for Aotearoa New Zealand. Br Rajakumar at St Paul's College During his time in Aotearoa New Zealand, Br Rajakumar will visit the various Marist communities, meet with Brothers, participate in Provincial Council meetings fr

Saturday, 15 August, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, was the occasion for a special gathering of the Brothers in Timor-Leste at Vila Marista Boa Mãe, Triloka. The gathering unfolded in three parts. Brothers reflecting on the Five Calls of the General Chapter In the first part, 27 Brothers and three novices, currently undertaking their pastoral program from the Tudella Novitiate in Sri Lanka, gathered to reflect on the Calls of the 23rd General Chapter, held last yea

Less than a year after it began, the Montagne Street Ministry in Port Moresby has grown from a simple feeding program into a wider network of support for people experiencing homelessness. Named after the dying young boy whose encounter with Marcellin Champagnat left a lasting impression on the young priest, the ministry was initiated by Br Mark Kenatsi and members of the Marist family as part of the re-establishment of the Marist Brothers community in Port Moresby. Br Tim wit

Br Darren Burge, Provincial of the Star of the Sea Province, was in Timor-Leste last week, where he met with Bishop Leandro Maria Alves and visited the three Marist Brothers’ communities in Triloka, Teulale and Lautem. Aspirants welcoming Br Darren to Casa Marista Teulale As part of his visit, Br Darren spent time with the aspirants at Casa Marista Teulale. The aspirants introduced themselves in English, a language they study alongside other subjects during their aspirancy, a

From 9 to 12 August, sixteen participants from nine schools in our network in Aotearoa New Zealand took part in the annual Champagnat in the Pacific program. Daniel Dungey, Partnerships Coordinator for New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, and Kiribati, reports on the event. Vaughan Park, Long Bay, once again provided a wonderful setting for the 2026 Champagnat in the Pacific (CITP) staff formation program. Sixteen participants representing nine schools from across our network gathered f

In July, Sonja Brownridge visited Timor-Leste as part of the Marist Schools Australia Professional Language Learning Collaborative. She reflects on her experience and the connections she made during her time in Timor-Leste. Read more: I recently had the privilege of returning to the Instituto Católico para a Formação de Professores (ICFP) in Baucau, Timor-Leste, as part of the Marist Schools Australia Professional Language Learning Collaborative for Timor-Leste. Now in its