St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill, held a special celebration last week, marking two significant occasions - the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Brother Ligouri Resources Centre and the launch of Fr Frank Brennan SJ’s new book, Equality, Reconciliation and Social Cohesion: The Inspiration of Sir William Deane. Br Michael Green served as Master of Ceremonies for the event. Fr Frank Brennan SJ, Mr Michael Blake (Headmaster), Br Michael Green, Hon Michael Daley MP, Bishop

On Friday, 16 October, St Louis High School in Kiribati held its annual Prize Giving Ceremony, bringing together students from all year levels and some parents for a special celebration of the students’ achievements. Reflecting on the occasion, Deputy Principal Leo Minoneti Kaufusi shares highlights from the day. Read his reflection below. St Louis High School’s 2026 Prize Giving Ceremony was a special occasion to recognise the hard work, perseverance and achievements of stud

On 20 October, St Paul’s College in Auckland welcomed New Zealand’s Minister of Education, Hon Erica Stanford MP. Minister of Education, Hon Erica Stanford MP, with St Paul’s College Headmaster Keith Simento The students performed a powerful haka pōwhiri, alongside mihi and waiata, reflecting the school’s cultural identity and the spirit of its community. Addressing staff and students, Minister Stanford commended the college’s achievements, acknowledging that the successes o

Students at St Michel Technical College in Vanuatu have had a busy few weeks, with activities ranging from practical classroom assessments to community engagement and reflection during Mission Week. The Year 10 students put their learning into practice through a practical internal assessment in General Technology, focusing on local food preparation. The activity provided an opportunity for students to demonstrate their practical skills and explore local food preparation as pa

On 3 October, six Marist Brothers from Timor-Leste renewed their vows of poverty, chastity and obedience for a further year during a Mass at the Star of the Sea Chapel in Triloka, Timor-Leste. Brothers Clementino Xavier fms, Dionisio Madeira Martins fms, Filomeno Mendonça fms, Julio Brites fms, Juvencio Hanjam Nia fms and Salvador Baptista Ferreira fms were joined by around 60 people for the ceremony, celebrated by Salesian priest Fr Aderito Manuel Victor da Costa SDB, a long

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

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

For this year’s Season of Creation, the Laudato Si’ Action Committee of the Star of the Sea Province has prepared a short liturgy and accompanying video exploring the theme ‘Living Water’. As a Province made up largely of island nations, water holds a special significance for our communities. It is not only essential for life, but is deeply woven into the culture, traditions and daily lives of our people. In the video, Marists - both Brothers and Lay Marists - from across the

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

Jasmine Brown, Association Councillor of the Marist Association of St Marcellin Champagnat Australia, visited Cambodia for the first time in 2019. Since then, she has carried a special affection for the beautiful country and a deep admiration for the incredible work of the Marists there at the Lavalla school, Cambodia’s only government-approved school for young people with disabilities. When Jasmine returned to Cambodia this year, she felt a familiar stirring of emotion. Ref