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

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

The Brothers and young men in formation in Timor-Leste were delighted recently to welcome Br Darren Burge, Provincial, for a brief visit to the country. During his visit, Br Darren met with Bishop Leandro Maria Alves, Bishop of Baucau, to deepen the relationship between the Marist Brothers and the local Church. While in the Diocese, Br Darren also took the opportunity to visit the Brothers and Marist communities in Triloka and Lautem, Baucau, sharing time with them and gainin

The Marist education ministry in Aotearoa New Zealand celebrated a significant milestone on Thursday, 30 July 2026, marking 150 years of Marist education with a special Sesquicentennial Mass at the Cathedral of St Patrick and St Joseph in Auckland. The celebration brought together Marist Brothers, school leaders, students, educators, clergy and supporters from across Aotearoa New Zealand to give thanks for a ministry that has formed generations of young people in faith, learn

From a young student sitting in a Marist classroom to becoming the Headmaster of Sacred Heart College - Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest Marist school - Patrick Walsh’s journey has been deeply shaped by the values and spirit of the Marist tradition. A former student of Vermont Street School and St Paul’s College, Patrick experienced firsthand the influence of the Marist Brothers who accompanied him during his formative years. Their presence, commitment, and example not only sha

Warm, welcoming and deeply grounded in his faith, Keith Simento exemplifies the Marist values of humility, service and presence. As the first Headmaster of Indian origin at St Paul’s College, Auckland, his personal journey mirrors, in many ways, that of the early Marist Brothers who left everything behind to begin a new life in Oceania more than 150 years ago. When Keith came to Aotearoa New Zealand from India in 1996, he carried little more than US$1,500 and a determination

This week marks the 150th anniversary of Marist education in Aotearoa New Zealand. The journey began in 1876 when the Marist Brothers began teaching, laying the foundations for a ministry that has shaped generations of young people. In the lead-up to this anniversary, we are sharing a series of articles and interviews featuring Marist educators, leaders and alumni who have helped shape this rich legacy. In the first article of the series, historian and author Br Edward Clisby

This week marks the 150th anniversary of Marist education in Aotearoa New Zealand. The journey began in 1876 when the Marist Brothers began teaching, laying the foundations for a ministry that has shaped generations of young people. In the lead-up to this anniversary, we are sharing a series of articles and interviews featuring Marist educators, leaders and alumni who have helped shape this rich legacy. In the first article of the series, historian and author Br Edward Clisby

After four weeks of formation, community building and learning, ten young Marist Brothers from across the Asia-Pacific region have completed the 2026 QUEST Program at the Marist Asia-Pacific Centre (MAPAC). The month-long program brought together young Brothers preparing for the next stages of their vocation, providing opportunities for spiritual growth, deeper understanding of Marist identity, and fraternity across cultures. Congratulations, Brothers! When asked about their

23 July marks a significant date in our shared Marist history: Fourvière Day. On this day in 1816, Marcellin Champagnat was among twelve aspiring Marists who climbed the 800 steps to the chapel of Our Lady of Fourvière, overlooking Lyon. There they pledged themselves to the foundation of a new religious movement, the Mary-ists, whose life and ministry would be shaped by Mary’s way of living the Gospel. This moment became the foundation of the Society of Mary, which would tak

During the recent school holidays, a group of Year 10 and 11 students from Parramatta Marist High School, Sydney, embarked on the school's inaugural immersion to Fiji, where they experienced firsthand the global Marist mission through encounters with local communities, schools and ministries. Parramatta Marist student Dimiriti The group was welcomed by the Marist Brothers' community in Suva and quickly immersed in the daily rhythm of community life, joining the Brothers for m

Almost one year after its launch, the Buy A Tree (BAT) initiative continues to grow from strength to strength. In its first year, the initiative has raised almost AUD $5,000 to support the planting of native trees across the Province. These funds are being used to grow and plant native species in Marist communities, supporting environmental sustainability and conservation efforts. Today, trees are being planted across the Province, with recent plantings taking place in the So

The past few weeks have been busy across Pasifika. From creating new opportunities for young people experiencing homelessness in Papua New Guinea to promoting vocations in Samoa and strengthening Marist educational partnerships in Bougainville and New Caledonia, Marists across the region have continued to strengthen communities and respond to local needs. Papua New Guinea: Three Young Men get Jobs through Street Ministry The Marist Brothers' street ministry in Port Moresby c