Br Sefo Une and Mark Pauschmann, Executive Director of Province Ministries, were recently in Rome and Geneva as part of an international training program. Mark Pauschmann reflects on their experience below. This year, Br Sefo Une and I took part in an international training programme called Building a New Hermitage: Defending Children’s Rights at the United Nations. It included several months of online learning and a face to face gathering in Rome and Geneva from 4 to 9 May

Many members of our Australian Marist family recently embarked on the annual Marist pilgrimage through Italy and France, journeying to places deeply connected to both Marist and Catholic history. The pilgrimage offered pilgrims an opportunity not only to walk in the footsteps of Marcellin Champagnat and the early Marists, but also to reflect on faith, community, and the enduring Marist spirit. Michael Neylan from Marist Life and Mission Formation reflected on the journey and

On 29 April, Br Frank McGrath passed away in Brisbane, 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 of the peaceful passing of Br Frank McGrath at 7.30pm last night in Brisbane. In recent days, Frank’s health deteriorated rapidly, as swallowing difficulties led him to significantly reduce his eating and drinking. He declined gradually over this time but did not experience

On 25 April, Br Kees van der Weert was invited to attend the Marist Athletics Team Dinner 2026 at Marist Brothers High School, Suva - an occasion that brought together athletes, alumni, supporters, and the wider Marist family. Br Kees receives plaque from Asish Dayal, Principal of MBHS The Team Dinner served as a significant moment of reflection as preparations continue for the Coca-Cola Games National Championships, to be held from 30 April to 2 May. It was a time to honour

A significant milestone was reached in Timor-Leste on 25 March, with the official launch of the Champagnat Marist Family, marking a new chapter in the growth of the Marist mission in the country. The initiative aims to strengthen the lay Marist network in Timor-Leste, thereby ensuring the work done by the Brothers in the region over the last 25 years continues to thrive and expand for future generations. Twenty-five lay women and men, together with Marist Brothers, gathered a

Last year, Champagnat Marist educators across Aotearoa New Zealand began a significant initiative to reconnect with their spiritual and historical roots: the Hokianga Hīkoi. This inaugural journey to the Far North explored the birthplace of Catholicism and the Marist mission in Aotearoa, dating back to 1838. At its heart, the hīkoi (journey or pilgrimage) is grounded in a clear purpose: to offer educators the opportunity to encounter the sacred places and stories that shaped

After 13 years in Timor-Leste accompanying and forming Aspirants, Br Lécio Jose Heckler has bid farewell as he returned home to Brazil earlier this year. In a heartfelt tribute, Br Greg McDonald, Provincial Delegate to Timor-Leste and Cambodia, reflects on Br Lécio’s immense contribution to the Marist mission, his dedicated mentorship, and, above all, the deep friendships he cultivated with the young and emerging Brothers. Read more. Br Lécio's final Champagnat class with the

A new series of immersion experiences in the Solomon Islands, coordinated by Br Chris Wills, Director of Bridge Builders, has been made possible through the participation of four Australian Marist schools: Trinity College Lismore, Parramatta Marist High School, Marist College Canberra, and Sacred Heart College Adelaide. The schools have joined forces to support the initiative, contributing to a shared fund for the development of the programme. Each school will spend time at S

Since January last year, the Star of the Sea Province has been rolling out a series of safeguarding workshops for schools. The initiative emerged after Brothers and Marist school leaders, through their travels and teaching experience, identified gaps in safeguarding practices and recognised the urgent need for action. Chris Lus, Pasifika Safeguarding Coordinator, with teachers from Marists Schools in Fiji In response, Br John Hazelman, then Provincial Delegate for Pasifika

For the first time since the arrival of the Marist Brothers in Timor-Leste, three Brothers renewed their vows outside Baucau, the centre of Marist life in the country. The Lautem Marist Community - Brothers Paul Kane, Joel Da Costa, Jacinto Fuli Falo & Gaspar Te'un with the Parish priest, Father Pascoal Natalino Brothers Jacinto Fuli Falo, Joel Da Costa and Gaspar Te’un renewed their vows at their local parish church in Lautem, in the presence of parishioners, students and st

On Easter Sunday, 5 April, the Marist Brothers Star of the Sea community welcomed the families of postulants Amos Vutu, Bernard Ramo, and Randolf Muriatu to Laumanasa House, home of the aspirancy programme in the Solomon Islands. This special visit offered a meaningful opportunity for families to share in the journey of their sons as they prepare to take the next step in their Marist vocation. Brothers Raphael Fakaia and Simon Serero led the morning’s information session, off

The re-establishment of the Marist Brothers’ community in Port Moresby has already borne fruit, with the launch of a new outreach initiative that serves vulnerable children on the city’s streets by providing packaged meals regularly. The idea for the ministry emerged during discussions in 2025, as the Brothers began discerning the shape of their mission ahead of their planned return in 2026. While education remains central to Marist life, the growing needs of children living

Held at the Marist Asia Pacific Center (MAPAC) in Manila from 26 to 30 March, the Marist Asia-Oceania Formators’ Colloquium 2026 brought together Brothers from across the region for a time of shared reflection, dialogue, and renewal in the ministry of formation. Among those present were representatives from the Star of the Sea Province - Peter Rodney, Tony Caddy, Raphael Fakaia, Jone Seduadua, Luke Fong, Simon Serero, and Anitelea Fidow - who joined fellow formators in explor

For the first time since the establishment of the Star of the Sea Province in 2022, members of the Champagnat Family will gather for a dedicated Assembly - an important milestone in strengthening collaboration, connection, and shared mission across the region. In the lead-up to this historic gathering, a preliminary online meeting was held on 31 March, bringing together more than 25 participants from across the Province’s 11 countries. This virtual encounter itself reflected

The Star of the Sea Province welcomed its newest Brother with the first profession of Br Zakeu Sarmento do Rego, FMS, at the Marist International Novitiate on 21 March. Zakeu comes from Aileu, a mountainous municipality in the Archdiocese of Dili and home to a number of Timorese Marist Brothers. Br Zakeu in traditional Timorese dress asking Br Greg to be admitted to the Institute as a vowed member of the Little Brothers of Mary In a simple and joyful Eucharistic celebration,

St Joseph’s College, Samoa, was honoured to welcome back The Honourable La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt, Prime Minister of Samoa and proud Old Boy of the College, during his recent visit. The Prime Minister with Brothers David and Kevin Returning to the very campus where he once served as Head Boy, the Prime Minister spoke warmly of his formative years at St Joseph’s, describing how the Marist Brothers and his teachers helped shape his character, leadership

On Friday 6 March, the Postulancy at Vila Marista Boa Mãe, Triloka, Timor-Leste, celebrated a joyful and significant moment in the life of our formation community: the farewell and commissioning of the ten postulants who have successfully completed their postulancy program. After months of prayer, study, community living, pastoral experience, and personal growth, these young men gathered with their formators and brothers for a simple yet meaningful celebration of thanksgiving

Students from St Joseph’s College, Alafua, Samoa, have helped bring the voices of young people in Samoa to the global stage through a formal submission to the United Nations' Universal Periodic Review (UPR), a key international process that assesses the human rights record of UN member states. The submission was facilitated by the Star of the Sea Province through their Secretariat of Solidarity and their international NGO, Fondazione Marista per la Solidarietà Internazionale

This week three Brothers in the Star of the Sea Province renewed their vows, reaffirming their commitment to the Marist mission and to a life of faith, community, and service. Brothers Bomes Tukana & Elijah Watehou Renew Religious Vows in Ceremony in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea On 9 March, Brothers Bomes Tukana and Elijah Watehou renewed their vows in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Fr Chris SM presided over the Mass, which carried added significance as it marked the first

Last December, Takoda Cheng of Marist Youth Ministry embarked on a meaningful volunteering experience with Bridge Builders. Having previously visited Cambodia as part of the MYM immersion program, Takoda was so deeply moved by what he witnessed that he felt compelled to return as a volunteer. During his time there, he taught English to local children - an experience he describes as truly beautiful. Read more about his experience. When I decided that I would volunteer a month