Marists across the Star of the Sea Province came together to celebrate the Feast of Marcellin Champagnat, honouring the life and legacy of the founder of the Marist Brothers through prayer, community gatherings, and cultural celebrations. Vanuatu At St Michel Technical College in Santo, Vanuatu, the celebration began with a beautiful Eucharistic celebration led by the boarding students. The Mass was presided over by Fr Louis SM and provided an opportunity for the school comm

The two LaValla campuses in Takhmao, Cambodia, came together to celebrate the feast day of the Marist Founder, Marcellin Champagnat. The day began in the newly expanded oratory at the Brothers’ Community House, which was filled with residents and guests. Joining Brothers Brian Kinsella and Allen Sherry and Maryknoll volunteer Kylene Fremling were two novices from Sri Lanka - Felipe Seno from Timor-Leste and Teweia Orea from Kiribati - as well as Zakeu Sarmento, a recently pro

Today we observe Champagnat Day, marking the anniversary of the day that Marcellin Champagnat entered eternal life. More than two centuries later, Marcellin’s dream of forming “good Christians and good citizens” has taken on a renewed urgency. This call resonates strongly in light of Pope Leo XIV’s recent encyclical, which challenges us to safeguard what is deeply human in an era of unprecedented technological advancement. Drawing inspiration from the Holy Father’s reflection

For 150 years, the Marist Brothers have been shaping young lives in Aotearoa New Zealand. What began in 1876 with the arrival of a small group of Brothers has grown into a lasting educational legacy that has touched generations of young people, families, and communities across the country. Through times of change, challenge, and transformation, the Marist commitment has remained constant - providing quality education to all, especially those most in need. The commemorative lo

Congratulations to Br Steve Vaea of Samoa, who made his Perpetual Profession as a Marist Brother on 30 May, marking a significant milestone in his vocational journey. L - R - Brothers Siaosi Ioane, Sefo Une, Darren Burge, Steve Vaea, Anitelea Fidow, Ken McDonald, John Curry, David Surrounded by fellow Marist Brothers, family, friends, and members of the wider Marist community, Br Steve made a lifelong commitment to the Marist way of life through the vows of poverty, chastity,

Day 4 brought the gathering to a deeply reflective and hopeful conclusion, as participants turned their attention toward the future of the Marist mission across the Province. The day began with a moving prayer led by the Fiji delegation, centred around a beautifully woven traditional Fijian mat. In Fijian culture, mats are far more than decorative objects - they symbolise family, unity, hospitality, and life. They are brought out during important gatherings, where people sit

Day 3 of the Champagnat Family Assembly began with an energetic and uplifting opening prayer led by Br Anitelea Fidow, who had the entire room dancing to Son of Abraham. The joyful session brought warmth, laughter, and energy to the gathering. This was followed by a profound and moving prayer led by the Aotearoa New Zealand delegation, with Daniel Dungey, Tara Quinney, and Br Martin Pattison guiding the Assembly into a more reflective space. Br Anitelea Fidow led an energ

The morning session of Day 2 began with a beautiful prayer led by the Solomon Islands delegation, facilitated by Ruth Hihiru, Priscilla Senga and Jane Sau. Participants were invited to place a candle on a small table, which featured a meaningful collection of symbols: a beautiful sculpture of Mary and Jesus from Palestine, the Marist Heart, a relic of Marcellin, and a striking cross designed by a First Nations Australian artist that is also one of Br Michael Callinan’s person

For the first time since the establishment of the Star of the Sea Province in 2022, lay members of the Champagnat Marist Family and Brothers gathered in Nadi, Fiji, for a dedicated Assembly - a significant milestone in strengthening collaboration, connection, and shared mission across the Province. The Champagnat Family Assembly, being held from 17–20 May, has brought together 35 Marists from across every country of the Province, including representatives from Aotearoa New Ze

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