Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane Marist Families Celebrate the Lives of Our Brother Jubilarians

maristbrothers
Aug 18
4 min read

Updated: Aug 20

A jubilee is a profoundly meaningful milestone in the life of a religious Brother. It is a celebration that honours decades of dedicated service - years marked by unconditional faith, resilience, and deep commitment. Families, friends, and fellow Brothers gather to pay tribute not only to the achievements and sacrifices, but also to the spirit of community and purpose that has guided each Brother throughout his journey.

On 17 August, Jubilee Masses were held in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, drawing the Marist family together to express gratitude for the extraordinary commitment of the Jubilarians. Brothers who reached remarkable milestones - 80, 75, 70, 60, and 50 years of service - were honoured in heartfelt ceremonies.

During these celebrations, Br Peter Carroll, Provincial of the Star of the Sea Province, presented commemorative plaques to Br Robert Badior (75 years), Br Peter Ciezak and Br Geoff Kelly (50 years each), and Brothers Jeffrey Barrington and Peter Conolly (50 years each). In Melbourne, Vice Provincial Br Darren Burge joined in recognising Brothers Doug Walsh (70 years), Gregory McCrystal (70 years), Br Bernard Riley (60 Years) and Br Mark O’Connor (50 years).

In Brisbane, Br Graham Neist congratulated Br Roger Burke (70 years) and Br Bernard McGrath (60 years).

**Sydney: From left to right: Brothers Geoffrey Kelly, Peter Ciezak, Peter Conolly, Jeffrey Barrington, Robert Badior, Tom Chin (Province of East Asia)**

**Melbourne: (Br Mark Paul, MC), Brothers Bernard Riley, Mark O’Connor, Greg McCrystal, Doug Walsh and Vice Provincial Br Darren Burge**

**Brothers Dough Walsh and Gregory McCrystal**

**Brisbane: Brothers Bernard McGrath and Roger Burke with Vicar General Br Ken McDonald**

**Br Graham Neist presenting Br Roger Burke with his Jubilee Certificate**

Hear from some of our Jubilarians:

Having people around who have known you for sixty years, and who have shared so many of those experiences with you, is a real joy. The Brothers I have known for all that time are part of that shared journey, and it is a wonderful gift to gather together, to remember the past - both the good times and the difficult ones - and to reflect on how much we have helped and supported one another along the way. That, really, is the purpose of these meetings.

Looking back, my journey seems to have gone by so quickly.

I have been fortunate to experience a wide variety of situations and cultures, and I have never regretted any of it. Every stage has moved me forward, challenged me, and spurred me on. It is a good and worthwhile thing to pause, to reflect on one’s life - its difficulties as well as its hopes - and to see the richness of what has been lived.

-Br Geoff Kelly

I am very pleased with what Br Peter Carroll said - it is wonderful to receive accolades for what we have done. Looking back, I feel very happy with my journey. It has been a busy one: I spent fifty years in the classroom, and now in retirement I still find joy in serving the community. I help in small ways - buying food, and beverages for the Brothers to keep them happy! It has been a great journey, and I am grateful that my health is good and that I can continue to contribute.

-Br Peter Ciezak (60 years)

***Br Peter Ciezak receiving his plaque from Br Peter Carroll***

I think today has been wonderful because all my family has been able to make it - except for my dad, who has passed on. They have all supported me along the way, so it means a lot that they could be here with me. As for how it feels - well, you just have to keep breathing for 50 years and you will get there! But honestly, it is very special. It’s good that they recognise the things that you have been to the community, the Brothers, and the kids. And it is also good for the family to hear more about the things I haven’t always shared with them. So yes, it truly has been a very special day!

-Br Jeffrey Barrington (50 years)

***Congratulations, Br Jeffrey Barrington!***

***Br Jeffrey Barrington receiving his plaque from Br Peter Carroll***

It is my pleasure to be with so many Brothers who have lived the religious life for so long, and it fills me with great delight that I was amongst such people!

-Br Robert Badior (75 years)

***Congratulations, Br Robert Badior!***

***Br Robert Badior receiving his plaque from Br Peter Carroll***

For me, it was something of a high point. Having my family and so many friends around, and people I have interacted with over the years, was absolutely wonderful. Hearing Peter Carroll’s speech, with a few things that others have said about me over the years, was a little surreal. It was a wonderful day - absolutely wonderful. I even found myself wondering, was it really me they were talking about?

-Br Peter Conolly (50 years)