From 19–22 February, 39 student leaders from across the Marist schools of Aotearoa New Zealand gathered for the annual Champagnat Marist Student Leaders Forum. Daniel Dungey, Partnerships Coordinator for New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, and Kiribati, reflects on this enriching and inspiring event. Our annual Champagnat Marist Student Leaders Forum in Otautahi Christchurch took place from 19-22 February this year with 39 student leaders across 10 of our 11 schools’ network in attendance. Champagnat Marist Student Leaders The 19th edition of this student formation experience on ‘Servant Leadership’ was yet again enhanced with each of the 10 schools having an accompanying senior staff member to journey alongside their rangatahi (young people). Our network of belonging continues to grow through new and authentic relationships that in turn will seek our Marist student leaders and educators to explore practical ways to keep our founders dream alive to the communities whom we serve. To make Jesus Christ known and loved is to make one another known and loved. We are stronger together! With Martin Brennan (centre), Xavier College Old Boy Our time together in community was spirit-filled and we ensured that our Champagnat Marist Way to Jesus was not just a head journey but a journey of the heart. The programme consisted of ‘beginning stories’ of Jesus Christ, Marcellin, our Catholic faith in Aotearoa and of self. A balance of group activities and self-reflection was well received while the organising and celebration of our youth mass was a real highlight. With Fr Alister Castillo Many people contributed to the success of this programme. Amy Aukusitino and I are extremely grateful to: Martin Brennan, Xavier College Old Boy, for his ongoing support and leading an authentic workshop session on ‘Servant Leadership – You Don’t Need a Badge to Lead’. Fr Alister Castillo for joining and leading us in community for our Saturday evening Mass. The ‘Special 10’ staff and their Mary-inspired ‘YES’ to be part of this wonderful journey. Our Champagnat Marist Principals and DRS’ who prepared and supported their student leaders. Ms Lee-Ann Nanai (Principal), Danny Nicholls (Deputy Principal), Janet Zapanta (DRS), Matua. Jarrod Satherley & Whaea Ariana Collier and the Catholic Cathedral College whanau for their welcome and hospitality upon our arrival into Christchurch on the first day. The staff that led the programme The various responses from the student leader’s evaluations forms reaffirmed the significant impact that this gathering had on our rangatahi . Some examples included: The most valuable aspect the deepening of my faith – it has instilled peace, love and compassion within me. I was inspired by how others are ‘living the Marist values’ and how we leaders can promote this back in our schools upon our return. This programme really helps those going into leadership roles – to build up their confidence more, get a better understanding of their role and how we can share the light of Christ in us with others. Getting to hear all our schools’ traditions and practices. This is inspiring us to create more of our own. It’s not every day that you come together with like-minded youth who want to make a difference in the world by following Jesus’ in Mary’s Way. Marist has so much more meaning for me now. The forum taught me the simplicity of my strengths and easy, humble ways to share them with others. -Daniel Dungey, Partnership Coordinator, Aotearoa NZ, Fiji, Samoa, & Kiribati

Proprietor appointees to the Boards of three Marist colleges in Aotearoa New Zealand were formally inducted at a special Mass held in the chapel of Sacred Heart College, marking a significant moment in the governance of the institutions. The ceremony, celebrated by Fr Steve Berecz, brought together newly appointed Board members alongside college leaders, staff, and supporters in a meaningful occasion that blended the spiritual mission of the Marist tradition with the formal responsibilities of educational governance. The appointees The event was the creative initiative of Janne Pender, Br David, and the directors of Champagnat Marist Education Ltd (CMEL), who worked together with the support of others to design a ceremony befitting the importance of the occasion. John Twomey, chair of the proprietor companies, welcomed all those present and acknowledged the significance of the appointments for the colleges and the broader Champagnat Marist community. Each newly inducted appointee received a badge signifying their role, along with a copy of the handbook for Board members with governance responsibilities at Champagnat Marist colleges - a practical resource designed to equip them for the important work ahead. The handbook reflects the colleges' commitment to strong, values-based governance rooted in the Marist educational tradition founded by Marcellin Champagnat. A light meal following the Mass provided an opportunity for appointees, organisers, and guests to come together informally, and get to know each other better. View more pics:

Educational leaders and regional representatives from the Marist Institute met in Madrid from 16 - 20 February to chart the future direction of the Marist Global Network of Schools, marking a significant milestone in the network's development. Dr Frank Malloy, Br Kevin Wanden and Mark Pauschmann The gathering brought together delegates to review the network's strengths, challenges, and opportunities, culminating in the development of a four-year Strategic Plan that will guide the network's next steps. The meeting signals the close of a five-year period of growth and experimentation and the beginning of a new and more structured phase for Marist education worldwide. Among those attending were three representatives from the Star of the Sea Province: Dr Frank Malloy, National Director of Marist Schools Australia; Mark Pauschmann, Executive Director of Province Ministries; and Br Kevin Wanden, Province Secretary. As part of the program, the Champagnat Global team, regional coordinators, and Advisory Committee also visited Colegio Santa María Maristas Toledo, where they were welcomed by the school's management team and community of Brothers. Delegates toured the centre's facilities and engaged with the school's mission and its place within the wider network. The visit was complemented by an afternoon exploring the historic city of Toledo. Working sessions focused on finalising the Strategic Plan, with delegates deliberating on key goals, defining strategic options, and identifying priority projects to guide the network's mission in the years ahead. Representatives also had the opportunity to share perspectives on the network's operation and future, raising proposals and discussing matters of shared concern. The program concluded with a visit to Colegio San José del Parque, followed by a moment of prayer and a dinner shared with the school community - a fitting close to what organisers described as an important step towards building a solid and sustainable future for Marist education globally. View more pics: For more information, visit Champagnat Global website .

The Marist Scholastic brothers in Triloka, Timor-Leste, recently took part in an enriching workshop focused on the structure and dynamics of community prayer, led by Br Michael Akers of the Marist Mission, Life and Formation team in Sydney. Central to the day's program was an exploration of the new Marist book of morning and evening prayer, compiled and produced by Br Michael in late 2025. The morning unfolded in two parts. The first examined the key elements that give shape to community prayer - hymns, psalms, readings, intercessions, and silence - tracing their function both before and after the Second Vatican Council and their continuing role in deepening the communal prayer experience. In the second half, the brothers put theory into practice, creating original prayer resources drawn from the new book and inspired by significant events in the Timorese national and liturgical calendar. The Scholastics expressed warm gratitude to Br Michael for his wisdom, energy, and generosity in helping them grow in their understanding and practice of praying together as a community. View more pics: -Words and pics by Br Greg McDonald, Timor-Leste

Every fortnight, Br Darren Burge, the Provincial of the Star of the Sea Province, will share an editorial. You can read it either in our newsletter - Star Messenger - or on our website. As we enter the holy season of Lent, Br Darren Burge offers a beautiful and reflective editorial, inviting us to pause and consider a few important questions: What do I need to let go of or embrace to live more authentically as a person and a Christian? Where is God inviting me to experience greater freedom, and which areas of my life am I holding back from Him? In today’s post-modern world, the idea of a mark of dust in the form of a cross on our forehead seems a strange tradition at the commencement of Lent. For us as Catholics, it naturally seems to mark a special time in our year that is lodged in our memory. The ashes are a stark reminder of our humanity and mortality. It draws us into mystery, and we are encouraged to reflect deeply on our own lives instead of simply going through the motions. It does require us to turn around and have a change of heart. Lent is an opportunity for renewal, grounded in the belief that transformation and liberation are possible through our relationship with God. It also raises questions for us - What do I need to let go of or embrace to live more authentically as a person and Christian? Where is God inviting me to experience greater freedom, and what areas of my life am I withholding from God? Jan Richardson, artist and poet, captures the essence of Ash Wednesday beautifully in her reflection called Ash Wednesday: What God Can Do with Dust in The Painted Prayerbook, February 2018, when she writes: We are entering the season that begins with a smudge. That smudge is a testimony to what survives. It is witness to what abides when everything seems lost. It is a sign that what we know and love may, for a time, be reduced to dust, but it does not disappear. We belong to the God who well knows what to do with dust, who sees the dust as a place to dream anew, who creates from it again and again. While the invitation to let go or embrace, can potentially be painful and challenging, Jan reminds us that God can do extraordinary things with the dust of our lives. It also raises questions for us - What do I need to let go of or embrace to live more authentically as a person and Christian? Where is God inviting me to experience greater freedom, and what areas of my life am I withholding from God? Engaging in this invitation during Lent often prompts us to examine aspects of ourselves that may be complex, uncomfortable, or outside our usual sense of control, leading to feelings of vulnerability. Such reflection can reveal patterns of behaviour that are not conducive to our well-being and may have adverse effects on both ourselves and those around us. We might recognise these concerns as unhealthy and wish to address them; however, they may be deeply ingrained or difficult to manage. Lent serves as a reminder that it is always possible to confront and address these issues by inviting God into any area of our lives. A relative of mine is proof that it's never too late to change with God’s help. He was tough, angry, and openly rejected religion, living hard and drinking and smoking heavily. As a child, I felt uneasy around him. When he was dying from emphysema, my mother visited him and was shocked to find he’d asked after me and requested prayers - something he’d never done before. She described how he’d become peaceful, sharing he’d felt God’s presence and was ready to go home. He died peacefully three days later. Lent serves as a reminder that it is always possible to confront and address these issues by inviting God into any area of our lives. Whatever my relative experienced during those final days, he probably sought out God and allowed himself to be open and vulnerable. In his weakness, God’s strength flowed through him. St Paul emphasises this Christian paradox in his second letter to the Corinthians (2 Cor 12:10): “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” When we are unable or weak, God's strength and grace seem to reach us more easily. Extreme situations can push us towards this openness, though we still have to decide for ourselves. Often, we feel self-sufficient and take pride in our independence, encouraged by the world around us. Yet this attitude can limit how much of God's grace we receive. St Paul notes that God said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor 12:9) Paul explained that even though the cause of suffering - like his own 'thorn' - may not be changed, God can help transform our wounds. Achieving this calls for a continuous practice of openness, trust, and reliance on God. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Lent encourages us to honestly re-examine those areas of our lives that call for transformation if we are to experience true freedom. This process is often challenging and may leave us feeling exposed or uneasy, particularly when we allow others to support us on our journey. Yet, the very act of vulnerability opens us to God’s grace, reminding us that we belong to the One who continually breathes new life into the dust of our existence. As we receive the cross of ashes on our foreheads, may it serve as a powerful symbol of both our mortality and God’s creative power, inspiring us to embrace change with renewed courage and hope. Blessings for the Lenten season. -Br Darren Burge Provincial

The Marist Youth Ministry's (MYM) immersion to Cambodia in December 2025 was more than a journey - it was an encounter rich in cultural discovery, education, and lived faith. Immersed in the realities of Cambodia, pilgrims opened their hearts to God's grace, allowing it to reshape how they see the world, themselves, and others. For many, the experience proved truly life-changing. Throughout the immersion, pilgrims grappled with uncomfortable truths about inequality and their own privilege. These encounters demanded humility, courage, and openness to grace - qualities that couldn't be forced but had to be cultivated through patient presence. "One of the most challenging parts of the immersion in Cambodia was confronting the reality of inequality and recognising my own privilege," reflected Ella, one of the MYM participants. "It was difficult to witness hardship while knowing I could leave, which challenged me emotionally and forced me to sit with discomfort rather than try to fix it." Naomi and Klay teaching at LaValla School Rather than rushing to solutions, pilgrims learned to remain present, allowing discomfort to become a place of growth and deeper compassion. Time spent at La Valla School emerged as the spiritual centre of the immersion. In the relationships formed with students, pilgrims experienced God's grace at work in simple yet profound ways. What began as a desire to teach quickly became a space of mutual learning, humility, and transformation. Emmalee at LaValla School "I truly thought I would've been the one teaching the kids, but somehow I've learnt more from the students than I could have ever taught them," said Elvis, another participant. "Every day, I could feel myself being changed by them." "The lessons of love, friendship, compassion and resilience were primarily learnt here," added Naomi. "All the other experiences were amplified because of the school… it really highlighted a love of work." Sr Denise Goglhan and Seth with group at JRS with Noble Peace Prize An encounter with Sister Denise Coghlan RSM at the Jesuit Refugee Service in Siem Reap offered another powerful witness of faith in action. Through her unwavering commitment to peace, dignity, and justice - particularly in her work to end the use of landmines and cluster bombs - pilgrims saw how God's love transforms lives and communities. "I always live by 'everything happens for a reason', but Cambodia really solidified that for me," Naomi reflected. "Reading at Mass at St John's and meeting the Sisters truly opened my heart." Maya carrying food to elephants Cultural experiences deepened the pilgrimage's spiritual dimension. Visits to Angkor Wat and surrounding temples revealed Cambodia's ancient beauty and spiritual depth, inviting pilgrims into a sense of sacred presence across generations. "The beautiful architecture of Angkor Wat and its long-standing history gave me a sense of presence through the ages," Elvis shared. "The statues, paintings, and sheer size were incredibly moving." Group in front of Angkor Wat Temple In stark contrast, visits to the Genocide Museum and Killing Fields offered sobering moments of remembrance and reflection, grounding the journey in the painful realities of Cambodia's recent history while deepening pilgrims' commitment to compassion and justice. "Although confronting, visiting the Killing Fields and museum truly helped me understand Cambodia and how the country and its people have become who they are," said participant Abi. Klay washing an elephant Environmental sustainability was woven intentionally throughout the immersion. A visit to the Kulen Elephant Sanctuary offered a gentle encounter with creation, highlighting care for the earth as an expression of God's grace. "The elephant sanctuary was also a highlight - something you don't do every day," Elvis noted. Pilgrims modelled responsible stewardship throughout their time in Cambodia, using reusable water bottles, coffee cups, and shopping bags. By choosing social enterprises for accommodation and meals, they supported local communities while minimising environmental impact. Elvis at LaValla School As the immersion unfolded, pilgrims reported a renewed awareness of global inequality, deeper gratitude for their own lives, and a growing understanding of faith lived through presence, relationship, and service. Shared meals, prayer, reflection, and community life strengthened bonds and nurtured spiritual growth. "It's hard to explain how life-changing and grounding this experience was," said Klay. "I feel whole and peaceful, like I'm being changed in a positive way and want to share that with others." Ella at LaValla School While emotionally and physically demanding at times, the immersion invited pilgrims to encounter both the world and God with open hearts. Grounded in grace, they came to understand faith not simply as belief, but as love made visible through everyday actions. "The immersion in Cambodia changed my faith by grounding it in everyday actions rather than ideas," Klay reflected. "It helped me understand faith as something expressed through presence, empathy, and shared humanity." 'Homemade' group dinner in Sydney night before departure - orientation and getting to know each The Cambodia Immersion 2025 truly embodied the 2026 Marist theme, Full of Grace: Transform the World with God's Love, shaping pilgrims who are more attentive, compassionate, and ready to carry God's love into the world beyond the journey.   -Words and Pics courtesy Jenifer Miller, MYM Sydney Regional Coordinator & Paul Harris, Mission, Life and Formation

The first gathering of Brothers at Triloka, the joyful start of a new school year at Lautem, new visitors welcomed into the community, and celebrations at religious events - January was a month full of excitement for the Marist family in Timor-Leste. Brothers come together to discuss the Province Chapter calls Twenty-seven Brothers gathered at Vila Marista Boa Mãe in Triloka on 27 January for the first community assembly of the year, taking time to reflect on the future direction of Marist life. The gathering also marked the return of Brothers Manecas Dos Santos and Simon Mendonca Maia from MAPAC, along with the arrival of the newly appointed Br Rod Thomson in Timor-Leste. Br Roger Vallance, who is currently working with the postulants, was also present. The centrepiece of the day was a reflection on the Second Star of the Sea Provincial Chapter Delegates’ Statement, led by those who attended the recent Chapter in Fiji. Br Jacinto Fuli Falo and Br Paul Kane shared their personal experiences and insights from the Chapter. Br Jacinto shares his experience as a delegate at the second SoTS Chapter in Fiji Br Matthew Green then facilitated a Synodal process similar to the one used in Province Chapter in Nadi, guiding participants through quiet reading followed by three rounds of sharing, listening, and reflecting on what resonated within their small groups. The process tested the Brothers' listening skills and ability to identify common threads emerging from their discussions. Br Matthew Green explaining the Synodal method to the brothers to explore the Chapter Statement Each small group concluded by crafting a collective discernment statement addressing the question: "Where is the Spirit drawing us as a community through this statement?" The gathering ended with evening prayer in the Chapel, featuring a procession of Marist symbols including the heart and the icon of Star of the Sea. The names of all Brothers, novices, postulants, aspirants, and several Champagnat Lay Marists were placed in the Marist heart during the ceremony. View more pics: Br Roger Vallace returns to Timor-Leste Following a successful visit in July 2025, Br Roger Vallance has returned to Timor-Leste to continue his work with the postulants. During his July visit in 2025, Roger introduced the Myers - Briggs Personality Type Indicator to the postulants. In this follow-up visit, he is conducting individual interviews and undertaking psychological assessments in preparation for their applications to commence the novitiate. Br Roger with postulants at Triloka Roger has endeared himself to the postulants through his friendly, chatty, and good-humoured manner. Consequently, the assessment interviews have been well received, and the postulants are looking forward to the helpful feedback they will receive in their individual reports. Roger will return later in the year to undertake similar work with the next group of postulants following the commencement of their postulancy in May. Thank you, Roger. Conferência dos Superiores Maiores Timor-Leste CSM-TL or Conferência dos Superiores Maiores Timor-Leste is the major superiors conference of Provincials and Provincial Delegates who act on behalf of their respective congregations in Timor-Leste. CSM holds two plenary assemblies each year. Participants at the Conferência dos Superiores Maiores, Timor-Leste Br Greg McDonald attended the first plenary assembly on 17 January at the school of the Charles Borromeo Sisters in Manleuana. During the assembly they heard reports from the various commissions of Religious including Formation of Timorese Religious Protection of Trafficked Women and Children Catholic Education Pastoral work in Parishes. There are over 90 religious congregations in Timor-Leste and they do incredible work for the nation and the Church. Br Greg was delighted to meet Mgr. Marcel Smejkal, the new Apostolic Chargé d’Affaires ad interim in Timor-Leste. He is from Czechoslovakia and is an energetic and engaging man. On 2 February the new CSM Office will be opened in Suco Manleuana, Dili. Colegio Marist Lautem Begins New School Year Colegio Marist Lautem, the first Marist school in Timor-Leste, has re-opened for the new academic year following the Christmas break, welcoming staff, parents, and students back to campus. Br Joel with the students at Lautem Teaching staff orientation commenced on 8 January, preparing educators for the year ahead. The following morning, the school hosted parents of enrolled students, providing an important opportunity to meet families and communicate key information about their children's education. Students began classes on Monday, 12 January, with enrollment reaching 113 students for the current academic year. Br Gaspar with his Grade 3 class Br Gaspar Te'un has settled in well alongside five other new teachers who have joined the school community. To foster camaraderie and help staff get acquainted, the school organised a beach BBQ at sunset during the first week, providing a relaxed social atmosphere for teachers to connect. "There is a good atmosphere during these early weeks which we anticipate will last," said Br Paul Kane, Principal of the school. The school appointed two gardeners this year to maintain the property, and they are successfully managing the grounds, gardens, and lawns after significant growth during the holiday period. In a collaborative effort, Br Lecio Heckler and the aspirants have been planting fruit trees across the school property. View more pics here: -Contributed by Br Greg McDonald, Br Paul Kane and Br Matthew Green, Timor-Leste

Opening Masses, staff orientations, student inductions, and familiar faces returning - it has been a wonderful and busy start to the year across Pasifika. Read on to find out what's been happening! Solomon Islands: A Workshop on Grace Inspires St Joseph’s Catholic School Staff The staff of St Joseph’s Catholic School in Tenaru, Solomon Islands, recently came together for a workshop led by Abraham and Ruth Hihiru. Centered around the theme of Grace - the grace we have received, the grace we give, and the grace we pass on - the session was a beautiful reminder of what it means to be a Marist educator. As teachers and staff, we are called not just to instruct, but to transform. To see our students not simply as learners, but as people entrusted to our care. This workshop invited us to reflect on how we carry that mission every day - in our classrooms, in our relationships, and in the way we show up for one another, said Ruth. View more pics: Papua New Guinea: All the best Br Bomes and Elijah! Congratulations to Brothers Bomes Tukana from Bougainville and Elijah Watehou from the Solomon Islands, who began classes at DBTI (Don Bosco Technical Institute) in East Boroko, Papua New Guinea. Fiji: Congratulation to the new student leaders of MCI In Fiji, it was a season of formation and reflection for our young Marists. Champagnat Marist Institute marked an important milestone with the induction of its student leaders - a meaningful ceremony that called these young men and women to step forward in service, responsibility, and example. Brothers Tim Leen & Fergus Garett Meanwhile, senior classes from Marist Brothers High School made their way to the peaceful surrounds of Lomeri for a much-needed retreat. Away from the busyness of school life, students had the opportunity to slow down, reflect, and reconnect - with themselves, with one another, and with God. Kiribati: Opening Mass for All Catholic Schools in Kiribati, 2026 Last Friday, 13 February, marked the 2026 Opening Mass for Catholic schools in Kiribati - a wonderful occasion that also drew participation from the government. Staff and students from across the island gathered together for this special celebration, which was presided over by Bishop Simon Mani of the MSC congregation. Schools taking part included St Louise High School, Santa Maria College, Sacred Heart College, Immaculate Heart College, St Patrick's College, Kiribati Pastoral Institute, and one government school - with an estimated 6,000 students and staff in attendance, along with religious accompanying the various colleges. Our own Marist Brothers - Br Afaese Afaese, Br Amberoti Nantei, and Br Carlvin Rumina - were present, accompanying St Louise High School. View more pics: Fiji: Welcome to Fiji, Br Manecas! Br Manecas Dos Santos, originally from Timor-Leste, has moved to Fiji after completing his studies at MAPAC. He will continue his studies at the University of the South Pacific and will be living with the Brothers' community. Welcome to Fiji, Br Manecas! Brothers Manecas, Tim and Karalo With Br Petero in Lomeri

As we move through another school year at LaValla, we are delighted to share some highlights from recent months. Our new students, many of them young and small, have settled beautifully into life at LaValla. December brought wonderful immersion visits from St John's College Woodlawn, Sacred Heart College, Alice Springs, and a group of Marist Young Adults accompanied by Jenifer Miller, MYM Sydney Regional Coordinator and Paul Harris, Mission, Life and Formation. All three groups connected warmly with our students. LaValla kids with students from Sacred Heart, Alice Springs In January, we welcomed Takoda Cheng from Marist Youth Ministry, who volunteered for a month at both LaValla School and LaValla Village. Takoda immersed himself fully in student life through English teaching, sport, and recreation. His energy and dedication left a lasting impression - the students thoroughly enjoyed his company and benefited greatly from his English lessons. LaValla Students Farewell Takoda Tony McDonnell, an old friend of Lavalla's and a fantastic photographer, joined us with a three-week visit after Christmas. As always, he was a most welcome presence, and students and staff alike were sad to see him return to Australia. We eagerly anticipate his next visit and hope it will be longer than three weeks. Students farewell Tony Our Friday tradition continues to flourish: each week, LaValla students present creative and entertaining drama performances to close out the school week. These performances give young people a wonderful opportunity to build confidence, and we're discovering that some are truly born for the stage. Friday play conducted by the kids Finally, the extensions to the brothers' house have been completed, providing additional upstairs space for the community and visiting brothers. At times this year, all rooms have been occupied simultaneously. The extension has also enabled us to develop a ground-floor oratory where the brothers and Kylene, a Maryknoll lay missionary, gather for morning and evening prayer. Jenifer Miller and Paul Harris View more pics: -By Br Brian Kinsella, Cambodia

Five Melbourne Marist Association members are launching a community project for young adults centered around the Exodus Community in Heidelberg West. Br Harry Prout, Liz Wake, Joe McCarthy, Zack Pizzingrilli, and Br Tony Clark are leading the initiative, which provides volunteer opportunities for past students who have worked with Exodus Over 25 young people attended the first gathering on Sunday night, sharing a meal and discussing the community's direction. Peter Woodhouse, the newly appointed Marist Youth Ministry Regional Coordinator, attended to hear from participants. The program will connect Melbourne Association members with young adults as mentors while they volunteer with Exodus Community programs. The project seeks to foster a supportive community where young adults can grow together while volunteering, studying, and working. It is designed for those passionate about justice and long to make a meaningful difference - not alone, but in connection with others who share the same commitment. About Exodus Community The Olympic Village Exodus Community operates as a grassroots Marist ministry in West Heidelberg, Melbourne, supporting residents in an area of significant disadvantage. Exodus works with people experiencing isolation, poverty, and powerlessness, including families dealing with violence, childhood trauma, and homelessness. Programs include weekly Drop In meals, bread deliveries, a youth group for children under 12, community outings, home visits, service opportunities for secondary students, and advocacy support. View more pics: Words by Liz Wake, Exodus Program Coordinator Pics by Zack Pizzingrilli

As the new year begins, schools and communities across the province are launching into 2026 with renewed energy. At the Instituto Católico para Formação de Professores (ICFP) , Timor-Leste, preparations are underway to welcome a new cohort of students and teachers, writes Br Paul Gilchrist, the institute's Director. ICFP staff returned to start the new academic year on 5 January 2026. After an opening prayer and a meeting with all staff, the lecturers were quickly down to work preparing for the arrival of the Licentiate students who began classes the following day. Also on 6 January 2026, 143 applicants for admission to the Institute sat for their entrance examination and then they were each interviewed by a team of lecturers. The selection process was very difficult, and the decision was made to take ten extra enrolments. All the same over 90 students missed out. The Licentiate students participated in two weeks of intensive lessons at the end of the second week, and they will commence an extensive estajiu (training period) of three months in the first week of February. Five teachers from Catholic schools in Baguia, Laga, Uaisa, Manatuto and Uatulari who are part of the Capacity Building Project, were enrolled for the first semester on 20 January 2026 and their places in the schools were taken by five recent graduates, who were delighted to be selected for their first taste of paid full-time employment. They started their teaching on 19 January 2026.                                      The new first-year students participated in their Orientation to ICFP from 21-23 January 2026. This group is the largest ever to be enrolled at the Institute. They took part in the programme with great enthusiasm and energy, and they were ready for their first classes on 26 January 2026. The Orientation concluded with a special Mass to open the academic year. It was celebrated by Padre Bernardo, the Director of Catholic Education in Baucau. 2026 has started well, and we are looking forward to a great year ahead.  View more images: -Br Paul Gilchrist, Director, ICFP Pics courtesy: Media ICFP Baucau Facebook page

The newly elected Star of the Sea Provincial Council gathered for its first meeting, marking a significant moment as it begins shaping the direction of the Province for the next three years. The Council comprises Br Darren Burge (Provincial), Br Ken McDonald (Vice Provincial and Provincial Delegate, Pasifika), Br Peter Horide (Provincial Delegate, Aotearoa New Zealand), Br Greg McDonald (Provincial Delegate, Timor-Leste and Cambodia), Br Bryan Davis (Provincial Delegate, Australia), and Br Sefo Une, who supports the Provincial Delegate for the Pasifika (Pacific). The meeting offered Council members an opportunity to reflect on the key themes emerging from both the General Chapter and the Provincial Chapter, while beginning the important work of discerning practical pathways forward for the life and mission of the Province. Alongside this forward-looking focus, the Council addressed matters affecting the Province as a whole, including considerations related to the appointments of Brothers. Members also worked on establishing the committees and commissions that will help guide and support the Province’s priorities over the next three years, ensuring the mission continues with clarity, collaboration, and purpose. The Council welcomed several invited guests who shared their expertise in areas central to the Province’s governance and future planning. Discussions included financial stewardship, emerging directions for mission and ministries, and matters of risk and compliance - all contributing to the Province’s commitment to responsible and sustainable leadership. Updates were also shared from across the countries that form the Province, providing insight into current realities, emerging opportunities, and the diverse settings in which the Marist mission is carried forward. These conversations strengthened the Council’s understanding of the breadth of the Province and grounded its discussions in the lived experiences of the communities they serve.