19 March 2024
 In this in-depth conversation on the Leadercast podcast, Father Richard Rohr, a spiritual mentor and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation, shares profound insights into leadership, humility, and the journey of life. Father Richard emphasizes the transformative power of humility in leadership and reveals his perspective on the secret to life, which he believes revolves around love. |
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09 March 2024
 Matt Abrahams' talk focuses on improving communication skills in spontaneous situations, offering a blend of strategies, activities, and insights to manage anxiety and enhance speaking abilities. He starts by highlighting the challenge of catching attention and maintaining engagement, proposing that effective communication in impromptu settings is achievable through practice. |
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24 February 2024
 This delves into the evolving nature of church leadership and the resistance to change within the Church. Beginning with Jesus' selection of Peter, it highlights the transformative journey of the Church as a living community of faith. Through quotes from influential figures like John C. Maxwell and Pope Francis, it emphasizes the importance of inclusive leadership and embracing change. The narrative explores the crisis of relevance faced by the Church and the necessity of adaptive leadership in navigating it. It calls for a shift towards a more collaborative and participatory model of governance, echoing the sentiment that leadership and learning are intertwined. Ultimately, it advocates for embracing change while upholding timeless values, presenting a roadmap for renewing the vitality of the Church amidst a changing world. |
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15 February 2024
 Initially, I hesitated as I did not know fully what this question meant. Often when Jesus is asked a question in the Gospels, he answers with another question. So initially, I answered “What is the dream of Marist Laity in 2023” but also “what is the dream of Marist laity in 2030?” In our discussion we drew upon a recent Marist Laity Australia committee meeting at Hunters Hill. In the committee meeting there was a wide range of answers as there are a deep array of lay people. |
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27 January 2024
 In a dialogue between Bishop Alan McGuckian and Sister Denise Boyle, the conversation spanned Bishop McGuckian's background, emphasizing his Jesuit roots and roles within the Church, including his innovative work with the Living Church project. They discussed the nuances of Vatican II's teachings, particularly the shared authority between the Roman Pontiff and the College of Bishops, and explored the themes of co-responsibility, synodality, and the challenges of communication within the Church's hierarchical structure. The significance of prayer and spirituality in the Synod process was highlighted, as was the rich diversity of opinions, especially the impactful contributions of women and laypeople. They reflected on tradition's vitality and the importance of inclusivity in addressing concerns about youth, women, and the LGBT community. The dialogue also touched upon the transformative potential of increased female participation in Church proceedings, the community's needs during times of loneliness, and the importance of unity and collective decision-making, marking a historic moment where women had an equal voice in the bishop's synod. |
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18 January 2024
 Simon Sinek's presentation, 'A Guide to Leadership,' explores the true essence and challenges of leadership. He emphasizes that leadership is not about being in charge but about taking care of those in our charge. Sinek points out that most people are trained to be good at their jobs, but there's a lack of training in how to lead others. This gap often results in managers who micromanage instead of true leaders. |
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14 January 2024
 The blog entry titled 'Reimagining Church' explores the concept of 'church' beyond its contemporary association with a large institutional body, urging a return to its roots as 'the people of God' and an inclusive family beyond mere blood relations. It reflects on the character of Peter, a family man and fisherman, chosen by Jesus to be the foundation of his church—a figure with flaws and personal struggles, as depicted in cultural narratives like the TV series 'The Chosen.' The blog critiques the decline in church attendance in Western countries, citing issues like sexual abuse scandals, secularism, lack of women's leadership, and polarization between conservatism and progressivism. However, it suggests that these issues, while significant, are not the core crisis. It advocates for a more engaged and familial concept of church, influenced by Pope Francis's idea of a 'Synodal Church' that is conversational and journey-oriented. The entry calls for action and dialogue within the church as a family, recognizing that like Michelangelo's unfinished David, the church is a work in progress. It concludes by questioning the reader's personal definition of 'church' and encourages reimagining it as an active, family-oriented community where God's will is pursued collectively. |
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18 December 2023
 The December edition of the Marist Laity newsletter reflects on the organization's future engagement with young adults and those seeking reflective opportunities, with a follow-up meeting planned in February 2024 and events throughout the year to deepen prayer and reflection. It also touches on the enduring conflicts where Jesus lived, with a poignant reflection from Fr. Jim Carty SM and a message of hope from Pope Francis, emphasizing God's unwavering presence. The newsletter extends gratitude to committee members and bids farewell to Michael Evison as he retires. It memorializes three influential Marists who recently passed away, celebrating their legacy and contribution to the community. Additionally, it highlights the impact of Street Retreats, where students engage with the homeless in Sydney, fostering compassion and understanding beyond mere observation. |
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08 December 2023
 In the document Laudatio Si Pope Francis calls all people to live an “integral ecology”. That people develop a sense that all life is connected. This is a very Christian belief as it is the sacrament of creation. That God is revealed through creation itself. God is the Creator who has entered creation in the person of “Jesus Christ”. Christians call this the “incarnation”. The fact that God has entered creation reveals to us the sacredness of creation. All of creation manifests the glory of God. |
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19 November 2023
 The YouTube clip titled 'Jonathan Pageau encourages World Leaders to pursue the supreme Good' presents a speech in which Jonathan Pageau addresses the theme of the 'supreme Good' in the context of a meaning crisis similar to one experienced by ancient Athens. He references the philosophical debates of that era, particularly the ideas of Plato who posited that behind the physical world are eternal forms, with the highest being the form of the Good. For Plato, everything exists to participate in the Good. |
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08 November 2023
 True belonging is about a spiritual practise. It is about an ability to find sacredness in both being a part of something but also the courage to the stand alone. For those of us who have the courage to stand alone especially when we know that we are risking that sense of being a part of something because we disagree and because we have a different opinion, because we love something different. That is the mark of true belonging. The ability to say yes I belong, but also to stand alone when I need to. |
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05 November 2023
 'Brave' by Nichole Nordeman is a song about breaking free from the constraints of fear and the comfort of complacency to embrace a life of faith and courage. The lyrics describe the familiar, wide path of moderation and the middle ground that many people walk—a place where it's easy to blend in with the crowd and live without making waves or standing out. |
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05 November 2023
 Sheryl Sandberg's TED Talk, 'Why we have too few women leaders,' addresses the issue of women's underrepresentation at the highest levels of professional sectors worldwide. She begins by sharing staggering statistics: out of 190 heads of state, only nine are women; women hold just 13% of parliamentary positions globally; and they make up a meager 15-16% of C-level jobs and corporate board seats, a figure that has been stagnant since 2002 and is, in some cases, declining. |
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04 October 2023
 The October 2023 edition of the Marist Laity Australia newsletter highlights the organization's priorities for 2024, with a focus on engaging young adults and those seeking silence, reflection, and meaningful conversation. There's an enthusiastic mention of another Marist Camino event in 2024, following the success of the 2023 event. The Marist Family Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Committee hosted an event discussing the upcoming referendum on The Voice to Parliament, facilitated by renowned journalist Kerry O'Brien. The newsletter also commemorates the recent passing of Br Des Murphy FMS and updates on Barbara Ashwell's health. As the Synodal Assembly approaches, prayers for the Church's mission are requested. Additionally, reflections on the life of Mary and the Marist movement are provided by Fr Kevin Bates and Sr Margaret Tisch. Lastly, a conversation with Kerry O'Brien emphasizes the importance of recognizing the voice of Australia's indigenous population. |
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29 August 2023
 In the second half of term three in schools often there is a rush for new job advertisements of new coordinators, assistant principals and principals. Sometimes teachers come up to you and say “so are you going to apply for this new position?” while others not applying begin chatting behind the scenes saying “I wonder who will fill this new position?” Our culture is often fixed on climbing this corporate ladder. As if there is something wrong if you do not apply for a promotional position. |
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20 August 2023
 Amy Cuddy's talk revolves around the concept of nonverbal expressions of power and how they influence our thoughts, feelings, and physiology. She begins by proposing a simple no-tech life hack: changing your posture for just two minutes can have a significant impact. She asks the audience to audit their current body language and notes that people often make themselves smaller, hunch, or close up in various ways. She emphasizes that nonverbal behavior, or body language, communicates not only with others but also with ourselves. |
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03 July 2023
 “We gain control by letting go. We come to know by not knowing,” says Fr Michael Whelan SM ashe explains the power of listening within. Life, sooner or later - if we let it - leads us into the realisation that the more we know, the more we know we do not know. In other words, we experience the inexhaustible intelligibility of reality. This is what we call mystery. Life does have many problems that invite solutions. But life itself is not a problem. We should not look for solutions to life. Life is a mystery to be lived. As in life, there are many problems in the Church that invite solutions. But, as in life, the Church - our life together in Christ - is not a problem to be solved but a mystery to be lived. |
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14 June 2023
 Brené Brown reflects on their deep admiration for a person referred to as 'my Angela,' who has been their constant source of guidance and inspiration throughout their life. They express their love and appreciation for my Angela's work, except for one quote that has bothered them for decades. The quote suggests that freedom comes from belonging nowhere, which contradicts Brené Brown's understanding of the importance of love and belonging in human suffering. However, upon further exploration, Brené Brown discovers a deeper meaning behind my Angela's words. True belonging, as my Angela explains in an interview, is a spiritual practice that involves finding sacredness in both being a part of something and having the courage to stand alone, even if it means disagreeing or having different opinions. Brené Brown concludes that belonging everywhere and nowhere is liberating. |
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28 May 2023
 In this sermon, the speaker reflects on a passage about fear. The speaker emphasizes the importance of obeying God and following His lead, even in the face of danger and uncertainty. They mention that God's protection works when we are moving forward and obeying Him, and that even in difficult times or painful experiences, God is using them to shield and protect us. The speaker refers to a fairy tale by George MacDonald to illustrate the concept of following God's path, even when it seems uncertain or challenging. They also discuss the idea of locating our glory and security in finite things, which can lead to anxiety and fear. Instead, they encourage the audience to find their glory in God and His approval. The speaker suggests that through prayer and confidence in God's forgiveness and sacrifice, we can find assurance and overcome our fears. |
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25 April 2023
 During World War 1 many Aboriginal Australians signed up to serve in the Australian army. They were treated equally and with a sense of mateship along with other soldiers. This gave Australia a sense one of the first forms of Aboriginal Reconciliation. |
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22 April 2023
 Welcome to the Easter Edition of the Marist Laity Newsletter. You will find a number of articles of Easter, reflections on death and young people visiting homeless people and an invitation to join us on Sunday April 30 for prayer and reflection via zoom. |
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22 April 2023
 Simon Sinek presents a simple but powerful model for how leaders inspire action, starting with a golden circle and the question 'Why?' His examples include Apple, Martin Luther King, and the Wright brothers -- and as a counterpoint Tivo, which (until a recent court victory that tripled its stock price) appeared to be struggling. |
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11 March 2023
 'Women, Leadership and the Synodal Process: Where to Now?' was an event held on 2 February 2023 in Sydney, with Xavierian Missionary Sister Nathalie Becquart XMCJ, who is one of the most senior women within the Vatican, and indeed one of its most influential figures because of her leading role at the Secretariat for the Synod of Bishops. The Synod is set to address the most important topics facing the Church today and she will have a decisive say on shaping the future of our Church. |
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26 January 2023
 Catholic schools have always been charged with a special mandate to offer hope to those who are disadvantaged, and this special attention for those who are weakest, who are the battlers, is as Australian as Eureka and Penola. Australian Catholic education has been hailed as a jewel and the envy of other nations. Even from the early days, the concern to provide a religious education for Catholic families in the colony galvanised the bishops of Australia. Their vision was brought to life by religious men and women who responded courageously to the invitation to give opportunity to young Catholics. These were mostly poor, socially disadvantaged and in the post-war period, immigrant children. This special attention to them in Catholic education has not been diminished with the transition from religious to lay leadership. A strong commitment to professional development, especially in respect of the mission, identity and ethos of Catholic schools, continues to guide us to meet the challenges of the 21st Century. |
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23 January 2023
 If people are sitting on the floor, try to spend some time on the floor as well – try not to always be standing above them. It can be helpful to use a handout or projector at these times, that the focus is not you, but rather focus away from you. You are not the most important person in the room. |
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02 January 2023
 Our traditional image of Mary has been a maternal one. Because a single image cannot capture her identity for everyone, this article will investigate how religious women today regard Mary as “blessed among women.” Drawing on their insights, it will distinguish between the stereotyped image of Mary and the real person. |
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28 December 2022
 Essential to Mary’s spirituality is the conviction of being loved by God. This is proclaimed powerfully with the words Luke uses: 'Hail, O favoured one. The Lord is with you ... Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. ” |
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27 December 2022
 One of my favourite Gospel scenes has always been Jesus’ return to Nazareth and his reading in the Synagogue. You remember the context in Luke’s account - Jesus was at prayer after being baptised and the Holy Spirit descended on him and a voice came from Heaven: “This is my beloved Son”. Then he was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days - days of prayer, reflection, fasting and temptation. Then “with the power of the Spirit in him” he returned to Galilee, teaching in the synagogues. Then he came to Nazareth “where he had been brought up, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. He stood up to read, and they handed him the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll he found the place where it is written: |
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22 December 2022
 Psychological safety is a shared belief that the environment is conducive to interpersonal risks without fear of negative consequences. Vulnerability is the first thing I look for in you, and the last thing I’m willing to share. In you, its courage and daring, in me, its weakness. When we feel psychologically safe, we lead with curiosity and courage, and we drive innovation. |
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14 December 2022
 For those who are younger there is a good chance you will have 6, 8 or 10 jobs. Different organisations over the years. This is just change. You have to get an instinct of how to think about your boss and the organisation that you find yourself in and the organisational structure. You need to figure that out so that you can serve people well. |
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12 December 2022
 On Dec 08 during Mass at St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill, celebrating the Immaculate Concepton the new Star of the Sea Province of the Marist Brothers was inaugurated. Visiting Superior-General, brother Ernesto Sanchez FMS, officially announced the closure of the Australian Province and District of Oceania and invited brother Peter Carroll to assume the role of leader of a new province embracing Pacifc and southeast Asian countries. |
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04 December 2022
 As the Jesuit scholastic Brendan Busse reflects: “The true beauty of this season lies in the way in which it sanctifies that which is most human in us: our desire to love and call ourselves beloved, the desire for the eternal to break into our mortal lives, for light to break into our darkness, for God’s loving presence to become a felt reality in our all too frail human condition.” |
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30 November 2022
 A conversation between a prominent theologian Mary McAleese and former head of state on models of leadership in the Church and the Vatican II notion of broad participation and shared responsibility. |
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26 November 2022
 What does it mean to be a leader that leads from the heart? Many years ago I started a new role in a new company. One of my first assignments was to lead an investigation for a transformational program that had gone extremely badly. The client was very upset with how the company was performing. In most cases we had lost trust with the client. |
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30 October 2022
 The purpose and goal of Fratelli Tutti paragraph 8 Pope Francis says it is his desire by acknowledging the dignity of each human person we can contribute to the rebirth of a universal aspiration to fraternity. The title of the document is inspired by a quote from Saint Francis of Assisi. A love that transcends the barriers of geography and distance and declares blessed all that love their brother as much as he his far away from him as much as he is with him. Issues of fraternal friendship have always been a concern of Pope Francis. In this encyclical Pope Francis brings together these ideas for reflection. This is open to all people. An invitation to all people to dialogue. Not just for Catholics and the Catholic church but all people. |
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22 October 2022
 You have to have the capacity for existential flexibility. What does that mean? Apple had already come up with success with Apple One and Apple Two. It is already a huge company and is very successful and they are working on their next big project. And then in 1981 Steve Jobs and his senior executives went on a tour of Xerox PARC. Their XEROX showed them an innovation they had come up with called the Graphic User Interface. This would allow us to use a mouse to control the cursor on the screen to click on folders move them around to use the computer. Prior to that you had to use a (text based) computer language like DOS. Remember Steve Jobs' vision and just cause to empower the individual to stand up to the status quo. When he saw this amazing Graphical User Interface he immediately saw that this was a way more powerful way to get more people to use a computer because it was so much more simpler and easier to use. As they are leaving Xerox, he says to his executives, we have to invest in this. And his people say 'we can't'. One of the voices of reason says 'Steve we cannot'. We have already invested countless man hours and millions of dollars in an entirely different strategic direction. If we invest in the Graphical User Interface we will blow up our own company. To which Steve Jobs responds 'better we blow up our own company than someone else'. |
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16 July 2022
 A few years ago a public relations firm asked people if they had a great deal of confidence of leaders in certain sectors of society. The 2007 survey focused on confidence. The results found confidence in political leaders (10%), business leaders (15%), education leaders (20%), and religious leaders (20%). What are some names of some quality leaders? What qualities of attributes are there in a good leader? |
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25 June 2022
 Imagine a world where almost everyone wakes up inspired to go to work. This is not a crazy, idealised notion. In many successful organisations, great leaders are creating environments in which teams trust each other so deeply that they would put their lives on the line for each other. Yet other teams, no matter what incentives were offered, are doomed to infighting, fragmentation and failure. Why? Today's workplaces tend to be full of cynicism, paranoia and self-interest. But the best organisations foster trust and cooperation because their leaders build what Sinek calls a Circle of Safety. |
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12 May 2022
 Joan Chittister osb, an American Benedictine, and a Practical Theologian embodies the voice of wisdom and experience.Her prophetic views on justice and equality, especially for women in the church, challenges those who would silence women and people at the margins. Through her call to uncommon courage she can help us re-discover the place of religion in our society through a spirituality of engagement, so that we can all work together to reform the clerical culture that has shattered so many and damaged us all. |
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25 April 2022
 Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, has washed the feet of inmates in a gesture of respect, humility and love for some of the most marginalised members of our community. |
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09 April 2022
 Jeff Freys research has shown that there are ten areas of our lives that are affected by sacrifice and self-stewardship and focusing on these can help us help ourselves so we can help others. |
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13 January 2022
 It is not about winning. It is not about losing. It's about showing up and being seen. |
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05 January 2022
 December. Sr Gail Reneker will take up the role of Unit Leader of Australia with Srs Julie Brand and Beverley Lewis as her Assistants. The gathering was also an opportunity to give thanks to Sr Catherine Lacey who has been Unit Leader for the past seven years and to Sr Ruth Davis for her role as Unit Assistant for the last three years. |
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24 December 2021
 Thank you for your ongoing support of MLA during this, another challenging year. A huge thank you to All who supported our online prayer reflections and provided such depth of sharing, they were rich exchanges and wonderful times to reconnect across the world. |
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29 November 2021
 Why do we give? What happens if we change the question? Not about 'me'. Not 'Please help' but rather 'in the next 2 weeks, 'if you only give once a month, please think of me next time'. This has nothing to do with the taker, but rather the giver. |
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12 November 2021
 What does it mean to lead? Invictus models an approach to leadership which is relational, but uses injustice as a vehicle to lead. |
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20 October 2021
 Is this what animates EWTN shows like Raymond Arroyo’s? Is this spirit of schism— known by its contempt, arrogance and disdain, but presenting itself as the defense of orthodoxy and tradition—evident in the ongoing hostility and contempt towards Francis? |
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12 October 2021
 Plenary Podcast, Day 3: Wednesday, 6 October 2021. Journey Catholic Radio’s Jude Hennessy in conversation with Bishop Michael Kennedy (Armidale, NSW) , Br Peter Carroll FMS (Provincial Marist Bros), |
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02 July 2021
 There is a sense in which the Church must change into a more Christ-like pattern of humility, simplicity and powerlessness as opposed to worldly triumphalism, splendour, dominance and power. Christians in the post-Royal Commission are like the Jews after the exile. The future of the Church, like the New Jerusalem that the exilic prophets often speak of, will not be revitalised by way of simply repeating what was done in the past. It will not be simply a restoration project or doing the old things better. Rather, we must have the courage to do new things; we must be open to the Spirit leading us to new horizons even as we tend to revert to the old ways. |
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12 June 2021
 Jean Claude Colin said “Be bold. We are building a new Church.’ Some of you may have heard the saying ‘be the Church’. Colin and the first Marists looked to us The Marist Laity, to be the Church for those beyond the reach of priests, brothers, nuns and missionaries. |
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04 June 2021
 Transformational leaders are future oriented people who are able to see fundamental discrepancies between the way things are and the way they should be, They recognise the shortcomings of a present order and offer an imaginative vision to overcome them. |
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16 May 2021
 Yesterday the leadership teams of the 4 religious branches of the Marist Family gathered in Manziana, in the outskirts of Rome. The meeting was originally planned to take place last year at the Marist Brothers house, L’Hermitage, near Lyons, but because of the pandemic the meeting was postponed. |
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16 May 2021
 Key note speech by Nicky Gumble. |
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25 February 2021
 By Bishop Geoffrey Robinson. 12 Elements in Institutional Culture that Contribute to Abuse. 2010 |
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29 December 2020
 During our EMLC delegates' Zoom meeting in July, we had the pleasure of getting to know the new European Provincial Delegate for Marist Laity, Fr Antonio Aira (Italy), who has taken over from Fr Jan Hulshof. With Father Antonio, it was decided to continue with the circular letter that Father Jan looked after for several years—thank you to him for all he did for this networking. |
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