Laity News Melbourne

The first half of the year has featured a series of interesting meetings. In March, Kathleen Johnson told us about her venture into teaching religious education in a state school, a subject which the Council for Christian Education has supervised for many years. She taught children between the ages of 7 and 9 and displayed an impressive set of books, which were her teaching aids. This was part of an excellent comprehensive course; she said, based on an agreed syllabus and designed to meet every stage of development of a child right up to the secondary school level.

Sir Mary Keegan, SM who was visiting from Sydney, followed her. Sr Mary gave us a fascinating and colourful account of the opportunities for outreach and evangelisation from a different angle - that of her experiences as a Marist Sister in the Solomons. She showed how each person is directed by God and used by Him in a different way.

In June, we had Fr Patrick Kervin, SM who gave out papers with selected quotations from the 'Constitutions of the Society of Mary,' and 'A Founder Speaks' relating to the essence of the Marist spirit and charism. Fr Pat invited the meeting to reflect on some of these significant statements which included a close examination of several of Fr Jean-Claude Colin's key words and phrases, the need for each Marist to recognize what this special calling means personally, and the realization that we are here by Mary's gracious choice and invitation. This was a very wide-ranging and stimulating talk.

The second speaker was Sr Beverley Lewis, SM who tabled the mission statement of the Sisters and elaborated on it. She made the point that "action must stem from prayer, prayer must nourish the action, and action must lead to prayer." The Sisters' congregation was founded to meet the needs of the church and focused on education of children in the past. Now there is shift in emphasis and they teach in parishes. They see themselves as also called to aid the poor and in addition, undertake bold and difficult works such as sending three sisters to the Ukraine. One way of describing their mission is, "enabling the church to be born and reborn and to assist as midwife."

Fourviere Celebration
The climax to this period was the recent Fourviere celebration held on 16th July. Again two speakers were featured in the programme:

Br Bryan Leak FMS and Sr. Jenny Clarke, Provincial of the Australasian Province Marist Missionary Sisters SMSM.

Br Bryan has recently returned from a pilgrimage to places of Marist origins in France and current apostolates in South America. This experience was shared with 22 lay staff of Marist schools.

Br Bryan shared his appreciation of St Marcellin Champagnat founder of the Marist Brothers and an inspiration for the whole Marist family. He outlined how Marist Brothers and the staff in Marist schools try to express the charism of St Marcellin in their involvement with young people today. Distinctive aspects of this spirit are: Presence, Simplicity, Family Spirit, Love of Work and In the Way of Mary. Bro Bryan spoke on trends in Marist teaching in schools, which have been inspired by the personality and ideals of the brother's founder, St. Marcellin Champagnat.

Sr Jenny, who was a physician (GP) before entry, is the new Provincial of the SMSM Australasian Province. Jenny's responsibilities as provincial are challenging and diverse. Jenny spoke of her spiritual journey in search of an authentic relationship with Mary that has formed her to meet the challenges of her vocation. Jenny has been inspired by Mary's courage and ability to take those risks that need to be taken as a disciple of Christ. Mary has heavily influenced Jenny's living out her vow of poverty whilst responding to the needs of the very poor in Bangladesh.

The final item was a Para Liturgy presented by Gloria Carberry, a Marist Lay member. A wind up to a very spiritual and enjoyable day.

We were very pleased to welcome Ann Dooley, Coordinator, Lay Partnership and a number of new faces to our Fourviere celebration. About twenty-five people were present and the proceedings ended with a beautiful tea party, the cream puffs made by Pat Smith were particularly luscious.

Margaret Smyth is now our leader succeeding Kay Annesley who gave so much time and energy to the task. Kay continues to be a dedicated and steadfast presence in the group.

Shelagh Goonewardene