Marist Past

Just recently, I spent a couple of hours, over morning tea, with two wonderful ladies of Hunters Hill - Roma O'Donnell and Dorothy Thomas. Between the two of them, I got a glimpse of a Marist past involving Marist Laity.

Back in the 1970's, a Third Order group was formed by Fr Carl Heesh sm and Roma belonged to it. In 1980, Fr Shepherd sm noticed several cases of need in the parish - a mum with 2 small children and a husband in hospital and other cases of house-bound or isolated people needing support. From this, a group calling themselves Marist Care, was formed. Roma and Dorothy were part of this outreach. Fr Ed Clifton kept Marist Care going till the early 1990's. It was an example of a specific Marist Work done by lay Marists.

Marist Care, as such, no longer exists, but because of it, life-long friendships were formed. Roma and Dorothy are living proof!

In 2006 Marist Laity Australia is inviting interested people to come and discover more about Marist history, tradition and spirituality. It is a formation program that focuses on "thinking, judging, feeling and acting as Mary". The Hunters Hill region is rich in the Marist story and Marist personalities. Why not come along and be a part of the continuing Marist story?

Contact Maria Baden 9680-2220 or email