Our Marist Pacific Neighbours MARIST LAITY IN NEW CALEDONIA and FIJIA year ago last April, Marist Laity Australia, held an international conference in Sydney. Marist participants came from near and far to share their ministry and spirit with us.
 We were particularly blessed to have Sebastien Leleivai and Sosefo Mufana (non English speakers) from French- speaking New Caledonia. By their presence with us they shared the joyful spirit of our Polynesian neighbours in the Pacific. They contributed to an evening session by telling us about their ministry with the help of interpreters. Sebastien’s input was translated by Sr Elizabeth McTaggart sm and Sosefo’s contribution was translated from French to English by Christine Colomban (delegate from USA).
Unfortunately most of us could not understand French, but with the help of the interpreters and their Marist simplicity they kept us amused while relating how they live Marist lay ministry in New Caledonia. Sosefo told us about his work in the Third Order: - There are some 1,800 lay people in the Third Order of Mary
- There are some 830 young Marists There are also the Fraternities
- Another expression of Marist Laityis called “Cell Mary”
- There is one bureau to centralizethese 4 branches of Marist Laity
- This bureau has a President,Treasurer and Secretary
Sebastien belongs to the Fraternity. He told us how he visits the sick and also people who are homeless.
- The Fraternity Marists meet once every 2 months to pray and discuss their outreach work
 Olivia Laisuva, from Nadi, Fiji spoke on behalf of the 5 Fijian delegates at the conference.
Olivia spoke gently and beautifully about her association with the Marist Sisters. A big group meet once a month in Nadi at the Marist Sisters convent for prayer and reflection. Sr Marlene SM prepares the leaflets. The Sisters are the main impetus for this group. Most of them were educated by the Marist Sisters.
Simply, their hope for the future is to grow in Mary’s spirit
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