and, from the opening Mass led by Bishop Leamy sm and Logos Youth Group, we tried to let it percolate throughout. How vibrant a conference can be when a wide variety of perspectives meet and mix; when people are present who want to be there; and when the programme is altered at times by the wishes of the participants and when Marist Spirituality is evident and lived! Marist Laity in this part of the world loved being members of the Society of Mary. There were around 75 present most of the time, sometimes more as at Mass or less.

In the photo: The delegation from Noumea on the steps of Pompallier House, Russell. Holding the Icon of St Peter Chanel sm is Helene Mennesson, left is Sebastien Leleivai, Christien Brock and Fr Ghislain de Rasilly sm, vicar-general of Oceania.

One confrere described the Conference as more of a jamboree. I didn’t protest. People did come from a variety of places: USA, Australia, New Caledonia and Futuna, as well as Pakeha, Tongan and Samoan residents of NZ. While we did not sleep in tents or on marae, we were a pilgrim people on the move.

On Sunday a bus took 45 to the shrine of St Peter Chanel in Russell, to join in the Parish Mass to honour the 50th year of the saint’s Canonisation, to visit Pompallier Printery, to enjoy a picnic lunch together beforehand in the sheltered grounds of its manager and later to be hosted for an evening feast by the two Marist Laity groups in Whangarei.

Saturday’s Spiritual nourishment was provided by a power point presentation by previous Laity director in NZ, John Allardyce sm (Mary of Faith, Hope and Choice); Sister Catherine Jones smsm on Marists: where we have come from, with dramatics; Filipo Motulalo on The Marist Way as lived by 500 Tongans in Auckland; and on Monday, Michael Young sm spoke superbly on Mary in the Liturgy.

Reports from overseas and NZ were received on Saturday afternoon: Ann Brown (USA) reported on the Boston Conference last year and their scene. Maria Baden, leader of Marist Laity Australia, told of developments across The Tasman. New Caledonians spoke of 3000 Marist Laity: in cell groups for Evangelisation, of Marist Fraternities, and of the Third Order in the Territory. Tongans spoke of their plans for a revival visit to Marist Laity in Tonga in July; the Samoans are holding a mini-conference at Queens Birthday weekend in Wellington; Glynis Collins spoke of Marist Life in the Far North.

On Monday, after commemorating ANZAC DAY, and Michael Young’ presentation, several recommendations were received and supported widely.

The Australians want to host a conference in 2007.

The Futunans invited us to visit them. (Next year?)

A New Caledonian recommendation was for further Formation for Marist Lay leaders. This was supported by many others. (A new SMANZO project?)

The closing Liturgy on ANZAC day was a heartfelt expression of all that had occurred, was occurring and is hoped-for Marist family links in the future.

The budget for the conference was $12,000 and this was self-generating. Thanks to Jane Langham’s constant expertise and vigilance in records, and Glynis Collins’ ability to stage a fine raffle, and sponsorship of this & that, there are no overruns or bailing out requests. I would give the event 90% success, 95% happiness and 100% adrenaline. So, here are further signs of Marist life. John Craddock sm

Ann Brown (USA) placing Marist lapel pins on Pelenato and Kusitino, the two delegates from Futuna. Note their magnificent shell necklaces that were later presented as gifts.

Ann Brown travelled to the conference from USA (The excellent photos were taken by Ann Brown and we thank Ann for the use of them)

and Mele Tuitufu from Timaru.

Two came from Futuna and were able to attend the Feast Day celebrations at Russell on 28th April with the Parish.

Six came from Australia, from Gladstone, Sydney and Melbourne.

Also, three from New Caledonia and Fr Ghislain de Rasilly sm from Fiji.

Four Wellington Samoans are conducting a mini-conference in the Capital on June 4 as a follow-up.

“It’s a week since the conference.

And what a conference it was! I was emotionally, physically and spiritually exhausted. I just sat in the plane and didn’t move till we got to Sydney!”

...an Aussie’s reaction

“I think we all feel we are on to a winner... There is a real buzz”

A Kiwi’s comment.

Photo is of Mary & Jesus at Pompallier House, Russell.

We were all shocked and reminded of our mortality and that we “do not know the hour or the day” on 4th April when Mark’s sudden death occurred. He was playing golf with three other clergy. He had just pared the fifteenth at Wainuiomata and was walking confidently on the fairway of the 16th when he stumbled and fell. He was 65. His Requiem was at St Mary of the Angels and was attended by many family members and friends. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

The saddest of news: R.I.P.

Many of you will have heard through our network of the death on May 1st of Sam Langham, 20 year old son of Jane and Paul. His sudden death, on the Sunday after the Conference, by motorbike accident in the Wairarapa caused a huge outpouring of sympathy and immense prayerful support. Relatives flew in from overseas; people packed the parish Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Tawa, both for the vigil and the Requiem Mass on May 6th.

We continue our deepest empathy to Jane & Paul and to their adult children, Rachel, John and Peter. Many of you have already let them know of your solidarity and they feel that. Those of you who may wish to contact them, may do so by email:

langham@paradise.net.nz

Eternal rest grant to Sam, O Lord,

and let perpetual light shine upon him.

May he rest in peace, Amen.

During the first half of May, a Council of the Society of Mary was held in Mexico. Fr Denis O’Hagan sm, Provincial of NZ, was our representative. He reports that it was a wonderful occasion, productive and energising. It was facilitated well and ended with widespread agreement on methods of Renewal and Restructuring of the Society.

Australia and NZ are being urged to connect more closely. Oceania, with its great variety and huge distances will remain a unit. However, the current procedure of combined projects by the three provinces, who comprise 40% of the Society, is maintained. The Council completed many of the unresolved areas of the General Chapter four years ago. It also determined international formation of Marists. Fr Craig Larkin is re-elected as the Vicar General for another four years

JC COLIN PROJECT STARTS IN WELLINGTON

Frs Pat Brohpy, Kevin Murphy, Thige O”Leary and Mark Walls started meeting in September. Their task was to come up with a proposal within guidelines given them to establish a new youth and Education Ministry based out of Wellington. In March 2005, they presented the fruit of their deliberations and discernment to the Provincial Council and it was approved. They are to develop a Marist Ministry to young people that is organised and self-managed by schools and others and has also an outreach to young people on the margin, connecting with Challenge 2000. They will work towards making the project organised and managed by a lay person. They will prepared resources for others to use, provide training, organise appropriate events, seek funding, and promote vocations. They live in rented accommodation in Holloway Road, Te Aro. Already they are underway, and reports are good. Please pray for this.

Provincial Council

Fr Denis O”Hagan was re-elected as Provincial and the Councillors are Brian Cummings, Phil Cody, Thige O’Leary, Peter Roe and Pat Breeze.