Over 160 years ago, Marist Fathers and Brothers, followed by Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary (who were originally members of the Third Order of Mary), planted the many branched tree of the Society of Mary in Tonga. Then in the 1960s & 1970s especially, Tongan people took this branch to many places in the world where they have settled. It has taken root. It is this transplanting that we celebrate.

For twenty-five years, Tongan-speaking Marist laity have spread to twenty parishes and become a graced instrument in building up the Church of God in the City of Sails. May those who planted this branch of the Society of Mary in Aotearoa/NZ and, rejoice today in seeing such plentiful fruit on the branch of the tree, like the 51 new members today!

God has given this increase and the city of Auckland is better for it. Family life is strengthened when it is based on the life of the Holy Family of Nazareth. There, under the influence and authority of Mary and Joseph, Jesus grew in wisdom, stature and favour with God and people (Luke 2:52).

This is still a wonderful model for family life in our own time. Strengthened by these values, people learn to make right choices, grow in health, relate better to one another and to God Our Father. People then take their rightful and mature place in civic society where they continue to be a graced presence. May the 600 plus members of Kautaha O Malia continue to thrive so that the work of Mary can be achieved by the Grace of God. Thank you, Kautaha o Malia, for keeping the presence of Mary alive in our time. Congratulations to all concerned. Malo apeta Ofa Atu. Thank you & God bless!

Special Points of Interest

* A CD of songs was published by the Tongan Third Order choir for the 25th Anniversary occasion.

* History of 25 years was published by Filipo Motulalo, son of the founder, Asinate, who was present.

* Bishop Foliaki sm, Bishop of Tonga, was present.

* Ana Paea, secretary of KOM, will attend the Marist Laity Conference in San Francisco in late May and connect with the Californian MTO groups.

Kautaha O Malia is part of the tree of the Society of Mary; part of the world wide Marist Family. This family tree has many branches: the Fathers, the Sisters, the Brothers and Laity.

Kautaha o Malia is a part of the Laity branch. The branch is also linked to Tongan Marists in other parts of the world, like California and Australia, Wallis and Tonga itself, and therefore to all branches of the Marist Family in the world.

Strongly grounded like a tree that survives storms, droughts and vandalism, the Society of Mary in Aotearoa/NZ gives its life-giving spiritual nourishment to people who feel called to be Marist and part of Mary’s family.

As the family of Mary, we do her work in the Church. Encouraged by her example, we carry on her motherly role in the Church Community. We learn to think like her, to judge like her, to feel and act as she would in all things. Marists keep her presence alive in the Church

Yes, we become Mary: her head and heart, her hands and feet, in our world today. Just like a mother, Mary gathers her children and presents them to her Son Jesus. In this way, Marists can be a bridge for souls, leading them to Jesus. Then, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ leads them to Our Heavenly Father.

Hearing of the successful 25th anniversary of Kautaha O Malia at the 75th birthday celebrations of the co-founder, Asinate Motulalo, some visitors from Sydney and Newcastle reflected on what they are missing out on! They have been put in email contact with the Maria Baden, Marist Laity Leader in Sydney. Asinate herself and others intend to go to Sydney this year to advise new groups there on Marist spirituality, function, of being autonomous but not independent. Please pray for this initiative.

Smiles from some of the group in Oamaru on Sunday 26 November 2006 in the lovely lounge of Mary and Patrick Walsh, who are seated together on the front left. In white at end of the middle row is Meli Iaseto who that same day organised a group of 15 people in Dunedin’s Forbury parish and came to Oamaru to give support.

In the photo, Fr Mark Walls sm is instructing leaders in Marist Schools at one of the two youth leaders courses in January at St Bede’s College.

Bishop Robin Leamy sm, assistant in Auckland, has spent much time supporting Ahmed Zhoui and his appeal for asylum in NZ. Ahmed continues to live with the Dominicans community in Auckland.

Damian Dempsey sm and Joe Savesi sm have left NZ and begun working in the Marist missions overseas.

Fr. Joe Savesi left for Samoa on 28 December and will be there for 2 years. While there, Joe will be attached to the Chanel College Community and will be living at Regional House with Ed Jones; his ministry will be with the Marist Third Order, a major work in Samoa.

Fr Damian Dempsey left NZ on 31 January to join the Marist District of the Philippines. Something of their ministry was featured in our last Laylines.

RIP BISHOP LOFT

Bishop Gerry Loft sm, retired of Auki, Solomon Islands, died suddenly on the day he was welcomed into his parish of Beach Haven, North Shore. We extend sympathy to his brother, John sm and to Marie his sister and to all he loved and who loved him. RIP

Marists in Great Britain

The Superior General has appointed Fr Alan Williams sm for a third term as Major Superior of the Delegation Great Britain. GB is no longer a province and is preparing to merge with the new province of Europe.

Jane Langham, assistant in the Marist Laity Office, organised a display featuring Marist Laity at the “Growing Our Parishes” conference at Trentham in the last week of January. It displayed a combination of Marian Mothers and Marist Third Order material and attracted many onlookers. Thank you, Jane.

A new website was launched on 8 December 2006 which presents a common theme in Marist spirituality from the perspectives of the Marist Sisters sm,

the Marist Missionary Sisters smsm, the Marist Brothers fms, the Marist Fathers & Brothers sm and Lay Marists.

The frst topic is: "Called to be Marist – What does this mean to me?”

The initiative is the result of a joint Spirituality Committee of the four religious branches, consisting of Marie Challacombe SM, Margaret Ryan SMSM,

Henri Réocreux FMS, and Ray Chapman SM. Well done, Marist Family! We would recommend you to visit this site click here to visit now

As well, the Society of Mary International has an official website: check it out here where you can find Mission Bulletin and Education Bulletin.

Australian Lay Marists also now have an impressive web presence. To see what they are offering, click here

Other Marist Sites are on our 'Links' Page.