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Denis O'Hagan receiving his gift of appreciation, with John Murphy sm, Susan Lemmon, finance officer, and Thige O'Leary sm applauding.

Fr. Denis O'Hagan was farewelled on 1st February in a very fitting ceremony at St Joseph's Parish Centre near the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

It was a rather informal occasion with mainly local Marists, though some from as far as Feilding and Palmerston North attended. As well as the team from Cerdon others who have assisted Denis over his time as Provincial came to wish him well for the next part of his journey and ministry.

Phil Cody spoke warmly of the contribution Denis has made to the Province over his time leading it. He recalled with humour and genuine affection the qualities of Denis and the gifts he has given to the province. Phil and Denis were at school together, so Phil seemed very well qualified to speak.

Denis has been working since 1992 as a Provincial Councillor and in the last six years has been Provincial.

Meanwhile all managed to avail themselves of the goodies that were about. Most warmed to the fruit juice and water more than the Sponsors product as it was a typically hot Wellington La Niña summer.

Denis was presented with a painting of his beloved ancestral area, Island Bay, a taonga of greenstone and a Holy Picture. Denis could not wait for the plaudits to finish and seemed not at all tearful as he headed off to pack the gear for his break at St Kester's.

Brian (54) works full-time at Cerdon, the Province Centre, and lives at the Provincial House in Kelburn.

Ordained in 1979, he spent the next 22 years in education at St Bede's College (including 12 years as Rector) and St Patrick's College, Silverstream. In 2002, after six months at St Mary of the Angels, he spent a year in Canada completing the Staff Associate internship programme at Loyola Retreat House in Guelph.

Brian returned to NZ mid-2003 and became Rector of Marist Seminary for 18 months before joining the Provincial Council in a full-time role as Vicar- Provincial in 2005. His interests include films, reading, travel and most sports (these days in a spectator role!).

Tim (53) comes from Christchurch.

He grew up in Manchester Street parish and attended St Bede's college. Tim holds the distinction of spending 10 years in formation! Ordained in 1982, he followed that with another couple of years at university. He taught at Siverstream, St John's Hastings and St Bede's Christchurch, where he also looked after the boarding school. Tim qualified as an Organization Development Consultant with a Masters degree from Loyola College, Chicago. He then spent years in facilitation and consultancy for Church and business. Tim has had three previous terms on the Provincial Council with one of those as Vicar Provincial. He returned recently to work at Cerdon and lives in the Kelburn community. He likes IT (especially Mac computers), any sort of 'tech gear', cooking and he is something of an Italophile.

Merv (48) was born on the West Coast and raised in Nelson & Christchurch, in what were then Marist parishes.

He attended St Bede's college and then completed a degree in Mathematics, setting himself up for a career in education. After 14 years of teaching (Siverstream, Pompallier and a brief stint at St Bede's) he retrained in theology at the Gregorian University and now works at Good Shepherd College in tertiary theology education. He is the Dean of Studies and lectures in systematic theology and liturgy. Merv has interests in Marist History and computer-aided learning. One project that combines both is the Marist Studies Wiki (go to see this now) where he is making English translations of primary documents avavilable. This is his first time to be involved in provincial administration.

Fr Chris Skinner's latest CD “Truly Blessed”, a collection of Sacred Songs is now available. It features such popular ones as:

Be Still for the Presence of the Lord On Eagles Wings, Mary's Gift, an

Awe Maria medley,[no, not a spelling mistake - this the the Maori for 'Ave Maria'] and How Great Thou Art.

You can get copies directyly from Fr Chris at:

St Mary of the Angels, 17 Boulcott St, Wellington 6011;

Mobile phone: ++(0)21 286 7303

or email: chris@chrisskinner.org.nz

For more than one copy the CD is reduced to $25 each.

Congratulations, Fr Chris. (Marist Laity uses your music in our work).

The Award for the 'Best Education Coverage' was won by the Marist Messenger for three articles by Br Romuald Gibson FMS about pupils from the the Marist Learning Centre, Auckland.

The judge stated: “Br. Romuald's three articles - the stand out being “I have seen the future” - were written in the same style; people talk in their own language of how they turned their lives around. Very inspirational, captures the way people speak and portrays this so clearly, you can almost hear the dialogue, see the people talking, sit in on their meetings. Well-crafted, stylistic and the obvious winner of this category.” Congratulations, Br Romuald & Fr Brian O'Connell, (editor of Marist Messenger)

Widespread media coverage conveyed the tragic death of our second youngest NZ Marist, Jeremy Gray.

Laylines wants to record his death and salute his passing to the embrace of the Heavenly Father and Mary. May he Rest In Peace. Much has been said elsewhere but suffice to say here that his farewell liturgy in New Caledonia was the biggest that any Marist has ever received in that territory.

The youth particularly were present in huge numbers to salute one who had quickly touched their hearts. It is our prayerful hope that his sacrificial death in saving the life of 8 year old Ishmael, will be a catalyst in attracting many to follow Christ in a Marist Way for the benefit of many.

Fr Gerry Arbuckle sm published the fruit of his time as inaugural scholar in residence for Catholic Health Australia at its Centre for Leadership and Ministry. It is titled Crafting Catholic Identity in Postmodern Australia. (Catholic Health Australia, 2007)

Francis Sullivan, CEO for CHA states in the Foreword “In this work, Fr Arbuckle provides a comprehensive overview of the many approaches to Catholic Identity and offers a direction for organisations grappling with identification in a post modern world. Again readers will discover a font of wisdom seldom complied in such a succinct and readable fashion.” Congratulations Fr Gerry!

A useful way to describe the Marist Mission is: to enable the Christian Community to grow and develop according to its truest call.

The community of believers is made up of weak humans and is in constant need of reform. As Marists we want to live in such a way that the Church is ever more clearly a community of mercy - a place characterised by compassion, contemplation and relationship. A church in which Mary is present will open its doors to welcome all to Jesus Christ rather than insist on strict requirements. Marist are above all interested in opening the love of God to the world by living like Mary.