Readers may wish to know what is this Chapter that a religious congregation holds every four or five years. So we quote from our SMNZ November 2008 Newsletter.

“Chapter’s always begin with some formalities – welcomes and appointments and a few elections – so that the Steering Committee, the facilitator, the rules of engage-ment, and the timetable are all agreed upon.

Once work begins in earnest the two reports –

(a) from the Provincial – his report on the province since the last Chapter and

(b) from the Provincial Bursar and the National Finance Manager on the state of the finances of the province are accepted and provide both a useful account since the last Chapter and also a reminder of what remains to be achieved & what limitations there are in resources, human & financial.

SMNZ Provincial, Fr. Brian Cummings, chose rather than reading his report, to underline certain aspects within the written document that capitulants had already read. He highlighted the current economic climate;

* his hope that we might reorganise provincial committees;

* the work of reconfiguration (with the province of Australia);

* protocol issues and how we are not managing our own reactions to that;

* the difference between a working team and a Marist community;

* why we are in certain parishes and pastoral areas;

* Aging;

* our need to broaden the concept of Marist Laity;

* the huge potential of “foreign lands”;

* the new Spirituality Ministry at 78 Hobson St;

* and our contribution to the SM worldwide.

Brian said he thought the chapter should focus on Identity, Community and Ministry and spend time wrestling with the topic: How we view/understand ourselves as Marists in today’s world because it determines (a) how we live and (b) how and where we will minister.

The capitulants spent a great deal of time over the first three days of chapter considering just that matter and issues that surround it. This process culminated in Chapter defining what it called variously a Mission Focus and/or a Vision Statement – a way that the province should be able to answer the questions about identity, community & ministry; how we live and how and where we minister.

• are available for the mission of the Society,

• live a visible, prayerful Marist life,

• show joy, mercy and compassion,

• live in community, where possible, of four or more members,

• have a sense of direction and call others to work with us and join us;

and be living in a way that

• is welcoming,

• shows we respect, trust and care deeply for each other in all we do and say

• means that we are accountable to our community and province,

allows us to share our resources with those in need, especially the SM internationally,

• Young people are attracted to join us

and have a ministry which,

• with lay people, promotes the sharing of our charism,

• recognizes the original call to mission among the tangata whenua, (the indiginous people i.e. Maori)

• focuses on young people and 'foreign lands,' and

• Prefers missionary parishes.

One would expect that letters received in France 150 years ago from the Western Pacific would by now be in a wastepaper basket. Not So. In receiving letters from these first Missionaries in the Western Pacific, Venerable Father Colin, founder of the Marists, kept them safe and sound in Archives, first in Lyon and then in Rome.

For nearly 20 years, Fr Charles Girard sm has been editing them and has carefully referenced them so they can more easily be available.

On April 16th, ten volumes of them, carefully cross referenced for use by scholars and readers by Fr Charles Girard sm in a work spanning two decades, will be launched in Wellington at the National Archives.

The next day, Friday 17th April at the Victoria University of Wellington, there will be a Symposium to hear from those involved in the project and those who are using them as a resource for study.

This project in Wellington is being generously funded by the French Ambassador to NZ, M. Michael Legras.

The Mission concert didn't quite make it in the last Saturday of February.

Torrential rain fell on the afternoon of the concert and the concert management and New Zealand Police deemed the venue was no longer safe to host the event. This is the first time in 15 years that it had to cancel it famous annual outdoor concert in the Vineyard. 22,000 fans were disappointed but most saw the logic in the decision.

The dinner however went ahead and a small number of Marists joined with the many other guests to have a pleasant evening under the shelter of marquee. The following day, Sunday, dawned with fog, followed by a brilliant Hawkes Bay day with temperatures over 30c.

Ironically, the Mission Concert website had Lionel Ritchie's song "Is it me you're looking for?" playing as part of a background melody.

Once again the Mission Vineyards are in the news - this time for 'good news'.

In the Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2008, a rare Pure Elite Gold Medal was awarded to Mission Estate Reserve Syrah 2007. Among other awards was a Gold Medal for the unusually named: Mission Estate Jewelstone Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Petit Verdot 2007! You will find Mission Wines in all leading Wine Shops and some supermarkets.

Logos works in Church, School and Community

providing programmes and support in:

* Faith Formation

* Evangelisation

* Community Development

* Justice and service

* Leadership and Personal Development

* Pastoral Care

* Celebration – Prayer, worship, music, dance,

* drama, liturgy and Advocacy

Seminarian Matt Crawford sm with a group of youth form the Parish in Mexico where he is spending a Pastoral Year. The central person is holding the national picture of Our Lady of Guadeloupe.

The Mission to the Far North in the 21st Century.

Fr Arthur Toothill sm, of the Okaihau Marist Community is photographed at the entrance to the Anglican Church of St Paul, at Paihia, Bay of Islands, where Mass is celebrated most Sundays.

By agreement, this beautiful pioneering Church on the waterfront is used by Catholics.

Across the Bay is the National Shrine of St Peter Chanel where Mass is also celebrated regularly. The feast of St Peter Chanel is April 28th and this year it is planned that Fr Charles Girard sm editor of Letters Received 1836-1854 will celebrate the Mass on the Feast Day.

Marists from St Mary’s and the City Ministry teams took part in our inner city thrust into what we call 'foreign lands' which means taking the Gospel to places where people live, work and gather - not necessarily within the walls of the Church.

For those who took part, this was a most rewarding experience and a great example of this ministry at the service of the city and its people.

Fr Peter Roe sm, as principal organiser, was highly praised by many involved as was Fr Thige O’Leary sm, who saluted the Emergency Services.

Fr. Toma Soso sm. was making the 30 day retreat at the Ashram, near Nadi. At the end of the first week of the exercises, the retreatants went on an outing to Natadola beach. One of the participants while swimming got into difficulty and Fr. Toma went out to rescue him. Toma made progress in bringing him back in and two of the other participants took over the rescue from Toma. From the shore Toma was seen to make a couple of swimming strokes and then there was no more activity. When Toma was brought ashore, resuscitation was attempted for about 20 minutes to no avail. Toma was the P. P. of Sacred Heart Parish Levuka. RIP

Fr. John O'Rourke sm, (in photo) whom the King of Tonga on being phoned with the news of the death of his mentor, described Fr John, as “Yes, my friend, your friend and everyone’s friend.” RIP

Others who have died in recent months and whose names have become known to us are: Francis Maloney, widely known for years at Nelson and Silverstream College,

Joe Arbuckle, brother of Fr Gerry, Fr Laurie Hannigan sm (Australia, who taught Scripture at the Mount in the 1970s) and Delia King of Whangarei Third Order. RIP

is an outline guide for individuals and groups who are Marist according to the spirituality lived in the Society of Mary (Marist Fathers, Sisters Brothers, and Missionary Sisters). The 16 page coloured guide is available free from Marist Laity on request.

The name 'Marist' is a family name belonging to a variety of groups: the Marist Brothers of the Schools, Marist Sisters, Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary, Society of Mary and many lay groups.

The Society of Mary is only part of something mch greater. The first Marists called it 'the work of Mary'. This expression has a rich meaning: that Mary wants all people to experience the mercy of God. She calls others to share her concern: 'I will give you my name and you will do my work'. The work of those who live her spirit is to bring the gospel of love and mercy to the world. So when, as individuals or groups, we call ourselves 'Marist' we express a desire to live in a certain way and participate in this work of Mary.

In this leaflet we describe some principles and attitudes which are important if we are to bear the name Marist in the service of Jesus Christ. Those who are Marists in the tradition of the Society of Mary assent to these principles, wish to follow Christ in this way, and draw on them as a basis for their lives.