Newsletter 4: 22 March 2022
Dear Colleagues,
In this past week, Marist Principals throughout the country have gathered as have Directors of Mission and RECs to reflect upon and strengthen our shared religious and spiritual leadership. Keynote addresses by Brother David Hall as Chair of the MSA Board, Brother Michael Green renowned for his scholarship on Marist Spirituality, and the social researcher and commentator Hugh McKay, all observed challenges, issues, and trends in contemporary society from different perspectives and with a common sense of hope and trust in God.
As we enter the final few weeks of a uniquely demanding term and approach the Sesquicentenary celebrations on 8 April, there is merit in reflecting on some of the challenges faced by those first Marist Brothers in 1872 at this very time of year. Having arrived in late February, during the month of March there were a host of trials for the four young Brothers as they sought to open the school and commence the work for which they shared such passion – the Christian education of youth. Reading the accounts from Brother Ludovic’s Annales and Journals, as presented by Brother Alban some 100 years later, one is drawn to the tedious frustrations highlighted with an abiding empathy. The painstaking work in organisation and administration including deft negotiation with a host of local Church and Catholic education authorities is familiar and fascinating. Basics such as classrooms, furniture, as well as accommodation and financial support for the Brothers had not been finalised. Whilst there were some critical tensions to be resolved, the overwhelming response of the Catholic community was a mixture of joy, excitement, and encouragement.
When they made their first appearance at St Patrick’s in the religious dress of the Brothers on April 7, they had to run the gauntlet of the curiosity and emotional reaction of the greatly augmented congregation….After Mass, they more or less had to fight their way across the street to their temporary quarters through pious well- wishers who were greatly taken by the Brothers’ costume.1
However, any sense of euphoria from that happy Sunday must have been short lived. Accounts of the students in those first days of the school include the following:
Their lack of discipline continued throughout April; particularly distressing for the Brothers was their conduct during the recitation of the Rosary. This seemed to them a game and was said in the greatest disorder. They made up banal, impious and immoral words for the “Our father” and “Hail Mary” to such a point that the Brothers begged Brother Ludovic not to have them said, seeing that more harm than good was being done.2
In Ludovic’s Journal3 entry dated 1 May, he records “67 out of 204 pupils knew the Our Father, Hail Mary, and the Apostles Creed. Very few knew the acts of Faith, Hope, and Charity.” The data was alarming.
Happily, what has become known as the “May miracle” soon brought hope to the Brothers. Through Ludovic’s sincere example and earnest appeal to the better nature of the students, daily Rosary before a beautiful May Altar crafted with contributions from the children including candles, was the catalyst for the great change that occurred in general behaviour and demeanour. Without hope and trust in God, the very first Australian Marist school could have well floundered. You are reminded of the special Sesquicentenary Mass on 8 April at 5.30pm at Saint Mary’s Cathedral to give thanks to God. Those intending to join the celebration who are yet to RSVP, please do so by emailing (sally.dillon@marists.org.au).
For those who are free on 8 April in the middle of the day, please note that the Marist Fathers will be unveiling a sculpture of Brother Ludovic after the 12.00pm Mass at Saint Patrick’s at Church Hill. This sculpture has been thoughtfully commissioned by the Marist Fathers, whose direct and persistent advocacy from the 1840s onwards, progressed the establishment of the Marist Brothers in Australia.
Due to the generosity of so many Marists throughout Australia, the MSA Trinity Catholic College Flood Appeal has raised $90,000 since being launched two weeks ago. The solidarity of the Marist community across Australia has been clearly evident and is deeply appreciated. The reports of destruction continue to exceed all earlier reckoning, with an estimated 4,000 homes in the Lismore area deemed uninhabitable. Local Marists have reported first hand experience and observations detailing the extent of the damage to homes, key infrastructure, businesses, and shops. Media reports are incapable of properly capturing the scale of the disaster and its long term implications. The Chair of the Trinity Lismore Board, Brother Neville Solomon, shared this video which captures images of the extent of the flooding (https://youtu.be/3IO-95NUBNk). Those still wishing to make donations, please see the Flyer for details.
Words spoken by Pope Francis last week describe the reckless evil that has been loosed upon brothers and sisters of the one human family.
“The heartbreaking scream for help from our Ukrainian brothers pushes us as a community of believers not just to serious reflection but to cry with them and work for them; to share the anguish of a people wounded in its identity, history, and tradition….The blood and tears of the children, the suffering of women and men who are defending their land or fleeing from the bombs shake our conscience. Once again humanity is threatened by a perverse abuse of power and partisan interests, which condemns defenceless people to suffer all forms of brutal violence.”4
As the suffering enters a fourth week in Ukraine, let us remain steadfast in our most determined and constant prayers for peace.
1. DOYLE, A (1972) The Story of the Marist Brothers in Australia 1872- 1972 page 47.
2. DOYLE, A (1972) The Story of the Marist Brothers in Australia 1872- 1972 page 54
3. DOYLE, A (1972) The Story of the Marist Brothers in Australia 1872- 1972 page 57
4. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/18/pope-francis-denounces-abuse-of-power-in-russia-ukraine-war