Newsletter 2: 16 February 2021

Dear Colleagues,

This past weekend, two people Marists in Australia have cherished as friends and colleagues for many years entered eternal life. Both Marshal (Joe) McMahon and Fr Bob Barber SM influenced scores of people here in Australia and overseas. Our prayers are for God’s comfort to their families and friends, and also to thank God for the gifts they generously shared with so many throughout their lives.

Marshal McMahon was educated at Marcellin College Randwick. Marshal was a Marist Brother for 32 years and during that time was Sydney Province Vocations Recruiter, Headmaster of Marist College Canberra and then St Joseph’s College Hunters Hill. Afterwards he was Head of St Gregory’s College Campbelltown and taught at Parramatta Marist High. Marshal also capably served the Archdiocese of Sydney as Rector of Saint John’s College at Sydney University. He was 79 years of age and our sympathies are extended to Marshal’s wife Theresa and the McMahon family. There are countless inspiring stories about Marshal. His trust in God and devotion to Mary are consistently emphasised. Many feature Marshal’s boundless enthusiasm for quality, disciplined and rounded education for boys. Indelible are the memories so many have of Marshal’s determination and perseverance to honour every student and parent in the schools he led by knowing each person’s name.

Father Bob Barber SM was educated at Marist Brothers Hamilton in Newcastle. After finishing school, Bob entered the Marist Fathers seminary and was ordained in 1975. Bob’s connection to the Marist Brothers and Marist education was constant throughout his life. He worked at Woodlawn College in Lismore, and then made a significant contribution to the Marist International University in Nairobi, Kenya in its formative first decade. Many of the African Marist Brothers who established the University or were students there, remember Bob’s time with them with gratitude and affection. Between 2013 and 2018 Bob was the Provincial of the Marist Fathers Australian Province. Throughout this time, despite the many demands upon him, Bob generously gave his time and wise, prayerful counsel to Marist Schools Australia as a member of the Regional Council for NSW and the ACT. Bob was honoured in 2019 with an Appreciation for Outstanding Contribution to Marist Education award. This year he commenced work as Chaplain to Trinity College Lismore and was living in the Marist Brothers community. Our gentle friend will be greatly missed. Bob was 71 years of age and our sympathies are extended to the Marist Fathers, as well as the Barber family and Bob’s many friends.

As we commence the Lenten season for 2021, your attention is drawn to Pope Francis’ message for this holy season of renewal. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2021/02/12/210212a.html

The Holy Father encourages us during this Lent to focus our energies in renewing the virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love.

Faith

calls us to accept the truth and testify to it before

God and all our brothers and sisters.

Hope

as “living water” enabling us to continue our journey.

Love

following in the footsteps of Christ,

in concern and compassion for all,

is the highest expression of our faith and hope.