“Every Marist is required to make an annual retreat, normally in common” (SM Constitution # 125).
During the months of March and May this year, the District of Asia Fathers took time off from their ministries to do their annual retreat. The theme of the retreat was: Marists’ Communion in God’s mission. Fr. Larry Sabud, SM was the retreat facilitator.
Marist priests assigned in our mission in Ranong Thailand had their retreat on 27-31 March 2017 at Seven Fountains retreat house in Changmai. It was an experienced of grace and real communion with God and with one another. The confreres were encouraged and inspired from the input as well for coming together in prayer and reflections.
On the other hand, Marists who are assigned in Davao and Digos had their retreat on 8-12 May 2017 at the Our Lady of Matutum Trappistine Nuns Monastery in Polomolok. Again, we felt blessed and motivated to continue our mission knowing that the Holy Trinity is the one calling and sending us to manifest God’s love and mercy to the vulnerable people God has entrusted to our care.
We thanked Fr. Larry for leading us in our retreat this year. He has shared deep thoughts and insights on the Trinity, Mission and the Holy Spirit as well as the Marist values and spirituality. He himself is a concrete example of everything that he has shared with us.
One of the highlights of our retreat at Polomolok was the cordial and jovial ‘audience’ with the 35 nuns who live and work in the monastery.
We also would like to be grateful to all of you who have accompanied us with your prayers. Your spiritual support really helped us to have to have a wonderful communion with the Lord and with each other. As you prayed for us, many of you were also remembered and prayed in our prayers and mass celebrations.
May our retreat bear fruits to our individual lives and to the people we serve in our missions.
Marists around Davao come together to celebrate Easter Sunday. The Chanel community in Tulip Drive hosted the gathering. The formators of the International Novitiate also joined the celebration.
The Brothers and Priests of the Society Mary was blessed by the Profession of four newly religious members at Marist International Novitiate Community on January 18, 2017.
and Cameron Mota (Bougainville) professed the vows of Chastity, Obedience and Poverty in a Eucharistic Celebration presided by Fr. Lionel Mechavez, SM, and concelebrated by Marists priests and Fr. Al Botero, DCD, the parish priest of San Miguel Parish, Eden, Toril.
The celebration was graced by the members of the Marist Family (Marist Brothers, Marist Sisters, The Marist Missionary Sisters and Marist Laity), the Foster parents from Digos, friends and neighbors of the newly professed in particular those who have helped and supported them during the Novitiate year. Acknowledged in a special way were the PM sisters who housed the novices during their 2 month cultural orientation. The RNDM Sisters for accommodating the community for 2 months during the renovation period in the Novitiate house. The Missionaries of Charity for the pastoral placement of the novices in their Home for the Aged Center. The different Marist communities for their welcome and support during the mission immersion of the novices.
which is the fellowship lunch. To mark the celebration, the new Marists cut their cake of joy and gratitude! Hayden Powick gave the words of thanks on behalf of his companions in English and in Bisayan language which everyone enjoyed while listening to his slang Bisayan accent. He was great though! He expressed his gratitude to all the people who helped them during their novitiate especially their formators. He asked everyone to continue to pray for them as they begin their religious life.
Led by their coordinator, Wilfredo Francisco, they travelled and spent time with the people of Bandera. The place is located on a mountain which is one of the areas served by the Marist Fathers.
were also grateful for the many people and their friends who have generously shared financial and material resources to make the reach out possible and fruitful
The Society of Mary-District of Asia is blessed to have 2 newly ordained priests.
mily where there they have the opportunity to meet, pray and share their feelings and thoughts regarding the ordination. Each of their family promised to continue to support them with prayers.
Fr. Roque and Fr. John in their novitiate. Many Marist priests concelebrated with some diocesan priests and religious who have known Fr. Roque and Fr. John. Members of the Marist family, friends and relatives have all come to celebrate and witness the ordination.
After the ordination rite, lunch was prepared. During the reception, the SMSM sisters through their students rendered a traditional Tongan dance which Fr. Roque and Fr. John joined along with other guests. Fr. Roque has lived and worked in Tonga for two years during his Pastoral Year as a seminarian.
The celebration ended with the singing of the Salve Regina to honor Mary for graciously choosing Fr. Roque and Fr. John to bear her name and do her work. Fr. John Hannan, sm gave the final blessing.
Society of Mary 