Featured – Society of Mary

Marists in the Philippines celebrate the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary

September 20, 2018September 20, 2018Gil Casio SM

The members of the Marist Family in the Philippines celebrated the feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary. The feast day was a beautiful expression of how joyful and grateful Marists are in the privilege of bearing and caring the name of Mary.

The Marist Fathers’ community in Digos City who administered the Matti District Catholic Center celebrated their 4^th feast of thanksgiving in the honor of the Most Holy Name of Mary on September 12. The Marist Fathers have introduced this feast day to the local parishioners in the hope that they would develop not just a devotion to Mary but to remind them of Mary’s invitation to follow her ways in following her Son. This year, members of the twenty-four Basic Ecclesial Communities have untiringly supported the different activities like putting up different booths where they could sell their products, novena mass and procession of the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In Davao City, a home for many members of the Marist Family; Marist Fathers, Marist Brothers, Marist Sisters and Marist Laity gathered to celebrate the feast day on September 15 which also had become a mini-reunion for those Marists working outside the city. Fr. Denis Revi, SM was the main celebrant of the Holy Eucharist and Fr. Lauro Arcede, SM gave the homily who challenged every Marist to go back to his or her identity as graciously chosen to bear Mary’s name. Identity directs Marists to respond to the needs of the world and challenges their outlook.

Both festive celebrations in Digos and Davao are concrete manifestations of how members of the Marist Family have continuously shared their gifts to the church and to the world.

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Fr. Hermes Sabud, SM heads newly establish Marist Commission for Inter-Religious Dialogue

September 1, 2018maristfathers

News from General Administration: The Superior General has established The Marist Commission for Ecology and the Marist Commission for Inter-Religious Dialogue.

The foundation members of the first commission are Frs. Donato Kivi (O) (chair) and Peter Healy (Z). The foundation members of the second commission are Frs. Hermes “Larry” Sabud (As) (chair), Oscar Ichiba (S), Michael Jacques (S) and Kevin Medilo (As).

The overall goals of the two Commissions are:

“To strive for a higher level of professionalism in missionary involvement

through further education, research, teaching, publishing and advocacy” (cf GC2017, n. 9b.)

To contribute to local life by offering on-going formation, education, seminars and awareness-raising exercises for the local people in the respective areas of the commissions.

To contribute to the living of the Marist missionary vocation more

Authentically by working within the Society of Mary to help everyone respond well as Marists and Marist communities with the leadership of the respective Commissions.

The first steps in the work of the two commissions is due to be on the agenda of ARC in the beginning of October. The plan is to establish later also two other commissions, one for Youth and one for Migrants. The hope is that over time the commissions will expand throughout the Marist world.

Congratulations to those who have chosen and may your work bear fruit!

New District house blessed in Davao

July 24, 2018August 16, 2018maristfathers

On 23rd July 2018, on the occassion of the 202 Anniversary of the Pledge of Fourviere, the the new district house in Davao was blessed and inaugurated. Fr. Christopher Thadeos Ganzon, SM, the District Superior of the Marist Fathers in Asia officiated the rite of blessing.

Guests invited were the members of the Marist Family and Marist Laity, religious congregations whom Marists have some affiliations, friends of the Marists, and some of the neighbors who patiently bore the noise and the dust while the construction is going on. The children of Archetic Paking Santos represented their father who could not join the gathering.

We are grateful to the many people who have helped us accomplished this humble dream of having a little Marist complex wherein our communities can be situated in one location. The district house and the formation house are located in one compound in #82 First street, Juna Subdivision, Matina, Davao City.

The District house will serve as the accommodation for the priests of Chanel community. It will also be a house of welcome and hospitality for Marists who will come to Davao. Furthermore, it will also be a meeting place for the council and venue for other Marist gatherings.

This new house is indeed a gift and a blessing from God not only for us Marists but for the Church in Mindanao especially to the people that we serve and minister.

May you continue to support us with your prayers and material resources. For all these, we are always grateful!