Marist Presence at the Australian Catholic Youth Festival - from Taizé Prayer to Fast Fashion

L-R Back: Andrea Grant (MLF/MYM), Pat O Reilly (Marist180), Jeni Miller (MYM), Tony Leon (MLF), St Marcellin Champagnat, Bishop Brian Mascord (Wollongong), Joey Khalil (MYM), Justin Golding (MLF/MYM), Catherine Glenister (MYM), Pope Leo XIV.
L-R Front: Lucas Sharpley (MYM), Michael Callinan (MLF), George Bishop (MYM).

The 2025 Australian Catholic Youth Festival in Melbourne brought together over 6,000 young people for a celebration of faith, including a vibrant Marist presence of students, staff, and young leaders. The Festival invited pilgrims to encounter Jesus personally and to recognise that they are created for love, and called to respond with open hearts in everyday life.

Breadth of Marist Life

Our Marist presence was significant. Marist Youth Ministry contributed to the festival program through a Taizé-inspired prayer experience and a workshop exploring the environmental impact of fast fashion through the lens of faith, while Marist Brothers, representatives from the Marist Association and Marist 180 shared the breadth of Marist life and mission at the ACYF Expo.

Messages to Pilgrims

Throughout the Festival, speakers encouraged young people to follow Jesus with authenticity and courage. Bishop George Kolodziej SDS reminded participants that God asks only for their presence, not perfection, while Sr Mary Grace SV shared her journey from aspiring Olympic athlete to religious life, inspiring pilgrims to pursue the greatness of holiness.

The Festival concluded with a Mass led by Archbishop Comensoli, who sent young people forth as pilgrims of hope and encouraged them to “be searchers of an eternal horizon,” with Archbishop Fisher emphasising the Eucharist as a true encounter with the living Christ.

Marists are a Presence in the Life of the Church

For Marists, ACYF 2025 was a proud reminder of our ongoing presence in the life of the Church, witnessing our mission of making Jesus Christ known and loved, inspiring the next generation to encounter Christ with courage and joy.


Justin Golding
MSA Senior Leader | National Youth Ministry & Formation

First Online International Student Leaders’ Gathering, Builds Bridges Across the Star of the Sea Province

On Friday, 28 November, the National Marist Youth Ministry (MYM) team held its first online International Student Leaders’ Gathering (SLG) for the Star of the Sea Province.

As a foundational initiative of the Champagnat Schools Network of the Star of the Sea Province, this gathering brought together student leaders from Marist Schools Australia (MSA) schools, alongside Marist Brothers, Suva, Fiji. Participants from Parramatta Marist High School, St Patrick’s Marist College Dundas, Red Bend College Forbes, and Marist College Canberra met with the shared hope of strengthening relationships between schools and countries across our Province.

Guided by our MYM Team, students explored what Christian leadership looks like today in the Marist way, and how Marist spirituality and our way of education can shape their response to the needs of their school communities.

The energy and engagement of the students were evident throughout, with many clearly valuing the opportunity to connect and learn together.

Given the success of this first gathering, we look forward to this initiative continuing into the future, expanding to include even more countries across the Star of the Sea Province.

Jeni Miller
Regional Director
Marist Youth Ministry NSW/ACT

Leading with a Marist Heart

Stuart McClorey shares a reflection on a recent Student Leaders Gathering, writing, “To live in the way of Mary is to face questions with the same trust, courage, and openness that Mary showed…to listen to our hearts, to say ‘yes’ even when the path ahead is uncertain.”

Br Darren Burge Appointed Provincial of the Marist Brothers’ Star of the Sea Province

We are excited to announce that Marist Association Leader, Br Darren Burge, has been appointed Provincial of the Star of the Sea Province. ‘As Provincial, Br Darren brings a clear and heartfelt vision for the future - one grounded in faith, presence, and service.’

Building Together: Highlights from the Marist Association National Online Gathering

The Marist Association National Online Gathering was held on 22 October 2025, featuring an address from the newly appointed Superior General, Br Peter Carroll, and warm words from our Leader, Br Darren Burge. Richard Quinn took us through the process for the Pastoral Plan and Tony Clarke and Mark O’Farrell outlined highlights from next year’s Programs and Events.

Br Michael Green awarded Doctor of the University, ACU’s highest honour

Respected scholar and educator Br Michael Green has been awarded Australian Catholic University’s highest honour - the Doctor of the University (Honoris Causa). He received the title at a ceremony held in Sydney on 10 October, a fitting recognition that comes just a year after he celebrated his Golden Jubilee as a Marist Brother.

Part 1 - From Oceania’s Shores to the Heart of the Marist World: Br Peter Carroll Reflects on His Journey from Star of the Sea Province to Superior General

From Oceania’s Shores to the Heart of the Marist World: Br Peter Carroll Reflects on His Journey from Star of the Sea Province to Superior General. Read Part One of Br Peter’s inspiring story and photos from his childhood to current times.

Celebrating the Season of Creation: A Message from the Laudato Si’ Action Committee

Celebrate the Season of Creation with a special prayer and video - featuring Marist schools from across Australia, along with inspiring messages from Brothers across the Province - created by the Star of the Sea Province Laudato Si’ Action Committee.