Burdekin Marists Strengthen Connections and Values

Burdekin Marist Association members gathered recently, and welcomed Monica Licciardello as their special guest speaker. Monica shared her inspiring Marist journey, which resonated deeply with everyone, reminding them of the strong connections and values that unite our Marist family. The night ended on a perfect note with a shared meal and great conversation.

See LinkedIn post by Burdekin Catholic High School Principal, Lorraine Wolffe.

Clare Locke Publishes Book of Prayers and Reflections

Marist Association member, Clare Locke, recently self-published a book containing a collection of her own writings, titled, “Inside a blessing: Prayers, Poems and Reflections”. The book is 85 pages and was published through IngramSpark.

ChristLife Connect spoke with Clare, who is Campus Minister at Marist College Ashgrove, to delve into what inspired her, and how she produced the book.

Q: Is this the first book you have had published?

Yes, it's the first book I've published. I'd previously printed some copies of an earlier version which I'd shared with a few friends and family members. I chose to publish after working on a book design for a client who had decided to self-publish. I was curious to do the same, but not with a goal to sell lots of copies, just to 'put something out there'. I felt there was value in the collection, since I'd shared many of the poems and prayers in different contexts, and they'd been well received. 

Q: How long did it take to create this collection of poems?

The poems and prayers were written over the course of a couple of years, the earliest from COVID times. I wrote them as I had the inclination. Often that would be while sitting out in my patio on a Saturday morning with a cup of tea or coffee. Sometimes when I was going for a walk (I'd stop walking!), or had a few minutes waiting in my car to pick up one of my kids from an activity. By the way, when I say 'write', I use my phone to type into an app. But they are definitely my own words!

Q: What was the inspiration for this project?

It's probably to do with being an introvert, but I have times where I just like to sit and think, and writing is a way for me to give expression to those thoughts and feelings. The poems often come from a place of gratitude and wonder, and often in response to a fairly immediate experience. I've also found it helpful to write in response to what I'm reading for my theological studies. There are some big ideas in those books and articles, but if I can distil something in a few lines, it helps my understanding! Overall, when and what I write is a kind of prayer. For me, seeking transcendence (God) is deeply connected to my creative life and imagination. A person who has inspired me most is Andrew Hamilton, the Jesuit priest. Throughout the COVID period, Andy invited me to be part of group that met online to share writings and other creative talents. It was a wonderfully supportive and inspiring experience. I acknowledged Andy in my book, as well as my parents, who have always been so encouraging.

“For me, seeking transcendence (God) is deeply connected to my creative life
and imagination.”

Q: When do you find the time to write poetry?

I'm not the most disciplined writer! I have periods where I won't write for a while - life is too hectic or I feel disconnected and empty. But I try to make the time to write and I notice I feel more a peace when I do. 

Q: Which is your favourite poem, and why?

I don't exactly have a favourite, but I would say "Breath child" has a message I still need to remember. 

Breathe child

Let it be a seed

Small works, small deeds

Not all will flow

But move slow

Love is in noticing

Q: How does this collection reflect your spirituality?

My book is called 'Inside a Blessing', which comes from one of the poems of the same name. I wrote that poem from my back patio while observing life going on in my suburb. I was sensing things from a place of gratitude, and simply by naming and noticing, this was my prayer. I think that conveys what grounds my spirituality and my hope to explore language that creates space for others to explore where God meets them in their lives.  

Recently, Clare’s book was reviewed in the Jesuit publication, Madonna Magazine, who said, ‘The thread that holds them together is the experience of blessing into which the reader is invited.’

How to get your copy of Inside a Blessing
You can purchase a copy of Inside Blessing through Australian booksellers listing the book, Booktopia and Readings

We congratulate Clare and are grateful for her sharing her gifts and talents for us all to enjoy.

2025 Faith Formators’ Colloquium for Marist Leaders of Evangelisation

Close to 60 Marists gathered in mid-March for the biennial Faith Formators’ Colloquium at The Hermitage, Mittagong, for two days of theological reflection, exploring evangelisation effectiveness along with membership growth of local Marist Association of St Marcellin Champagnat groups. The participants all have leadership roles in faith formation and religious education, so they enjoyed valuable time sharing successes and challenges with each other, and planning for even stronger strategic effectiveness through their roles in schools.

Tony Clarke, Mark Elliot, Bishop Danny Meagher, Fr Gary Perritt, Erin Hardy, Ann-Marie Pitot and Br Peter Carroll.

“In collaboration with the 19 dioceses in which Marist schools are to be found, Marist Schools Australia has an assured future in faith leadership.”

Features of the colloquium included an engaging Welcome to Country by local First Nations elder Theresa Ardler and top-shelf keynote presentations from Tony Clarke (Director of the Mission and Life Formation Team), Mike Munro (journalist and broadcaster, and Marist ex-student), Dr John Kyle-Robinson (Acting National Director of Marist Schools Australia) and Br Michael Green (Marist Association Councillor and Founding National Director Marist Schools Australia). Experiences of prayer and liturgy were varied in their style and location, and appreciated for the expectational involvement they requested from participants, modelling how to lead liturgy and prayer in schools. Highlights of the gathering certainly were the eucharistic celebrations celebrated by Bishop Danny Meagher (Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Sydney) and Fr Gary Perritt CP (MSA Chaplain), including inspiring homilies targeted for leaders of evangelisation.

Mass in the Chapel at the Hermitage, Mittagong.

Mike Munro, Theresa Ardler and Br Michael Callinan.

 Br Michael Callinan FMS
Associate Director | Mission and Life Formation

Excitement Builds for National Assembly IV with Forum One

“The whole Assembly is going to be a conversation.”

— Prof Br David Hall FMS

National Assembly Online Forum One - An Introduction to Spiritual Conversation

Recently, close to 100 Marist Association members gathered online for our first online forum, in readiness for National Assembly IV, which will be convened at Marist College Ashgrove on 27-29 June 2025.

After a welcome from our Leader, Br Peter Carroll, and a short time of prayer and reflection, online attendees were presented with an overview of the Assembly program. Prof Br David Hall explained the spiritual conversation methodology that will be used at the Assembly to assist us in discerning the way forward. This methodology formed the basis of the recent Synod 2021-2024 and it provides a formal process for discerning our collective response to two meta-questions:  

As an Association of Christ's faithful:

1. Who do we want to be?

2. What do we want to do?

Through the spiritual conversation process, we seek God's guidance in our daily lives and listen to what the Spirit is saying to us and through us. It is a structured process of both active listening and speaking, enabling all participants the opportunity to contribute to respectful conversation. Further details of this methodology were published in the February 2025 issue of Christlife.

Recording of Forum One

Those who were unable to join Forum One can view the recording of the forum.
Password: 6$#0LF?j

What to Expect from Forum Two

At our second pre-Assembly online forum at 7:00pm (AEST) on Thursday, 29 May 2025, the various materials for review prior to the Assembly will be presented and summarised. All Assembly participants are asked to read and review these documents prior to the Assembly. We want to 'hit the ground running' on 27 June, and be fully prepared for our limited time of discernment and spiritual conversation together. National Assembly IV will conclude with our closing Mass, with Archbishop Mark Coleridge presiding, and the commissioning of the new Leader and Council.

Richard Quinn
Executive Director

Gin & Geraniums – St Patrick’s Day 2025: Canberra Marists

“Together, friends, we journey on,
With faith and courage, spirit strong.
We’ll build a world where all belong
And lift up those who’ve waited long.”

— Pilgrims of Hope prayer, 2025

We may have taken the above words ‘spirit strong’ literally in organising our ‘Gin & Geraniums’ St Paddy’s Day event to start 2025 here in Canberra. However, members and guests gathered with ‘faith and courage’ in radiant afternoon sun to bless and dispatch geranium cuttings around the campus, journeying in God’s bountiful creation.

This event was entrusted to our forebears in faith, St Patrick and St Joseph, with inspiration drawn from the colours of the Irish flag flying from the school flagpole on the day – green for Catholic, orange for Protestant, white for peace. Our liturgy of Pilgrim prayers affirmed our ministry of hope and reconciliation in a world longing for peace, a legacy of our Irish & Marist roots.  

We concluded the formal part of the evening by promoting Association events to see beyond challenges in 2025 – the Marian lecture (May), Moments of Renewal (August), Canberra Metro walking meditation (September), Peace Moments at the Cowra Japanese gardens (October), and our Bio-Diversity partnership with Merici College in association with Rodney’s Plants Plus Nursery (November).

Pilgrims were reminded about our Spiritual Accompaniment program and we were fortunate to have the presence of one of our spiritual companions, John Foulcher, reminding guests about this ministry of accompaniment. John has recently published a book of prayers. Anne Hartwell, our newest member, who is active in prayer ministry with the Marian Mother’s Prayer group, also received her Marist Association pin and certificate.

Following their noses, fragrant with lemon and lime infused with exotic herbal tones, members converged on the Gin trestles to enjoy an array of Irish, Scottish and French gins, accompanied with ice and colourful mixes…mother’s ruin. Alas, there was refreshing summer punch too!

The group then engaged with the ‘Let me See Again – Pilgrims of Hope’ Local Group Resource, reflecting on the ‘layers of blindness’ and exploring ways to support others in their journey towards hope, healing and faith during Lent. This activity assisted members to see this scripture passage through new eyes and the reflection prompted much discussion.

We concluded the night with a meal at the Warragul Country Club for some Marist hospitality, gathered around the same table.

Brendan Bergin
Local Coordinator