On Monday 2 January 2017, more than 150 people gathered at St Joseph’s Church in Subiaco to celebrate the Marist Bicentenary Commemorative Mass. In addition to members of the Marist Association of St Marcellin Champagnat from the region, there were past and present students, parents, Marist Brothers, Principals, Newman College Staff, at this celebration.
St Joseph’s Subiaco is adjacent to the site of the first Marist school in Perth, thus we felt it appropriate to hold this special celebration at this significant site.
We were privileged to have as Principal Celebrant The Most Reverend Bishop Holohan – Bishop of Bunbury. Bishop Holohan has a strong connection to the Marist Brothers, having been a part of the Marist Brothers Community and Chaplain at Newman College during the 1980s/90s. He is also a Member of the Marist Association.
Concelebrating priests included the Very Reverend Peter Whitely – Vicar General of Perth, past student of Marist , Subiaco, Rev Fr Joseph Walsh – Parish Priest of Subiaco, Rev Fr Jeff Aldous – past Marist student and Rev Fr Pat Rooney - past Marist student.
There were also five Marist Brothers at the gathering: Brother Terry Orrell, Br Noel Hickey, Br Paul Murphy, Br Brian Kinsella and Br Mark Paul, all of whom are originally from West Australia.
Following Mass, morning tea was served on the piazza adjacent to the Church. We celebrated the past and asked God’s blessing on the future as we begin the third century of Marist life and mission.