Administrative Units of Oceania

The Oceania Partnership Commission recently met for a two-day meeting (4 & 5 March) in Sydney, Australia, to reflect on ways to continue to grow Marist life in the region. The Commission members represented the Administrative Units of Oceania: Mrs Lucy Sinei and Brother Mark Kenasti (District of Melanesia), Mr Daniel Dungey and Brother Carl Tapp (District of the Pacific), Ms Elizabeth Falconer and Mr Joe McCarthy (Province of Australia), Brother Kevin Wanden (Oceania Council) and Mr Tony Clarke (Secretariat of the Laity).

Brother Mark Kenatsi opened the gathering with a meaningful prayer reflecting on the challenge ‘to love others with a selfless love’.  There was a significant moment of sharing the joys and challenges of making Jesus Christ known and loved as Marists (Lay & Brother) in our own local realities.  The focus of our meeting explored ways that the Commission could continue in its role to promote, support and develop a spirit of communion between the relationship of all Marists involved or connected to Marist mission and life.  An important part of our discussion led to a revision of the Commission Charter.  The following are some aspects of the revised Charter:

• Promote the interdependence and complementarity of all Marists.
• Identify and promote specific and common formation opportunities for all Marists.
• Be a source of support and encouragement to those charged with the leadership of Lay Marists.
• Discern and support creative and new emerging forms of living the Marist charism for Lay Marists and Brothers. 

The Commission endeavours to make manifest the Marian face of the Church in Oceania through a model of shared life lived in a new communion.

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Photo: Mr Daniel Dungey, Brother Mark Kenatsi, Brother Kevin Wanden, Mrs Lucy Sinei, Ms Elizabeth Falconer, Mr Tony Clarke, Brother Carl Tapp, Mr Joe McCarthy