First Provincial Chapter of Star of the Sea

The new province Star of the Sea was inaugurated on 8 December 2022 and the first Provincial Chapter took place from 9 to 14 December, in Mittagong, Australia. Brother Peter Carroll assumed as Provincial and the chapter indicated as members of the Provincial Council Brothers Darren Burge (Vice Provincial), Graham Neist, Gregory McDonald, John Hazelman, Peter Horide and Sefo Une. Present from the General Government were Brothers Ernesto Sánchez, Superior General, Josep-Maria Soteras and Ben Consigli, Councillors General.

The creation of the new Province was communicated on 10 May 2011 by the Superior General, who informed the brothers of the Province of Australia and the District of the Pacific that the two Administrative Units would form the new Province. The Star of the Sea Province consists of 11 countries: Australia, Cambodia, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Kiribati, New Zealand, Samoa.

First provincial Chapter

At the opening chapter under the theme “Navigating New Waters Together,” Brother Ernesto began his presentation by thanking John Hazelman and Peter Carroll for their leadership of the Province of Australia and the District of the Pacific over the past three years.

In his presentation Br. Peter, Provincial, said: “We are part of one global Marist family, and it is the urgings of the Holy Spirit and the Call of the General Chapter that brings us here. It is a hopeful move for the future”.

For his part, Br. Darren Burge, Chair of the Steering Committee said: “The province begins its journey. From the delegates at this Chapter, it will need ‘genuine and active listening’. What does God want of us? How and where will Mary guide us?”

This Chapter reviewed various issues/areas raised by the Working Groups in order to assist the incoming Council.

The second and third day were devoted to the Election Process for the Provincial Council (photo) and to the key areas to which the council should give its energies. Chapter Working Groups were set up and the areas named were:

Brothers Together (pastoral care)
Formation Together (Brothers and Lay)
Mission – the broad areas of education and integral ecology.
Health and Wellbeing
Wounded Healers – the impact of the sexual abuse crisis on the Brothers and their morale.

During the fourth day time was spent with discussions on the Province Finance. This flowed into Work Groups with focus on areas that included health and wellbeing, communications, integral ecology, formation, mission and education, ministries, safeguarding, shared Marist life and vocations.

The fifth day focused on the discernment about commitments and priorities for the next 18 months. It was divided in 3 Session:

Shared Marist Life (Brothers and Lay Together). This session was focused on the question: What are the needs of Communities, Ministries and living and praying together, across the province and in each of the Countries? To assist with this there was a panel made up of invited people who have been at meetings and gatherings working in this area: Nathan Ahearne and Elizabeth Falconer from the Marist and Life Formation Team, Br. Siaosi Ioane (Samoa) and Br Barry Burns (New Zealand).
Leadership. This session returned to the issue of Leadership in the Star of the Sea Province and built on discussions from earlier in the Chapter. It was led by Br. Peter Carroll. On the other hand, delegates discussed the issues at their table groups, and provided feedback.
Documents to be approved. Three documents were tabled for Approval by the Chapter: Province Norms for the Second Provincial Chapter 2025; Rules of Procedure for the Second Provincial Chapter 2025 and Code of Conduct.

The final day of the Star of the Sea Chapter began with Recollection Time. The scripture event chosen as the basis of this recollection was the Road to Emmaus. Time was then spent in personal and group reflection. The focus was what kind of Marist Brotherhood to be in that part of the world, and what do Marist Brothers desire for this Province?

In the closing comments, the General Councillors, Brothers Ben Consigli and Josep Maria Soteras, considered 3 important aspects: Assume and continue to assume the goodwill of the Brothers and Sisters; Communication is crucial and Prayer.

The Chapter concluded with Mass and a meal of celebration and thanks. The Commissioning Ceremony can be viewed on YouTube:

FIRST PROVINCIAL CHAPTER – DECEMBER 9 – 14, 2022

Chronicles

Information on social networks

Facebook | Instagram: @StaroftheSeaProvince | Twitter

MARIST INSTITUTE

MARISTS OF CHAMPAGNAT

MARIST MISSION

ACTIVITIES

NEWS

PHOTOS

VíDEOS

LIBRARY