Marist Schools Australia Newsletter No. 9 | 8 June 2021
Marist Schools Australia Newsletter No. 9 | 8 June 2021
Dear Colleagues,
As our Marist schools, ministries and communities throughout Australia celebrated the Feast of Saint Marcellin Champagnat this week and last, there were two gatherings important to highlight for all Marist educators. First, on Friday 5 June, the Most Reverend Anthony Fisher OP, Archbishop of Sydney, hosted a small group at Cathedral House in Sydney to honour a 30 year contribution by Brother Kelvin Canavan fms to the Australian Catholic University.
During this time of celebrations for the life and inspiration of Saint Marcellin Champagnat, Brother Kelvin’s leadership of Catholic education in Australia as a Marist Brother are most worthy of reflection.
Brother Kelvin was appointed a member of the New South Wales Chapter of the Australian Catholic University in December 1990, one month prior to the Australian Catholic University opening in January 1991. In his speech for the occasion, Archbishop Anthony referred to Brother Kelvin as a “Colossus” in the history of Catholic
education in this country, citing his significant and strategic leadership from the late 1960s until the present day with Sydney Catholic Schools, the NSW and National Catholic Education Commissions, ACU and successive State and Federal governments. Archbishop Anthony particularly noted three characteristics of
Kelvin’s leadership with which we Marists readily identify. First was his ability to form and maintain respectful and constructive relationships for the common good and education of all Australian children. Second was Kelvin’s daunting capacity for work. Third was his personal presence with people and particularly those whom he mentored with such generosity over the years. On behalf of all Marist educators in Australia, congratulations Brother Kelvin. May we continue to long enjoy your astute guidance and advice.
The history of the Australian Catholic University and the Marist presence in Australia are inextricably linked. The initial invitation for the Marist Brothers to come to Australia stated quite clearly the desire for not only the conduct of schools but also teacher training1. Throughout the 1970s, novitiates originally established for the formation and education of teaching Brothers and Sisters were repurposed to educate Catholic lay teachers. Many of these institutions had their origins in the late 1800s, when religious orders and institutes became involved in preparing teachers for Catholic schools and, later, nurses for Catholic hospitals.
Through a series of amalgamations, relocations, transfers of responsibilities and diocesan initiatives, more than 20 historical entities have contributed to the creation of the Australian Catholic University. The Provincial of the Marist Brothers is a Member of the company that owns and governs the University along with Bishops and other Leaders of Religious Institutes and Congregations.
The Marist involvement with ACU has included significant contributions from many Marists over the years. On Tuesday of this week, Brother David Hall fms, in his role as Professor and Dean of the ACU La Salle Academy, brought together and hosted leaders in Catholic education from across the country for The Morley
Review. Named in this 200th year of Catholic education in Australia after Mr John Morley, the first teacher at the first Catholic school in Parramatta2 Sydney, the leadership symposium was facilitated by Dr Michael Bezzina3. The theme of the symposium was captured as:
Celebrating 200 years of Catholic education
…REMEMBERING…
…IMAGINING…
The future of leadership in Catholic education
The discussions ranged widely over many relevant topics within the context of a Synodal Church, and there was a strong commitment from all assembled to work more effectively together in order to ensure talented and committed leaders continue to emerge in the service of our Australian Catholic schools.
As we remember and celebrate the life and contributions of Saint Marcellin Champagnat, let us ask him to especially pray for the leaders of our schools – past, present and future.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Frank Malloy
NATIONAL DIRECTOR
Click here to read the 9th issue of the 2021 MSA Newsletters
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