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On Friday evening Marist Association members from Perth and from Bunbury gathered at New Norcia, the place of the first Marists in Western Australia from 1913 – 1964, for their Retreat facilitated by Br Tony Shears fms, Lord Teach Us to Pray – an exploration of our deepening relationship with God, Jesus, the Spirit and Mary.

Our 16 participants were led through a variety of different ways of Praying, Reflections and Personal Quiet Time by Br Tony, who was able to cater to the different needs of each participant by offering a plethora of ideas and resources.

We joined the Benedictine Monks, three of whom are ex- students of Marist Schools from different states, for Mass and Vespers in the Monastery Oratory. We also joined the New Norcia Community for Sunday Mass in the Abbey Church which was originally built in 1861 and has been added to over the years to accommodate the large congregation consisting of the Monks, locals and a number of retreat and school camp groups, tourists and pilgrims who have completed the Camino Walk from St Joseph’s at Subiaco in the Footsteps of Dom Salvado and Dom Serra.

The historic and spiritual atmosphere of New Norcia, along with it’s rich tradition of Marist Education made it an ideal location for out first Marist Association Retreat. We not only had the opportunity to take time to deepen our relationship and prayer life with God, Jesus, Spirit and Mary but also the occasion to build community among ourselves as Marist Association.

We are very grateful to Br Tony for travelling from NSW to lead us in such a spiritual experience and for sharing his expertise in assisting us so meaningfully in our own Spiritual Development.

Dianne Grinbergs

Local Coordinator, Perth