Dear All,
It is with excitement that I introduce myself to you, having recently stepped into the shoes of Br Allen Sherry here at Australian Marist Solidarity. I’ve been active in Marist ministry for several years and have crossed paths with many of you through my work at Marist180 and membership of the Marist Association.
Engaging with Marist schools has been a highlight of my Marist journey so far, whether it be experiencing the wonder of the natural world as a student with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Program with our brother school Marist College Canberra, sharing together with colleagues at Footsteps or on pilgrimage, working with Joeys and Trinity Catholic College Auburn to support people seeking asylum through Marist180 or partnering with Marcellin College Bulleen on the innovative Saint Marcellin Champagnat Award. This new Marist chapter is the most exciting yet, connecting with schools across our network to support disadvantaged young people beyond our borders.
The potential is unlimited. The Brothers and our partners across the region are doing exceptional work. From the well-known La Valla School providing access to education to young people with disabilities in Cambodia to the Teacher Training Centre doing such vital work in Timor Leste, from supporting people with HIV/AIDS in India to installing solar panels to provide access to computer training for young people in a school that has no electricity in Bougainville and strengthening anti women and child trafficking in Vietnam, our work really know no boundaries and the impact AMS makes is incredible.
The support of our Marist school’s family is crucial and can’t be understated. The relationships and experiences that you create on your immersion programs, the funds that you raise for our projects and the awareness that you raise through utilization of our school resources builds real and lasting solidarity between our communities locally and globally.
I look forward to continuing AMS’ work with you and welcome your ideas and reflections on how we might together keep engaging our Australian Marist communities with our partners across the region.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at AMS any time on ams@marists.org.au
Warmest regards
Bec Bromhead
