OLD BOYS 

Marist Pilgrimage

In the final week of Term 1 and the following two weeks of the Easter school holidays I joined a group of 28 teachers and administration staff from Marist Schools Australia on the Marist Pilgrimage, retracing some of the journeys of St Paul through Greece, Turkey and Rome before travelling to Notre-Dame de l’Hermitage in France. 

In Rome, we visited the General House of the Marist Brothers where I located where St Augustine’s featured in the records for the Province of New South Wales. At l’Hermitage in Saint Chamond, the College also featured in Hermanos Brothers Irmaos Freres: A glimpse of Marist Life in the Bicentenary of the institute, a book produced to celebrate the bicentenary of the Marist Brothers in 2017.  

Image 1 - A page from the records of the Province of New South Wales featuring the College as it was in the early years.

Images 2 and 3 - St Augustine’s as featured in Hermanos Brothers Irmaos Freres.

Vale Brother Vincent Shekleton 

A Marist Brother for 81 years, Br Vincent Shekleton passed away on 21 April at Molloy House, St Gregory’s College, Campbelltown at 100 years of age. Br Vince became a Marist Brother in 1943 and spent all his adult life in the service of young people through teaching and tutoring. 

He had a long association with St Augustine’s dating back to 1960 when, as Br Gervase, he began a three-year appointment teaching primary classes at the College. He returned to Cairns in 2000 and remained until the end of 2008. During this time, he helped tutor students needing English help and branched out to spend time on outback stations tutoring kids doing school of the air.

Apart from teaching in many Australian schools, he also spent extended periods of time in the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Thailand and China. Over a 20-year period, he studied counselling, attained a Diploma in Teaching (Manual Arts), completed a Bachelor of Education, finished a Graduate Diploma in Multiculturalism and studied linguistics.

In preparation for a 100th birthday article last year, Gayatri Nair, Communications Officer – Star of the Sea Province, asked Br Vince two questions, and his replies tell us much about the man:  "Joining the Brotherhood at only 15 and spending 81 years as a Marist Brother, did you ever regret your decision?" 

"Never. Not once. This has been my life, and I have loved it since I have known it. I was fortunate to travel to so many countries, meet different people, and experience diverse cultures. What could be more beautiful than this?" 

"What is your secret to living such a long and joyful life?" 

"Love. It really is that simple. Love people, seek out those who need that love, be there and take care of each other. When I look at the news, all I see is anger and pain, and what all those people truly need is love. It's not complicated at all.”