District Visit, Celebration and Assembly

Our Superior General, Fr Declan Marmion, formally visited our District of Asia from 16th February till 23
March, 2026. This was his first official visit to a unit of the Society of Mary since he was appointed as
Superior General at the recent General Chapter. He was able to visit the formation community in Davao City,
our mission parish community in Digos City, and the community in Eden which combines the International
Novitiate and the pastoral ministry in the local parish. He then travelled to Ranong, Thailand, to visit the
community and mission there. He met each Marist confrere and also visited the various places of ministry.
His visit strengthened our sense of belonging to the wider Marist world and he was able to help us reflect on
our present and future life and mission. The support and encouragement he offered was gratefully accepted so
that the Work of Mary continues with trust in God’s grace and the leadership of the General Administration.

After his visitation, Fr Declan Marmion, joined the members of the District in Thailand to celebrate the 20th
Anniversary of Marist Presence and Mission in Ranong. Bishop Paolo Trairong of Surat Thani Diocese opened
the two-day celebration with the Holy Eucharist. In his homily, Bishop Paolo has commended the Marists for
‘walking’ with Burmese migrants. “When we look at these twenty years, we see: Children educated with
dignity and hope, Migrant families from Myanmar welcomed and accompanied, brothers and sisters living
with HIV treated not as statistics, but as beloved children of God… All these are not simply ‘projects’. They
are signs of God’s mercy at work in our time.”

The Anniversary Celebration was followed in Ranong by the District Assembly, which aims to review our
District ministries and to foster fraternity. Our confreres reflected and shared the strengths, challenges and
opportunities of each community and ministry in the District. Both the Celebration and Assembly were blessed
with the presence and participation of Fr Declan Marmion and Fr Frank Bird of New Zealand Province as
observer.

Pat Devlin and Kevin Medilo
11 March, 2026

New Pastoral and Finance Council Members Take Their Oath

On October 19, 2025, the members of the Pastoral and Finance Council of St. Michael Archangel Quasi-Parish took their oath and were formally presented to the faithful during Sunday Mass.

The ceremony marked an important moment in the life of the parish community, as these men and women pledged to serve with dedication and faith. The faithful warmly welcomed and accepted the new council members, expressing their support and prayers for their mission.

May the Holy Spirit guide them in their work for the good of the parish and the glory of God.

A Summer Pastoral Immersion in Digos and Davao City

In June 2025, seminarian Zulu Serop undertook his Summer Pastoral Immersion in the Philippines, spending time in both Digos City and Davao City.

For six weeks, he was based at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Matti, Digos City, Davao del Sur. There, he served in the ministry of acolyte, assisted in parish activities, and took part in community gatherings.

Zulu also spent time with the Balay Pasilungan community in Davao City, a mission that provides care and support for young people. His involvement included assisting in parish life and engaging with the children and youth of the program.

The immersion offered a broad picture of the Marist mission in the Philippines, from vibrant parish life to dedicated outreach programs. Through these experiences in Digos and Davao, Zulu witnessed the diverse ways in which the Church continues to serve and accompany people in Mindanao.

Mother’s Day Celebration at MAF

Last Friday, our Mother’s Day celebration at Marist Asia Foundation was a joyful blend of culture, gratitude, and community spirit. The day began with a warm welcome from Kroo Luk, one of our Thai teachers, followed by a heartfelt song in honour of the Queen. Our Year 4 students delighted the audience with a graceful Thai dance, while our PP students brought energy and colour with a traditional Burmese dance. Two mothers of our students shared moving speeches, reminding us of the love, sacrifice, and dedication of all mothers.

We then recognised the hard work of our students, awarding academic prizes for the 2024–25 school year and presenting certificates to the winners of our Mother’s Day art competition. In the afternoon, the whole school came together for a community clean-up, collecting rubbish from the school compound and nearby streets. The celebration ended on a high note with exciting sports activities, leaving everyone with a sense of pride, unity, and appreciation for the day.

Journeying with Mary in Hope and Mission: The 6th Parochial Fiesta of Our Lady ofFatima Parish

Last May 13, 2025, the community of Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Matti, Digos City
gathered with joyful hearts to celebrate the 6th Parochial Fiesta in honor our beloved
patroness, Our Lady of Fatima. With the theme, “Maria: Inahan ug Giya sa Panaw sa
Paglaum” (Mary: Mother and Guide on the Journey of Hope), this year’s celebration became
a gentle yet powerful reminder that Mary walk with us, guiding the Church through the
uncertainties and challenges of life.

The solemn Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Most Rev. Guillermo V. Afable,
D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Digos. Concelebrating with him were several diocesan clergy
and members of the Society of Mary District of Asia.

In his homily, Bishop Afable invited the faithful to contemplate the image of Mary at
Fatima—not as distant or unreachable, but as a mother who draws near to her children in
times of fear, doubt, and crisis. He reflected on the significance of Mary’s message at
Fatima—a call to prayer, penance, and conversion—as still profoundly relevant today. “We
are pilgrims of hope,” he said, “and Mary walks with us, leading us always to her Son,
Jesus.”