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Newsletter of the
Missionaries of God's Love
Priests and Brothers
December 2013
Special Edition
LET US REJOICE
www.mglpriestsandbrothers.org
On behalf of the Missionaries of
Gods Love priests and brothers I
want to invite all our friends and
supporters to share in our joy when
we are raised up as a Religious
Institute on Saturday February 8th
next year. We hope many of you will
be able to join with us for this special
occasion. This step means that the
Church has given its official seal of
approval for our existence and wants
to see our charism to be protected
and to flourish within and for the
Fr Ken Barker gathered with the priests at the recent 'Under 5's'
meeting
Church.
This is a time to joyfully thank the Lord for the many blessings he has showered upon us since our
inception in 1 986. Even more so it is a time to look forward confidently towards the future, listening
attentively to what the Lord is asking of us in the coming years.
While it is right to celebrate this new milestone we cannot afford to become self-congratulatory, as if we
have finally arrived at the place the Lord has called us. To the contrary, we need to realize that we are
only just beginning. We ought allow the Lord to expand our minds and enlarge our horizons so we can
understand and act upon the further vision He has for us. What is the Lord asking of us now, so we can
share more fully in the mission of the Church for the new evangelization? How is he speaking to us at
this moment in history? His voice is ever new and his Spirit is always creative.
Yes, let us certainly rejoice and be glad for the way the Lord has been in our midst until now. But let us
also set out courageously on this next stage of the journey, not being afraid to take the risk of faith that
the Lord enjoins upon us.
On the Sunday following the Inauguration ceremony we will be sending out three brothers to found a
new mission in Flores, Indonesia. May this be a sign that the Spirit’s presence with us will constantly
press us forward in mission, and always give us the grace to accomplish what he asks of us.
WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR OUR BISHOPS.
Archbishop Francis Carroll for giving the green light and providing
wisdom and support at the beginning.. Archbishop Mark Coleridge
for believing in us and encouraging us. Archbishop Christopher
Prowse for inaugurating us as a religious institute. Also for Mons
John Woods during his time as diocesan administrator and Fr
Julian Wellspring for his canonical advice and generous service.
L to R: Archbishop Francis Carrol, Archbishop Mark
Coleridge, Mons John Woods and Archbishop Christopher
Prouse
Missionaries of God’s Love
6 Boake Place, Garran ACT 2605 | ph 02 6281 01 32 | [email protected]
THE UNFOLDING STORY
With the MGL Priests and Brothers being raised up as a Religious Institute
on February 8th, we look back over the Significant MGL milestones
Feb 3 1 986 Fr Ken joins 4 young men in a house in Kaleen to begin common
life and prayer as the Fraternity
Dec 1 986
Fr Ken and Steve Tynan and 2 others take private vows during
morning Mass in a temporary residence in Kambah
Jan 1 987
use
Archbishop Carroll offers old presbytery at Red Hill for brother’s
Dec 3 1 987 Fr Ken, Steve Tynan and 2 others profess their private vows
publicly in Eucharist of Hephzibah community
Steve Tynan taking his vows Jan
1 990
Steve Tynan, Steve Fletcher, Geoffrey Coombe begin study at
Catholic Theological College, Clayton, Melbourne. Live
near the College in Stockdale Cr Clayton. Help with
establishment of Hephzibah community in Melbourne
Aug 31 1 991 Invited by Archbishop of Port Moresby to
establish a mission to evangelize the young people under
the grace of the charismatic renewal
July 1 9 1 992 Archbishop Carroll erects MGL as a Public
Association of Christs Faithful with signing of the
Constitutions
Dec 4 1 992 First MGL ordination to priesthood – Steve
Tynan at St Christophers Cathedral
Jan 1 996
Beginning of Darwin mission. Fr Steve
Fletcher takes responsibility for chaplaincy to urban
aboriginal community of St Martin de Porres
July 1 996
Beginning of Manila mission at invitation of
Cardinal Sin. Fr Steve Tynan leading the mission.
Dec 1 997
First Convocation held at Red Hill house
Fr Ken visiting the mission in PNG and Fr Steve
Tynan in Manila
Aug 1 998
MGL invited by Archbishop Carroll to take responsibility for Narrabundah parish and to
build a Eucharistic centre for evangelization under the grace of the new Pentecost
Nov 2003
Second MGL Convocation
Dec 8 2003 MGL move into Garran House after the Lord’s
provision to be able to purchase it.
Jun 2006
MGL takes responsibility for the parish of
Burwood with a view towards building a centre of evangelization
and develop the Seminary in this context
Aug 2006 Bishop of Novaliches Diocese invites MGL to
form a new parish in Manila.
Archbishop Carroll prays over the brothers at
the 1 997 Convocation
Get the latest homiles, talks and updates from the MGLs at www.mglpriestsandbrothers.org
2008 Fr Chris Ryan accompanies WYD Cross and Icon.
MGL involved in WYD
Dec 201 0
Third Convocation and 25th Anniversary
Nov 5 2011 Opening of the new Seminary building.
Whole complex becomes the John Paul II Formation House.
The Lord’s provision in being able to wipe out the debt.
Feb 8 201 3
MGL erected by Archbishop Christopher
Prowse as Religious Institute of Diocesan Right
Feb 9 201 3
Fr Vincent Widi, Fr Wenz Edy, and Br Martin
Lada sent to start mission in Flores Indonesia
The Priests and Brothers gathered at
Fr Chris Eatons first mass
A HUGE THANKS to the members of the Disciples of Jesus Community, the
MGL Sisters, the MGL Spiritual Association, our many Sponsors and
supporters, and all the many friends and relatives who make up the MGL
family. As we celebrate becoming a Religious Institute we are very aware
that it could not have happened without you. May the Lord bless and keep
you all.
News from around the MGLs
·Fr Ken Barker recently returned from a trip to
the Holy Land where he was gathered with
leaders from the Charismatic Renewal
worldwide.
·Fr Vincent Widi returned recently from
Indinesia. While he was there he had the
blessing of taking part in a retreat run by Sr
Briege McKenna who had a big influence on the
MGLs in the early years.
·Fr Bony Abraham had a very successful time of
ministry at 'Breakthrough', the diocesan youth
conference in Cairns
·Fr Chris Ryan recently spoke at the National
Catholic Youth Conference in Washington, USA,
where he launched his new book. The book,
called "Bring forth Hope" is available through St
Mary's Press: http://www.smp.org
·The MGL Media ministry has officially launched
its new smartphone 'app'. This is currently
available for all android smartphones, giving you
the latest homiles, daily scripture reflections and
spiritual formation at the press of a button. You
can download the app at the 'Google Play' app
store.
From left: Fr Ken
saying mass at the
church of the Nativity.
Fr Vincent with Sr
Brieg McKenna. Fr
Bony at the
Breakthrough
conference. The new
MGL smartphone app
and Fr Chris' latest
book.
Get the latest homiles, talks and updates from the MGLs at www.mglpriestsandbrothers.org
MEET
THE
UNDER
5’S
Recently those who are under five years ordained or in final vows met in Canberra for on-going
formation. They are an impressive body of men.
Fr Bony Abraham from Kerala, India. Director of the St Benedicts
Mission Centre, Narrabundah.
Fr Vincent Widi from Bali Indonesia. Chaplain to ACU Melbourne. In
February to lead the new MGL mission in Flores.
Fr David Callaghan from Perth. Novice Master in Formation House at
Garran Canberra.
Fr Daniel Strickland from Perth. Currently studying Psychology
while helping with the Formation in Melbourne Seminary.
Fr Joseph Neonbasu from West Timor. One of the team in Darwin
working with indigenous people and also serving in the hospital and with
many different cultural groups.
Br Chris Kerwick from Miles, QLD. One of the team in Darwin working
especially with remote indigenous communities and St John’s College.
Fr Matheus WuWu from Flores, Indonesia. Assistant in the parish of
St Benedicts Narrabundah.
Fr Alex Nolasco from Manila, Philippines. One of the team in the
Manila mission, working especially with the development of the Yield
youth ministries.
Fr Wenz Edy from Flores Indonesia. Assistant in the parish of St
Benedicts Burwood. Will be sent in February to help establish the
mission in Flores.
Br Al Habagat from the Philippines. Recently professed final vows and
now working with the poor and disadvantaged in the MGL mission St
Benedicts Manila.
Fr Chris Eaton from Christchurch New Zealand. Recently ordained
priest and going to assist in the parish at St Benedicts Burwood, as well
as vocations ministry.
Deacon Rey Tano from the Philippines. Recently ordained deacon and
will now join the team in Manila as he prepares for ordination to
priesthood in mid-year.
Br Izak Belyanan from Malukus Indonesia. Due to be ordained deacon
early 201 4 and priest at the end of the year. Is preparing to join the
Indonesian mission in due course.