Laity of the Chevalier Family: Members of the Council

Today we post a photo of the official thank you to Chevalier College Australia for all the help they offered in the preparations for the Assembly of Laity. Mr Greg Miller, Principal of the College is receiving the official thank you plaque on behalf of the College and the staff who offered their expertise for us. Thank you. With Alison McKenzie, General Secretary.

Introduction to each of the Members of the Council

Our Spiritual Companion : Sr Merle Salazar FDNSC - Philippines

I am Sr Merle Salazar, fdnsc, a member of the Congregation of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. It is my honor and pleasure to be the Spiritual Companion of the International Council of the Laity of the Chevalier Family for these coming years. I stand on the shoulders of a great MSC, Fr Hans Kwakman, who finished his service as Spiritual Companion to the IC last January.

I was at the 4th International Assembly in Cebu where I met a number of you in person and where we experienced very clearly that the Spirit is with us and is leading our Chevalier family. It is my wish and prayer that, walking together as companions on the journey, we may truly become more and more the Heart of God in the places and circumstances where we find ourselves. At the moment, I am based in Manila and my main mission is as Sabbatical Program Coordinator at the East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI), a Jesuit-run institute that forms pastoral leaders and missionaries for a renewed Church. Together, let us make the Sacred Heart of Jesus everywhere loved, forever!

Patricia Antonieta Rivas Molina – Guatemala

I was born in the capital city of Guatemala. I am single by vocation. I studied and was also a professor at the Jesuit Catholic University of my country as a Public Accountant and Auditor. Years later, I also completed a degree in Theology at the same university. Since university until today I work in Public Accounting and Auditing.

• Since my childhood my parents instilled in me the “devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus”, which would accompany me throughout my childhood and youth. In 1998, at the parish Lenten retreat, we were invited to belong to the first community of lay people, and the experience of deepening devotion to the formation of “the spirituality of the Heart of Jesus” began. I participated in the Spirituality courses organized by Cor América, in Minas Gerais, Brazil (2014); in Lima Peru (2023) and at the Third Assembly of the laity of the Chevalier Family in Sao Paulo, Brazil (2017).

In my lay community I took up formation after the first public promise. I am currently the coordinator of the National Council. I have coordinated the animation server team of the group of seniors, and the community of the neighbourhood to make the parish present in it, through the celebrations of the liturgical year.

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Aidan Johnson – Australia.

I am Aidan Johnson. I am married to Clare and I am a member of the Australian Council of the Laity of the Chevalier Family. I completed my schooling at Chevalier College (MSC), Bowral and have remained heavily involved with the MSCs and the wider Chevalier Family. I have qualifications in forensic science, education and theology and I have been teaching science in Australian Catholic schools for over 10 years. My wife Clare and I are members of the Australian Council of the Laity of the Chevalier Family. I established and continue to oversee Heartworks, MSC Young Adults Community and I manage the social media platforms for the Australian Council of the Laity of the Chevalier Family.

Eve Jaike Morandante (Ainne), Philippines.

I am Eve Jaike “ainne” Morandante. I’m the eldest daughter in our family: I have two sisters, one brother, one niece, one brother in-law and a widower father. I studied Computer Science and work in Makati before my mother got sick that led me to go back home in Surigao.

Initially, I was attracted with the Chevalier Family Lay Associates because of Sacred Heart of Jesus and upon completing the Formation (sometimes one-on-one session with Sr. Betty, FDNSC) I became a fully member of the Chevalier Family in June 29, 2015. Until today, I’m trying to live out the Charism and Spirituality of the Heart of Fr. Jules Chevalier despite the challenges of everyday life. I was an Assistant Secretary in Surigao District in 2016 and District Secretary since 2017 up to this day and was able to attend various assemblies and meetings in local - national level.

Currently, I am the Parish Secretary of Virgen de la Paz y Buen Viaje in Bilang-Bilang, Surigao City since 2019, a Parish Formator, and PPC Secretary in 2017-2021. Aside being a Chevalier Associate, I’m also a Chevalier Partner in Mission with the DOLSH. Before the pandemic, I am actively present, volunteer, and participates the apostolate of the DOLSH Sister with the Badjao Community here in Surigao City since 2015 especially in teaching basic lessons to our less fortunate brothers and sisters.

I believe through these; giving myself, my time and some talents, I was able to give back all the blessings I continuously received from our Almighty Father with the intercession of Our Lady of Sacred Heart. And I commit myself to serve as Chevalier Family Lay Associate in the local community, national, and international as temporary member to the Council of the of International Laity of the Chevalier Family.

Petrus Sidarta Maringka – Indonesia.

My name is Petrus Sidarta Maringka from Indonesia. I am married to my beautiful wife Shirley Mohidi, and we have three children, Findley, Fidela, and Florian. I am working as a dentist and have my practice in Jakarta. I am a passionate and driven individual with a keen curiosity for learning and exploring new ideas. I mastered organizational skills, thrive on challenges, and am always eager to push the boundaries of my knowledge and abilities. Whether it is through creative endeavors or problem-solving in my professional or religious life, I strive to bring enthusiasm, empathy, and a positive attitude to everything I do. I value integrity, authenticity, and continuous personal growth, and I am committed to making a positive impact on the world around me.

I grew up in the MSC parish of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Jakarta. Therefore, since childhood, many MSC priests influenced me a lot with their way of life and thinking as I became their altar boy. Their motto “May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be loved everywhere” is also very familiar to me. I have accompanied a community namely “New Heart Community” for single Catholic young adults since 2007 and this community used to be under the MSC lay movement. Along with my presence with this community, I also went to many places in Indonesia, visited some Parishes or Dioceses outside Jakarta, and gave motivational and personality workshops to lay people. In July 2022, I was elected as National Vice Chair of the Laity of the Chevalier Family for a three-year tenure and this is for the first time that Indonesia has its own National Board.

Dorothy Pion – Papua New Guinea.

I'm Dorothy Pion from Papua New Guinea (PNG). Since 2012, I have been actively involved as an MSC Lay Associate, serving as the Coordinator from 2015 to 2021. I am delighted to be part of the Chevalier Family as a Laity. My life is blessed with my marriage to Nicholas Pion, and together, we cherish our four wonderful children.

Professionally, I work with the Geological Survey of PNG, a division of the Mineral Resources Authority Papua New Guinea, where I hold the position of Senior Cartographer. In this role, I engage in map-making and work extensively with GIS and geological data.

Within the community of St Charles Lwanga Parish in Gerehu, Port Moresby, I actively participate in the Parish Pastoral Council, where I serve as the treasurer. Additionally, my husband and I are committed to facilitating Pre-Cana classes for couples preparing for marriage. I also dedicate my time as a Sunday School Teacher, contributing to the spiritual education of our parish community whenever I am in attendance.