Displaying items by tag: MSC Education

Annual MSC Education pilgrimage to Issoudun

From Anne McAtomney, Director, Chevalier Institute.

The group gathered on the steps of the parish church of Notre Dame in Chatillon sur Indre, where Jules Chevalier spent several months as curate ahead of his time in Issoudun. 

Over the past seven days, staff from our schools have been on pilgrimage in Issoudun, such as takes place annually. This year, there have been 13 pilgrims, accompanied by three facilitators – Alison McKenzie, Cheryl Hamill ( AP- Mission, Daramalan College) and myself. 

As for each year, the time together in Issoudun has been a joyful and fruitful experience for all, including facilitators. We have been warmly welcomed by Father Raymond Lievre MSC and all in the MSC Basilica community, taking our lunch with them each day.

Cheryl and Alison in one of the Basilica seminar rooms, preparing baguette sandwiches ahead of pilgrims’ arrival in Issoudun;

the group in Richelieu, birthplace of Jules Chevalier;

the group gathered in the gardens following a tour of  Bourges Cathedral, where Jules Chevalier was ordained.

Of particular significance during this year’s pilgrimage has been a visit and tour of the house in which Jules Chevalier spent his final months ahead of his death in 1907, the house now being owned by a parishioner and close friend of the MSC community in Issoudun.

 MSC Education Australia, New Director, MSC Education – Chris McDermott

Stephen Hackett MSC writes: I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Christopher (Chris) McDermott to the role of Director, MSC Education. The role is a 0.6 position.

Chris is well known to many in our network as a successful and deeply respected leader, educator and principal who articulates and lives a Spirituality of the Heart. He is a proven educational leader with 23 years of experience as a Catholic school Principal, having led Chevalier College Bowral for fifteen years following principalships at Terra Sancta College Quakers Hill and Emmaus Catholic College Kemps Creek. Chris holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and is an experienced Company Director, school reviewer and sessional tutor, the latter with Wollongong University.

With Peter Hendriks and Kimi Vunivesilevu

Chris is very much a member of the MSC family, having been an Executive Member of the National Council of the Laity of the Chevalier Family, the Regional Coordinator – Australia and Pacific – of the International Council of the Laity of the Chevalier Family and (since early 2023) a Member of the MSC Education Members’ Council He has a great love for and authentic commitment to the charism of Fr Jules Chevalier and to living a Spirituality of the Heart.

With Chris McPhee

The Panel recommending Chris’ appointment discerned that he has both a call to this particular ministry within the MSC family and the requisite skills, capabilities and experiences in formation, educational leadership and governance to meet the demands of the role. We congratulate Chris on his appointment and look forward to welcoming him to this position.

I take this opportunity to acknowledge with gratitude the dedication of the Panel to the recruitment process.

The Issoudun Pilgrimage for  the Lay Staff in MSC Schools in Australia

We posted an initial report last week. Now a follow-up.

One of the many banners that was carried in procession through Issoudun at various celebrations.

The art work ‘Tree of Jesse’ in the chapel.

The chapel of the hospital where Fr Piperron was the chaplain.

This is a wonderful opportunity to connect intimately with the Chevalier story and gain a new understanding of the charism and spirituality. The staff approach the week as pilgrims, not as tourists.

Richelieu Church

The pilgrims take the ‘outer’ journey to Issoudun and are invited to take the ‘inner’ journey. It is a journey to a sacred space. The prime reason for the lay staff to make the pilgrimage is so that they can deeply appreciate the vision and spirituality that inspires the MSC and OLSH mission in education. The deeper the appreciation the more they are able to contribute to the mission in our MSC/OLSH schools. Anne McAtomney leads the formation team including Alison McKenzie and John Mulrooney.

 The group after mass in the crypt. 

And time to leave

Acknowledging John Franzmann MSC

John Franzmann turns 85 today. He has been a Missionary of the Sacred Heart for 65 years and a priest for 58 years.

John is a Queenslander and went to secondary school at Downlands College, Toowoomba. He made his first profession on February 26^th 1958. Studies for priesthood took place at the Sacred Heart Monasteries, Croydon, Victoria, and Canberra. He also studied Arts at the Australian National University. He was ordained on July 21^st 1965.

Almost all of his MSC ministry has been in education. His first appointment was to Daramalan College, Canberra. He has taught at Chevalier College, Bowral, and St John’s College, Darwin. He served as Principal at both of these last two colleges. For some years, he was part of the administration of the Diocese of Darwin.

Two tangible results of his work can be seen in his history of Chevalier, This Many Faceted Gem, and history of Monivae College.

John’s education forte is Maths, teaching and coaching students for more than half a century. One of his students is Geordie Williamson, Professor of Mathematics at Sydney University.

In recent decades, John has lived at Chevalier College, continuing his dedication to students and maths.