My Dear Brethren,

Christmas has scarcely passed and already we approach Easter!

Bishop Fellay’s visit over the Christmas period was very eventful. As arranged, the meeting of all of the priests of the District of Australia duly took place in Sydney from the 10^th to the 14^th December. This was a rare occasion indeed when we were all able to be together in one place and it was a special privilege to have our Superior-General with us during these days.

The ordination of Father Jean-Baptiste Claret to the priesthood took place on 27^th December, together with that of the three deacons who will also be ordained priests at the end of this year. The splendid ceremony at Goulburn was well attended by a large congregation in the large marquee which had been erected in the seminary grounds. The weather was cooler and more pleasant than in previous years. During the preceeding days I had the pleasure of preaching the preparatory retreat to these young Levites at a very lovely location near Marlo in East Gippsland, Victoria.

On Sunday 13^th January the Tynong congregation bade its farewell to Father Loschi. After Solemn High Mass in the Church a special presentation was made to him in the hall followed by a parish barbeque in the grounds of St Thomas Aquinas College. We will never be sufficiently grateful to him for his zeal and devotion to duty as Prior and Principal of our largest educational establishment. Father Delsorte has now replaced Father Loschi in this capacity. He is well suited to this task, having for several years been the Principal of St Anthony’s School in Wanganui, New Zealand before his appointment to Hampton three years ago. We wish him every blessing and much strength in this enormous task and assure him of our prayers.

Father Jules Belisle has returned to Australia after having spent a year in Canada. As you are all aware he was previously the Principal of St Philomena’s School at Parkridge, Brisbane. He succeeds Father Delsorte at Hampton and we are delighted to welcome him back to this country.

By the time you receive this letter Father Alain Nely, the Second Assistant of the Superior-General, will be here in Australia. After preaching the Lenten Retreat to the seminarians at Goulburn he will visit Brisbane and then Tynong where he will be present for the Holy Week ceremonies. This is his second visit there as he accompanied Bishop Fellay at the blessing of Corpus Christi Church last year.

In May, Father Niklaus Pfluger, the First Assistant (i.e. the most important priest in the Society after Bishop Fellay) will pay his first visit to Australia. His programme is printed below and I do hope that many of you will be able to meet him and welcome him to our country.

Finally, in September, Bishop Tissier de Malerais will visit various of our churches and administer Confirmation. Details of his visit will be announced once they are finalised.

May God grant you all every grace and blessing this Easter.

Yours most sincerely in Christ,

Father Edward Black – Superior

Father Pfluger’s Visit To Australia

Announcements will be made at the places listed above regarding public Masses celebrated by Father as well as any other relevant activities.