Subpriory Procurator Professor David Kissane AC KMG (Ob) reports on the Subpriory of the Immaculate Conception.
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embers in Obedience reside within the lay religious community of our Subpriory, while engaging in parallel with the Australian Association for their Hospitaller works. There were 35 members of the Subpriory during 2019. Retreats were held in February and August 2019, and eight members were engaged in preparation to take their Promise of Obedience. Highlights for the Subpriory in 2019 included: • In February, Confrere Richard Caesar-Thwaytes took the Promise of Obedience during Mass, concelebrated by Fathers O’Collins and Lenehan, Conventional Chaplains of the Subpriory, at the Carmelite Convent in Kew, Victoria. • In February, at the Campion Retreat Centre in Kew, Fr Gerald O’Collins led a retreat in which 24 members took part. • In May, a Chapter General of the Order was held in Rome, at which a new Grand Commander was elected, H.E. Fra’ Ruy Gonçalo do Valle Peixoto de Villas Boas, Professed Knight in Solemn Vows. Fra’ Ruy is from Portugal and is the High Charge responsible for members of the Order in Obedience. • Several members of the Subpriory took part in May in the annual pilgrimage of the Order to Lourdes and supported the Irish Association in their care of malades. • In June, Confrère Justin Harkiewicz took the Promise of Obedience during Mass, celebrated by Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP, Conventional Chaplain ad Honorem at the Church of St Benedict in Sydney. Confrère Harkiewicz had travelled from Shanghai, where he is a member of the Hong Kong Association, to give his witness to Christ during our National Assembly. • A Subcommittee of the Subpriory, led by Confrère Daniel Kwok, completed a Guideline to Formation for members of the Association seeking to undertake Preparation for Obedience. • In August, at the Canisius Retreat Centre in Pymble, New South Wales, Fr Geoffrey Plant led a retreat in which 15 members took part. • A Subcommittee of the Subpriory, led by Confrère Ian Leitch, developed a prayer book for members entitled A Spiritual Companion, and published this with the generous assistance of Confrere John Murphy. • In November, several members of the Subpriory took part in the 9th Asia Pacific Conference (APC) held at Deakin University’s conference centre in Victoria. The Prelate of the Order,
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H.E. The Grand Chancellor and H.E. The Grand Hospitaller attended the APC as the Region reported on its Hospitaller activities across its varied associations. • During 2019, we have been delighted to have several members proceed with their preparation for their Promise of Obedience: Consoeurs Lillian Antonelli and Margaret O’Donnell, and Confrères Sauro Antonelli, Geoffrey Horgan, Gerard O’Donnell, Sean Parnell, Frank Testa, and Confrère Collin Yap from the Singapore Association. Now that the Australian Association has held elections and established a new National Council, the Grand Commander has asked the Subpriory to hold a Chapter early in 2020 for the purpose of electing a new Regent and Advisory Council of the Subpriory. This will therefore be the final report that I present as Procurator of the Subpriory. I take this opportunity to most deeply thank all members of the Subpriory for the generous support they have given me during my tenure as Procurator. I especially thank those members who served on the Transitional Advisory Council that have supported me during this period and assisted in the overall administration of the Subpriory.
2019 Australian Hospitaller
