Subpriory

Subpriory Procurator

Professor David Kissane AC KMG (Ob) reports on the Subpriory of the Immaculate Conception. M 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. H.E. The Grand Chancellor and H.E. The • In June, Confrère Justin Harkiewicz took Grand Hospitaller attended the APC as the the Promise of Obedience during Mass, Region reported on its Hospitaller activities celebrated by Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP, across its varied associations. Conventional Chaplain ad Honorem at the • During 2019, we have been delighted to have Church of St Benedict in Sydney. Confrère several members proceed with their preparation Harkiewicz had travelled from Shanghai, where for their Promise of Obedience: Consoeurs he is a member of the Hong Kong Association, Lillian Antonelli and Margaret O’Donnell, and to give his witness to Christ during our Confrères Sauro Antonelli, Geoffrey Horgan,

National Assembly. Gerard O’Donnell, Sean Parnell, Frank Testa, • A Subcommittee of the Subpriory, led by and Confrère Collin Yap from the Singapore

Confrère Daniel Kwok, completed a Guideline Association. to Formation for members of the Association Now that the Australian Association has held seeking to undertake Preparation for elections and established a new National Council,

Obedience. the Grand Commander has asked the Subpriory • In August, at the Canisius Retreat Centre in to hold a Chapter early in 2020 for the purpose of

Pymble, New South Wales, Fr Geoffrey Plant electing a new Regent and Advisory Council of the led a retreat in which 15 members took part. Subpriory. • A Subcommittee of the Subpriory, led by This will therefore be the final report that I

Confrère Ian Leitch, developed a prayer book present as Procurator of the Subpriory. I take this for members entitled A Spiritual Companion, opportunity to most deeply thank all members and published this with the generous assistance of the Subpriory for the generous support they of Confrere John Murphy. have given me during my tenure as Procurator. • In November, several members of the Subpriory I especially thank those members who served took part in the 9th Asia Pacific Conference on the Transitional Advisory Council that have (APC) held at Deakin University’s conference supported me during this period and assisted in centre in Victoria. The Prelate of the Order, the overall administration of the Subpriory.