Br Anthony Atkinson FMS
Br Anthony is well-known to many Marist families and students. He was a beautiful presence in the Junior School for 21 years – the longest serving Brother in the Canberra community. Br Anthony left here when the community withdrew in 2015. At the time he was to go to Ashgrove and I remember having a conversation with him where he expressed a tiny bit of frustration that no one had told him what he would be doing there. Even at that stage of his life he was looking to be involved in the school.
Shortly after, Brother had a fall here at school and it was not so easy to recover. As things eventuated, he ended up living at the Brothers' retirement home in Campbelltown. A few weeks ago, Br Anthony’s health took a turn for the worse and he entered eternal life on the morning of Thursday 27 October.
The Mass of Thanksgiving for Br Anthony was held at the Chapel of the Annunciation, St Gregory’s College, Campbelltown on Friday 11 November. In attendance were a large number of friends and colleagues from Marist College Canberra. The principal celebrant was Fr Trenton van Reesch, ex-student of the College. Fr Trenton related the earliest memory he had of Br Anthony. It was Trenton’s first day at the Junior School and he was walking up the steps with his mother. Br Anthony was there to greet him, placed his hand on his shoulder and said, ‘let’s walk in together’. This gesture provides a true insight into Br Anthony.
Please click here for a tribute to Br Anthony written by the Provincial of the Marist Brothers, Br Peter Carroll and here to read the eulogy that was delivered by Br Lawrie McCane, last Community Leader of Canberra.
As a young Brother, Anthony was given the religious name, Cleophas, the name of one of the disciples who walked with Jesus on the road to Emmaus. He spent his life walking with Jesus and inviting thousands of young men and women to do the same. May we continue to follow his example.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.
Peter Hawes
Assistant Head of School – Mission and Identity