Brother Tim Leen was born on the 2nd of June, 1957, in Wellington, New Zealand. He is a first generation New Zealander of Irish parents who migrated to New Zealand in the early fifties. His father died when he was young, leaving just his mother, brother and himself in New Zealand. The remainder of the extended family are still living in Ireland and Manchester.

He was educated by the Marist Brothers at St. Bernard’s Primary and Secondary school and made the decision to go to the Juniorate in 1973. When the Juniorate closed in 1974, he returned to his old school for his final year of High School but left to take up employment in a Meat Processing Plant.

He entered the Postulancy in 1976 and prior to entering the Novitiate, took time to visit Europe and Ireland in order to reconnect with his family roots. On his return, he entered the Novitiate. He made his First Profession on January 6th, 1979 and Final Profession in January, 1985.

The first three years of his apostolic life was as a primary school teacher in Invercargill which is located at the bottom of the South Island of New Zealand. This was followed by three years on the Marist Retreat Team, conducting retreats for High School students in both Marist and non Marist Schools throughout New Zealand. Then began eights years in the small atoll country of the Republic of Kiribati in the Central Pacific where he was involved both in High School teaching and Pre-Novitiate Formation. He then had the opportunity of eighteen months renewal and study in Chicago (USA), following programmes at the Institute of Spiritual Leadership and Loyola University. He then began a ten year period at our Inter-Provincial Novitiate in Lomeri, Fiji. He spent the first four years as the Assistant Novice Master and then six years as Novice Master, completing his appointment there on January 1st, 2006.

He is now beginning to think ahead to the time and programme in Davao and looking forward to the opportunity, richness and challenge that this time will provide. He looks forward to forming community with Alfredo and Roy and, as a team, working and discerning with the participants who will be part of the Orientation Programme in Mindanao.

Bro. Alfredo Herrera was born on July 7, 1951 in Mexico City, Mexico. He attended Instituto Mexico in Mexico City which is conducted by the Marist Brothers. After graduating from there, Alfredo entered the juniorate. From there, he entered the Novitiate and professed his first vows on July 3, 1971. He then attended the scholasticate in Mexico City. He taught for two years in Mexico before going to Korea as a missionary, where he taught and took his final vows.

In Korea, Alfredo has served as a teacher of English and Spanish, teacher of the deaf, and has done pastoral work, directed retreats, formation work, and Spiritual Direction.

Alfredo is interested in reading, particularly religious psychology and education of children and youth with special needs.

Born July 31, 1956 in Sagay, Negros Occidental Philippines, Bro. Roy Deita joined the Marist Brothers in 1979, professed in 1981, and made his final vows in 1987. Since his time in the Marist Brothers, Roy has served as a teacher, community superior, treasurer, high school principal, department chairman, planning and development officer, master of novices and MAPAC bursar.

Roy is a Certified Public Accountant by profession and has completed a formation program for Formators at Emmaus Center in Manila, Philippines. Roy was elected a member of the Provincial Council of the Philippines in 1994 – 2000 and re-elected on April 21, 2006.