The Lamb of God Chronicle April 2013

Transcription

1 The Lamb of God Chronicle April 2013 The Lamb of God Community PO Box Phone [03] Fax [03] Mobile Website: INDEX TO CONTENTS Reflections Page 1-2 Our People Page 2 News and Articles Page 3-6 House Group Resource Page 7 Kairos NZ News Page 8 Web Sites Page 8 Members/Info/Records Page 9 Birthdays/Anniversaries Page 9-10 National Prayer Watch Page REFLECTIONS Land of Awesome Beauty, Land that can take Your Life As I write I am both working away from home, and taking some overdue leave. The location is stunningly beautiful, an isolated location, yet just thirty paces from the waters of a pristine ocean Bay. Everyday Veronica and I walk for miles and literally see almost no other people. Rather we see exquisite shells with each turn of the tide, fascinating driftwood, distant high peaks, and landscapes sculptured by wind and water. We also enjoy the wildlife and have our regular daily visits from a large family of quail. They are fascinating to watch in their natural environment - they have a cycle to their busy days which includes a time of rest in a small hollow under trees but always with a couple of lookout guards on watch. Then last night, near midnight, we heard what we had anticipated- the arrival of a family, or several families, of small penguins. They are seasonal and when they come they set up house under the house. The noise lasts for hours as they seem to bicker and argue and grumble at each other. Then the sudden silence as somehow someone decides we all sleep now, and so they do. Tonight I will be on watch to see if I can spot them waddling out of the waves and heading uphill to the house! Yes, Aotearoa is an awesome land of great natural beauty, but it is also a place in which you can so easily lose your life. Physically and spiritually. Physically. Take a look at the summit crater of Mt Taranaki in the photograph. It is quite a high mountain, a dormant but not extinct volcano, but access to ascend it is easily gained. It is approachable. But unlike many world peaks, the easy approach is much the same for many of our mountains. Easy to access does not necessarily mean easy to climb. Many have lost their lives on Taranaki, this beautiful to look at mountain. When I climbed it I recall partnering with a German on the Lizard Ridge. We went well together except that as we neared the top we simply could not decide which way for the final several hundred feet, and so we agreed to split left and right, me

2 2 taking left. As I ascended it got harder and despite it not being a winter climb the higher I went the more ice sheen appeared on the rocks. Eventually I decided I should turn and descend but then I found I was in trouble as the ledge I was on was simply too narrow to make a turn. I started to feel anxious but then I heard a voice yelling at me and way down below me was the German. His direction had taken him into the actual crater, whereas my direction had stranded me on the inside face of a jagged peak known as the Shark s Tooth, which you can easily see towards the right in the photograph. Thankfully my climbing buddy could see what I could not. I just needed to carry on as there was a way down to him that I could not see. He verbally guided me down into the crater. I learnt a lot from that climb into the classic crater of Mt Taranaki. Spiritually. But how can we lose our lives spiritually because of the beauty of the land? Yes we can because the world changes the topography of the physical into a landscape called money, power and wealth. The Scriptures speak of the broad road which if taken leads to destruction, and of the other way, the narrow way, which with the Lord leads to life. The voice of the world speaks a seducing language we often long to hear, the great and beautiful way! With the riches of man you can have so much and enjoy so much: wealth, health and a nice suntan, the latest car, the biggest TV, annual holidays in paradise locations, power and prestige, money and more money [and more money] rolling into your bank account. You have gained success, you are fulfilled. Or are you? Who owns your allegiance? Who watches over your family? Who forms your children s path? Who has your commitment? Who owns your soul? And who do you call Lord? Or is your allegiance in other directions- to a job, a career, a relationship, or to possessions and money? Are you praying and seeking God? Do you spend time with and seek to form your children for God? We are given so much, let is not wander onto that broad road that leads to destruction. Our country, in its headlong journey to redefine Christian Marriage, is fast taking that path, but we are called to embrace the narrow way and embrace the life of a disciple of the Lord. And so, as I enjoy the great natural beauty of this place on this quiet evening, I am fed by the words from Judith: Hope in any other have I never had save in Thee O God of Israel. And the music of our brother, Ed Conlin: There is a love stronger than death, a passion deeper than this life. In the heart s purest longing, lives the Pearl of Great Price That is what I desire. Do you? Come, let us walk this way together. OUR PEOPLE Roger: Senior Coordinator Congratulations! To Aleisha Jones [Blenheim], who completed her 6 hour practical exam, and is now a Qualified Hairdresser. Congratulations!!! [Note to all Branch leaders: Please send your local news/snippets to Roger Foley or Tom Caballes so that we can acknowledge important occasions in the lives of our brothers and sisters and make sure we do not miss any of them.]

3 3 NEWS AND ARTICLES MARCH MEETING SOUTHERN REGION At the March meeting of the Lamb of God Community in Dunedin we were blessed to have Elizabeth Cobb and Tessa Vance attend, two special young ladies from America. Both shared of their preparation for coming to and the time they have spent helping in. Margaret and I were blessed to have Elizabeth and Tessa to share with us over a couple of days as we tiki toured to the meeting. Seeing some beautiful scenery through the Mackenzie and Central Otago and finally marvelling at the Moeraki Boulders on the way home. The final mission was to try sheep shearing with local member Mike Prendeville before heading back to. Fr Merv McGettigan, Tessa, Liz, and Christine May At the Moeraki Boulders WELLINGTON BRANCH - MEN CLIMBS MOUNT KAUKAU Mount Kaukau is the highest point overlooking Wellington Harbour. The summit is 445 metres above sea level and the tracks are well formed and the view is worthwhile. The return distance is about 6km. On March 16, about 19 courageous brothers from the Wellington branch, men and youth, walked and climbed to Mount Kaukau from Khandallah park. It took about 45 minutes going up but only about half an hour going down. The brothers were tested many times on the way whether to give up or not but with their persistence and the support for one another, everyone reached the top!

4 4 LEADERSHIP PROFILE - MEET MARYANNE HALL [These coming months, we will feature different women leaders of the Lamb of God community. This month, we have Maryanne from.] My parents Fred & Nora Shanly welcomed me into the world in I was born with a blood condition which had taken the life of their first infant son, so I was much wanted, yet I needed several blood transfusions to keep me alive. I grew up in Onehunga and attended St Joseph s Convent School where the East District meets for Sunday gatherings. I have a brother Gregory two years younger and a sister Pauline, four years younger. I attended St Benedict s Girl s College in Newton where my mother and her mother had also gone. In my 4th form year I was trained as a youth leader in the YCS movement (Young Christian Students) and led interschool youth meetings for several years. In my 6th form year at school I had major surgery owing to my hereditary blood condition. I had my gall-bladder, spleen and appendix removed along with over 20 gall-stones. It was in that same year (1972) that I met Greg, when we played guitars at the first youth Masses held in. We continued accepting invitations to provide folk music for youth Masses at many parishes around the Diocese the following year and at the same time got to know each other better. Also in that year I attended my first Life in the Spirit Seminar at St Pat s Cathedral and then became very involved in the Charismatic Renewal; leading small groups, singing in the music team and eventually giving teachings. In 1974 Greg and I got engaged and I went off to Loreto Hall Catholic Teachers College for three years and became a primary school teacher. Greg and I married in 1975 and bought a home in Pakuranga. In 1977 we moved to Dargaville where I taught for two years at the local Catholic school and Greg took a job with his brother-in-law at a car dealership. We returned to in 1979 and Danjel, our first child was born in April. Around that time we were being trained by the

5 5 Diocese in youth-to-youth ministry and for two years helped establish youth groups in the East parishes by training up their leaders. Greg and I always had a desire for building Christian community and for ten years we belonged to a parish based community group who met weekly for prayer and praise, a teaching and sharing and every October we would go away for a long weekend together at Cook s Beach. There was much practical support when needed and the older kids babysat for younger ones so parents could attend other meetings or have a night out. In 1981 we lost our only daughter Renee. She had severe spina bifida and could not sustain her own breathing at birth. Rosjier was born in In 1983 we ceased from youth work and took up running Evenings for Engaged couples to prepare them for marriage. These were held at home so were easier to manage with young children. Then Xavier was born in 1984 and along came Joshua in We had four wonderful sons to stretch me to new limits in mothering and parenting. This Better World Community group we were in, in Pakuranga, was wonderful and we had tremendous support in those early years of marriage. It was not until in 1982, at St John Vianney s in Hillsborough, when we heard Roger Foley give a talk on Covenant Community that we realized how much more there could be in living community. It was nearly two years later we embraced covenant community life. Something our hearts believed the Lord was calling us into. Not just another thing to belong to and attend once or twice a week but a whole way of life that encompassed all we did. We loved the Lord s Day prayers and so did our children. Josh wasn t born then and Xavier was just a new baby, Rosjier was under two and Danjel was nearly 5. I particularly liked the idea that people in covenant communities all over the world would be welcoming in the Day of the Lord in the same way and we were to see that as one way of being united each week, with our covenanted brothers and sisters in so many different countries. We used Saturday nights as our hospitality night and a means of introducing new people into the community. We would especially invite them to dinner so as to experience the Lord s Day prayers with us and explain why we do this and talk about community life. In 1988 we moved from Pakuranga to Mt Roskill in an attempt to establish a Lamb of God cluster there. It went very well for some time with early morning prayers and praise times, another sister and I ran children s holiday programmes for families where both parents worked and a nappy-brigade for new mums. Greg and I had a Christian Kid s Club on a Friday night in the neighbourhood as an outreach. Then gradually most people who were renting their homes had to leave them one by one and things didn t kick off again until Darren moved nearby and then several new community families also moved into the area. We always desired having a cluster like the ones we d heard of overseas where everyone lived next door or over the back fence from each other; where children could walk safely unaccompanied to each other s homes not needing to cross busy roads; where tools and appliances could be freely shared, transport pooled, meals shared and prayer and fellowship would be spontaneous as we saw each other coming and going on a daily basis.

6 6 In 2003 we moved with seven other families to form cluster in Mangere and we will be celebrating our first decade there this Labour Weekend. I ve been blessed with deepened friendships, loads of fun times playing games, going for walks or to Zumba and extra prayer times. I have been incredibly blessed by the Lord in having the most wonderful daughter-in-law imaginable and now two delightful grandchildren with a third due later this year. Grandparenthood is an awesome gift of God and I really appreciate this stage of life. Throughout our married life we have had people come and live with us and we learned much through doing so. My pastimes are doing cryptic crosswords and Sudoku and reading books which challenge me in my faith or inspire me to grow deeper in the Lord. I love being able to attend daily Mass and at present am being led to pray for all to persevere in their faith as God s church soon encounters its darkest days yet. Some highlights of Lamb of God community life over the years for me have been serving in music ministry, for I love to sing and I ditched the guitar for the tambourine. Being on the Women s Leadership Team with wonderful faith-filled sisters who encourage me, inspire me and correct me. All the many Life in the Spirit seminars we ve held and seeing people receiving new spiritual gifts and growing in the use of them. The many years of organizing Family Camp at Totara Springs in Matamata and the tremendous fun we would all have together there. Father John Rea s annual week of meetings in, hearing the wonderful testimonies, witnessing answered prayers and being his companion through the daytimes. Preparing and teaching the children s ministry for many years on Sundays and seeing their open hearts respond to God s Word is really something to treasure. And I have been blessed in receiving phenomenal support from the Lamb of God brothers and sisters in times of sickness and with three more major surgeries including undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching at women s retreats and being surprised every year by what the Lord has in store for all of us. I really loved the earlier years of this century driving cluster kids to school and back in my merry van. It is a pleasure to work as administrator in the branch and have Roger for a boss. I ve loved attending every Pastoral Training Institute with Steve Clark then more recently with Bruce Yocum as every time my enthusiasm for community building has been boosted. I love being on the National Women s Council and the growth in sisterhood between the members of it. An especially awesome highlight of my life was the honour of attending the International Women s Conference in Michigan and getting to meet women leaders from so many countries and realizing that no matter where we live, we all face the same challenges, in our personal and family lives, in our journey with Lord and in building the bulwark of strong covenant community relationships within the Sword of the Spirit. Maryanne with Greg leading the Lord s Day celebration in

7 7 CHALLENGES IN LIVING TOGETHER AS COMMUNITY Resource for House Group Discussion by Tom Caballes Growing in the Skill of Listening and Loving April 2013 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. [James 1:19-20] Many of us are not naturally gifted with the skill of listening. Many of us are eager to speak our minds first and seek to be understood rather than to listen and try to understand first. We are relational beings and the key part of relationships is communication. This imbalance can cause problems, as listening is very important part of loving others. Added to our weakness in the flesh, our selfishness and our me first attitude it really becomes a challenge to live as men and women of God in the modern world in the context of Christian community. It is said that God gave us two ears and only one mouth, so we should listen twice more than we speak! So How Do We Grow in the Skill of Listening? 1. What is the goal of listening? Is it to give a good advice? In our relationships, the goal of listening is to love and understand the person. They may not need our advice after all they may instead need our hugs or words of love or comfort. 2. When listening, avoid all distractions. Learn to listen with complete attention. With so much disturbance around us, we need to carefully give our 100% undivided attention to those who we want to listen to. This might mean leaving for a quieter place to speak, or unhooking the phone, turning off cell phones or the computer. 3. Learn to listen with our ears, but also with our eyes and most importantly, with our hearts. Learn how to listen also for feelings for joys and sorrows, for fears and anxiety, for hurts and disappointments. Ask yourself: what is he or she feeling now? 4. Learn to withhold any advice you want to give until you fully understand the person. You may ask more questions for you to understand more. Ask yourself as you listen: what does this person need an advice, a loving embrace, a specific action, or a word of encouragement? In what way can I support him or her? 5. In order for us to truly understand the one we are listening to, are we able to put ourselves in their own shoes? What is really in his/her mind and heart? Learn to listen emphatically. 6. We are not to manipulate, judge or condemn anyone. We are there to love them. Even if people make mistakes, we are there to lift them up, not put them down. 7. When our goal as we listen is to love, it makes the process much simpler. As we learn to listen, we learn how to understand others better. We become more emphatic, more encouraging, and more loving and become more like Jesus. Other Scripture References 1. If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. [Proverbs 18:13] 2. When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. [Proverbs 10:19] 3. Other Scripture references: Ephesians 4:29; Proverbs 14:29; Proverbs 17:27. For Personal Reflection and Group Sharing: 1. From a gauge of 1 [lowest] to 10 [highest], how would I grade myself in listening to others? What are my strengths and weaknesses in listening? 2. In what way can I improve in learning to listen emphatically? What do I need to change?

8 8 KAIROS NEW ZEALAND YOUTH NEWS Kairos New Zealand Schedule of Events for 2013 April 20 to 22, 2013 July 19 to 21, 2013 Kairos Blast in Wellington Winter Oasis in SUM M R T KAIROS BLAST WEEKEND APRIL IN WELLINGTON Following the success of Summer Oasis 2013, the eyes are now on Wellington for the next Kairos camp called Kairos BLAST [Believe, Live and Share the Truth]. The dates will be from April 20 to 22, 2013 during school holidays. The details of the event can be found here: See you there!!! WEBSITES WORTH NOTING KAIROS South Pacific Web Site HAS BEEN UPDATED with 2012 photos go take a look Check it out at: You can network and chat with other young people by going to this website: We designated every Friday night at 10pm as a time to meet other young people. Go and visit the International Kairos Media website: Our Lamb of God website has been updated please visit Sign up [free] for Youth Culture Newsletter The most recent edition of the Youth Culture Newsletter is now available online. It will no longer be sent to you via the Lamb of God list but you can get it at this link: This is a recommended Sword of the Spirit publication for youth and parents. Living Bulwark Sword of the Spirit Highly Recommended! This Sword of the Spirit on-line publication has received more than 43,000 visits (an can be found at: The current issue of the online magazine can be seen at:

9 9 SENDING NEWS FOR CHRONICLE PUBLICATION Branches are encouraged to news, photos, happenings and snippets to Tom Caballes at Each issue is closed around the 20th of the month. IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT OUR RECORDS Membership Records and Data: Branch leaders are responsible to keep updated records and then all new attendee additions, deletions, address and phone changes, births, deaths, transfers, etc to Tom Caballes and copy to BIRTHDAY INFORMATION [Day and month, but year is optional.] Branch leaders are asked to keep updated records and all new attendee additions to Tom Caballes GETTING CHRONICLE & OTHER NEWS BY [1] If you are receiving The Chronicle as an electronic edition, we just need hear if and when you change your address. Notify [2] If you are receiving this by hard copy but you have an address, please send your address to [3] The Chronicle has a national and international mailing schedule. If you know of others wishing to be added, notify Lamb_of_God@clear.net.nz. Wedding Anniversaries for April - Happy Anniversary! NAMES Mark & Mary Jackson Peter & Debbie Anngow Henri & Cutie Zalamea Terry & Sue Greig Steven & Judy Homes Brian & Joan Lobo Steven & Lolita Machado Jonathan & Helen McKenzie Russell & Gidget Mendonca Robert & Karin Van Doorn Bernard & Andrea Forster Joseph & Theresa Gomes Roger & Veronica Foley DATE 01/04 03/04 05/04 09/04 11/04 18/04 18/04 18/04 19/04 21/04 24/04 26/04 28/04 BRANCH Blenheim Central Central Southern

10 10 Birthdays for April Happy Birthday! NAMES BIRTHDAY Amelia Matthews Isabella Matthews Deanne D'Mello Cherylyn Donald Anila Collins Danielle McKenzie Christopher Fernandez Blanche Hollingsworth Denver Saldanha Rachel D'Souza Stephanie O'Connell Imelda Van Der Werff Deanne Antao Rico De Zoysa Stephen Sison Marie Fredericks Nicole Sequeira Diane Staite Ivan Carvalho Bill McElhinney Ian Hamilton David Hamilton Mira D'Souza Bob Misst Ron Elliott Kevin McCormick Bruce Joslen Brian Lowe Alexa Caballes Patrick Forster Tili Leatitagaloa Carol Cullimore Sarah McCormick Gail Price Judy Kwan [Lim] Michelle Amaral Bronwyn Harborne Mary Anngow Peter Anngow Leander D'Souza Apollo Geneta Sandy Westbury Bruce Donald Elias Martis Allan D'Souza Harry Lowe 01/04 01/04 02/04 03/04 04/04 04/04 06/04 10/04 10/04 11/04 11/04 12/04 13/04 13/04 13/04 15/04 16/04 16/04 17/04 17/04 17/04 17/04 18/04 18/04 19/04 19/04 21/04 21/04 22/04 23/04 23/04 24/04 24/04 24/04 25/04 25/04 25/04 26/04 26/04 27/04 27/04 27/04 28/04 28/04 30/04 30/04 BRANCH Nelson Central Nelson Blenheim Central Southern Blenheim Blenheim Ch/Ashburton Central Nelson

11 11 PRAYERWATCH - SOLDIERS OF CHRIST, ARISE Fight the good fight Reinforce the guard, station the watchmen, prepare an ambush! The Lord will carry out his purpose. Jeremiah 51: 12 NIV Engaging in intercession and spiritual warfare can lead to a feeling of heaviness or weariness as we can become spiritually battle weary. Just following Jesus over a long period of time can lead to battle weariness as we become disillusioned with what is happening in the world. Perhaps we have let doubts come in or feel the battle is bigger than we are but God has called us to persevere and run the race until the finishing line. We once again need to focus on what God our Father has done for us, what he is doing for us now and what he will do for us in the future. Easter is a time that shows that God is love and how much he loves each one of us, as he sent his son to show us the way and then to die on the cross so we may have forgiveness for our sins and everlasting life. I lift up my eyes to the mountains where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip he who watches over you will not slumber Psalm 121: 1-3 NIV We need to open our eyes to see how God is watching over us and providing all we need as we live our daily life. As we think of his goodness to us, so our faith will be strengthen and we will want to praise and thank him for his blessing. Singing and worshipping God is like food and drink for a weary soldier and helps us to stand at our post as we take our place on the Watch. It is good and pleasing to God as we give him the glory and honour he is due as we praise and worship him with humble hearts. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100: 4-5 If you have any comments or questions concerning the Prayerwatch then please send them to me or give them to one of your branch leaders to send to me. God bless and watch over you all. Alan McKenzie - National Coordinator, Prayerwatch LAMB OF GOD PRAYERWATCH - PRAYER INTENTIONS SPIRITUAL WARFARE Against strongholds of Apathy, Witchcraft, Confusion and other named spirits. INTERCESSORY PRAYER COMMUNITIES Protect and bless the life and mission of SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, Patmos & Cornerstone Lamb of God [Fiji], Families for Christ [Melbourne], Vanuatu Group, Light of Christ [Nelson], The Covenanted Community For Christ, [Penang & Taiping], protect and bless their life and mission. FAMILY : Yvonne D'Souza, Peter & Margaret Stoddard, Desmond & Charmaine Vessaokar, Christopher & Carol Fernandes, Tili Leatitagaloa, Blanche

12 12 Fernandes, Sequeria s & Saldanha s Families, Central: Jun & Angie Briguera, Henri & Cutie Zalamea, Rose Buladaco, Joel & Tiza Sison, Robert & Ethel Caballes, Tom & Mhel Caballes, Blenheim: Jamie & Judith Rodgers, Mark & Mary Jackson, Mike & Cheryl Garrett, : Roger & Veronica Foley, Robert & Karin Van Doorn, Darren & Julie Humphries, Tai & De Stirling, Bruce & Bronwyn Harborne, Niul & Coila Kay, Lyn Keane, Pauline Marsden, John & Monica Haughey, Annette Sargisson, Southern: John & Janet MacManus, Richard & Christine May, Mike & Judy Prendeville, PREGNANCY Central: Pogia [Anitelea] Afamasaga, HEALING CANCER Blenheim: Carol Cullimore, David Aberhart, : Mary Anngow, Robin Corbett, HEALING HEART : Isabel Morais, Central: Paul Oliver, Dave Taylor, Blenheim: Chris Fredericks, : Dorelle Ham, Undine Cavanagh, Philip Middlemiss, HEALING : Annette Carvalho, Winona D'Costa, Olivia Fernandes, Lucy Misquita, Blanche & Denis Hollingsworth, Cheryl Donald, Mira D'Souza, Jemima Rebello, Peter D'Souza, Delia D'Mello, Fr John Rea, Elizabeth Locke, Maria dos Anjos D'Souza, Bruce Donald, Rosana Kuresa, Judy Lim, Thomas Hong, Vimath Sequeira, Karyn Coutinho, Central: Stephanie O Connell, Sharon Powick, Michael Powick, Jacob Muollo, Henri Zalamea, Aly Fernandes, Rae Taylor, Blenheim: Peter Greig, Josiah Grieg, Grace Weston, Mike Garrett, Micah Rodgers, Anita Fredericks, Jamie & Judith Rodgers, Barbara Ryan, : Lisa Borkus, Karin Van Doorn, Chris Aston Grieve, Veronica Foley, Siobhan Forster, Andrew Black, Bernie Black, John Murray, Chris Lyons, Monica Haughey, Joan Corbett, Andre a Forster, Mikyla Challies, Danielle McKenzie, Southern: Fr Merv McGettigan, Daniel MacManus, Steven & Judy Homes & Family, Pat Forster, Michael Quigley, Rhoda Woodfield, BEREAVEMENT : Peter & Jacinta Dalgado, Nicky & Caedy Rebello, Brian & Joan Lobo, Central: Tom & Mhel Caballes, : Undine Cavanagh, OTHERS NEEDS : Mark & Elizabeth Stolten, Bob Misst, Alwin D Souza, Allen & Judy Carneiro, Gillian Puch, Joseph Gomes, Allan Carvalho, Light of Christ Community in Nelson COVERING PRAYER National Council, Kairos Ministries, Branch Life, Lamb of God Centre, Branch Visits, Clustering in, Ministry of Fr John Rea, Employment of Members, Light of Christ Special Ministry, Wellington branch [sickness among extended family], and Ashburton Group in. I have made you a Watchman Ezekiel 33: 7