inform Catholics Returning Home Becoming a Catholic ISSUE 74 August 2008 Newsletter of the Catholic Bishop of Christchurch

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1 inform ISSUE 74 August 2008 Newsletter of the Catholic Bishop of Christchurch Catholics Returning Home An informal and informative series of talks and sharing is being conducted in three areas of Christchurch city. If you are uncertain about where you fit into the Church or whether you now belong at all, then these nights are for you. Come along and bring a friend pm Tuesday, St Peter s parish, Beckenham 7.30 pm Wednesday St Patrick s School, Bryndwr 7.30 pm Thursday Christ the King parish, Burnside For more information ring the toll free number Although these talks would have started by the time you read this, it is OK to join right now. Becoming a Catholic My story by Angela Marshall Three years ago I joined the staff at St Joseph s School in Fairlie. I came to the school with an agnostic background, believing in God but searching for somewhere to belong, with like minded people. I didn t tell anyone what I was looking for, and was never pressured to make any big decisions. I felt (and still feel) lucky to be in a caring and supportive environment. Over the years I went on a few courses, and I leant a little bit more about the Catholic faith. Each time I went, I came back full of enthusiasm and felt a real connection with the Catholic faith and my own beliefs. I talked to my wonderful Principal about the way I was feeling and she suggested I have a talk with the Parish Priest. I told him about my past, the regrets I had, and the person I wanted to become. Soon after that we began RCIA meetings with a wonderful group of parents. I enjoyed going to the meetings where Father Jim answered our questions and explained the beliefs of the Church. Then one day Father Jim came over to the school and asked if I was ready to be Baptized. I suddenly felt nervous, was I ready? Would I be a different person? What would other people think? Would I be able to be a follower of Jesus? Father Jim, in his sensitive and caring way, talked through my worries. I knew in my heart that I was ready, and the date of my Baptism was set. I was welcomed into the Church on Friday 9 th May, a special day in more than one way. The children, staff, parents and parishioners were there to celebrate with me. I remember feeling like a weight had lifted, I felt overwhelmed with love and joy. It is with happiness that I say I am thankful to God for guiding me to Fairlie and leading me on this wonderful path that I have accepted. Fr Jim Nicholas from St Patrick s Parish in Fairlie, asked me to send in this information. 1

2 From the Bishop s Chair World Youth Day - a joyful, amazing pilgrimage! Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I know many of you were caught up in the preparations for and excitement of World Youth Day 08 in Sydney. Many sacrifices were made by pilgrims, and by families, friends and generous supporters in parishes, religious congregations and Diocesan personnel and bodies, to enable our pilgrims from the Diocese of Christchurch, five hundred plus, to attend. I am grateful for everything that was done to make it happen for our young pilgrims. One impressive element of the Sydney experience did not appear on television. Father Fred Crombie SM Father Fred Crombie was born on the 26 th September 1917 in Wellington, the son of the lawyer for the Archdiocese. He studied at Greenmeadows Seminary and was ordained in His first appointment was to St Bede s College ( and On three mornings, hundreds of Cardinals and Bishops conducted catechesis sessions in a variety of languages around Sydney and outside it, at hundreds of venues, to groups of pilgrims ranging from over a thousand to less than a hundred. Confessions were heard in their thousands, adoration of Christ in the Holy Eucharist took place, and the Holy Mass was celebrated. Any of these occasions was impressive and significant, but tended to become lost and overwhelmed even in the huge papal events that were to follow. As the year unfolds, I am inviting our pilgrims to gather again in regional groupings to repeat these catechesis sessions and build on the experience of Sydney on four occasions. The legacy programme is called SANCTA SANCTIS, Latin words which mean HOLY THINGS FOR HOLY PEOPLE. One message that the pilgrims heard many times at Sydney was that they have received power from the Holy Spirit to be witnesses to Jesus, and we want to deepen their hold on this wonderful truth. It is not true only for them of course - it is true for all of us who are members of the Church through faith and Holy Baptism. We all bear witness to Christ by trying to live holy and upright ). There he taught three future Bishops. Showing a personal interest in the people he met, Father Fred was known as a gracious and wise man. He was also appreciated for helping in parishes around the Diocese. Father Fred moved to the small lives and it is the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us, who enables us to love with God s way of loving. Yours sincerely Barry Jones Bishop of Christchurch staff at St Patrick s, Timaru in He said, The staff had to turn their hands to almost anything. Showing an ability to adapt, Father Fred became the School s Principal. In latter years, Father Fred worked for the Wellington Marriage Tribunal where he could blend his interest in what he called church politics with his compassion for people. In 1995 he returned to Timaru to serve on the parish staff at Sacred Heart till Father Fred spent his last two years at Nazareth House, where he maintained his interest in the people and the affairs of the Diocese till his death on the 7th June people from our Diocese attended World Youth Day in Sydney in July. A huge amount of work went into preparing the pilgrims for WYD, as well as getting them to Sydney. Most of the pilgrimage groups spent at least a week in Sydney, where we were blessed by fine weather and a welcoming city. The large events in central Sydney and Randwick Racecourse were amazing spectacles in both pageantry and Catholic liturgy. Another important event to take place was the gathering of 4000 NZ pilgrims in Sydney together with our Bishops. And, of course, we were graced by the presence of Pope Benedict XVI. Our Diocese s Youth Team Director, Clare Dooley, was the one Kiwi selected to have lunch with the Pope and a dozen other young Catholics. The week prior to travelling to Sydney, the Days in the Diocese programme saw about 400 overseas pilgrims being hosted by Catholic families in many of our parishes. Two memorable activities took place on Friday 11 July: Maori cultural experience at Te Rangimarie Centre and the Diocesan Mass in the Cathedral. For the rest of the time parishes organised activities. Here s a testimony from Fr Brian Atienza of Sacramento, California, USA, whose pilgrimage group was hosted by Hornby and Sockburn parishes. Peace! I just wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude for the hospitality you shared with Fr Don and myself. God bless and rest assured of my prayers. Please extend my gratitude also to all the people in Christchurch who made this leg of the pilgrimage a true encounter with God. The experience of Christchurch s pilgrims in Sydney is best summed up with the following testimonies: World Youth Day Sydney was a social, cultural and spiritual event, the likes of which I have never experienced before! The Papal arrival, the Evening Vigil and Sunday Mass with Pope Benedict were unbelievable and unforgettable. Pope Benedict s message to us was inspirational and encouraged us to promote our Faith in everything we do. Will Struthers, Pleasant Point. WYD was a wonderful opportunity for me to grow in my faith in a different direction. Before WYD, my experience of God had mainly been about God the Father and God the Son, but not usually God the Spirit. At WYD, though, I came to realise how the Holy Spirit is really the primary way we can get to meet God in our daily lives, and I learnt how to be more aware of the Holy Spirit as it speaks to me at all times, and came to appreciate how I might be more open to it. WYD also showed me the importance of unity among all Catholics, and especially among all Christians. I have no doubt that the Holy Spirit was able to have such an impact on us because we were all there as one Body in Christ, rather than thousands of different parts. The ability of all people from different nationalities and backgrounds to merge so cohesively into one Body proves that we don t lose our uniqueness when we unite ourselves to Christ, but rather we come to realise how special we each are, and how the Holy Spirit has specifically given each of us a different set of gifts for a reason. WYD was truly a unique experience, and something that really filled me with the Holy Spirit. Mark William, Burnside. I was surrounded by people who were gathered in Sydney for the exact same reasons: to join as a Universal Church, and to praise God! World Youth Day 08 has changed my life! See you in Madrid, Spain in 2011! Christopher Houghton, Rangiora. Since returning from Sydney, pilgrimage groups have been meeting for debriefs and retreats, and most parishes have heard reports about WYD from their young parishioners. Post WYD legacy at a diocesan level is being assisted by the Bishop s Sancta Sanctis programme, (see elsewhere in this INFORM). 2 3

3 Around the Parishes St Paul s Parish, Dallington On 29 th June the Parish hosted the launching of events for The Year of St.Paul. This being of importance for the whole Diocese, Bishop Barry concelebrated the Mass with Fr. Miles P.P. and Fr. Jack O Connor. The Mass was followed by the blessing of a triptych in hand painted ceramic tiles, entitled the Journeys and Letters of St. Paul. This was made by parishioner and artist, Norah Southorn, with the technical and practical help of her husband, Graeme. Then the Bishop and Priests, along with about 120 parishioners, enjoyed a lunch at the Richmond Club. Later in the year there will be a series of lectures about St. Paul by visiting renowned speakers. Parishes already have information on these lectures. The tile triptych is a visual aid for learning more about St Paul and his Letters and so is an encouragement to old and young to learn more about this great missionary saint and his writings. It is now a permanent fixture in the church and has become quite an attraction to visitors and parishioners. Schools St Patrick s School, Waimate Prior to starting a Term 2 unit on Early New Zealand, the teachers at St Patrick s School in Waimate surveyed the students and discovered that only three of the fifty-six students had experienced a powhiri. The teachers took up the challenge to ensure that every student at St Patrick s would be able to say their own mihi, sing a variety of waiata, experience a powhiri and sleep in a marae. The learning began in school and when the basics were in place, Wendy Heath from Waihao Marae at Morven came and spoke to the children and answered their questions. A trip to the Waihao Marae followed. The Principal and Michaela Lyall, a Year 5 student, led the school on to the Marae with a karanga a first for both of them. Two Year 8 boys, Lewis Gibson and Erynn Wikaira, gave the whaikorero and were supported by waiata sung by all the students. Rather than stop at that stage, the teachers organised a three day trip for the whole school to Christchurch. The focus for the trip was a powhiri and two night sleepover at Nga Hau E Wha Marae. While St Patrick s Parish, Fairlie Cindy Sheehan and Ashley and Anita Parris who were received into full communion with the church on Sunday 25 May 2008, at St Patrick s, Fairlie, with Parish Priest Fr Jim Nicholas. in Christchurch the students also visited Ferrymead Heritage Park, Canterbury Museum, the Airforce Museum and the Catholic Cathedral. Early New Zealand history came alive on this trip. Now back at school, the students are realising just how much learning took place without them being aware that they were doing school work. The challenge that the teachers and students of St Patrick s School set themselves at the beginning of the term has been well and truly met. Holiness Holiness consists in simply doing God s will, and being just what God wants us to be. St. Therese of Lisieux Therese Martin at the age of 15. Now known by us as St Therese of the Child Jesus Fr. Seamus Clenaghan writes from Nothern Ireland To Bishop Barry Jones, Priests and People of the Christchurch Diocese. I acknowledge with sincere gratitude the many congratulatory letters, good wishes and prayers received on the occasion of my 60 th anniversary of Priesthood. They evoke many happy memories of the priestly unity and caring people as we worked together in the mission of the Lord. I thank God for having chosen me to serve in New Zealand. My time there was a grace filled one, and a privilege, that brought me much happiness. Golden Jubilee of Priesthood When I make a thanksgiving pilgrimage to Fatima on 22 nd to 29 th July, I will remember you all in my Masses and prayers. Thank you once again for remembering me and the Jubilee after all this time. Editor s Note: Fr. Clenaghan was the first Parish Priest of Christ the King Parish in Burnside. He retired to his home area in Northern Ireland and although he has been very ill in recent years, he is still able to help in the parishes near where he lives. Congratulations Four priests working in the Diocese celebrated their jubilee recently. St Vincent de Paul Society Central Council Canterbury We would like to take this opportunity to thank the community for all their generous donations over the past year. There are many demands on the Society at this time of year, and your donations go towards raising funds for our food bank and welfare accommodation Ozanam House, and to help underprivileged people with clothing and furniture. The Society is always seeking new shop volunteers. If you have a few hours free time, either mornings or afternoons, please get in touch with Linda on at Stanmore Road. Fr. Jim Nicholas who was ordained late in 1957 and Frs.Vince Curtain S.M., Paddy Cahill and Peter Bradley S.M. who were ordained during The occasion was marked by a Mass with the rest of the priests in the Diocese and then a meal together. Each priest also had his own personal celebrations. We wish them all many blessings from the Lord as we give thanks for them and their lives of faithful service. May their ministry as priests continue Ad Multos Annos. 4 5

4 Sisters Celebrate Jubilees Caption: Sisters Eileen Dwyer, Mary Hanrahan, M. Elizabeth Sherry The Catholic Shop On Saturday May 17 th Sisters of Mercy gathered to celebrate the jubilees of four Sisters of Mercy with a Mass at Villa Maria and a jubilee dinner. Sister Mary Clement Hurley celebrated 75 years of religious profession. Sister M. Elizabeth Sherry celebrated 60 years. Sister Mary Hanrahan celebrated 50 years. Sister Eileen Dwyer celebrated 50 years (for 2007). We congratulate them on many years of faithful service as vowed religious women in Nga Whaea Atawhai o Aotearoa, Sisters of Mercy New Zealand. Two New Monsignors Some time ago the Bishop sent to the Vatican, his nomination of the two priests mentioned to be appointed monsignors. Recently the following notice was sent to inform the Diocese by the Bishop s personal assistant. Bishop Barry is delighted to announce the following: The Holy Father has conferred the following honours on two of our Diocesan Priests: Honorary Prelate of His Holiness on Reverend Bill Middleton and Chaplain to His Holiness on Reverend Brendan Daly. Angela Woolstencroft Mrs. Josephine van Montfort is presented with a Certificate of Merit by National President of Catholic Women s League, Mrs. Tui Pasco (right). Over 20 members of the Catholic Women s League from Christchurch Diocese travelled to Hamilton for the National Conference on July 16th - 19 th. This December the Catholic Shop in Chancery Lane will have been trading for 50 years. It s first site was on the Public Library end of the Lane and it has been in its present location for the last 26 years. The shop is owned by the Catholic Diocese and is there to provide a service to the Catholic people who are looking for books and objects of devotion and a Catholic presence in the middle of the city. It does not bring in a lot of revenue for the Diocese but the trading is sufficient to cover expenses with very little left over. Catholic Women s League The Conference Theme was Martha and Mary and discussions ranged from Equity for Health, Marriage Tribunal, as well as speakers on the Theme. Remits passed covered protection for Children in Employment, Care of Women and Babies following Childbirth, Defensive Driving and Families at Risk. Mrs. Josephine van Montfort from the Christchurch Diocese was presented with a Certificate of Merit for her work as the Catholic Women s League National Archivist. The manager for the last 21 years has been Bernard Wilkins. He is always willing to help with advice and guidance about what might be a good purchase for a particular event and also about what future stock he is expecting to come in. Bernard is the only full time staff, with Pam Slattery to help for special occasions. It is a big commitment to look after the shop on his own and he would welcome voluntary help in serving from 11 am to 2pm one day in the week. You could choose which day would suit you. The Catholic Shop is our shop. It is a service to us all, but it needs our support. The Place of Canon Law in the Church by Monsignor Brendan Daly JCD Canon law is the legal system of the Catholic Church encompassing the rules and procedures for the highly organized community that is the Catholic Church. It can be described as the practical application of the official theology of the Catholic Church. The law guides us to act or to refrain from acting according to its norms that are directed towards the common good of the faithful. Canon comes from the Greek word kanon, which means rod or ruler. It also came to mean a rule of conduct and was used in this sense in Gal. 6:16 and Phil. 3:16. Every human society develops rules and patterns of action, and the early Christian communities constructed rules to help them live in an orderly way. The New Testament writings give us examples of law in the early Church. From the earliest times, the Church had laws for collections (1 Cr. 16), Councils (Acts 15), disputes (Mt 18), selection of clergy (1 Tim 3) etc. Canon law is the oldest continuously functioning legal system in the western world, and affects virtually every aspect of the faith life of about million Catholics. However, Pope John Paul II explained when he signed the 1983 Code into law, that canon law Pompallier House, Akaroa Former Convent now a family style rest home. For further information contact Michael Sweeney Clare O Neill is in no way intended as a substitute for faith, grace, charisms, and especially charity in the life of the Church and of the faithful. The purpose and function of Canon law All communities need rules and order. A huge human organisation like the Catholic Church is no different. However, the Church is a unique organisation with human and divine relationships. The Church s system of canon law recognises this, and operates differently within the Church in ways analogous to the fourfold way law operates in wider human society. Law fulfils four basic functions: 1. Law aids the community achieve its goals, and promote the common good of society. Canon law helps the church community to be faithful in what it is called to be, and in its mission to the world through e.g. law on schools, preaching, laws on rights and obligations. The last canon of the code, canon 1752, ends with the words the salvation of souls is the supreme law. 2. Law provides stability for society. There are procedures: to obtain one s rights, to seek Pompallier House, situated close to the heart of Akaroa township (next to the Church), is now community owned and administered by an ecumenical Board of Trustees. It offers respite carer support and private paying facilities for eleven guests. The Friends of Pompallier are a group of volunteers who provide extra comforts for the residents. Families on holiday sometimes arrange for an elderly relative to stay here so that they can enjoy the family holiday annulments, to appoint new parish priests, for the celebration of the sacraments, for the preaching of the word of God, for administering Church property, and for seeing that things are done reasonably and predictably with proper consultation. Canon law guides and shapes the life of the Church in its everyday functioning in dioceses and parishes. Law is to protect personal rights, provide avenues of recourse and a means to resolve disputes. Canon law clarifies the rights and duties of the faithful, and protects them by providing justice and fairness for all. Priests can be tried for crimes. People can protect their privacy and uphold their right to a good reputation etc. Law assists in the education of the community by reminding everyone of its values and standards. Canon law clearly outlines the expectations of laity and clergy, as well as the ideals of religious life. Mere compliance with rules is not enough, and the canons lead people into the spirit of the law towards a virtuous life that combines justice with love. Laws set minimum standards. An example is that there is a law requiring people to come to Mass on Sunday. The law sets a minimum standard of what it means to love God with all one s heart and mind and soul. It is in no way intended as a substitute for faith, grace, charisms, and especially charity in the life of the Church and of the faithful. Pope JP11 with good care. This care is of a very professional nature but at the same time is very homely. Home cooked meals are enticing. Pompallier has a real soul and spirit about it which is not possible in the bigger city places. To ensure Pompallier House continues to provide this service, it needs the numbers to be retained the year around. If you would like to know more, contact the nurse manager, Jan Foley, on Friendly people - Expert Advice - Awesome Service We will: help you grow and protect your assets update your will discuss enduring powers of attorney form your family trust help you solve a legal case or represent you at Court Cavell Leitch Pringle and Boyle Level 15, Clarendon Tower Cnr Oxford Terrace & Worcester Street Telephone (03) Fax (03) cavell@clpb.co.nz,

5 Pastorial Planing Office New Personnel in the Diocese Fr Jolly, Fr Gerry Nemi, Fr John Rizzo FSSP, Fr Roger Yarte Bishop Barry has invited four priests from overseas to work among us for three years. Fr John Rizzo FSSP of the Fraternity of St Peter has arrived and is now residing at the Cathedral Presbytery as Assistant Priest and Chaplain for the Extraordinary (old) Form of the Mass which is celebrated daily at the Cathedral. The Mass schedule can be found on the Diocesan website under Cathedral Parish. Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary Sisters Marietta and Bertha On Sunday 13 th April the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary (SMSM) were welcomed back to the Diocese. Previously the Congregation had been present on the Chatham Islands from 1949 to The community of two, Sr Bertha Hurley and Sr Marietta Parsons, live in the St Alban s Presbytery. Sr Marietta was born and bred in Christchurch and has held a variety of roles in education in Samoa and the Solomon Islands. Sr Bertha has also held roles in education in Samoa, and in Fiji she worked mainly with the Indian community. She lived in Auckland for the last nine years involved in Fr Gerard Nemi and Fr Roger Yarte are from the Diocese of Daet in the Philippines. Fr Gerry is the Administrator and Fr Roger the Assistant Priest at Addington Parish and the Assistant Chaplain to the Filipino Community. Fr Francis Joseph (known as Fr Jolly) is from the Diocese of Cochin, India. He is the Assistant Priest at Ashburton, and Chaplain to the Indian Community. These priests will be going through an orientation programme during the first week of October which the Pastoral Planning Office will coordinate. In addition, the priests will receive ongoing mentoring by a priest of the Diocese. SMSM administration. The Sisters are both part time pastoral workers in the Bryndwr and St Alban s Parishes. When asked about their work Sr Marietta said We have been very much affirmed by the warm welcome and the friendliness of the people. The Bishop also informs us Huynh, Thanh, Do and Tien our Diocese will welcome four young men from Vietnam who have a great desire to serve God as Catholic priests. These four, Huynh, Thanh, Do and Tien are amongst us and now learning English, before applying to enter Good Shepherd House. Looking for some ongoing informtion? The Diocesan Pastoral Plan states that It is highly desirable that as many people as possible continue their education-in-faith. As a result the Certificate in Pastoral Ministry is being offered in The NZQA course is being held on 22nd, 23rd and 24th September, 9am to 4pm. It is a free course and taught at the Catholic Education Office. For more information view the website or contact Charles Shaw or Mike Stopforth (phone ), mstopforth@chch.catholic.org.nz Mid Canterbury Update The Mid Canterbury Pastoral Area Council (PAC) presented the draft goals to representatives of the four Parish Councils of the area and interested parishioners on 10th August in Ashburton. A wide ranging discussion was held reviewing the draft. This review will assist the PAC in the growth of the Plan for the Area. The 3-year goals will ensure our parish communities can fully and faithfully live out the mission of the Church to promote the pastoral principles of --Holiness, Communion, Collaboration, Mission. Mike Stopforth Bishop s Deputy for the Pastoral Plan 8 Inform A quarterly newsletter published by the Catholic Bishop of Christchurch. Deadline for the next issue will be 14th November, Send material to: The Editor, Fr Mike Doyle 252 A Ilam Road, Christchurch Phone: (03) ; 2mjd@orcon.net.nz Diocesan Web Page: