The Tablet October 2011
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THE MON T HLY MAGAZINE FOR T HE CA T HOLI C S OF T HE DUNE D IN DIO C ESE HE ABLE T OctoberT 2011 T Issue No 169 Schools back missions collection By GILLIAN VINE supported three major projects, one in MISSION Sunday will be celebrated Vanuatu and two in India. For Bishop worldwide on Sunday, October 23, and Michael Toppo, of Tezpur in Assam, diocesan director for the missions Msgr northeastern India, the $98,000 sent Vincent Walker hopes people in the from New Zealand has enabled the diocese will respond to Pope Benedict building of a dormitory for children of VXI’s call to support the work of the hill tribespeople. Pontifical Mission Societies (MIssionz). “The bishop is determined to help Money collected is used to subsidise these children and teach them about missionary bishops and their approved the Lord,” Msgr Walker said. “To me, this mission projects. has been a terrific project to help build Msgr Walker has been impressed that school for the children.” and delighted at the way schools in Once educated, the youngsters can the diocese have responded, with look forward to getting jobs instead of contributions of $7648.70 last year, well being trapped in a life of subsistence, up on 2009’s $4700 and a credit to all “just living off the land”. Already, there the children. Kavanagh College, taking had been an important spinoff, as the part for the first time, raised $1123, youngsters’ parents and other adults while St Mary’s Gore donated $1000 were becoming Christians. and St Joseph’s Oamaru $2620.90. “It’s a tremendous work Bishop It is a high note on which to retire Michael is doing out there on the as diocesan director, a role Msgr fringe,” Msgr Walker said. Walker has relished, despite travelling The theme for Mission Sunday is thousands of kilometres around Otago Msgr Vincent Walker, who is retiring as “Share Your Faith – Give Life”. and Southland, speaking to adults and the diocesan director of missions. In New Zealand, this year’s Mission schoolchildren, and presenting dozens Sunday project focuses on the work of certificates to schools for the work your help to carry out evangelising of Sr Leoni, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. She pupils had done in raising money for activities in mission territories, and and four other Sisters care for elderly missions. support institutions necessary for and shut-ins in the area, and Sr Leoni Msgr Walker was formally farewelled establishing and consolidating the also imports milk powder. Under this at the Missionz annual meeting in Church. Equally, to ignore the temporal initiative, 120 children up to six years Wellington last month. problems of humanity – poverty, old receive a daily supply of milk. The Last year, Missionz received $162,213 malnutrition, disease, lack of health hope is that New Zealand donations from the six dioceses, with Dunedin’s care services and education – would this year will be sufficient to build a contribution of $14,991down on giving be to forget the lesson which comes to better home for the five Sisters, as well the previous two years, reflecting a us from the Gospel concerning love of as a new kitchen and rooms where national pattern which Msgr Walker our neighbour who is suffering and in health care can be provided. attributes in part to the continuing need.” ● Missionz national director retiring – impact of the global economic New Zealand’s mission giving in 2010 page 2 downturn. “But as Pope Benedict says, the task has not lost any of its urgency as there are still many people who do not know Magnifi–cat Our Lord,” he said. Dunedin schools music festival In his message for World Mission Sunday, the Pope said: “We appeal for – pages 8-9 The Tablet October 2011 MISSION MONTH – OCTOBER 2011 This grandma is cooking food in a home-made mud “oven”. For fuel she uses rice straw mixed with dry cow dung. She lives in a bamboo mud hut built on parish property. Funds raised by Missionz go to help the parishes and local bishops care for the spiritual and personal needs of the poorest in Bangladesh and so give a witness to the Moslem population that we, the followers of Jesus, care. We welcome your donations for the Pope’s Mission Societies. Send to: Missionz, P O Box 12322, Wellington. 6144. Phone (04) 472-2210. Website www.missionz.co.nz Retiring Dunedin diocesan director for the missions Msgr Vincent Walker with other Missionz directors and staff (from left): back row Fr Richard Pipe (Hamilton), Fr Bernard The deadline for the November issue of The O’Donnell (Palmerston North), Fr Paul Shannahan S M (national director); centre Fr Robert O’Brien (Auckland), Tablet is Friday, October 28. Contact the editor, Bishop Emeritus Owen Dolan (Palmerston North), Fr Tony Gillian Vine, c/o 26 Franklin St, Dunedin Kearns (Wellington); front row Msgr Walker, Mrs Jo-Anne 9010; phone 021-705-708 or email her at Carley (national office) and Fr Chris Friel (Christchurch). [email protected];. Missionz national Parish to Parish director retiring for Bed & Breakfast THE search for a new national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (Missionz) has begun, as Fr Paul Shannahan SM , who This book contains has led the office for the past five years, has reached the age of retirement and is not eligible for a second term. bed and breakfast At the Missionz annual meeting last month, he indicated information for 200 that no priest or Religious appeared to be available to take over the Vatican appointment. Of the 120-plus national homes throughout directors who meet in Rome each May, all are priests apart New Zealand and from a Religious Sister from Central Africa and Mr Martin Australia, where Teulan of Australia. At the meeting, Mgsr Vincent Walker was farewelled. He is Catholics offer retiring as Dunedin diocesan director of missions. Welcomed Catholics B & B as new diocesan directors were Fr Tony Kearns, of Wellington, and Fr Robert O’Brien, of Auckland. hospitality. The Mission Sunday promotion and the special collection on accommodation cost October 23 will be a challenge this year as it is Labour Weekend per night is $30 for one person or $50 and the final of the World Rugby Cup final, Fr Shannahan said. A special plea is being made to parishes and schools to for two persons sharing a room. This celebrate Mission Month in spite of the festive occasion. costs includes continental breakfast. Jo-Anne Carley, of Missionz’ national office, has led a campaign in to see Holy Childhood (one of the groups within To obtain your copy of the book, send the Pontifical Mission Societies) regaining a place in Catholic a cheque for $15 to Marie Anderson, primary schools and noted more were using materials sent 2 Brent Place, Christchurch 8053. to them especially the Marty the Missionary moneybox. Other initiatives in the demanding task of motivating and phone (03) 359-5541 raising awareness of Missionz in today’s Church includes the email [email protected] production of a regular Missionz newsletter and the launch last year of the website, www.missionz.co.nz 2 October 2011 The Tablet Call to stewardship theme of conference By GILLIAN VINE HOW to live graciously and generously within a Church setting was the theme of New Zealand’s first stewardship conference, hosted by the Archdiocese of Wellington. From the Dunedin diocese at the conference, which attracted about 300 people, were South Dunedin parish priest Fr Gerard Aynsley, diocesan pastoral ministry co-ordinator Sr Teresa Hanratty RSM , Alexandra parish priest Fr Pat McGettigan and John Prendegast, of Invercargill, representing the Diocesan Board of Managers. The guest presenters were Americans Ed and April Laughlin, who spoke of their parish experiences and the four quadrants of stewardship – to follow faithfully and loyally the teachings of the Church; to live responsibly as members of our communities, nation and the world; to share not only our resources but our time, gifts and lives; to let go of possessions, time and traditions. Among those at the stewardship conference were Sr Teresa “Ultimately, the lay vocation is to live that out in the community Hanratty RS M , Fr Gerard Aynsley (centre) and John Prendegast. and we live that life when we approach life generously,” Fr Gerard said. Giving freely, not out of a sense of obligation, was essential. “Ed Laughlin talked about how schools and parishes were “It’s about parishes not just being maintained but becoming transformed by this approach [and] I found myself thinking of more alive: the maintenance model for churches saps your life lots of ideas of what we could do in this parish. and that’s not what we’re about,” Fr Gerard said. “A lot of people in the parish already live generously,” he added. But he warned that for the stewardship approach to be “And it doesn’t matter what your theology is, you’re still called to successful, it needed lots of people and the diocese “to get on be a steward.” board”. 2012 Catholic pilgrimages by and for New Zealanders Journeys of St Paul Pilgrimage to Holy Land, Turkey and Greece On this 19 day escorted pilgrimage travel in the footsteps of St Paul. A true journey of a lifetime. Amazing itinerary and value - with bonus GALLIPOLI and AGEAN CRUISE. 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