december 2019  CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF

ISSUE 243 | DECEMBER 2019 ABLETcdd.org.nz

Bishop Michael’s Christmas Message 2019 Birthdays come around each year, and, while they remind us of isolated areas. We face financial challenges, but great work has how old we are, they also provide an opportunity to be thankful been done in balancing our budget and enabling us to continue for the gift of another year of life. We each have our own birthday to support the work of the Diocese. Our response to the sexual to remember and the big birthday we get to celebrate each year abuse crisis has seen a number of safeguarding procedures is the birthday of Jesus. The beauty of this day is that it gives an initiated in parishes and I thank you for your cooperation in opportunity for us to think of all people and to be thankful for this. The introduction of a code of conduct and police vetting for the hope that Jesus has brought to us all through his birth as a volunteers in positions of leadership signal our seriousness in baby into our world. making the church a safe place for children and vulnerable adults. I have only just celebrated my first year in this role as bishop, but I This year I have often been inspired in visiting the schools and want to thank you all for your support and prayers in this first year. parishes of our Diocese where the mission of Jesus is carried out Leadership in the Church is challenging today and the knowledge in word and action. that people are praying for me is the best gift I can be given. In this special season of Christmas may each of us be blessed with I want to thank those who are doing tremendous work in the God’s hope and peace as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, our saviour. challenges we face as a Diocese. We are a geographically spread Yours in Christ Diocese, so it requires the continued dedication of priests and parishioners to bring pastoral care to our people that are often in = michael

Bishop of Dunedin meets Bishop of Rome.  the tablet Works of Outreach fr gerard aynsley

Tindall Foundation Distributions We recently distributed money from the Tindall Foundation and The Catholic Caring Foundation to a number of groups throughout our diocese. I always find it inspiring to hear of the many wonderful works of outreach that occur within our parishes and schools: projects supporting youth, caring for the environment or supporting families with financial difficulties. The availability of these grants each year also helps encourage our parish communities to continue to find new ways to engage in the local community and to help build up the reign of God. I recently had a conversation with Sr Maria Ann Singer from the Little Sisters of the Poor and she was reflecting on how her parish community may be more involved in the local community. Sr Maria’s reflection is relevant to us all.

Reflection of Sr. Maria Ann Singer, lsp As a Little Sister of the Poor, I have lived and served in many parts of the world beginning with my native country the United States, on to Canada, France, Malta, Algeria, the Republic of the Congo and most recently, Dunedin. As I often tell my family, New Zealand is by far the most geographically stunning place I have ever lived. I will never tire of its beauty.

In the 18 months that I have been in Brockville, I have had many occasions to encounter the members of the larger community. I have discovered that a number of the people I meet suffer from poverty, loneliness, and other challenges. At one time there were several active faith communities in Brockville who engaged in social outreach. Unfortunately, they have all folded and the only remaining church is St. Joseph’s Church, located on our property, which is one of the three churches of the Hills Pastoral Area.

My question is this: “How do we, as Catholics, get involved in our local communities, supporting those in need and helping to build up community life?”

Yes, we are few in number and getting older ourselves, but if the Lord has allowed us to remain in the midst of this community when all others have gone, would it not be because he has confided a mission to us that we should Work and Outreach in action – St Peter Chanel discern together? Parish land made available to the local Green May the Holy Spirit enlighten within us the fire of wisdom Island community to establish and run a and courage enabling us to go out of ourselves to proclaim Community Garden. by our lives God’s love to the people who surround us. december 2019 

Ad Limina Visit of New Zealand Bishops to Rome 2019 Bishop Michael tells of his “conversation” with Pope Francis

On Saturday 19th October 2019, the five of us One of the requirements of the Ad Limina visit New Zealand bishops arrived in Rome for our Ad is to celebrate Mass at the tomb of St Peter and Limina visit. This is a visit where each bishop in the at the tomb of St Paul. It was moving to pray for world is required to submit a report to Rome and our mission and the people of New Zealand as we then personally visit the Pope and departments in celebrated the Eucharist within sight of their tombs. the Vatican. It had been eight years since the last The highlight of our visit was the audience with visit. We were staying in Casa Santa Marta, which Pope Francis on the last day, Monday 28 October. is a hotel in the Vatican and the place where Pope Francis has chosen to live. During our time we often The five of us walked to the Apostolic Palace and saw Pope Francis coming down to the dining room then through about ten reception rooms before for a meal. One evening, perhaps being a bit late, he we reached the final waiting room. Pope Francis spent a considerable time heating up his meal in a was very welcoming and told us there would be no microwave in one corner of the dining room. He was prepared speeches; we were to have a conversation quite happy to do this for himself. and to ask any questions we wanted. An excellent interpreter led to a free flowing conversation. Pope The Amazonian Synod was on at the same time in Francis emphasised his concern for young people Rome and a number of bishops were staying with and those who found themselves on the margins us. It was fascinating to listen to what they were of the Church. We had 80 minutes in our meeting, discussing regarding the mission of the Church in and during that time he was fully focussed and South America. very interested in finding out about New Zealand During the week we visited a number of Vatican and the issues we face. When we left, each of us as departments, or dicasteries, each day. The meeting bishops felt very encouraged and inspired by this would last about an hour and we would tell the wonderful opportunity to have a conversation with officials about New Zealand and they would tell Francis who was very much a spiritual father to us us about their work. The departments included, in our meeting with him. liturgy, clergy, evangelization, Catholic education and a number of others.  the tablet Congratulations to College Duxes Verdon College, Invercargill, Kavanagh College, Dunedin, and St Kevin’s College, Oamaru.

Kate McManus Anjali Raju Rata McMullan Verdon College Kavanagh College St Kevin’s College

Kate’s academic achievements include Anjali achieved 1st, with Outstanding 1st in Sculpture, 1st in Physics. Scholarships first in Biology, Classical Studies, Achievement in Biology; 1st, with in Chemistry, Physics, Calculus and English, History and Religious Studies. Outstanding Achievement in Chemistry, Sculpture. University of Canterbury Level 1 She has achieved NCEA Level 3 Outstanding Achievement in Art Painting, Mathematics. Rata will attend the University endorsed with Excellence this year, Religious Education and Mathematics of Otago next year to study physics, and, as a Year 12 student last year, she with Statistics. General Diligence. mathematics, and chemistry. gained an Excellence endorsement, as well as a merit endorsement for Level 3 English. Next year, Kate intends to Your top legal team, committed to study towards a Bachelor of Arts degree at the . Kate has providing the highest quality of service been offered a University of Otago Vice Chancellor scholarship as well as an Invercargill Licencing Trust (ILT) scholarship to help with her studies.

(By the Tablet deadline, Sr Peter’s College, Gore, was yet to announce its 2019 Dux. We will follow up in the new year.)

STOP PRESS ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Bishop Michael announces the following clergy appointments for 2020

Fr Sani Lam appointed parish priest Alexandra Pastoral area from 25/26 January 2020.

Fr Vaughan Leslie is on loan to Palmerston North for three years and will complete his appointment in Black PMS 7530 Font: Dax Wide Bold Alexandra on the weekend of 5/6 January 2020.

Fr Vaughan Hook is on medical leave while he is undergoing treatment for illness.

Fr Jaewoo Lee is appointed pro tem as assistant Solutions With Flair priest at St Mary’s serving the Central Invercargill / South Invercargill Pastoral Area effective from 25/26 January 2020.

Fr Fivins Chittilappilly I.C. of the Rosminian Order is appointed assistant priest at Mercy Parish, South Dunedin from 25/26 January 2020.

Fr Fredy Permentilla MSP is appointed chaplain at Wakari Hospital and Ashburn Hall, Dunedin. 79 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin • Telephone: 03 477 1078 Bishop Michael is also very pleased to announce that Mr Craig Paterson has accepted the position of Also at 107 Gordon Rd, Mosgiel • 03 489 5157 Diocesan Property Manager and will take up that role in March 2020. december 2019  Diocesan Finance Report dr gerard aynsley vg

Parish Finances CDF interest distribution Our parishes are the primary place where the work of our 1. Education Foundation and Caring Foundation diocese occurs. As such, it is at the parish level that our giving A generous bequest from Ray and Denise Turfus of $1.2 (of our time and our money) primarily occurs. The parish then Million has been invested as an Education Foundation passes on 25% of its income to help with the running of our Account. The full return on this investment will be used to diocese and to enable the diocese to pay its share of national help cover some of the education related costs. The Catholic Church costs. Thank you for your generous contributions Caring Foundation has also now risen to nearly $1.3Million. to your parish which enable it to fulfil its mission and also The full return of the investment income from the Caring supports the wider mission of the Church. When our parishes Foundation will be used toward funding the diocesan grant are strong our diocese is strong. to Catholic Social Services and to help fund other pastoral works. This means that fewer of these expenses will come You will see in the graph below that our parishes have close to out of Chancery and so, ideally, the Chancery overdraft $6 Million invested in the Catholic Development Fund (CDF). will gradually decrease. It is hoped that future bequests will This is a huge support to our diocese. enable each of these foundation accounts to grow. Email Scams – Don’t be fooled 2. Remaining Parish and Diocesan Accounts held by the CDF There is an email scam that has been going around whereby There will be a common interest rate for all remaining someone creates an email account under the name of the parish and diocesan accounts. This is a much fairer bishop or one of the priests and then sends emails to people in approach and is consistent with a concern for the Common their contact list asking for money or iTunes vouchers to help a Good. At present, some parish accounts receive no parishioner in need. If you receive an email from the bishop, or interest while others receive up to 2.30%. Once we have a anyone in the Church, asking you for money or vouchers you better understanding of how much income is generated can be certain it is a scam. Just delete the email and ignore it. from the remaining investment we will be able to inform Changes to the CDF and a reduction in the parishes how much interest their accounts will receive. diocesan debt Unfortunately, it will be a very low rate to begin with. Just as the parishes have accounts in the CDF, so too does 3. Locked and Unlocked Accounts the diocese. These accounts are primarily made up of money Some parishes have been told that the money they have that has been given to the diocese over the years to assist invested in the CDF is ‘locked’ and is not available. This has the diocese in its work. We recently closed approximately led to a perception among some parishioners that parish $2Million dollars of these diocesan CDF accounts and used investments have vanished. This is not correct. From now this money to lower the diocesan overdraft. This meant that the on, we will no longer have ‘locked’ and ‘unlocked’ accounts. money from these accounts was paid into the Chancery bank While the diocese will need to manage what money is account (the diocese’s operating account) and this brought available and when, it is important that parishes understand down the overdraft. While this may seem to be no more than that their investment in the CDF can be released. Parishes a paper transaction it provides a more accurate picture of wishing to undertake large works will need to provide the diocesan finances. It was judged that the purposes for which Diocesan Finance Committee with at least a year’s notice these accounts were established had been fulfilled but instead so that the diocese can budget to release these funds. of drawing on these accounts to pay for things over the years Obviously, not every parish could do this at once, but it is we had simply been using the Chancery Account. Because important for parishes to understand that the money they our parishes and diocese have some savings, this overdraft is have invested with the CDF has not disappeared and can be essentially internal and so we do not pay interest on it. The made available. Once again, thank you for all the ways that diocesan overdraft currently sits at -9,944,083.86. you support your parish and our diocese.

Seminary Appeal and Catholic Caring Foundation Appeal This year we have had two special appeals. The Annual Catholic Caring Foundation Appeal has brought in over $20,000. This Total funds held by helps build up the Foundation which, in turn, the Diocese in the CDF supports the Pastoral work of our diocese. and term deposits The special Seminary Appeal launched in June = $15,145,942 has brought in over $120,000 to help pay for Current Overdraft = $9,944,084 the cost of training our three seminarians. Thank you to all who have generously supported these appeals

 the tablet Parish Leadership Conference contributed by amy armstrong

Burns Lodge at Holy Cross Centre, Mosgiel, was filled with Before finishing together with Mass in St. Mary's Parish Church joy and hope on 27-28 September, as 127 people from around on Saturday night, we heard from a panel of four as to why they Aotearoa gathered to learn and pray about the future direction continually choose to be part of our Church. Within the panel, of our church. The topic was "Seeking Holiness in a Secular there was a strong sense that we are a people of God who want Society: Parish Leadership and Development Conference". to speak love and hope into our sometimes broken Church, and out into the wider world, because of our relationship with Jesus. There was fantastic input from two keynote speakers: Daniel Ang and Kitty McKinley, who both named where our Church About two months after the conference, Bishop Michael invited of Oceania is at and spoke with hope of a way forward. the 50 Dunedin participants from the conference along with Twenty workshops were offered by Catholics from around some of the Diocesan Pastoral Council, Priests' Council and New Zealand, which gave us the opportunity to delve deeper others back to Burns Lodge, for a Diocesan Pastoral Vision and into what Daniel and Kitty had opened up for us. We shared Planning day for 2020. It was a very encouraging day of listening together in learning, prayer, feasting and singing. to one another, trying to gain a sense of how God is calling us to be church, at this time in our little corner of the world.

Kitty McKinley, Keynote Speaker. Tili Family assisting at Conference Mass.

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Ross Thomson, Deanne Middlemiss, Craig Stoneman, Nicky King, Hamish MacPherson, Rachael Crothers, Darrin Christie, Amanda Stephens, Bevan Hoult, Wilson Fraser.

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Why is it that people often cringe when we talk about social Maybe our work for justice and peace is as simple and justice groups? John Dear, in his book, ‘The Nonviolent Life', profound as that – start from a place, and heart, of abundance may have a point when he says – ‘Interestingly, peace and and gratitude for God’s overwhelmingly gracious mercy and justice groups are usually comprised of opinionated, strong- love in our own lives, rather than starting from a place of willed, vocal people, those who push our buttons, push their own negativity and scarcity ( what’s wrong with the world) or our egos, and push others around. We do not want to be pushy like limited agendas about what we think should be done. that. We want to model nonviolence in our peace groups as we As St Teresa of Avila says: prepare to push publicly for peace with justice’. ‘The important thing is not to think much, but to love much; Perhaps, also, people are concerned that social justice is too and so do that which best stirs you to love'. big, that there are too many issues, too many challenges to our way of life and it’s all rather idealistic- we won’t really make As we know, God’s justice is not about judgment or that much difference. punishment but about the fullness and richness of life for everyone ( us included) and, as we reach out to others in the But the vision of a new world of non violence, forgiveness, face of their suffering, we somehow learn, together, how to be peace, justice and mercy is not naive idealism – it’s what the a bit more human, together. reign of God, ‘on earth as it is in heaven’, is all about and is at at the very heart of Christianity. In his life and in his death Jean Vanier notes in his book, ‘A Cry is Heard’: Jesus modelled God’s inclusive love which seeks to free people Jesus is ‘ hidden in the poor. In the face of people with a from any kind of oppression. Jesus showed us that social disability; on the lips of children screaming their distress; justice is not an optional extra. in the hearts of people with mental illness; those living with Jesus asks us to think about who we are called to be, and how addiction or dementia. He comes, hidden deep within the we are called to live, so that we can help bring about God’s marginalised. [The cry] ‘Come Lord Jesus’ is a call to look reign of peace and justice in our world. As children of God, at those on the other side of the wall, on the other side of how can we use our gifts to re-imagine and create a better, the road that no one dares to cross. A call to encounter. fairer world? Jesus isn’t asking us to do anything beyond our To encounter the other, especially the poor, those who are potential or be anyone other than our own unique selves. hungry and thirsty, the prisoner, the refugee, the migrant, the What is ours to give? naked, the one who is crying for help. For it is through this encounter that our heart will open and the spring of living Loving kindness at the heart of water will flow’. God’s peace and justice Going beyond our comfort zone Perhaps there is an element of our own perceived unworthiness when we hesitate to talk about justice and peace. – what awaits us there We know we muck things up in our own lives- so what gives Pope Francis reminds us that: us the right to hold ourselves out as seekers of justice, mercy ‘God is eternal newness.[God] impels us constantly to set and peace for our world? out anew, to pass beyond what is familiar, to the fringes However, as God patiently teaches us, God’s mercy and love and beyond..... Unafraid of the fringes, he himself became are infinite and from that place of forgiveness and healing a fringe ( cf Phil 2:6-8; Jn 1:14). So if we dare to go to the we are constantly being freed – and asked to offer that same fringes, we will find him there; indeed he is already there. liberation (from whatever oppression people are facing) Jesus is already there in the hearts of our brothers and to others. sisters, in their wounded flesh, in their troubles and profound desolation. He is already there. Recently, we put a new ‘welcome’ sign up in our parish which (Gaudete et Exsultate #135) contains the Māori proverb: We may just ‘find ourselves’ there too – not so much in any of ‘Aroha mai, aroha atu’ our ‘doing,’ but just by going there and being there with others, ( Love received demands love be given) and with God – together as one.  the tablet

REMEMBERING THE Tara Quinney CHURCH IN YOUR WILL An invitation New Principal St Peter’s College, Gore from Bishop Mrs Tara Quinney is a born and bred Southlander Michael... with strong organisational and administrative When you leave a bequest to the Church, skills and a passion for curriculum development. you give a gift that lasts longer than Tara recently completed a Masters in Educational your lifetime; a gift that will always be remembered. Leadership and Management. She is looking A bequest to the Church may be a specific forward to starting at St Peter’s College, Gore, in amount, or a percentage of your estate, January 2020. or a particular item of value. Big or small, your bequest will be greatly appreciated. Tara comes to St Peter’s College from the If you have an existing Will, with the help Archdiocese where she is Deputy of your legal advisor, you can make a Principal at Chanel College in Masterton, a Catholic simple modification to it. Co-Educational Year 7-13 Secondary School. She SAMPLE WORDING FOR A BEQUEST looks forward to the challenges involved in working “...to the Roman Catholic Bishop of in a new but familiar environment. Dunedin for the time being, to use for the general purposes of the diocese as he sees fit, I give and bequeath...”

Partners Joe O’Neill Mike O’Neill Paul O’Neill Todd Whitcombe Lauren Pegg Associates Jo Hambleton Jared St Clair-Newman

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Funeral Directors & Monumental Masons december 2019  60th Wedding Anniversary

Trevor and Eileen Newall (nee Fiddes) of Holy Name Parish, Dunedin North, were at Mass on 31 October to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. Here they are pictured with their parish priest, Fr Mark Chamberlain, after a special blessing.

First Communion In September, ten children from St Mary’s Mosgiel made their First Communion with Parish Priest Fr Michael Hishon, and DRS Mary Dillon.  the tablet

Christmas and Holiday Mass Times 25 Dec – 26 Jan 2019-2020

Alexandra Pastoral Area Port Chalmers Kaikorai Alexandra Christmas: 8.00am Christmas: 9.30am Christmas: Vigil 9pm (Carols 8.30pm), Sundays: Vigil 5.00pm Sundays: Vigil 6.00pm 9.00am Georgetown - Invercargill Lawrence Sundays: 9.00am Christmas: 9.00am Christmas: 9.00am Omakau Sundays: 9.00am Sundays: Jan 5: 11.00am Christmas: Vigil 6.00pm (Carols Rimu Dec 29, Jan 12, 19, 26: 5.30pm) Christmas: Vigil 10.00pm Vigil 5.30pm Sundays: Vigil 6.00pm Sundays: Jan 12 & 26: 11.00am Milton Roxburgh Gore Pastoral Area Christmas: Vigil 8.00pm Christmas: 11.00am Sundays: 9.00am Sundays: 11.00am Gore Christmas: 10.00pm, 9.00am Mornington Balclutha Sundays: Vigil 7.00pm, 8.30am, Christmas: Vigil 5.00pm (Children’s Christmas: Vigil 10.00pm (Carols 10.00am Mass) 9.30pm), 10.00am Balfour Vigil 9.00pm (Carols 8.30pm) Sundays: Jan 5: Vigil 5.30pm Christmas: Vigil 7.00pm Sundays: 9.30am Dec 29, Jan 12, 19, 26: Sundays: 10.30am 10.30am Mosgiel (see Green Island) Tapanui North East Valley (see Dunedin Bluff (See Invercargill Central) Christmas: 9.30am North Pastoral Area) Brockville Sundays: Jan 5 & 19: Vigil 6.00pm Christmas: 11.00am Waikaka Oamaru Sundays: 11.00am Christmas: Vigil 7.30pm Christmas: Vigil 8.00pm, 9.30am Sundays: (No Mass) Sundays: Vigil 5.00pm, 9.30am Kurow Christmas: Midnight (Carols 11.30pm), Green Island and Mosgiel Christmas: Vigil 6.00pm (Carols 7.30am, 10.00am Christmas: Vigil 6.00pm (Children’s from 5.40pm) Sundays: Vigil 7.00pm, 10.00am Mass), - Mosgiel Sundays: Dec 29, Jan 5, 19: 12noon Cromwell Midnight - Green Island (Carols from 11.30pm) Hampden Christmas: Vigil 7.30pm, 11.00am 9.00am - Mosgiel Christmas: No Mass Sundays: Jan 5, 19: 11.00am Sundays: Vigil 6.00pm Sundays: Jan 12, 26: 11.30am Jan 12, 26: 9.00am - Mosgiel 1st, 3rd, 5th Sat Omakau Wanaka - Green Island 2nd, 4th Sat (see Alexandra Pastoral Area) Christmas: Vigil 10.30pm, 9.00am 9.00am - Mosgiel Sundays: Jan 5, 19: 9.00am 10.30am - Green Island Palmerston & Waikouaiti Jan 12, 26: 11.00am (see Dunedin North Pastoral Area) Invercargill Central Dunedin North Pastoral Christmas: Midnight, 10.30am Port Chalmers Area Sundays: Vigil 6.00pm, 7.30am, (see Dunedin North Pastoral Area) Dunedin North 10.30am Queenstown Christmas: Vigil 5.00pm (Children), Te Tomairangi Marae Christmas: Vigil 8.00pm Vigil 10.00pm Christmas: Vigil 10.00pm Sundays: 7.30am, 10.00am, 7.00pm Midnight (Carols from Sundays: 10.00am 11.30pm), 9.30am, 11.00am North East Valley Bluff Sundays: Vigil 6.30pm, 9.00am Christmas: Midnight (Carols 11.30pm), Christmas: Vigil 6.00pm Arrowtown 9.30am Sundays: Vigil 6.00pm Christmas: Vigil 10.00pm, 9.30am, Sundays: 9.30am Invercargill North 11.00am Palmerston Christmas: Vigil 11.00pm, 10.00am Sundays: 11.00am Sundays: 12noon (1st Sunday) Sundays: 9.00am, 7.00pm Waikouaiti Christmas: Vigil 7.00pm Sundays: 12noon (2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th Sundays) decemberdecember 20192019  Christmas and Holiday Mass Times 25 Dec – 26 Jan 2019-2020

Garston Te Anau Otautau Sundays: Dec 29: 11.15am Christmas: Midnight Christmas: Vigil 7.00pm Glenorchy Sundays: Vigil 7.00pm Sundays: Vigil 7.00pm Sundays: Jan 12: 11.15am Lumsden Riverton Ranfurly Christmas: Vigil 6.00pm Christmas: Vigil 9.30pm Sundays: First Sunday 7.00pm Sundays: 9.00am Christmas: 9.30am Sundays: 5.00pm Mossburn Tuatapere Christmas: 9.00am Christmas: 10.00am Roxburgh Sundays: 9.00am Sundays: Vigil 5.30pm (see Alexandra Pastoral Area) Waikiwi Winton South Dunedin Christmas: 8.30am Christmas: Vigil 8.00pm, 10.30am (Mercy Parish, St Patrick’s Basilica) Sundays: 10.30am Sundays: 10.30am Christmas: Vigil 5.30pm, Children’s Rakauhauka Dipton Mass Christmas: 10.30am Christmas: No Mass Vigil 9.00pm (Carols from Sundays: Jan 5 & 19: 11.00am Sunday: Vigil 5.00pm 8.30pm), 9.30am Sundays: Vigil 6.00pm, 9.30am, Western Southland 11.00am Nightcaps Broad Bay Christmas: 8.30am Christmas No Mass Sundays: 11.00am

Advent Appeal 2019 As we enter into the season of Advent in preparation for the feast of Christmas we are The donations made possible by encouraged to pray and also to act by doing your contribution to the 2018 Advent practical things to help those in need. This is a Collection are: very meaningful way for us to prepare for Jesus. Otago Community Hospice $1,000 By supporting our annual Advent Collection you are able to provide the means for groups to Southland Hospice continue carrying out works of service and mercy Charitable Trust $1,000 to those who are vulnerable and in need in our Workplace Support local community. In recent years your generosity Chaplaincy Services $1,000 has allowed the Advent collection to support services such as refugee support, the night shelter, Pregnancy Counselling hospice care for the dying and the providing of Services, Dunedin $1,000 accommodation for families. Habitat for Humanity $1,000 I thank you for your support of the Advent appeal Dunedin Night Shelter $1,000 this year as, in the spirit of Jesus, we look to support those in our community who are in need. = michael dooley bishop of dunedin  the tablet Celebrating 125 Years: With all the recent celebrations of churches built and opened 125 years ago, you get the clear impression that Bishop Patrick Moran, first Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Dunedin, Irish by birth, and serving, at that time, a predominantly Irish diocesan community, had a soft spot for his namesake. St Patrick’s Basilica, South Dunedin – 125 Years St Patrick’s Basilica, Oamaru – 125 Years St Patrick’s Church, Rakauhauka – 125 Years Oh, how the Otago-Southland landscape changed in the quarter century after the establishment of the diocese in November 1869. These dominant, beautiful buildings have been symbols of Catholic life and worship for 125 years. They provide faith connection for many families who trace to them their stories of baptism, marriage, death, prayer and Sunday Mass.

St Patrick’s Church, Rakauhauka, Southland

The committee provided an excellent weekend programme that began with a liturgy of remembrance in the church on Saturday afternoon, followed by dinner, a history presentation by Sean Brosnahan (descendant of the Scullys who donated the land for the church) and displays of memorabilia, at the Invercargill Ascot Hotel. Sunday Mass for about 80 people was celebrated in the church by Bishop Michael Dooley, (descendant of early settlers) assisted by Bishop Emeritus Colin Campbell and Parish Priest, Father Tony Harrison. Lunch at the Ascot completed the weekend.

St Patrick’s Church, Rakauhauka, 125th Jubilee Committee: Sunday Mass at Rakauhauka. Brian McDonagh, Sue McPherson, Norma Robinson, Denise Beerkins, Bridget McAllister and Barbara Fahy.

St Patrick’s Church, Rakauhauka – the little church in the field. Photos courtesy of Donald Lamont december 2019 

St Patrick’s Basilica, Oamaru

The image, which appeared in the 1944 Christmas issue of The Tablet, shows St Patrick’s Basilica, Oamaru, in the background of St Thomas’ Academy for Boys (later Rosary Convent.) Parish celebrations were held 9-10 November, with great success. In common with St Patrick’s Basilica, South Dunedin, the architect was Francis Petre, well-known for his many fine church and public buildings throughout Otago, Southland and Canterbury. Chairman of the 125th Anniversary celebrations was Tony Brady. Parish Priest, Father Wayne Healey, said the splendour of the building added to the occasion of Mass and events there. “Parish numbers have been bolstered by migrants from the Pacific and the Philippines in recent years, and the interfaith movement is quite strong here in Oamaru. It is a lovely spot here, North Otago,” he said.

Mercy Parish, St Patrick’s Basilica, South Dunedin

Mercy Parish, Dunedin, celebrated the 125th Anniversary of the opening of St Patrick’s Basilica with shared lunch after Mass, and a bouncy castle for the children in the parish grounds. Sean Brosnahan, historian and Curator of the Otago Toitu Museum, presented an excellent address one evening on the history of the basilica and the early life of the church in South Dunedin. This is available on the Mercy Parish website and provides absorbing reading.  the tablet

What’s on

Diocese of Dunedin Celebrates 150 Years To celebrate 150 years of the Diocese of Dunedin, Bishop Michael asked each parish to engage in a social action project. The idea was to honour our time and our place by caring for our common home and each other. Each parish that partakes in this initiative has been invited to send in photos of their activity. Have a look on our Diocesan website and Facebook SACRED HEART SCHOOL pages for these photos of our people in action, helping to bring NORTH EAST VALLEY about God’s mission here in our Diocese. DUNEDIN 125th Anniversary All ex-pupils, former teachers, staff and parents are advised that at Labour Weekend 2020, the school will celebrate the 125th anniversary of its opening in North East Valley, Dunedin. The school was established in October 1895 by the Dominican Sisters. Everyone interested in attending these celebrations should email: [email protected] or contact School Office phone: 03 473 8362

St John’s School, Ranfurly 75th Jubilee 20th – 22nd March 2020

Register at: St John’s School Website www.sjr.school.nz/jubilee-2020 or contact school on (03) 444 9514 or 027 266 1758 december 2019 

Prayers & Petitions The Tablet is published by the Roman Catholic Diocese PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY of Dunedin O most beautiful flower of Mt Carmel, fruitful vine, Splendour of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist 300 Rattray Street me in my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me here Dunedin thou art my Mother. O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech thee from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity (make request). There are none that Please address all can withstand thy power. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (three times). Holy Mary, I place this mail to: prayer in thy hands (three times). This prayer must be said for three days and the prayer published. M.R., L.M.H. , P.D., A.B. and A.P.C. The Editor: Tony Hanning SACRED HEART OF JESUS The Tablet May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised, honoured, adored and Private Bag 1941 glorified throughout the world forever. Amen. (Say six times for nine days and promise publication.) (Published on behalf of M.M.O., P.D. Dunedin 9054 and P.M.

DEAR HEART OF JESUS Other contact details Dear Heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked for many favours, and Phone 027 415 6463 I ask you for this special one.Take it, Dear Heart of Jesus, and place it within your broken heart, where your Holy Father sees it. Then in Email [email protected] His merciful eyes it will become Your favour and not mine. Say this prayer for three days, and promise its publication. M.R. and L.M.H. (With thanks for prayers answered M.R.P., A.P.C. and M.W.) Prayers and petitions charges NOVENA TO ST JUDE Oh, Holy St Jude, apostle and martyr, great in virtue and rich in Prayers and petitions are $10 miracles; Near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all for one prayer or petition who invoke your special patronage in time of need. To you I have and $5 for each additional recourse from the depth of my heart, and humbly beg you to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me one in the same issue. Please in my present, urgent petition (make request). In return, I promise to state initials to be used for make your name known and cause you to be invoked. Say three Our Fathers, three Hail Marys and three Glorias. St Jude pray for me and publication. If you require a all who invoke your aid, humbly in need of your intercession. Amen. receipt, please enclose your This novena must be said on nine consecutive days. (Published on name and address. No charge behalf of W.S., P.M. and L.M.H.) for name and place of recently PRAYERS FOR THE HAPPY REPOSE OF THE RECENTLY deceased. DECEASED, AND THE COMFORT OF THEIR FAMILIES May the souls of the following, and the souls of all the faithful For other advertising rates departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen please contact the Editor. ADAMSON, Patrick J, Dunedin BEALE, Maureen Margaret, Oamaru DEVLIN, Maureen Ann, nee Gregg, Dunedin DOWLING, Kevin Leo, Dunedin DUNCAN, Mark, Mosgiel, late of Otematata/Twizel HANNAN, Helen Anne, Invercargill Deadline for the HARDIMAN, Joan Patricia, Gore April issue is McBRIDE, Lola Joyce, (Joyce, nee Tait), Dunedin McBRYDE, Ernie, Mosgiel Monday 2 March McEVOY, Kevin Gerald, Upper Hutt (late of Dunedin) McKEWEN, Elizabeth A, Dunedin MOONEY, John Alexander (Alex), Mosgiel O’MALLEY, Christopher J (Kit), Ranfurly PLEDGER, John Hayward, Dunedin WILSON-SAISOA’A, Joyce Tu’iuli  the tablet A Blessed and Merry Christmas “ and ” A Happy New Year

The following“ poem appeared 75 years ago in the 1944 Christmas” issue of the New Zealand Tablet, the last Christmas of the Second World War.