10 HUI-TANGURU 2019 NAUMAI Ngā Kōrero Feature WELCOM FEBRUARY 2019 11 He Hīkoi Whakapono: A Journey of Faith

WelCom’s Hikoi of Faith returns to the Diocese as we continue to ‘Ruapehu Romans’ feature pastoral areas in the two dioceses. This year begins with a visit to Our Lady of the Joseph’s Primary School Merrilyn George Māori. This continues at the vigil for the PALMERSTON Snows Parish in the central plateau area of and hill second Sunday each month on Maungarongo We have a dedicated Special Character team Pastoral worker Ann-Maree Manson-Petherick NORTH DIOCESE . Our regular English Mass also has made up of Year 8 students. There are a variety country areas around Taihape. Our Lady of the Snows includes a number of churches and Principal communities from , , , Taihape to Managaweka, several marae, many parts and music in Māori, thanks to the of activities they take part in both at school and While Europeans began settling on tussock skills of our music ministry. around the community, including supporting and St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Taihape. The district is renowned for year- land to graze sheep around Karioi in the There have been many changes over the years Our school is very fortunate to be located classes in class prayers and school liturgies; ARCHDIOCESE OF round outdoor pursuits and is economically driven by tourism, farming, market gardening, 1860s (between Ohakune and Waiouru), the with property, buildings and personnel, but the just outside of Taihape amongst beautiful working alongside the junior students; baking forestry, and the and museum. towns of Ohakune and Raetihi were mainly present formula of rostered Masses around the scenery, tranquillity and wonderful grounds. for parishioners; growing seedlings and giving first settled by European after theSmall Farms three churches of St Joseph’s Ohakune, St Patrick’s Mary Mackillop founded the Sisters of Saint these away; organising the 1 Day challenge; Settlement Act of 1892. This area became part Raetihi and Kote Kingi ote Maungarongo on Joseph, and they founded our school. Mary providing service within the school and wider of the Waimarino County. Farmers joined Saturday night is working. The discussions on was a woman of courage who followed her community; and organising mufti days for the Christian life in Our Lady of the Snows bushman to carve a living out of what seemed parish matters and the decision making around dreams. She believed through God’s love she Missions and local foodbank. a harsh existence. Until the Main Trunk Line the table during ‘cup of tea and eats’ after the could provide education and give human We have a number of activities each Bernard O’Donnell was completed in 1907, Raetihi was accessible Mass at St Joseph’s is productive. dignity to the poor. The Josephite Sisters year that the school enjoys being a part of, BRIEF HISTORY OF PASTORAL AREA Parish Priest mainly via the River and horse We are able to include our regular visitors, opened our school on February 14, 1916 including the Catholic Schools Cultural and dray from . skiers, trampers, cyclists and overseas and New and we celebrated our centenary in 2016. Festival; skiing on Mt Ruapehu; Taihape 1852: Mission set up at served by It was the coming of the rail to Ohakune in Zealand travellers to create an atmosphere of Our students have the benefits of being schools’ sports days; celebrating the feast days Marist priests; abandoned 1865. The furthest northern reach of Palmerston North Diocese 1908 that progressed the economy of the area. hospitality, living out Our Holy Father’s advice part of a smaller school in a rural setting. of St Joseph and Mary Mackillop; creating 1883: Permanent revival of the Whanganui River Mission at takes in the hill country around Taihape and the Plateau of the Timber mills flourished until the slump in the in Amoris Laetitia No 101, and Phil 2:4: ‘Let They bus to school from town, as well as the and displaying artwork in the church foyer; Hiruhārama/Jerusalem. Suzanne Aubert, Sisters of St Joseph North Island. Ngāti Rangi are the original people of the land twenties to thirties. each of you look not only to his own interests surrounding rural areas. Prior to 2007, the and parish Masses. Other activities we take and Fr C Soulas sm arrived at Jerusalem. River travel and and Paerangi, the chief, was one of the first to arrive in New The parish was served initially by the Marist but also to the interests of others’. school was located in Taihape township, part in every second or third year include: a Māori walking tracks used to visit Ruapehu and Taihape Zealand many years before the Great Fleet. It is believed they priests out of Hiruharama–Jerusalem. Travel Parishioners and wider community in what was classified as a slipzone. The drama production for the community, which District. arrived in on a manu, not a waka. There is a lot was from the River; on horse, along Māori members are kept up to date with readings, relocatable buildings were moved to our is always greatly received; a Grandparents and 1890: St Michael’s Church erected at Karioi [near Ohakune]. of history here. Ohakune at the foot of Mt Ruapehu. Ohakune means ‘open tracks and then bridle tracks. Early Masses reflections and news on a Facebook page present site, and the rest of the school was Friends of the School Day; a Pet Day; Taihape 1891: Fr Julian Maillard arrived at Jerusalem. The Taihape region was to a new world’. were said in family homes, often where the called Ruapehu and Taihape Romans, along built new. Schools’ Science Fair; and an art exhibition – 1893: Bridle track cleared from Pipiriki to Raetihi, Ohakune, originally inhabited by priest stayed overnight on journeys through. with a monthly newsletter. The school is an asset to the parish and to name a few. Karioi. Regular visits inland including Taihape made by Marist Māori tribes who settled In those early times, the Catholic European the wider community with the Special St Joseph’s priests the area well before the population was born mainly of Irish stock, Character being the defining point. We School, Taihape – 1898: Fr La Croix appointed to Jerusalem with responsibility arrival of Europeans; their but there were families from many European are blessed to have fantastic values, caring a great school, in for people of the Waimarino and Main Trunk Line. Set up a descendants still live in the countries. The Chinese arrived in the early educators who strive to meet the individual a unique part of Catholic Centre at soon after, visits Taihape for area. Winiata, 3km south of 1900s. They began in retail and many continued needs of all children, and a caring the Rangitikei and Mass. Taihape, has a marae linked into market gardening. Māori in the area had community. Because of our location, and Our Lady of the 1899: St Patrick’s Church Mangaweka opened by Bishop to Ngāti Hinemanu, Ngāti brought their faith with them from ‘The River’. proximity to St Mary’s Church, we enjoy Snows – Gumboot Redwood. Paki and Ngāti Hauiti. The occupations of the early parishioners were regular visits from Fr Bernard O’Donnell. Country! Photos: Supplied 1904: St Mary’s Church Taihape opened and a house erected The first record of a mainly farming, sawmilling and railway work. in Raetihi for priests’ visits. European to the region was St Joseph’s Church, Ohakune. It was a transitory population. 1905: St Luke’s Church erected at Raketepauma Marae. in 1842 to Ohakune by WJ Demographics evolve, and nowadays the Main Trunk Line near Taihape. 1907: St Patrick’s Church Raetihi blessed by Archbishop Wakefield, son of Edward population is mainly involved in farming, Redwood. 1908: Ohakune Parish established. Mass said in the home of G Wakefield. In 1884, the Ohakune parishioner Patrick O’Sullivan takes care of the the timber industry, market gardening and Mrs Walsh, corner of Arawa and Clyde Sts. surveyor’s party for the Main St Joseph Church garden ‘in memory of those who are no the hospitality and tourist trade. The ethnic 1910: Church built in Arawa St, Ohakune. Trunk railway line cut a rough longer with us’. makeup is even more diverse including families 1910: Care of Taihape area parishioners transferred from track through the district. from the Philippines, Sri Lanka and India. Marist to Diocesan priests. The Taihape township in and around the Waiouru A milestone in the cultural history of 1911: Owhango Church of St Louis built and Ohutu Church was founded in 1894 Camp appreciate that Mass is our parish occurred after a Parish Renewal opened. when settlers arrived from celebrated there on Sunday weekend in April 1983, after which the local 1913: Church opened. Canterbury. They set about evenings. faith community, with the support of Frs 1914: Church erected. clearing an area for a town, But all that is regular Gordon Kerins sm and Neal Wilson sm, 1916: House purchased for Sisters of St Joseph, in Ohakune especially as the railway Church practice. Spiritual decided to have a regular Mass in Te Reo Ohakune township. for catechetical lessons. construction drew near. St Patrick’s Church, Raetehi. experience is numerous in 1916: St Joseph’s School opened in Taihape. The site was a small natural this area with the beauty of 1918: Raurimu Church of St Joan of Arc erected. clearing in dense native bush. the mountains, the associated St Mary’s Church, Taihape 1918: Care of Ohakune-Raetihi parish transferred from Marist People were hungry for land that walks and the freshness of the to Diocesan priests. Marists from Jerusalem visited the area they could negotiate over. The environment. It is not hard St Mary’s Church, Taihape. St Mary’s Catholic Church in Taihape was the internal and the spiritual, stands as including Karioi, Waiouru, and Raketepauma to minister to big properties drew farmers to appreciate God here in designed by Austrian-New Zealand modernist a landmark design in both religious and Maungārongo Marae Māori. from the South Island. the ridges and valleys of the architect, Ernst Anton Plischke. Its construction architectural history. 1918: Catholic Presbytery built in Ohakune. Taihape’s St Mary’s Taihape hill country and the began in 1951. This large church, with basilica- The church has a plain and traditional Nestled near the foothills of Mt Ruapehu, Memorial 1918: St Joseph’s School Ohakune opened by Archbishop Catholic Church was Central Plateau. Each day is like qualities, is considered a modern historic exterior finish with unconventional interior Ohakune is home to Maungarongo Marae in O’Shea. designed by internationally- a new manifestation of who building. It is included by the University effects. The space is shaped by sculptural Burns St. Maungarongo means ‘mountain of Tangiwai, 13 minutes’ drive east from 1918: St Joseph’s School Mangaweka opened. renowned architect Ernst God is. The people who of Architecture Department as a concrete walls. On entry to the church the peace’. The main of the area is Ngāti Rangi. Ohakune, features a memorial erected for 1918: Raetihi Church destroyed by the major bush fire. Plischke. Construction of increasingly visit the area significant church for this country and one of visitor is drawn to the large ceramic crucifix The marae was established by Hori Enoka the victims of the Tangiwai rail disaster. New 1920s: Te Kingi ote Maungarongo chapel on Maungarongo this church, which replaced have these visions, and maybe our most unusual and dramatic church designs. above the altar. Round windows flood the Te Māreikura and his wife, Hinewaipare Te Zealand’s worst ever rail disaster occurred Marae re-designated. 1921: St Anne’s Church erected at Rangiwahia. the original smaller one, Te Kingi O Te even more so than those St Mary’s Church is held in high esteem interior with coloured light and fix the focus Huinga Marino. Hori Enoka was Anglican and on Christmas Eve 1953 when 1922: A permanent convent for the Sisters at Taihape opened. began in 1951. Made with Maungarongo Church. accustomed to the presence of by the professional architectural community on the altar, while the use of ornamentation Te Huinga was Catholic. Their daughter, Moe the Wellington-Auckland 1923: St Patrick’s Church Raetihi replaced. reinforced concrete, the large God in nature here. as a rare example of Plischke’s ecclesiastical is limited to avoid distracting attention away Ruka, composed the well-known waiata Aue express train plunged into 1930: St Joseph’s Church Ohakune opened and consecrated. church has basilica-like qualities. While people do not architecture, and as an expression of the from this key point. The Stations of the Cross Te Aroha. the River 1946: Ruapehu Māori Catholic Club participated in first Hui With its renowned acoustics attend to church activities St Patrick’s Church, Mangaweka. principles of the Modern Movement. The were commissioned and painted in Europe The Ruapehu Māori Catholic Club is based following the destruction Aranga at Ōtaki. and interesting architectural as they did in yester-year, church is mentioned in numerous national and ceramic embellishments provided at Maungarongo marae. The Club participates of the bridge by a lahar. 1950: New presbytery built in Taihape. features, the church draws they do stop to look, listen and think about the world around and international works on Plischke and by Martin Roestenburg. The building’s in the annual Hui Aranga, the Catholic Māori The memorial bears the 1952: New convent built at Ohakune for Sisters of St Joseph. many visitors and is a venue them. Residents and visitors are deepened as persons and continues to be studied by students of his spaciousness signifies of the immensity of gathering at Easter. registration plate of engine 1954: New St Mary’s Church in Taihape opened by Cardinal for a variety of community come to know the immensity of the universe and more of the work. It makes a significant contribution God and the universe. A Vigil Mass is celebrated at the marae at Ka949 and stands alongside McKeefry. music recitals. (See p 11.) significance and nature of God. to New Zealand’s cultural and architectural The church is in Huia St, just off SH 1 in 5.30pm on the 2nd Saturday of the month. the replacement bridge with 1959: Catholic Women’s League began in Ohakune Parish. In contradistinction, Why not spread your knowledge of the presence of God history. The building, which emphasises Taihape. Mt Ruapehu, from which 1973: Marists returned to Ohakune Parish to care for on the Central Plateau, the in your life by spending some time in Our Lady of the Snows. the lahar flowed, in the parishioners. wooden churches at Raetihi Just rest and relax in this manifestation of God the Creator. Let distance. Along the road 1977: St Joseph’s School Ohakune closed. Sisters remained and Ohakune, as well as that the Holy Spirit invigorate your particular spiritual approach. you can see the gates until 1985 for pastoral work. at Maungaroungo Marae, St James Church, Waiouru. It is not an either-or approach, but both; and broadening our that are part of the early 1980: Parish becomes part of Palmerston North Diocese. are older. All these churches prayer life and understanding of Jesus Christ, the Special warning system that 1981: Parish renewal. Mass in Māori on regular roster. are lovingly cared for. The spirituality of the parishioner who Friend. Relax away from the hassle and bustle came about as a result 1985: Interior alterations made to St Joseph’s Ohakune. cares for the grounds at St Joseph’s, Ohakune, reminds visitors of your busy life and let the Lord do the rest. of this tragedy. Our 1993: Extensive alterations completed in St Mary’s Taihape. that a well-cared-for church and its surroundings shows love It is a policy in this part of the diocese Lady of the Snows 1993: Parish returned to Diocesan priests’ care. for the Church. Māori liturgy continues to be celebrated at Te for churches to be open should people parishioners join 2013: Restoration work completed on St Joseph’s Church Kingi o te Maugarongo regularly. St Patrick’s Church Raetihi like to visit and rest there while enjoying the annual evening Ohakune. is in the roster for the Saturday Mass. the individuality of each one. Why Fr Bernard O’Donnell with Ohakune- prayer service 2017: ‘Our Lady of the Snows’ name adopted on Bishop based Korty Wilson, Kaiwhakarite Māori around each Charles Drennan’s suggestion. St James’ Church at Waiouru also belongs to our area and not spend some time here resting and is administered by the NZ Army. The Catholic population relaxing in the Lord. St Mary’s Church, Taihape – a modern historic building. Apostolate Coordinator. Christmas.