The Refugee Crisis, 2015
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
september 2015 1 CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN ABLETISSUE 212 | SEPTEMBER 2015 cdd.org.nz The Refugee Crisis, 2015 Syrian refugees coming ashore on the Greek island of Lesbos. Photo: Angelos Tzortzinis/Getty Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, In our diocese, and as a response to the crisis, I have decided to make accommodation at Holy Cross Centre in Mosgiel In St Luke’s Gospel, that we hear read at every Christmas available to the Syrian refugees, in the present emergency. As Midnight Mass, there is the heart-rending account that there was a Catholic community, we can extend a welcoming hand of no room at the inn for the Holy Family. But that rejection did not friendship and help to our brothers and sisters in this time end there. Very soon the little family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph of grave need. I know there will be other avenues available to were forced to flee for their lives, and become refugees in Egypt. assist. I am confident that all of us can share this burden, and Recently, our TV screens and other media have swamped answer Pope Francis’ call to open our hearts and our hands in us with reports of huge numbers of homeless people fleeing this unfolding tragedy. As we draw near to celebrating the Year from the Middle East. Indeed, it is estimated to be the biggest of Mercy, the cry of the needy is echoing around the world. humanitarian crisis since World War II. The images have “Faced with the tragedy of tens of thousands of refugees been poignant and unforgettable, and many people have been who are fleeing death by war and by hunger, and who are asking, “What can we do to help?” In early September, our on a path towards a hope for life, the Gospel calls us to be New Zealand Catholic Bishops’ Conference sent a letter to the neighbours to the smallest and most abandoned, to give Prime Minister with an urgent request for our Government to them concrete hope.” Pope Francis. do more to help now, and to lift our quota of refugees for the future. As you know, the Government has changed its stance In the Spirit, and is to allow more refugees to come. Colin 2 the tablet Walk by Faith O’NEILL DEVEREUX Over the last year, a major rewrite of the long-established Walk by Faith programme has happened. The new version includes new modules, reading LAWYERS material and media clips designed to enhance the learning experience. Partners: The Walk by Faith vision is to “build confidence in people to be active in the life and mission of the Church in the 21st century by fostering Joe O’Neill personal and spiritual formation, deepening understanding of Church Mike O’Neill teaching and Scripture, and integrating this with life experience.” Paul O’Neill The programme is for ordinary Catholics who want to develop a deeper Todd Whitcombe understanding about faith, scripture, sacraments, spirituality and Lauren Pegg discipleship. It is not academic and does not require prior knowledge. It is an excellent next step for those participating in the Called by Christ Staff Solicitor: sessions, allowing a deeper level of faith sharing and discovery. Jared St Clair-Newman Walk by Faith is being launched for Dunedin residents. As of earlier next Client parking available year the re-launched new programme will be offered around the diocese. 433 PRINCES STREET If you are interested in being a tutor in your local town, and have P.O.BOX 909 experience in theology, scripture and great listening skills, I would love to DUNEDIN 9054 hear from you. Telephone 477-6801 If you are interested in being part of this fantastic programme and want Website: www.ond.co.nz to know more, please phone Sr Anna Burrowes on (03) 474 5740, email: [email protected] or check out the diocesan website: http://www.cdd.org.nz/faith-formation/ Know and understand yourself and your personal ‘story’. Reflect on your experience of yourself in relationship to Modules 1 & 2 Modules 3 & 4 others and to God. Modules 5 & 6 1. Who am I? 3. Spirituality and 5. Introduction to Hebrew Know more about Prayer 2. My relationship Scripture (Old your own journey of with God! 4. Grace and Testament). faith. Holiness Know and 6. Introduction to New Reflect on your understand Explore Christian Testament. experience in the yourself and your Spirituali Year one Church community. ty and personal ‘story’. reflect on your Explore the structure, stories and people of the Journey of Faith Hear the Church’s experience of it. Reflect on your Hebrew Scriptures (Old story in Scripture / own faith journey Reflect on God’s Testament) and the New Tradition. and on what the grace and its Testament. Celebrate in the Church teaches effect in people’s Reflect on Jesus’ life, Eucharist. about God. individual lives, in teachings and mission. the Church and in Respond to God’s the world. On behalf of the call to Mission New Zealand Catholic through Service. Bishops‘ Conference Dunedin Diocesan Coordinator “It enabled me to reflect on my Faith journey. It brought about a further Sr Anna deepening of my Faith in learning about the presence of Jesus in my life. It also enabled me to be challenged. It has been a well worthwhile programme, " enabling me to become more aware of the presence of God in my life and in #$!%'%&'&# everything around me.” – Des, Year Three Graduate 2014 september 2015 3 New name and brand for the Catholic Shop Dunedin’s Catholic shop has a new name and brand. From this week, the shop will trade as Full of Grace. The new brand was professionally designed, free of charge. The brand features the new name, with a strong Yertical element in the ´nal letters of each word representing a candle, topped by a µame. The shape of the µame features the stylised letters ‘f’ and ‘g’, representing the new name. The tag line that will accompany the brand is Dunedin’s Catholic Christian Store. Catholics will immediately understand the reference in the new To enhance that, the shop’s website is being detached from the name to the Hail Mary prayer. The flame is also an evocative Diocesan website, with its ‘digital door’ now entered through Christian image: the light of Christ, and the emblem of the www.fullofgrace.nz Holy Spirit. Customers often reflect in their feedback on their To celebrate the new name, the shop will be re-opened at a shopping experience about the serene and graceful atmosphere function in the Moran Building on Thursday 24 September of the shop, now captured in the name. from 5pm. Friends and customers of the shop are welcome to The main reason for the new name and brand is to attract a attend. As part of the celebrations, the shop will feature very wider range and greater number of customers. This has been a attractive opening specials, available that evening and over the particular challenge for the shop, given its basement location following week. in the Moran Building and a name that has not invited the Please check out the new signage at the shop the next time you curious or those who are not Catholic. My hope is that the new are in the Octagon, or visit us on-line. Sheryl and Marie will name will help the shop take better advantage of its location in make you very welcome, and help you find what you need, or the Octagon, especially with the large numbers of cruise ship discover something you weren’t expecting. passengers that pass through over the summer months. gerald scanlan Full of Grace is also a name that will work better for on-line diocesan general manager shoppers, giving the shop a more distinctive web presence. Pope Francis Speaks to Families – Words of Joy and Life Pope Francis offers his distinctive combination of love and pastoral wisdom to families, to married and engaged couples, parents, grandparents and children. These excerpts from Pope Francis’ public addresses will hearten and enlighten you, whatever your role in the greater family of the Church. Price: $25.50 + P/P $2.70 Dunedin’s Catholic Christian Store Moran Building | 8 Octagon | Dunedin 9016 ph/fax (03) 477 6342 email [email protected] www.fullofgrace.nz 4 the tablet Prayer for REMEMBERING THE CHURCH IN YOUR WILL The Synod An invitation from Bishop Colin... on Family Life When you leave a bequest to the Church, you give a gift that lasts longer than your lifetime; a gift that will October 2015 always be remembered. supplied by the archdiocese A bequest to the Church may be a specific amount, or a percentage of your estate, or a particular item of value. of wellington Big or small, your bequest will be greatly appreciated. If you have an existing Will, with the help of your legal advisor, you can make a simple modification to it. Loving God! In you we live and move and have our being. Like parents who SAMPLE WORDING FOR A BEQUEST seek the best for their children, you “...to the Roman Catholic Bishop of Dunedin for the want only what is good and beautiful for time being, to use for the general purposes of the your family. We praise and thank you diocese as he sees fit, I give and bequeath...” for your kindness and love. But we are not yet perfect. Come to the help of your suffering ones: • Parents caught in the pressures of family life; • The divorced who feel estranged or homeless; • Victims of domestic and sexual violence, poverty, neglect, elder abuse; • Refugees and children who live in fear; • Young adults bewildered by doubt.