“Holiness Doesn't Mean Doing Extraordinary Things, but Doing
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october 2017 1 CATHOLICABLET DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN ISSUE 233 | OCTOBER 2017 cdd.org.nz “Holiness doesn’t mean doing extraordinary things, but doing ordinary things with love and faith.” Pope Francis 2 the tablet The twin umbrellas of Love and Faith protect us from the extreme effects of the elements, and allow the ordinary things we do to become extraordinary. “The Gathering” On Friday, 22 September, 180 teachers from Catholic schools Six workshops to choose from were offered in the morning of Otago and Southland assembled in Alexandra for their and repeated in the afternoon. These were Social Justice: three-yearly “Gathering.” What a glorious day they chose at the Michael Stewart of Caritas; Integrated Curriculum: Maureen start of the Alexandra Blossom Festival, and what a great venue Phillips, Christchurch Diocese; Religious Education Bridging the Cellar Door Function Centre proved to be. Document: Colin MacLeod and Anne Kennedy, NCRS; What it is like to be a Māori learner in a Catholic context: Savanah The day was organized by a committee from the Otago Kamura and student friends, Kavanagh College; Music Southland Catholic Primary Principals' Association, with Confirmed: Jess Ward, Holy Family School, Wanaka; and the support and assistance of Katrina van de Water, Catholic Sexuality Education: Paul Shannon, Hamilton Diocese. Education Office Advisor. Bishop Colin Campbell presided over the closing Mass, and The opening keynote address was delivered by Bishop Charles preached the homily. Drennan of Palmerston North Diocese. Speaking of Catholic schools as communities of faith, he expanded on ideas One came away overwhelmed by the breadth of talent and presented in the 2014 document of the New Zealand Catholic commitment present among the teachers across our schools. Bishops’ Conference: “The Catholic Education of School Bishop Charles commented on how impressed he was by Age Children.” the youthfulness and vitality exhibited, and encouraged all teachers to offer their obvious skills and leadership beyond the The second keynote address was presented by Amy Armstrong school and into other areas of parish life. and Sr Anna Burrows RSM on leadership and our calling as teachers and beyond. Audience during Bishop Charles Drennan’s address. october 2017 3 Religious Education Advisor Team preparing for a new school term. Pictured are Tui Pasco, Jeremy Hogue, Katrina van de Water and Claire Mulholland. Expressions of Interest Director, National Liturgy Office The New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference (NZCBC) is seeking expressions of interest in the role of Director of the National Liturgy Office. This is a unique, part-time role supporting liturgical practice within the Catholic Church in Aotearoa New Zealand which: • promotes sound and appropriate liturgical practice within the bicultural environment of Aotearoa New Zealand • provides advice and recommendations to NZCBC on liturgical matters • ensures effective liaison with international liturgical bodies, including the Holy See • liaises with dioceses throughout New Zealand on all aspects of liturgical practice. In addition to a background in liturgical studies/ministry, the successful applicant will have excellent interpersonal skills, strong administrative and managerial experience. Familiarity with liturgical practice in New Zealand would be an advantage. The role is 30 hours a week (negotiable) and while currently based in Auckland there is flexibility on location of the role. For enquiries or a job description contact James van Schie, Executive Officer, NZCBC – [email protected] - including a current CV and an outline of your motivation for the role. Final date for acceptance of applications is Monday, 20 November 2017. 4 the tablet Celebrating St Vincent de Paul’s 150th Anniversary St Theresa’s School, Invercargill, recognised the St Vincent de Paul 150th celebrations recently with a School Mass celebrated by Father Tony Harrison. Their generosity in donating a wonderful quantity of items to the local St Vincent de Paul Society was helpful and appreciated. october 2017 5 First Holy Communion First Holy Communion was held at St Mary’s Parish, Mosgiel, on Sunday 24 September. Fr Michael Dooley and Mrs Mary Dillon DRS are shown with the eleven children who received their first communion. NOVEMBER – Month of Remembrance of Deceased Relatives and Friends November commences with All Saints Day, 1 November, and All Souls Day, 2 November. It is a time for us to remember, honour and pray for deceased members of our families and friends. Some make it an annual time to visit and tidy the graves as they remember those who have gone before us. Let us pray for all past members of our parishes and families. May they rest in peace. Amen 6 the tablet Human Trafficking contributed by sr noreen mcgrath pbvm "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves" – Book of Proverbs In response to a call by Pope Francis of action here in New Zealand, similar to all Religious to do something about to that in several other countries, such modern day slavery, Aotearoa New as Australia and the UK. Zealand Religious against Trafficking Our current membership is: of Humans (ANZRATH) has been initiated as part of a global network to Srs Elizabeth Mackie, Susie Logan, Joan draw attention to the issue of human Bennett, Judith-Anne O’Sullivan, Mary trafficking. We have three groupings Hepburn, Anna Burrows, Ann Gilroy, – one in Auckland, one in Wellington Marguerite, Aidan Cunningham, and one in Dunedin. Our aim is to Veronica Casey, and Noreen McGrath. educate ourselves and others and to Bishop Colin has commended the support the victims of modern day group for the initiative taken. forms of slavery. Further information can be obtained Here in Dunedin we meet monthly from any of the members, or from their and have undertaken a number of helpful and informative website: www. activities. Recently, we collaborated in anzrath.com writing a letter which has been sent to members of all political parties and to our local MP’s requesting facilitation FUNERAL DIRECTORS • MONUMENTAL MASONS Craig Stoneman • Darrin Christie • Wilson Fraser Hamish MacPherson • Phil Llwellyn Rachael Crothers • Kerry de Garnham • Amanda Stephens Cnr Esk and Doon Streets, Invercargill Phone (03) 218 4095 Fax (03) 218 7220 www.frasersfunerals.co.nz october 2017 7 Food for Critical Reflection The plastic shopping bag - think twice contributed by sandra winton op Scientists have found that whales are living and travelling off the Otago coast, rare whales, mother whales with their calves, travelling through a sea that ancient writers called ‘the whale’s way’. In the summer, walking with a friend on the path from St Clair to Second Beach, I was surprised at how many people were out on this pleasant day. ‘There are whales’, said a young mother. ‘It was on Facebook.’ Parents and children, teenagers, locals and tourists had come out to see. The size, the rarity, the animal otherness of these amazing creatures draw us close to them when they come close to us. We are part of living nature, one small species Henderson Island – remote uninhabited Pacific Island. faced with another so much bigger and living in another element. They might be from Mars, so do they astonish us. And then there is another picture, the dead dolphins, the washed up whale carcases, their bellies strangulated on ingested plastic bags. Two years ago it was estimated that new Zealanders send 40,000 plastic shopping bags to land fill every hour. A huge number of bags end up in the sea and oceans. 1 million sea birds and 100,000 marine mammals are killed annually from plastic in our oceans. And it takes 500-1000 years for plastic to degrade. The good news is that this is one thing we can do something about. If we stop using single-use plastic shopping bags we can make a difference. In Ireland the government introduced a 15c plastic bag tax. In one year the usage of plastic bags was reduced by 90%. We can keep reusable shopping bags in the car or where we will see them when we go shopping. We can write to the Minister for the Environment to ask for a tax to be imposed on single use plastic bags. We can say no to plastic straws. These actions are small, but that is no reason not to take them. Many small actions add up to a movement. Modern life presents the option of the easiest way as if it were the only way. This stands in sharp contrast to a view of the universe as sacred, and us humans as a part of this amazing creation, its servants, its lovers, gifted with consciousness. Saying ‘no thanks’ to plastic bags I am reminded in a moral level how easy it would be to commit the sin of theft, stealing from future generations, who, Bishop Colin reminds us, unless we act now ‘are going to be born into a sick and dying planet’ (Pastoral letter, The Tablet, April 2017). On the path to Second Beach, children, teenagers and adults alike gasp as the whales surge into view, follow each other and plunge down to unseen depths. Something deep in the spirit says this is marvellous, magical, sacred. How appalling if our generation were to take from the children of the future this amazing sight. 8 the tablet An Important Development Pope Francis’ Edict on the Translation of the Mass by bishop charles drennan The new translation of the Mass as a “progressive versus conservative” English speaking world with revisions is six years old. Notwithstanding tussle. Pope Benedict’s love for of various rites that few really want and the introduction of some evocative liturgy saw him underline the duty to even fewer actually asked for. Boh as the language, its clunky sentence preserve a sense of the transcendent Italians say.