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Respect Life Sunday 11 October 2020

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Respect Life Sunday 11 October 2020 PUBLICATION OF THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH Issue 124 - Spring 2020 RESPECT LIFE SUNDAY 11 OCTOBER 2020 “We are all frail, all equal, all precious” - Pope Francis THE SPIRITUAL LEGACY OF BISHOP MEEKING (pg 7) HONOURING OUR CATHEDRAL (page 10) CELEBRATING SEVEN YEARS OF PERPETUAL ADORATION (pg 18) REJECTING A CULTURE OF DEATH (pg 30) From the Bishop Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ We are living in uncertain times and this year has been the epitome of this. Yet in all of this uncertainty, we hold on to the things that do not change - God’s deep and abiding love of us and our desire to become more fully the people we were created to be, namely holy men and women. These last couple of months have and cooking and relaxing. We became our relationship with God and our seen us moving from a sense of aware of the need to keep in touch participation in the life of his Church having things back under control to with those who were alone. We sits, in all the different components living again with the uncertainty of realised that watching TV all the time of our lives. If it is only the remnant Covid-19 and its ability to transmit can get very dull and that there are of time that is given, the last priority, itself very quickly. In a world where we other ways of being stimulated and then it won’t be fruitful or abundant think that we have everything under energised. for ourselves or for others. Where we control, this virus has shown us we spend our time is where our heart lies. We have had the chance to re- do not. Even the best laid plans and examine our relationship with God. This is a significant change for us in strategies do not always come out the How much time do I spend in personal our thinking and acting. Our homes, way we hope or expect them to. As prayer, reading the scriptures, listening our schools, our parishes are only a society, we are dealing with these to or reading spiritual works, praying going to be alive in faith if each of us realities and having to live with their the rosary or other devotional prayers? becomes Spirit-filled. That can only consequences. If we are to be people of the Spirit, happen if we allow it to. That is the The same is true for us as members then we need to nourish it, allow God’s challenge for us in this world of 2020 of the Christian community. We have grace and the Holy Spirit to move in and beyond. It is exciting and also once again been limited in our ability us, transform our hearts, or hone them scary, because without a conversion to gather together to praise God and if they have become dulled. Our faith, of heart we will not flourish individually to celebrate the sacraments of the if it is to be alive and active, needs to and as God’s people, with the Good Church. We have not been able to be activated. News of Christ that sets us free. gather to bury our dead in the way This is one of the hopes of our parish we would want, weddings have been and diocesan renewal. A key goal is General Election limited, even priestly ordinations to have parishes where people are We are preparing for our general have been postponed. We are not being assisted in growing in their election and you will be aware that the the masters of our own destiny all the faith life and experience on Monday New Zealand Bishops have prepared time. to Saturday, as well as gathering on a statement on the election in general We would be foolish not to reflect on Sunday. As with all things it will only and also on the two referenda. https:// what this all means for us. We have happen if each of us plays our part. www.catholic.org.nz/assets/Uploads/ had the chance this year to stop all None of it is possible if we don’t give Election-Statement-2020-web.pdf. of our activities and just be at home, of our time and energy, if we don’t This year, we have already seen to see what is really important in our volunteer for the variety of works abortion become available for all at lives. If we do this, then we realise that make up parish life. If we are any time, and now we are looking to that our relationships with people just taking and not giving anything, have people 18 years or older able to are key, that we can enjoy one eventually there will be nothing left end their lives if they have a terminal another’s company without having to to take. It begins with each of us illness. This is a serious undermining of be constantly doing things. Children striving for a conversion of heart, a the very principle of life as a gift from learnt again how to play at home, strengthening of the practice of our God. It isn’t our life to take away. What parents spent time together chatting faith, a setting of priorities for where is so tragic is that our society doesn’t “I have considered carefully about what might be able to be salvaged from the Cathedral” 2 FFICE O S hop’ S BI “The future of our country’s well-being is tied up in this referendum and we have a duty to pray that it is not passed and to continue to talk with others about why we oppose it.” seem to appreciate the undermining very large. This includes how much effect on the whole of life when we of what is still inside can be kept. I minimise the protection of life at all know it is a painful reality but I also stages, from conception to natural know that we will create a new and death. The future of our country’s well- worthy cathedral which will, in turn, being is tied up in this referendum have its own treasures for our time and we have a duty to pray that it is and beyond. We are people of faith not passed and to continue to talk and we will line this new cathedral with others about why we oppose it. with our prayers and sacred objects There are a lot of good resources on for our time, bringing with us the our diocesan website which outline memories of our former cathedral, the various reasons for opposing the beauty of which is recalled in this the referendum, both those with a issue of Inform. religious underpinning and compelling reasons which do not need to draw I have considered carefully on religion. It would be good to be about what might be able to be informed of these so you can speak salvaged from the Cathedral. This this truth to others. This issue of Inform has included discussion with the outlays many compelling reasons to College of Consultors, the Diocesan say no to the End of Life Choice Act Management and Finance Board and 2019. We do not live in a world where diocesan staff and looking at the cost everyone is free to decide what they associated in salvaging items. The like. We never have been and so it demolition of the Cathedral will take is important that we enshrine in law approximately one year and during those things which protect us from the opportunity to retrieve any items harm. Euthanasia is a harm for any will be further considered as the society. demolition progresses. Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament Transition Facilitator Appointed You will be aware that our Cathedral I am pleased to announce the in Barbadoes Street is in the process appointment of Ms Siobhan of being prepared for deconstruction. Bergin as the transition This is a difficult time for us to see facilitator for the diocese. this much loved and holy place being Siobhan is a parishioner of the removed. Its walls have captured Christchurch South Parish, is over 100 years of the faith life of chair of the Board of Trustees people of the diocese. The decision of Our Lady of the Assumption to do this was a difficult one and the school and is on the Board of costs associated with it have been St Vincent de Paul. “I have considered carefully about what might be able to be salvaged from the Cathedral” 3 BI S hop’ S O Prayer to the FFICE Holy Spirit Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. V. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. R. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen. The Adoration Chapel is a way for you to The ordination to the priesthood of Tang grow in your faith life Phan will be celebrated on 10 October She has had experience working in encourage you to go when it suits and what a worthwhile calling it is. If we do change management in her capacity spend some time there in prayer. The not, then we will not be able to exist as General Manager of Westfield Mall fruitfulness of Eucharistic Adoration is as a Church in the way we are used to, Riccarton.
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