NZ Catholic: June 14 - 27, 2020 1

The national Catholic newspaper June 14 - 27, 2020 • No. 591 Caritas Lent SVDP launches appeal down National Recovery this year 2 Appeal 10 Ordained at last

Lockdown led to seven week delay of ordination – pg 3

www.nzcatholic.org.nz 2 NZ News NZ Catholic: June 14 - 27, 2020

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Caritas Aotearoa NZ Lent Appeal Staying in NZ before ordinations funds down 30 per cent on past years

by ROWENA OREJANA

Amid the pandemic, Caritas Aotearoa New p17 Zealand managed to raise some $683,000 during its 2020 Lent Appeal, a figure that is more than 30 per lower than the amounts they raised in recent years. Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand director Julianne Hickey said, in the past, the Lent Appeal raised $1million. p20 Our Lady of Still, Mrs Hickey said, they “are encouraged by Kāpiti Church the generosity of our communities during these blessed difficult times”. “Their ongoing support and prayers continue to enable us to do our work, and we are thankful for their commitment to helping those in need around the world and in Aotearoa New Zealand,” she said. The reduced amount means community proj- ects in West Papua, Bougainville, the Philippines Julianne Hickey and Holy Land that were supposed to be funded p5 this year would be set aside for next year. n Donations “Caritas is carefully examining our 2020 Caritas communications advisor Rebecca Sees operational budget to focus our expenditure to said the agency is still accepting donations to the Masses help those most in need and make cost savings Lent Appeal. on budget lines such as travel,” Mrs Hickey said. “As the bishops’ agency for justice, peace and resume “Our volunteer programme, Catholic Volun- development, our mission is to serve as [a] vehi- in Dunedin teers Overseas (CVO), will not be sending any fur- cle for all New Zealand Catholics to engage with ther volunteers to the Pacific this year, although the social mission of the Church: to overcome p6 A message for Catholic media we continue to support two volunteers who are poverty, protect lives and relieve suffering. This already in Papua New Guinea,” she added. mission is more important than ever, as we face an p8 Penecost and the fire in our cities Mrs Hickey said priority will be given to com- unprecedented humanitarian challenge in which munities in the Pacific and around the world with the poor and vulnerable will continue to be the Mapping a way forward after lockdown whom Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand has long- most heavily impacted,” she said. p9 term relationships. “With the help of our supporters, we can con- “Our priority is to continue to work with our tinue to be love-in-action for these communities, Meghan Markle’s surprise p19 partners on the ground in these communities to providing essential assistance on the ground, graduation speech respond to their most urgent needs. Currently, we both in our region and around the world, to those are working with these communities to help them who are most in need.” On the front cover: At the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit for the prepare for the effects of the pandemic,” she said. Caritas is also accepting donations toward its ordination of Fr Peter Trung Nguyen (front centre) on June 6 were Mrs Hickey said they will be supporting these Pandemic Appeal, which will go towards support- communities’ efforts “in health care and mes- ing vulnerable communities’ efforts at Covid-19 (from left, front) Bishop Owen Dolan, Bishop Peter Cullinane, saging, well-being, livelihoods and food, so that prevention. Cardinal John Dew and Bishop Denis Browne, with many priests people don’t go hungry, and to ensure that the “However, we recognise that now is a difficult (back rows). (Photo supplied) spread of disease is contained”. time for many, and some people who may want “No community in the world is immune to the to give financially won’t be able to do so. The ongoing impacts (of the pandemic),” she said. support of our work through prayer and advocacy Mrs Hickey said another on-going project they is just as critical to our success in the midst of have is the development of school and parish the pandemic. We ask our Catholic communities resources for Social Justice Week in September. to join us in raising the voices of those on the “This year the focus is on Catholic Social margins, and in praying for all who are affected Pompallier Diocesan Centre, 30 New Street, Ponsonby, Teaching, which will help us all reflect on the by this crisis, from the sick and the suffering to Auckland. P.O. Box 147-000, Ponsonby, Auckland 1144. core principles that guide our decision-making, the helpers and the workers,” Ms Sees said. Phone: (09) 360-3067 or (09) 378-4380. participation and involvement in our communi- More information about how to get involved Email: [email protected] ties,” she said. can be found at: www.caritas.org.nz Website: www.nzcatholic.org.nz Publisher: Bishop Patrick Dunn Editor: Michael Otto Journalist: Rowena Orejana Marketing and Administration: Claudia Cachay New vocations director for Chch Design & Advertising: Anne Rose Advertising enquiries contact: by ROWENA OREJANA [email protected] Christchurch Bishop Paul Martin, SM, has ap- NZ Catholic is published fortnightly. Subscriptions: One pointed Fr Tien Cao, assistant parish priest at St year, $73; two years, $135. Overseas airmail extra. The Peter Chanel, Waimakariri, as the diocese’s new contents of NZ Catholic are copyright and permission to vocations director. reprint must be obtained in advance. ISSN 1174-0086 Fr Cao said as the new vocations director, he Member Australasian Religious Press Association and is looking forward to accompanying men “who Australasian Catholic Press Association have received even the slightest call from God to priesthood”. He said his own “first director” of vocation was his mother and he acknowledged the essential role of parents in building a strong foundation St Dominic’s for the vocation of priesthood. “It was God who chose me from eternity to Catholic College be the priest of Christ, but it was the faith and Founded by the Dominican Sisters the life witness of my mother, at home and at Catholic School For Girls Years 7-13 the local church, that made me realise the call,” he said. • Year 9 retreats going well. He said, though, that young men who grew up without much support in their faith life are • Great to celebrate Mass once more in our Chapel. also encouraged and invited to discern priest- hood. • Samoan Language Week well celebrated, led Fr Cao grew up in Central Vietnam and came by Pasifika leadersLisa Pesefea and to New Zealand 12 years ago to be a priest in Christchurch diocese. He was ordained in 2016 Esther Utaiaana. and served in the parishes of Greymouth and • Our first ever school vans well received. Mairehau. Fr John O’Connor, who was the former voca- tions director of the diocese, is currently acting www.stdoms.ac.nz director of the National Liturgy Office. Fr Tien Cao NZ Catholic: June 14 - 27, 2020 NZ News 3 Fr Trung ordained after lockdown delay by ROWENA OREJANA

The much-awaited ordination to the priesthood of Fr Peter Trung Nguyen — which was initially sched- uled for April 18, but was postponed because of the Covid-19 lockdown — finally took place on June 6 at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Palmerston North. It was a very emotional moment for Fr Nguyen when he thanked his mother and father and the rest of his family who couldn’t be there due to the closure of New Zealand’s borders. His voice broke and he had to pause to collect himself. His family, instead, followed the livestreaming of his ordination on the diocesan website. His parents are in Vietnam, while his five broth- ers and a sister are in religious and diocesan communities in France, En- gland, American, Colombia, Belgium and India. “Thank you, Cardinal John [Dew], for ordaining me a priest today, and all clergy and people who are present really and virtually to sup- Newly-ordained Fr Peter Trung Nguyen (right) at the altar during the ordination Mass. (Photo supplied) port me on this special occasion,” he said. He also thanked resigned “[Being] . . . self-possessed means “It was a common practice in Zealand. She accepted his decision bishop Charles Drennan, who went being comfortable in who we are Vietnam for young men to serve the after a while. to Vietnam and met his (Fr Nguyen’s) before God. Being content in who parish. Quite a lot of young men “Before I left my family, this is family and invited him to serve in we are and knowing that God has wanted to do it. It was a privilege (to what mum said to me: ‘Go in peace Palmerston North. chosen us for service. And knowing be chosen),” he said. and our prayer is with you and for In his homily at the ordination, that God chose us and loves us. Be- He said even at a young age, there you. Your happiness is our happi- Cardinal Dew thanked Fr Nguyen ing self-possessed is knowing we can was “something in the back of my ness’,” he said. for following Jesus’ call to serve in do nothing by ourselves. We can only mind that said: I want to be a priest”. Before entering the seminary in New Zealand. rely on the grace of God and learn He went to university in Ho Chi New Zealand, Fr Nguyen reportedly “Anyone who makes the decision to be grateful that God’s grace is Minh City and studied philosophy. learned English at the English Train- to follow the call of Jesus and try to always at work in us,” Cardinal Dew “I had a lot of fun and had the ing College in Palmerston North. live as his disciples, knows that it said. normal student life. But deep in my He said, as a priest, he would means that we die to ourselves in As the ordination took place heart, I wanted that lasting joy,” he want to strengthen the ties between some way and in whatever way that during restrictions on numbers at said. school and parish. is. That’s what gives glory to God,” public gatherings under Covid-19 In his fourth year at the universi- Fr Nguyen was also appointed Cardinal Dew said. alert level 2, only 100 people were ty, he met a Kiwi priest who invited vocations director of the diocese “That’s very true of any of us allowed to be present inside the ca- him to serve in Palmerston North. before his ordination. who choose to follow Jesus and the thedral itself. Others could view the He asked his spiritual director “My message to young people priesthood, or who accept that he Mass by livestream in other rooms. for advice and spent a lot of time is — don’t be afraid to take further (Jesus) has actually chosen us first. Fr Nguyen told NZ Catholic his in retreats before he made the de- steps towards vocation. It might be Jesus chose you, Trung.” journey to priesthood began when cision. a challenge, but it is a wonderful The cardinal also reminded Fr he was 12 years old. He left his Initially, his mum had no prob- journey.” Nguyen of St Paul’s words to Timo- family home to assist the priest in lem with him becoming a priest, but n Further photos from the ordination thy, “be self-possessed”. his parish. she didn’t want him to go to New Mass are on page 21. NZ and Holy See Covid-19 free almost to the day by NZ CATHOLIC staff announced that the last Vatican employee who restrictive measures. had tested positive for the coronavirus was test- But the Pope cautioned everyone to continue New Zealand has joined the Holy See in a se- ing negative. A total of 12 cases were reported to be careful. lect list of nations that have successfully seen among Vatican employees since late February. “Thanks be to God we are coming out of the off Covid-19. None of the 12 died, reported the Catholic News epicentre stronger, but always with the rules On June 8, it was announced that New Zealand Service. [that] the authorities give us,” he said. has no more active cases. With no new cases According to a report in The New Zealand The Pope reminded people, however, that “the reported for 17 days, the nation moved within Herald, Johns Hopkins University in the US stated virus continues to claim many victims” in other hours to alert level 1. there were seven other small nations that had countries. Two days beforehand, the Vatican press office registered infections, but had no active cases as “I wish to express my closeness to those pop- of June 8. ulations, to the sick and their families, and to all These other nations were Montenegro, Eritrea, those who care for them. With our prayer, let us Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, Saint Kitts and be close to them.” Nevis, Fiji, and East Timor. The list did not include nations such as Vanu- atu that had kept the virus out completely. The Catholic News Service reported that, on June 7, Pope Francis prayed for people living in ST. PETER’S COLLEGE countries where Covid-19 is still causing a huge EPSOM, AUCKLAND number of deaths, and he cautioned people in A CATHOLIC SCHOOL FOR BOYS Italy to continue to be careful and follow health precautions. “Be careful, do not sing ‘Victory!’ yet, do not • 1st XV v King’s College @ Cage 2.30pm celebrate victory too soon! It remains necessary to follow the rules in force carefully because Saturday 27 June. they are rules that help us to prevent the virus from gaining ground,” he said on June 7 after • Farewell College Receptionist reciting the Angelus prayer from the window of – Mrs Denise Lindsay the Apostolic Palace. He greeted the few hundred visitors who had • Sacramental Programme resumes. assembled in St Peter’s Square, maintaining social distancing and many wearing masks. The crowd in St Peter’s Square as Pope Francis leads the Seeing people in the square, he said, was a sign that “the acute phase” of the pandemic in Italy ST PETER’S COLLEGE BUILDS OUTSTANDING MEN Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking the ST-PETERS.SCHOOL.NZ @SPCNOW square at the Vatican on June 7. (CNS Photo) was over, which had led to the gradual easing of 4 Masses in Level 2 NZ Catholic: June 14 - 27, 2020

Contact tracing and hand sanitising before a Mass at Blenheim A Mass finishes at Blenheim. Masses resume in Marlborough by CATHIE BELL “People are just being a bit cautious here in However, the Marlborough parish is working to Blenheim. Those that came seemed happy. ensure that, if larger numbers of parishioners do Masses resumed in Marlborough last weekend, “Everyone feels a bit disappointed we can’t sing. show up for a particular service, the group can be with most of the churches in the Te Whetu o Moana We’d like to have the singing, but understand the split up, should the alert level 2 public gathering Star of the Sea parish holding services. reasons why not.” limits still apply. Acting parish priest Fr Pat McIndoe, CP, said Fr McIndoe said Marlborough didn’t have the big “With the help of high-tech parishioners, we that, while the turnouts were lower than usual, populations of people such as parishes in Auckland have people go into the community centre as well people were happy to be back at church. had. (Some Auckland parishes did not have Sunday and have the Mass live-streamed from the church. He celebrated Mass in Kaikoura, while assistant Masses in level 2.) We have been doing quite a bit of work behind the parish priest Fr Jacob Kuman, CP, celebrated Mass- “We have modest numbers,” Fr McIndoe said. scenes to get ready.” es in Blenheim and Seddon. “We were good. People were social distancing. It was very well-organised, they made sure people put their names down for contact tracing. I sani- Parishioners’ joy as Takapuna Masses return tised my hands before Communion.” Fr McIndoe said people were happy to be back, by ROWENA OREJANA being back, as well as their gratitude for the ef- with about 85 people at Mass in Kaikoura. forts we made to provide Masses, taking . . . Covid “We had a good turnout, about 85 people. That’s About one-third of the parishioners at St Jo- requirements into account. People also expressed very good for Kaikoura. One or two didn’t come, seph’s Church in Takapuna, or a total of 544 peo- gratitude for efforts made by the parish team to they’re still being careful because of health issues.” ple, went back to church for Mass under level 2. communicate with parishioners during the earlier He said that, in Blenheim, the congregation was St Joseph’s parish priest Msgr David Tonks phases of the pandemic,” he said. an older age group, more so than Kaikoura, and said there was a total of 544 people who attended, Msgr Tonks said, in the North Shore deanery, there were fewer people at three Mass services. A spread over six Masses. Their Sunday Mass count Devonport, Glenfield, Beach Haven, East Coast 5pm Saturday vigil service was held, with a 10am average as of November last year was 1411. Bays, Hibiscus Coast and Wellsford all provided Sunday Mass and an extra 4pm Sunday service The church prepared its hall and the St Joseph Saturday and Sunday Masses. also celebrated. Primary School hall in the event that more than “Most parishes put on extra Masses, trying to Congregations were about half the size of usu- 100 people would show up at a given Mass. The avoid having people ‘shut out’ because of the 100 al services, and Picton’s Word and Communion plan was to livestream the Mass to the two halls limit. All parishes experienced relatively small service was only about half the size of usual at- and bring the Eucharist to the parishioners in numbers at the Masses,” he said. tendance too. these areas. “However, priests agreed that last Sunday (May “We used the church hall only for 11am Mass. 31) was not necessarily an indication of how the We didn’t use the school hall, although the lives- future might be: there were many people away for tream relay there was set up,” Msgr Tonks said. Queen’s Birthday weekend. We know that a sig- In terms of attendance, the 11 am Sunday Mass nificant number, especially of those older, have had the highest at 133, while the 7pm Sunday decided to play safe, and not return to Mass until Mass recorded the lowest at 44. we return to level 1, or move beyond the period “So many parishioners expressed their joy in of restrictions,” he said. Whanganui return with pre-bookings by SUE SECONI spread the message and be clear what returning to Mass would look like,” Fr Leslie said. There was a sense of joy when parishioners of On entering the church main doors, a new role the Catholic Parish of Whanganui — Te Parihi Ka- of parish co-ordinator ensured that Government torika Ki were finally able to receive Communion. regulations were obeyed i.e. sanitising hands, But with Government limitations in place for the complete contact tracing register, adhering to the celebration of Mass, there was a sense of strange- 2-metre social distance when seated and receiving ness as well. Communion and locking the church doors at the Public Masses started in St Mary’s Church in Our Father. The sign of peace would be expressed the town centre as soon as the new restrictions of with a nod or smile, Communion in the hand, and level 2 came into effect, on Friday, May 29. The no holy water when making the sign of the cross. suburban Churches of Holy Family in Gonville and Since the lockdown Frs Leslie and Brazil pro- St Anne’s in Whanganui East were closed through- vided daily live streaming Masses in their lounge out the Covid-19 crisis. house ‘bubble’ with thousands viewing. A final In preparation, parish priest Fr Vaughan Les- farewell Mass from this site was celebrated on lie, in regular emails to parishioners, asked them Thursday, May 28. to pre-book which of the two Masses each day “Parishioners have become very comfortable (9.30am and 5.30pm) they wished to attend that with Mass online. I was asked if streaming would would become their “Sunday”. Nominating this continue, to which I was rather direct and said: no, Mass preference would avoid the risk of being people need to get back to Mass,” Fr Leslie said. turned away should numbers reach 100. “People have spread themselves over the 14 Masses on offer, which means that no one would Public gatherings with no more than 100 people pres- be turned away from Mass.” Fr Leslie said. ent were permitted in New Zealand from May 29. Some The three local priests — Frs Leslie, Nathaniel parishes went ahead with weekday and Sunday Masses Brazil and John Roberts — fronted a “returning to under the conditions stipulated. NZ Catholic’s staff and Mass” safety video for the parish’s facebook page correspondents describe on this page and the next how to familiarise everyone in what to expect. it happened in various parishes throughout New Zealand. “I’m pleased we did, because it gave us time to Sunday Mass obligations had been lifted. NZ Catholic: June 14 - 27, 2020 Masses in Level 2 5 People return to churches in new Chch parishes by MINA AMSO nion again,” Fr Head said. “My prayer is that this day marks He said it was still a challenge the beginning of new life and grace It was a doubly special Pentecost to connect with all his parishioners in each of our hearts, in our faith Sunday for the newly-formed Christ- given the restrictions still in place, communities and in our diocese. church South Parish. namely the 100-person limit at Please pray for the new parishes that Parishioners finally returned public gatherings, and the fact that come into existence today and for all to two of their four churches for a number of senior parishioners de- our parishes, that the Holy Spirit will Mass after about two months of the cided to stay at home. inspire us, all the members, to work churches being closed. It was also Extra Mass times were added to together for the mission to which we officially the beginning of the new accommodate the limited number are called.” parish. of people per service. Speaking of Christchurch South “It was a wonderful celebration. “The focus [in conversations] was Parish, Fr Head told NZ Catholic that To see the parishioners again after more on [the parishioners] and how “there’s no way” they could maintain so long,” said parish priest Fr Peter they were and how things were for four community churches plus the Head, SM. them. And they were interested in Carmelite monastery in the future. The parish of Christchurch asking how we were. That’s under- “I am in total agreement with South is made up of two previous standable after so long,” Fr Head Bishop Paul and his vision for the parishes —­ Sancta Maria (Add- said. future.” ington and Beckenham) and Our He said he couldn’t open all He said the signalled move from Lady Queen of the Apostles (Hoon four churches at once due to the maintenance to mission is the way to Hay and Halswell). The Carmel- management that was required for bring life and vitality to the Church, ite Monastery is also in the new reopening. which typically sees more senior pa- parish. “Having the churches commer- rishioners attend in the area. Sacred Heart church in Adding- cially cleaned [was in order] to meet Bishop Paul Martin, SM Fr Head said work on the amal- ton, Sts Peters and Paul church in all the requirements expected of gamation slowed down due to the Halswell, and the Carmelite Mon- us with regards to setting up the mission to go out and spread the pandemic, and the focus now is to astery chapel were opened to the churches for the health and safety Good News of Jesus Christ. The life reconnect with parishioners. public on Pentecost Sunday. for all concerned.” of God dwells in us, giving us the “The consultation and discussion Fr Head said parishioners who at- In a pastoral letter, which was strength and power to be his wit- has all gone on hold because of the tended Mass expressed how grateful read out during Mass to all the par- nesses in our world.” situation we are living in . . . the key they were to be able to return. ishes in Christchurch on Pentecost He noted the establishment of the aspect is our parishioners . . . with “An expression of gratitude that Sunday, Bishop Paul Martin, SM, new parishes for the Christchurch regard to the building of the new they could be back in the church reminded people of the significance and Selwyn areas. church and what is required, well with the priest and together to cel- of the day. The 12 previous parishes have look, that will come into focus once ebrate the Eucharist. Secondly, an “We have received this same Holy now amalgamated into five: North, a number of other things have been opportunity to receive Holy Commu- Spirit. We have received this same South, East, West and Selwyn areas. addressed with the parishioners.” Dunedin return like start of a school year by JEFF DILLON warmly greeted people as they entered. of singing that could take place. Worshippers were counted as they complet- There were no altar servers and just one Pentecost Sunday witnessed the return to ed the initial tasks. The final task before going reader and one extraordinary minister of the celebration of the 10am Mass in St Joseph’s Ca- through into the main body of the cathedral was Eucharist. When it came to Holy Communion, thedral in Dunedin after many weeks of enforced to use the hand sanitiser dispenser attached to certain aisles were selected to come up in single abstinence from receiving Holy Communion in the wall near the open door. Inside on a table file, and other aisles had to remain seated until physical form. were baskets for the offering envelopes, as there it was their turn. Similar arrangements were ap- It was a tentative return, being in the middle of was to be no collection baskets passed along the plied when it came to leaving at the end of Mass. a long holiday weekend, and the need to conform pews before the Offertory. Once outside at the end of Mass, small gath- to stringent new rules controlling the way the pa- In the main body of the cathedral, the pews erings of parishioners glad to be back chatted, rishioners and visitors gathered and participated. were clearly identified with yellow dots placed but kept social distance. So they arrived like pupils arriving for the first to indicate a suitable seating position, which day back at the beginning of a school year, with allowed a metre spacing while every second row nods and slightly awkward waves and smiles. of pews contained a notice to prevent anyone Entry to the cathedral was restricted to a sitting there. Couples and family groups could single door at the car park end. On one of the sit together. Auckand’sCatholic large glass doors were several notices spelling There was no problem about having to turn out requirements under the Covid-19 conditions. anyone away as the congregation had reached Funeral Specialists Parishioners checked notices while some reached just 35 by the time Mass started. The assembled for their phones to check in using the displayed congregation ranged in age from children through Davis Funerals has been QR code. Some handed in their completed Con- to some “vulnerable” seniors. With the addition caring for Catholic families tact Tracing Sheet which had been emailed out in of the choir numbers, the total reached 45, which for over 80 years. We are a advance, or else filled in their details on the copy was less than half of the allowed number. As a family managed business in the foyer. In that place, Msgr John Harrison precaution, the choir was restricted in the amount that has proudly provided over three generations of professional and personal service to our Catholic community.

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davisfunerals.co.nz Massgoers observe social distancing during Commumion at St Joseph’s Cathedral in Dunedin.

NZ Catholicv2.indd 1 4/09/19 12:38 PM 6 Opinion NZ Catholic: June 14 - 27, 2020 A message for Catholic media – don’t let print die

arshall McLuhan, the Canadian philosopher people are less likely to multitask when reading and newspapers do not curate content for the of media, was best known for the phrase hard copies and, if you are paying for an ad, you individual, so subscribers see a greater variety of M“The medium is the message.” That quote want people to pay attention. According to a 2018 opinions side-by-side than they likely would when has been subject to numerous interpretations — study by the London-based media consultant firm skimming their social media feed. and some have even been accurate. At the risk of Ebiquity, print advertising still has the highest What else is communicated through the “an- oversimplifying, it means that the vehicle through return on investment. cient” medium of print? As early as the 1970s, which a message is communicated is as important This is not hard to believe. How many times scientists measured brain waves to demonstrate as the message itself. have you picked up your phone to do something, how we interact differently with various forms McLuhan argued that “the medium” commu- only to be distracted by a text alert, forgetting of media, and discovered that we have a more nicates something beyond the content but, like a momentarily why you picked up your phone in “active” response to print. “We shape our tools fish in water, we are often unaware of what that is. the first place? Phones and digital tablets are great and thereafter our tools shape us,” John Culkin, Take wedding invitations, for example. I have tools, but they certainly do not generate undivided S.J., wrote in a 1969 article about McLuhan in the 38 cousins, and it seems like at least one of them attention. In 2017, a study by the marketing firm Saturday Review. gets married every year. They always send a paper MarketingProfs reported that 92 per cent of 18- to By choosing print, publishers communicate that invitation, not a digital RSVP. They are communi- what they have to say is at least worth the cost of cating — consciously or not — that this particular paper. They also signal that their message is worth message is special. This is not an invitation to a taking up physical space, however small, on your trivia night or happy hour or even a 5-year-old’s J.D. Long-Garcia coffee table or on your nightstand. birthday party. I do save copies of my favourite magazines. And I react differently to the paper invitation. 23-year-olds found print easier to read than digital And I refer to them as “mine.” My print magazine Maybe I will save it longer. It occupies space, content. Perhaps surprisingly, this age group was arrives at my home, whereas I visit a website to however small, in my home. I stick it to my fridge also more likely to trust and respond to print ad- read something online. We use different words with a magnet. When things arrive via the post vertising over other media forms. That may explain to describe these interactions because they name office, I treat them differently than when I receive why the total number of magazine readers in the a different relationship. As a reader, I am more something in my email inbox. I receive a news United States grew between 2012 and 2018. invested — financially, emotionally and psycho- magazine’s digital newsletter every day, but when In terms of Catholic media, 24 per cent of US logically — in printed publications. I get my print copy I stop, admire the cover, thumb Catholic households receive a diocesan print The trend toward digital is inevitable. The through it and let my wife know it has arrived. publication, according to a 2018 compilation of Church needs to engage with audiences using We all know this at some level. If I hand some- statistics from Faith Publishing, based on the 2017 digital platforms and to do so more often. But we one a gift in a brown paper sack, I know I am saying Kenedy directory, or Official Catholic Directory, cannot throw away print. Choosing to produce only something by the wrapping (or lack of it). and 2011 data from Georgetown’s Center for Ap- a digital product is choosing economics over evan- Today, leaders of Catholic publications — news plied Research in the Apostolate. Catholic televi- gelisation. It is choosing who you are evangelising outlets, diocesan periodicals and other tools of sion, reaching 7 per cent of Catholic households, with, even though faith is meant to be universal. evangelisation — are asking themselves important is a distant second among forms of media. Catholic Being a Church that communicates effectively questions about their print products. Can they radio reaches 5 per cent, diocesan websites reach 4 requires being aware of the strengths of each continue to produce hard-copy newspapers and per cent, and diocesan accounts on Facebook and medium. This is the classic “both/and.” Being magazines at the same frequency, if at all? Perhaps Twitter combined reach 5.5 per cent of Catholic committed to communicating via print and digital more importantly, should they? households. platforms says the Church is committed to reach- These are not easy questions. There are many ing people in whatever platform they prefer. dimensions to consider beyond dollars and cents. n Communication Print will, without question, continue, even if But advertising is nevertheless a good measure. These numbers indicate that targeted print it never regains dominance. Those who continue “In the world of advertisement, you do not publications are still an effective means of com- publishing will stand out from the rest, and will start by the creation of an ad, but by studying the munication. And a 2018 report from the printing be signalling that what they say is worth the extra effect you wish to elicit,” McLuhan said in a 1972 company Freeport Press found that readers prefer expense. The Catholic Church in the United States interview with L’Express. “You create the cause print magazines over digital versions. The study and throughout the world has a story to tell. And after the effect has been defined.” also found that most magazine subscribers report it is a story that is worth telling in print. Advertisers consider their audience, and what spending more than 30 minutes with each issue. J.D. Long-Garcia is a senior editor at America, a they would like their audiences to do after they This is not surprising, considering the atten- Jesuit publication based in New York. This commentary see their ad. Advertisers still like print because tion that print demands of us. Print magazines was posted on the magazine’s website on May 20. (CNS)

Ronald Rolheiser Faithful friendship grew up in a close family, and one of hardest through our lives, so that, at a point, the question At the end of the day, fidelity is not about how things I ever did was to leave home and family necessarily arises: How does one remain faithful often you physically connect with someone, but Iat the age of seventeen to enter the novitiate of to one’s family, to old friends, former neighbours, about living within a shared spirit. Betrayal is not the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. That former classmates, former students, former col- a question of separation by distance, of forget- novitiate year wasn’t easy. I missed my family in- leagues, and to old acquaintances? What does ting an anniversary or a birthday, or of not being tensely, and stayed in touch with them insofar as fidelity to them ask for? Occasional visits? Occa- able to stay in touch with someone you cherish. the rules and communication of the day allowed. sional emails, texts, calls? Remembering birthdays Betrayal is moving away from the truth and virtue I wrote a letter home every week and my mother and anniversaries? Class reunions? Attending you once shared with that person you cherish. wrote back to me faithfully each week. I still have weddings and funerals? Betrayal is a change of soul. We are unfaithful to and cherish those letters. I had left home, but Obviously doing these would be good, though family and friends when we become a different stayed in touch, a faithful family member. that would also constitute a full-time occupation. person morally, so as to no longer share a common But my life became a lot more complex and so- Something else must be being asked of us here, spirit with them. cially demanding after that. I moved to a seminary namely, a fidelity that’s not contingent on emails, You can be living in the same house with and began to live in a community with 60 others, texts, calls, and occasional visits. But what can lie someone, share daily bread and conversation with people entering and leaving constantly deeper than tangible human contact? What can be with him or her, and not be a faithful family throughout my seven years there, so that, by the more real than that? The answer is fidelity, fidel- member or friend; just as you can be a faithful time I’d finished my seminary training, I had lived ity as the gift of a shared moral soul, fidelity as friend or family member and not see that friend in close community with more than 100 different the gift of trust, and fidelity as remaining true to or family member for 40 years. Being faithful in men. That brought its own challenges. People who you were when you were in tangible human remembering birthdays is wonderful, but fidelity you’d grown close to would leave the community community and contact with those people who is more about remembering who you were when to be replaced by others, so that each year there are no longer part of your daily life. That’s what that birth was so special to you. Fidelity is about was a new community and new friendships. it means to be faithful. maintaining moral affinity. In the years following seminary, that pattern It is interesting how the Christian scriptures To the best of my abilities, I try to stay in began to grow exponentially. Graduate studies define community and fidelity. In the Acts of the contact with the family, old friends, former neigh- took me to other countries and brought a whole Apostles, we read that, before Pentecost, those in bours, former classmates, former students, former series of new persons into my life, many of whom the first Christian community were all “huddled in colleagues, and old acquaintances. Mostly, it’s a became close friends. In more than 40 years of one room”. And here, though physically together, bit beyond me. So I put my trust in moral fidelity. teaching, I have met with several thousand stu- ironically they were not in real community with I try as best I can to commit myself to keeping the dents and made many friends among them. Writ- each other, not really a family, and not really faith- same soul I had when I left home as a young boy, ing and public lectures have brought thousands of ful to each other. Then, after receiving the Holy and which characterised and defined me when I people into my life. Though most of them passed Spirit, they literally break out of that one room and met all those wonderful people along the way. through my life without meaningful connection, scatter all over the earth, so that many of them Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser, theologian, teacher, and some became lifelong friends. never see each other again and now, geographi- award-winning author, is president of the Oblate School I share this not because I think it’s unique, but cally at a distance from each other, ironically they of Theology in San Antonio, TX. He can be contacted rather because it’s typical. Today that’s really become real family, become a genuine community, through his website www.ronrolheiser.com Follow on everyone’s story. More and more friends pass and live in fidelity to each other. Facebook www.facebook.com/ronrolheiser. NZ Catholic: June 14 - 27, 2020 Opinion 7

To fight racism, The Habit we must hunger for justice Guest Editorial

he protests across the nation make clear the injustice of George Floyd’s killing, and its Troots in a long national history of racism, in- cluding contemporary patterns of police brutality. Catholics cannot be content to stand on the sidelines of this struggle. In the face of racism, Catholics must hunger for justice as we hunger for the Eucharist. The Gospel calls us, as we prepare for Communion, to “go first and be reconciled” (Matthew 5:24) with our sisters and brothers. . . . . [P]erhaps the Holy Spirit is moving, in these days of Pentecost, to give us the strength to stay the course and work for lasting change. Catholics should be held to account six months from now and a year from now — and for our part at America, we ask to be — for what actions we have taken in response. Here are five ways to begin. Repentance: The church in the United States has been sadly complicit in the systemic injustices of white racism. (As a Jesuit publication, we must ac- knowledge our own part in this history: American Jesuits and their institutions owned and sometimes sold enslaved people until 1838.) White Catholics The Body and Blood my voice to the call for have often ignored and marginalised the voices of Letters of this sacramental Jesus action within the Church Catholics of colour calling for the Church to listen Christ will achieve Chris- to right the imbalance of tian Unity (especially at power that male domina- and respond to the needs of their communities. 2020 Pentecost). We hu- tion has inflicted over the Catholic institutions have only just begun to the Lord. We lost our daughter, but tens of thou- mans have been talking centuries. acknowledge our part in the history of American Covid-19 sands of immune-chal- about the subject for 2000 The origins of our racism, from slavery to Jim Crow, from housing lenged people were saved, years. Stop the “hui hui” Church lay in the free segregation to police brutality. This work of mem- Covid-19 and the lock- and start the “doey doey”. “consent” given by Mary down has continued to praise the Lord. ory must continue, it must be public and it must As a Catholic group, “Do this in memory to bear and give birth to cause inconvenience, es- of Me”. Jesus, God in human form. not shrink from hard truths. In order to be the pecially perceived by re- our prayer should be for body of Christ, the Church must share in both the patience and humility James Donald, She was there, as were ligious and faith groups. Howick. Auckland. other women, named suffering and the repentance of all its members. Much lobbying, social and gratitude for small mercies. and unnamed, in the as- Solidarity: Catholics do not need to invent media posting and gen- sembly of disciples right new ways to fight racism. There is plenty of work eral grumbling has been John and Dianne Farrell, throughout Jesus’ life. already being done for racial justice. Yet many taking place. Pukekohe. Broadcasting Women were also there Catholics seem too timid to listen and collaborate As a family which has in the early Church in a with new movements, such as Black Lives Matter, experienced serious up- more emancipated way heaval, caused by sick- With the repeat- that are leading today’s charge for justice. Bishops, ed graphic showing of i.e. Priscilla, Phoebe, Junia ness over the past 18 and others. pastors and lay leaders ought to make overtures to months, culminating in Eucharist George Floyd’s killing, anti-racist activist groups present in their commu- television news broad- Gradually women have grief, observations must been shut out and exclud- nities. In addition to showing solidarity in the work be made. Yes, it was tough “Here we go again”, my casting in New Zealand of organising, Catholics also can show economic has reached an all-time ed from any form of co-op- not being able to visit a Christian pastor friend erative decision-making solidarity by supporting black-owned businesses dying young mother of replied when I invited low. While the news must as the Church has revert- in their own communities, and through giving alms five in hospital. It was him to go to Eucharist. ed to the Old Testament to organisations working for racial justice, and tough gathering in groups “No thanks, out of respect be told, there is no need to show the graphic hor- hierarchical structures ministries directly serving black Catholics. of 10 to pray, and sur- for the teaching of the of temples/churches and round our daughter with Roman Catholic Church ror of such a brutal, ca- Presence: A previous generation of clergy and sual, cold-blooded [act], priests with associated religious left us with iconic images of Catholics expert nursing care. It was on Eucharist — it is only gender roles. tough to think only eight for Catholics.” especially at times when marching hand in hand with prominent civil rights children could be watch- Yet in Jesus’ short of a family of 70 could During Covid-19, I public life, I can find no leaders. Today, when images and videos of pro- farewell our daughter in read the life story of Car- ing. tests are shared more quickly and widely than ever, If such displays of trace of such structures, the local funeral parlour. dinal Nguyan Van Thuan. but simple spontaneous collars and habits have been sparse. Catholics, We are a close family — it On page 132 it was stated: sadistic cruelty continue, we will become inured to assemblies of people all especially those whose presence and dress visibly was not easy, but we man- “The Eucharist sustains looking and listening to symbolises the church, ought to attend protests in aged bedside prayer and a loving relationship be- the sufferings of others. I would like to urge Jesus’ stories, parables, order to demonstrate the Church’s commitment. Communion, and extreme tween God and human- lessons on living a more unction the night before ity.” like-minded others to Formation: To ensure deep, lasting change, make their views known God-centred life. Then, Catholics will need to examine the ways we form death. While in a Vietnam as he left us, he gave us On Friday, May 15, we prison, Buddists, others to the Broadcasting Au- consciences, especially in the work of education. thorities. This can be a simple way of remem- farewelled our daughter and non-Christians, ex- bering him by breaking Those in charge of institutions of formation, from with a beautiful requiem perienced the influence done on-line or by writing seminaries to grammar schools, should examine to Broadcasting Standards bread and sharing wine Mass attended by 50 and of Eucharist — the sac- — a ceremony we can all curricula to see how the history and present real- watched by thousands ramental Jesus Christ Authority, P.O. Box 9213, Wellington, 600. co-operatively share in, ity of racism are addressed. Students formed by on TV. God was good, we as “The Lord of pardon, with the knowledge we Catholic education should recognise racism both were fortunate, and as a peace and love”. Patricia Brooks, Tauranga. are following Christ as the as an intrinsic evil and as a primary manifestation family became extremely I remember Father people we are — “in spirit of social sin. The ability both to assess curricula grateful for small mer- Tom Keyes saying in and truth”, all baptised and to educate students regarding these issues cies. 2004 — “The Eucharist is into the one body whether necessarily involves the presence of people of During lockdown, I dynamic, vital and trans- Women we be “Jews or Greeks, attended Mass daily, re- forming”. colour in positions of responsibility and authority. slaves or free persons”. Je- ceived Holy Communion How much more “hui What an illuminating sus didn’t get side-tracked Prayer: Prayer is one of the most effective three times and firmly hui”, wishful thinking, article by Rowena Orejana modes of public witness Catholics possess. Cath- into dealing with real es- believe the Holy Spirit essays, books, sermons, (NZ Catholic, May 31) on tate rather than people. olics are united for various causes by novenas, intervened and gave us a letters etc. do we have to Catholic theologian Dr Judy Wilton, processions, rosary campaigns and holy hours. It is beautiful requiem Mass. endure before the “table Rocio Figueroa‘s take on Lower Hutt. no accident that these spiritual means, depending We, as a nation, con- of the Lord is open to women within the Cath- more on the grace of God than our own strength, quered Covid-19, praise more than just Catholics”. olic Church. May I add n Abridged — Editor bind us together and announce the Gospel of mercy and justice more effectively than proclamations of moral principles can alone. Catholic groups, Except for our own edi- NZ Catholic welcomes readers’ letters, although receipt of a letter does not guar- starting with the bishops and national organising torials, opinions expressed antee publication. No correspondence will be entered into concerning publication. networks, and continuing down to the local parish, in NZ Catholic do not neces- Letters should be no longer than 220 words and should be topical, to the point, and should promote a campaign of prayer for healing sarily reflect the opinion of include the writer’s address and phone number. Ad hominem attacks are not welcome. from the sins of racism. the newspaper or of its own- Emailed letters should be sent as part of the text message — not as an attachment — to ­— Excerpts from an unsigned editorial (June 1) on the er, the Bishop of Auckland, [email protected] and include the writer’s physical address. Pseudonyms are not accepted, except by special arrangement. website of America magazine (Jesuit). (CNS) unless otherwise indicated. 8 Opinion NZ Catholic: June 14 - 27, 2020 Pentecost and the fires in our cities

t is in a way providential that the Feast of Pen- tecost arrives this year just as our country is Igoing through a convulsive social crisis. For the Holy Spirit, whose coming we celebrate on Pentecost, is a power meant to transform the world, or in the language of Psalm 104, “to renew the face of the earth”. Pentecost, accordingly, is never simply for the Church; it is for the world by means of the Church. One of the principal biblical metaphors for the Spirit is the wind, and indeed, on Pentecost morning, the apostles heard what sounded like a strong driving wind as the Spirit arrived. But the wind, elusive and unpredictable, is never really known in itself, but only through its effects. On the scriptural reading, the first effect of the Holy Spirit is the formation of an ekklesia (a church), which in turn is designed to transform the wider society into the Spirit’s image. In the words of the Nicene Creed—accepted by Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant Christians—this ekklesia is “one,

Robert Barron holy, catholic, and apostolic”. The wind of the Holy Spirit produces these qualities, and therefore it is Minnesota Army National Guard chaplains take a knee with protesters during a peaceful demonstration near the Min- by them that the Spirit’s action is discerned. So nesota State Capital on June 2. (CNS Photos) let us analyse them one by one. the life of the Church — sacraments, the Eucharist, of the divine love. n Unity the liturgy, preaching, the witness of the saints, The Acts of the Apostles gives us the great etc. — is meant to inculcate love. I will confess n Apostolic icon for the unity of the Church in the picture of that I frequently shake my head ruefully when I And finally, the Church is apostolic. The word the Apostles gathered in prayer in one place with come across Catholics on the Internet, who pro- “apostle” is derived from the Greek apostelein, the Virgin Mary on Pentecost morning. The Holy fess passionate commitment to the sacraments, which means “to send”. The original twelve Spirit is nothing other than the love that connects doctrines, and practices of the Church, and who apostles were empowered by the Holy Spirit and the Father and the Son, which explains why one yet are obviously filled with hatred. I want to tell then sent into the world to evangelise. Though of his great titles in the tradition is vinculum them, “You know, all of your devotions are fine, they received the Spirit while they were hunkered amoris (chain of love). Thus, the Spirit draws all but in your case, they’re not working!” Did not down in the Upper Room, they were never meant of the followers of Jesus together in unity. This Jesus himself say, “By this, everyone will know to stay hunkered down. From the beginning, there is not an oppressive or imperialistic oneness, for that you are my disciples, if you have love for has been an expulsive, centrifugal energy to the indeed there is a marvellous variety of personal- one another” (John 13:35)? Willing the good of the ekklesia, an instinct for the ends of the earth. The ities, theological schools, and pastoral emphases other is the great flag of the Holy Spirit. original flame of the Holy Spirit was meant to be- in the Christian community. But in essentials, come a conflagration, for Jesus said, “I have come the community of Jesus is meant to be united, n Catholicity to light a fire on the earth” (Luke 12:49). One of and in that unity to find its power to unify the In the third place, the Church is marked by the principal themes in the writing and sermon- world. Origen of Alexandria said “ubi divisio ibi catholicity, a word derived from the Greek phrase ising of Pope Francis is precisely this missionary peccatum” (where there is division, there is sin). kata holos (according to the whole). By its very na- nature of the Church. He wants believers in the Consequently, the Church’s missionary task is to ture, the ekklesia of Jesus is universal in scope and Lord to leave their sacristies and get out onto the overcome division, wherever it might be found. mission, for it is meant to bring the whole world streets, to stir things up, even to overturn what The night before he died, Jesus prayed “that they to Christ. Jesus said, “Go and teach all nations, needs overturning. might be one, as you, Father, and I are one” (John baptising them in the name of the Father, and of 17:22). In this prayer, he intended not just the the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19), n Racism Church to become one, but the world by means and that when the Son of Man is “lifted up,” he All of which brings me back to the situation of the Church. “will draw all people” to himself (John 3:14, 12:32). in which we find ourselves this Pentecost. The To be sure, there is a terrible history regarding riots and unrest which are convulsing our country n Holy attempts to achieve this unity through violence were prompted by the killing of George Floyd, to Secondly, the Church is meant to be holy, and and imposition, but that is simply the story of be sure, but their deeper cause is the racism — it achieves this quality precisely in the measure how nominal Christians refused to cooperate with systemic and personal — that has bedeviled our that it is filled with the Holy Spirit. And since the the Holy Spirit. What is most important to see in society for over 400 years. Though undoubted Holy Spirit, as we saw, is none other than the love this regard is that the Church’s task is to be light, progress has been made in the course of these that connects the Father and the Son, holiness salt, and leaven for the whole society (kata holos), four centuries, there is still irrational hatred in consists in love, which is not an emotion, but the never suppressing the plurality of cultures, but at the hearts of far too many in our country. And act of willing the good of the other. Everything in the same time, bringing them under the influence for all the years that racial tension and violence have endured — from slavery and segregation to the racism, both overt and indirect, that obtains today — the overwhelming majority of people in our land have been Christians — which is to say, people baptised into the divine life, filled, at least in principle, with the Holy Spirit. In the measure that the scourge of race hatred remains, therefore, we know that the ekklesia of Jesus has not been fulfilling its mission, has not been living up to its identity. If Christians have been the dominant presence in our country for all of these centuries, why isn’t there more unity? Why isn’t there more love? Why is it painfully obvious that so few of us have really gone on mission? May I offer a challenge to all the members of the ekklesia today, Protestant, Catholic, and Ortho- dox? Celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit this Pentecost, but then get out of the Upper Room! Light the fire of love in the streets, in the halls of government, in the world of communication, in business and industry, in schools, and in the hearts of your friends and neighbours. The stub- born survival of the awful cancer of racism in the body politic proves — and I say it to our shame — that we have not been the ekklesia that the Holy Spirit wants us to be. Bishop Robert Barron is an auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles. This article was first published at www.wordon- A demonstrator wearing a protective mask takes part in a protest in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on June 3. fire.org. It is republished here with permission. NZ Catholic: June 14 - 27, 2020 Features 9 Mapping a way forward after lockdown by ROWENA OREJANA gatherings to ten people. “Coming from a business background, and During the total lockdown under levels 3 and listening to the Prime Minister suggesting that 4 due to the coronavirus pandemic, many people businesses have a ‘re-entry strategy’, I was think- wondered what the “new normal” would be when ing, what is the Church’s re-entry strategy?” Ms the lockdown is totally lifted. Conroy said. “This was about three weeks prior To this end, the Hamilton diocese pastoral to the conference, and the idea stuck and kept team held a video-conference entitled “Respond- coming up in my prayer: How is the Church going ing with Hope”, inviting international speakers to to respond once we re-open our physical doors map out the way forward. once again? How are parishes going to be sowers Diocesan event organiser Brigid Conroy, who of peace & joy?” is part of the pastoral team, said the overall mes- She said they had never had an online confer- sage of the conference was to “re-enter parish ence before in the diocese, but the Holy Spirit was life with hope!” as well as “the desire to grow in prodding her to do it. relationship with Jesus Christ”. The conference was a success, gathering 160 The event was held from May 7-10, the week- people after only nine days of advertising. end before the Government decided to move “There no doubt would’ve been more people the country to level two, while restricting public attend had we had a bigger time to advertise, however, I felt that, timing-wise, it needed to be on the weekend that we had it, whilst people were in the last weeks of level 3 of lockdown and starting to look towards the future,” she said. “We had really positive feedback, and pray that lots of fruit comes out of this conference!” A poster for the video-conference She said the material from the conference had been sent out to parishes and participants. The videos of the speakers are also on the Hamilton and sharing that life of Christ with them,” he said. diocese website. Mr LeJeune, who is from Texas, suggested that The speakers included Hamilton Bishop Ste- parishes and diocese follow Jesus’s mission, vi- phen Lowe, Catholic Missionary Disciples presi- sion, values and strategy by making disciples of dent and founder Marcel LeJeune, L’Alto Catholic Jesus who will make disciples of others. Institute president Tim Glemkowski, House of He said Jesus deeply invested in a few men and Broken Loaves founder Tony Vasinda, and Shana commissioned those men to make more disciples. Llorando, co-ordinator of young adult ministries “By deeply investing in a few and teaching in the diocese. them to do the same, they transformed the world At the question and answer portion of the con- within a few generations,” he said. ference, Bishop Lowe, when asked what a vibrant Mr LeJeune suggested everyone in the parishes parish is, said, “ultimately, it’s about a community and diocese write down a list of people who could that lives out their baptism”. be interested in a deeper relationship with God, “You want a whole lot of vibrant people, but prayer life and conversion and reach out to them. the recognition is there that not all people will be “In the next few months, I’d like you to reach vibrant. But everyone will be open to people, they out more and more and more to them with phone need to be excited about their relationship with calls, and maybe meet with them when things Marcel LeJeune Jesus and passionate about meeting with people open up,” he said. City Council grants $120k towards cathedral project by NZ CATHOLIC staff

The Wellington City Council has made an ur- gent grant of $120,000 towards the strengthening of the Metropolitan Catholic Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Wellington. The cathedral was closed in July, 2018 after a structural engineer’s report confirmed the build- ing represented a significant risk to people in the case of a moderate to strong earthquake. Last month, Wellington’s mayor and coun- cillors have voted unanimously to contribute a $120,000 grant towards the strengthening of cathedral. According to a statement on the city council’s website, the one-off “out of round” contribution from the council’s Built Heritage Incentive Fund was granted to help continue the $3.3 million strengthening of the landmark building and allow it to be re- opened. The project had been jeopardised by the withdrawal of other funding for the proj- ect, due to the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Mayor Andy Foster, who seconded the funding propos- al, described the 119-year-old cathedral as one of the four or five most important landmark buildings in the city that still need strengthening and are eligible for the fund. Above: The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Wellington. Left: Andy Foster, Mayor of Wellington. He also urged the Govern- ment to seriously consider coming to the party – given the The city council had already venue for various events, including concerts and cathedral parish had applied contributed $25,000 to fund recitals. for a share of the Government’s the temporary strengthening Cr Pannett added that it is important that the post-pandemic funding for of the building’s roof. council is able to invest in important projects “shovel-ready” projects. Councillor Iona Pannett, around the city, even in tough times. “This is definitely a shov- who holds the Council’s Build- “This is a well-thought-out project, and I am el-ready project ­— and jobs are involved. This is ing Resilience and Heritage portfolio, moved the glad to see that the parish intends to base-isolate not only about securing the future of one of our funding proposal. She said the cathedral is one of the building. landmark buildings, it’s about keeping Welling- only seven basilicas in New Zealand. It is noted “Every building that comes off our quake- tonians working,” Mr Foster said. for its excellent acoustics and its use as a public prone building list makes the city safer.” 10 Features NZ Catholic: June 14 - 27, 2020 SVDP launches National Recovery Appeal by NZ CATHOLIC staff than ever, and will extend to families St Vincent de Paul’s national retail and individuals who have not de- manager John Rossbotham said there The St Vincent de Paul (SVDP) pended on our assistance before. We had already been an upsurge in gen- Society has launched a National Re- are already seeing an increase in the erosity from the community. covery Appeal to help the increasing pool of need.” “During the lockdown period numbers of individuals and fami- This week, SVDP is sending out donations to SVDP have increased lies struggling from the impact of hundreds of letters to mayors, local five-fold on what we would usually Covid-19. body leaders and business CEOs, in- receive. I’ve been involved with SVDP The appeal was launched in early viting them personally to support the for 33 years and I’ve not seen the June and will run until December. The SVDP campaign in their workplaces scale of need which is evident in the goal is to raise $4 million to provide and local communities. Each month Covid-19 environment. I’m confident people with economic, social and SVDP will approach a new group of that Kiwis will respond generously to emotional support during these times civic and business leaders request- the National Recovery Appeal.” of severe hardship, said SVDP nation- ing their support. The society will The National Recovery Appeal has al president Marlena Hoeft-Marwick. promote the appeal broadly in the the endorsement of Cardinal John “Many of our services have been community. Dew, Archbishop of Wellington. funded through our Op Shops which An SVDP National Recovery Appeal “Covid-19 is creating new layers of had to close during April and May, website has been developed, and poverty and need in our community, resulting in a loss of income of about supporters are encouraged to donate and it is vital the St Vincent de Paul $1.5 million. At the same time the online at: donate.svdp.org.nz. People Society is able to do the work it has demands for our services have in- can also donate by cheque and bank- done for decades, and to add to it as creased by around 400 per cent and card. Donations will be used to pro- new needs emerge. are continuing to increase. vide people with the essentials such Marlena Hoeft-Marwick “I commend the St Vincent de Paul “The National Recovery Appeal is as food parcels, clothing, household Society for taking proactive steps to essential to ensure that we can meet goods and services, as well as social ease the pressure on individuals and ensure that it can continue to help the increasing demand for assistance. and emotional support. families with practical help. That’s those in need as we all grapple with “As a result of economic hardship “Funds will be distributed to Vin- what we have been doing for 150 the needs of our new environment.” caused by Covid-19, It is very likely nies Centres throughout New Zealand years, and we are determined to be St Vincent de Paul is a registered that, in the winter months, the de- so support can be provided locally,” there for New Zealand communities charity and all donations over $5 are mand for our services will be greater said Mrs Hoeft-Marwick. “Our job is to during this time of critical need.” tax deductible. donate.svdp.org.nz Catholic social agencies’ extraordinary Covid-19 support by NZ CATHOLIC staff $1000 to each of seven women’s refuges around the diocese. Catholic social agencies have This response from one refuge been helping women’s refuges, food- was typical: “Thank you for reaching banks, whanau in remote regions out to support our refuge with the and many others with a $25,000 spe- work we are doing in our community. cial Tindall Foundation grant aimed This will go a long way in helping at relieving some of the hardship the vulnerable whanau we work caused by the Covid-19 pandemic with. Without the generosity and lockdown. kindness of people such as your- Siobhan Dilly, executive officer selves, our struggle to continue to of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops help our women, children and their Conference, said Catholic agencies whanau would be an even greater have been distributing the extra one.” Tindall funds through organisations Other recipients of the special that work directly with families bad- grant included Dunedin St Vincent ly affected by the pandemic. de Paul (foodbank top-ups, $800); In Auckland diocese, for exam- Invercargill St Mary’s parish (gro- ple, the Catholic Caring Foundation cery vouchers for refugees, $800); put $10,050 of the Tindall grant Catholic Social Services Christchurch towards $12,000 in total for 600 (phone and video family counselling families in isolated rural districts. during the lockdown, $3500); and Many of their elderly members were five Wellington archdiocese com- unable to make a very long journey munities and organisations in the during the lockdown to buy afford- Hutt Valley, Wellington and West- able food in a distant town. port ($740 each, for uses as varied “A community group of 12 as mobile phone top-ups and help churches, six marae, a local school with food). and local health officials were able “The bishops and Catholic com- to identify 600 residents in need munity are immensely grateful for of food assistance,” Ms Dilly said. the additional $25,000 donated “They determined an action plan by the Tindall Foundation to sup- for getting food to the community port these families impacted by when local food bank suppliers were Covid-19,” said Ms Dilly. unable to operate.” The special grant was on top Common Good Foundation in of the substantial annual Tindall Hamilton diocese added $3575 to Foundation grants to Catholic social $3425 of the Tindall grant to give agencies through the NZCBC. Volunteers loading up food parcels for delivery. Te Kupenga Catholic Theological College seeks Dean by NZ CATHOLIC staff herd College in Auckland and The for Catholic Bioethics. Dr Metuamate. Catholic Insitute of Aotearoa New Te Kupenga chief executive Dr “The dean will be the academ- The newly formed Te Kupenga Zealand (TCI). Areti Metuamate said the new dean ic face and voice for the Catholic Catholic Theological College is seek- The college itself is part of would build on past work to ensure Theological College and will need ing a highly qualified Dean to be its the new umbrella organisation there was an integrated, academ- a high level of personal credibility Auckland-based academic face and Te Kupenga-Catholic Leadership ically sound and high-performing and academic reputation.” voice. Institute, also formed on January community of scholars. Interested applicants can look at Te Kupenga is casting its net 1. Te Kupenga (The Net) has three “This academic community will the position description and find locally and internationally for the operating units — Te Kupenga be central to achieving the bishops’ contact details for Dr Metuamate dean, who will lead the college, es- Catholic Theological College (for vision for skilled and collaborative at this link: tablished on January 1 by a merger tertiary courses and qualifications), education, leadership, ministry, www.ca tholic.org.nz/assets/ between the two Catholic tertiary the National Centre for Religious witness and voice in and from the Uploads/Dean-CTC-role-descrip- education providers — Good Shep- Studies, and the Nathaniel Centre New Zealand Catholic Church,” said tion-01062020.pdf NZ Catholic: June 14 - 27, 2020 International 11 Controversy as Trump visits St John Paul II shrine by DENNIS SADOWSKI

WASHINGTON, DC (CNS) — US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump visited the St John Paul II National Shrine in Washington on June 2, before he signed an executive order back at the White House to expand US support for international religious freedom efforts. The crosstown trip was excoriated by several Catholic leaders, including Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Washington, who said he found it “baf- fling and reprehensible that any Catholic facility would allow itself to be so egregiously misused and manipulated in a fashion that violates our religious principles” by allowing the visit. The Trumps’ visit to the shrine in Northeast Washington came on the 41st anniversary of the start of St John Paul II’s pilgrimage to his native Poland, the first trip by the pope during which he repeatedly addressed religious and political freedom. The White House said the president offered no remarks during the visit. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accompanied the Trumps during the brief stay at the shrine. Over 100 people, including children and their parents, had gathered near the shrine and began chanting slogans calling for justice for George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis May 25. Archbishop Gregory said Catholic teaching calls US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump pose outside the St John Paul II National Shrine in Washington the faithful to “defend the rights of all people, even on June 2, the 41st anniversary of the beginning of the pope’s 1979 historic visit to Poland. (CNS photos) those with whom we might disagree”. The evening before the shrine visit, Trump shrine visit. McGuire called on the US Catholic bishops to walked from the White House to St John Episcopal Bishop John Stowe of Lexington, Kentucky, stand “shoulder to shoulder at this shrine and tell Church, which was set afire during protests on May tweeted early on June 2 that he hoped during the him in no uncertain terms that this promotion of 31 that called for the nation to address racism and visit “someone proclaims today’s Gospel (Mark religion for political purposes is wrong”. police violence. 12:13-17) where Herodians and Pharisees are called Sister Simone Campbell, a Sister of Social Ser- Authorities fired flash-bang shells, gas and rub- out for their hypocrisy”. vice, who is executive director of the Catholic so- ber bullets to disperse a crowd that had gathered A spokeswoman for the US Conference of Cath- cial justice lobbying group Network, accused the in Lafayette Square across from the White House olic Bishops said the bishops would not comment president of having “no clue about the teaching of so Trump could walk to the church, where he held on the event because it “was not ours”. Pope John Paul II or of our Catholic faith”. up a Bible as photographers captured the scene. (Some Catholic commentators criticised Arch- “His refusal to acknowledge the racism and The crowd was present in the park to protest the bishop Gregory. For instance, Catholic Culture’s police violence that started this and has been rife death of Floyd and other African American people Phil Lawler wrote that he found it “baffling and in our nation, that he exacerbates shows he has no at the hands of police. reprehensible” that Archbishop Gregory criticised evidence of insight or remorse,” Sister Campbell Archbishop Gregory, in his June 2 statement, Trump’s actions when he (the archbishop) had said. questioned the decision to disperse the protesters previously allowed US Speaker Nancy Pelosi to The Trumps’ stay at the shrine lasted about 20 in such a manner. speak at Washington’s cathedral – giving a eulogy minutes. At one point the couple exited the shrine “St John Paul II was an ardent defender of the at a funeral - when Ms Pelosi’s well-known defence and posed for pictures next to a statue of St John rights and dignity of human beings. His legacy of abortion “unquestionably violates our religious Paul II bedecked with a wreath of red and white bears vivid witness to that truth. He certainly principles”.) flowers and a red, white and blue ribbon. would not condone the use of tear gas and other Returning to the White House, Trump signed They turned to stand in front of the statue for deterrents to silence, scatter or intimidate them for an executive order during the noon hour that the a minute, and faced photographers again before a photo opportunity in front of a place of worship White House described as prioritising US support returning indoors. and peace.” for religious freedom worldwide. The shrine issued a statement about the visit The order calls for the US to allocate at least less than two hours after the president and first US$50 million annually for international religious lady left. It said White House officials originally freedom programmes. It also would widen eco- scheduled the visit “as an event for the president nomic incentives to support countries that expand to sign an executive order related to global reli- religious practice, and address attempts to restrict gious freedom”. religious practice. In addition, the order would “This was fitting given St John Paul II was a align foreign assistance “to better reflect country tireless advocate of religious liberty throughout circumstances”, restrict issuing visas and imple- his pontificate,” the statement said. “International ment sanctions under the 2012 Sergei Magnitsky religious freedom receives widespread bipartisan Rule of Law Accountability Act, which targets hu- support, including unanimous passage of legis- man rights abuses and global corruption. lation in defence of persecuted Christians and The law is named for Magnitsky, a Russian religious minorities around the world. lawyer, who died in 2009 after being arrested and “The shrine welcomes all people to come and tortured in custody by officers of the Russian pray and learn about the legacy of St John Paul Ministry of the Interior. II,” it added. A final provision of the order would mandate At least one other bishop was critical of the more federal employees who work abroad to un- dergo international religious freedom training. Several observers questioned the president’s commitment to constitutionally protected free- doms given his efforts to limit the rights of refu- gees seeking asylum, and past policies seeking to separate immigrant children from their parents. Trump said on June 1 he supports the rights of nonviolent protesters seeking justice for Floyd, Honouring but that it is necessary to quell rioters who have looted businesses and set buildings and vehicles Life afire during clashes with authorities that have resulted in millions of dollars in damage and left dozens of people injured. Gavin Murphy Patricia McGuire, president of Trinity Washing- General Manager ton University, a short distance from the shrine, charged that Trump was misappropriating reli- gious symbols for political gain rather than broadly Lower Hutt | Upper Hutt | Porirua supporting religious freedom. “He’s torn down the wall between church and state . . . and instead (is) weaponising religion (04) 566 3103 President Donald Trump holds a Bible as he stands in front for his own political goals,” she told the Catholic www.geeandhickton.co.nz of St John’s Episcopal Church in Washington on June 1. News Service. 12 International NZ Catholic: June 14 - 27, 2020 Pope prays for US, calls racism a pro-life issue

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Observing with great concern the social unrest unfolding in the United States, Pope Francis said no one can claim to de- fend the sanctity of every human life while turning a blind eye to racism and exclusion. Addressing all “dear brothers and sisters in the United States” during his livestreamed general audience on June 3, the Pope said, “Today I join the church in St Paul and Minneapolis, and in the entire United States, in praying for the repose of the soul of George Floyd, and of all those others who have lost their lives as a result of the sin of racism.” “Let us pray for the consolation of their griev- ing families and friends, and let us implore the national reconciliation and peace for which we yearn,” he said in Italian. The Pope said he has “witnessed with great concern the disturbing social unrest in your nation in these past days, following the tragic death of Mr George Floyd”, a 46-year-old man, whose last moments of life were recorded on a widely-dis- seminated video, showing a white police officer in Minneapolis pushing down on his neck with his knee on May 25. Floyd was later pronounced dead. “My friends, we cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form, and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life. At the same time, we have to recognise that ‘the violence of recent nights is self-destructive Pope Francis speaks during his weekly general audience in the library of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican on June and self-defeating. Nothing is gained by violence 3. (CNS Photo) and so much is lost’,” he said, quoting Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the US church and people of the United States in this Hundreds of thousands of people turned out Conference of Catholic Bishops. moment of unrest in our country.” nationwide to protest Floyd’s death, and many The Pope prayed for the intercession of Our Archbishop Gomez wrote that the Pope of the country’s Catholic bishops joined the calls Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of America, to assist “thanked the bishops for the pastoral tone of the for justice. “all those who work for peace and justice in your church’s response to the demonstrations across Four officers from the Minneapolis Police De- land and throughout the world. May God bless all the country in our statements and actions since partment were fired on May 26, including Derek of you and your families”. the death” of Floyd. Chauvin, with whom Floyd pleaded “Please, I In a June 3 letter to his fellow bishops, Arch- The Pope also said he was praying for Archbish- can’t breathe” as he held him down. Chauvin is bishop Gomez told them Pope Francis had called op Bernard Hebda and the church of St Paul and facing second-degree murder and second-degree him “to express his prayers and closeness to the Minneapolis, Archbishop Gomez wrote. manslaughter charges. US bishops ‘sickened’ by George Floyd’s death WASHINGTON (CNS) —­ The US a real and present danger that must pointed to their “Open Wide Our of the soul of Floyd “and all others Catholic bishops said on May 29 be met head-on.” Hearts” pastoral against racism who have lost their lives in a similar they “are broken-hearted, sickened “As members of the Church, we approved by the body of bishops in manner”. and outraged to watch another video must stand for the more difficult 2018. In it, they said: “For people of In anticipation of the feast of of an African-American man being right and just actions instead of the colour some interactions with police Pentecost, May 31, they called on all killed before our very eyes”. easy wrongs of indifference,” they can be fraught with fear and even Catholics “to pray and work toward “What’s more astounding is that said. “We cannot turn a blind eye danger. People of good conscience a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit” this is happening within mere weeks to these atrocities and yet still try must never turn a blind eye when and pray to “to rid ourselves of the of several other such occurrences. to profess to respect every human citizens are being deprived of their harm that bias and prejudice cause”. This is the latest wake-up call that life. We serve a God of love, mercy human dignity and even their lives.” “We call upon Catholics to pray needs to be answered by each of and justice.” In their May 29 statement, the to the Holy Spirit for the spirit of us in a spirit of determined con- “Indifference is not an option,” committee chairmen called for an truth to touch the hearts of all in version,” they said in a statement they emphasized and stated “un- end to the violence taking place in the United States, and to come down about the May 25 death of George equivocally” that “racism is a life the wake of the tragedy in Minne- upon our criminal justice and law Floyd while in police custody in issue”. apolis but also said they “stand in enforcement systems,” the bishops Minneapolis. The statement was issued by passionate support of communities said. They urged every Catholic, “Racism is not a thing of the the chairmen of seven committees that are understandably outraged”. regardless of ethnicity, to “beg God past or simply a throwaway politi- of the US Conference of Catholic They joined with Archbishop to heal our deeply broken view of cal issue to be bandied about when Bishops. Bernard Hebda of St Paul and Min- each other, as well as our deeply convenient,” the bishops said. “It is The bishops in their statement neapolis in praying for the repose broken society”. Pope issues new Vatican contract laws to prevent fraud VATICAN CITY (CNS) — To pre- isters to promote the aims proper environmental sphere”, the text said. ue — of serious economic difficul- vent fraud and corruption, uphold to the Church, guaranteeing at the The Vatican will draw up a list of ties for the entire world, but also Catholic principles and save money, same time equal treatment and op- experts from various offices and de- specifically for the Holy See and Pope Francis has issued a new set portunity” for outside companies partments who will serve on rotating Vatican City,” Giuseppe Pignatone, of laws covering contracts for the when their services are required, the juries to evaluate bids on individual president of the Vatican City State purchase of goods, property and Pope wrote. projects; Vatican employees will be tribunal, wrote in a commentary for services for both the Roman Curia In more than 30 pages of pro- excluded from a jury if they are relat- Vatican News. and Vatican City State offices. cedures and norms for purchasing ed by blood or marriage to a person Pignatone and the other judges on “To allow a more effective man- property, goods and services, the making the bid. the tribunal will be responsible for agement of resources, I therefore new laws specify that ethics and The norms specify the exclusion enforcing the new laws, suspending decided to approve a set of norms Catholic social teaching must be part in the presence of “four degrees” of suspicious contracts and resolving aimed at promoting transparency, of determining what to purchase and blood relationship or two degrees of any conflicts between parties in- supervision and competition in the from whom. “affinity”. The new laws promulgated volved in making the contracts. procedures for rewarding public Contracts will not be awarded to by Pope Francis aim to save money Vincenzo Buonomo, rector of contracts,” Pope Francis wrote in a any company or individual who has by establishing central purchasing Rome’s Pontifical Lateran University document published June 1 and is- been charged with or convicted of offices at the Governate for Vatican and a legal consultant to the Vati- sued “motu proprio,” or on his own “participation in a criminal organi- City State and at the Administration can, told Vatican News the laws are authority. sation, corruption, fraud”, terrorism of the Patrimony of the Holy See for designed to help the Vatican “avoid Promoting true competition and or funding terrorist organisations, offices of the Roman Curia. contracts and transactions that are transparency in asking for and ac- money laundering, tax evasion, “ex- “The theme of reducing expen- the antithesis of correct adminis- cepting bids on Vatican contracts ploitation of child labour” or human ditures is extremely relevant and tration” and will help “eliminate the “will allow for a better management trafficking, or having “committed se- important at this moment — which plague of waste, losses and prevent of the resources the Holy See admin- rious violations of obligations in the unfortunately is destined to contin- corruption in its various forms”. NZ Catholic: June 14 - 27, 2020 International 13 Australia’s bishops consider changes in governance

MUDGEE, Australia (CNS) — Aus- secret until about November, but it tralia’s bishops and religious are was leaked to the Internet on June 1. considering the recommendations A spokesman for the bishops for change in a 208-page review into said: “The version that has been the governance of the Church. published is not the final document. If implemented, they would see One of the reasons for the delay of administrative and financial control the report’s release was the need for of dioceses and parishes radically re- some corrections and clarifications. shaped and shared between the cler- That process has commenced and is gy and laypeople, and an increased likely to take several weeks. There is role for women. also a need to discern how and when In mid-May, the bishops consid- various recommendations might best ered the report, “The Light from the be considered, not least in light of the Southern Cross: Promoting Co-Re- upcoming assemblies of the Plenary sponsible Governance in the Catholic Council.” Church in Australia”, submitted by The Catholic News Service verified the Implementation Advisory Group’s the report with two of the authors, Governance Review Project Team. who said any changes would be mi- The bishops are continuing to mull nor tweaks. a response to 86 recommendations. The report recommended that People maintain social distancing as they attend Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney The report was initiated by the bishops would be required to have on May 15. (CNS Photo) Australian Catholic Bishops’ Confer- a college of consultors that would ence in May 2019 in response to a include laymen as well as laywomen. lecting bishops transparent. The report and the Plenary Coun- key recommendation of Australia’s They would be consulted on appoint- “The absence of public consulta- cil were bishops’ initiatives in re- landmark Royal Commission into ments and finances, and bishops tion, together with the opaqueness of sponse to recommendations of the Institutional Responses to Child would also be required to consult the selection process, leaves all, but royal commission, which released Sexual Abuse. with independent subject matter the select few consulted, in the dark, its report in December, 2017. Be- The governance report was writ- experts when appropriate. and calls into question its efficacy,” cause of the Covid-19 pandemic, the ten by 14 people, handpicked lay and Both dioceses and parishes would the report said of the current process. first session of the Plenary Council, clergy — men and women — from have to establish pastoral councils In mid-May, Archbishop Mark originally scheduled for later this Australia, as well as international and introduce more transparency, Coleridge of Brisbane, ACBC presi- year, has been delayed until October, experts. Msgr Brendan Daly from including the regular auditing of fi- dent, congratulated the governance 2021. New Zealand was a member of the nances and child safeguards. review project team for “producing Laypeople will be allowed to vote project team. People familiar with the The report recommended that such a substantial piece of work, in the council, and its decisions could process who declined to be identified the bishops’ conference would be with far-reaching implications for the be binding on the nation’s Catholics, said the report was to have been kept required to make the process of se- Church’s life and mission”. once ratified by the Vatican.

Vatican arrests Italian broker Pope leads involved in London property deal rosary in Vatican VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Vatican well-known events connected with authorities arrested and took into the sale of the London property Gardens to pray custody an Italian broker who was on Sloane Avenue, which involved involved in the Vatican Secretariat a network of companies in which of State’s majority stake purchase some officials of the Secretariat for pandemic end of a property in London’s Chelsea of State were present”, the Vatican VATICAN CITY (CNS) — With district. said. a religious sister who survived In a statement released on June Torzi faces charges of extortion, Covid-19 and a woman who lost 5, the Vatican said Gian Piero Mila- embezzlement, aggravated fraud her mother to the coronavirus, no, Vatican chief prosecutor, and and money laundering. If found Pope Francis led the recitation his deputy, Alessandro Diddi, au- guilty, he faces up to 12 years in of rosary, and asked Mary to thorised the arrest of the broker, prison. intercede to save the world from Gianluigi Torzi, after he was inter- The arrest is the latest chapter the pandemic. More than 100 rogated at the Vatican prosecutor’s in the saga related to the London people joined Pope Francis on office. property, which first came to light May 30 for the early evening He was being held in a cell in the in early October when Vatican police prayer in the Vatican Gardens Vatican police barracks, the state- conducted a raid on offices in the at a replica of the grotto at ment said. Secretariat of State and the Vatican Lourdes, France. More than 50 The arrest was “in relation to the financial oversight office. Marian shrines around the world, including Lourdes and the Basilica of the National China makes preaching patriotism Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, compulsory for reopening churches were connected by satellite. BEIJING (CNS) — Catholics are Jacob Chung, a Wenzhou parish- upset about a directive from Chi- ioner, said the government’s move na’s communist government asking “has seriously interfered in the in- priests to “preach on patriotism” as ternal affairs of religion”. a condition for reopening liturgical A Church observer in China, who services, suspended earlier this year sought anonymity, said the govern- because of the Covid-19 pandemic. ment was forcing religious leaders Ucanews.com reported the Cath- to add patriotism and Sinicisation olic Patriotic Association and the as part of religious teaching. Chinese Catholic educational ad- Amid the ongoing trade war with ministration committee of Zhejiang other countries and an economic province jointly issued a notice on slowdown at home, the Chinese May 29 on the resumption of litur- Communist Party “is afraid of a gical activities. counterrevolution. So they want peo- “Religious places that meet the ple to hold on to patriotism,” he said. conditions of epidemic prevention He said the communists want for beautiful funerals will resume services from June 2,” to “suppress and transform” the it said, while adding the patriotism Church to sing the communist tune, requirement. lest Christians criticise the regime. Father Liu of Hebei told ucanews. Relig ious activities have been com it would be good to resume gradually resuming since June 2 in church activities, but the require- Sichuan province, Shaanxi province ment on patriotism “is wrong. As and Shanghai after the Joint Confer- members of the universal Catholic ence of National Religious Organisa- Church, we cannot accept and glorify tions held a video conference on May what communists consider patriotic 30 about plans to reopen religious Contact us anytime:09 415 8720 www.dils.co.nz education”. places. 14 Features NZ Catholic: June 14 - 27, 2020 Uncertainty about future as Bethlehem reopens

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (CNS) — industry producing religious articles Bethlehem residents returned to the have been heavily affected. We are Church of the Nativity as the holy site trying to develop a plan,” he said. opened to visitors on May 26 after At the moment, even mail orders being closed since March because of for the various co-operatives and fair the Covid-19 pandemic. But amid the trade workshops are not an option, joy was a feeling of uncertainty about because international shipping is not their economic future, as pilgrims yet possible, he said. and tourists are not yet able to return. “The social impact of the econom- In the creche where Christians ic crisis on the Christian Palestinian venerate as the traditional site of community (will be serious.) The Jesus’ birth, local Syriac Catholic Christians will be heavily affected, tour guide Rizek Nazi was filming a as their income is mainly related to video on his cellphone with his two the tourism and service sector,” said sons, George, 10, and Aram, 9, to give Hazboun. pilgrims a virtual tour of the place Unemployment in all the Palestin- as it opened, and to entice them to ian areas has doubled from the 22 plan a visit once international travel per cent pre-pandemic level, he said. reopens. Saliba Bandak, who is Greek Or- The sole breadwinner for his thodox, sat idly chatting with two family, Nazi has not worked since friends, currently unemployed as March 7. tour guides. His souvenir shop nor- “I want people to keep the idea of mally supports his family of seven, Palestinian Saliba Bandak poses in his St Catherine Souvenirs shop in Bethlehem, West coming on pilgrimage to Bethlehem which includes his parents and sib- Bank, on May 26, the day it reopened after being closed during the Covid-19 pandemic. in the back of their minds for when lings. (CNS photos) they can travel,” he said. “Without tourists, we have noth- In his videos, he emphasised the ing,” Bandak said. “Since the begin- been able to provide 150 families In Bethlehem, Fr Emad Kamal of safety and health precautions being ning of March, we have not had any with vouchers for groceries, but St Catherine Parish welcomed parish- taken in Bethlehem. income. But we are Palestinian and now many more families than before ioners filling the pews on May 26 to “As Palestinians, we know to al- we keep God as our hope.” need help to meet their basic needs, recite the rosary and then celebrate ways try to keep some savings for the Fr Rami Asakrieh of St Catherine Fr Asakrieh said. The usual partner the first communal Mass since March. dark days, but now all that is gone,” Parish said almost 450 families from organisations that help them are also “I feel so happy today. When the he added. his parish depend solely on the feeling the crunch because their own church was closed we prayed on the Samir Hazboun, chairman of the tourism sector for their income, and donors are unable to contribute more, phone, but it is a different feeling to Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce, the parish council has been trying to he said, so they are hoping individ- pray together,” said Eliana Alaly, who noted that unemployment was 95 per organise special help for them. uals who visit the Bethlehem parish came to church with her three chil- cent in the tourism sector of what He said Israel, which is also slow- website will consider donating. dren, carrying a packet of disposable he called the “Christian triangle” of ly opening up its economy, has not In Jerusalem on May 25, sections masks and wearing latex gloves. She Bethlehem, Beit Jala and Beit Sahour. yet given entry permission to all the of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was one of the few people who wore “The Christian triangle . . . de- Palestinians who worked in the con- were opened to visitors, who are re- a mask. “We are still a bit afraid.” pends on tourism and handicrafts struction industry to return to work quired to wear masks and use hand Before going to Mass at St Cather- related to tourism. Whenever we look in Israel. sanitiser before they enter. Though ine’s, Naheeda Thaljieh lit a candle in at tourism (now) around the world, “People who had money have gone the Israeli government allowed busi- the adjacent Church of the Nativity. we can see how difficult it is,” he through their savings and now need nesses and stores to reopen, souvenir “When I entered the church, I just said. Though the spring and summer to pay their outstanding cheques and shop owners in the Old City who de- cried and cried and cried,” she said. months are generally low season for loans,” he said. pend on tourism have been left with Her family depends on the income the area, residents are still unsure While the Israeli government has no form of income. The Knights of the from a small grocery store but there when and how many visitors will re- been able to provide grants to its Holy Sepulchre launched a support have been few customers, she said. turn in the ensuing season, he added. residents, the Palestinian government fund for needy Christian families and “After 80-plus days, I entered the “All the hotels and restaurants are has not been able to do so, he added. Latin Patriarchate schools in Palestine church and I lit candles for all the closed, bus drivers are out of work, Through the Pontifical Mission, and Jordan who have been affected people, and that all the people who people working in the handicraft the St Catherine parish council has by the coronavirus pandemic. are sick in the world will get well.” Home Mass ith the restrictions placed on on at every hour of every day some- to talk about our faith with others, religious gatherings in level 2, where in the world. It has always been and actively witness to the role that Wwe rediscovered the joy and a great source of comfort to me that, Jesus has in our lives. When people beauty of the “home Mass”. With my no matter where in the world you go, ask— what you did in the weekend? family and my parents, we numbered the format of the Mass is the same. — do you include “I went to Mass” in 8, and with the priest it was 9. I have Even if you don’t understand the the list you provide? Even that simple been to home Masses over the years, language, you will understand what statement is a witness for your faith. Family but I can’t remember for certain when is going on and what part of the Mass Taking children to Mass can be the last one was. To have our parish you are up to! challenging. We found the home Mass priest come to my parents’ house There is something very special to be a positive and reinvigorating Matters and celebrate this beautiful liturgy about opening up your home to the way of bringing the children back in with and for us was such a profound Blessed Sacrament and allowing the touch with Jesus. In normal times, our and beautiful testament of faith. The miracle of transubstantiation into parish priests are pretty busy, they Helen children participated by doing the your very home. I think it helped us have many other duties other than the Luxford readings and writing prayers of the to re-confirm our Catholic identity. Mass, so we don’t want to overwork faithful. We have been watching Mass Sometimes it’s easy to lose that in the them. However, for us, I think having online, but it was hard to keep every- myriad of roles we have — mother, more home Masses going forward will one quiet and focused on the “on- daughter, worker, employer and so be a special way of witnessing to our screen” Mass. We found home Mass, on. We have had our houses blessed faith as a family. on the contrary, to be a profoundly pi- and our marriage vows renewed. The Talk with your family and your par- ous experience. It was a small group, sacraments and Masses always un- ish priest and see if you can arrange so behaviour was at its best and it was derpin important moments in our life a home Mass. Spend time reflecting all unfolding a few metres in front of — marriage, baptism, confirmation, upon and embracing the beauty of the us, so was a very personal experience. funerals. That is our Catholic life. Mass. In its simplicity, it is so pro- Mass, certainly Sunday Mass, is To bring the two together at home is found. really front and central in our faith. something very special indeed. Luke 22:19; “Then he took a piece Jesus himself gave us the sacrament At the end of Mass, we are sent out of bread, gave thanks to God, broke of the Eucharist and asked us to do to the world in peace to spread the it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is this in memory of him. Eucharist is Good News. These times in between my body, which is given for you. Do the sacrament that we receive most Masses are our times to evangelise this in memory of me’.” often in our lives. and witness to the Good News. This Helen Luxford is a physician, working part- Our parish has three Masses on serves as a weekly reminder and time. She is a parishioner of St Michael’s, Sundays and one as a Saturday vig- encouragement to continue to walk in Remuera. Together with her husband il, as well as daily weekday Masses. faith. Sometimes this is really a mat- Michael, they are raising their children in Indeed, given the global nature of our ter of putting one foot in front of the the Catholic Faith and reflecting on the Catholic Church, there is a Mass going other. At other times, it seems easier challenges and joys that brings. NZ Catholic: June 14 - 27, 2020 Features 15 Arthouses lead pandemic recovery CLIPS by NEVIL GIBSON The Assistant (Rialto Distribution) A handful of arthouse dis- If Bombshell over-glamourised what women face for highly-paid tributors and exhibitors kept jobs in television, then this is the grimmer world at the bottom the lights on at cinemas during of the ladder in low-budget film-making. The title role, played Covid-19 alert level 2. Those by Julia Garner (Ozark), is first into the office to clean up, make seeking more mainstream fare the coffee and perform other menial tasks. Her day doesn’t had to settle for the streamed or improve as her more senior and typically male colleagues hand broadcast alternative at home, on angry calls from the boss’s wife. The boss himself is unseen or the surprise appearance of but wields all power, including whether they stay employed or drive-in pop-ups. find themselves with a new “assistant” hired on his whim. The The few new movie releases day ends with an unsuccessful attempt to lay a complaint in a lacked the appeal of top-line system that is loaded against all of the workers. Writer-director productions from Netflix or the Kitty Green’s approach is forensic in style and mood, reflecting television channels. her background in documentaries (Casting JonBenet). Garner Of the cinemas to open first, throughout maintains a demeanour that is redolent with sup- Auckland’s The Vic boasted pressed anger and bitter resignation, underlining the point to 25 films over a week, closely Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones in The Aeronauts (2019) maximum effect. Rating: Mature audiences. 87 minutes followed by Matakana’s 20. Elsewhere, Light House Petone had 21, while Lumiére in Christ- Love Sarah church had 16. Movie Review (Rialto Distribution) The loyalty of their special- The popularity of TV show s that combine cooking with desirable ist audiences enabled them Two Amazon originals I The Aeronauts is a much locations has spilled over onto the big screen, thanks to Steve to survive Hollywood’s global caught up with were The Aero- more laidback version of an Coogan and Rob Brydon. Celia Imrie can also take some credit lockdown on major commercial nauts, part of last year’s British actual event: a record-breaking with her feel-good roles in the Exotic Marigold Hotel series, and features. Film Festival, and The Report, balloon flight in 1862 by mete- others such as Finding Your Feet and the Mamma Mia! sequel. After dazzling its subscrib- based on a US Senate commit- orologist James Glaisher (Eddie She is the backer of an Ottolenghi-style cake and pastries shop ers with mini-series such as tee investigation of the CIA’s Redmayne) and his pilot, Henry in London’s Kensington that may be a luxurious distraction Ryan Murphy’s Hollywood (re- use of torture against Al Qaeda Coxwell. In a bow to today’s from a global pandemic for viewers, but whose business case viewed in the previous column) suspects. fashion of rewriting history in is more of a challenge. Apart from adapting to the tastes of and The Eddy, about a Paris In the latter, Adam Driver the light of identity politics, a multinational clientele, the plot’s ingredients include some jazz club, Netflix appeared to plays an ambitious political Coxwell has been replaced by a romantic entanglements, as matriarch Imrie calls on her past run short of compelling new staffer who leads a team search- fictional daredevil show-wom- training as a chef before making her fortune in finance. Rating: material. ing through mountains of CIA an (Felicity Jones), who saves Mature audiences. 98 minutes. So I subscribed to its major documents for the commit- their flight from disaster when rival, Amazon Prime Video, to tee’s formidable chairwoman, a storm hits the balloon. sample its original movies. Like Dianne Feinstein (Annette Be- This undoubtedly improves Monos Netflix, Amazon has a large ning), during the Obama ad- the entertainment value, as (Madman) catalogue of Hollywood and in- ministration. The labyrinthine Jones also did when she teamed There’s no escapism from pandemics or other world problems ternational movies that are free machinations of the American with Redmayne as Stephen in this story of teenage rebel soldiers set in remote South Amer- to subscribers. Amazon also has government are well displayed, Hawking’s wife in The Theory ican highlands and river jungles. While no country is named, pay-to-view releases. helped by Amazon’s on-screen of Everything (2014). the obvious candidate is Colombia, home of director Alejandro Amazon Studios has been background details. Among the credits, director Landes. The immediate focus is on half a dozen or so characters more generous than Netflix in This is fertile territory for Tom Harper has form with last and their female American hostage, but the scale expands to giving its output big screen writer-director Scott Z. Burns, year’s country-music-themed themes that echo The Beasts of No Nation, set in Africa, and the exposure. Manchester by the who unscrambled offshore fi- Wild Rose, while screenwriter better-known Lord of the Flies. These young “monos” (monkeys) Sea, Paterson, Anna, Beautiful nancial scams in The Laundro- Jack Thorne is the brains behind are well armed and highly disciplined by their commander, Boy, Don’t Worry, He Won’t Go mat and explained pandemics The Eddy. This features Oscar who encourages them to betray each other in Orwellian-style Far on Foot, The Goldfinch, You in Contagion, both for Steven winner Damien Lazelle (La La mind games. However, they also lack self-control when left to Were Never Really Here, Sus- Soderbergh. Land, Whiplash) as director of themselves, resulting in random acts of violence to others and piria, Peterloo, Cold War, Late The full torture report, run- the first two of eight episodes themselves. Landes adds several surrealist touches to his grim Night, Britanny Runs a Mara- ning to some 7000 pages and and top performers such as tale, which is already rated as a favourite among those who thon, Seberg and Les Misérables taking three years to complete, André Holland (Moonlight), demand cinema at the extreme end of the spectrum. Rating: all had cinema releases in New remains unreleased after the Joanna Kulig (Cold War) and Restricted to audiences above 13. 102 minutes. Zealand. One due for release is CIA challenged much of its de- Amandla Stenberg (The Hat U Radioactive, about Marie Curie. tail and conclusions. Give). A fine beginning to a series on reclaiming Catholic history THE EARLY CHURCH (33-313): St. Peter, the diate successors, he centres his narrative on specif- Apostles and Martyrs by James L. Papandrea. Ave ic individuals, allowing for engrossing narratives Maria Press (Notre Dame, Indiana, 2019). 125 pp., with which the reader can personally relate. Book Review US$16.95. Available on Amazon. Reviewed by EUGENE St Stephen and Pope Clement of Rome are FISHER. (CNS) featured in the first chapter. In each chapter, Pa- he or she is a god or goddess). The Early Church is the first in a series of books pandrea asks questions of the reader under the Chapter 2 presents Ignatius of Antioch and Poly- on “Reclaiming Catholic History”. The seven books rubric “you be the judge”. In Chapter 1, the first carp of Smyrna, asking readers whether “all” sin in the series will recreate for general readers question is “Were Christian holidays originally pa- is equal in the eyes of God. (Again, no). The book the experiences and development of the Church gan holidays?” The answer, of course, is no. They then narrates the era of the apologists, centring on through the periods of the Roman Empire, the Dark were originally Jewish holy days, reflecting the Justin Martyr and the martyrs of Lyons and Vienne and Middle Ages, the Reforma- continuity between the Hebrew in France, and the veneration of Christian martyrs tion, the Enlightenment and into Scriptures and the New Testa- and saints who serve as models for believers to modern times. ment, and between Judaism and this day. Papandrea is careful, as an historian, to Judging from the quality and its younger sibling, Christianity. distinguish between what we know about their readability of this initial effort, He also narrates the develop- lives and deaths, and the myths and stories that the series should prove to be a ment of the Catholic doctrine that developed around them. Here, he asks readers to great help to Catholics interested Jesus was/is both fully human judge whether the Christian faith was “ruined” by in understanding the develop- and fully divine, pointing out the being told in terms drawn from Greek philosophy ment of Church doctrine, theol- people who believed Jesus was (no) and whether when we die only our souls go to ogy, philosophy and responses one or the other, but not both, and heaven (no, like the risen Jesus we will be saved to changes in society throughout the early theologians who worked for all eternity, body and soul). the centuries. to clarify the central doctrine of The concluding chapters, written in the same James Papandrea, a historian the Church, the Incarnation. The format, take up the eras of the theologians, the and biblical scholar, dispels com- Incarnation, I might add, is the development of the sacraments as we know them, mon myths and misconceptions one that distinguished the early and the era of Roman persecution of Christian about the history of the Church Christian community from the and Christian “tribulation”, dispelling myths, for over its first three centuries, Jewish community, since many example, about the real use by Christians of the replacing them with an objective Jews felt (and still do) that this catacombs under Rome. His final note, of course, understanding of the challenges doctrine blends the necessary is titled “Just the Beginning”. And it is. Catholic faced by the Jesus movement as it distinction between humanity readers will look forward to reading the rest of evolved into the Church we know and divinity, and might lead its this series after such a fine beginning. today. In each chapter, beginning believers into some form of idol- Eugene Fisher is a professor of theology at St Leo with the apostles and their imme- atry (worshipping a human as if University in Florida. 16 Features NZ Catholic: June 14 - 27, 2020

THE CHURCH YEAR We are here:6 Corpus Christi Sunday Advent Christmas Ordinary Time Lent Eastertime Ordinary Time

What we celebrate as eucharistic people

June 14: Corpus Christi Sunday. Readings: 1. Deu- Scripture by Fr Kevin Waldie sm teronomy 8:2-3,14-16; Psalm: 147B; 2. 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; Gospel: John 6:51-58. Each of the readings for this feast helps us every day is an opportunity to be faithful, give focus on the mystery of God’s very special thanks, and honour the One who is the source presence with us as we face whatever life may of all goodness. ask of us. The second reading is a classic Pauline utter- The gift that is offered in this act, and then Deuteronomy takes us back to the well-re- ance. In the space of very few words, Paul zeroes received, welcomes the promise of eternal life. membered 40 years of wandering in the wilder- in on the blessedness of sharing the Lord’s Body What is expressed in an extraordinary way draws ness. The memory features Israel’s vulnerability and Blood. So, the ritual act of taking food and us into the mystery of the risen Christ, making as a people needing protection from all sorts drink in thanksgiving, just as the Lord has com- our participation in each and every eucharistic of life-threatening dangers. And in that period manded, is the one thing that gives superlative celebration a reminder that we are blessed with of their history, hunger is an ever-present real- witness to our special Christian character. the life that satisfies our daily needs. ity. So, when God feeds them, he immediately Jesus’ words from John’s Gospel are further This feast day is cause for great rejoicing. For reminds them of the special relationship they testimony to the intimate union that takes on belief in the Lord’s presence in the Bread of Life share. Thus, the link made between food and visible shape when people of faith eat the Bread rightly moves us to acknowledge and reflect on life as God’s own people clearly signals that of Life and drink the Lord’s Blood. what we celebrate as eucharistic people. Great things can be achieved for God Today’s readings offer us an insight into the Paul, speaking to the Romans, reminds the world of faith to which we belong. members of the Church that sin has been a per- June 21: 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time. Readings: 1. In first place, Jeremiah encourages every sistent phenomenon ever since human history Jeremiah 20:10-13; Psalm: 69; 2. Romans 5:12-15; person of faith to assume a bold and trusting began. But it is with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ Gospel: Matthew 10:26-33. attitude towards the varied and sometimes om- and the grace he freely bestows that all can set inous circumstances of life we all experience. about overcoming sin. Recognising divine grace Jeremiah, as a prophet often subjected to violent in abundance therefore helps the believer to commission. Therefore, with commitment and abuse and rejection, voices what could only be conquer the attraction of sin and to promote the solidarity in faith, each of us surely possesses described as complete faith in the Lord being good and well-being of our world. the necessary wherewithal to see our efforts there alongside him throughout his mission. For Listening in Matthew to Jesus’ encouraging succeed, and so achieve the goal in accord with it is with such confidence that he can willingly words spoken to his 12 disciples in anticipation the heavenly Father’s plan. face anything untoward ahead of him. A voice of their mission makes us consider the context In short, the core message of these biblical like this can but encourage us to turn to the Lord in which we strive to profess our faith. The re- texts is a fairly simple one. Great things can be when called upon to express our faith publicly peated exhortation “be not afraid” is a call to go achieved for God if we cooperate with grace and, and wholeheartedly. out into the world and confidently fulfil Jesus’ as a consequence, fearlessly profess the faith.

SAINTED GLASS Another casualty of Covid-19 JERUSALEM (Agencies) — Bible archaeology is an- other victim of the Covid-19 Bible News pandemic, reported The Jerusalem Post. Archaeologists in Israel wake of a decision by the term impact of a lost year of have said that ancient sites Prime Minister Benjamin archaeological excavation, have been ransacked by Netenyahu, many archae- he said, “things that wait- looters, who have taken ologists had to abandon ed for 3000 years can wait advantage of the minimal plans. They were unable another year”. surveillance at these places, to call upon the usual crop The Covid-19 related as Israel enforced social dis- of summer volunteers for restrictions have seen pop- tancing and related restric- archaeological work. ular archaeological parks tions early and severely. While disappointed, like Masada, Qmran and Tzi- The Jerusalem Post re- some archaeologists are pori close for some weeks. ported on May 17 that a Jew- taking a philosophical ap- These are visited by many ish watchdog organisation proach. thousands of tourists each called “Guardians of the Aren Maeir from Bar-Ilan year. As of mid-May, some Eternal” stated in mid-May University had to cancel 20 national parks in Israel that at least 100 archaeo- his summer excavations at were able to re-open, but logical sites in Judea and Gath, the possible home- limited pre-registration was Samaria were ransacked in town of the biblical Goliath. required, as were masks the previous two months. When asked about the long- and temperature checks. Among the places looted were the Hirbet Astunah site in the Shiloh Valley, Te Parsin in northern Samaria and the Mt Kabir Nature Reserve. The Palestinian Authori- ty also assumed control of Tel Aroma, an ancient Has- We celebrate the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immacu- monean fortress in north- late Heart of Mary on June 19 and 20. This pair of windows ern Samaria. The building from St Mary’s, Manly, Sydney is representative of several I of an access road has been have seen depicting the two together. The Sacred Heart of controversial, with claims Jesus is about God’s boundless and passionate love for hu- of damage done to portions mankind. The Immaculate Heart of Mary is about her interior of ancient walls and reser- life, her joys and sorrows, her virtues and hidden perfections voirs. and, above all, her virginal love for God the Father, her ma- As of now, most of the ternal love for her son Jesus, and her compassionate love for northern summer archae- all people. Thank God for these two hearts full of love for us. ological digs have already A man in Motza, Israel, holds a human-face figurine in July, 2019. The ­— Glen McCullough been cancelled. With flights discovery by Israeli archaeologists was part of findings uncovered at to Israel cancelled in the a 9000-year-old settlement near Jerusalem. (CNS photo) NZ Catholic: June 14 - 27, 2020 17 Local Diocese News Taking refuge in NZ before ordinations by MICHAEL OTTO

The coronavirus pandemic has seen two Kiwis preparing for priest- hood with the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter overseas return to New Zealand for a time. Deacon Roger Gilbride, FSSP, and Brendan Boyce, FSSP, arrived back in this country on the same day — April 2 ­— having travelled from England and the United States respectively. Deacon Gilbride had been on diaconal placement at a parish in Warrington in England and Mr Boyce had been studying at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Nebraska in the US. Both immediately went into iso- lation on arriving here — Deacon Gilbride at his parent’s home in Mur- ray’s Bay in Auckland and Mr Boyce at a hall next to St Anne’s Chapel in Te Atatu, also in Auckland. According to their website, The Priestly Fraternity of St Peter (FSSP) is a clerical Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right, canonically erected by Pope St John Paul II in 1988. Their priests serve in apostolates across the world, with the faithful celebra- tion of the traditional Mass in Latin and sacraments (Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite) at the centre of their charism. Deacon Gilbride was initially (Front, from left) Deacon Roger Gilbride, FSSP, Fr Antony Sumich, FSSP, and Brendan Boyce, FSSP, with altar servers. scheduled to be ordained to the priesthood in Sydney on June 20, but do the latter for a few weeks. that date has been shifted to August Mr Boyce has been continuing 8. Mr Boyce is also scheduled to be his seminary study work while in ordained deacon on the same day in New Zealand. Seminary authorities Sydney, but he said even the August encouraged seminarians where he date is “not looking terribly likely was studying to go home after the now”. pandemic situation worsened. When the nation moved to alert Mr Boyce said on May 30 that, level 3, Deacon Gilbride “shifted bub- when he left, he “still had three class- bles”, and joined Fr Antony Sumich, es to complete, an essay to write, an FSSP, and Mr Boyce at Te Atatu. exam to take home to do, and an exam While in New Zealand, both have to sit, so I still had a lot of work. I been busy continuing their prepa- only just finished that essay a few ration for their respective future days ago”. ministries. “I have been helping out Fr Sumich “I have been learning how to offer around the place. It has been busy the Mass, learning moral theology, enough, that’s for sure.” confession practice — just a lot of He started a month’s holiday practical things that a priest needs to on May 31 and planned to visit his know,” Deacon Gilbride said. parents in Cambridge, his brother, He admits to a feeling a tinge of Fr Gerard Boyce, in Whakatane, and Fr Sumich baptises Tyla Hockey, assisted by Deacon Gilbride (left) and Mr Boyce. disappointment that his ordination hoped to be able to see his sister in date was postponed. Christchurch. wait. We just do what we have to do.” He said preaching to a church “So on the one hand it is a bit “Then it is back up and do work for At a Mass (celebrated in the ex- with people in it — the day after the disappointing, but it is nice to have Fr Sumich and around the apostolate traordinary form) of the vigil of Government limit on people allowed a bit more time to prepare, because to help, and hope and pray that we Pentecost at St Anne’s Chapel on at gatherings was raised to 100 — you always kind of think — I need get across to Australia, or that some May 30, Fr Sumich noted that, 50 “makes it feel so much more like it more time to prepare, particularly other arrangement can be made for days ago when he celebrated Mass ought to be”. for moral theology.” us so that Roger can be ordained to for the Easter vigil, he stood in the Tyla Hockey, 15, whose baptism While he is in New Zealand, Dea- the priesthood and myself to the di- same place looking out at a camera had been scheduled for the Easter con Gibride is preaching “every sec- aconate,” he said. (livestreaming the liturgy), with no vigil but could not take place then, ond week” and has also been asked “We just put it in God’s hands one in the church apart from four received the sacraments of baptism, by Fr Sumich to take an adult convert because there is nothing wrong with servers — who were in his “bubble” confirmation and Communion at the for catechism classes. He expects to waiting. If he wants us to wait, we at the time. Mass on May 30. Far North integration agreement cancelled by NZ CATHOLIC staff which would together constitute its The review also noted that “Te “This is part of a long and man- designated character – providing Kura o Hata Maria is a small, rural, aged process to transition to a kura- The integration agreement for Māori immersion education and/or state-integrated Catholic school a-iwi,” Mr van Schie said. Te Kura o Hata Maria Pawarenga bilingual education and operating located in Pawarenga near the Whan- “It is a significant milestone for in the far North has been officially as a kura-a-iwi, localising its curricu- gape Harbour. The school has a roll the diocese and the community. A cancelled as the school has moved lum within the Te Uri o Tai sub-tribal of 24 students. Two classes provide ceremony will shortly be planned to to become a kura-a-iwi. group of Te Rarawa. the option of immersion te reo Māori mark this milestone. Last December, Education Minis- In an ERO report in 2018, it was or bilingual education”. “Thank you to the teachers, fam- ter Chris Hipkins published a notifi- noted that the Catholic Education Auckland diocese general manag- ilies, religious and priests who have cation in the Education Gazette that Office (Auckland diocese) “is sup- er James van Schie announced the worked so hard over many years Te Kura o Hata Maria (Pawarenga) porting the kura as it works to official cancellation of the kura’s to imbue the Catholic kaupapa of would be a designated character achieve a different special character integration agreement to diocesan this school. I am confident that the school. status. At the time of this review, staff last month. He wrote that the Catholic ethos will continue in the It would operate with the follow- consultation processes were un- cancellation was done “with sad- fibre of this school for a very long ing aims, purposes, and objectives derway”. ness”. time.” 18 Features NZ Catholic: June 14 - 27, 2020

Papal Prayer CAPTION CONTEST

The Pope’s universal prayer intention for June: The Way of the Heart. We pray that all those who suffer may find their way in life, allowing themselves to be touched by the Heart of Jesus.

40 YEARS AGO

SOCIAL WORK IN BAD SHAPE The work of Catholic Social Ser- deavours of the Catholic Church in vices in Auckland may be in danger the Auckland diocese with its re- of total collapse, says retiring dioc- sources and manpower,” Fr O’Brien esan director, Fr Joachim O’Brien, writes. OFM. His report compares the sum In a hard-hitting report to mark spent on social services with that the end of his eight-year term as head paid for Catholic education, and Write the best caption for this photo and win $30. Send in your ideas by Tuesday, of Catholic Social Services in the dio- notes that in 1978, the Auckland cese, Father O’Brien says that unless diocese spent $7,656,020 on wag- June 23 to Caption Contest 591, NZ Catholic, PO Box 147000, Ponsonby, Auckland urgent action is taken, the works of es alone, for more than 1000 paid 1144. Or email: [email protected] Please include your postal address so charity, already seriously depleted, primary and secondary teachers’ that your prize, if you win, can be sent to you. could be in danger of stopping alto- salaries. Government grants covered gether. nearly $4 million of that amount. He points out that Vatican II called By comparison, the diocese paid for Christian action “wherever there $7000 to the running costs of Catho- are people in need of food and drink, lic Social Services last year. Another WORDS TO PONDER clothing, housing, medicine, employ- $21,070 came from grants and dona- ment, education. tions, making a total of $28,070 for “Yet our diocese is cutting down the social needs of 220,000 people. more and more on the work of social “While not decrying Catholic ed- When we were children, we were grateful services,” his report says. ucation in any way and knowing the Fr O’Brien claims that in compari- historical background to our schools, to those who filled our stockings at Christmas son with the efforts of the Presbyteri- still the immense disproportion of re- “ an, Anglican and Methodist churches, sources being placed on our Catholic time. Why are we not grateful to God for filling those of the Catholic Church are schools in view of the Church’s call “pathetically weak”, and threaten to for charitable works is amazing,” Fr our stockings with legs?” ­ become weaker still. O’Brien reports. “I am often ashamed at the en- — Zealandia, June 15, 1980 — G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936). Kit’s Corner PRAYER is talking with God. You can pray out loud, like at church or school or with the family, or you can pray quietly inside all by yourself. You can say prayers you know, or you can use your own words, just like when you talk to your friend. WHERE TO PRAY? At home, at church, at school, in the shower, in the car, up a tree, in the playground, in bed, anywhere. God is everywhere: He will hear. WHEN TO PRAY? In the morning, afternoon or at night, at meal times (grace), when you are worried or scared, or when you are happy. God is there: He will hear. WHAT TO PRAY? You can say thank you for all the people and the good things in your life, the nice things you see and do every day that make you happy.

You can say sorry for the things you have done wrong — the things you feel bad NEALON TEXT: PATSY McCARTHY ART: SUZIE about. Tell God how you feel, because God really cares about you. You can say please for the things you need for yourself and other people. God likes to hear you ASK. It shows that you trust God. You do not have to use lots of words when you pray. God hears short prayers as well as long prayers. Sometimes you might like to just share your thoughts with God and ask him to give you some good ideas. Have a conversation with God in your mind. EXTRA PRAYERS: You can say a little prayer when you go past the church or the hospital, or when you see someone who looks lonely or sad or poor. When you hear an ambulance, fire engine or police car siren, you can say a little prayer for the people who are in danger. You can pray for your family, your priest, the teachers and children at your school, even your neighbours. You can say “Wow!” to God when you see or hear something awesome. Prayer is a good way of keeping in touch with God and God’s people and God’s world. It is a great way of spreading love around. NZ Catholic: June 14 - 27, 2020 Features 19 Meghan Markle’s surprise graduation speech

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Meghan leader during her senior year and felt it was just as much a tribute to Markle virtually returned to her alma she took part in the school’s theatre the school. mater, Immaculate Heart of Mary productions. “You are passing on what you High School in Los Angeles, for a sur- The school has been following were given — echoing the legacy prise graduation speech on June 3. Markle through her role in the we have,” Pollia said of her advice The six-minute address by the television drama Suits, her 2015 at the time. Duchess of Sussex focused on the address at the United Nations on Today, the school continues its current moment in the country amid International Women’s Day, and her active presence. The day before the protests against racial injustice fol- engagement and 2018 marriage to graduation, the school’s student lowing the May 25 death of George Prince Harry. body president, Cleo Riley, who Floyd. She said the graduating se- In her taped remarks to the started a local group “Students For niors of the all-girls school would school’s graduates, Markle said she Floyd”, led a march in Hollywood have to play a part in the country’s was “so proud to call each of you that drew about 1000 participants. rebuilding. fellow alumni, and I’m so eager to Riley told the local newspaper Los “I know sometimes people say, see what you’re going to do”. Feliz Ledger that she started the ac- ‘How many times do we need to She acknowledged this gradua- tivist group because she hadn’t seen rebuild?’” Markle said. “Well, you tion was likely not what they had any student-based organisations know what? We are going to rebuild imagined, but she also implored involved in the issue. The group and rebuild and rebuild until it is re- them to view it as more of a begin- also has helped clean up damage built. Because when the foundation ning than an end, and a chance to from protests, including graffiti, in is broken, so are we.” “activate” all the work, values and Los Angeles. Markle, who grew up in the Los skills they embodied at the school. Markle, who is biracial, apolo- Angeles area, recently moved back You are going to lead with love gised to the students that the world there with Prince Harry, the Duke of and compassion and “use your voice is not yet at a place “you deserve Sussex, and their son, Archie, when in a stronger way than you have ever it to be”, and she recalled her own the couple stepped back from their been able to”, she said, telling the experience as a 12-year-old when roles with the British royal family. graduates they also would “have Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, the 1992 riots took place in Los She graduated from Immaculate empathy for those who don’t see and graduate of Immaculate Heart High Angeles over the acquittal of four Heart of Mary in 1999. the world through the same lens School in Los Angeles, gives a virtual police officers in the Rodney King The school, founded in 1906 by that you do”. graduation speech to her alma mater. beating. the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart “I know you know that black lives (CNS Photo) She remembered the looting, of Mary, is located just a few miles matter,” she said, from their expe- fires and curfew and “pulling up to from the landmark Hollywood sign. rience “with as diverse, vibrant and her sophomore year before Markle the house and seeing the tree that Markle attended the school, open-minded as I know the teach- took part in a service project: “To had always been there, completely which includes a middle school, ings at Immaculate Heart are”. always put others’ needs above your charred”. from seventh through 12th grade. The famous alumna also men- own fears.” “Those memories don’t go away,” She was chosen as a Kairos retreat tioned what a teacher told her in “That has stuck with me through she added. my entire life and I have thought Then, and now, she said there about it more in the last week than have been signs of people coming ever before,” she said, crediting the together, something she said she advice, which she has previously knows these students will be a part Former Marist brother sentenced spoken of, to her high school theol- of. by NZ CATHOLIC staff Following a story in Hawkes Bay ogy teacher, Maria Pollia. At the start of her remarks, she Today, the Marist Brothers have re- When Markle contributed to the said she had been a little worried Former Marist brother Kevin portedly asked the Church’s Nation- book The Game Changers: Success about exactly what to say at this Healy was sentenced on June 5 in the al Office for Professional Standards Secrets From 40 Women at the Top: time, until she realised “the only Napier District Court to nine months to arrange an independent review How to Become a Fearless, Fabulous wrong thing to say is to say noth- home detention for sexually abusing of how the order dealt with com- Girl Boss, she also mentioned this ing”. three children. plaints by the woman, who was teacher’s advice. Her reason: “Because George In February, Healy pleaded guilty abused when she was a girl by Healy Pollia, who had been a Catholic Floyd’s life mattered, and Breonna to charges of indecency between a and by former brother Michael Beau- Worker volunteer in Los Angeles, Taylor’s life mattered, and Philando man and boys aged between 12 and mont. told Catholic News Service in 2017 Castile’s life mattered, and Tamir 13, and one of indecency with a girl The inquiry will also look at the the fact that Markle remembered Rice’s life mattered, and so did so aged under 12. circumstances surrounding a re- this conversation, and referred to many other people whose names we The offending happened between ported offer to the woman of an ex Pollia as a mentor which was hum- know and whose names we don’t 1976 and 1977 in the Wairarapa. gratia payment of $5000. bling and rewarding, but she also know.”

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Cardinal John Dew celebrates the opening Mass in Our Lady of Kāpiti church on the vigil of Pentecost. (Photos: Bernie Valesco, used with permission) New Our Lady of Kāpiti church and centre opened by GLEN McCULLOUGH hill overlooking Kāpiti. came up with a design that met our nificent — open, light-filled with low Both churches were earthquake needs, building work on the new windows on two sides. The sanctu- The new Our Lady of Kāpiti risks, and the decision was taken to church and parish centre began in ary floor is a work of art in itself, and church and parish centre was bless- build a new church and school on 2019. The funds to build came from the altar has been specially made ed by Cardinal John Dew on the a central site. A large piece of land parishioners, with part of the short- from pews out of the Waikanae and morning of Saturday, May 30. previously used as a golf practice fall coming from the demolition Paraparumu churches. It marked the end of one jour- range in the middle of the parish and subdivision of the Waikanae The large meeting room and ney and the beginning of another. was purchased, and a new school property. chapel are lined with timber from The journey began in 2014 with the was built on the site in conjunction We are grateful to all involved Waikanae, and the stations of the merging of two parishes — St Pat- with the Education Department. ­— especially the builder, L.T. Mac- cross and tabernacle in the chapel rick’s, Paraparaumu and Our Lady The school hall became the Mass guiness and landscaper, Goodmans, are from Waikanae as well. of Fatima, Waikanae — when one of Centre for Paraparaumu when the for finishing within budget and Everywhere one looks in the the parish priests retired, to form old church and school complex was (allowing for Covid) on time, and to building, there is some part of the Our Lady of Kāpiti Parish, named sold to a local Pentecostal church. the multitude of parishioners who churches that went before — Our after the statue of Our Lady on the When the third architect we used have contributed. Lady of Lourdes, Paekakariki, St The worship space is designed Patrick’s, Paraparaumu, and Our to seat 500, with plenty of overflow Lady of Fatima, Waikanae. available in the greeting space. The next stage journey is to There is a 50-seat chapel looking complete the funding, and to move towards the statue of Our Lady on forward under the leadership of the hill. The parish centre includes our great parish priest, Fr Michael the parish offices, confessional, McCabe, with one central Mass meeting rooms, and a commercial centre. I look forward to it with kitchen. The worship space is mag- confidence.

The frontage of the new church.

Pandemic Appeal Help us support vulnerable communities as they prepare for and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. 0800 22 10 22 www.caritas.org.nz The entrance to the new facility, with the worship space to the left, parish centre to the right, and gathering space and chapel in the centre. NZ Catholic: June 14 - 27, 2020 Features 21

Ordination of Fr Trung Nguyen

Fr Peter Trung Nguyen speaks at the ordination Mass.

On June 6, Fr Peter Trung Nguyen was ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Palmerston North. These are some scenes from the ordination Mass.

The Litany of the Saints is prayed during the Rite of Ordination. Cardinal John Dew gives Fr Nguyen the sign of peace. Below: The Litany of the Saints is prayed during the Rite of Ordination.