may 2016 1 CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN ABLETISSUE 219 | MAY 2016 cdd.org.nz The month of Mary MAY in the Year of Mercy In his official proclamation of the 2015-2016 Year of Mercy, Pope Francis wrote, “Mary attests that the mercy of the son of God knows no bounds and extends to everyone, without exception. Let us address her in the words of the ‘Salve Regina,’ (‘Hail Holy Queen’) a prayer ever ancient and new, so that she may never tire of turning her merciful eyes toward us, and make us worthy to contemplate the face of mercy, her son Jesus.” Linden wood carving of the famous painting by Roberto Feruzzi: ‘Madonna of the Streets’ 1897. Carvings available from the online “Crucifix Store.” Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, Hail, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, Poor banished children of Eve; To thee do we send up our sighs, Mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, Thine eyes of mercy toward us; And after this our exile, Show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. 2 the tablet Presbyterian Synod of Otago and Southland celebrates its 150th Anniversary Presbyterian pioneers to New Zealand – come in ‘ God’s good time’. That, I think, those who were your spiritual ancestors. is very sad, and goes against the desire of Jesus who prays for unity among Speaking from the Catholic tradition, his people. Someone has said that “we while we have all inherited from the can’t treat the Holy Spirit as if he was past some rocky roads regarding an impact player.” It is something that relationships between Catholic and we need to keep praying and working Protestant, there has been a noticeable for because God’s good time is NOW, change in the last 50 to 60 years – and I think it is much more critical in indeed even further back. While the our own time, for, as Professor John past saw us all stressing what divided McIntyre, Moderator of the Church us, in recent times we have all been of Scotland, declared in his welcome stressing what unites us, and it has been to the Pope in Edinburgh: “At a time an ever more and more fruitful dialogue when the forces of atheism and irreligion and exchange. Much of this has been the are so powerful, we dare not fail before ecumenical inheritance that has become such a world to acknowledge the one The Synod of Otago and a feature of theological and parish Christ whom as Christians we all seek Southland is part of the life. We have all now, for a number to serve…” And so it is imperative that Presbyterian Church of of years, been engaging in parish and we work together to help put our world Aotearoa New Zealand. regional groups across a wide range of under the reign of Jesus Christ, whom topics, and all very fruitful. We have all The geographical area of the Synod we all love and serve. engaged in church work in common corresponds closely to that of the that has worked to the benefit of the I think of the fine article in the Otago Roman Catholic Diocese of Dunedin, local community and beyond. Daily Times recently by Professor Murray in that it covers the area south of the Rae from the Theology Department of Waitaki River. It is worthwhile to recall some of these the University of Otago, and there are areas of joint concern which have been The Synod of Otago and Southland held so many moral issues, such as abortion, so beneficial. its first meeting on 16 January 1866, with euthanasia, Easter Sunday trading, and Rev. Dr. Thomas Burns as Moderator, I have always been of the mind that the environment, that we can all work and Rev. Bannerman as Clerk. when the Holy Spirit brings together on together. Especially when there is so people of different faiths, and who much ignorance and misinformation Unlike the Presbyterian Church for meet in an atmosphere of prayer and about the Christian message, the need to the rest of New Zealand, which was common concern, good things begin work together is vital. connected to the Church of Scotland, to happen. I well remember a time, the Synod of Otago and Southland I think of the rich vein of gold that in January, 1979, of a New Zealand remained connected to the Free Church Catholic/ Presbyterian dialogue has wide charismatic retreat for priests of Scotland until 1901, when it joined achieved in the theological and pastoral and ministers and their wives held at the northern region under the “union of field. The fact that the Presbyterian Massey University. In one of the prayer incorporation.” Church established the first University in groups that we were all assigned, I well the country enabled, down the line, Knox Bishop Colin represented remember a Presbyterian minister in College and Holy Cross College, Mosgiel, the Catholic community at a the group turning to me and saying, to work jointly, and so well together, to celebratory dinner in Dunedin, “If someone had said 5 years ago that prepare candidates for ministry. It was a and offered sincere best wishes I would be praying together with a bright beacon to the rest of the country. and prayers. His address follows. Catholic priest, I would have said it (Recently, in Sydney, I was talking to wasn’t on; and yet here we are praying May I first take this opportunity to Fr. Guy Hartcher, who had served as one together as brothers.” sincerely thank the Synod Committee of the moderators for the Knox-Holy for their kind invitation to be with you Incidentally, I thought this occasion was a Cross partnership, and he recalled what a this evening as you celebrate the 150th milestone for ecumenism in New Zealand. very good model of co-operation it was. anniversary of the Presbyterian Synod of He sends his best wishes to you all.) It I still think that for many of our church- Otago and Southland. It is an important was from that strong lead and impetus goers, ecumenism is regarded as an milestone in your Church’s history, of Catholic/Presbyterian dialogue that ‘optional extra’ with Church. They may presence and culture, and the spiritual we have continued today, and while we be of the opinion that while they go nourishment of so many people, that work on a smaller scale, it has been a along with it, it is meant for those who began principally in this area of Otago rewarding work for Presbyterian and are interested in ‘that sort of thing’, or and Southland from the early days of the Catholic participants. they might be of the mind that unity will may 2016 3 It is, of course, from the strong messages we are hearing from our respective leadership figures, that we are Baptism celebrations in Nightcaps encouraged to work and pray together. contributed by sharman dykes, western southland parish council Instance this headline from a New Zealand Catholic paper: “Presbyterians share papal message” a quote from Pope There was a very special celebration at Sts Peter Francis on a Presbyterian billboard and Paul Church in Nightcaps when seven outside the Presbyterian Church. children from the local community were baptised by Fr Jacob Thevasahayampilla on 5 April 2016. In our 3rd millennial world, we need to keep praying and working together for Family, godparents, friends and all the children a faith-filled world. We dare not fail that from St Patrick’s School joined in to celebrate challenge. the baptisms of Katelyn Alexa Molloy, Ella Mary Molloy, Tyson Mark Field, Karmah Marie Field, May I now, on this special occasion, and Marley Kay Field, Malachi James Douglas Mihaere on behalf of the Catholic Church here in and Nico Patrick Oskar Mihaere. Otago and Southland, offer you all my sincere good wishes and prayers for this This was followed by a party luncheon at 150th jubilee of your Synod, and may St Patrick’s School. God bless you all as we continue to work together for the kingdom. Bishop Colin’s Golden Jubilee Recognised at St Therese of Lisieux Church, Tuatapere On 30 April, Bishop Colin Campbell, assisted by parish priest of Western Southland, Rev Jacob Thevasahayampillai, and Father Anthony Harrison, celebrated the decommissioning mass in the church of St Therese of Lisieux, Tuatapere. At the conclusion, John Nolet surprised Bishop Colin by presenting him with a beautiful plaque from the parishioners inscribed with words from Isaiah 64: 8. This was a gift from Tuatapere parishioners in recognition of Bishop Colin’s 50 years as a priest. Reflecting on the words on the plaque, and in gratitude, Bishop Colin has since commented, “Yes, it is the people, not buildings, that matter most as Church.” 4 the tablet More Toiletries for Refugees Kerry Davis, nurse at Mercy Hospital and mother of 3 boys at St Brigid’s School, organised toiletry collections at both places. The response was generous, and well-timed for the arrival of refugees into Dunedin. Kerry Davis and Amy Armstrong (Right) Children from St Brigid’s School with toiletries (Far right) Congratulations to Colin MacLeod REMEMBERING THE CHURCH IN YOUR WILL Professor Anne Tuohy, Director of The An invitation from Catholic Institute of Aotearoa New Zealand (TCI), was pleased to announce, Bishop Colin... When you leave a bequest to the Church, you give a on 20 April, the appointment of Mr Colin gift that lasts longer than your lifetime; a gift that will MacLeod to the position of Head of always be remembered.