A selection of pages from the NZ Catholic: June 28 - July 11, 2020 current1 issue Buy a full print edition at your parish

The national Catholic newspaper June 28 - July 11, 2020 • No. 592 Theological college Principal joins considers new coalition against home 4 legalising cannabis 4 Bishop laid to rest

Bishop Meeking funeral coverage – pgs 2, 3, 17

www.nzcatholic.org.nz NZ Catholic: June 28 - July 11, 2020 Bishop Meeking Funeral 3 Bishop farewelled in Chch by MICHAEL OTTO ment years, Bishop Meeking “helped many in re- treats and direction, using the fruits of his labours At a requiem Mass for the seventh Bishop of to guide and advise people, from the wisdom of Christchurch, Bishop Basil Meeking, the tenth his experience”. holder of that office, Bishop , SM, was generous in his praise of his brother bishop, while n Thanks acknowledging the burdens and difficulties that After Communion, Bishop Martin again ad- he had experienced. dressed the congregation, noting that he was At the requiem at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral in wearing a pectoral cross Bishop Meeking had Christchurch on June 17, Bishop Martin said he given him. was grateful to Bishop Meeking “for his support Bishop Martin thanked many people for the and care of me since I became the bishop”. help they gave Bishop Meeking at various times in “He was very loyal and kind and I really en- his life, and also noting some of Bishop Meeking’s joyed the times we were able to get together to other ministries and roles, such as his 18 years chat. He didn’t ever tell me what I should do or with the Secretariat for Promoting Christian Uni- that what I was doing was stupid or any of those ty in Rome and his work in Chicago Archdiocese things, and I really appreciated that,” Bishop from 1997 to 2006. Martin said. Bishop Martin said he was grateful for the Bishop Meeking died on June 11, aged 90. “presence and support of many other faith com- In the last few months of his life, Bishop Meek- munities in our city”. He mentioned that the ing experienced a time of “trial and frustration” as Anglican Bishop of Christchurch, Bishop Peter the nation went into and out of lockdown, Bishop Carrell, was not able to be at the requiem, but had Martin said in his homily. It was a time of “purifi- attended a vigil Mass the previous night, celebrat- cation” for Bishop Meeking, as he placed “his life ed in Latin in the extraordinary form. in God’s hands for the final journey”. “[Bishop Carrell] did attend the vigil Mass last Just before the lockdown started, he had been night, so he would have got the fullness of Cath- convinced to move into care, despite being keen olic religion,” Bishop Martin said, again drawing to stay in his own place at St John Fisher House, murmurs of laughter from congregation. Bishop Martin said, noting that Bishop Meeking Bishop Martin acknowledged the presence at had had “a couple of falls previously, and people the requiem of Dean Lawrence Kimberley from were starting to get a little worried about him”. the Anglican Church. Bishop Martin, who was principal celebrant at At the end of his remarks, Bishop Martin men- the requiem, stressed that Bishop Meeking had tioned that Bishop Meeking had made a generous previously made it very clear to him that he want- financial contribution to the campaign to build a ed Bishop Martin to be the homilist at the funeral. new Catholic cathedral in Christchurch. “And I think that captures something of this “I think it was a measure of his character and man of faith. He wasn’t interested in eulogies and his faith that, even though he loved the old ca- stories for the funeral. He wanted the liturgy and thedral very deeply, he was very willing and keen prayers of the Church for his soul.” to support the [new one],” Bishop Martin said. Bishop Martin added that “Bishop Basil planned Details of how people could contribute to the his funeral down to the very last detail. This is Bishop Meeking’s casket with symbols of his priesthood “Bishop Basil Meeking Fund for the Catholic Ca- a reflection of his desire not to burden others thedral of Christchurch” were listed in the Mass with the worry, and also to ensure that it is done was not popular, or when it was not well received booklet for the requiem. properly”. This drew a ripple of laughter from by those who were hearing it.” Bishop Martin finished his comments by noting the congregation. Bishop Meeking “grasped and experienced the how consoled Bishop Meeking would have been by Among the concelebrants at the funeral were power of being in relationship with Jesus Christ”, the number of people praying for him, as shown the Apostolic to , Archbishop Bishop Martin added. by the attendance at the funeral. Novatus Rugambwa, Cardinal , and Bish- “And that then directed his actions, his prayer, After the requiem, Bishop Meeking’s mortal ops Stephen Lowe, , , his concerns.” remains were interred at Bromley Cemetery. , and Colin Campbell. While Bishop Meeking might have experienced n Photos from different times of Bishop Meeking’s Fr Gerard Aynsley, vicar general of Dunedin dio- aspects of his life and ministry as something of a life are on page 17. cese, represented Bishop . burden, “he was able to laugh and enjoy moments In the homily, Bishop Martin said the readings of levity. He was kind to people, especially when chosen for the Mass (Wisdom 3:1-9, Psalm 62, Ro- they were struggling. At times, he may have been mans 6:3-9 and John 11:17-27) tell people about perceived as being a little stern, but that was not Bishop Meeking’s understanding of his life, his his inner disposition. There are many who will faith and his relationship with God. account for this in their interactions with him”. “This was a man who knew that God had called n Testing him to certain tasks and to the life as a priest With reference to the Wisdom text that referred and as a bishop, and he wanted to be faithful to to God testing the righteous like gold in a furnace, this call.” Bishop Martin said, “I am sure that Bishop Basil Bishop Martin mentioned Bishop Meeking’s felt that he had been tested at times during his faithfulness and his love of the Eucharist, as well life”. as his love of the priesthood. “The things that were asked of him were de- “He endeavoured to share that love and un- manding and difficult. And he endured periods derstanding with his brother priests and with the when he felt he was facing real threats and chal- people of the Church, so that it may be valued lenges. But he remained steadfast in his faith for what it is. And he took seriously the call of and his desire to do what God asked of him. He a bishop to be the teacher to his people. And he understood that he was here, not for his own endeavoured to teach what the Church teaches self-aggrandisement and pleasure, but for the and to help us understand why it teaches it as service of the Gospel and to grow in holiness. it does.” “And he was willing to do that, even when it Bishop Martin also recalled that, in his retire- Bishop Paul Martin, SM, preaches the homily

TIM GOULDING, MARIA WEST, Auckland Parishioners JOHANN ROCHA, LYNETTE DUNCAN ST. PETER’S COLLEGE EPSOM, AUCKLAND and JOHN PAUL GOULDING A CATHOLIC SCHOOL FOR BOYS Barristers and Solicitors ELLIOTT DANIEL OVERTON & GOULDING 33 Selwyn Street Onehunga. PO Box 13017 Onehunga Ph 09 622 2222 Fax 09 622 2555 www.doglaw.co.nz • Winter sport resumes.

•  Chess: The Musical FUNERALS KEMP BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS – opens Saturday 29 August. 25 Oraha Road Huapai Auckland PO Box 600 Kumeu 09 486 2631 . 027 486 2050 [email protected] Auckland 0841 157 Shakespeare Rd Milford North Shore 0620 Ph 09 412 6000 www.northshorefunerals.co.nz Fax 09 412 6016 ST PETER’S COLLEGE BUILDS OUTSTANDING MEN Email [email protected] ST-PETERS.SCHOOL.NZ @SPCNOW 4 Features NZ Catholic: June 28 - July 11, 2020 Theological college considers new Akld home by ROWENA OREJANA Catholic Theological College, what then that could affect our funding.” we are going to do now is to look He said some planning has been The Covid-19 pandemic lockdown may have at all the things that we need and done around this possibility. slowed down some of the projects of Te Kupenga then start working out what’s viable Dr Metuamate said he is proud of — Catholic Leadership Institute in its first year, for us. I will also be talking to staff how fast the lecturers of the college but the organisation is now starting to get into and students about what they want adapted to the new way of teaching gear. to see in the new campus going during the lockdown, particularly at Te Kupenga chief executive Dr Areti Metuamate forward.” levels four and three. told NZ Catholic that a “proper campus in Auck- Dr Metuamate also indicated that “One of the fun things that hap- land” is being sought for the Catholic Theological a new website and branding will be pened is that all of [the] lecturers College, the new Catholic tertiary education pro- revealed next month. had to work out how to teach online, vider formed from the merging of Good Shepherd “With our branding, what we and actually, I’ve been really pleased College and The Catholic Institute. want to do is to really show that with how fast everyone’s been able The Provincial Council of the Society of Mary we are modern, but also show that to do that. Even Sr Elizabeth Sned- earlier agreed to relinquish ownership and gov- we stand on a really strong Catho- den taught her Latin class online,” ernance of to the New lic education tradition. We’ve got he said. Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference. new ideas, new people, new ways “If there is another lockdown to- “[That campus on] Ponsonby Road is half- of doing things,” he said. morrow, we would be able to teach owned by the Marist priests and half-owned by Dr Metuamate said the Catholic Dr Areti Metuamate all of our students online and not the bishops. So, ultimately, we’ll have to sell that Theological College, at the moment, have much disruption. That was an campus,” Dr Metuamate said. has a total student number of 447 for the whole impact that we responded well to,” he added. He said they are looking at two options for a organisation. He said they also gave pastoral support to stu- new campus. “We hope to increase that next semester be- dents who weren’t able to go back to their families One option, he said, is having the campus at cause we’ve been doing some work on getting during the lockdown. Holy Cross Seminary in Ponsonby. people to know about our courses,” he said. Graduation, which would have been in winter, “We are considering doing something in con- Financially, the college was not as affected by had been postponed, but Dr Metuamate gave an as- junction with the seminary because the seminary the pandemic as were the secular universities. surance there would be some sort of celebration at is having some major refurbishment,” he said. “Because we don’t have a large number of inter- a future time. He expects this could happen when Dr Metuamate said a second option is “a national students, we don’t have the same impact the borders between New Zealand and Australia are building in the city that we are looking at as a that mainstream universities have [had],” he said. opened, so that people from the Sydney College possibility”. “Of course, we don’t know how much the bishops of Divinity, for which Good Shepherd College “Because the bishops are very committed to have been impacted [by the pandemic]. It could be taught a Bachelor of Theology degree, could at- having an Auckland campus for Te Kupenga — the case that, if the bishops are heavily impacted, tend. Principal joins coalition against legalising cannabis by MICHAEL OTTO of the coalition was announced in a stances — which wreak havoc in par- statement from Family First. ticular sectors of our society — are A Catholic secondary school principal is among The coalition is urging people a deeply cynical and cheap way of community leaders who have signed up to a new to vote “No” in the referendum at side-lining a complex social ill that alliance of people who will work to oppose any the general election later this year, needs to be addressed creatively and attempt to legalise cannabis in New Zealand. which will ask people if they sup- resolutely”. Patrick Walsh, principal of John Paul College port the “Cannabis Legalisation and Mr Walsh said the bishops “are in Rotorua, is among those in Smart Approaches Control Bill”. correct in their analysis of this issue. to Marijuana NZ (SAM-NZ), the formation of which According to the Ministry of Jus- Simply legalising a problem won’t was announced this month. tice, the proposed bill sets out a way make the underlying causes of it Spokesman Aaron Ironside described the coali- for the Government to control and go away. Endemic drug dependen- tion as being made up of “a wide-ranging group of regulate cannabis. This regulatory cy is symptomatic of communities organisations and experts from all areas of society model covers how people can pro- who are struggling with poverty, [who] come together to argue against legalising the duce, supply, or consume cannabis. isolation, a sense of hopelessness, recreational use of cannabis, based on reputable According to official publicity rejection and fear. These are the science and sound principles of public health and on the referendum, the bill’s main more complex issues that the Cath- safety”. purpose is to reduce cannabis-re- olic bishops want us to address. In Among their members are ex-addicts, educa- lated harm to individuals, families/ short, if some feel the “Kingdom of tors, ex-police, addiction counsellors, health pro- whānau and communities. It would Patrick Walsh God” here on earth is for a select few fessionals and community workers. The formation allow people aged over 20 to possess and that they will never be welcomed and consume cannabis in limited circumstances. to join it, drug dependency will remain a scourge The referendum is a commitment in the La- on society.” bour-Green confidence and supply agreement. The principal added that he has spoken out on More information on the bill’s provisions can be this issue before, since he has seen “first-hand the found at www.referendums.govt.nz devastating effect of drug use on teenagers, their Mr Walsh told NZ Catholic he has “no confidence whanau and other victims. These other victims that the regulation proposed in the ‘bill’ will work”. include those injured in road accidents, those “Regulation has been a dismal failure with al- assaulted or stolen from, and employers losing cohol, where binge drinking and drunk driving by productivity when there is a no-show”. under 18-year-olds remain significant problems,” But he believes that the referendum will be a he said. close vote. “No one disputes that marijuana is a harmful, “It is important that people note that this ref- addictive drug that has adverse effects on the erendum is not about medical use of cannabis, physical and mental well-being of users. These which we support since it is controlled and pre- are accentuated on the developing teenage brain. scribed by medical doctors for a specific purpose. “Legalising cannabis is, in effect, ‘legitimising We are being asked in this referendum to vote for it’, so we will see, inevitably, an increase in its recreational use so people can get a legal high. It use by teenagers. My experience working in high is always a good idea to be well informed on refer- schools for the last 35 years tells me we will see endums of such significance. I would recommend more students using it if it is legalised. This, in people listen, in particular, to medical experts, turn, will lead to more of the following in teenag- educators and those at the forefront dealing with ers:- driving while drugged, depression, suicidal substance abuse.” ideation, poor academic results, dropping out of According to the referendums.govt.nz website, school, and anti-social behaviour, including crime if more than 50 per cent of votes cast in the refer- CP1136-V2 and violence.” endum are “Yes”, recreational cannabis wouldn’t Mr Walsh said SAM-NZ does not wish to criminal- become legal straight away. After the election, the ise teenagers who use cannabis. “Certainly the first incoming Government can introduce a bill to Par- options should be an educative and therapeutic liament that would legalise and control cannabis. Caring for you with warmth, approach,” he said. This process would include the opportunity for the “If this fails, however, there must be a final public to share their thoughts and ideas on how honesty and compassion deterrent by having it remain on the statute book the law might work. as a crime, albeit limited to a fine for teenagers If more than 50 per cent of votes cast are “No”, Phone 0800 276 420 or 09 527 0266 and a family group conference.” recreational cannabis would remain illegal, as is In their statement before the 2017 general the current law. www.arohafunerals.co.nz election, the New Zealand Catholic bishops stated Medicinal cannabis and hemp will not be affect- that “moves to legalise ‘soft’ drugs and other sub- ed by the outcome of the referendum. NZ Catholic: June 28 - July 11, 2020 Features 5 Faith and life tips shared with youth on Zoom by ROWENA OREJANA “What’s the take-away from my mistakes in life? If you are in uni, Life does not go in a straight you are peddling away hundreds line, a highly-sought-after American of thousands of dollars. University youth and young adult speaker told is one of the largest investments Catholic millennials in New Zealand you will make with your life. Even if at a Zoom conference last month. the government is subsidising that The Auckland Catholic Young loan, you are [the one] who will be Adult Community held the video responsible for paying it back,” Mr conference on May 23, when the Kim said. “It is in your best interest country was still at alert level two, to really dig deep and figure out, is with restrictions on gatherings. this thing that I’m majoring actually Inspirational speaker and musi- going to translate into something cian Paul J. Kim shared the circuitous that I want to do.” road he took before he found his After jumping from one career calling. Married with three children, decision to another, he became “a Mr Kim revealed he tried religious Catholic speaker and a musician life by discerning with Franciscan which, for some people, sounds like, friars in New York for three and a ‘wow, you just got a job in poverty’”. half years. But he said the secret to his suc- He said his parents were immi- cess was hard work and a mindset grants from South Korea who had of doing better. Paul J. Kim in a screenshot from his Zoom conference very high expectations. On dating, Mr Kim advised young “My dad was like, ‘good, you got men to just be confident. who know what they want.” ises. Seek the Lord’s will.” straight As. You get to live another “What’s the worst thing that can For young women, he suggested Mr Kim’s last advice for Catholic school year.’ It helped me in some happen if you ask a girl out on a they ask themselves if the man they millennials is “daily prayer”. ways and wounded me in others, but date? She’ll say ‘no’. If that happens, are considering dating would be “Prayer isn’t a part of your rela- that was my upbringing,” he said. just say, I understand, have a nice good enough for a future daughter. tionship with God, it is your rela- “They also happened to raise me day,” he said. “Gentlemen, you will “If you’re answer is no, then that’s tionship with God. If you don’t pray, Catholic. I didn’t always appreciate miss every shot you do not take. Just it,” he said. “You’re worth more than you don’t have a relationship with the Catholicism part, but now I do.” go talk to her. Girls appreciate guys one relationship full of empty prom- God.”he said. He said he encountered Jesus when he was in high school. “The best way I can describe it is I felt his presence. It was very tangible St Peter’s College, and real. It felt like he was giving me a hug. And when you’ve made a Principal mess of your life up to that point, and you’re expecting to be grounded St Peters College, Palmerston North is a Year 7-13 forever or punished, instead you get co-educational Catholic integrated college. a hug, that is when you cry. And ugly cry, I did,” he said. We are seeking a Catholic leader who will value and Mr Kim said, though, his life nurture the St. Peter’s College faith community. A didn’t turn around. He went to UCLA leader of learning and faith who will continue our and “had the time of my life away from the dictatorship home I lived innovative educational journey, developing and We welcome applications from a strong, Catholic Leader who will: in”. But, he said, even though he empowering selfmanaging, lifelong learners striving • Uphold and witness to our strong Special Character was partying, he felt miserable and towards excellence, who live the Gospel values in a • Provide inspirational and innovative leadership burdened. changing world. A Principal who genuinely affirms and • Have a deep understanding of the New Zealand Curriculum He left UCLA for the Francis- understands students, is progressive in their educational can University of Steubenville. He • Be able to build and maintain strong links across our community aligned his life to his Catholic be- thinking, driving our College’s teaching and learning liefs, going to Mass every day. This philosophy forward. • Uphold and honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi was when he decided to try religious • Nurture cultural diversity life. Our new Principal will assume leadership of all religious • “Ultimately, it was not for me, but Have strength in financial management, digital and I gave it my best shot,” he said. aspects of our school and be a role model to the staff, communication skills Mr Kim said he felt the stigma students and family/whanau who make up our St. Peters • Value and develop the extra curricula life of our College of having left religious life. “When College faith community. A willingness and ability to participate in the religious instruction I came back, people were like, why are you back? Why did you leave? appropriate to the Special Character of the school, is a condition Are you weird? Are you crazy?” he Starting date: Term 4 2020 (negotiable) of appointment. said. He went back to university and studied to be a counsellor, a job that Apply NOW: Closing Date for Application 5.00pm Friday 17th July 2020 he later found was not the right fit Contact Teresa Shanks at [email protected] for an application pack. For more information about the school please visit for him. www.stpeterspn.school.nz. We look forward to hearing from you.

“ I see the Church as a field hospital after battle.”

Help us to be there on the battlefield for those who need it most. A Bequest to St Vincent de Paul is a lasting way to help the most disadvantaged and needy in our community. If you would like to discuss a Bequest with us, please get in touch.

Society of St Vincent de Paul Freepost 992, PO Box 10-815, Wellington 6143 TEL: 04 4995070 EMAIL: [email protected] WEB: www.svdp.org.nz 10 Features NZ Catholic: June 28 - July 11, 2020 This planet, our home, after Covid-19 by NEIL VANEY

It is five years since Pope Francis launched his ground-breaking encyclical Laudato Si’, on the care of the environment — our planet and our home. Because we have not been able to celebrate in parishes, many readers may have missed out that May 24 (Ascension Sunday here in New Zealand) was the final day of a Laudato Si’ commemorative week. This, however, is only the beginning of a succession of events over the next year focusing on the key themes of the document. It may seem strange to turn the spotlight on the physical environment, when nations have been locked into the struggle against a common enemy in the Covid pandemic. Yet, as Francis reflects, this may be an ideal time when human vulner- ability has come so near to our consciousness. Our plan here in Catholic Discovery is to cover the central teaching of Laudato Si’ over four re- flections. This present reflection will centre on the Pope’s planning for the year and the reasoning be- hind this. Next we will look at the encyclical’s the- ology — why care of the earth is deeply rooted in Catholic faith. The third instalment will propose a spirituality for the environment. The concluding segment will make practical suggestions as to how all of us can work on turning around some of the indicators of our global ecological peril. n The events planned The first major event is a “Season of Creation”, A volunteer collects garbage on a beach in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on June 5, 2020, during an event to mark World En- lasting from September 1 — October 4, aimed at vironment Day. The theme of World Environment Day 2020 is “Celebrate Biodiversity”. (CNS photo) helping local communities all over the globe to repair some part of their damaged environment. A conference originally scheduled for May 14 at the hugely blessed for food. Even the poor should food centres, phone trees and neighbourhood Vatican, postponed because of the pandemic, has never be hungry in New Zealand. Though distri- care groups with remarkable efficiency. its focus on education and is entitled “Reinventing bution is a problem, there is more than enough This time has also underlined the existence the Global Educational Alliance” and will now take to feed us all. This is clearly not true everywhere. and growth of an underclass in our society, many place on October 15. Another major conference, Some consumer goods have been in short more than we imagined, without work, without which also needed to be postponed, is now to take supply; on the other hand, this is a lesson in how homes, friendless and alone. As unemployment place in Rome on November 19-21. Its aim is to little we need many of them. grows, our unity as a nation will be tested to see bring together 2000 young economists and envi- Cooped up in our own neighbourhoods, many how we care for the underprivileged hiding in ronmentalists to work on innovative models for have rediscovered community and friendship our midst. businesses that would promote human dignity, close about. Casual conversations passing in the while also protecting the environment. There will street have rekindled a sense of kinship. Staying n Conclusion be a major closing event in Rome on May 20-22 at home has also led to a lot of re-imagining of When Pope Francis signed off Laudato Si’ on in 2021. Right throughout the year, six official the workplace. Are long commutes and open plan May 24, 2015, it was Pentecost Sunday. Like the digital events will run, as well as numerous online offices the most fertile fields for new ideas? Could first Pentecost, the Spirit often blows where there workshops in English and Spanish. All of this is flexible work hours and planning by technology has been death and suffering. As we re-examine geared towards the setting up of an Action Plat- such as zoom bring a new balance between home our life as a nation, the pandemic has created form, which will coordinate various institutions and work? a possibility of seeing New Zealand and all its in a seven-year project aiming at creating total As we have passed through this crisis together, life, not just we humans, with new eyes. May the sustainability in the spirit of Laudato Si’. our estimation of people may have shifted. More Spirit blow afresh in the Church so that we can and more we have become aware of the “hidden proclaim Christ risen, the one who renews the n What the Covid-19 crisis heroes” of our land: the doctors, the nurses, the whole of creation. has already taught us technicians and teachers who have worked long Fr Neil Vaney, SM, is pastoral director of The Cath- The first lesson that leaps out from the on- hours for little extra reward to keep our hospitals, olic Enquiry Centre NZ (Catholic Discovery). slaught of Covid-19 is a point that Pope Francis streets and homes as places of safety. This time This is the first of four reflections by Fr Vaney stressed repeatedly in Laudato Si’ — just how has also seen the emergence of so many good on Laudato Si’ that will be published in NZ Catholic closely and inseparably all humanity is linked. A Samaritans who came out of nowhere to organise from June to September. small mishap in one centre, Wuhan, can become a global crisis in just a couple of months. If hu- mankind is vulnerable, then what of the earth’s fauna and flora, of which we are the guardians and curators? On the other hand, this crisis has Pope says: Don’t look the other way also highlighted the possibility of global cooper- VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Building a healthier, sity affect everyone, he said, which is why “we ation, as nothing else in this millennium. We see better world depends on everyone, Pope Francis cannot pretend to be healthy in a world that is laboratories and research institutes all around the said in his message marking World Environment sick. The wounds inflicted on our Mother Earth globe, often before linked in fierce economic and Day on June 5. are wounds that also bleed in us”. ideological battle, exchanging information and “We cannot remain silent before the outcry Caring for ecosystems is part of a wider con- research in the common pursuit of a vaccine that when we realise the very high costs of the de- cern for life, and protecting those ecosystems would break the power of this disease. struction and exploitation of the ecosystem. is meant for benefitting everyone. n What we in New Zealand have This is not a time to continue looking the other “Our attitude toward the present state of our way, indifferent to the signs that our planet is planet should indeed make us concerned for, learned anew in our lockdown being plundered and violated by greed for prof- and witnesses to, the gravity of the situation,” Numerous Kiwis have commented how the it, very often in the name of progress,” he wrote. the Pope wrote. last two months have been a bit like living in the “We have the chance to reverse course, to Highlighting the fifth anniversary of his desert in dryness and isolation, unable to go to commit ourselves to a better, healthier world encyclical Laudato Si’, the Pope invited those havens of self-forgetfulness. Pope Francis has and to pass it on to future generations. Every- organising and taking part in virtual events for used the same analogy, but in a more positive thing depends on us, if we really want it,” he World Environment Day “to participate in the way. The desert brings the borderline between added. special year that I have announced to reflect in life and death very close. The dryness of the air The Pope sent his message to President Ivan light of that document and, together, to become brings distant objects into sharp focus, and com- Duque Marquez of Colombia, which had been more committed to the care and protection of monplaces such as water and shelter, that we have scheduled to host a global meeting for World En- our common home, and of our most vulnera- taken for granted, become very important. Habit vironment Day. Events, instead, were being held ble and marginalised brothers and sisters in is stripped away; we focus on the truly essential. “virtually” because of the Covid-19 pandemic. society”. Gratitude is one of the first fruits that can In his written message in Spanish, the Pope “I encourage you in this task that lies before flourish in our hearts. Being a small nation, re- said the pandemic served as a reminder that, you. I trust that your deliberations and conclu- mote and distant from the rest of the world, has “in the face of adversity, new paths always open sions will always foster the building of an in- been a blessing. Our cities are small enough and in order for us to be united as a great human creasingly habitable world and a more humane our population unified enough to adopt and large- family”. society, where all of us have a place and no one ly follow a regime that would be so much more The environment and the planet’s biodiver- is ever left behind,” he wrote. difficult in the great northern continents. We are 14 Features NZ Catholic: June 28 - July 11, 2020 Nuns make rap videos to help health care workers by JONATHAN LUXMOORE getting the rhythm right,” Sr Wanda told the Catholic News Service. “Hav- WARSAW, Poland (CNS) — At Kra- ing assumed rap was pretty simple, I kow’s stately Divine Mercy centre, the quickly discovered it’s actually really contemplative atmosphere suddenly difficult. It truly is an art form, and evaporates as nuns in black habits we all now respect the artists who come dancing along the corridor. do it!” “Yo yo/Rapping ain’t hard to do/ Those nominated for “Hot16Chal- It’s enough to say ‘Jesus,/I trust lenge” are given three days to com- you!’/And right now we don’t want pose a 16-line rap, before passing the masks/We just want merciful grace!” baton to others. When Polish rap artists launched Within two hours of its launch, the “Hot16Challenge” in late April to initiative had exceeded its target of raise funds for medical staff tackling 16,000 zlotys (NZ$6300) and, within the coronavirus, they did not expect a week, it had surpassed a million their country’s religious sisters zlotys. would get in on the act. The rap project has now grossed Within a month, however, as over 4 million zlotys and has drawn would-be rap stars exchanged nom- in President Andrzej Duda and top Sr Emanuela Gemza of the Mother of Divine Mercy order and another member of her inations, convents nationwide had government officials, with invitations order are seen rapping the song “Jesus, I trust you,” in a screen grab from a YouTube posted videos on YouTube, alongside favourably received by international video. (CNS Photos) Catholic priests and seminarians and stars from Ed Sheeran to Snoop Dogg. even some Polish bishops. Though that isn’t the kind of “When it comes to music, we don’t company Auxiliary Bishop Adrian always keep up with the latest stuff, Galbas of Elk would normally keep, but we’re ready to try new things he’s been recorded rapping as well. when the call comes,” explained Sr So has Bishop Marian Rojek of Za- Emanuela Gemza of the Mother of mosc-Lubaczow, along with his di- Divine Mercy Order. ocesan chancellor, media spokesman “I immediately realised this was a and curial staffers. great chance to evangelise — to show Yet it’s Poland’s rapping nuns in an untypical way how God cares who’ve gained most attention, with a for us. I think the Holy Spirit guided catchy mix of religious messages and us in putting the words and melody confident performance skills. together.” Sr Emanuela said it’s a reminder Across town, behind the seem- that the Polish Church, though firmly ingly austere facade of the Order of orthodox in teaching, is up-to-date Presentation Sisters, a trio of bopping and on the spot, even behind the nuns instructs listeners to “learn walls of its convents. their Calvary rhymes”. “In our mission to proclaim the Other Polish nuns seen rapping in a screen grab from a YouTube video during the Sr Wanda Putyra said she and her Gospel, we’re open to what the con- “Hot16Challenge.” sisters were egged on by students at temporary world demands, and I the school where they teach. They got hope those who present us as sad, religious should use their talents to despite the occasional raised eye- some coaching in rap techniques, but withdrawn women will now think evangelise. brow. did not find it as easy as the Divine again,” she told CNS. “The Holy Fa- Sr Emanuela is wary about talk of She was moved to receive messag- Mercy Sisters. ther has urged us to be a Church full a new cool image for Polish nuns. She es from agnostics and nonbelievers, “As a church organist, specialising of joy, and I’m pleased we’ve found insists nuns are cool already and said who said they’d been helped by the in Bach, I don’t usually do this type of a way to show this.” she and her rapping sisters received nuns’ example in their search “for a music — and we were worried about Sr Wanda agreed, saying Catholic overwhelmingly positive reactions, God who listens to them”. Getting back to normal ell, it has been an interesting to allow 600 parishioners to attend, that life doesn’t always go to plan for few months, to say the least. abiding by the 100 maximum that people. WWe are back to “normal” now. applied in level 2. There were gross What is normal for one person is It certainly feels pretty normal to me. inconsistencies around gatherings in also very different from normal for Most of our activities are back on! level 2 and I was very concerned that another! Some people (for example, Life has become busy again. I find it religious groups were specifically the introverts) really enjoyed the qui- surreal to think that many countries excluded from gathering. I think the et time and less social contact a few Family around the world are still struggling whole country can breathe a sigh of weeks ago, and are struggling getting and reeling from the effects of the relief, while remaining vigilant. back to social life. But some extra- Matters pandemic. From a health perspective, Fear has gripped our nation and, verts struggled with the lack of social we have gotten off pretty lightly. This when we are scared, we don’t always contact in lockdown. had come at a big cost, though — to act rationally. Looking forward, my Some families with two working Helen mental health (anecdotally), and the hope is that people can take a big, parents relished the opportunity for economic repercussions will be felt deep breath and move forward, rather enforced family time; many parents Luxford for some time yet. There have been than being crushed with fear and anx- enjoyed a slower pace of life with questions raised about democracy iety. Unfortunately, anything can hap- fewer extra-curricular activities. Some and consistency across our country. pen at any time. In Auckland, we are people are coming out of lockdown There has been a mantra about “be- primed for a volcanic eruption. In oth- with less income or less financial ing kind”. That means different things er parts of New Zealand, earthquakes security. to different people, in that some peo- are a real risk. We have to come to For me, Mass provided a safe ple have been literally just surviving terms with life on this planet, mean- place, a sense of normality, a sense over this period. Some people have ing there is so much that we can’t of security. The Catholic Mass always been privileged in that they can share control. No one would have expected feels like home, and it is such a relief their excess — be it in time, energy, even six months ago that the best to be back to normal Masses. food, money and showing kindness in airline in the world, Air New Zealand, “Do not be anxious about anything that way. To some, it has been staying would be brought to its knees. but, in every situation, by prayer and in touch, reaching out to others, even I think, when considering the pan- petition, with thanksgiving, present just reading posts on Facebook, and demic, everyone was forced to face your requests to God. And the peace keeping in contact in this way helps their own fragility, the fragility of of God, which transcends all under- reduce feelings of isolation. the make-up of the world as we know standing, will guard your hearts and Everyone is talking about the it, perhaps also our own mortality, your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippi- new normal. I am very relieved we depending on one’s situation. I work ans 4:6-7. are back to being able to go to Mass in an environment where bad things Helen Luxford is a physician, work- routinely. I was really impressed with happen to people every day. People ing part-time. She is a parishioner of St our parish and how they organised a come in with heart attacks, strokes, Michael’s, Remuera. Together with her system of Mass cards — we pre-regis- broken hips. People develop compli- husband Michael, they are raising their tered to go to our normal Mass time cations, through no fault of anyone. children in the Catholic Faith and reflecting and they put on six Masses a weekend So, I guess I see, on a daily basis, on the challenges and joys that brings.