february 2015 1 CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN ABLETISSUE 206 | MARCH 2015 cdd.org.nz Easter ‘Urbi et Orbi’ Message of Pope Francis Dear Brothers and Sisters, a Happy and Holy Easter! the church throughout the world echoes the angel’s message to the women: “Do not be afraid! I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised… Come, see the place where he lay.” (Mt 28:5-6) The Resurrection by Pieter Bruegel the Elder ca 1580 CONTINUED OVER PAGE 2 the tablet CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE This is the culmination of the Gospel; it is the Good News affections, like the many persons, priests and laity, who in par excellence: Jesus, who was crucified, is risen! This event is various parts of the world have been kidnapped. the basis of our faith and our hope. If Christ were not raised, Comfort those who have left their own lands to migrate to Christianity would lose its very meaning; the whole mission places offering hope for a better future and the possibility of the Church would lose its impulse, for this is the point from of living their lives in dignity and, not infrequently, of freely which it first set out and continues to set out ever anew. The professing their faith. message which Christians bring to the world is this: Jesus, Love incarnate, died on the cross for our sins, but God the We ask you, Lord Jesus, to put an end to all war and every Father raised him and made him the Lord of life and death. In conflict, whether great or small, ancient or recent. Jesus, love has triumphed over hatred, mercy over sinfulness, goodness over evil, truth over falsehood, life over death. We pray in a particular way for Syria, beloved Syria, that all those suffering the effects of the conflict can receive needed That is why we tell everyone: “Come and see!” In every human humanitarian aid and that neither side will again use deadly force, situation, marked by frailty, sin and death, the Good News is especially against the defenseless civil population, but instead no mere matter of words, but a testimony to unconditional and boldly negotiate the peace long awaited and long overdue! faithful love: it is about leaving ourselves behind and encountering others, being close to those crushed by life’s troubles, sharing Jesus, Lord of glory, we ask you to comfort the victims of fratricidal with the needy, standing at the side of the sick, elderly and the acts of violence in Iraq and to sustain the hopes raised by the outcast… “Come and see!”: Love is more powerful, love gives life, resumption of negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. love makes hope blossom in the wilderness. We beg for an end to the conflicts in the Central African With this joyful certainty in our hearts, today we turn to you, Republic, and a halt to the brutal terrorist attacks in parts of risen Lord! Nigeria and the acts of violence in South Sudan. Help us to seek you and to find you, to realize that we have a We ask that hearts be turned to reconciliation and fraternal Father and are not orphans; that we can love and adore you. concord in Venezuela. Help us to overcome the scourge of hunger, aggravated by By your resurrection, which this year we celebrate together conflicts and by the immense wastefulness for which we are with the Churches that follow the Julian calendar, we ask you often responsible. to enlighten and inspire the initiatives that promote peace in Ukraine so that all those involved, with the support of the Enable us to protect the vulnerable, especially children, women international community, will make every effort to prevent and the elderly, who are at times exploited and abandoned. violence and, in a spirit of unity and dialogue, chart a path for the country’s future. On this day, may they be able to proclaim, as Enable us to care for our brothers and sisters struck by the brothers and sisters, that Christ is risen, Khrystos voskres! Ebola epidemic in Guinea Conakry, Sierra Leone and Liberia, and to care for those suffering from so many other diseases, Lord, we pray to you for all the peoples of the earth: you who which are also spread through neglect and dire poverty. have conquered death, grant us your life, grant us your peace! Comfort all those who cannot celebrate this Easter with their loved ones because they have been unjustly torn from their Join us in working for a world free from poverty and injustice Join the J Fraser & Sons Ltd FUNERAL DIRECTORS & MONUMENTAL MASONS Caring, compassionate service ʁ Chapel & catering ʁ Prepayment plan for lounge funeral expenses As a regular donor with our One World Partnership you will be supporting whole communities – not just individuals – in their struggle against poverty and its causes. For 24-hour service 0800-184-095 Contribute any amount at a frequency that suits you. Corner Esk and Doon Streets For more information contact PO Box 1380 Invercargill 9840 Caritas on 0800 22 10 22 Phone: (03) 218-4095 Fax: (03) 218-7220 or visit www.caritas.org.nz [email protected] www.frasersfunerals.co.nz The Catholic Agency for Justice, Peace and Development february 2015 3 Remembering St Patrick’s Parish, South Dunedin pam robertson 15 february 2015 – speech delivered at the end of sunday mass As this may be the last time we celebrate Mass here in the basilica, as the St Patrick’s Parish community, I’ve been asked to present a short reflection on St Patrick’s Parish. This site has been a centre for South Dunedin Catholics for about 140 years and our beloved church building is now 121 years old. However, it is not the buildings that make Church – it is the people of God coming together day after day, and week after week, to learn how best to serve our God by caring for one another. And so I want to pay tribute to the people who, by their involvement, have made this parish what it is today. St Patrick’s has many families with long-standing connections to the parish. Some of the people here today will have been brought to the basilica as infants to be baptised, and then have received other sacraments in this church. Many of us have followed parents, grandparents, Photo supplied aunts and uncles, or have been here A gathering of parishioners after the in company with brothers, sisters and We thank God that representatives of the Sisters of Mercy and the Christian last St Patrick’s South Dunedin Parish children to celebrate our faith with Mass that was celebrated on Sunday 15 Masses, Benediction, devotions and the Brothers, whose presence has so February 2015. The basilica is now closed old Novenas on a Saturday evening. enhanced the life of St Patrick’s, are still for about twelve months for renovations with us today as valued members of and earthquake strengthening. More recently, others have chosen this community. to come to St Patrick’s as adults and have enriched the parish by bringing In particular, today we remember with their experience and their cultural thankfulness all the many, much loved background to help us all to grow and priests who have cared for the people of learn together. Thousands of Masses St Patrick’s Parish from the first Parish have been celebrated here, and we have Priest, Father William Purton to our gathered in times of joy and grief. As present priests, Father Gerard Aynsley long as these walls stand, they will hold and Father Mervyn Hanifin who echoes of all the prayers that have been continue to give of themselves for us, offered within them. the parishioners. We owe a debt of gratitude to Today we remember with appreciation parishioners who have contributed those who have gone before us and who to the life of St Patrick’s by serving have left us the heritage of their great in ministries, as choir members, faith. We look back with gratitude, and altar servers, banner-makers, flower we go forward in joy and hope towards arrangers, or Parish Council members, our vision of what we can become. and those who have laboured in many There is sadness in saying goodbye to practical ways to ensure that the parish what has been so precious to us for all has functioned so effectively. Over these years, but there is also gladness the years, there have been numerous in that we are moving forward to a new devotional and supportive organisations future as a vibrant and united Catholic that operated here, and today the St community in Dunedin South. May Vincent de Paul Society and Catholic God continue to bless all former and Women’s League, among others, carry present members of St Patrick’s Parish. on their work. 4 the tablet NZ Catholic Bishops support REMEMBERING THE CHURCH IN YOUR WILL three-pronged An invitation from Bishop Colin... approach to Iraq When you leave a bequest to the Church, you give a gift that lasts longer than your lifetime; a gift that will always be remembered. – training, aid A bequest to the Church may be a specific amount, or a percentage of your estate, or a particular item of value. Big or small, your bequest will be greatly appreciated. and prayer If you have an existing Will, with the help of your legal advisor, you can make a simple modification to it.