NEWSLETTERinform OF THE CATHOLIC BISHOP OF CHRISTCHURCH Issue 113 - June 2018 The congregation at the opening Mass of the new St Mary’s Church in New Brighton. National Marriage Significant religious Good news for Faith and Works: Educators’ Conference milestones celebrated Christchurch East The progress of returns to Christchurch (pp. 10-11) (p. 19) your parish church after ten years (p. 4) (pp. 22-23) Issue 113 - June 2018 1 Bishop’s Note E hoa mā, My greetings to you. I find it difficult to believe that it is only three months since I began as the Bishop of the diocese. So much has happened in this time. Bishop’s Office Bishop’s I want to thank all who are working so Bishops’ Conference Educators’ Conference which was hard for the life of the church in the - Port Moresby hosted and sponsored by our diocese. diocese. One of the joys of beginning It was inspiring to see couples this role of Bishop is the chance I am Since the last Inform I have had an from around the country gathered having to come around and meet the opportunity to attend the meeting who were reflecting on their role parishioners, teachers and students, of bishops from around the Pacific. of supporting marriage, both when lay groups in the community and There were over 80 of us gathered couples are engaged and after their those who are doing all sorts of good in Port Moresby for a week to reflect marriages. What an important ministry work for the sake of the Gospel. It is on Laudato Si’ especially in terms this is. Relationships in our modern extremely heartening to see, and I of climate change, a very real issue world are under a lot of pressure feel very privileged to be seeing it first for many of the islands in our area. and to be with people who are so hand for myself. There are so many It was a great opportunity to meet generous with their time and talents people giving witness to their faith the bishops of the area, to hear from to help others in this area was very in their various communities and it is Cardinal Parolin, who is the Secretary uplifting. reassuring for us to know this and to of State for the Vatican, effectively see it at work. We are not alone at all, the number two in the Vatican, and Future Planning to share something of the culture of and more than ever it is important that for the Diocese we support one another as we live our the people of Papua New Guinea. We Christian lives. were hosted magnificently and had a Part of coming to terms with this chance to mingle with the people of new role of Bishop does relate to the I am very aware of the need to get the area as well. infrastructure of our diocese. Early on around the diocese and I have really I was given a list of all the property enjoyed meeting the people of Mid- Marriage Educators’ that I ‘own’ and am responsible for! Canterbury, the West Coast and South Conference I was very struck by the generosity of Canterbury. I know there are many people over the history of our diocese parishes I haven’t got to yet, but be Last month I was the celebrant for who have brought us to this point assured I will come to meet with you. the Pentecost Mass at the Marriage whereby we have so much plant to (Above) Bishops’ Conference in Port Moresby. (Right) Bishop Paul Martin in a local Papua New Guinean parish. 2 Issue 113 - June 2018 Bishop’s Office Bishop’s Bishop Paul Martin with the priests concelebrating the Pentecost Mass at the National Marriage Educators’ Conference. From left: Fr Simon Eccleton, Msgr Bernard Kiely, Fr Carl Telford SM, Bishop Paul Martin SM, Ordination of Deacon Rob Morris SJ Fr Tien Cao, Fr James Mulligan. to the priesthood on June 2nd. be used for the support of the Gospel. that amount of money on this building. to be able to be a Church that can We do know that things have changed, I have asked that we investigate the celebrate the Sacraments, to nurture and the earthquakes have changed possibility of building a new Cathedral parish life. We need religious men and the nature of our city in terms of where on a site closer to the heart of the women to work for the Gospel from people live and the expectations city so as to be more accessible and within their communities. Vocations regarding pastoral care and placement present to the city centre. grow in families, and so we need to of our parishes. I am conscious that give the message to our young people I am very clear that if we do build again we have to plan ahead, to try and that this is a honorable and important then it will be a building that has a see what are the trends and that we way of following Christ, and that we sacred beauty and reverence about are utilizing our resources to the best value it deeply. Many vocations come it. I want a place where we can gather of our abilities. To this end we are about because people were asked to together as a substantial community. looking again at where our churches think about whether this is what God While the outcome of all of this is are sited and where we may need to was asking of them. Are there young unknown it is a time to pray with me establish new churches. We are also people you know to whom you could that good decisions will be made. I looking at our schools and the needs be asking this question? will continue to try and find ways of around providing good facilities and seeking feedback from you around this I hope you like the new version of the supporting the teachers and families. matter. Inform. The point of this magazine is to As you can imagine this is a big job and let you know what is happening in our one we will take the necessary time diocese, to give some inspiration and over so as to make the best informed Vocations to make you aware of our challenges decisions. It was a privilege for me to ordain and opportunities. I am grateful to In this same light we are obviously Deacon Rob Morris SJ to the Ken Joblin for his work as editor and reviewing the future of the Cathedral. priesthood on June 2nd. Fr Rob’s to Cath Waller who has worked on the You will be aware that Bishop Barry family are parishioners of Our Lady of new formatting. began a process to see if the nave Victories in Sockburn, and he is a past of the Cathedral could be saved if it pupil of Our Lady of Victories School Blessings to you all. were financially feasible. He was very and St Thomas of Canterbury College. aware of the costs involved and the His father Russell is a parishioner of Yours in Christ, impact that this would have on any Our Lady of Victories. I encourage final decision. I too am very aware of you to talk to our young people about this. Restoring the Cathedral will come the importance of vocations to the at a very large price and we do have priesthood and religious life. We need to ask if we can really justify spending diocesan priests if we are to continue + Paul Martin SM Your trusted legal experts The diocesan website: With over 90 years of experience we’ll quickly get to the heart of your legal needs and explain www.chchcatholic.nz everything to you in simple terms. That’s our job. advertises events happening within the diocese. As a parish, school, or • Banking • Immigration • Resource • Business • Litigation Management church group you are welcome to • Employment • Property • Trusts Call our friendly advertise events. You can list your • Estates • Relationships • Wills team today event from the link on the home page under ‘events’. (03) 379 9940 www.cavell.co.nz Issue 113 - June 2018 3 Bishop’s Office Bishop’s (Above) Marriage conference delegates at morning prayer. (Top Right) Our keynote speakers, Dr Byron and Francine Pirola. Successful Marriage Educators National Gathering held in Christchurch Some of the organising team - busy organising! The Christchurch Diocese hosted vows on their wedding day to become This reality was beautifully the biennial Marriage Educators’ masters of mediocrity. We were asked encapsulated in Bishop Paul Martin’s Training Weekend at Chateau on to confront our failings, seek out our homily on Pentecost Sunday as he the Park over Pentecost weekend. distractions and destructive patterns celebrated the closing Mass. No longer The venue, opposite Hagley Park, of behaviour, then surrender them to a were we to be fearfully locked in a superbly complimented the excellent past life. We were reminded that yes, room just as the disciples had been keynote speakers, fabulous format, this will be tough, but not impossible. following Jesus’ departure. We, as the stunning personal testimonies and We were asked to cross the bridge baptised, had been touched by the great fellowship for those involved in to our partner’s reality, to rest there flame of the Holy Spirit and so we must the ministry of marriage education. As awhile and see things through go forth to spread the good news. If an initiative of the Catholic Network their eyes. We were encouraged to the remaining eleven disciples could of Marriage Educators (CNME), reconcile our hurts and differences.