THE MON T HLY MAGAZINE FOR T HE CA T HOLI C S OF T HE DUNE D IN DIO C ESE HE ABLE T JuneT 2010 T Issue No 155 St Peter’s retains Bishop’s Shield By GILLIAN VINE “I’m hugely impressed,” Mr Leach IN a close finish, St Peter’s College has said, before awarding first prize to retained the Bishop’s Shield, just two Alice Wilkens, of St Peter’s. points ahead of Kavanagh College. Senior debating was held on the The event, staged for the 67th Saturday morning, followed by the consecutive year, was held from May junior debates in the afternoon. In 21 to 23, and hosted by St Peter’s, the evening, after a finger-food meal, which last year wrestled the shield impromptu speeches were followed from St Kevin’s College. by junior and senior drama. The Approximately 100 students from dramatic presentations, as always, St Peter’s, Kavanagh, St Kevin’s and were popular with the audience. Each Verdon colleges took part in events team, of up to five students, had to that showcased what St Peter’s present an original production to principal John Hogue called “a portray a positive Christian message wonderful display of talent”. based on interpretation of a given “This competition has a rich theme. For the junior drama, it was tradition. It is one of the things “The mustard seed” and for senior Catholic schools do well,” Mr Hogue students, “Covenant”. said. The junior scripture competition Bishop Colin Campbell was in was held on Sunday morning and attendance throughout the weekend was followed by Mass, celebrated by and made the presentation of the Bishop Campbell. Jemma Cournane, of St Peter’s College, is Bishop’s Shield to Jemma Cournane After Mass, students took part in the handed the Bishop’s Shield by Bishop Colin representing St Peter’s. senior scripture section. The students Campbell In a close competition, St Peter’s held The weekend begun with an official had to demonstrate not only speaking the shield it won last year welcome by Mr Hogue and entertain- ability but also scripture knowledge. ment from the St Peter’s College choir Speaking adjudicator Edith James before the competitions began. The prepared speeches on the congratulated the four contestants, saying each had “captured Treaty of Waitangi presented the adjudicator, Graham Leach, the awe and joy of the psalms. There was some lovely sight- the challenge of “choosing from a lineup of excellence”. reading this morning.” Continued on page 8 ➤ In this issue… Father Brian O’Neill dies ON June 8, Fr Brian James Bishop’s pastoral letter 2 (“Baldy”) O’Neill died peacefully Fr Dan Cummings leaves Winton ����������������������������������������������� 4 in Gore Diocesan Clergy Assembly held ������������������������������������������������� 5 He was 67 Catholic Schools Day ��������������������������������������������������������������������� 7 Fr O’Neill, parish priest at Gore, Bishop’s Shield �����������������������������������������������������������������������������8-9 was ordained in June, 1967 Ranfurly 25th jubilee celebrated 11 An obituary of Fr O’Neill will be Obituaries: Sr Gennaro, Fr Tony Ives ����������������������������������12-13 published in the July issue of The Bugsy on stage at St Kevin’s �������������������������������������������������������15 Tablet. Out and About ������������������������������������������������������������������������������16 The Tablet June 2010 Pastoral letter on sexual abuse Dear Brothers and Sisters in harmed; Christ, l To minimise any risk to children; RECENTLY, we have been hearing of l To ensure that those who have been more sexual abuse cases in countries accused are dealt with justly and fairly; overseas. l To ensure, as far as possible, against While these scandals are far away, the future offending. impact of them is something that we all The document that was developed, experience. Conscious that the Catholic Te Houhango Rongo – A Path to Healing, Church is a family of faith, any failing or has seen protocols that are transparent crime by one or some affects us all. and robust and the Church openly As a Church family we are sorry collaborates with civil authorities. for such appalling behaviour and This document has been reviewed especially by people whose vocational several times to ensure everything commitment ought to see standards of possible is done. trust, compassion and care of others at Without any smugness or self- the highest possible level. complacency, one feels that the Vatican One realises, too, that a number of is only now catching up on these decisions taken by Church leadership protocols. in these countries were pastorally As a Church our compassion, charity inadequate and flawed, and failed and care need to be balanced with to address properly the needs of vigilance, discernment and wisdom. Bishop Colin Campbell victims in charity and justice. It is All of us need continuing faith Let us renew and deepen our faith and certainly an occasion of deep sadness formation and openness to God’s will trust in God. for all of us. I apologise, too, for in our lives. For those of us in Church Pray for our Holy Father, Pope whatever embarrassment, shame or leadership, we rely on you for that Benedict, and that we may all in unity disappointment you have experienced constant prayer support and help for be strengthened by the Holy Spirit. in the wider community. which we are always grateful. Far from allowing these scandals to While there have been cases of abuse I am conscious of trying to assist our dampen our spirit, I pray that with of young people by priests and religious priests in their mission to you. In this confidence and enthusiasm you will in our own country, these have been Year of the Priest, there have been a continue to share and live the Good relatively few in number. In 1993, the number of occasions when we have News of Jesus Christ as St Peter reminds New Zealand Catholic Bishops issued a come together to pray and share how us: pastoral letter on sexual misconduct. we can better serve you, the people of “Be ready at all times to answer anyone In developing procedures they listed God, in the spirit of Jesus. who asks you to explain the hope you five broad objectives: I thank God for our priests and their have in you, but do it with gentleness and l To enable a speedy, decisive and daily dedication to God and you in respect” (1 Peter 3: 15-16). sensitive response to those who bring a their pastoral ministry in the Dunedin With all good wishes, Diocese. complaint; In the Spirit, l To ensure that ongoing care is Finally, Sisters and Brothers in Christ, I available to those who have been pray for all of you in these difficult times. † Colin Peter’s Pence collection JUNE 27 is Peter’s Pence Sunday, the day Catholics make Bishop’s diary offerings to financially support the Holy See and the Pope’s philanthropy. The money raised gives the Pontiff the means to provide emergency support to those in need because of JUNE war, oppression, disease and natural disasters. 22 – Mosgiel Parish Confirmation By the end of the eighth century the Anglo-Saxons began 23 – Dunedin North & North East Valley Parish sending a regular annual contribution to the Holy Father. Confirmation at Sacred Heart Church 24 – Board of Management Meeting It later spread throughout Europe and in 1871 Pope Pius IX 25 to 27 – Oamaru Parish Confirmation and gave it his approval in the encyclical letter Saepe Venerabilis. Visitation The collection is traditionally taken each year on the Sunday JULY closest to June 29, the Solemnity of St Peter and St Paul. 7 – Congregational Leaders Meeting In 2007, total donations worldwide amounted to more than $115 million. 2 June 2010 The Tablet Bishops’ assembly held in Sydney ALMOST 100 bishops, “It is often when our relationships, our ministry, our health including Bishop Colin are pruned or cracked and broken open, that the Spirit of Campbell, gathered in Jesus can blow through us and heal our fractured lives. God Sydney last month for the sometimes puts us on our backs precisely to make us look up,” four-yearly assembly of Bishop Ingham said. the Federation of Catholic The general consensus from day one was that taking the Bishops Conferences of message of Christ forward was the most urgent need for the Oceania (FCBCO). Church today. At the conference, In working sessions, the bishops heard from a number of Archbishop John Dew was speakers, including Fr Richard Leonard, who spoke of the elected FCBCO president, challenging art of giving homilies. taking over from Bishop “Preaching is getting harder and harder. We are up against Peter Ingham of the New some tough opposition. Whether we like it or not the media South Wales Diocese of in all its styles and ways now informs our congregations about Wollongong. what they listen to, and how they listen,” he said. Archbishop Dew said: “I The next Federation of Catholic Bishops Conferences of look forward to working Oceania will be held in New Zealand in 2014. with the bishops of Archbishop John Dew Oceania, who come from four Bishops’ Conferences, and seeing how we can support each other in pastoral The Lab will get ministry and pastoral initiatives to keep the Ecclesia in Oceania you smiling again! document alive”. The bishops heard from speakers on topics such as celebrating and preaching in migrant contexts, and using new media for Contact us Direct for evangelisation. New, Full and Partial Dentures They also visited eight parishes around Sydney where they Denture Relines were welcomed by various ethnic communities and celebrated Denture Repairs & Cleaning Mass with parishioners. Archbishop Dew spoke at Holy Family Parish in Maroubra Free Consultation & Quotes on the American civil rights movement and and the action of women such as Rosa Parks in challenging racial segregation Open 24 hours, 7 days for repairs! during the 1960s.