SUZANNE AUBERT SCHOOL TE WIKI O TE WHAI TIKA ASSUMPTION OF MARY 15 AUGUST SR ALISI TU’IPULOTU AND SR SOSEFINA MAFI PAGE 3 SOCIAL JUSTICE WEEK 6-12 SEPTEMBER 2020 PAGES 8–9 SUBHEADINGPATRONAL FEAST OF NZ PAGEPAGE 14 X AUGUST 2020 ISSUE 385 Study for a crucifixion Michael Fitzsimons A large-scale religious painting by one of Australia’s most renowned abstract painters has been gifted to the Mission Estate Winery in Hawke’s Bay. The painting, entitled Study for a crucifixion, was done by Dick Watkins in 1991, measuring 152 x 244 cms. The painting is a gift from Australian-based art collector James Erskine, chairman of Sports and Entertainment Ltd (SEL) who have partnered with the Mission over many years to host the very popular Mission Concerts. ‘Study for a crucifixion is a dramatic work of modern art,’ says Peter Holley, Mission Estate Winery Chief Executive. ‘It hangs in the grand stairwell in the cellar door area so all our visitors can enjoy it. ‘It is a very generous gift and it is so appropriate this striking painting is now hanging here at the Mission with its deep religious traditions. The Mission, New Zealand’s oldest winery, is owned by the Society of Mary and was for many years a seminary for the formation of Marist priests and brothers. Members of the Society of Mary were the first Catholic missionaries to arrive in New Zealand in 1838.’ Artist Dick Watkins was born in 1937 and is a pioneer of abstract painting in Australia. He is stylistically eclectic, citing cubism, Picasso and the American abstract expressionists as influences. His work appears in the National Gallery of Australia and in many State Galleries, as well as in many corporate collections. He lives and works in Sydney, Australia. ‘Study for a crucifixion’, 1991, painting by Dick Watkins, acrylic on canvas. Sacred Heart Cathedral to receive $8.5 million for restoring and strengthening ‘The Cathedral is not only ‘This is marvellous news,’ beamed Annette Scullion widely used by the Catholic John Prendergast, General Manager congregation but also by the public of the Archdiocese, both extremely Hopes for a fully restored and as a performance space because of delighted and grateful that the strengthened Cathedral have its globally acclaimed acoustics. It application had gone through. soared with the Category 1 is also a tourist attraction because ‘This is a public endorsement of historic building qualifying for a of its architectural merits,’ Grant the Cathedral as a highly significant Government grant, from its ‘shovel Robertson said. building for the city and New ready’ infrastructure fund. The $8.5 million grant will Zealand,’ he said. A ‘shovel ready’ construction enable the difficult and expensive The Cathedral Parish project is where planning and ‘base isolation’ to go ahead for community has been using St engineering is advanced enough that Cathedral. This, together with the Thomas More Church in Wilton with sufficient funding, construction strengthening of the roof structure, and the Cathedral chapel for Mass. can begin within a very short time. will meet 90 per cent of the national The Cathedral will remain The Cathedral of the Sacred Earthquake Code. closed throughout the projects, but Heart in Hill St, Thorndon has been The Archdiocese and Cathedral no one should be disappointed says closed since July 2018 due to seismic Parish were set to begin the roofing John Prendergast. risk. Over the past two years Sacred The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Hill St, Thorndon. work this August, not counting on ‘We have the best possible Heart Parish and the Archdiocese of Photo: Annette Scullion their application to Government opportunity to ensure Sacred Heart Wellington have been planning work being successful. Cathedral, that has served for well to strengthen and renovate the interior begin in August with almost 300 under the $3 billion infrastructure A strengthened roof would have over 100 years, to be enjoyed as a and exterior of the Cathedral as well as construction jobs to be created over fund announced at Budget 2020,’ said seen the Cathedral reopened next place of worship, inspiration and refurbish the historic Hobday organ. the period of the next three years. Mr Robertson. ‘The restoration is year, but not fully up to code. With hospitality for many generations On 24 July, Minister of Finance ‘This project is ready to go right expected to take about three years and public funding, a fully restored to come.’ Grant Robertson announced now. The Government is putting $8.5 once complete will see this Category heritage treasure will be available government’s support for the project million towards the project which 1 Historic Place once again available for the spiritual and cultural welfare Cathedral Restoration noting that work is scheduled to meets all the criteria for funding for the Wellington community to use. of everyone. Underway, p 6 2 HERE-TURI-KŌKĀ 2020 NAUMAI He Tirohanga | Insights From the editor Cardinal John reminds everyone to keep safe during Covid-19 pandemic Annette Scullion Patronal Feast of Aotearoa New Zealand, 15 August, p 14. This year’s Caritas Aotearoa “We all still need to be conscious of hygiene Congratulations to members of Social Justice Week, 6–12 the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart September, focuses on nine core measures such as hand washing, using hand Parish and the Archdiocese of principles of Catholic Social sanitiser when distributing Communion, and Wellington who have been Teaching (CST). Resources are keeping our churches and other premises in involved with planning work also on the Caritas website to our communities clean. If people are unwell, to strengthen and refurbish support Social Justice Week, as they should not come to Mass or other parish the exterior and interior of the set out on pp 8 and 9. Cathedral, which has been closed The New Zealand Catholic activities.” – Cardinal John Dew for two years due to seismic risk. Bishops have prepared a statement The government grant of $8.5 about the 2020 General Election million towards the restoration in September along with the two Cardinal John Dew. Photo: WelCom and strengthening work on End of Life Choice and cannabis the Cathedral recognises its referenda. The bishops’ statement, In a letter to priests and lay pastoral leaders in the • When priests are concelebrating Mass, such as for public and cultural significance to be issued in print and online later Archdiocese of Wellington, 14 July, Cardinal John funerals, they should receive the Precious Blood among the wider community this month, encourages Catholic Dew advised guidelines on how to continue to keep by intinction [partly dipping the consecrated and is hugely encouraging for voters to make sure they are well parishioners safe and to continue to feel safe in the bread, or host, into the consecrated wine before the Catholic congregation and informed when casting their vote, Covid-19 environment. consumption]. visitors who worship there. Fr including about issues stemming Going into Alert Level 1 on 8 June ended the Cardinal John went on to suggest that priests ask James Lyons, long-time and from the worldwide Covid-19 restrictions on the numbers of people gathering their Eucharistic ministers if they are willing to continue now retired parish priest for the pandemic and the two referenda. including in churches for Mass and other services. their ministry with the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, Cathedral, writes more on p 6. However, some restrictions for Masses were kept in as some who are potentially vulnerable due to their age Fr James also offers a reflective Kia kaha, place to help make vulnerable people feel it was safe to or health status, may not feel safe continuing. ‘portrait’ about the Assumption kia maia, come back to Mass. These restrictions were: In conclusion Cardinal John said, ‘We still need to be of the Blessed Virgin Mary, kia manawa. • the removal of holy water from fonts; conscious of hygiene measures such as hand washing, • no communion on the tongue or from the chalice; using hand sanitiser when distributing Communion, and and keeping our churches and other premises clean. WELCOM AUGUST • asking people not to shake hands at the Sign of People should be reminded once again that if they Due to WelCom’s printer upgrading and changing over their print press Peace. are unwell they should not come to Mass or other installation this month, WelCom’s total number of pages this edition When advising these restrictions in June Cardinal parish activities. is 16 instead of the usual 20 pages. Next month’s September WelCom John said that he would review these restrictions in ‘Thank you for everything that you and your publication will be back to 20 pages. a month’s time. In his letter, 14 July, Cardinal John parishioners have done during the various Alert Levels. advised he had consulted with the Council of Priests the Let us enjoy the opportunities to gather which Alert previous week about what they thought was appropriate Level 1 has given us and pray that the country does not based on what was happening in their parishes. Several have to return to the restrictions of the last few months.’ said there were elderly people who were not coming to Mass for safety reasons and that most people appreciated In July, Monsignor Brian Walsh, Local Administrator, www.welcom.org.nz the cautionary approach that has been taken. Diocese of Palmerston North, advised parishioners Cardinal John wrote that the following guidance had that he had consulted priests and laity and Published by: The Archdiocese of Wellington and the Diocese of Palmerston North. been decided. had consequently decided to lift the liturgical Editor: Annette Scullion.