july 2015 CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN ABLETISSUE 210 | JULY 2015 cdd.org.nz Caring Sunday 26 July “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25: 35 - 36 the tablet “Praised be” – challenge and hope seen in Pope Francis’ encyclical Pope Francis gives both challenge and the environment on St Francis Day The Church in Aotearoa New Zealand hope to the world in his latest encyclical 2014 (4 October). “On St Francis Day is honoured by the inclusion of insights Laudato Si’ (Praised Be), says Caritas this year we will be sharing deeper from our own Catholic Bishops. Director Julianne Hickey. “We welcome analysis of communities’ experience of Pope Francis quotes from their 2006 and accept the wero (challenge) he gives environmental issues in Oceania,” says environmental justice statement to all of us to take urgent and radical Mrs Hickey. concerning the overconsumption by action to protect our planet and its some that robs poor nations and future “The encyclical is critical of international p e op l e .” generations of what they need to survive. efforts so far in addressing climate Pope Francis addresses his letter change,” she says. “Pope Francis calls for Mrs Hickey says Caritas will continue to beyond Church boundaries to all bold solutions that look beyond national study this encyclical, and looks forward people, seeking dialogue and reminding interests or short term political cycles.” to being guided by our Bishops to us of our shared responsibility for He recognises a greater responsibility on apply it in our own context on the care safeguarding our common home, “so all the part of wealthier and more powerful of our natural and human home. She can live in dignity, especially mindful countries whose development has concludes by saying, “We welcome the of future generations and today’s poor, already benefitted from use of fossil fuels opportunity it presents to engage more ‘whose life on this earth is brief and who and natural resources. deeply on environmental concerns with cannot keep on waiting’ ”. political leaders and policy makers, our “Caritas welcome the challenge he has international and local partners, and the Mrs Hickey says Pope Francis hasn’t thrown in questioning market-based, Catholic and wider community.” flinched from acknowledging the technical solutions such as carbon immensity and urgency of responding credits, which he warns may lead to to environmental degradation faced by new forms of speculation and permit many people, especially the poorest. “We maintaining the excessive consumption are witnesses to the experience of our of many societies.” Mrs Hickey says O’NEILL partners, especially in the Pacific – people Pope Francis calls us rather to look DEVEREUX facing coastal erosion and flooding of beyond short-term fixes to more their lands, people being forced to move fundamental and integrated changes. LAWYERS from islands where their culture has This year the global community developed and flourished, and those Partners: has a significant opportunity to facing increasingly powerful weather- make a difference through our three Joe O’Neill related disasters such as cyclone Pam.” international conferences on sustainable Mike O’Neill But Mrs Hickey says Pope Francis also development, climate change and Paul O’Neill gives us hope. “He reminds us to look development finance. “This is a critical Todd Whitcombe to the real purpose of our life on earth, moment for New Zealand to look Lauren Pegg saying it is not too late, and we still have beyond our own self-interest and the ability to work together in building domestic politics, and to be a bold Staff Solicitor: our common home.” leader in seeking the global common Jared St Clair-Newman good. New Zealand needs to advocate Pope Francis highlights the lack strongly for ambitious targets to reduce of information and awareness of Client parking available greenhouse emissions.” environmental problems which affect 248 HIGH STREET the poorest and most excluded. “In Pope Francis recognises the collective P.O.BOX 909 our region we hear this first-hand wisdom and experience of the Church, DUNEDIN 9054 through listening to grassroots voices in through the voices of many Catholic Telephone 477-6801 Oceania,” says Mrs Hickey. Bishops’ Conference statements Website: www.ond.co.nz outlining the environmental challenges Caritas released a first report Small facing their regions. yet strong: Voices from Oceania on july 2015 Adult Pastoral Ministry Formation: Raising awareness and funds About nine years ago, Sister Teresa Hanratty RSM was engaged by the diocese to train up Some personal stories of the lay ministers for our diocese. In that time, about value of engaging in lay ministry thirty people have graduated from her Walking formation: New Paths lay formation programme, and many Service comes naturally; ‘living radically’ for of them are engaged in active ministry in their Jesus does not. After 30 years of trying to areas. Sister Teresa has since retired and Amy live faith to the full, the Walking New Paths Armstrong has been employed to continue lay programme began and I was blessed to be formation in this diocese. accepted on that journey – and a journey it has been, and still is: providing knowledge, To symbolize the continuity of this unfolding mission, some of the understanding, companionship, and annual retreats that for a mum of 6 was also a graduates gathered at Amy and Paul’s home for a liturgy to plant a holiday! I am so appreciative for the support fern that has been with Teresa since her ministry began, (pictured of my Walking New Paths colleagues below). There will soon be a raffle around the diocese to fund yearly because it is what sustains me in my ministry retreats for on-going formation and support of the lay ministers. to school and parish. Please keep watch in your parishes to support this worthy cause. Jocelyn Marsh - Parish/ School Liaison, Engaging in our own formation and ministry as adults of our St Patrick’s Parish, Oamaru Catholic faith is paramount to our own personal development, and for the service of God’s people. It is our mission to engage maturely When I moved to Lawrence, I felt I was being with our faith, and work alongside our priests, to bring about God’s called to do something. Although I didn’t Kingdom in our diocese. know what, it did not take long for things to happen! We moved into our house on Friday Following are examples of how life-changing the training of Walking and by Monday I was being encouraged New Paths has meant to three participants. If you are interested to apply for the Walking New Paths in engaging in a lay ministry formation programme please contact programme. It was discerning my gifts, and Amy Armstrong on [email protected] or phone 03 474 5755. then being able to use these gifts, that was one of the most rewarding experiences for me. The ongoing support, encouragement and fellowship from the Walking New Paths graduates and mentors is very important to me. This journey has been, and continues to be an opportunity that I am extremely grateful to be part of. Stephanie Swann - Pastoral Minister, Lawrence Struggling with loneliness in my ministry, encountering other like-minded adults with a passion for serving Christ, was a real turning point for me. While our ministries and struggles were diverse, our mission was the same; to serve God with our own particular gifts, meeting the needs of others. It was the guidance of Teresa, and the support and encouragement of my colleagues, that really enabled me to minister more effectively. I was supported, inspired, and energized for my own mission by sharing a common formation experience with other disciples of Christ. For this I will always be grateful. Amy Armstrong - Pastoral Leader for Fern planting liturgy. From Left to Right: Kathleen Currie, Jocelyn Marsh, Teresa Hanratty, Amy Armstrong, Anton Armstrong, Dunedin Diocese Ken Fahey, Stephanie Swann, Maureen Cummings, Maureen Smith. the tablet Service to the Parish REMEMBERING THE CHURCH IN YOUR WILL An invitation from Bishop Colin... 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. 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. If you have an existing Will, with the help of your legal advisor, you can make a simple modification to it. Sample wording for a bequeSt “...to the Roman Catholic Bishop of Dunedin for the Alexandra Parishioner, George Beckwith, time being, to use for the general purposes of the was recognized on Sunday 7 June, for his diocese as he sees fit, I give and bequeath...” service to the parish for over 50 years. He was given a certificate and a scene of Central Otago. George has served St Gerard’s School, and the parish, on almost every committee, especially the finances. George was pleasantly surprised by the public recognition of his service. The photo shows Parish Priest, Father Pat McGettigan, thanking, and congratulating George. Caring “ … We are all a little fragile, the elderly. Some, however, are particularly weak; many are alone, and affected by illness. Some depend on the indispensable care and attention of others. Will we take a step back for this? Will we abandon them to their fate? A society without closeness, in which gratuitousness and selfless affection – even among strangers – are disappearing, is a perverse society.