“... and a little child shall lead them.” Isaiah 11:6 The Newsletter Theof the Newsletter Catholic Bishop of the of Christchurch Catholic Bishop of Christchurch CHRISTMAS ISSUE 87 : DECEMBER 2011 Divine Mercy Priests Appointed Page 3 Page 7 New Parishes Announced Earthquake Update Page 5 Page 15 INFORM DECEMBER 2011 1 FROM THE BISHOP Earthquake Recovery In December, the Bishops of New Zealand will travel to Rome Coordinator appointed for their five-yearly visit. Bishop Barry, in partnership with This is a duty laid down in Canon Law and is called the ad Caritas New Zealand, has created limina visit, which includes a pilgrimage to the tombs of the a new position of ‘Earthquake Apostles, Sts Peter and Paul, a meeting with the Holy Father Recovery Coordinator’ and Pope Benedict XVI, and meetings with the officials of the appointed Matt O’Connell to dicastaries of the Roman Curia. this full time role. “The first In these meetings the successor of task in this new role will be to St. Peter is able to confirm and support ascertain what the needs are in his brother bishops in faith and charity. the various communities,” says They in turn are able to give a report to Mike Stopforth, Bishop’s Deputy him on the state of their Dioceses. for Pastoral Planning. These visits are an opportunity of The Earthquake Recovery the greatest importance and constitute role has been created to work the centre of the highest ministry with parishes and communities committed to the Supreme Pontiff, providing leadership, support where communion and unity in the and guidance in assisting them innermost life of the Church are ostered to the highest degree. in responding to pastoral needs. My report refers to the damaged churches and schools due Matt leaves behind eight years as the Young Adults Worker to the earthquakes, and also thanks the Holy Father for his in the Catholic Youth Team. “He brings a wealth of experience messages of sympathy for the Pike River tragedy and the and existing networks to the role,” says Mike. earthquakes, as well as the financial support which he made available for the relief of those suffering. Issue 87 18 December 2011 From the Editor We all have memories of Christmas. For many people Midnight Mass, when the craziness that precedes Christmas has subsided, brings warm sentimental moments. This year it falls on a Sunday. Wouldn’t it be great if every Sunday was so special? In fact it is, and the reason Bishop Barry has said he has “lain awake at night” wondering how he can ensure parishes gather as Church every Sunday, around the altar of the One who came as a fragile baby into our world at the first Christmas. What joy this newborn baby brings. A time for all to watch in awe and gratitude. This Christmas, and every Sunday, may His peace which is beyond all understanding be yours. Thanks to all contributors to Inform … and to you for reading it! Please pass it on. – Gerard Duignan Deadline for next issue: 24 February, 2012 2 INFORM DECEMBER 2011 News Divine Mercy – God’s Gift for Our Time The New Zealand Apostolic Congress lymphodemia at the shrine of Divine on Mercy (NZACOM) held at St Bede’s Mercy in Krakow, Poland in 1981. College in August followed congresses “Of special note was the presence, held around the globe over the past three singing and enthusiasm of a large years. The World Apostolic Congress delegation of over 100 Samoans from New on Mercy held in Rome in 2008 made Zealand, Australia and Samoa,” says Pat. the urgent and universal call to become “Several attendees from the local Catholic community were unaware of the call and urgency of Divine Mercy and were captured by this message and mission.” Further details: www.divinemercy.co.nz/ NZACOM www.worldapostoliccongressonmercy.org Benefactor Diana Lady Isaac cuts the centenary cake. Later she was presented with flowers by apostles of mercy in these days, according Maureen Whiting. to the model established and proclaimed by St Faustina Kowalska 1905-1938. St Ita’s Centenary “Her famous diary Divine Mercy in My Exactly 100 years to the day since it was Soul is one of the greatest spiritual classics Left to right, John Canavan, Pat Barrett (NZACOM Coordinator), Tommy Canning (Artist), opened by Bishop Grimes, Mass was of all time,” says Pat Barrett, National concelebrated in St Ita’s church. Coordinator for NZACOM. Fr Patrice Chocholski (WACOM Sec Gen.), John Fowler (Apostles of Mercy Aust.), Fr Antoine Formerly at Hinds, Mid Canterbury, Up to 500 at St Bede’s attended it was closed in 2005 then gifted to Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, talks, Thomas CSJ and Big Digan (USA) enjoying the Congress. Diana Lady Isaac who relocated it in presentations, films, and witnesses to and 2006 to the Heritage Village in the for mercy. This conference followed the Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust same objectives of WACOM - “attendees off McLeans Island Road, Harewood, were exhorted to proclaim mercy; first as Christchurch. a way of life, second, as a message and Sylvia Watson played the organ for the third, as a devotion,” says Pat. final hymn Song of Joy featuring words Bishop Barry Jones celebrated the specially written by her for the 75th opening Votive Mass of Divine Mercy anniversary. with Archbishop Alapati Mataeliga of Samoa, and coordinator for Divine Mercy for Oceania, Fr Patrice Chocholski, Secretary General for WACOM from St Bernadette’s, Hornby youth group Lyon, France, and a dozen other priests. at their camp celebrate a $3100 grant Fr Patrice spoke of the need for modern for resources and to strengthen witnesses to Divine Mercy in a world links with groups such as ICPE who infused by hate, revenge, and self. recently visited from Wellington. The high calibre of keynote speakers “Fr Paulo is a wonderful advocate included Fr Rory Morrissey from for youth,” say Steve and Wendy Auckland, Msgr Bill Middleton of Christ Entwistle. Since he arrived in the King Parish, Burnside, Fr Antoine Hornby seven years ago children’s Thomas CSJ of St Teresa’s Parish, liturgy has grown from 5 or 6 to 30 Riccarton. Also John Canavan director of or 40. Some of these have progressed into the youth group, and now lead Divine Mercy Publications, Melbourne, Current and former parish priests concelebrate the liturgy. “Our sincere thanks to and the inspirational American Deacon Mass once again in St Ita’s church, left to right, the Tindall Foundation who have Bob Digan, husband of Maureen Digan, Fr Geoff Gray, Msgr James Harrington, Fr Kevin clearly made youth a priority.” who received the miraculous cure of Burns, Fr Bernie Goulding and Fr Pat Crawford. INFORM DECEMBER 2011 3 Pastoral Planning Office Sunday Eucharist the Heartbeat of the Local Church “A full church is better of which 150 “excellent preparation for lay ministry formation than half-full ones and helpful” submissions has been run by the Catholic Education … this is a brilliant were received. These were Office. Lay volunteers now support the opportunity for us all,” a studied by a planning hospital chaplaincy and continue to parishioner told Bishop committee of clergy take Holy Communion to house-bound Barry Jones at a packed and laity. After vigorous parishioners. St Peter’s parish hall, debate, re-drafts and “These changes will mean sorrow in Beckenham, during meetings with the Council and sadness on the one hand, but as a question and answer of Priests, the Bishop has well, new opportunities to advance the session led by Mike promulgated the final plan. mission of the Church,” said Bishop Stopforth, the Bishop’s Where two or more Barry. The Pastoral Planning Office is Deputy for the Diocesan parishes combine they will distributing resources to assist parishes Pastoral Plan. The form a new entity, with through the changes. Bishop was launching one finance committee his Provision of Sunday and one parish council. Mass in the Catholic The locational name of the Diocese of Christchurch, parish will describe the which sees the amalgamation of several geographic area or where a parish priest parishes over the next three years. It is resides in the presbytery beside what the final chapter in a process that began will become the main church of the new in May 2009. By February 2014 there parish. No existing presbyteries will be will be nine pastoral areas comprising sold. 24 parishes (down from 48) along A new patronal name will be sought with ethnic and Maori communities from parishioners by the Bishop. He will and chaplaincies. It sees the required also rely on the “wisdom and generosity number of priests drop to 30 from 39 of spirit of parishioners” to propose Vigil (as at September 2010) and proposes 29 and Sunday Mass times, taking into fewer Sunday Masses overall. Eighteen account the needs of the whole pastoral new parishes have been formed, six will area. have a parish priest and an assistant The meeting heard there are nine priest, the others only a parish priest. seminarians currently preparing for “The plan will ensure we are not the priesthood, with at least two others Pip Toomey makes a point to Tim Fahy, reacting to circumstances as we focus on expected to join them next year. A chairman of St Peter’s, Beckenham Parish the mission of the Church,” said Mike survey of parish councils four years ago Council and of Christchurch South Stopforth. Bishop Barry called over nine revealed no strong call for ordained Pastoral Area. meetings last year inviting responses, deacons. 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