The Newsletter of the Catholic Bishop of Christchurch CHRISTMAS ISSUE 111 : DECEMBER 2017 The Block Rosary Crusaders of Mid Canterbury Ablaze Parish Renewal Conference Celebrating Jubilate 2017, Young Pages 4-5 Singers in Sacred Song Page 17 Foreshadowing the New St Francis of Society of St Vincent de Paul, A Special Assisi Church, Mairehau Page 10 Anniversary Page 18 INFORM DECEMBER 2017 1 Summer Issue 111 Good News From the December 2017 Diocesan Administrator NGA MIHI NUI FROM THE EDITORIAL DESK We have recently heard the wonderful Bishop-Elect My thanks to all who submitted news that Pope Francis has appointed Martin, I will stories to Inform in 2017. You gave Fr Paul Martin SM as the tenth Bishop continue as us a great insight into what goes on of the Diocese of Christchurch. He will administrator around the diocese, particularly in succeed our beloved Bishop Barry Jones of the diocese our smaller centres. In doing so, you who died in February 2016. Bishop-Elect until he is Bishop-Elect Paul are really sharing your love of Christ Martin will be ordained bishop in the ordained and His Church with us all. More of new year. I am sure the whole diocese bishop in 2018. Martin, Tenth Bishop of Christchurch your stories are in this, our final issue rejoices that we have a bishop again and Bishop- for 2017. we welcome him with open arms. Elect Martin's "I'd like to express what a Thank you for the high quality You will be interested to know that appointment privilege it is to be chosen photographs you are submitting. I Bishop-Elect Martin SM was born in was made to serve in the Diocese of am receiving very positive comment Hastings in 1967, one of five children. as we began Christchurch as Bishop, about them. Please do not be He entered formation for the Society of the Season following in the footsteps discouraged if your story was not Mary in 1985 and studied theology and of Advent. In of those before me. I am included in this edition. Inevitably, arts at Victoria University, Wellington these final days really looking forward to not all stories make it to print due and theology in Rome. He has taught of this Season taking up this ministry to space constraints. Those which English and Religious education in New of Advent, I and leading the Diocese." are not so time specific are kept for Zealand and his roles include Rector of thank those possible inclusion in future editions. St Patrick's College in Wellington and who have Inform Issue 111 (the Summer Deputy Director in Pastoral Care at St taken part in the diocesan programme of Issue) looks back over the last Bede's College here in Christchurch. intercessory prayer. We have prayed for three months of Catholic life in our I thank God for the two years we, the diocese, the people of our country diocese. We take special note of the as a diocese, have waited, prayed and and the needs of the world. As we pray Ablaze Parish Renewal Conference, worked for our new bishop. Thank you for the needs of others our own hearts join the Mairehau parish in their for the wonderful spirit of unity and expand. I am sure that as we look excitement over the building of their love which have pervaded the diocese forward to the coming of our Saviour, new church, rejoice in the sacred during this time. While bishop-Elect we will experience a deep renewal of our music made by our young people at Martin will have his own pastoral faith. May God bless you all and your Jubilate 2017, and give thanks for the approach and vision, he is already families and especially those in need in great contribution of the Society of St becoming aware of the richness of his the Christmas season. Vincent de Paul which began its New people in this diocese. Working with Fr Rick Loughnan Zealand work in our diocese. Let us give thanks for all the blessings and challenges of 2017 and prepare for the coming of Our Lord at Christmas and at the end of time. “Maranatha, come Lord Jesus.” In Christ, Ken Joblin Editor, Caitlin Godfrey Assistant Editor The diocesan website: catholic.org.nz advertiseswww.chch. events happening within the diocese. As a parish, school, or church group you are welcome to advertise events. You can list your Samoan youth gathered at event from the link on the home page the Carmelite Monastery under ‘events’. Chapel. 2 INFORM DECEMBER 2017 Our Bicultural Development A Cultural Imperative Hospital Chaplain Angela McCormick reflects on ‘Manaaki Hauora’ (the sacred obligation to attend to the well-being of others) Kia ora koutou, It was an honour and privilege for me to explore my understanding, awareness and knowledge of Maoritanga through completing a second Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Unit last year. Manaaki Hauora is the bi-cultural equivalent of a CPE unit presented in four week long modules over six months. Catholic Business Networking Lunch The course was full immersion into In early November, both tikanga (practices/customs) over 140 people and te reo Maori which was an attended the incredibly rewarding, uplifting, inaugural Catholic enriching, and yet challenging Networking Event experience. at the Addington Included were field trips, lectures, Raceway. It gave oral and written reflections, plus those of us in the cultural supervision. The aim of Catholic business the course was to enable and better community an equip participants to meet the opportunity to spiritual care of Maori patients and meet one another their whanau. I am grateful to Mike and put a face to a Stopforth who made it possible for name. me to attend. The lunch The course was a wonderful was hosted by opportunity to meet new colleagues, the Catholic friends and networks. My own faith Development Fund (CDF) and our Picture top: Over 140 Catholic business people (whakapono) journey was also compere was Fr Chris Friel. The first attended the Catholic Networking Lunch. deepened and extended. Through speaker of the day was the Chairman Picture above: Keynote speaker Mr Stephen new parameters of tikanga, my role of the CDF Board of Trustees, Mr Rob Boock speaking at the lunch. and identity as a chaplain has been Farrell. Mr Farrell welcomed everyone, guided and developed. thanked them for attending and Anyone wishing to pursue this bi- peeled (https://chchcatholic.nz/events) cultural work, please contact Sarah proceeded to tell them a little about the for the next event! CDF. McGregor on 03-389-1683. Melanie Perry Ma te Atua e manaaki - God Bless. The Fund was established in December CDF Administrator 1967 with the signing of a Trust Deed and has been a major influence in helping to establish the framework of our Catholic community, providing loans to purchase land and build our churches, presbyteries and schools. Also, every year the CDF has provided a distribution to the bishop to assist in the pastoral ministry of the church. The keynote speaker was Mr Stephen Boock who regaled us with many interesting stories of his early life and his cricketing career. He is well known for his roles with NZ Cricket as a player, board member and president. We had a very positive response to the lunch. So much so, that we are inspired to provide this platform for networking on a regular basis. So keep your eyes INFORM DECEMBER 2017 3 Bishop’s Office Christchurch is Ablaze The second weekend of November saw nearly 200 Catholic Australian Jan Heath, parish leaders converge on the St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral promoter of the precinct in Manchester Street for the Ablaze Parish Renewal Catholics Returning Conference. For some years, Christchurch Catholics have Home programme. attended Australia’s Proclaim Conference and wanted to bring She spoke of her own this experience to our own diocese and offer it in our own journey back to the context. Diocesan Administrator Fr Rick Loughnan recently Catholic faith after said that “The focus of the Ablaze Conference was renewal encounters with three for those of us who practice our faith, how to reach out to people who witnessed those who have drifted from their faith and to those who to her about their faith have never heard of Jesus.” To that end, Ablaze offered parish within a short period leaders encouragement and inspiration and equipped them to of time. Jan has gone immediately take what they learnt and apply it in their own on to be involved in parishes and schools. evangelisation both The Ablaze venue was shared between St Mary’s Pro- in Australia and in Cathedral on one side of Manchester Street and City Church a number of other on the other. This imaginative approach ensured that the countries. The third sacramental and devotional life of conference attendees could and final keynote take place in their own sacred space while City Church offered speaker was Daniel an excellent auditorium and classroom setting for keynote Ang, Director of addresses, workshops and discussion. Evangelisation for the Broken Bay Diocese in Christ was at the centre throughout the conference. It began Australia. His keynote and ended with the celebration of the Mass. The opening address provided Mass featured choristers from St Mary’s School, adjacent insights into the to the Pro-Cathedral, who, along with leading enthusiastic congregational singing, offered their own motets in Latin and Jess Bond and Gareth English, demonstrating that children are capable of singing Castillo providing music sacred music of quality and depth. The closing Mass featured for morning prayer.