NEWSLETTER OF THE CATHOLIC BISHOP OF CHRISTCHURCH Issue 118 - Winter 2019 Bishop Paul with the legal documents and keys to the new church in Lincoln. Bishop’s Decision to Deconstruct CATHEDRAL OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT (pages 4-5) JUBILATE 2019 “Sing of the Lord’s Goodness” (page 7) LINCOLN parishioners celebrate their new home (pages 14-17) SR PAULINE O’REGAN RIP (page 26) 1 From the Bishop Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Bishop’s Greetings to you in this middle part of the year as we embrace Ordinary Time in the life of the Church and work together on our processes for determining the future shape of our parishes in the diocese. I am grateful for the feedback received fundamentals do not change. We want Our faith communities are already O FFICE to date on the proposals and the way to be a Eucharistic community, one blessed in all that is happening you have engaged in the process that where the Sacraments are available in these areas. In joining these has been put in place as we try and to us and nourish our faith life. We communities together, we will have plan our future. It has been good to want to be a community that supports an even greater critical mass of gather together and to discuss what one another and provides ways for people to do this most important work is being proposed for our diocese. It is our spiritual lives to be nourished and and participate in the opportunities not easy to try and work out what it is enhanced outside of Mass. We want available. This is exciting and gives that God is asking of us and what we to be outward looking in our desire to great scope for creativity in finding will need in order to be stronger as a help our brothers and sisters in need faith community and to speak of Christ and to bring the Good News of Jesus ways to reach out to those who may to those we meet. The proposals are to those who have not heard it. These have drifted from the practice of their significant in terms of a new structure things are key to our life as Catholic faith, or those who have never been and way of operating. We are all being Christians and we need sustainable associated with a faith community. asked to give up much of what we structures to enable this to happen. have known for the sake of something In all that we are doing, let us new and hopefully more able to meet This thinking lies at the heart of the continue to pray for one another. our pastoral needs and resources. proposals. The temptation is to look at Let us presume that all people are the current structure, which we know sincere in their responses and let Key in all of this is to try and look and are at home with, and not in terms us give each other the space and ahead, to see what we will require for of those who will be here in 25 or 50 time to work through the variety of our sacramental life and structures years’ time. Just as our forebears in the emotions and reactions that these in the next twenty five to fifty years. faith set things up for their time, so too proposals evoke in us. We need to Our world is changing so quickly we must do the same in ours. This is keep communicating with one another and we can only try and anticipate our challenge and what the Holy Spirit in a way that allows us to respect the what life will be like. However, the is calling us to. person and listen to their views with an open mind. This is what God is asking of us at the moment as a diocese and “This is our CHALLENGE that is my prayer for each of us at this time. and what the Blessings to you and your families. Holy Spirit is calling us to.” + Paul Martin SM The diocesan website: www.chchcatholic.nz lists information about parishes, Mass times, diocesan news and events. Parishes, schools and church groups are welcome to advertise events. Please email mstopforth@chch. catholic.org.nz. 2 FFICE From our Diocesan General Manager O - Andy Doherty In this note to you, I would like to pay a personal Bishop’s tribute to two important members of our Catholic family in Christchurch who have recently died, both of whom have touched our lives. My Mum had a real love of Mary and Sr Pauline O’Regan a close relationship with all religious I grew up in Aranui with the Sisters but the majority of her time would of Mercy: Srs Pauline O’Regan, Marie have been with the Sisters of Aranui. McRea and Helen Goggin. These Sr Pauline would have offered support more than anything - friendship and Sisters gave real support to the Aranui possibly guidance over the years. community and beyond. My mother As both of my parents have passed, Issue 118 - Winter 2019 was a keen singer and must have sung what became clear was how close Sr with Sr Helen who was in charge of Pauline was to all of our family - the music on more than 1,000 occasions. Doherty Boys and their partners. My I was unaware of the true depth of Sr brother Steve, Siobhan and their son Pauline as a person. I knew her as a Nga mihi nui Cameron flew down from Auckland family friend and she continued to be for the funeral to pay their respects. Sr from the editorial desk. so throughout my late mother’s life. Pauline really connected with Siobhan I was always struck by Sr Pauline’s (another writer) and most of our family. Inform Issue 118 is our Winter humility and was only more recently edition and comes to you as we aware that she had been Principal of There were many layers to Sr Pauline stand on the threshold of spring. Villa Maria College, and that she had but I will always remember her as a It covers Catholic life in the taught at Aranui High School. I was friendly Sister who genuinely cared Christchurch Diocese from May to quite struck with how we only knew about our family and our community. early August. her as Sr Pauline. I am sure she was You will read a more detailed tribute a strong Principal but we only saw to Sister’s life in the religious section of Among it’s features, Bishop Martin warmth and a high IQ and EQ. this edition of Inform. outlines his thinking behind the decision to deconstruct the Cathedral of the Blessed George Macfarlane class that we can all learn from - I Sacrament. We celebrate Jubilate certainly tried to learn from them and 2019, our annual Catholic primary George Macfarlane aged 86, was was always so grateful to them. schools music festival. We follow the cause for sainthood of the a Xavier College old boy. I first met What a great life George had - a Venerable Suzanne Aubert with George and his wife Marie at a Finance celebration of a man who has lived a Board meeting a month before I took full life and someone I consider to be a a Christchurch connection. In up my role in the diocese. At this friend, a mentor and a man I will never a centre spread, we join with meeting we celebrated his lifelong forget. Had my time in this role come Lincoln’s St Patrick’s parish in contribution to the Church. Instantly to an end before he died, I intended the opening of their new church. they both gave me their love and to pay my respects to George and We are in communion with the support. Marie grabbed my arm and Marie for the welcome they gave me. Sisters of Mercy in giving thanks whispered to me “We know you will do It took me nearly 12 months to work for the life of Sr Pauline O’Regan. well”, words that touched my heart and out why I began so strongly in this role. The back cover contains a Prayer I will never forget. George then said to Then I remembered the welcome, to the Holy Spirit. Bishop Martin me “It is great to have a Xavier boy on the support, the comfort that they is inviting us to pray this prayer the job, there are a few of us around.” both offered up 30 days before I even as we look to the future of the started. What a great way for me to Christchurch diocese. At every meeting since, they have begin a new and complex role. At shown what people of quality they are. nearly every meeting, they reinforced After you have read this Issue, I still have a letter from them on my those kind words, words which were please pass it on to others you desk thanking me - the sort of letter very powerful for me. know who may connect with its you can’t just file away. At 86, George articles and stories. who only just stepped down from the Rest in peace George, love you, the Maryville Board, still provided financial work you have done and the way advice. In fact they were both at the you have gone about it. I will think of In Christ, recent Business Lunch offering their you as we have a drink at the end of much needed loyal support.