Kete Korero November 2013 by Catholic Diocese of Hamilton, NZ

Catholic Diocese of Hamilton November 2013 - January 2014

Strong faith beats in parish heart Support role change for mums School trustees tackle challenges Community ties draw new principal

CONTENTS

In this issue... Read it online! www.proudtobecatholic.org.nz Bishopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Message 3 Editorial 4 Features Parish Strong faith beats in the heart of Murupara 5 St Vincent de Paul New support office helping services to clients 12 Support role changes as mums struggle with pressures 14 Young Vinnies grow into role of giving 16 Mental Peace Stepping Out providing mental health peace 18 Aid Caritas seeks Syrian refugee support 30

Strong faith in Murupara

Education News Trustees urged to tackle challenge of passing on faith 22 School reviews reflect communities 23 School News Strong community ties draw new principal to school 25 Diploma studies lift faith insight 27 Happy feet at Paeroa; Speeches 2013; Aquinas students shine; Wacky hair day 28 Our Parishes Euthanasia and hospice Parish snippets

4 4 & 29

Young and Catholic Kete Korero short story writing competition Lodge ideal venue Vacancies at Rimbrook

31 31 31

The Kete Korero is an official publication of the Catholic Diocese of Hamilton. Deadline for contributions to the next issue is 15 December 2013 Kete Korero Magazine c-/ 51 Grey St, P.O. Box 4353, Hamilton East 3247 Editor: P.O. Box 6215, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua 3010 Tel: 07 349 4107, kete@cdh.org.nz. Sponsorship and advertising: David Barrowclough, c-/ Chanel Centre 0800 843 233 Fax 07 8567035 or email: cdf@cdh.org.nz

St Vincent de Paul

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St Michaels School

25 Cover: Community at Sacred Heart Murupara

BISHOP’S MESSAGE

ecently this Diocese had the opportunity of welcoming 180 Diocesan Priests from all over the country as they gathered for an assembly in Rotorua. This assembly is something that is sponsored by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference and takes place every five years. For the first time, we were able to host the assembly in our diocese. The assembly was a wonderful opportunity in which diocesan priests from the six dioceses of New Zealand spend three days together enjoying each other’s company and reflecting upon the special privilege they have in being called to share in the ministerial Priesthood of Jesus Christ. After a time that has been quite difficult for all priests in the light of sexual misconduct cases, this gathering was an opportunity to be positive and to realise that we are served in the Church in New Zealand by wonderfully dedicated priests who carry the burden of shame but who also are proclaimers of the love that Christ has for all of us. These priests live their lives in complete dedication and service. During the assembly the priests gathered with the people of Rotorua Pastoral District of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop for a daily Mass in St Mary’s Church in Rotorua. The way in which the people of the Rotorua district participated in those Masses was inspirational. On each of the three nights, they gathered in great numbers. They knew that they were representing all of the Catholic faithful in this country and showing an appreciation of what the Priesthood of Jesus Christ means to us in the Catholic community. The Priests Assembly did wonders in boosting the morale of our priests. As we reflect upon that, let us thank God again for those wonderful men who serve us week in and week out, in word and sacrament and in loving pastoral care. I take this opportunity, also, in expressing appreciation to you for the way in which you support your priests so magnificently in all of the parishes. I know that the priests appreciate your prayerful and encouraging support that is so important for their own well-being. May the Lord continue to bless our priests and bless us with more generous men who answer the call to serve in the vineyard of the Lord. God bless you Yours sincerely in Christ

V Denis Browne BISHOP OF HAMILTON

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EDITORIAL

People and faith central themes for new editor

oing to Mass is always rewarding. Sometimes the words will stir an “ah ha” moment; or you might bump into an old friend who opens the gate to a new vista. Of course, it can be irritating when the Parish Priest gives away the score from last night’s rugby test in South Africa (never mind that text received later). Some time ago I was at Mass when I was flicking through the Parish newsletter and saw the job of editor for Kete Korero advertised. My day job in publishing services revolves around writing, editing and putting together publications. I consider myself a practicing Catholic rather than a devout one but when the advert appeared again the next week, I couldn’t help but apply. It’s been a long time since I’ve applied for a job – usually people call me up and say “Hey Mike, we need a newsletter/magazine/book – can you do it for us?” So having to be interviewed by the folks at the Diocese Office in Hamilton was a new – and to be honest, slightly scary experience.

PARISH SNIPPETS Rotorua Hospice and euthanasia - The St Mary’s Rotorua Parish social justice group met recently to discuss the issue with Rotorua Hospice, which cares for many terminally ill people in the Rotorua district. Hospice Trustee Bev Simpkins, a member of the social justice group, and chairman Kevin O’Connor outlined the work of the hospice service in providing specialist nursing care for terminally ill people and their whanau/ families. Care includes not only physical treatment but also spiritual and emotional care as well as specialised equipment such as beds, wheelchairs, syringe drivers to deliver drugs that control pain and oxygen concentrators to assist breathing, all free, to make patients’ remaining time as comfortable as possible. Kevin explained that, in line with the hospice slogan, Living Every Moment, the hospice movement in Rotorua and nationally does not involve itself in the euthanasia debate, which is irrelevant to the movement’s philosophy of care and its involvement in a much broader range of care than physical treatment alone.

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However, it did sharpen my understanding as to why – through all the ups and downs of my life – I remain a practicing Catholic. And it did sharpen my resolve to turn my work and life experience to the job of editing the diocese magazine. In so far as I live and work in Rotorua, it could be said that the diocese administration has thought outside the square with my appointment. Rotorua is geographically the centre of the diocese and this will be reflected in coming issues. Jessica Jackson, who preceded me as editor, has gone on to follow a vocation which has taken her overseas. We are at the opposite ends of our careers and lives but we have one thing in common – our faith. As such, the main theme I would like to follow as editor is “people and faith” - for Kete Korero to express how although we are all different, and come at Catholicism in different ways, our faith is at the heart of who we are and what we do. Michael Smith Keep Christ in Christmas Car Magnets Silently evangelize and spread the real meaning of Christmas, by placing an attractive nativity-scene shaped magnet bearing the message “Keep Christ in Christmas” on your car. St Mary Star of the Sea Parish in Gisborne are selling these magnets and would really appreciate your support. The large size of the magnet is 15.5 x 17.5cm and they cost $10 plus actual postage For more information/to purchase, please contact Shelley-Anne Avisenis 06-8686777 or 021-1337035 or email avisenis@xtra.co.nz Tauranga: Parish Finance Committee - An objective for the Parish Finance Committee is to prepare initially a Risk Register and then a Disaster Recovery Plan. There are varied and wide ranging risks within the Parish Centre and the first step is to identify these risks through a “brainstorm” session. Parishioners are invited to participate in this session which will be held in the latter half of September. If you wish to participate, please contact Sr Emeli at the Parish Office 578 6209. We are grateful to the work of parishs for sending in their newsletters. More items can be found on Page 29.

FEATURE

Strong faith beats in the heart of Murupara

Murupara is one of the tiniest, and most isolated parishes in the Catholic Diocese of Hamilton. As Kete Korero Editor, Mike Smith, discovered during a recent visit, a strong faith remains at the heart of this parish. This is the first in a series on our parishes. ketekorero November 2013-January 2014

FEATURE

strong faith remains at the heart of the tiny parish of the Sacred Heart in Murupara. Located in the southern limits of eastern Bay of Plenty there is nothing between Murupara and Gisborne but the towering Te Urewera Range. For some years now, township has also been a community on the edge of the kind of abandonment that has drained other no-growth areas. What news has come out of it has largely focused on the kind of poverty-driven crimes and social difficulties too readily associated with economic difficulty. The Sacred Heart Parish once played a central part in this community, but is itself on the edge due to diminishing numbers. However, the faith of the people attending the tiny parish church remains strong. This was reflected with a strong turnout to Mass during a visit by Kete Korero towards the end of winter 2013. It was the kind of day that deserved a warm fire and a dry room. I travelled out with Basil Johnson, a former policeman and long-time Murupara resident, who now lives in Rotorua. The rain stayed away on our drive out, the 60 kilometre journey taking about 45 minutes. The

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Brother Vincent Jury

last section down Highway 38 takes the traveller through what was once the largest plantation forest in the southern hemisphere.

FEATURE Kaingaroa Forest remains an economic giant but its influences on Murupara have been significantly reduced from in state forestry’s heydays before the start of privatisation in the mid-1980s.

Sacred Heart is a lovely little wooden church, with the kind of beautiful tututuku panels behind the altar rarely seen even in larger city churches. The missal is in te reo and English.

Christian Brothers, Brother Vincent Jury and Brother Trevor Gibbons, now look after the parish - the former for the past 23 years – after Father L. Bracken went off to a retreat in Ireland in 1985 and never came back.

Services are two or three times a month, with a Mass once a month by a priest from Rotorua and once a month from the Maori Missionary Team, called “Whaia te Whaea”, which is usually Fr David Gledhill.

In 2007, a 100-year celebration was held for the original parish church building, although Br Vincent says it was probably more like 103 or 104 years. The church was originally built by Fr Charles Kreymborg MHM in 1907 on Rangitahi Marae and remained there until 1960. Fr Kreymborg (or Pa Karora, as he was called) is remembered as a man of mighty deed, Br Vincent says, building another 11 churches, at least three schools, four presbyteries and three convents along with a meeting house in Kihikihi. Being located for so long on the marae, a strong bond grew between local people and the church. This bond continued into the new church, with land on which the new church was built in 1958 previously belonging to elderly parishioner Sarah Hohua’s mother’s mother. The old church is now used regularly for Parish Council Meetings and for supper after Mass. It also served as a kohanga reo while the Rangitahi Kohanga was being built and was the location of the first housie nights in Murupara.

Melanie Te Kurapa, Dominic Temm and Waka Taki.

Br Vincent says the Christian brothers came to Murupara starting in 1989, because it is a poor Maori community in which they can provide a religious presence, especially to the young people, and to work in solidarity with Maori. “It’s rural, it’s fairly isolated, it’s very poor, and

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FEATURE

Waka Taki, Te Aroha Taki, Sara Comer

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it has high unemployment with all the associated problems that come with that.” The brothers operate using a community engagement model. The church is one aspect, but they have also opened up a radio station and a centre for alcohol and drug abuse counselling. They launched a youth centre trust, developing a drop-in centre for students after school. Br Vincent continues the tradition of Sacred Heart’s involvement in the Maori community, officiating at tangi and various hui. A tangi can last three days, so during this time he provides the morning and night prayers and is present throughout. By his own admission, Br Vincent uses a lot of water for blessings and has blessed cars, trucks, pounamu, bone carvings, waka ama and houses. The most unusual object he has blessed is a mattress on which someone had died – the family wanted it blessed before anybody could use it again. As well as doing the liturgy services most Sundays, Br Vincent also does services once a month at Ngaputahi in the depths of the Te Urewera between Murupara and Ruatahuna. As well, he shares duties at an inter-denominational service at Kaingaroa.

FEATURE

GROWING UP IN MURUPARA AND THE CHURCH Most of the parishioners grew up in Murupara or are long-time residents. Huia Martin and Tina Mitai-Rore grew up there, while Sara Comer first came to Murupara in 1952. Huia and Tina have been friends for so long they frequently finish off each other’s answers to questions. They say growing up as a Catholic in Murupara was like being whanau.

Judy Higgins, Jacob Te Kurapa and Marg Rangitauira

‘Everybody did everything together,’ says Tina. ‘We all put on our Sunday best for Mass and off we went.’

‘We all put on our Sunday best for Mass and off we went.’

Huia says both cultures got along well, with farming families coming from Galatea to the parish. “Like we all go back a long way and our kids have all been baptized here and we even got married here,” she says.

Sarah Hohua, Maurice Mason and Basil Johnson

Mention the bad press Murupara has sometimes received over the years and the two are quick to defend their home town. ‘They don’t publish a lot of the good things that happen our here too,’ Tina says, and Huia adds ‘and we do have good things happen here.’ ‘Lots of kids here have positive achievements,’ Tina says, and Huia adds ‘and everybody looks after everybody. You just have that element that’s in every place.’

Tina Rore and Visitor

Huia says Br Vincent keeps the parishioners connected – ‘I think if we didn’t have Br Vincent, I don’t know where we would be with our church. He and Br Trevor keep us up to the mark.’

Waka Taki and Br. Trevor Gibbons

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FEATURE

FROM JAPAN TO MURUPARA A relatively new arrival in the parish is Midori Yanaka, a teacher from Japan. She is in her second year teaching at the Maori immersion school, Te Kura Kaupapa Motuhake o Tawhiuau. Going to Mass in Murupara is very different from home, where services are held five times a day on Sundays and 5,000 people are registered. She describes the community here as one big family, who help each other out. They express their faith in the same way, however, making her welcome because she comes to Mass and she is a Catholic.

Georgina Hohua and Father Peter Carde SM

FAITHFULNESS AT THE HEART OF THE PARISH Sara Comer is the treasurer of the parish council. Although these days she travels around a lot, Sacred Heart remains her home church. “All the major activities of my life have been here. I was married here, I was confirmed here, but I made my first holy communion in Galatea and reconciliation out there in somebody’s lounge.” It was a very strong Catholic community in those days, Sara says, but as with the times being what they are, people are much more mobile today and go away. Faced with Murupara’s economic struggles and the parish’s lower attendance numbers, Sara believes the congregation members have to remain faithful Sarah Hohua and Sara Comer

and leave it to the Lord. “Maybe we will be moved to do something different or someone will come who will shake us up. But we have to remain faithful. We are small in numbers but we’ve not been short of faithfulness.” Since Fr Bracken went off on sabbatical and never came back, she says, the parishioners have had to cater for themselves. “We haven’t missed a Sunday. And that’s a core value – that is faithfulness.” Asked how difficult it is to keep the faith given Murupara’s circumstances, she refers to Midori and the Japanese Catholic Church, which for centuries had to operate underground. “They knew when the time was right, it would happen again, and it did. But it wouldn’t have if that faith hadn’t been there.”

L to R: Harrison, Melanie, Hamuera and Jacob Te Kurapa (family group)

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Dominic Temm, Sara Comer, (back) Waka Taki, Basil Johnson, Fr Peter Carde SM, Br Vincent Jury, (back) Maurice Mason, Judy-Anne Higgins, Br Trevor Gibbons CFC, Te Aroha Taki, (front group) Melanie Te Kurapa with Harrison and Hamuera.

Jacob Te Kurapa, Mary Rangitauira, Sarah Hohua, (behind) visitor, (front kneeling) Georgina Hohua, Midori Tanaka, Tina Rore, (back)

Parishioners and clergy gather around the altar of the Church of the Sacred Heart in Murupara after a service on 28 August, 2013. From the left, front and back:

FEATURE

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ST VINCENT DE PAUL

From left: Carol Devoy-Heena, Mary Devlin, Lynne MacKenzie Brown and Rachel Palmer

New support office helping services to clients Opening a support office has helped St Vincent de Paul’s Tauranga branch better identify and act on the needs of clients. The new support office, across the street from the well-established St Vincent de Paul shop on Cameron Road, was opened in October 2012, says Lynne Mackenzie Brown Executive Officer, St Vincent de Paul, Western Bay of Plenty. Lynne started in her role at the beginning of December 2012 after the organisation decided the role was too big a job to do on a voluntary basis.

reasons. It can be a need for food, a request for small household items; a request for large household items; or a need for financial help.

“So we opened up here in October last year so there’s an obvious place for clients to come and also give them some privacy when they’re discussing their issues, because a busy shop is not the best place to be discussing your issues.”

“We see a lot of young mums and grannies who need help and support, and emotional support with the prospect of motherhood. Maybe motherhood is not new and they have six or seven children at home and they just need that support.”

The move has seen two of the office’s five projects the office runs being amalgamated – one being support and the other Project Majella. Lynne says it was decided to amalgamate them, so two parttime workers could cover the same areas without clients having to come back to see them separately.

The support office can provide a free loan of quite a lot of baby equipment – cots, pushchairs, bassinets, whatever is available.

Clients come into the support office for a variety of

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“We also try to educate especially when it comes to things like sleeping in bed with baby. We try and educate people not to do that and if they are insisting on it, we try and put a solution in place

ST VINCENT DE PAUL that makes it safe.” The two paid workers are supplemented by volunteer hours to try to encourage as much follow through as possible with the clients – “depending on how much they want of course, as some people don’t always want a lot of follow up.” Tauranga’s other three projects are Young Vinnies, Loaves and Fishes (lunches for children in schools) and a Full Stop Bus that goes out six nights a week. Also, there are three shops – one in Cameron Road; one in Greerton; one at the Mount; and a plan to open shop at Katikati. Lynne says she tries to act as a conduit to bring all the different parts together, reporting to the area board on her accounts and administration work. Work is underway to develop a client data base to better record the work being done. “I think that’s one of the things we are lacking and if we go for external funding, they ask you an awful lot of questions and you have to be able to answer them. So hopefully the data base will enable us to do that. Also, it will reduce the paper work a bit.” Lynne is also trying to get a web site set up for the Western Bay area in an effort to encourage volunteers. She also sits on the shop committee as well as on the area board. Lynne has 25-plus years’ experience in community sector management, which means she is able to turn her hand to almost anything. “So when I see or believe something should be done, or could be done better, I can do it.” The manager of a citizen’s advice bureau back in Scotland, Lynne was also on the national body

for Scotland. In New Zealand, she has managed a counselling service in Taranaki, and an independent advice service. St Vincent de Paul in Tauranga currently has nine part-time staff members. The number of clients is hard to measure, which Lynne says is why the data base being developed. It’s hard to be certain of the number of clients, she says but in 2011-12 year there were 240 new clients and maybe another 150 repeat clients. Since the support office has opened, they are getting a lot more people dropping-in. With the Project Majella clients it is estimated numbers are about 300 – 400 families per year, depending on economic climate. Of course that these figures don’t include those who go direct to conferences. Lynne says she is aiming to try to get the message out that the office is there to help. Like a lot of charities, she says, St Vincent de Paul is poor at actually promoting itself and going out there and saying how a family has been able to do something as a result of the help they received. “We keep it very quiet so it means that we are not spreading the word, and as a result, people who don’t know about us aren’t getting to know about us.” We are in the process of having a website which will be www.wbopvinnies@co.nz Another benefit of having the office is that, for example, the Young Vinnies organiser is able to see what we deal with and can better translate that into action projects for youngsters. For more information, contact: Lynne Mackenzie Brown Telephone: 07 578 3814

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ST VINCENT DE PAUL

Support role changes as mums struggle with pressures The increasing need for help for young mums has been highlighted by Carol Devoy-Heena, a support officer at Tauranga’s St Vincent de Paul support office. Carol was previously the coordinator of Project Majella, which was originally set up by a trust to help and protect mothers in need. Looking back on the work done, Carol says Project Majella took a holistic approach to its task. “We tried to support women from early pregnancy through to when the baby was a year old. I took care of the practical needs of baby equipment and helped them to access help from other community organisations.” Often her work was around enabling mothers to actually see what help they needed. “They would come to you with a need – like a pushchair or some clothing – but you could see when you visited them at home that there were other problems and you knew the agency that could help and they didn’t.” Every mother’s need was different and to help them, it was very important to befriend them and gain their trust. “We rolled up our sleeves and gave practical help out of hours as well as in hours, whereas social workers have a particular field they are available for. Although some funding is available now for young mothers, Carol says it is very directed help and means only 20 at a time can be helped in the Tauranga area. More mums are coming forward for help, she says, even though the abortion option is available. “It is very easy to trip into a career as a mum; the lack of work doesn’t help. You know the thought of working at a takeaway place for the next two or three years or staying at home and having a baby. I think there is a genuine need out there.” The recession has seen an increasing number of younger women already pregnant, whose mothers are solo mothers with another two or three at home. Even once the girls turn 18 and are able to access funding, Carol says they only receive about $50

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Carol Devoy-Heena

cash in hand and often that has to cover nappies and formula and cannot be included in their grocery allocation. “Now, where are they going to get the rest of the money from? The choices could be prostitution, drug dealing, or moving stolen goods. Not all cases are like that – you know, you’ve got parents who are handing out money. So the pressure is on, it’s definitely on for the young ones.” The option of abortion can be raised as a result of, say, a girl who was required to prop up her mother who was sick and her siblings. In one recent case, grandparents offered bribes for a girl to get an abortion, with an overseas trip as a sweetener. But even though the family will not support them when they fall pregnant, many young women will

ST VINCENT DE PAUL carry on with the pregnancy.

College and in the school’s first form three.

At the other end of the scale, Carol recounts the case of an older mother who came into the support office recently who had just had her power cut off.

She describes herself as being “all for social justice and looking after the little person”.

She was nearly 40 years of age, with a baby just a few weeks old and an older child. She thought her husband/partner had been paying the power and he hadn’t; they also had other bills. “So here she was: at home, she hadn’t been managing financially since she had stopped work to have the baby, because of these huge bills. “She said she stopped work because of her child, saying ‘I chose to have this baby’ and you could hear the love she had for the baby but at the same time this dreadful regret because of their financial situation. It was so sad. “This is happening a lot, and the social cost of all this is winding up at our door. Carol has lived in Tauranga since about 1987, coming from Hamilton. She was born and brought up in Rotorua. She was a foundation pupil at McKillop

Her beliefs have seen her stand as a Labour candidate in the Bay of Plenty for the past two elections. Carol brought up five children and seven grandchildren. Divorced 15 years ago, Carol earned a degree in social science about 10 years ago and attends Mass at St Mary’s Parish in Tauranga. “The faith has really been the centre for me; it’s directed how I’ve led my life but at the same time, I haven’t been a saint. I’ve drifted from the path but it has always been at the centre.” She recalls two times when her faith has meant the most to her: “I had one son in particular who was very ill and was not expected to live. It was a defining moment when I handed over his illness and said ‘decide, decide now’ whether he was going to live or die and he lived and he now has his own children.” There was another one when she was a teenager.

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ST VINCENT DE PAUL

Young Vinnies grow into the joy of giving Rachel Palmer’s work as the youth coordinator of the St Vincent de Paul Western Bay of Plenty area takes her into a range of schools. This can range from a small country school at Matamata through to Aquinas College in suburban Tauranga. In all, as youth coordinator, she has six groups of Young Vinnies with another two in start-up mode. “Each group is different. I mainly work with the primary school aged children but I do have two senior classes up at Aquinas College.” Rachel says she is well able to cope, having a diverse background. “I have always worked for the charitable sector. So I’ve taught art; I used to run the regional Canteen group; so have always been doing things with youth, teaching, social welfare and running projects.” During the six months she has been youth coordinator Rachel has been able to get the measure of the area and instigate new projects. “How I normally do it is I get to know the class and the students and they get to know me; we talk about different social welfare issues and they choose who they would like to support or the charity they would like to support. Then I come up with a project they would like to do.” So far, the groups have done, for example, a market day and a gala to bring in food for the food bank in the support centre. One primary school organised a performance to elderly people at Hetherington House; and another worked on a project helping to raise money for children with cancer.. The projects normally take about 10 weeks from start to finish, with the children doing a fundraiser as part of it. A recent example was where a group was working on a project for child cancer, so they organised a fundraiser to get some presents for kids already in treatment. She is also working with the children on their own personal development in the group. In a rural school for instance, it is can be difficult for young children to grasp the concept of giving to a community of people they might have no attachment to.

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Rachel Palmer

“So we teach listening skills, and how they can help in their circle of influence, and bring it more home to them, alongside doing something for the community.” Rachel says the children love the programmes, even going to the extent of giving up their lunchtimes and volunteering to come. “Because it’s fun, it’s practical - I always make sure of that – they spend a lot of time in class listening. So it’s leadership skills, empowering them and getting them to lead. I try to just oversee what they do and give them guidance when needed. The nature of giving – you cannot not like it.”

ST VINCENT DE PAUL Rachel says she likes to impart positivity and happiness to the children. One group has recently completed a homeless project which included a fundraiser and the children pulled together things like warm clothes, cleaning things and a tarpaulin and got out into the community, meeting the homeless people and directly giving the goods to them. “It was overwhelming for the group that these people have nothing. So it’s imparting that you may not have a lot but it doesn’t mean that you can’t give.” In an affluent school such as Aquinas, it can be a challenge for some of the children to not just think that people should get a job but it is educating them that some people can’t get a job because of their circumstances. Other schools will understand, because of their different socio economic mix.

She described faith as being her life. “I remember when I was 20 years old and had just come out of university; got a job to set up a project – just sitting there and thinking there has got to be more to life than this. That’s when I started my spiritual searching. “From everything that I’ve learned over the years, it is the value of practical applications not matter what spiritual basis you have.” Rachel is a widow and has been living in Tauranga for seven years. “That spirituality has helped me every day,” she adds.

In order to help the children to receive such messages, Rachel encourages the children to think about themselves, bring it home themselves and reflection. “Sometimes, even though we can see the bigger picture out there, it is a fine line in how much do you actually tell them. You don’t want to put a dampener on their youthful spirit.” She does have to be flexible from day-to-day; look at how children responded and work. From a personal viewpoint, Rachel says, although not part of a parish she has always been spiritual and drawn her knowledge from old scriptures and teachings from all around the world. “That is who I am: I love knowledge. For me, it was gaining knowledge from all the scriptures so no matter whom you talk to you can talk in a way they will understand.

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ketekorero November 2013-January 2014

MENTAL PEACE

Stepping Out providing mental health peace Christine Mears has been instrumental in helping to bring mental health issues to the forefront with a series of open forums at Parish of the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Hamilton Diocese. The forums have been successful and have helped to widen awareness of mental health issues. Kete Korero asked Christine to tell our readers about the forums and her own interest in this area.

t has been my privilege to instigate a mental health support group, named, ‘Stepping Out’, in the Parish of the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Hamilton Diocese. I came to New Zealand from Scotland as an exchange teacher in the 1980s. It wasn’t until my return to Scotland in the 1990s, that I was able to further my interest in mental health and wellbeing. It began on the outskirts of Glasgow. I was vice chair and then chair of a large mental health forum for approximately eight years. We provided support for those in the community and offered alternate programmes for those unemployed. Education too, became a priority. A drop-in centre was initiated, fuelling the idea of setting up mental health support groups in the future. I was teaching mathematics and religious education in a high school in Glasgow. In addition, each staff member was asked to teach a subject of interest to

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the students one period each week. This subject was known as personal and social education. I volunteered to teach mental health awareness in the senior school, and later, emotional health to the juniors. This programme was adopted by a number of schools and I was invited to speak to an assembly of head teachers with a view to adopting our mental health programme in the various Learning Communities around the city. A significant number, one in four people, experience mental health problems in their lives. I was involved in the Catholic Church, taking patients to Mass on Sundays and partaking in the liturgy. The Mass was celebrated in a local psychiatric hospital. I recognised that there were various charitable organisations within the Church offering support. Why then could we not offer the same to those with mental ill health? The statistics show there was a need. They too, should have a voice. In a leap of faith, I recognised an opening, and established a mental health support group.

MENTAL PEACE Within the group, we shared our experiences and coping strategies. We reached out into the community and offered further assistance at the hospital. It was then, that we stumbled upon the Devotion to Our Lady of Mental Peace: “If Jesus and Mary were to be walking on earth today, they would spend much time amongst the mentally iIl”. Hearing of the devotion and establishing a link to its founder, Monsignor William Sullivan, we all warmed to the security it brought. Affirmation too, that the mentally ill have a place in the Church and are to be accepted. I followed through on the address given on a prayer card, depicting Our Lady of Mental Peace. A Google search ascertained the location of the Devotion’s founder. A few months later I winged my way to Boston, Massachusetts. Monsignor William Sullivan lived in a rest home for retired priests. He had spent over thirty years as a psychiatric hospital chaplain. An amazingly learned man, he knew the Bishops of Scotland and the Archbishop too, and the work that they were doing. He spoke warmly of his life’s work. But like many devotions there were fewer and fewer devotees. It was then I asked Monsignor if I could further the Devotion in Scotland. Armed with Monsignor’s blessing I returned to Scotland, back to the group who were awaiting news of my travels. We adopted Our Lady of Mental Peace as our patron, and embarked upon activities in her name.

At the same time the question of education arose. Ignorance is the consequence of a lack of education. Stigma is still rife. Attitudes are coloured by those who should know better. From mental health awareness in the classroom and managing to liaise between other schools and mental health agencies, the idea of presenting a mental health conference came to fruition….all in honour of Our Lady of Mental Peace. Friends and colleagues were on hand, some were familiar with computers and others were into hospitality. There were enough reliable volunteers amongst them. Some students were recruited for a dramatization, some to greet at the door. Yes, it was held in our school, St Mungo’s Academy, Glasgow. Funding of about $1,000 came from the Church. The day comprised of a prominent speaker associated with the Church and mental health. Father Jim McManus CSSR, a renowned writer was an avid supporter. His forte was self esteem. Edna Hunneysett, another author, spoke on Depression. Workshops included: Mental Health and addiction, Open Forum, (discussion with a psychiatrist), Carer’s workshop, talking with

ears y 0 5 g ty tin Celebra your communi serving

Firstly, we organised a Healing Mass in the months of May and October, in Our Lady’s honour. These were sometimes celebrated by senior clerics, including the Bishop and Archbishop of Glasgow. While the Devotion to Our Lady of Mental Peace is a private devotion, it was my place to share the story behind it.

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MENTAL PEACE Edna, Alternative therapies, Our Lady of Mental Peace, Mental Health and the Media, Self Esteem with Father Jim. Each workshop was well attended. There were stalls too. Authors selling their books on mental health issues, Stop Smoking Campaign (smoking being commonplace among the mentally ill), ‘Meningitis Scotland’, a charitable organisation, also local Catholic book stores were represented. The afternoon usually kicked off with the students dramatizing self-harm or depression. This forum theatre involved the audience and was extremely thought provoking. Similar workshops were offered in the afternoon. At the close of the day, a Healing Mass was celebrated in honour of Our Lady. Like the Healing Mass, the mental health conference attracted large numbers. The conference became an annual event. Many good friends were made through my involvement with the Church and mental health. I was invited during the ‘Year of the Mentally Ill’ to contribute to the Bishops of England and Wales website. My contribution was to blog on various

important issues and insights shared by many over the years. After 18 years, I made a hard decision to return to NZ. It was a personal decision. I had been going through a challenging time. It had always been my intention to return as I loved the life here in NZ. It offered a renewed freedom. I have friends and family here. My sister and her two boys live in and around Warkworth. ….and so I now live in Hamilton, NZ. My first parish was that of St Pius X in Melville. Monsignor Frank Eggleton, as he is now known, encouraged the set-up of a mental health support group. The facilities were good, but unfortunately our numbers diminished over the months. The group was no longer viable. We did have an open forum, where one of the Cathedral parishioners, a psychiatrist, offered to answer questions from an inter-denominational audience of users and carers associated with mental health services. It was very successful and gave us the direction to follow for the present day.

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A gift in your Will is a simple and enduring way to beneﬁt future generations of the Catholic Diocese of Hamilton. No gift is too small to make a signiﬁcant difference.

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available from your Parish or from the Catholic Diocese of Hamilton, Chanel Centre, Hamilton Phone: 0800 843 233 Email: gregb@cdh.org.nz 20

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MENTAL PEACE Patience is a virtue. Now that I am within the Parish of the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the time is right to work with others, concerned enough to make a difference. I was unwell last year and Father Philip Billings visited. We discussed my interest and it was he who suggested a new direction, and so, in conjunction with Father Philip we have gone ahead this year and invited a number of speakers to present in an open forum. The speakers are: In July, Dr Jane O’Dwyer, Specialist Psychiatrist • In August, Tanya Breen, Clinical Psychologist • In September, Dr Colin Patrick, Psychiatry and the Older Person • In October. Richard Jeffcoat, Mental Health and the Adolescent Each specialist introduces their field and speaks of the services they provide. Those attending are then invited to ask questions. Many are common to those present. To listen has become just as important.

needed support with autism. This was Tanya Breen’s particular area of expertise. Help agencies were talked about and I’d like to think that Tanya made a difference. Dementia is discussed again and again. Dr Colin Patrick was reassuring, outlining the symptoms of dementia and speaking of the outlook for the future. So many more individual enquiries were answered to the member’s satisfaction. Support us in this new venture. We want to make a difference. We want to be a voice for the mentally ill. Accept us. Respect us. Keep us in your prayers. This will bring our year’s activities to an end. We start up again in February 2014.

A closing prayer: Mother of Tranquillity, Mother of Hope Our Lady of Mental Peace

In November 2013 I am sharing the background of Our Lady of Mental Peace. This took me twice to Boston, Massachusetts, to meet with the founder, Monsignor William Sullivan RIP, a Devotion blessed by both Pope John XXIII and Pope Paul VI.

We reach out to you for what is

In December, Father Philip will conduct a Healing Service.

That God’s love begins and grows

To date, our numbers have gradually increased. Parishioners feel supported when such a group is to be found under the umbrella of the Church. As discussed earlier, there is a degree of security and assurance of respect and confidence. Psychiatrists and associated specialists are expensive except in an emergency. Prevention needs on going professional support. There are many questions out there. An open forum provides the answers….a charitable service offered by our speakers. Indeed, they give of their time – a passionate response to a need in community for information.

essential in our weakness Teach a searching heart

by touching His love. Our Lady of Mental Peace Pray for us

The programme, Stepping Out, is defined one month in advance. Parishioners elect into each Forum. It is widely publicised. For many, the attraction of having a clinical psychologist along was the curiosity of knowing how their services differ from that of a psychiatrist. Some attending

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EDUCATION NEWS

Trustees urged to tackle challenge of passing on faith C atholic schools face a major challenge in how they pass on the Faith, keynote speaker Br Pat Lynch told a seminar for boards of trustees from Hamilton Catholic Diocesan Schools. The seminar was held at John Paul College in Rotorua and attracted participants from across the wider diocese region. More than a hundred registrations were received and out of the 33 schools in the diocese, 27 were represented at the seminar held on 24 August. The schools’ representatives also heard addresses by John Paul College principal, Patrick Walsh, on Education and the Law; Paul Ferris, from the Dunedin Diocese, on Catholic Character Reviews; and Graeme Roil, the Hamilton diocese schools manager, on property and finance aspects. Br Pat, who is the chief executive officer of the NZ Catholic Education Office, Wellington, highlighted the important role Catholic schools had in promoting the importance of the spiritual dimension in their students’ lives as the world grapples with conflicts and terrorism. However, the world today was dramatically different than it was before the start of the integrated schools system. “Some people harken back to what they refer to as the good old days of Catholic schooling and fail to recognise that the realities of today’s world are just that, realities. Where we like them or not, they are a given that have to be work with and managed.” The current unrest in the Middle East also highlighted post-modern realities, in particular this century as being a time for recognising the sacredness of individuals and their inalienable hum rights. The Catholic education “brand” was respected and well-known, Br Pat said. “Our major challenge is: how can we do better as we seek to pass on the Faith of our fathers, given the world we live in?” His answer to this question reflected the words of Pope Benedict, who repeatedly called on Church leaders at various levels to “use the most modern tools of communication to engage the young and their parents. This is the key to the Church’s

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future, simply because, these tools are the reality communication medium for vast numbers of people.” However, he made the point that a Catholic school was not simply another State school with a Catholic bolt on dimension. “As trustees, we need to have a clear understanding of our responsibilities to govern and lead a Catholic school.” At the same time, however, Catholic schools were not solely in existence to serve the Church’s community requirements. “They are places committed to encouraging and enabling their young people to become active citizens who contribute to the common good of society, where a ‘fair go’ and dignity are part of people’s lives.” However, as well as concentrating on the religious side of Catholic schools, Br Pat said trustees must always be “laser-focused” on delivering a superior quality education. Trustees had to acquaint themselves with what good benchmark quality education looks like in practice in 2013. “Essentially, what I am saying is an excellent Catholic school is in turn an excellent school. We cannot have one without the other.” This was the big challenge for trustees to face each time they interact and boards needed to be a powerful structure for shaping and building the culture of their schools.

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EDUCATION NEWS

School reviews reflect communities V isiting nearly every school in the Hamilton Catholic Diocese up to once a term or more means Greg Day has a deep understanding of the challenges being faced in the Catholic education sector.

Greg Day

Greg’s role as the diocesan Schools Support Manager sees him meeting principals and teachers in the 28 Catholic primary schools ranging from Waihi to Gisborne, and Huntly to Taumarunui. He is also the Catholic Character Review Coordinator for the schools, heading teams who visits schools to ensure they are meeting the expectations under their Integration Agreements as Catholic Integrated Schools. Greg has been in the job for five years and draws greatly on his many years of teaching experience, including 11 years as Principal of St Michael’s Catholic School in Rotorua – the fourth of four Catholic schools of which he was a principal over a period of 28 years. The Catholic Character Review process takes place on a three-year cycle and Greg undertakes the bulk of the Catholic Character Reviews with the assistance of Dianne Porter (Primary Schools’ Religious Education Adviser) and Paul Shannon (Secondary Schools’ R.E. Adviser) from the diocesan office when undertaking the thorough review process with schools. Greg says an aspect he believes is unique to the Hamilton diocese is that a group of volunteer catholic principals, deputies and directors of religious studies work with him as a team in carrying out the reviews. The schools vary from the smallest school with only 12 pupils, St Joseph’s Matata in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, to the largest Catholic primary school with 600 pupils, Marian in Hamilton. “It’s always a pleasure to see how they celebrate their Catholic Character in their own way but they all have their own special character.” This relates to the make-up of each school’s community, as represented by aspects such as socioeconomic grouping, decile rating, style of leadership, staff make up and their rural or urban location.

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http://youtu.be/4iZgB7MmMHo Greg says he often doesn’t know what he is going to be dealing with until he gets to a school. Even though visits are booked in advance, the issues principals (particularly new ones) are dealing with are what are discussed. Greg visits newly appointed Principals several times each term if possible. The topics can range from personnel, staffing, parents, special needs children and compliance and Ministry of Education issues. “It’s just whatever is on their table that they could do with another set of ears to share with. We are pretty proud of the support network we’ve set up for principals.” He also acts as professional advisor to Boards of Trustees when a school is appointing a new principal, to ensure correct processes are followed. Greg’s role was newly established five years ago and there is not an exactly similar one anywhere else in other dioceses.

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EDUCATION NEWS Part of his role is to oversee and ensure that Principals’ professional cluster groups remain operational. All 28 Catholic primary principals are divided up into geographic groups with the mandate they should meet once a term. “That is a fantastic forum for them to share matters of interest and issues and new principals can learn from longer experienced principals. It’s a great forum for learning how to deal with specific issues.” Additionally, the Hamilton Catholic Principals Association meets three times a year with opportunities for one-on-one discussions and professional development. In the five years since he left teaching, Greg feels the principal’s role has become more and more demanding as more issues must be faced, such as national standards. “When I conduct a Catholic Character Review, a discussion I have with the chair of the school’s Board of Trustees is the pastoral care of the Principal. The principal’s role is huge and demanding and it’s important to have boards understand that while they have the principal as their professional leader and chief executive, he or she has to be looked after because the demands on that person are so wide ranging.” Greg says society is creating particular needs in children as their backgrounds become more diverse and schools are becoming more multicultural. He believes Catholic schools do handle special needs children very well and they also celebrate multicultural diversity well as part of their Catholic Character. Some of the schools do serve very poor communities, and Greg says it is admirable the lengths principals go to in order to limit costs to parents, who are already paying attendance dues to have their children attend a Catholic school. An unfortunate fact of Tomorrow’s Schools, introduced in 1989, is that it has generated an air of marketing and parents voting with their feet, he says. “That marketing element and the fact that many of our rural towns have a lot of schools for their population means that where we have a Catholic school we may also have several State schools competing for the same pupils. Children sitting on

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seats equates to funding and staffing, so there can be an element of competition.” Greg says the schools are promoting and living their Catholic Character well and, in particular, the focus on the positive relationships schools promote – whether that is between principal and staff, board; parish priest; parents; students and the wider community - all these relationships contribute to the authentic Catholic Character of a school. “Probably the challenge in applying that Catholic Character to our everyday lives is the diverse backgrounds in the school and within the wider community. I would never judge where a person is in their faith journey but schools deal with people whose own faith journey is at many levels.” Greg is an avid motoring enthusiast, which is just as well as the Ford man travels about 1,000 kilometres per week.

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SCHOOL NEWS

Strong community ties draw new principal to school S

helly Fitness admits St Michael’s School in Rotorua has a special place in her heart. Shelly, who was appointed as principal at the school in July this year, did a Catholic Review of St Michael’s in 2011. “I just loved it here; the staff was so welcoming, the kids were really neat, and it’s such a strong community school. At the end of the review, I just had a feeling that I didn’t want to leave.” Shelly was left with a feeling that the school had a place in her future, so when she saw the principal’s job advertised, “I knew it was for me and I applied and was lucky enough to get it and here I am.” Shelly was born and raised in Ngaruawahia; going to St Paul’s Convent School and on to Sacred Heart Girls College in Hamilton. She initially trained as a secondary school teacher. After deciding that wasn’t her specialty, she made her way into the primary school system, teaching in Auckland and overseas.

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http://youtu.be/MRrCO6O69GA For the past five years she had been in Taupo as the deputy principal at St Patrick’s. St Michael’s has a roll of 182 children, with a strongly-rooted community base. Shelly says wherever she goes in Rotorua she finds people who have some kind of connection with the school. One of the teachers went to the school as a child, and the grandfather of a teacher aide built the school. “There just seem to be really deep connections into this school. So that’s quite a big responsibility for me and I feel that but it really is the school’s strength. We really are a school of whanau and a school of involvement, and a school where everyone really cares what happens here.” Looking ahead to 2014, Shelly says the school staff will being undertaking a lot of professional development around 21st century learning, because the school buildings begin to be transformed into more modern learning environments with collaborative learning spaces. “So it will be a really big change for our teachers and our community and I want us to be ahead of that

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SCHOOL NEWS game, to be ahead of that change that is coming.” St Michael’s is different to most other Catholic schools in that it does not have a church on the site, with the school bussed for Mass at St Michael’s Church at the Rotorua lakefront twice a term. “So that adds a different dimension where we

are making our own liturgies and our own prayer experiences a lot more than other schools.” The re-opening of the school hall in September 2013 was a major event and will mean the school can come together under one roof for liturgies and other events. Eventually, Shelly hopes to have a chapel at the school.

Staff and students at St Michael’s in Rotorua jointed with families in celebrating the opening and blessing of their refurbished school hall. The hall was been named Mercy Hall in honour of the Sisters of Mercy. Parish Council Chairman Joe Kilkelly (Mercy Old Boy) presented a statue of St Michael to the school, a gift from the parish. Father Mark Field provided the blessing and the children sang. After the ceremonials, which were attended by Mayor Kevin Winters, Sister Monica and Sister Agnes cut the ribbon to officially open the hall.

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SCHOOL NEWS

Diploma studies lift faith insight T he benefits of doing a Diploma in Religious Studies in Religious Education Stream are highlighted in this article contributed by Cynthia Piper from The Catholic Institute Hamilton Office. Cynthis invited two students to write about the benefits of doing a Diploma in Religious Studies in Religious Education.

Veronica Aislabie, Assistant DRS, John Paul College, Rotorua, writes: 2013 marks the end of a three year journey in faith and study for Jacinta Wood and me. Together we decided to embark on a course of study with the Catholic Institute of Aotearoa NZ. This involved completing eleven papers which were delivered on the face to face model, in small groups. The venues included the John Paul College campus in Rotorua, St John’s College, Hamilton, Aquinas College, Tauranga and the Chanel Centre in Hamilton. We covered diverse subject areas, and each was invaluable in enhancing our understanding of our faith. Some of these interesting topics were, The Reformation, The Old and New Testament¸ Women in the New Testament, What makes a School Catholic, Introduction to Religious Education and Introduction to Catholicism. The outcomes for the courses were clearly defined, but alongside of this there were more unexpected outcomes. Friendships were formed and collegiality between the staff of both primary and secondary schools in the Diocese was strengthened. We also met many people from various parishes who were also developing their faith and understanding. Some of the topics - World Religions and the Gospel Story are currently part of the Catholic Secondary School Senior Religious Education Programme, so teaching is enhanced by this further study. It was refreshing to meet a variety of lecturers, religious, priests and laity. All presenters showed passion for their course content and were supportive of different learners all from various academic backgrounds. I would recommend everyone to consider doing one of the courses offered in your parish or local area. It is a positive experience of faith development and personal growth and in line with Vatican 11 encouraging the participation of the Laity. Completing this Diploma has given me the confidence to lead an evening course on Scriptural Studies in my parish for the Year of Faith.

Jacinta Wood, Teacher at John Paul College, writes: Soon to embark on the one remaining paper to complete my Diploma in Religious Education, as I reflect on the course I realise it has been an invaluable opportunity to enhance my understanding of the Catholic faith. Moreover, this journey of faith has resulted in a growth not only in my own knowledge of the Scriptures and Teachings of the Church, but in that of my students as my new knowledge is constantly being passed onto them. My lessons now contain much more depth and students’ questions are answered with confidence and accuracy according to Church Teachings. What’s more, this, I feel, encourages students to keep asking questions because they know I will be able to answer whatever they ‘throw at me’ on the spot with a real sense of assuredness. In other words, they have confidence in me, in my knowledge of Catholicism. Through the various papers including the Old Testament, the New Testament and Women in Scripture I have developed an appreciation of the Bible as an inspiring book, a book of mystery and intrigue. But, this course has not only been about Bible studies. It has also opened my eyes to the idea that Religious Education teachers can incorporate modern day themes into lessons, stories that students are already familiar with showing Christian values such as love, mercy, generosity, justice and peace. I would thoroughly recommend this course. It has linked everything together for me into a meaningful whole, now all the pieces of the puzzle fit together.

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SCHOOL NEWS Happy Feet!

Speeches 2013

Mrs Toni Van Bysterveldt kindly donated wonderful and comfortable slippers to our class, room 3 at St Joseph’s Catholic School Paeroa. She donated them because we needed to keep our feet warm as we don’t wear shoes in class.

In August, at the Paeroa Little Theatre, three

We all love them and wear them every day. I think Mrs Van Bysterveldt is very skilled at knitting and I asked one child from each year group what they thought of them. Curtis, (Year 3) thought they are comfortable and fluffy. Ethan, (year 4) thought it was very nice of Mrs Van Bysterveldt to give them to us and he named his ‘Happy Feet’! Connor, (Year 5) thought they are very cool. All of room 3 loves them and thank you for knitting them for us. By Case Baxter (Year 5)

Aquinas students shine The New Zealand Economics Quiz is a NZ wide competition with 2700 candidates participating. Hosted by Auckland University, students were required to answer 40 multiple choice questions about the New Zealand economy using macro and micro economic theory. Congratulations to Brandon Kengmana who received a High Distinction (the top 5% of NZ). Brandon was invited to attend a prestigious Awards Ceremony at Auckland University. Another nine students received Distinction Awards (top 15% of NZ).

children from each year presented their speeches. This year’s speeches were based on the topic ‘Our Environment’. Due to it being such a broad subject, there were some unique and original ideas, from the Christchurch earthquake to recycling. Everyone who attended had a great time and learnt something new. Well done to everyone who participated and special congratulations to our winners. Year 1- Liam Gibson Year 5- Case Baxter Year 2- Matthew Simpson Year 6- Bryn Simpson Year 3- Curtis Saxon Year 7- George Clarkin Year 4- Ethan Dong Year 8- Caitlin Jackson Also a big thank you to our judges Mr and Mrs Cotter and thanks to our hosts Skye Budge and Luke Parish and to all the organisers who made it a wonderful night. By Jesse Chamberlain (Room 6)

Wacky Hair Day...

The Young Vinnies recently held a wacky hair and sock day at St. Mary’s in Rotorua. We raised money for the special needs Christmas party later this year. by Louise

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PARISH SNIPPETS

Zoë witness to more than a century

Zoë Frances Horton, born Hamilton 30 June 1912, died Auckland 30 September 2013.

A witness to more than a century of growth and change, both in her beloved Hamilton, New Zealand and the wider world, Zoë Horton had a strong and enquiring mind, expressing her well-reasoned opinions with force and clarity. To the end, she could make an observation or a recollection with animation and humour, acknowledging and respecting these strengths in others. Zoë died peacefully on September 30 at Mercy Parklands Hospital in Ellerslie, Auckland. Bishop Denis and Fr Dan Johns celebrated her Requiem Mass on Saturday 5 October before her burial alongside her husband Bill in the Hamilton East Cemetery. A full obituary will be published in the February 2013 edition of Kete Korero.

Mary, our Inspiration for Love in Action Theme for Regional Day, Paeroa Paeroa Catholic Women’s League recently hosted the regional day for our area. The branches were involved included Te Aroha, Waihi, Morrinsville and Matamata. We welcomed Monsignor Frank Eggleton, our Chaplain, and Maureen Russell, Diocesan President, to the meeting. Later, Monsignor Trevor Murray arrived as well. Also present were past Regional Rep, Joan Pihou, and new Rep, Noeline Gibbons from Matamata. The morning was taken up with Presidents’ and Mission Reports from each branch. As usual, the activities of each were many and varied, both in the parish and the community. Each branch supports a New Zealand and an overseas Mission Station. Maureen Russell then gave her report containing local and national news. Discussion followed. At noon, Monsignor Frank celebrated Mass. The homily included St Margaret Clitherow, our Patron Saint, wife and mother, and her faith filled life and courageous matrydom. Her Feast Day was the following day. Lunch was served in the lounge, raffles were drawn and we enjoyed our guest speaker, Melanie Roskam, from the parish, who told us of a recent trip to Belgium and to Holland. Here she met her Dutch family for the first time. Ann Belay, sec. C.W.L.

On October 2nd, the Feast of the Guardian Angels, a large number of parishioners gathered at St Mary’s Church, Rotorua, to celebrate with Bishop Denis the presentation of Benemerenti medals to Eddie Dibley (St Michael’s Parish) and Joe Kilkelly (St Mary’s) - left and right above. Both men have given outstanding service to the Church over many years, service that has been characterised by their generosity, selflessness, common sense and humility. Bishop Denis pointed out in his homily that the day was an appropriate one to present these awards, as these good men have been like guardian angels for the people of the parish and the wider community. Their work with a range of people and groups was reflected in the diverse congregation that gathered. The people of Rotorua thank Joe and Eddie for their goodness, and rejoice that Pope Francis has bestowed these Benemerenti (“well deserved”) upon them.

Judy Gebert, St Gerard’s Parish Kawerau, writes: In the recent edition of Kete korero there is a story about the restoration of our statue of Our Lady of Lourdes which I sent in. Sadly the photo of the statue is the wrong one and shows the statue before the work was done. Coby spent many hours on the project and will be sooooo disappointed with the mistake. I hope it can be corrected, I feel I could have made it clearer as to which photo was the correct one and apologise for this. God Bless

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AID

Caritas seeks Syrian refugee support W

hile the immediate threat of escalation of the Syrian crisis has eased, the intense civil war within Syria continues to kill, injure and drive people out. Urgent help is needed to assist refugees as well as those affected within the country,’ says Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand Director Julianne Hickey. ‘Caritas will also be there to help Syrians recover and rebuild, when – we pray – peace is re-established.’ About one third of the Syrian population have been forced from their homes, and more than two million have registered as refugees in neighbouring countries. ‘Unofficially the figure is much higher,’ says Mrs Hickey. ‘Our partner Caritas Lebanon estimates that more than 1.2 million have fled to their country, where a population the same size as New Zealand is hosting them in a land area less than that of Northland. Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is helping Caritas Lebanon in a third phase of response to the crisis, to cover gaps and meet the needs of the most vulnerable people. While about half of all Syrian refugees are children, a recent report by the Caritas Lebanon Migrant Center has highlighted the specific needs of the elderly. Many suffer from hypertension, diabetes and heart disease, and cannot afford the medication they require. They tend to eat less food so that younger family members can have better meals, but making themselves more ill. Caritas Lebanon President Fr Simon Faddoul says, ‘They are our grandfathers and grandmothers, our uncles and aunts, and we owe it to them in this time to care for their needs, as they have cared for ours as we were growing up.’

‘

DONATE To donate to the Caritas Syria Regional Crisis Appeal: l Donate online using a credit card at www.caritas.org.nz; or l Phone 0800 22 10 22 (office hours) to donate by credit card; or l Phone 0900 4 11 11 to automatically donate $20 from your phone account; or l Post a cheque to Caritas, PO Box 12193, Thorndon, Wellington 6144, New Zealand.

ketekorero November 2013-January 2014

Syrian refugees in Bekaa Valley, Lebanon. Photo: Cordaid/Evert-Jan Daniels.

“We Want to go home” say syrian refugees living in lebanon

More than one million people added to a population the size of New Zealand, in a land area less than that of Northland. While they wait and pray for peace to come, they need our solidarity and support.

Donate to the Syria Regional Crisis:

• • • •

Online at www.caritas.org.nz Phone 0800 22 10 22 (office hours) to donate by credit card Phone 0900 4 11 11 to automatically donate $20 from your phone account Post a cheque to Caritas, PO Box 12-193, Thorndon, Wellington, 6144.

syria regionalCrisis

CATHOLIC YOUTH OFFICE

Lodge ideal venue

Kete Korero Short Story Writing Competition Students at the five Catholic secondary schools in the Hamilton Diocese are invited to submit short stories for a competition being run by Kete Korero, the diocese magazine.

In the Spirit of Blessed Pier Georgio Frassati, young Catholic men from the Hamilton Diocese converged at the top of the Kaimai-Mamuku Range. The Lazy Tramper open-fire lodge was the venue for all things manly including Holy Mass, clay bird shooting, fellowship, rifle target shooting, the rosary, slingshots, Divine Office, hiking, Subbuteo, fried food, and poker. Next year brings promise of horse treks and pipes, BE THERE!

Vacancies for Rimbrook Residence Rimbrook, a residence for female undergraduate university students, has vacancies for 2014. Based on a Christian vision of solidarity and service, Rimbrook provides quality accommodation and meals in an environment that supports academic excellence and personal growth. For more information visit http://www.rimbrook.org email: rimsc@xtra.co.nz or call 07 856 2396 or 022 127 9813

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The competition is for students who are currently (2013) in Years 7 to 13 at the following schools: Aquinas College, Campion College, St Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College, John Paul College, and Sacred Heart College. The theme of the competition is open with the aim being to encourage students to write creatively on their topic. The word limit is 1,000 words. All stories must be supplied as text in a Word document. Once the three top stories are chosen, they will be published in Kete Korero throughout 2014 and the videos will be featured on the diocesan web site. Deadline for story submission: 5pm, Monday 16th December 2013 Prizes: First prize: $75.00, Second prize: $40.00, Third prize: $30.00 For more information regarding entry, contact Kete Korero editor Mike Smith at kete@cdh.org.nz or Alex at the Diocesan Youth Ministry, alex@cdh.org.nz.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening in your parish or school? Email us! kete@cdh.org.nz ketekorero November 2013-January 2014

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