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I’M CALLING,
ARE YOU LISTENING? When you think about it, life is ultimately a being “called forth.” In most families there is a regular call that the younger members try to avoid - “Clean your room”, “Do the dishes” or perhaps today “Empty the dishwasher.” When we are young we often try to avoid these calls and think about ourselves and what we want. We tend to forget about how these calls invite us to be more of a family where everyone has a part to play to make the family more united and harmonious. When you think about it, life is ultimately a being “called forth.” When we think of our
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self-understanding when we were small compared to now, our whole self-understanding has changed. We might have understood ourselves as a son or daughter of our parents… now we might be parents ourselves. Our two great life forces, our sexuality and our spirituality, remind us that we are not an end in ourselves. These two great gifts of our humanity need to be kept in a healthy balance. A person who spiritualises everything lives in an abstract world and can end up moralising and viewing people in
BISHOP STEVE LOWE | DIOCESE OF HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND
“how they should be”, in their view, and missing the person before them. A person who sexualises everything is looking only for what satisfies themselves. In our time there is a rather unhealthy balance between a strong trivialisation of sexuality and a weak sense of the spiritual. When there is a healthy balance between our life forces, we notice within ourselves that we are drawn towards others and it’s in giving of ourselves to others in friendship and relationships we discover more of who we are and who we are called to be. In this way we are always arriving at who we are.
The word “vocation” comes from the Latin word vocare, which means “to call.” St John tells us God is love. So, as human beings made in the image and likeness of God, our first vocation is to love. When we reflect on the Scriptures, we see that it is the account of God revealing himself and his call to humanity, as humanity struggled to understand and live that vocation, that call to love. In a similar way God’s call unfolds in our life. God always calls us, even if we are not listening or recognising God’s voice or signs, and even if we choose not to obey. Jesus came so that we might have life, and have it in abundance (cf Jn 10:10) and he is faithful in his loving outreach to us. His call to us shapes not only who we are but what we do, how we live and how we love. But being the face and love of God made visible, Jesus can only whisper in the depths of our hearts. He can’t force us to love him.
and the world? One of my great joys as a priest, as a bishop, is hearing how God is calling forth people in their lives and how this is reflected in what they do. And who knows, perhaps God is calling you or someone in your family to the religious life or to the priesthood? Would you have the courage to answer that call? Would you encourage such a call in one of your children? God is calling. Are we listening?
PHOTOS FROM MASS OF CHRISM JULY 9 | ST MARY’S ROTORUA
God’s call always takes us beyond ourselves, we always have to put out into the deep. In our days, when the Christian faith and the Church seem to be under attack, it takes courage to seek, to listen and to respond to God’s call and to follow. Why? In the marketplace of today there are many voices saying, come this way or that. In the midst of these we need to ask: is this voice true? Is this voice calling me to God and the fullness of love in my own self, in my family, my community
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AUGUST - OCTOBER 2020 ISSUE PUBLISHER: Bishop Steve Lowe, Diocese of Hamilton, New Zealand EDITOR IN CHIEF: Brigid Conroy ART DIRECTOR: Hayden Graham ADVERTISING AND SPONSORSHIP: Brigid Conroy CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Christina Fitzgerald Jo Cantwell Joel and Melissa Castillo Sally Edgar Jil Miller Fr Matthew McAuslin Margaret Brownsey John Kleinsmann PRIMARY SPONSORS: Catholic Development Fund Craigs Investment Partners Global Digital Solutions Gisler Architects 2017 Ltd. McCaw Lewis Ltd. Our Place Preschool Pellows Funeral Directors SECONDARY SPONSOR: Collins Automotive Thank you for your support!
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Inside This Issue 03 I’M CALLING, ARE YOU LISTENING? Bishop’s Letter.
19 SUPPORTING OVERSEAS MISSIONS Children helping Children.
06 FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
21 THE ROLE OF MISSION Catholic Women’s League in Aotearoa New Zealand.
06 GROWING CLOSER TO JESUS DURING LOCKDOWN...
23 VOTING WITH A CATHOLIC CONSCIENCE: REFERENDUMS
09 RADICAL CONVERSION REQUIRED? Encountering Jesus and allowing Him to change us, every day.
27 BUILDING A SCHOOL FULL OF COMPASSION New Catholic Primary School starts to develop with a strong foundation of faith.
13 LIFE BEGINS AT 40 Celebrating forty years as the Catholic Diocese of Hamilton.
28 ENRICHING MARRIAGES AND FAMILIES Couples for Christ, supporting families in New Zealand for 25 years.
Basket of Stories Growing closer to Jesus during Lockdown... Some parishioners from across the diocese submitted a short insight into their experience of lockdown and how their spiritual life was impacted.
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK Kete Korero is back in physical form; and yes, she has had a little makeover! The focus of this edition is about the Kerygma, that initial proclamation Pope Francis talks about in his encyclical Evangelii Gaudium, The Joy of the Gospel, summed up as being, “Jesus loves you, he gave his life to save you, he is living by your side every day to enlighten, strengthen and free you.” Do we let God love us? Do we let God change our hearts so we can reach out to others, be it in extraordinary circumstances, or in the ordinary at home? My hope is that within these pages you find inspiration and encouragement to respond to God’s call, to live out your call to holiness, knowing that Jesus is there by your side at each moment.
I had a tough time during lockdown. It was boring but to stop my boredom I did some cooking, going for walks and having a picnic in the park. Mum and I have been missing going to Mass. Church is the most important thing. We must love God in our hearts. We know he loves us and wants us to keep safe. We managed by looking after each other. We knew that we would soon go to church again. Christina Fitzgerald, St Thomas Aquinas Parish, Tauranga
I came home from my job as a kindergarten teacher in Waiouru to lockdown with my parents in Tokoroa both in their 80s. It started out being relaxing, then I began doing some work involving online Zoom meetings with colleagues...The relaxed feeling seemed to drift away and I became stressed that I wasn’t “getting enough done”. I then learnt to take things off the to-do list and focus on enjoying having the time to simply have the time. Mum missed having her friends visit so the phone was running hot! I’m enjoying my walk each day, this feels like an adventure and I’m loving spotting all the wildflowers, insects and fungi. All the unknowns of what’s ahead were unsettling, but I knew that God is in control and still on the throne. He knows the plans for the future, my role is to trust him with my plans and future which is a daily surrender. Sally Edgar, St Pius X Parish, Tokoroa
Brigid Conroy Editor in Chief e: kete@cdh.org.nz @CATHOLICDIOCESEOFHAMILTON | CDH.ORG.NZ
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Basket of Stories Continued The lockdown has no doubt brought us closer to God. We both work as frontline nurses so going to work every day during the lockdown is like going to a battle; battling something that you can’t see. It was a scary time but believing in God made us cling to him more. Together with our four children, we spent more time praying the rosary and we started praying the divine mercy chaplet too. There is fear but we have bigger hope and faith in God. Joel and Melissa Castillo, Cathedral, Hamilton
I did not think I would survive five, six or seven weeks in a bubble...but was pleasantly surprised. We had offers of help from family to shop for us, pay accounts, etc., and I humbly accepted some offers... The only time we disobeyed the early rules set out, was when we gave each other a little kiss at the sign of peace at the last Mass. (Old habits die hard). At home, I found I was remembering all those who had gone before us and also all the people who had kindly helped us over the years, who had seen a need and had arrived to fix it. God bless them all. One highlight which I still hold in wonder: one Sunday, I got out of bed, opened the kitchen blinds and looked towards the council chambers. There was a light mist and the sun’s rays were shining right to the ground, through the beautiful tree decked
FAMILY WEEKEND 2020 We invite families to a fun weekend in beautiful Taupō, New Zealand! Featuring quality keynote speakers and catechesis for kids, an afternoon fun festival that has bouncy castles, face painting, candy floss and more! For more information and to register visit: www.familyweekend.cdh.nz
in lovely autumn colours... it was only there for a short time and during this time this prayer came to me, “Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of thy faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love, send forth thy Spirit and they shall be created and thou shalt renew the face of the earth.” Thanks be to God, he will...I know that no matter what is happening in my life or in the world, God is still in charge and it is a comfort to know this. RACHEL’S STORY Jo Cantwell, St Pius X Parish, Tokoroa
Rachel shares her concerns about the End of Life Choice Act 2019. Visit our new online blog to watch the video and read the full story: cdh.org.nz/kete-korero-blog
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Leave your loved ones fond memories.... not your funeral costs
FUNERAL SAVINGS ACCOUNT For a brochure and application form please contact: The Catholic Development Fund (CDF) Ph 0800 843 233 Email: cdf@cdh.org.nz or visit The Chanel Centre 51 Grey Street, Hamilton East Important Notice: please read
This application to deposit is issued with the Replacement Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) dated 18 December 2019 for an offer of debt securities issued by the Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Hamilton, trading as the Catholic Development Fund (CDF). The Replacement PDS and the Trust Deed can be viewed at the following websites: NZ Companies Office www.business.govt.nz/ disclose; Catholic Diocese of Hamilton www.cdf.cdh.nz or the Diocesan Office at 51 Grey Street, Hamilton East, Hamilton 3216
Radical Conversion Required?
“It was only after graduation when I hit a rock bottom, that I decided to “give this Jesus thing a go.”
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JIL MILLER | DIOCESAN YOUTH OFFICE MANAGER
By Jil Miller
Encountering Jesus and allowing Him to change us, every day. I remember being at university almost ten years ago and sitting in my friend Hannah’s room. We had just been given the assignment to write our own testimony and then present it to our peers in the upcoming class. Hannah grew up in a great Catholic family and had always had a personal relationship with the Lord. I had also grown up with incredible Catholic parents, but for the better part of high school I let rebellion get the best of me. It was only after graduation when I hit rock bottom, that I decided to “give this Jesus thing a go.” I’m not sure whether it was my experience of conversion or just my procrastinating attitude, but our assignment didn’t concern me in the least. Hannah on the other hand, clearly concerned, began to share that she felt that she didn’t have a testimony or at least not an exciting one.
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“While I am someone with a radical conversion, I have experienced many smaller, yet more powerful moments of conversion after I had already chosen to have a personal relationship with the Lord.” I think back to that time often and it is a memory that I will have with me for the rest of my life. This fear that Hannah had was conditioned by watching so many big Catholic speakers share their own stories of radical conversion. While I am someone with a radical conversion, I have experienced many smaller, yet more powerful moments of conversion after I had already chosen to have a personal relationship with the Lord. Upon further reflection, these moments of conversion were powerful because they were moments of repentance. Repentance is a word we hear used a lot in Church language and in the Gospels. Preaching repentance was the mission of John the Baptist, and Christ himself often proclaimed the call to repent and believe. But what
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does repentance mean? For a long time, my answer would have been: “feel sorry for my sin” and “atonement for my sins.” What I was actually defining was contrition and penance. Repentance is a radical reorientation of our life, a turning away from sin and a turning to something greater, namely the person of Jesus. The Kingdom is here and it’s time to enter it. We turn from the unfulfilling life of sin and turn to a tender and loving saviour who spared nothing, so that we could draw nearer to him. He came so that in our sin we could run to him. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus shares his mission: “For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost (Luke 19:10).” In Exodus we read the story of Moses, a great leader, who goes
JIL MILLER | DIOCESAN YOUTH OFFICE MANAGER
up Mount Sinai and is given the Ten Commandments. Moses descends the mountain and points people to their sin but is unable to heal them of their transgressions. Fast-forward to the Gospel of Matthew, we see a similar scene. Jesus goes up the mountain and proclaims the Beatitudes, the blessings enjoyed by all who live in relationship with the Lord. But this time, he comes down the mountain and immediately encounters a leper (the Jews regarded leprosy as a sign of sin) and he heals him. This healing symbolises for us that Jesus did not come to cover or step in for our sin, but to heal us. He scrubs us clean and makes us new so that we never have to live without him. Repentance is radical reorientation of our whole life: how we view the world, our purpose as individuals and as a race, and how we view others. It does not just call for a leaving behind of sin but asks that we take on a new attitude, to look at everything and everyone (including ourselves) with the eyes of Christ.
In the Gospel of Luke we hear the story of Zacchaeus. He is a tax collector, which means he is one of the most hated men among the people. The Romans knew how to destroy a culture, so they would choose tax collectors from among their own people. So Zacchaeus is a Jew chosen by the Romans to collect whatever other Jews owed in taxes and the only way he could make money himself was to take more than what the people owed. In other words, Zacchaeus made a living by extorting his people. One day he hears about Jesus and something calls to him. Scripture begins by telling us that Jesus is passing through Jericho. I believe that this is to show that God always moves towards us first. It is there that we find Zaccheus trying to make his way through the crowd because he desperately wants to respond to God. Unfortunately, he can’t get to Jesus because he is too short, so he climbs a tree. And Jesus comes to him and tells him “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today (Luke 19:5).” And what Jesus is really
saying is that “I want to come into your home and I want you to encounter me.” In my own life, I’ve been the sinner. I’ve moved towards him afraid to receive judgement but instead I’ve received healing. Every time we encounter Christ we receive healing. He does not just want to wash us of our sin, but his desire is to change the way that we live. Zacchaeus is so moved by his encounter with Christ that he gives away half of his possessions and repays the people with great generosity. He turns from a life of extortion to a relationship with Jesus to which Christ responds, “Today salvation has come to your house (Luke 19:9).” Christ came to seek out
and save the lost and the more we drop the encumbrance of sin, the more we can embrace the kingdom in front of us. I pray that wherever you are in your own journey, you can reflect upon how God is calling you to a deeper encounter. Perhaps you are still wrestling with sin and vice. Maybe God seems like an old distant friend. For you, he makes it easy, just invite him into your heart. He will draw near and heal you. Maybe you are like Hannah, maybe he is a close friend. I want to encourage you to reflect on your journey and cultivate a deep gratitude. Then ask the Lord, “Where can I make your presence known? Where do you desire to take flesh?
JIL AND HER MATRON OF HONOUR, HANNAH
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Supporting Overseas Missions By Fr Matthew McAuslin
Children helping Children
Missio is the New Zealand office providing for the Pontifical Missions Societies. These societies are directly under the patronage of the Vatican Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples. There are three main arms or operations of the Pontifical Missions Societies which include the Propagation of the Faith (Mission Sunday), St Peter the Apostle (for the support of seminarians and religious in the developing world) and the Holy Childhood Society. This latter operation, the Holy Childhood Society, in New Zealand has always been run through the Catholic primary schools. It holds to the foundational principle of ‘children helping children’. And a key focus of this principle is on almsgiving where schools raise money for the missions. Throughout the diocese many schools get involved in fundraising in a special Missions Day. One school in particular deserves special mention: St. Joseph’s School, Morrinsville.
Every year this country school holds a special fun and fundraising day that generously raises over $1,000 to help children in need overseas. These country children really get stuck in and do so much good to help those in need overseas. Thank you Morrinsville! So where does the money go and why is school involvement in missions so important? Well, the Holy Childhood Fund supports a number of very important projects in the South Pacific, the Philippines and parts of Africa. Donations from New Zealand go to a large number of very worthwhile projects to help in the temporal and spiritual needs of vulnerable children. For example, we have assisted significantly in helping the Sunday School for children at Sacred Heart Parish in Kiribati. The local bishop informed us that they lack office equipment (projector, printer, laptop), books and tables. The people are very poor and have limited opportunity for raising funds. They meet in an old local maneaba (meeting house) that was not able to meet the needs of the parish. But we have been able to help in meaningful ways so that the children can learn the Catholic faith in a much more comfortable setting.
“These country children really get stuck in and do so much good to help those in need overseas. Thank you Morrinsville!”
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FR MATTHEW MCAUSLIN | PARISHES OF THE LIVING WATERS
Another project that we support is the Lujan Home for Girls in the Diocese of Vanimo in Papua New Guinea. Reverend Sr Maria Ancilla Humilis, SSVM runs the school and working with her we have helped with the purchase of school supplies: books, stationery. We have also been able to buy diesel for the car to bring children to school and to take them to the river to get water for cooking and cleaning at home. All these things have been greatly appreciated by the girls. To the bottom right, are some of the children that we help as we support the work of nurse and teacher, Sr Marissa Valencia, in the Philippines. Sister runs a school for local disadvantaged children and greatly appreciates the financial support that she receives from New Zealand.
STUDENTS AT ST JOSEPH’S, MORRINSVILLE
MissioNZ’s website is www.missio.nz and there you can learn about their philosophy and projects. If anyone would like to make a donation to the Holy Childhood fund one can donate online at the MissioNZ website or send a cheque to me at Fr Matt McAuslin c/o St. Joseph’s Parish, PO Box 7, Waihi, 3641. SR MARISSA VALENCIA AND CHILDREN IN THE PHILIPPINES
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The Role of Mission By Margaret Brownsey QSM
Catholic Women’s League in Aotearoa New Zealand For Catholic Women’s League members, the idea of mission is central to its purpose and has been since the organisation began in the 1930s. There has always been a sense of responsibility for mission both in New Zealand and in the Asia/Pacific Region. It was a directive from the bishops at the time of its formation that branches would support mission communities with prayers, contact and finance and donations to the missions is included in the Constitution as the primary beneficiary of fundraising. For this to be achieved, each branch is assigned a mission community by the National Mission Convenor. Currently, Hamilton Diocese has thirteen parish-based branches and the mission communities that receive assistance are spread widely including Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, Kiribati, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. Assistance and contact in this twenty-first century
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are essentially through e-mails and direct bank transfer of funds. The days of shipping containers of clothing for resale to earn funds have only recently ended, mainly because of shipping fees and duties charged. In addition to allocated mission communities, several branches assist communities that have a connection with their own parish. Whakatane is one example where League supports the community where their ex-parishioner Sr Remedii was working; Tokoroa help with a home for vulnerable children in Mt Hagen, Papua New Guinea; Matamata give funds to a resident who works with Children of the Forest in Thailand. In addition to these local efforts the national board selects annually one larger project from those nominated by all for a grant which is usually $2,500- $3,000. Last year the recipient was the Natovi parish in Fiji which Rotorua has supported since 1960. Almost every parish building was destroyed by Cyclone Winston and the grant money has helped to repair the girls’ hostel for the school. (For a look at the damage, search “Winston & Natovi” on YouTube.)
MARGARET BROWNSEY QSM | CWLANZ PRESIDENT, HAMILTON DIOCESE
The board has been pleased this year to donate, through Caritas, a personal bequest from a deceased member to the Solomon Islands following the latest cyclone. Nationally, every branch makes donations annually to MissioNZ, South Pacific Seminary and the Nathaniel Centre. Last year Hamilton Diocese’s branches donated a total of $48,000 to the missions. This includes, in addition to donations to the overseas communities, grants to parish schools, seminarians, the Nathaniel Centre and groups such as Family Life International. Members fundraise through activities like staffing op shops, selling raffle tickets and running sausage sizzles but our membership is ageing and any help for these events would be most welcome. If you wish to take a more active role in the encounters that having a heart for mission brings, joining your nearest Catholic Women’s League branch offers you a wonderful opportunity. Contact: Margaret Brownsey e: cwl.hamdiopresident@gmail.com Moira Kilbride ph. 07 827 4302
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We are calling for applications for funds towards projects aimed at addressing social issues within our parishes and communities. All information about the funding process, criteria and application form are on our website: www.commongood.org.nz/support-others/grants
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Voting With a Catholic Conscience: Referendums
By John Kleinsman
At the upcoming election voters face two referendum questions: one on whether to implement assisted suicide and euthanasia and the other on whether to legalise recreational cannabis. For many, the default starting point for deciding how to vote will be individualistic: “How do I feel about this issue?” “Is this something I want for myself?” A more “Catholic” stance takes a different starting point, one that prioritises the impact a law change will have on others, asking: “What are the consequences for society and, in particular, for the most vulnerable?”
BINDING REFERENDUM QUESTION: “DO YOU SUPPORT THE END OF LIFE CHOICE ACT 2019 COMING INTO FORCE?” The EOLC Act 2019 makes assisted suicide or euthanasia available to people with a terminal illness who are 18 or over, are thought to have six months or less to live and experience “unbearable suffering that cannot be relieved in a way the person considers tolerable”. The group most at risk if we legalise euthanasia and assisted suicide are those vulnerable to the suggestion they would be “better off dead” – our
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elders and disabled people who find themselves fitting the eligibility criteria. The referendum question is not about the idea of assisted death. Voters are being asked to vote on a proposed law that outlines a specific approach to regulating assisted death. As noted by one group: “Even people who support euthanasia in principle have good reasons to vote “NO” to the EOLC Act [because it] is flawed and riskier than similar overseas laws.” The following points provide further insights into the rigour of the End of Life Choice Act 2019: • The NZ law is broader and more liberal than one recently passed in Victoria, Australia, as well as laws in the United States. • The EOLC Act is not just for the “exceptionally difficult cases”; it does not require that a person make use of available treatments or receive palliative care. • MPs proposed 114 amendments to make the Bill safer. Only three passed and most were voted down without being debated. • Quality palliative care is effective but there is no corresponding right to access such care. Overseas, people choose assisted death when they don’t really want it because of a lack of other choices. This will happen in New Zealand because quality palliative care is not universally available.
AUTHORISED BY JOHN KLEINSMAN, THE NATHANIEL CENTRE FOR BIOETHICS, 15 GUILDFORD TERRACE, WELLINGTON 6144.
• Overseas research shows that the choice of euthanasia is not driven by pain but by a range of personal and emotional reasons, including the fear of being a burden and/or disabled. • The current law already allows people to say “no” to any treatments and to receive whatever level of pain relief they need, even to the point of being sedated if need be. Noone needs to die in pain. • It is estimated that approximately 10% of our elders are the victims of abuse, mostly from their own families. Passing the EOLC Act in this context is dangerous. • Key medical groups including the New Zealand Medical Association, Hospice New Zealand, palliative care nurses and palliative medicine doctors all oppose the EOLC Act as unsafe. • Medical groups have publicly stated that it will be impossible for doctors to detect if persons are being pressured. • Requests for an assisted death are typically driven by depression, something that is extremely difficult to detect. • The EOLC Act does not require a patient to talk about a decision to end their life with a family member or other significant person. • In Canada, what was initially promoted as an important safeguard – limiting assisted death to those facing a “foreseeable death” – has now been judged by a superior court to be an obstacle to free choice for people with long-term conditions or disabilities. The same changes will occur in New Zealand.
NON-BINDING REFERENDUM QUESTION: “DO YOU SUPPORT THE PROPOSED CANNABIS LEGALISATION AND CONTROL BILL?” The Cannabis Referendum is about whether to legalise recreational cannabis. It is not about medicinal cannabis. New regulations to provide and improve access to quality medicinal cannabis products were passed in April 2020. Neither is the question about those who use cannabis for medicinal purposes. Under an amendment to the law in 2018, people using cannabis to alleviate their pain or suffering are already exempt from prosecution. The current law treats cannabis use, growth and/or supply as a criminal issue. A more recent amendment – the Misuse of Drugs Act 2019 – means that the police are able to use their discretion: either charge persons with a criminal offence or direct them to a health-based intervention. However, one of the problems associated with the current legal situation, which relies on police discretion, is that Māori youth are three times more likely to be arrested/convicted for cannabis-related offences than their non-Māori peers, an indication of systemic racial bias. It is argued by many that the group most vulnerable to the legalising of recreational cannabis are our rangatahi – our young New Zealanders – in particular those still at school.
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If the intention of legalising recreational cannabis is to shift users from the black market to legal outlets, to reduce the harm caused by cannabis use and to reduce the demand for cannabis, it needs to be asked: “Will making cannabis more widely, easily and legally available in the community really give greater control over the risks to our rangatahi – our young people?”
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• The current referendum question ignores the merits of decriminalisation as an alternative way of moving from a criminal-based approach towards a more health-based approach. The following points provide further insights for reflection: • As with many other countries, the use of cannabis by teens in New Zealand has already been dropping steadily since 2001. • Making cannabis more easily accessible while expecting that prohibition will restrict its availability to our rangatahi and reduce demand sends a mixed message – young people will access it in the same way that under-age adolescents currently access alcohol and tobacco primarily through friends and family rather than retailers. • Overseas, the legalisation of cannabis has not led to an end of the black market supply, primarily because regulated cannabis costs more as a result of being subject to testing and taxes and has lower THC levels. • The proposed legislation will allow cannabis to be
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available in a range of edibles. Cannabis is not a benign drug and can cause various physical ill-effects, particularly in the cardiac and respiratory systems. Adolescents may be uniquely susceptible to lasting damage from marijuana use into the early or mid-20s while the brain is still developing. Cannabis impairs driving ability. Drivers who tested positive for cannabis are five times more likely to die and forty times more likely when cannabis is combined with alcohol. The legalisation of cannabis will lead to a commercial industry with a vested industry in promoting its use. The young will be particularly susceptible to being targeted, as was the case with tobacco and alcohol and, more recently, with vaping.
“What are the consequences for society and, in particular, for the most vulnerable?”
AUTHORISED BY JOHN KLEINSMAN, THE NATHANIEL CENTRE FOR BIOETHICS, 15 GUILDFORD TERRACE, WELLINGTON 6144.
Building a School Full of Compassion By Brigid Conroy
Suzanne Aubert Catholic Primary School starts to develop with a strong foundation of faith. Opening in February 2021, Suzanne Aubert Catholic Primary school has a newly established leadership team who bring not only a wealth of teaching talent, but importantly strong faith in Jesus to guide them on this new endeavour. Anthony Mills is the establishment principal. Husband to Amie-Lee and father to their five children, Anthony and his family are parishioners of All Saints by the Sea and regularly serve the parish by playing music at Mass. Anthony has come to the role from being assistant principal at St Mary’s Catholic School in Tauranga, and before this was director of religious studies at St Thomas More Catholic School in Mount Maunganui. Anthony has been in teaching and leadership positions within our Catholic schools for the last sixteen years. As establishment principal, Anthony is very excited about the opportunity to lead the vision and development of our new Catholic school in beautiful Papamoa and is looking forward to connecting with our community. Deputy principal for Suzanne Aubert is Shelley McKay, a parishioner at St Thomas Aquinas. She is married to Steve and they have two children. Shelley comes from being a Year 7 teacher at Aquinas College and an Across School Coordinator for our Faith Based Kahui Ako (Community of Learning). She has experience teaching and leading across a range of year levels having previously taught at St Mary’s Catholic School Tauranga and Otumoetai Intermediate. Shelley has held a
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variety of other teaching and leadership positions in over twenty years in education including team leader, curriculum leader and dean. Shelley is passionate about learning and empowering students to be the best that they can be. She is incredibly excited to be the foundation deputy principal of Suzanne Aubert Catholic School and feels very blessed to be given this opportunity to serve her community. Erin Clayton has been appointed as the director of religious studies. Erin is currently the junior team leader at St Joseph’s Catholic School in Hamilton and previously worked at St Peter’s Catholic school in Cambridge and Marist Primary in Mt Albert, Auckland. Erin is a graduate of the Catholic Institute of Aotearoa New Zealand where she graduated with a Diploma in Christian Studies - Religious Education and is currently completing her Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Catholic Culture through the Australian Catholic University. Erin is an active parishioner in the Parish of the Holy Cross in Hamilton which comprises two churches and two Catholic primary schools. In the parish she leads children’s liturgy of the word and is a catechist for the sacramental programme. Erin is looking forward to the challenge of being the director of religious studies for Suzanne Aubert Catholic School and connecting with the students, whanau, community and charism. There has been great collaboration with local iwi with
representatives from Ngā Potiki - Ngai Te Rangi; Waitaha - Te Arawa, and Ngāti Rangi all present at the recent “turning of the sod” and blessing ceremony that occurred a few weeks ago. “This is certainly important with the school being under the patronage of Suzanne Aubert. She had a great love for Māori and we want that great love that she had for Māori to be in our school,” Bishop Steve Lowe said at the ceremony.
known for her love of the people, especially the children, parents and young mothers. That’s her passion: to care for every walk of life.” At the time of writing this article, the school’s foundations have been laid and the new classrooms are starting to take shape. Anthony and his team are looking forward to continuing Suzanne Aubert’s legacy, hoping to welcome an expected roll of 100-150 Year 0-6 children from a wide demographic from Papamoa through to Te Puke and Pukehina.
“It’s the weaving together of the story of local iwi but also the weaving of Suzanne’s faith that she brought to our country.”
For updates and photos follow the school on Facebook: facebook.com/suzanneaubertschool
At the recent turning of the sod, Sr Alisi Tu’ipulotu of the Sisters of Compassion shared about Suzanne Aubert, saying, “She’s
Enriching Marriages and Families by Joel and Melissa Castillo
Couples for Christ, supporting families in New Zealand for 25 years.
How can couples serve God in Christian marriage? We serve God by following his plan for us in marriage, by fulfilling our roles as husband and wife as stated in Ephesians 5:21-33. We journey together in holiness along with our children so that God’s love, joy and peace is revealed through our family.
CFC continues to strengthen marriages and families through Marriage Enrichment Retreat (MER) for married or engaged couples. The latest one was held at Lake Karapiro in July 2019. In the midst of busy family lives, couples are given the time to really sit and talk and listen to each other while their children are being looked after and entertained by the service team couples. Interesting talks and discussions are offered such as: Serving God through Christian marriage, The Christian couple as a pastoral team, The role of Christian husband and Christian wife, Effective communication in marriage, Healing our marriage and Building our homes for God. Couples feel renewed and ready to serve God more especially after renewing their vows during the event! The next Marriage Enrichment Retreat is happening soon in November 2020. CFC can also offer parishes marriage enrichment courses for parishioners.
Couples for Christ (CFC) has been present in New Zealand for 25 years and is actively serving in many parishes nationwide.
If couples want to find out more about CFC or would like to be involved check out www.couplesforchrist.nz
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Leave your loved ones fond memories.... not your funeral costs
FUNERAL SAVINGS ACCOUNT For a brochure and application form please contact: The Catholic Development Fund (CDF) Ph 0800 843 233 Email: cdf@cdh.org.nz or visit The Chanel Centre 51 Grey Street, Hamilton East Important Notice: please read
This application to deposit is issued with the Replacement Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) dated 18 December 2019 for an offer of debt securities issued by the Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Hamilton, trading as the Catholic Development Fund (CDF). The Replacement PDS and the Trust Deed can be viewed at the following websites: NZ Companies Office www.business.govt.nz/disclose; Catholic Diocese of Hamilton www.cdf.cdh.nz or the Diocesan Office at 51 Grey Street, Hamilton East, Hamilton 3216
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