FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK AND BASKET OF STORIES

In our program through until Pentecost the Pastoral Services Team will focus on enabling believers to become disciples.

The overall theme of our events, initiatives and resources will be “Discipleship: intentional friendship with Jesus Christ” and will feature formation that helps people get to know Jesus, their identity in him and how to live in communion with the Church. “For each disciple, it is essential to spend time with the Master, to listen to his words, and to learn from him always. Unless we listen, all our words will be nothing but useless chatter” - Pope Francis in Gaudete et exsultate 150).

As disciples we strive towards the summit, following Jesus Christ wholeheartedly in all aspects of our lives. Every day we encounter Jesus in the Scriptures and as a friend in prayer. In recognising our need for his love and mercy we regularly participate in Mass and in frequent Reconciliation. We enjoyed putting this issue together in the busy-ness of Christmas and New Year celebrations and then the slowdown of summer holidays. (And for me, the arrival of a new beautiful baby boy, Joseph Thomas.) We’ve listened to your feedback - keep it coming - and made some changes, and we’ll continue to develop the magazine. This time we’ve talked to some interesting people who love their faith and embrace it wholeheartedly, and we hope their joy and passion comes through. Lent is here - perhaps for many of us the aim this year might be to be gentle with ourselves and others as we discern the best Lenten devotions for our daily life, given the ongoing sense of unease in our world due to the pandemic. But let’s not be too soft on ourselves! Christ is always asking us to go deeper, and that often requires boldness and courage. “Lent is a time of going very deeply into ourselves. What is it that stands between us and God? Between us and our brothers and sisters? Between us and life, the life of the Spirit? Whatever it is, let us relentlessly tear it out, without a moment’s hesitation.” - Catherine Doherty

Samuel Harris e: kete@cdh.org.nz

1. Name two of the symbols of the four Gospel writers. 2. In what year was the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary re-opened after its recent renovation? 3. In the standard list, how many corporal works of mercy are there? 4. What nationality were Pope Francis’ parents? 5. What is the shortest book in the Old Testament? 6. What name did Suzanne Aubert take as a sister? 7. What hymn’s last line is “And hold you in the palm of his hand”? 8. Who is known as the Lily of the Mohawks? 9. How many films are on the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Social Communications’ Some Important Films list? 10. Fill in the gaps in this paraphrase of a line from Vatican II document Gaudium et Spes: We cannot fully ____ ourselves except through a sincere _____ of self.

QUIZ

10. find, gift 9. 45: 15 in each of three sections titled Religion, Values, and Art. 8. St Kateri Tekakwitha. 7. On Eagle’s Wings by Michael Joncas. 6. Sr Mary Joseph. 5. The Book of Obadiah. 4. His father was Italian and his mother was Argentinian. 3. Seven. 2. 2008. by the Eagle. 1. Matthew is represented by the Man, Mark by the Lion, Luke by the Calf, and John

ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI

One of my favorite saints is St Francis of Assisi. It is his love and care for creation that inspires me, his invitation to all of creation - animals, plants, natural forces - to give honour and praise to the Lord. St John Paul II writes that St Francis “offers Christians an example of genuine and deep respect for the integrity of creation”. I have witnessed the beauty and peace that God’s creation can work in all peoples’ lives, loved and loving family pets, the colour and beauty of plants and gardens.

St Francis of Assisi’s feast day is October 4. “Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures” - St Francis of Assisi.

ANNE CURRAN | HAMILTON

ST THOMAS MORE

My favourite saint is St Thomas More. King Henry VIII accused him of treason and ordered him to be executed. St Thomas More was innocent but he did not falter and give in to King Henry. He was a man of deep faith and he died for that faith. I have always found his great courage inspiring. When he was led to the scaffold on July 6 1535 he declared that he died “the king’s faithful servant but God’s first”. I am sure he felt deep sadness leaving his family but he could not and would not compromise his faith and love of God for anyone.

St Thomas More’s feast day is June 22. “Don’t worry about me no matter what happens in this world. Nothing can happen to me that God doesn’t want. And all that he wants, no matter how bad it may appear to us, is really for the best.” - St Thomas More.

MARGARET DUFFY | PARISH OF THE HOLY FAMILY, MORRINSVILLE

ST CATHERINE LABOURE

My favourite saint is St Catherine Laboure, who was born in France on May 2 1806. She was the ninth of eleven children. I came from a family of eleven children too.

Catherine Laboure was a member of the Daughters of Charity. In 1830 Our Lady appeared to her and asked her to have a medallion made, showing her a design. She took this to her priest and bishop and this became known as the Miraculous Medal. Catherine Laboure spent the next forty years of her life caring for the elderly, sick and disabled. She died on December 31, 1876 and her feast day is on the same day as my Aunty Colleen’s anniversary. St Catherine Laboure is my confirmation patron and she inspires me to care for others.

St Catherine Laboure’s feast day is November 28. “If you listen to him, he will speak to you also because with the good God, it is necessary to speak and to listen. He will always speak to you, if you go to him simply and sincerely.” - St Catherine Laboure.

CHRISTINA FITZGERALD | ST THOMAS AQUINAS PARISH, TAURANGA

DO YOU HAVE A STORY?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE A DISCIPLE AND FRIEND OF JESUS?

Write to us and share your story for this section in our May issue. Contact details are on the contents page. About 100 words is a good length, and March 31 is the deadline.