Kete Kо̄rero Nov 2020 - Jan 2021 by Catholic Diocese of Hamilton, NZ

Leave your loved ones fond memories.... not your funeral costs

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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

CHRIST IS ALIVE! What do you want in following Jesus? Have you ever stopped to think and pray about it? Christus vivit! “Christ is alive! He is our hope, and in a wonderful way he brings youth to our world.” With these words Pope Francis began Christus Vivit, his Apostolic Exhortation on young people, the faith and vocational discernment, not only to the young people of the Church and the world, but also to all of us in the Church. Christ wants to restore youth to each

of us, that passion and fire that burns within his heart so that we might in turn ignite the hearts of others. He brings this youth to us because he is the one who is eternally young. But he can only bring his life to us to the extent that we desire and work to open ourselves to him. How does this play out in our lives? There is a scene at the start of John’s Gospel, where John the Baptist is with

BISHOP STEVE LOWE | DIOCESE OF HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND

two disciples; when he sees Jesus, stares hard at him and then points him out to his disciples: “Look, there is the Lamb of God!” (cf John 1:35-39). The two disciples leave John and start following Jesus. Jesus, realising he is being followed, turns around and says, “What do you want?” So, “What do you want in following Jesus?” Have you ever stopped to think and pray about it? My own reflection is I want to love like Jesus loves. I want that love he has for the Father and I want to love Jesus in the same way and see God in all moments of life and in all things. I want to love

and see,” he invited. As I reflect on the first disciples of Jesus, both women and men, they were taken to a whole new way of seeing and being. After all, “to come” means to move to another place, and “to see” means to arrive at a new viewpoint. In doing so they became inflamed and alive in Christ.

others like Jesus did and not let fear and prejudice get in the way. In other words, I really want the ability to love ALL others, not just those who think the way I think or who are attractive to me. And I want to be able to love myself in such a way that I am not dominated by shame and pride, not putting myself down in an unhealthy way and not comparing myself to others or wishing I am who I am not. Such love, as seen in Jesus, is indeed the path of salvation. I have a long way to go on this journey. I am very much a work in progress. The two disciples following Jesus got caught out by his question, “Rabbi, where do you live?” they said. “Come

The writings of Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis reveal that they have all been clearly captivated by the face of Christ and by his love and mercy for all people. There is no one way to love and be loved. But the writing of the popes respond to the issues of their times, reminding us that we are not only called to seek the face of Christ, that we are called to be the face of Christ. In recent weeks Pope Francis has written a new encyclical, Fratelli tutti, Brothers and Sisters All, a stunning challenge to the Church and the world to again discover the Godgiven dignity of each person in a world that increasingly ignores this and is marred by divisions and despair.

O God, Trinity of love, from the profound communion of your divine life, pour out upon us a torrent of fraternal love. Grant us the love reflected in the actions of Jesus, in his family of Nazareth, and in the early Christian community. Grant that we Christians may live the Gospel, discovering Christ in each human being, recognising him crucified in the sufferings of the abandoned and forgotten of our world, and risen in each brother or sister who makes a new start. Come, Holy Spirit, show us your beauty, reflected in all the peoples of the earth, so that we may discover anew that all are important and all are necessary, different faces of the one humanity that God so loves. Amen. Christ is alive! With our eyes fixed on him, may we die to self so that he might be truly alive in each of us.

He finishes his letter with a prayer: @CATHOLICDIOCESEOFHAMILTON | CDH.ORG.NZ

NOVEMBER 2020 - JANUARY 2021 ISSUE PUBLISHER: Bishop Steve Lowe, Diocese of Hamilton, New Zealand

Inside This Issue

EDITOR IN CHIEF: Brigid Conroy

LETTER FROM BISHOP STEVE

EDITOR: Samuel Harris

FROM THE EDITORS DESK AND BASKET OF STORIES

ART DIRECTOR: Hayden Graham

FRATELLI TUTTI

ADVERTISING AND SPONSORSHIP: Brigid Conroy CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Fr Prakash Somu CMF Antoni Williams Denny Enright Courtney Mares Owen Kowalewski Hinetapuarau Ioane Monique Harris Pamela Arthurs Kit Tarpey Mikaere Smith PHOTOGRAPHER: Cheryl Claire Surrey ILLUSTRATOR: Carmela Nepomuceno SPONSORS: Catholic Development Fund Craigs Investment Partners Global Digital Solutions Gisler Architects 2017 Ltd. McCaw Lewis Ltd. Our Place Preschool Pellows Funeral Directors Collins Automotive Any web links provided in this magazine are not intended to be a blanket endorsement of everything on those sites.

FEATURES 08

THIS ADVENT

Prayer and charity are the greatest treasures.

11 NET MINISTRIES: A YEAR ON MISSION

Interview with the Hamilton based NET Team

BLESSED CARLO ACUTIS

The first Beatified Millennial

NEWS 17

NEW DEACON FOR HAMILTON DIOCESE

HE HŌNORE MŌ TE HĀHI KATORIKA O AOTEAROA

19 NEW STAIRWAY AT GOD’S ROAD 20

STAINED GLASS WINDOW - ST. THOMAS AQUINAS

SAFEGUARDING IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY 23

PARISHIONERS SHARE THEIR ADVENT TRADITIONS

ADVENT TRADITIONS

Prayer is what makes the family strong

KIDS PAGE

2020 THEME:

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

BASKET OF STORIES This edition we asked people across the diocese: “Who is/has been an important role model for you in your journey of faith? What is it about them/what did you learn from them that helped you grow closer to Jesus?” Thank you for those who wrote in to share their stories with us!

ENTHUSIASM FOR THE EUCHARIST Any period in history has its trials, but 2020 was a tough year. As the year draws to a close the Church again puts before us the great season of Advent, reminding us that God makes all things new, and as the new liturgical year begins, and with Christ at our side, we carry on in hope and joy. A short introduction: I’m married with three children and another

My paternal grandmother was the role model in my journey of faith. She was so passionate towards our Lord Jesus Christ. I could see in her the enthusiasm to be part of the Eucharist and all other devotions. She was always peaceful and hard working. Whenever I made a visit to her, she gave me a gift of spiritual things (like medals or religious pictures) and held my hands and prayed for me one Our Father and a Hail Mary, and at the end of it a kiss on my forehead. This touched me and kept me in the protection of God. I enjoyed going to her and spending my time with her. I joined seminary with the help of her prayers and encouragement. She passed away when I was seventeen years old. She had a peaceful death in the Lord. May God bless her soul. Today I truly remember her because she gave me confidence to trust in God and in all situations to have peace in my heart. FR PRAKASH SOMU CMF | ST MARY OF THE CROSS, ROTORUA

on the way, and my most recent work has been as a secondary school teacher and stay-at-home dad. I’m excited to be here in this new role and I look forward to working with the team to bring you the magazine each quarter. Kete Kōrero is the magazine for our diocesan family, our basket of stories, so please feel free to get involved: drop us a line with feedback, telling us what you like, what could be improved and what you’d like to see included, and if you’d like to write something for us please let us know.

PRAYING TOGETHER, HELPED STAYING TOGETHER I was born in Bristol, England, and was brought up as an Anglo– Catholic (part of the Anglican community). Forty minute walk to church each Sunday. Sang in the choir, along with my father. Very “high church” with incense, and chanting in Latin. Then Mum and Dad converted to Roman Catholicism. I was angry, and that was the end of churchgoing for me. Then I arrived in New Zealand. Now an adult. Didn’t feel comfortable in the Anglo-Catholic church in Tokoroa, and so I got on with life. Then Elnora came into my life. I watched her for a long time. Dedicated not only to our marriage, but to the Church. St Pius X. “Praying together helped staying together.” I joined Elnora at Mass one Sunday. Eventually converted to Roman Catholicism, and I believe this has been the basis of our 34 years of happiness as a married couple. ANTONI WILLIAMS | ST PIUS X, TOKOROA

Samuel Harris, Editor e: kete@cdh.org.nz

@CATHOLICDIOCESEOFHAMILTON | CDH.ORG.NZ

TRUST IN GOD

FRATELLI TUTTI

My parents have been the most important role models in my life. Why? My parents were a farming family and were both very strong Catholics with a family of seven. Sadly we lost our first sister Patricia at five years of age to a virus. Mum and Dad then lost my twin brother at 21 years to drowning in Australia, my younger brother Terry was killed in a car accident at 27 years of age, and Barbara died from cancer at fifty years after much suffering. Through all these incredibly sad losses Mum and Dad were our strength as I never, ever heard them complain after losing four children. We sat down as a family each night on the farm to say the Rosary. Once when we had finished the Rosary and I was sitting on the sofa I said to Mum, “How have you and Dad coped with these four really sad losses in our family?” Mum said, “God will not give you more than you can handle.” This reply from Mum was absolutely incredible and I have never forgotten those words. These four deaths, and Mum and Dad’s response, really awakened and strengthened my own faith and their example is what drives my faith and love for God today. My Catholic faith is very important to me and the examples that Mum and Dad have set are examples that I want to follow. I am married to Nan, a fantastic Presbyterian wife, with three adult children and eight grandchildren. DENNY ENRIGHT | ST THOMAS MORE, MT MAUNGANUI

DO YOU HAVE A STORY? WRITE IN TO US! We would like to know:

WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE SAINT? WHAT IS IT ABOUT THEIR LIFE THAT INSPIRES YOU IN YOUR FAITH? Word Count: 50-100 words Email: kete@cdh.org.nz by 12th December 2020. We will publish a number of these stories in the next edition.

Pope Francis recently released his third encyclical: a letter to his fellow bishops and the Church and world at large, on a topic close to his heart. Its title is “Fratelli tutti”, a phrase taken from the writings of St Francis which can be translated as “brothers and sisters all.” The letter explores the ideas of fraternity and social friendship, and a statement from the New Zealand bishops on the encyclical quotes Cardinal John Dew explaining its message: “[Fratelli tutti] is very much about a way to re-read and to live the Gospel for our times. The pope writes about the need for us to survive not only the coronavirus pandemic, but the many other things our contemporary world needs to do to survive. It is that serious. It is that compelling. It is that demanding.” The encyclical can be read on the Vatican website.

This Advent SAMUEL HARRIS

Prayer and charity are the greatest treasures. Advent, like Lent, often slips in the back door and is with us before we know it, and then gone before we realise. In the busyness of life we sometimes miss opportunities to make the most of what the Church offers us in her seasons and festivals.

PHOTO COURTESY OF UNSPLASH.COM

This Advent is another chance to make clear and heartfelt decisions, to deliberately make more space for Christ in our daily life and to embrace the particular treasures of this season. “One of the most evocative themes of Advent,” Pope Francis reminds us, is “the visit of the Lord to humanity.” The first visit was the Incarnation, then the

birth of the child in Bethlehem, and the third visit will be “the last visit, which we proclaim each time that we recite the Creed: ‘He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead’.” In between these two universe-changing events is the ongoing personal encounter with our God, where “the Lord visits us constantly, each day,

@CATHOLICDIOCESEOFHAMILTON | CDH.ORG.NZ

walking alongside us and being a consoling presence” (Angelus address, Sunday, 27 November 2016). Choosing one or two simple small actions or activities to add to our daily routine - or looking at how we can revivify one or two aspects of our faith practice that are already holy routine for us - will help us be aware of the

God, as the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, tirelessly calls each of us to prayer. When we make time to sit in silence and respond to that call with a sincere and humble movement of our soul, our heart is changed and our faith deepens as we get to know God better. If prayer is already a fundamental part of your daily life, consider how you could

be added to your daily activity: the Rosary, the Liturgy of the Hours, lectio divina, praying with the daily Mass readings, signing up to a short daily email reflection or daily online video reflection, the Little Blue Book, spiritual reading of a Catholic classic or singing along to an Advent CD. There are many online aids available for these. Work to make a routine at a time that suits you,

“RESIST THE DAZZLING LIGHTS OF CONSUMPTION, WHICH WILL SHINE EVERYWHERE THIS MONTH AND BELIEVE THAT PRAYER AND CHARITY ARE NOT LOST TIME, BUT THE GREATEST TREASURES.”

consoling presence of Christ visiting with us, and lead us to make the most of this time. Here is some encouragement for you this season: Three basic faith practices connected to Advent are, as in Lent, prayer, penance and fasting, these activities help us prepare for the feast day at the end.

SAMUEL HARRIS | EDITOR

deepen or develop some aspects. If you, like many, struggle to make prayer habitual and routine, make the decision this year to explore some different forms of prayer and choose one that suits you, then make a simple and achievable commitment to lock it into your day, each day. Perhaps some part of one of these forms of prayer could

so it becomes a habit and you grow in what St John Paul II called “the art of prayer”. Ask your friends and family what they do for prayer, what works for them, and perhaps make a time to join to pray together, sharing ideas and encouraging each other in your commitment.

Penance and fasting in Advent might well be lighter than what we’re used to in Lent, but they have the same goals: to remind us that we don’t need all the stuff we think we do, to help us clarify our lives, and to foster in us a hunger or longing for God and the things of faith. We could aim to get along to the Sacrament of Penance at some point, to sit humbly with Christ present to us in the person of the priest, confess our sins and receive the great gift of “pardon and peace”. Almsgiving is also an aspect of penance. Reflect on what you possess and what you might be able to give away to those in need, in terms of time, money, goods, or skills. “Please, do not leave it to others to be protagonists of change,” said Pope Francis in his recent exhortation Christus Vivit, referenced by Bishop Steve in his letter in previous pages. “You are the

ones who hold the future! Jesus was not a bystander. He got involved. Don’t stand aloof, but immerse yourselves in the reality of life, as Jesus did. Above all, in one way or another, fight for the common good, serve the poor, be protagonists of the revolution of charity and service, capable of resisting the pathologies of consumerism and superficial individualism.” Indeed, simply being aware of the pathological pressure our society puts on us in this period to spend and consume, and resisting it in favour of simplicity and temperance amidst the staff parties, the end-of-year functions, the expectations, the overconsumption, and the gift-buying, can be a worthy penance. “Resist the dazzling lights of consumption,” says Pope Francis, “which will shine everywhere this month, and believe that prayer and

charity are not lost time, but the greatest treasures.” Great treasures which lead to ever more treasures as they draw us into the life of Christ and into encounter with him living at our side to, “enlighten, strengthen and free” us. This magazine with our bishop’s reminder that, “we are not only called to seek the face of Christ but that we are to be the face of Christ”, will be in your hands a few weeks before Advent begins on November 29: that’s plenty of time to plan and prepare for the season this year and for how you and your household might make the most of this special grace to visit with Christ at the end of what has been for many a busy and gruelling year. We here at Kete Kōrero, along with our bishop and pope, encourage and challenge you to make the most of this season of grace.

@CATHOLICDIOCESEOFHAMILTON | CDH.ORG.NZ

NET MINISTRIES A YEAR ON MISSION Interview with John Paul Shryvers, Tammy Botha, Diana Pinsker, Fiona Peloski and John Foxon. This year the diocese has been blessed with five spirited young adults who have been travelling across the diocese ministering to our young people through school retreats and parish youth groups. Based this year in Hamilton and despite lockdown restrictions, the NET team have managed to run 67 camps, retreats and events for 2,575 young people; travelled 10,800kms, and worked with 11 different schools ... and this is just since July! Brigid had the opportunity to sit and reflect with the team on their year:

my faith, to go deeper. I had an experience of God where he was like, “Bro, go do NET!” I also wanted to do it because I know that you receive a lot from the experience of doing NET, opportunities to pray, to evangelise, to give back what you received to others. I knew a few of the young adults that had done NET and I looked up to them as they were really solid in their faith and I wanted that foundation. They told me that NET was the reason they had the faith they have. JP: I was getting to this point where I had to face all the expectations of the world, yet I wanted to make God the centre somehow and NET challenged me to think, “Can I give a year to Jesus?”

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO GO ON NET? Diana: I wanted more from my life. I wanted to do something that would make a difference. I sort of had some kind of faith before I did NET but it was definitely me wanting more from

Tammy: In high school I felt quite insecure, and I wanted to help girls who felt the way I did, to know that they are infinitely loved by God.

We’ve had the opportunity to tell young people that God’s love won’t change, in a time when young people are worried about what is going on in the world.

BRIGID CONROY | EDITOR IN CHIEF

John: I saw my brother do it - he was different, started to pray more, so I thought I’d give it a go. I’ve grown so much through this experience.

Fiona: I had just finished university, and I thought, “What should I do next year?” This has set me up for the rest of my life.

WHAT’S BEEN YOUR HIGHLIGHT ON NET? ESPECIALLY COMING TO NEW ZEALAND AND BEING PART OF THE FIRST TEAM HERE IN TWENTY YEARS? John: It is great celebrating each other’s birthdays. Recently it was my birthday, and we were given a free experience at Hampton Downs raceway which was so much fun! I also loved small group time on retreats - to get to know where students are at, to pray for them, to hear their stories but also to share mine. Diana: We’ve been taught how to trust God through the ups and downs of the year. We’ve had the opportunity to tell young people that God’s love won’t change, in a time when young people are worried about what is going on in the world. Fiona: The generosity of people welcoming us into their homes, whether it be priests for dinner or families billeting us in their homes. People have really opened up and shared their lives with us.

@CATHOLICDIOCESEOFHAMILTON | CDH.ORG.NZ

WHAT’S BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT FROM RUNNING RETREATS IN OUR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS? John: I remember meeting a student whose parents, one is Māori and one is Christian. He felt conflicted and was really open about it in the small group sharing time. Towards the end of the day, I was able to encourage him in his discovery of his spirituality and he wanted to pray to make Jesus a bigger part of his life. That was really cool, being able to journey with students over the course of a day and see their hearts change through the encounter with Christ. Fiona: We loved having lunch with the students, those who asked us questions, wanted to hang out with us, who sought us out.

you meaning and purpose for one year, but that one year shows that this meaning and purpose is for the rest of your life. “Grow your own faith.” NET is a calling for specific people. If you are reading this and you get the vibe that this could be something God is asking you to do, don’t be afraid to pursue it: find out more. The reward for stepping out and trying is like nothing else. Fiona: The encouragement and support you get from the other people that do NET with you to be a better person and grow closer to Jesus. As a girl the sisterhood is amazing, these women that want me to live virtuously, to love, to be my best self. JP: God can’t steer the boat unless you are paddling, rowing. You have to take a step, to allow God to move you. John: It’s fun. Just do it!

JP: One of the guys, as he went to leave at the end of the day, turned to his friend beside him and said: “Man, I wish I had what those Christians had.” There must be something about what we shared that really touched their hearts.

IF YOU WERE TALKING TO ANOTHER YOUNG PERSON, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO DO NET? Tammy: “Because it transforms the way you see life.” NET gives

BRIGID CONROY | EDITOR IN CHIEF

Next year the NET team will be based in Rotorua. Please pray for the young people who will be with us next year and for this year’s team as they move on into whatever is ahead of them.

With the beatification of Carlo Acutis in Assisi, the Catholic Church now has its first “Blessed” who loved Super Mario and Pokémon, but not as much as he loved the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. “To be always united with Jesus, this is my life program,” Carlo Acutis wrote at the age of seven. The young Italian computer whiz, who died of leukemia at 15 offering his suffering for the Pope and the Church, was beatified Oct. 10 in a Mass at the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. Born in 1991, Acutis is the first millennial to be beatified by the Catholic Church. The teen who had an aptitude for computer programming is now one step away from canonization. “Since he was a child… he had his gaze turned to Jesus. Love for the Eucharist was the foundation that kept alive his relationship with God. He often said ‘The Eucharist is my highway to heaven,” Cardinal Agostino Vallini said in his homily for the beatification. “Carlo felt a strong need to help people discover that God is close to us and that it is beautiful to be with him to enjoy his friendship and his grace,” Vallini said. During the beatification Mass, Acutis’ parents processed behind a relic of their son’s heart which was placed near the altar. An apostolic letter from Pope Francis was read aloud in which the Pope declared that Carlo Acutis’ feast will take place each year on Oct. 12, the anniversary of his death in Milan in 2006.

COURTNEY MARES | CATHOLIC NEWS AGENCY

CARMELA NEPOMUCENO, ILLUSTRATOR

“When we face the sun we get a tan... but when we stand before Jesus in the Eucharist we become saints.” Masked pilgrims spread out in front of the Basilica of St. Francis and throughout the different piazzas in Assisi to watch the Mass

“He was convinced that to love people and do them good you need to draw energy from the Lord. In this spirit he was very

on large screens as only a limited number of people were allowed inside.

devoted to Our Lady,” he added.

Acutis’ beatification drew an estimated 3,000 people to Assisi, including people who personally knew Acutis and many other young people inspired by his witness. Mattia Pastorelli, 28, was a childhood friend of Acutis, who first met him when they were both around the age of five. He remembers playing video games, including Halo, with Carlo. (Acutis’ mother also told CNA that Super Mario and Pokémon were Carlo’s favorites.) “Having a friend who is about to become a saint is a very strange emotion,” Pastorelli told CNA Oct. 10. “I knew he was different from others, but now I realise just how special he was.” “I watched him while he was programming websites … He was truly an incredible talent,” he added. In his homily, Cardinal Vallini, the pontifical legate for the Basilica of St. Francis, hailed Acutis as a model of how young people can use technology at the service of the Gospel to “reach as many people as possible and help them know the beauty of friendship with the Lord.”

“His ardent desire was also that of attracting as many people to Jesus, making himself herald of the Gospel above all with the example of life.” At a young age, Acutis taught himself how to program and went on to create websites cataloguing the world’s Eucharistic miracles and Marian apparitions. “The Church rejoices, because in this very young Blessed the Lord’s words are fulfilled: ‘I have chosen you and appointed you to go and bear much fruit.’ And Carlo ‘went’ and brought the fruit of holiness, showing it as a goal reachable by all and not as something abstract and reserved for a few,” the Cardinal said. “He was an ordinary boy, simple, spontaneous, likeable… he loved nature and animals, he played football, he had many friends of his age, he was attracted by modern means of social communication, passionate about computer science and, selftaught, he built websites to transmit the Gospel, to communicate values and beauty,” he said. Originally published 10 October 2020 by Catholic News Agency | Republished with permission

For Carlo, Jesus was “the strength of his life and the purpose of everything he did,” the Cardinal said.

@CATHOLICDIOCESEOFHAMILTON | CDH.ORG.NZ

New Deacon for Hamilton Diocese BRIGID CONROY | EDITOR IN CHIEF

It was a joy to be part of the ordination of Isaac Fransen and fellow seminarian Chani Thomas Park to the Holy Order of Deacons. Both these young men are on the journey towards the priesthood, for Hamilton and Auckland dioceses respectively. Rescheduled due to the original date occurring while Auckland was in Covid-19 Level 3, the Level 2 limit in Auckland meant that attendance at Sacred Heart Church in Ponsonby was limited to 100 people. Isaac’s immediate family were present, his parents Frank and Maryanne along with siblings Tim, Mark, Josh, Jacob (now Brother Thomas, in the Fraternity of Verbum Spei) and Reuben, and several aunties and uncles. Isaac’s nieces and nephews also attended and were beaming with pride at seeing their uncle ordained. Many family and friends including his brother Richard watched the celebration via livestream. Bishop Michael Gielen, Auckland’s auxiliary bishop, was the celebrant and he was joined by several other clergy including Bishop Pat Dunn of Auckland and Emeritus Bishop of Hamilton Dennis Browne. Isaac wishes to thank Bishop Steve Lowe for receiving him, and Bishop Michael Gielen and the staff of Holy Cross Seminary for their pastoral, academic and human formation over the last six years. Special thanks to Isaac’s family and friends for their support and friendship over the years and to St Mary of the Cross parish in Rotorua where he spent his pastoral year. Please continue to pray for Deacon Isaac and Deacon Thomas as they prayerfully prepare over the coming year to become priests, faithful servants of the Gospel.

CHERYL CLAIRE SURREY, PHOTOGRAPHER

ABOVE: BISHOP GIELEN WITH NEWLY ORDAINED DEACON ISAAC AND HIS FAMILY

LEFT: BISHOP GIELEN PRAYING OVER ISAAC, RIGHT: NEWLY ORDAINED DEACONS, CHANI THOMAS PARK AND ISAAC FRANSEN.

HE HŌNORE MŌ TE HĀHI KATORIKA O AOTEAROA HINETAPUARAU IOANE

A beautiful day Sunday, 29th July 2020. A day of worship, waiata, celebrations, prayers and much blessings bestowed upon our kuia Ngaroma Ngamoki who was awarded The Benemerenti Medal. The Benemerenti Medal is the highest honour awarded by the pope to lay persons in recognition of exceptional service to the church. Each medal is inscribed with the word “Benemerenti”, derived from the Latin, meaning ‘to a well deserved person’.

For our kuia Ngaroma it was in recognition of her service to the faith along the coast of Te Whānau-a-Apanui and to her family. Whānau and parishioners gathered to celebrate this wonderful day, from Te Arawa, Whakatōhea and other hāhi and held at the beautiful Catholic church at Te Kaha and surrounded with much aroha and whanaungatanga. The Mass was officiated by Bishop Steve, Pā Gerard Paterson and other clergy.

@CATHOLICDIOCESEOFHAMILTON | CDH.ORG.NZ

New Stairway at God’s Road OWEN KOWALEWSKI

Working Bees at Tyburn Monastery Ngakuru In our Hamilton Diocese there is a very beautiful place which few people know about. It is one of the holiest and most sacred spaces in our diocese where the presence of God is clearly visible. Hidden in the hills behind Ngakuru, near Rotorua, is the Tyburn Monastery, Cor Iesu Fons Vitae (Heart of Jesus Fount of Life), the home of the Tyburn Sisters, the Adorers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Montmartre, OSB. They are a contemplative order following the Benedictine Rule with a focus on prayer and adoration. There is Eucharistic Adoration most of the day, set times of community prayer and Mass every day. They have a small guest house wing where visitors can stay and experience this awesome place. The sisters arrived in 2009, and many volunteers have gone out to the monastery and helped support and develop the monastery over the last eleven years. There are passionate and dedicated people who have spent many happy hours developing the grounds around the buildings, where visitors can find peace and quiet in this tranquil setting. The monastery sits high on a ridge above Lake Ohakuri, surrounded by farmland and dramatic

hills and valleys. The development of beautiful gardens and tracks has provided many places for visitors to rest and reflect. The most recent development has been the completion of a stairway from the monastery buildings down to the forest walk track. With the new stairs now in place, visitors can now safely walk down to the ponds and onto the forest walk to the lake edge where the views are amazing. Many hours of hard work over several years have gone into this major project and finally, visitors of any age and ability can fully appreciate the solitude, tranquillity and beauty of this place. They can reflect on Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God”, and Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” This monastery provides a place of rest where God touches the heart. In the photo are the sisters and some of the volunteers who worked on the parts of the stairway. There are many projects yet to be completed, so if you are interested in helping at any time please give your name and contact details to the sisters and someone will contact you about upcoming working bees.

Email admin@tyburnmonastery.co.nz

FRONT LEFT TO RIGHT: MOTHER MIRIAM JOSEPH, MOTHER RACHEL MIDDLE LEFT TO RIGHT: MOTHER JOANNA, MOTHER CECELIA, BRIDGET ANDERSON BACK LEFT TO RIGHT: STEPHEN MCLEOD, OWEN KOWALEWSKI

STAINED GLASS WINDOW - ST. THOMAS AQUINAS MONIQUE HARRIS

Tauranga’s Aquinas College has a new taonga: a stained glass window depicting the college’s patron St Thomas Aquinas was unveiled on October 8. The window was gifted to the college by Our Lady of Kapiti Parish after their Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Waikanae, was closed due to earthquake risk. The window, part of the church’s set of twelve, was made in 1953 by artist Michael Roestenberg (d. 1966), who immigrated to New Zealand in the middle of last century and worked making religious art for the Wellington and Auckland dioceses. One of his most well-known works is the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes on the hill in Paraparaumu; he also created the Resurrection Window above our cathedral’s main doors. At the unveiling college principal Matt Dalton acknowledged all those who helped bring the artwork to the school, including Michael Wintringham and Father Michael McCabe of Our Lady of Kapiti Parish and the local team, lead by the college’s director of religious studies, Susan Van Zyl, which worked to restore and install the window.

ourselves in our Catholic identity and to the charism that flows from the life, spirituality and teachings of our patron.”

FR. PHILIP BILLING WITH KIHI NGATAI (COLLEGE KAUMĀTUA), MATT DALTON AND SUSAN VAN ZYL.

Fr Philip Billing, parish priest of the Parish of St Thomas Aquinas, Tauranga, blessed the window and spoke of the reasoning behind presenting a stained glass window for public veneration: to motivate us to seek the kingdom of God, and to make us mindful of the saints “who love us, are near to us, intercede unceasingly for us, are united to us in communion”. He suggested to those present that when they saw this image of St Thomas they should be reminded that, as the Angelic Doctor showed throughout his life, “all we strive to do is for the greater glory of God”. In conversation after the formalities Susan van Zyl spoke of the significance of the window. “Having this stained glass window in our reception area creates an opportunity to reflect on who the person of St Thomas Aquinas was and who we are striving to be as a college. We are a young college with no founding religious order, and we are trying to be intentional in anchoring

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Safeguarding in the Catholic Church: National Office for Professional Standards PAMELA ARTHURS | NATIONAL SAFEGUARDING LEAD

Safeguarding everyone in our Church – especially our vulnerable adults, young people and children – is a priority. Our Church has zero tolerance for abuse and harm. The National Office for Professional Standards (NOPS) is working hard to foster a culture of safeguarding in every aspect of our Church life through training, information and support that acknowledges and upholds the dignity of everyone. This is why we have safeguarding officers in each of our six dioceses; to work with everyone to prevent harm and abuse happening. The Safeguarding Officer for Hamilton is: Peter Richardson – peterr@cdh.org.nz

The National Safeguarding Lead at NOPS is: Pamela Arthurs – safeguarding@nzcbc.org.nz

You are most welcome to contact them regarding any advice or help you may have regarding safeguarding in our church. NOPS has recently updated its website, so if you’ve not looked at it for a while, you’ll see a different look about it which we hope makes it easier to find what you’re looking for and to make clearer the five Safeguarding Culture Standards that underpin safeguarding in our Church. Lots of information, including an abuse reporting form and a list of the Diocesan Safeguarding Officers is available on the website: www.safeguarding.catholic.org.nz

Leave your loved ones fond memories.... not your funeral costs

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

Parishioners share their Advent traditions KIT TARPEY | PARISH OF ST THOMAS AQUINAS, TAURANGA

A few years ago we bought a 3D Advent calendar. It’s shaped like a Christmas tree and has four sides. Each day a piece is added to create four scenes, one for each week of Advent. The first week is the journey to Bethlehem. The second week is the traditional nativity scene depicting the birth of Jesus. The third week is the shepherds and angels in the field, and the final week is the wise men visiting. There is also a short description for each piece and a suggested Bible verse. Our family really likes putting this together and adding a new piece each day. I think it’s a tangible way for even young children to learn about the birth of Jesus and to prepare them for Christmas.

MIKAERE SMITH | PARISH OF ST THOMAS AQUINAS, TAURANGA

Nana Glubb says, “And remember you kids -” (but of course loud enough so that adult members of the family get the message too) “- Jesus is the reason for the season!” Until I married into a Catholic family I never truly thought about the Christian reason for the season. Advent and the build-up to Christmas Day was full of Christmas work functions, catching up with old friends not often seen throughout the year, eating and, dare I say it, drinking to excess. A great time had by all with presents given and received as the culminating event. So what’s changed? I must confess that many aspects are still very much the same as above. However, I can truly say that I am thankful and blessed to be part of the Catholic Advent scene. Certainly the greatest present I have received and been able to gift to my own children has been the presence of Christ throughout the season.

Nana Glubb’s reminders, Advent Masses, decorating the Christmas tree together as a family each December 1, digging through the treasure chest containing our children’s home-made angels and cards and nativity paraphernalia from a bygone era at St Mary’s Primary School. A true reflection on and an example of God’s love and a real sense of peace being restored once more during this time as our family comes together. (Peace of course usually comes on Christmas Day in our case because trying to work out how to get everyone ready for the Vigil Mass, choose the right time and location and get there before it starts still remains one of the greatest mystery stories yet.) May God bless you all during the Advent season and as Nana Glubb would say: Jesus is the reason for the season! Amen.

Advent Traditions SAMUEL HARRIS

Prayer is what makes the family strong. “I would like to ask you, dear families: Do you pray together from time to time as a family? Some of you do, I know. But so many people say to me: but how can we? … in the family how is this done? After all, prayer seems to be something personal, and besides there is never a good time, a moment of peace… Yes, all that is true enough, but it is also a matter of humility, of realizing that we need God, like the tax collector! ... And we need simplicity to pray as a family: simplicity is

PHOTO COURTESY OF UNSPLASH.COM

necessary! Praying the Our Father together, around the table, is not something extraordinary: it’s easy. And praying the Rosary together, as a family, is very beautiful and a source of great strength! And also praying for one another! The husband for his wife, the wife for her husband, both together for their children, the children for their grandparents… praying for each other. This is what it means to pray in the family and it is what makes the family strong: prayer.” POPE FRANCIS’ HOMILY AT MASS IN ST PETER’S SQUARE, OCT 27 2013.

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There are oodles of articles online with tips for how to make family prayer a priority for your whānau - if you’d like, this Advent, to respond to Pope Francis’ encouragement to deepen your family’s prayer life, have a search and suss out one that suits you. Here are some ideas drawn from two good online pieces: links to the full text are included at the end. Maruška Healy’s essay “Celebrating Advent as a Family” is from the American bishops’ very good “For Your Marriage” site. She talks about the way that Advent traditions are numerous and rich, and are “lived in the heart of the faithful”, changing hearts and bringing families closer together in Christ when embraced and understood. Simcha Fisher is a writer and speaker whose “Advent resources cheat sheet!” piece appears on her website. Here are a few of the traditions they highlight:

ADVENT WREATHS Advent wreaths. The wreath’s greenness and circular shape represent eternity, hope and life, and the four candles and their purple or rose colour stand for the four weeks of the season and for prayer, penance and joy. Healy suggests going for a family walk on the first Sunday of Advent and collecting what you need; Fisher’s idea is that you “buy a cheapo twisted twig wreath at the dollar store, then use about forty yards of thread to strap evergreen branches down thoroughly. … Put the whole thing on a pizza pan, so you can easily move it off the table and store it in a safe, unpunchable place when it’s not in direct use.” Find prayers to bless the wreath at the beginning and to pray

SAMUEL HARRIS | EDITOR

each week or each day as you light the candles, and you’re all set. (Be fire-safe, especially as the greenery dries out in later weeks!)

NATIVITY SCENE This needs little explanation. Kids love the hands-on activity of adding characters one by one over the weeks, or making them travel along the mantlepiece to the stable. Read the different episodes of the story as you go. Some people wrap the Christchild in gift paper and have the children unwrap the figure on Christmas morning to place in the empty crib. No need to buy an expensive set if you don’t have one: make the pieces at home out of cardboard or other materials.

JESSE TREE Many of us are familiar with seeing a Jesse Tree in our parish - why not make your own one at home? You could source a branch from your garden or the local green waste collection site, and either buy a set of symbols or make your own simple ones. Tell the story of salvation through the figures in Jesus’ family tree, taking turns to hang the symbols and read from the Bible.

ADVENT SONGS You may or may not be strict about not singing Christmas carols till Christmas, as some do, but either way, learning and singing some new Advent hymns together, or even just a verse or two,

will be worth doing. Fisher suggests learning two verses of “O Come O Come Emmanuel” each week, and Healy gives a list of hymns, saying “Children especially enjoy the beauty and joy expressed in Christmas carols.”

SAINTS’ DAYS There are several interesting saints with particular connections to the season during Advent, including St Nicholas (the original Santa Claus, of course), Our Lady, celebrated in her feast of the Immaculate Conception, and St Lucy. Explore the traditions associated with these saints’ days and others and choose a couple to mark, doing as much or as little as your particular family circumstances allow.

PREPARATION OF HOME AND HEART “Our homes should reflect our readiness for Christ’s birth. Clean your home together, simplify, share,” says Healy. You could do a clear-out of toys, donating the extras to St Vincent de Paul, and of clothing. Making space in our wardrobes and cupboards of unneeded clothing or household items often leads to more space in our heart for Christ and for other people. “Begin working on Christmas cards and gifts early in Advent so that you can ‘rest your heart’ during the final days of Advent,” says Healy, and it’s good advice. Both writers emphasise the importance of the Sacrament of Penance. Look for advertised times in your parish, or perhaps

you could see if your parish priest could make a twentyminute or half-hour slot free for you and your family to attend Confession together, preparing your hearts for Christ. It’s good for kids to see their parents taking both the reality of sin and the great joy of reconciliation seriously. Organise books or colouring sheets for the younger kids while you and the older children are receiving the sacrament, or pray the Rosary aloud together. “Get to confession,” Fisher urges. “Do that during Advent, and you did Advent right. Ta dah!” More and more, the world desperately needs Christian families to show and share the reality of Christ’s love, peace and mercy. Pope Francis hints, in his words quoted earlier, that it takes effort to build our families into the most loving, most joyful, units they could be, saying that prayer is “what makes the family strong”. During his homily for Midnight Mass, Christmas 2008, Pope Emeritus Benedict said, “Only if people change will the world change; and in order to change, people need the light that comes from God, the light which so unexpectedly [on the night of Christmas] entered into our night.” Making the effort to thoughtfully plan and joyfully carry out one or two (or more - but don’t try to do too much!) of these activities in our families this Advent, with hope and trust, will help the light of Christ shine in our homes and through us to our neighbour; it will lead us into prayer, which always helps us change our hearts and lives to reflect Christ’s and to be a witness of joy and peace to a hurting world. https://tinyurl.com/AdventHealy https://tinyurl.com/AdventFisher

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ADVENT WORD FIND

Jokes: What did Adam say to his wife on the day before Christmas? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas, Eve. Why did the Christmas tree get into trouble? It was knotty. How do you pick up a two-tonne Advent calendar? With a candy crane. Why did no one buy Donner and Blitzen on TradeMe? They were two deer.

FIND ALL THE HIDDEN WORDS! (HORIZONTAL, VERTICAL OR DIAGONAL) adoration angel birth candle carols faith fasting gift glory

gold grace hope joy light love manger myrrh nativity

peace penance praise prayer prophecy star wreath

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CUT IT OUT KIDS! CUT THESE DECORATIONS OUT FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE OR DIY CARDS.

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