Kete Korero November 2016 by Catholic Diocese of Hamilton, NZ

ketekorero November 2016 - January 2017

The official publication of the Catholic Diocese of Hamilton November 2016 - February 2017

Staff change focus World Youth respond to Pope’s call Te Puke churches empowering homeless Science fizzing in schools In a bush-clad heaven at Ngāpūtahi

The religious life

ketekorero November 2016 - January 2017

bishop’s message Mercy during the feast of the Lord’s birth

he Feast of Christ the King on the 20th of November marks the end of the Year of Mercy. Over the course of the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis has invited the Church and the world to contemplate Jesus the face of the Father’s Mercy, to enter the doors of his Mercy so that we might be changed and become more merciful like the Father. As we end the Year of Mercy, it is timely to ask how the Year of Mercy has changed us, as individuals, as Christians and as a community. Has our contemplation of Jesus, the face of the Father’s Mercy changed us? What might this Mercy look like? Immediately following the end of the Year of Mercy we begin the season of Advent, our four-week time of preparation so that we might celebrate the birth of the Lord at Christmas so that we might receive him with arms and hearts wide open. As I reflect on the events surrounding Christmas there was always a choice to be made – the choice of pointing the finger or embracing. What do I mean? Joseph could have pointed the finger at Mary, pointing his finger at her “supposed fault” – she was pregnant and the child was not his. Being a just man he was going to divorce her informally rather than call down the force of the law that could have had her stoned to death. After the angel spoke to him, he embraced Mary by taking her into his arms thereby bringing down upon himself the pointed fingers of the people of Nazareth. Shepherds often had the finger pointed at them. They were considered ritually unclean and yet they were welcomed into the stable at Bethlehem. In the same way the Wise Men, being foreigners, would have been branded as pagans, but they too were embraced into the mystery of the Infant King. So often today in so many ways we tend to point the finger. It is easy to find fault, to accuse or to brand others. When we do this we build walls between us. In the audience with Pope Francis that I attended with other new bishops, the Holy Father said, “Divisions are the weapon that the devil has most at hand to destroy the Church from within. He has two weapons, but the main one is division, the other is money. The devil enters by the pockets and he destroys with the tongue, with gossip, which divides, and the habit of gossiping is a habit of “terrorism”. The gossiper is a “terrorist” that throws the bomb — gossip — to destroy. Please, fight against divisions, because it is one of the weapons that the devil has to destroy the local Church and the universal Church…” There are challenges that are difficult to resolve, but with the grace of God, prayer, penance, they can be resolved. The way of Mercy invites us to build bridges rather than walls. This calls us to be people of Mercy, people who instead of pointing fingers open our arms and hearts in embrace. As we gather to celebrate the birth of the Lord may Mercy be born ever more in us in a new way.

In this issue... Read it online!

www.proudtobecatholic.org.nz

Bishop’s Message Mercy during the feast of the Lord’s birth

Features 3 Staffing change reflects Pope’s challenge Auckland pressures see Te Puke churches combine 5 on homelessness Ngāpūtahi parishioners in bush-clad heaven 8-9 Youth Young people answer Pope’s call Parish News Time to learn more about being Catholic St Mary’s chapel restoration Coming back to faith at new Bethlehem Chapel Whakatāne pilgrimages in the Year of Mercy Parishioners farewell St Mary’s Church Piopio

4 10 10 11 13 14

School News Schools fizzing over science in the natural world 6 Doing something to help key element in experiments 7 ‘Great’ Confirmation and First Holy Communion day 12 Taking time for Mary in our hearts 12 NZ Shakespeare award for student 12 Round-up of Chanel Shield 2016 13 The Religious Life Living the priesthood in the blame and shame era 14 Love of Holy Mother takes Sr Mary on life journey 15 Pa Yvan Sergy to return to Tauranga 15 Sr Lorraine Gaines bids farewell to Whakatāne 15 Advertorial

The Kete Korero is an official publication of the Catholic Diocese of Hamilton. Deadline for contributions to the next issue is 9 January 2017 Kete Korero Magazine C-/ 51 Grey St, P.O. Box 4353, Hamilton East 3247

In this issue of Kete Korero Changes to staff positions at the Diocese’s Chanel Centre aimed at reflecting the new pastoral priorities and challenges set by Pope Francis are detailed on page 3 Youth from the Diocese were among the 3.5 million pilgrims attending World Youth Day (page 4). St Vincent de Paul Te Puke’s involvement in a homelessness initiative reflects initiative rejects Pope Francis’s ecumenical approach to social and spiritual challenges (page 5). Schools are fizzing over science and technology, as we find out in a series of articles on pages 6 and 7. Pages 8-9 has a report from our visit to Ngāpūtahi, nestled in a beautiful valley in Te Urewera. Parish news items are featured on pages 10 and 11, including the opening of the new Chapel of St Therese at Bethlehem. Whakatane parishioners have made several pilgrimages - see page 13. School news continues on pages 12 and 13, with a highlight being the great

grandmother and grandmother who joined their family in confirmation and First Holy Communion Ceremonies. St Joseph’s School in Morrinsville were given an opportunity to let Mary into their hearts during a special celebration at the Assumption. The annual Chanel Shield Competition for the four Catholic Colleges in the diocese was hosted by Campion College (page 13). A new feature - “The Religious Life” on pages 14 and 15 - includes an article on the annual priests’ Mass and a profile Sr Mary Dore, who celebrated her 60th Jubilee. ACPA Award for Kete Korero Kete Korero received a Highly Commended Award in the annual Australasia Catholic Press Awards 2016. The award recognised the series of stories on education published in the November 2015 -January 2016 edition of Kete Korero. Thanks to all those people who assisted with this and all the other articles for the past three years.

Editor: Michael R. Smith, P.O. Box 6215, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua 3010 Tel: 07 349 4107, kete@cdh.org.nz Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/KeteFb Videos: http://tinyurl.com/ketekorero Sponsorship and advertising: David Barrowclough, C-/ Chanel Centre 0800 843 233 Fax 07 8567035 or email: cdf@cdh.org.nz Design and layout: Sandy Thompson, Advocate Print 248 Fenton Street, Rotorua 3010 Printing: Beacon Print Ltd, 207 Wilson Road, Hastings 4153 ISSN: (print) 2357-2221 & (online) 2357-223X Cover Photos Front page left: Louis Klaassen from Whakatane and Mary Kerridge from Hamilton represent New Zealand on the podium with Pope Francis at the World Youth Day Saturday night vigil in Blonia Park Krakaw, Poland, in July (page 4). Bottom right: Sr Mary Dore who celebrated her 60th anniversary as a Marist Sister (page 15).

ketekorero November 2016 - January 2017

feature

Staffing change reflects Pope’s challenge

ishop Steve Lowe has led a review of the Diocesan staff positions as part of the ‘Who is my Neighbour?’ pastoral plan and to address how the diocese could best meet the identified pastoral priorities and the challenges Pope Francis has put before the Church and are facing the Diocese and society in

Joseph Hogan Marriage and Family Animator Joe has been actively involved in parish life in Gisborne for a number of years; assisting with the parish Sacramental Programmes, children’s liturgy, and supporting the development of the senior youth movement. During this time he has also had a passion supporting marriage and family. Tologa Bay Motor Camp is a favourite spot for their camping with friends and with new people they meet, beach and hill farm walks, seafood and BBQ’s, campfires and various sports, including croquet played on the sand-dunes. Joe comes to this position with experience in the education sector and the construction industry, holding qualifications in both fields as well as having a Bachelor of Theology degree to compliment his practical experience.

Alex Bailey Social Justice Animator Alex has been employed in the Diocesan Youth Office since

general. The new positions replace existing positions and have already generated a sense of energy and enthusiasm. Some of the new positions use the term animator, that is someone who imparts energy and vitality and spirit to other people. The past work of dedicated

and loyal staff needs to be acknowledged. A number of long serving staff have taken the opportunity of retirement or sought a change in their working life. All have made significant contributions to our Diocese, and a number at national level. Individual recognition will be

made to these staff members over the coming months. Two vacanciesm are still to be finalised - being the Pastoral Services Manager and the Parish Education & Formation Animator. It is with great pleasure that the following appointments be announced (see below).

Jackie Oosthuysen Finance Officer Jackie received a Bachelor of Commerce in Accountancy from the University of Johannesburg. She has extensive experience working in a range of organisations in both South Africa and New Zealand from smaller business through to multi-nationals; holding positions such as Assistant Group Accountant and Financial Administrator/Officer. Jackie resides in Cambridge and recent years have seen her spend much of her spare time supporting her daughters at various football venues around the country.

Frederic Ralamihoatra Fundraising & Communications Coordinator Fred brings a wide range of experience in the areas of fundraising, website design, business development and financial advice. Most recently he has been self employed as a Registered Financial Advisor, bringing experience from his Banking Consultant and Management & Marketing Consultant background. Born in Madagascar, Fred attended university in France gaining his Masters Degree in Business & Project Management, and Business Administration. Fred is a parishioner in the Raglan Parish and is very active in the local Raglan and Coastguard communities.

November 2010, initially as the Youth Worker before accepting the Youth Director role. After participating in NET Ministries in Australia in 2007, Alex went on to complete a Bachelor’s Degree of Commerce, majoring in Human Resources, at the University of Canterbury. He is currently completing a Diploma in Theology. Alex currently resides in Otorohanga, he is enjoying parenthood and likes to spend time pursuing a number of outdoor activities.

John Coulam Schools’ Education Manager John is a high profile leader in Catholic Education nationally and locally having been at the helm of Marian Catholic School in Hamilton for 17 years. For his outstanding services to Catholic Education, which also included holding executive positions on the Waikato Principals’ Assn and the NZ Catholic Primary Principals’ Assn, John was acknowledged by the NZ Catholic Education Office with the Laureate Award in 2009. In his spare time John has served on parish leadership teams, the Diocesan Finance Council plus executive positions in the Harness Racing industry both locally and nationally.

Jessica Eagleton Administrator/Receptionist (Pictured right) Prior to her appointment Jessica was employed in the construction sector where she gained experience in a wide range of administration procedures including the use of accounting software for data entry, payroll and accounts receivable. Earlier in her work career, in the hairdressing industry, Jessica determined that her passion was more in the administration field, so she took a year out from work to study Business, Administration and Computing at Wintec.

ketekorero November 2016 - January 2017

youth Young people answer Pope’s call

By Briegé Koning Photos by Louis Klaassen. “Never forget: God’s will is our happiness!” Message of Pope Francis for the 15th World Youth Day Pilgrims travelled from all over the globe to gather for World Youth Day 2016 in Krakow, Poland from 26 to 31 July, and amidst the 3.5 million pilgrims, our New Zealand flag was flying high. For the 40 Hamilton and Christchurch pilgrims, it was a trip of a lifetime, especially being able to to encounter Saint John Paul the Great’s own. We were fortunate to be hosted by the Katowice Diocese to get a real taste of Polish culture

for the ‘days in the Diocese’ prior to the world youth day week. We were lead by the Community of St. John in catechesis, prayer, day outings and given the invaluable opportunity to evangelise in the heart of Katowice. We embarked on our new journey to Krakow on a train filled to the brim with young French and Spanish pilgrims. One of our youngest pilgrims, Jacob Farrell found it a big change coming from a small country parish in Putaruru “it was such a crazy week; all the singing and dancing as you are walking down the street, it made you alive and proud to be a Catholic.” The official world youth day week culminated with over 3.5 million pilgrims keeping vigil with the Holy Father at Campus Misericordiae, a venue created particularly for the 15th World Youth Day. Among the 100 New Zealand pilgrims, Louis Klaassen and Mary Sophie were chosen to represent New Zealand at the Saturday night vigil with the Holy Father. Louis said he felt it was by no accident that he was chosen. While sitting up on stage looking out at the 3.5 million Catholics from all corners of the world, “it made me realise that everything that had been going on in my life had led up to this

Pilgrims from the Hamilton and Christchurch Diocese on the steps of Archikatedra Chrystusa Króla w Katowicach (Cathedral of Christ the King) in Katowice, Poland along with Sr Mary Ruth, Fr. Antoine Thomas and people of the Katowice Diocese moment. I remember thinking that encouraged the youth to place if God is trying to tell me something before the Lord their own “battles then he can’t get much more direct - the interior struggles that each of than this. I find myself sitting only you carries in his or her heart.” He metres away from the successor of spoke words of hope: “He is always Saint Peter and he keeps saying a ‘cheering us on’; He is our biggest word in Italian that sounds like my fan.” name.” It was as if God is saying ‘pay He urged us to “trust the memory attention and listen’.” Louis said of God: His memory is not a ‘hard he walked away with the feeling of disk’ that ‘saves’ and ‘archives’ all peace and a new focus. our data, but a heart filled with “I realised that you spend so much tender compassion, one that finds of your time on things that don’t joy in ‘erasing’ in us every trace of really matter but being so close to evil.” the Holy Father and watching him The next International World pray during adoration made me Youth Day will be in Panama in realize that I must focus on what is 2019. Do not be afraid to respond important to me in my life now.” to God’s call on your life and invest In Pope Francis’s Homily he in this invaluable experience.

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ketekorero November 2016 - January 2017

feature Auckland pressure sees Te Puke churches combine on homelessness By Michael Smith he family’s story is a familiar one today. A young couple find Auckland homes impossible to rent let alone buy have to leave and find work and a house elsewhere. Their first son, Christopher, is born up north where Allen is working fixing machines in forestry. They next move to Pongakawa Valley in the Bay of Plenty and then to Te Puke, where Michael is born. All the while, the father is studying and working towards his mechanic’s ticket and, after Nicholas is born, the family can return to Auckland. Housing in the city is starting to undergo a transformation at long last, with the large-scale building of state houses in Tāmaki. Sixty-five-years later, Te Puke is once more feeling the impact of a new era of dire property availability in and around Auckland. Such has been the impact on the Bay of Plenty town that the local St Vincent de Paul in Te Puke is now working alongside a new charitable trust aimed at empowering local people struggling with hunger and hurt. Some members of that trust, Empowerment NZ, have been drawn from the Te Puke Ministers Association, which has representatives from eight Christian churches in the Bay of Plenty town, including St Patrick’s Catholic Church. The trust and its work are seen as being in line with the messages from Pope Francis and Bishop Steve Lowe regarding tackling the structural causes of poverty and the need for change to start with each of us. Te Puke may not seem to be an obvious place to find poverty on the rise, however it has had its fair share of challenges in the past. These include families contending with the impact of the PSA bacterial kiwifruit vine disease on the local economy. More recently, rising house prices in Auckland have pushed down into surrounding regions, making rental properties pricier and scarcer in Tauranga. This in turn has seen people seeking work and housing opportunities coming into Te Puke. It is now estimated that there are about 20 families classed as homeless in the town and surrounding area. Lee Higgins from St Vincent de Paul Te Puke represents St Patrick’s on the Ministers Association. She says SVDP was involved with the former Te Puke Community Care Centre and Foodbank from its inception until it closed at the end of June. SVDP has continued this support of Empowerment NZ and now also works

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Taking stock after the morning food bank service at Te Puke’s Empowerment NZ centre are volunteers, from left: Jewel Cook, Geraldine Pratt, Whana Barton, Lee Higgins, Brenda Hamilton and Roger Wilks. alongside other church groups to further grow members as well as Food Bank volunteers. “Our community needs caring, committed the relationships and work being done. After working out of temporary premises, the Christians who are safe and skilful to walk combined group committed to a new building alongside those in need, to help our neighbours under the banner of Empowerment NZ. SVDP in ways which are relational and transformative. has now transferred the financial support that We can already see positive differences in the used to go to the community care centre to four months we have been operating,” says Lee. The building Empowerment NZ now occupies Empowerment NZ. She says all the groups are committed to is 9 metres wide by 30 metres long, with its own kitchen and an area with a shower, toilet and working with each other. “Together we can do so much more,” Lee says. washing facilities for homeless people. A larger Much of the impetus for a wider community garage-like space attached to the building also and church approach initially came from Sue offers an opportunity for the setting up of a Wilks, the Children and Community Pastor workshop. Roger Wilks, a volunteer at the Baptist Church, for the Baptist Church, and Judy Abrahams, a retired school teacher with the Presbyterian says the original vision was too big for one Church. Judy also initiated the idea of having a church to do, so it was an opportunity for people church open for prayer every night in Te Puke, from each of the churches to come together for the good of the community. which has run for three years. “It has been amazing discovering what we The group working together now also includes Deb Nichol and Vicky McNeill, both social have got in common.” Lee says: “We see it as the Lord leading; that’s workers, along with Lee and Mary Anne Harrison, a budget advisor. Sue and Lee recently offered our focus. What does He want us to do? Who Fresh Perspective mentor training to church does he want us to be and who does he want us to be around?” Having seen what each of the programmes in place was providing, SVDP looked at how it could provide help and decided it would be able to do more together with other groups than working alone. This is in line with the SVDP strategic plan for the greater Western Bay of Plenty area. Clyde Street Shopping Centre Hamilton East Te Puke has been known in the past as “The directly across from the Cathedral Kiwifruit Capital of the World”, however this Daytime: Mon to Fri 7.30 am - 4.00 pm has been changed to “Te Puke; Goodness Grows Here”. Although the new motto was meant to Sat and Sun: 8.30 am - 2.30 pm reflect the healthy attributes of the fruit growing Great food and coffee area, it has taken on a new and deeper meaning Gluten free, dairy free, & vegetarian options every day as a reflection of the work being done by the Private functions and out catering specialists churches and volunteers through Empowerment Contact: Bernard Gittings 027 222 4198 NZ.

ketekorero November 2016 - January 2017

school news

Schools fizzing over science in the natural world initiatives

Year One teacher Rachael McLanachan at St Michael’s School in Rotorua shares a magic science moment with Sam Frew. “The Ark” class was participating in the “Science in a Box”, a project organised by the education-based iwi initiative Te Taumata o Ngāti Whakaue Iho aimed at enriching science in education. Kete Korero visited St Michael’s on a day when the Year One class of 5 and 6-year-olds was partaking in experiments from the “Sweet and Sour” kit. Deputy Principal Lorette Tiedt said Catholic schools had the Living World component of the

Science Curriculum well-covered but often primary schools did not have the equipment required for the chemistry and physics side of education. “This is a side of learning where everything is provided for you.” Research had also found that science was lacking throughout young children’s education, with teachers’ own experience partly contributing to this situation. “We found that often we were doing experiments in class but the children didn’t know it was ‘science’, so we are really clear in telling the children ‘we are going to do science now’ to promote this curriculum area to them.” Lorette said this kind of learning fitted in well with Pope Francis’ push for greater learning about the world, the environment and nature. “It fits in with the respect for our world and the respect for animals.” “We are trying to get them to notice what’s around them and try to get them to look after it, and understand that as humans we have a responsibility.” Rachael McLanachan said having the kit made teaching much easier. “It arrives in a box and we don’t have to run around and find or buy the pieces.”

A student at St Patrick’s School in Taupō with the fruits of an Enviro learning project. The school has a long association with Enviroschools; however, being a relatively small school with limited staff capacity has seen the integration of environmental education wax and wane over the years. Parents and students regularly come together every Friday afternoon in the school garden. As a cohesive Enviro group, they are focused on learning about growing, harvesting, selling, cooking and sharing the produce they grow. This is an excellent example of how the wider community can assist schools to deliver authentic

teaching and learning experiences for children and young people. With the start of spring, the children were split into four subgroups; Leaf, Fruit, Roots and Legumes. The group got busy and prepared the vegetable beds for planting by sowing lupins over winter and digging it in to reintroduce nitrogen into the soil. They sowed seeds from each vegetable group, planted strawberry seedlings in a recycled bath tub, made pots from newspapers and set up a compost and worm farm. Students are helping to sell seedlings the group has sowed, further empowering them as they have been involved from start to finish. They are organising growing competitions, Giant Pumpkins and Sunflowers. The group is holding a celebration dinner where harvests will be used to teach the children about cooking and completing the whole life cycle of where our food comes from and how it got to our table. The group is proud of the work done and are committed to their journey, based on the shared vision that the gardening fun they do positively contributes to a healthy planet, as well as their own mind, body and spirit. Thanks to Acacia Bay Nursery.

St Peter’s Catholic Primary School Cambridge has been creating Science Capable Citizens in 2016. The school was blessed by having a teacher on the Science Teacher Leadership Programme, administered by the Royal Society of New Zealand in 2015. Jaco Labuschagne spent six months on placement at Waikato University, where he worked alongside research scientists to gain a better understanding of the processes involved in scientific research. On his return to the school, Jaco Labuschagne was tasked with lifting the profile of science learning in the school, along with a specific focus on developing the science capabilities with teachers and students. The year started with students asking questions around “what scientists look like and what scientists do?”, resulting in some fascinating, if chlichéd, responses. Our long-term aim was to change this perception for learners and to make sure that each student thought of themselves as a scientist. Swan plants in each classroom helped students make close observations of the life cycle of monarch butterflies. These observations generated art, science discussions, and descriptive writing.

Wall display showing schoolwide inquiry theme & capability prompts Some students participated in a nationwide citizen science project to tag and track the butterflies. Close-up images of the Monarch butterfly’s life-cycle provided a context for discussion and descriptive writing. The capability focus during the first two terms was on gathering and interpreting data, aiming to support students’ ability to closely observe by using all their senses. Involving our local community was another focus, and this saw students meeting Waipa Networks staff, learning about electricity and high voltage cables. As a staff, we feel really proud of our development in science teaching. It is this growing confidence in teacher ability that makes science exciting, engaging, and fun for our tamariki.

Students and teachers from St Thomas More Catholic School (above) enjoying a data gathering day at Tauranga Harbour. Over the past two years the school has been on a journey to develop and enrich the teaching and learning of science. The journey kicked off early in 2015 when teacher Richard Webster attended the Science Teacher Leadership Program (STLP). Richard came away determine their effectiveness to improve his students thinking and attitudes towards science. In conjunction with this he sought to use science to enrich reading, writing and maths. As a Catholic school we place a strong emphasis on religious education and so to do this well we seek to infuse RE throughout

the curriculum. Science prompts us to ask the how and why questions and so we used classroom investigations and experimentation to promote a sense of awe and wonder in our students. Over the first year the junior children had been on a rocky shore trip and the older students had completed an upland and lowland stream study. Meanwhile, the senior school has been involved in an ongoing estuary study at Matapihi. To date we have completed four data gathering days. Two years on St Thomas More Catholic School has moved forward significantly in the teaching and learning of science. STLP has resulted in a significant improvement in the quantity and quality of teaching and learning in science and an increase in the engagement and enthusiasm of our students.

ketekorero November 2016 - January 2017

Doing things to help a key element in experiments Are you taking notes? Be prepared: This following story about pupils from Waikato Catholic schools who participated in the Waikato Science and Technology Fair contains some interesting information. St Columba’s, Frankton Hamilton

From left, Jordan Searancke, Tara Lingard, Ella Leighton and Maz Curle. Biceps were tested, plants “magnetised”, teeth tested and wheelies spun as part of experiments presented by pupils at St Columba’s Catholic School in Frankton. Maz Curle’s experiment “Say it with a smile” earned him a third prize in the Year 8 Material World section. Maz collected teeth from a wide range of sources – a “disgusting” task, but it did yield conclusive that fluoride toothpaste was the best cleaner. Year 8 Ella Leighton tested whether age mattered in terms of muscle power, so she set tests lifting 2 kg weights for boys and girls aged 9-to-10 years of age, finding the older boys were very confident and rushed the task whereas the younger ones took their time and did better. Year 7 Tara Lingard’s “Magnetic Plants” experiment found that using magnets can help

improve the rate at which plants grow, giving them an early start in later winter/early spring. Jordan Searancke’s “Wheelie Cool Experiment” showed how weight affects the height a bike’s ability to perform the perfect “wheelie”.

school news

section. Both say they would be encouraged to enter the competition next year and that the experience has encouraged to learn about science. St Joseph Fairfield, Hamilton

St Pius X Melville

Year 7 pupils Eren Lumiwes (left) and Brooklyn Hayde earned a Highly Commended prize in the Class 1, Year 7 Material World category for the tests they ran on nappies to see how they performed in absorbing water. They found that one major brand was able to perform better than its competitors. They used syringes to ensure the water was applied evenly to the nappies, running the tests five times to ensure accuracy. As a result, they found that one major brand was able to perform better than its competitors. They are now encouraged to learn about science. St Patrick’s Te Awamutu

Year 7 pupils Christine Lee and Natasha Linton (left and right above) tested five types of wood and provided an answer to a question firewood users often ask during winter - which wood would lose the most moisture and be best for burning? Macrocarpa lost the most moisture so it was the best option if there is only wet wood available over winter. For their work, the pupils earned a Highly Commended Award the Material World

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Science and Technology Fair Judge Norm Stannard with Sophie Stokes (from left), Isla McCabe, Michaela Greene, Estella WainuiMackle and Xanthe Wainui-Mackle. “Pathogenic Pets” proved an interesting experiment for sisters Xanthe (Year 8) and Estella Wainui-Mackle (Year 7). They tested five dogs and five cats to find out which contained the most pathogens. Not unexpectedly, the cats were cleaner but they also found that the hand sanitiser did not work even though the labels said it moved 99 per cent of dirt. They received a Highly Commended prize and a Waikato University Science Communication Award. Michaela Greene and Isla McCabe (Year 7s) were Highly Commended, in the Year 7-8 Physical World section for their experiment entitled “H2O to Go”. They tested out which cup helped keep drinks the hottest and the coldest. Thermal cups were best at keeping the heat and polystyrene was best for keeping for cold drinks. Using houses made of sugar cubes and surfaces made from marbles, soil and sand, Year 7 pupils, Sophie Stokes and Ava Dillon worked out ways earthquake damage on dangerous soils could be avoided After shaking the soils and testing the options, they found the “houses” located on sand quickly fell down, but sand with an earth covering preformed the best. Note: Thanks to Norm Stannard for working arranging interviews with the pupils and to the schools providing separate articles. Norm came out of “retirement” after 10 years to assist as a judge in 2016. He says that for many of our young engineers and scientists “the ethos of doing things to help people unconsciously came through to the judges for most of the projects - this being a key message from Pope Francis.” See at full list of winnders at http://tinyurl.com/scifairresults2016

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ketekorero November 2016 - January 2017

feature Ngāpūtahi parishioners at Mass in bush-clad heaven background to the Catholic Church in the region. This goes back to the arrival of Fr ClaudeAndre Baty from Wairoa in 1841 and, when he got to Ruatāhuna, he found a Catholic Church already built in the area. The Catholic faith has continued in an unbroken line in the area since that time. The people looked after the rebel Te Kooti during the wars of the 1800s. In the 1920s, when they went down to meet Maori church leader Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana, he asked them what church they belonged to. “They said that they were following Te Kooti but that they were originally Catholic, and he said ‘well, go back and be Catholic’ and that’s what they did. We’ve been Catholic ever since.”

By Michael Smith

very month, always on the second Sunday of the month, parishioners gather in the small church of St Paul’s at Ngāpūtahi surrounded by the forests of Te Urewera. Far from the parishes on the Hamilton Diocese’s coastal regions, with their splendid seaside panoramas, Ngāpūtahi nestles into a different kind of beauty. There are no million dollar views, just the quiet, spiritual contemplation afforded by the steep, bush-covered hills. On our drive up from Murupara, Taupo-based parishioner Lesley Handcock points to a hill rising from the side of the shingle road. Clad with kowhai trees, Lesley notes how in a month or so the hill will be covered in their brilliant yellow flowers. Originally located at Te Whaiti, the church was relocated to Ngāpūtahi in 1995, taking the short but tortuous journey on the back of a truck. Mass starts at 11 am and today the priest is Fr David Gledhill, who recently celebrated 50 years as a priest. Br Vincent Jury from Murupara takes services when required. The Mass in September was on 9/11 and, while New York and terrors that followed that day seemed far away, Fr David drew on the scripture from Luke 15 to ponder how he felt about that day and those who flew the planes that crashed into the buildings, killing those people. When he started thinking about those things and questioned the future of the world in which we live, he then looked at the Gospel for that Sunday.

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“All of a sudden, I find that somebody else is managing this world and if I am prepared to put all those things that I love into the hands of this manager, Our Father, He will tell me what to do in terms of His world.” Quoting a scripture, he said “All your good works, when people see them, they will praise to your Father in heaven – not to you but to the Father. So we have been assisted with an attitude as to where the future of this world lies. It lies particularly in the way we are sharing the love of our own lives and the love of our Father.” However, until our hearts were open it was very difficult to see how much the Farther loved us. “So 9/11 takes another perspective. All those people who flew the planes and those who died belong to the Father. It is with Him that we apply our love, compassion and forgiveness to them. If we don’t, what is the alternative to that? Do I start to hate, do I start to get bigger guns and more planes and ships and kill everybody?” Jesus gave three parables in the scripture regarding the merciful ways of the Father. “We are being challenged this morning that we again can some way or other in the different circumstances of our lives to be opened up to see how much Our Father loves each of us in our own lives. “As we do so, we become part of his love for the community. That’s the only hope for the world in which we live,” Fr David said. Church’s deep history in region After the Mass, Fr David outlines some of the

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Church wrought from forest Fr David says the church was initially built at Te Whaiti during a time when there were as many as 72 sawmills in the area. It served the people there with the Mill Hill Fathers but was not used for 20 years, and prayers were instead said at the home of a parishioner in Ngāpūtahi. “Finally, however, the people wanted to go back to the church but it was over the hill at Te Whaiti, so they said ‘well, we will bring it over the hill to Ngāpūtahi’.” After various discussions between the iwi and Tūhoe, the church was moved and has been in place for the past 20 years. James Edward Doherty says his father was a carpenter at Ngāpūtahi with the Ministry of Works in the 1930s and had used wood from the area when the church was built in Te Whaiti. An agreement between the families of Ngāpūtahi and the Ngati Whare iwi meant the building would come back at some stage. The opportunity arose when the ministry wanted to shift the bridge below Ngāpūtahi to better align it with the re-built road. The land around where the church currently stands was originally taken by the ministry for holding paddocks for horses used at the time of the original work in the area. This gave the people an opportunity to negotiate the return of that land in exchange for a deal around land involved the bridge move. Jim says the flat area around where St Joseph’s is now registered as a papakāinga area and a meeting house was also planned for the site. Inflation and rising construction costs meant

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feature Listen to Fr David Gledhill at: http://tinyurl.com/ ngaputahi the new building was some way off at this stage. The faith came through strongly through his father, who said it had helped him through the First World War. Priests had always come to the settlement, whether it was to say Mass in the family home or the church when it moved there later. The changes underway in the church under Whaia te Whaea had to happen, James says. “We couldn’t just stay the same and have to move with the times. In terms of all the faiths, it doesn’t matter what religion, as long as you believe in that one God and that’s where we all are.”

Sisters Joan Nygard and Libya Doherty (pictured above) both now live in Rotorua and recall how their father built church. The family were very strict Catholics who said the rosary every night. Having the priests coming up to say Mass at Ngāpūtahi is important, even though she and Libya live in Rotorua Libya says the changes being made under Whaia te Whaea are welcome. “It’s great – it’s about time we had this happening. It includes Maori a lot more and it’s a splendid idea.” The long journey Huia Nuku-Huriwaka has had a long journey back to the area. Huia affiliates to Ngati Manawa iwi in Murupara but her husband is from Ngāpūtahi. She was living in Upper Hutt when five grandchildren came to live with her in 2005. It was hard task, she says. “It was so cold down there we decided we would go Brisbane, Australia.” The family lived in Brisbane from 2007 until recently, when they returned to Murupara. “It’s just time to come home – I am so glad I am back.” While it was a wonderful experience for the children to live away from home, it was vital to Huia to be able to bring them back. “So they know that [Brisbane] is not home; this is home.” She had been home several times over the years and was at Ngāpūtahi for the re-dedication

Bertram Te Raruna says it is essential to have the Mass said at Ngaputahi, because it is a time for whanau to come back to be able to sit together, have church together, share kai, and for everyone to reacquaint themselves with each other. The core of the family always attended services, whether they were taken by Br Vincent Jury from Murupara or a priest. Being away from cities and towns is not a problem in keeping up the faith. “It’s never an issue for Māori – every day is

a karakia day. Whether we are at the school, it’s karakia; whether we are at the marae, it’s karakia. So this is just part of it, being here in the church.” Bert says Whaia te Whaea is about having an opportunity for the children to have a connection to the Catholic faith. “It’s about keeping our faith and when the kids get old enough to leave this place, hopefully there will be sufficient instilled in them that they will come back to the church later on, if not throughout their whole life.”

of the church. “It is very important to have the church here – it draws us and keeps us together. It allows us to continue the faith, because there is a long history of being Catholic in our whānau. You can feel the wairua of the place.” “The children are on a journey of discovery,” says Huia, “hence my need to come back, so they can re-connect and identify where they come from. It’s wonderful to be back where life is simple and it’s spiritually close.”

One of her sons will go to Haoto Pāora College, so Justine hopes that one day he too will be able to take services at Ngāpūtahi.

Faith brings whānau together Justine Huatahi, lives in Ngāpūtahi where she looks after her mother. As a child, Justine was sent away to a Presbyterian school under the scholarship system that operated at the time. However, her background was Catholic, so she got baptised last year. The faith is helping to bring people back together in the area at a time when a lot of bad things were happening in the world around them. “If they see us coming to church all the time, hopefully they will come back too.”

Young Marists answer call Matthew Newman is a member of Young Marists living at Te Whaiti with a local family along with a colleague, Michelle Windsor. The two have been involved in leading social programmes in Australia and New Zealand. They are starting a programme for young people to take a gap year and come and live in isolated settlements. Matthew has been staying at the kura in Te Whaiti for three months, taking a break from university studies where he studied indigenous development and politics. The programme he is setting up stems from the “Young Marist Neighbours” established in 2007, which provides a -week-long service and learning experience for Year 12 students and teachers. The programme also provides the opportunity for graduates to participate in something special happening in the communities. “There seems to be something happening in Minginui, Te Whaiti and Ngāpūtahi that is cool to be part of,” Matthew said.

ketekorero November 2016 - January 2017

parish news

Time to learn more about being Catholic

n 2017 The Catholic Institute of Aotearoa: Te Pūtahi Katorika ki Aotearoa is offering new qualifications for teachers, hospital and prison chaplains, Catholic youth ministry, pastoral ministry, parish catechists and all those wanting to learn more about ‘being Catholic’. At certificate level, teachers and teacher trainees can enrol in the New Zealand Certificate in Christian Studies – Religious Education (Level 5). It includes seven papers in religious education, scripture, and theology with optional substitutes in sacraments, Catholic Social Teaching, Christian ethics and Māori Spirituality. At present teachers work towards a Diploma in Religious Studies Religious Education which has 11

papers at Level 6. It is hoped the new qualification will make it easier for teachers to earn a qualification in religious education. Chaplains and all those working in parish, youth, and pastoral ministries can enrol in a New Zealand Certificate in Christian Studies – Christian Ministry. This certificate includes specialist papers for specific ministries. Parishioners wanting to learn more about what it means to be Catholic will also enrol for this certificate. Participants will have four years to complete the qualification. People who have completed the certificate can then progress to the New Zealand Diploma in Christian Studies with streams in Religious Studies, Theological Studies, Christian Leadership and Pastoral Ministry. Those who are already part way through the existing TCI diploma will have until 2019 to complete that qualification. Courses are offered in different ways, face-to-face in Gisborne, Tauranga, Rotorua, and Hamilton; mixed media – combination of

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include your Catholic Parish in your Will Contact your Parish or the Catholic Diocese of Hamilton, Chanel Centre, Hamilton Phone: 0800 843 233 Email: gregb@cdh.org.nz

tutorials and online learning; or distance learning some with online activities. Not everyone lives close to a main centre or is able to attend classes. With distance education, you can study in the comfort of your own home with one to one tutoring, or get together as a group. For example, this might be a good option for a school staff or parish study group. Blessed Archbishop Romero said “Aspire not to have more but to be more.” Many people aspire to have more material goods. Learning about your faith helps you to “be more” and to learn how you can live out your faith for the benefit of others. If you want to know more about the courses/qualifications please ring Cynthia Piper 0800 217 411 or email c.piper@tci.ac.nz “The Catholic Institute was established by the Catholic Bishops of New Zealand to support their vision of an informed laity who are supported by qualified people working in ministry and for the mission in the world. TCI has been commissioned to provide accessible courses for teachers and trainee teachers to ensure teachers are qualified to teach Religious Education in Catholic Schools and are able to engage in ongoing Professional Development.” (www. tci.ac.nz) At The Catholic Institute our aim is to provide Information for Formation to bring about Transformation.

St Mary’s restoration

Work on restoring St Mary’s Chapel in Hamilton has come through the very wet winter close to final targets. After completing initial work, the restoration project has got into full swing throughout the interior and exterior of the chapel. Scaffold frames covered in white “shrinkwrap” help protect the building and allowed good progress to be made during the wet spring. Lobell site manager John Greene (pictured above showing progress to Bob Peacocke Project Director and Trustee) says only a week was lost. “Because it is a heritage listed building, there is going to be huge satification once restoration is completed. It’s going to stand for another 90 years.” On an exterior side wall, Howard Bright is working on restoring brickwork. Carpenter Craig Reid, whose 85-year-old mother-in-law was a boarder at the school 70 years ago, is working on the interior. Stage 1 of the project was due for completion in early November and Stage 2 is due to be completed by the end of March 2017. By late October, the St Mary’s Convent Chapel Charitable Trust had reached 76 per cent of its fundraising milestone of $1.0 million, so a fund-raising programme for the final $240,000 has now been launched within the wider Waikato community. Sponsorship opportunities are available for the now restored interior statues. For more information contact Bob Peacocke: 0274 858 573

ketekorero November 2016 - January 2017

parish news

Coming back to faith at new Bethlehem Chapel of St Therese

tanding on the brow of the hill overlooking the Tauranga harbour’s inner waters at Bethlehem, it is just possible to imagine the scene when Bishop Pompallier sailed into the harbour to establish the Catholic faith. On 28 August 2016, one of the sporadically sunny spring days, the new Chapel of St Therese at Bethlehem was opened. St Therese stands adjacent the Hangarau Marae and those who attending the opening were reminded that 800 Māori attending its opening when the first Arapera Nuku, with Mark Nicholas, at the chapel was opened on the site in 1928. The previous chapel on the site was opened unveiling of the plaque. in the early 1970s but was destroyed by fire in opening of St Therese, many Māori had drifted February 2014. over to the Ratana Church and the then Mill Hill Speaking to the about 200 people attending missioner, Father Holierhook, reported how the ceremony, Bishop Steve Lowe referred to the they had since come back to the Catholic Church. scripture reading during the liturgy regarding “Isn’t it true that you’ve got to keep coming how “we are here because the Lord Jesus was back to the practice of our faith?” Bishop Steve born in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago.” He asked. “It is so easy to drift away from it, isn’t it? remarked how it was not only the shepherds We are so busy communicating but what about who came to see Jesus in Bethlehem, it was also our spiritual life?” the wise men. Again, gesturing towards the view, he said, “In Bethlehem, in this chapel, is a place to “we come back to the place of God and remember come to be with Jesus and I think it’s been done there is something that looks far beyond the stunningly perfectly.” horizon that you can see out there.” Gesturing to the view through the plain glass Bishop Steve performed the blessing of the picture window behind the altar, out to the new church by sprinkling holy water throughout harbour, Bishop Steve said: “Isn’t it stunning, the interior and around the exterior of the absolutely stunning? When we look at the beauty building. A commemorative plaque on the wall of the Creation, we think of God the Father, the near the entrance was blessed and, following the creator of heaven and earth. When we look at ceremony, unveiled by local kuia Arapera Nuku. Tauranga-Moana, we think of Him, who comes Fr Mark Field said that, after the church was to us in the midst of a storm. We see the wind burned down in 2014, a call went out to all and the light playing on the water, we see the parishes for items to help when it was re-built. spirit, the wairua tapu, come and bring our lives, The closure of the church at Piopio saw a truck our souls to a more vibrant God.” load of pews brought across from the depths of The view also reminded him of the great waka the King Country to the seaside parish. An altar that had brought the people to the harbour, was brought across from Rotorua, Stations of the followed hundreds of years later by the “Sancta Cross from Reporoa, and other items provided Maria” bringing Bishop Pompallier on the by parishes and people throughout the diocese. Marist mission in 1840. At the time of the 1928 At the time of the fire, the late Fr Hemi Hekiera

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Bishop Steve Lowe blesses the entrance. highlighted the important role the church, with its location next to Hangarau Marae, played for the Maori community. After the opening was completed, those attending were invited on to the marae, where kaumātua Karora Smith (left) told Kete Korero the community was determined to build a new church, because St Therese, and St Joseph’s at Te Puna were important in keeping the faith of the Māori whānau in the area. “We were naturally devastated when the church was burnt down. We didn’t know who it was,” he said. Although some items were found halfway to Tauranga suggested the fire was deliberately lit, the police were unable to track down the perpetrators. Although insurance covered part of the rebuild cost, donations were necessary. Describing the site as special, Karora said: “I really think it is God’s gift to mankind. With Tauranga growing, it serves our parishioners in Mount Maunganui, Te Puna and Matakana Island, and it really has a purpose. “Here in Bethlehem, it really has significance. When Pompallier came here after the signing of the treaty (of Waitangi) he anchored his boat across from where the church is off on the point, so that is historical in itself.” The altar in the previous church was facing the road, so it was decided to take the opportunity of turning it around to face the harbour in the new Chapel of St Therese of Bethlehem. “I am glad it has been a beautiful day. I am proud our community could put the building up and we all share with the joys and blessings for all of us for the future,” Karora said.

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ketekorero November 2016 - January 2017

school news ’Great’ confirmation and communion day

onfirmation and First Holy Communion ceremonies in Te Kuiti in September took on a special meaning for one family when their grandmother and greatgrandmother were also confirmed. The ceremonies took place at St George’s Parish Te Kuiti on 18 September. Emeritus Bishop Denis Browne officiated, confirmed 17 children from Te Kuiti and Otorohanga. Always a special time, particularly in a small parish, this occasion was made all the more special because two of the girls Chevi and Charli Yates along with their brother Victor had their grandmother Carole Yates and their 97-yearold great grandmother Kathleen Rudduck confirmed two weeks earlier. As a note in the Te Kuiti parish newsletter said: “Kathleen is now our oldest parishioner. “Just like the parable of the workers in the vineyard, it’s never too late to hear Gods voice and join the work party.” Carole Yates told Kete Korero she had never been baptised and her mother, who came from the Chatham Islands, was a baptised Anglican. As the children were going through the Catholic ceremony, she and her mother decided to go through the process themselves. “Mum has always been spiritual and gone to the nearest available church. “With the children going through this, becoming Catholics seemed the right thing to do.” Kathleen has lived with Carole for the past 40 years and they came down from Pukekohe to be near their family in Te Kuiti and a daughter in Urenui, Taranaki.

Great grandmother Kathleen Rudduck (top left) and grandmother Carole Yates with Chevi and Charli Yates on the family’s big day. TE MIHA MĀORI MĀORI MASS Pīhopa Tīpene -Bishop Steve has sanctioned and will officiate the first Māori Mass in the history of the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary to be held 10:30am on Sunday 4 December.

Taking time for Mary in our hearts St Joseph’s Catholic School Morrinsville celebrated the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary as a school on 15 August with a Liturgy in our church. The students participated by placing a flower around Mary’s statue as they entered the church. The teachers placed 12 candles among the flowers to represent the 12 stars of Mary. We listened to the reading of the visitation followed by a reflection from our principal Andrea Coleborne. The students were given the opportunity to return to the church at morning tea if they wished to have a quiet time in prayer. The following is a written reflection from two students: ‘Since Mary does a lot for us, we can do something for her. We had time with Mary in our hearts. We put flowers around Mary because they are beautiful and colourful. We came back at morning tea so we could pray to Mary. It felt like a special place to relax and have peace.’ Nandani Koundal, Year 4 and Natasha Dalton, Year 4

NZ Shakespeare award for JPC student John Paul College student Augustine Dube has been awarded has been selected from more than 6000 students to attend the National Shakespeare Team to travel to the United Kingdom in the coming year. The honour for the Year 12 student and head boy elect came out his role in the JPC entry at the National Festival of the Shakespeare Globe Centre NZ Festival of Shakrespeare in Secondary Schools. Gus is due to go to London in July and is needs help to raise the $8500 for the trip.

St John’s College takes rugby honours in tough competition St John’s College Hamilton won boys 2016 rugby competitions at both fifteen and second fifteen level. St John’s College Hamilton First XV won the inaugral WaikatoCounties-Manukau 1st XV 2016 competition. St John’s beat Auckland school team Manurewa 22 to 7 in the final. The team were unbeaten in pool play and have had a stellar season, including beating St Peter’s Auckland (who play in the Auckland 1A competition) in a pre-season match. They narrowly lost to Hamilton Boys High School in a game to determine the Waikato representative team for the Schoolboy Top 4 national competition. At the same time as the first fifteen were winning their game, the 2nd XV took out the Waikato Division One title in a narrow win 15 to 5 over Hillcrest. They had also topped the table in a very close competition, and retained the Tricolour Trophy as a bonus.

ketekorero November 2016 - January 2017

school news

parish news

Round up of Chanel Shield 2016

Whakatāne pilgrimages in the Year of Mercy

arishioners from Whakatāne and Kawerau have been making the most of opportunities to join pilgrimages to mark this Extraordinary Year of Mercy. Following an earlier pilgrimage to historic mission sites in the Urewera Range, Ria Klaassen reports that 23 pligrims made it to the little church at Te Puna in order to pass through the Holy Doors and seek God’s mercy. Ria’s report follows: We came from Whakatāne and Kawerau parishes, travelling together in private cars. It was a unique experience, and very humbling. While there was room for private prayer, we were also able to follow a set of prayers and readings provided in a booklet. God was merciful as the day was dry and somewhat sunny even though a rainy day was forecast. This enabled us to round the day off with a picnic lunch in the nearby Quarry Gardens.

By Karyn Sadler Photos: Hannah King

n Friday 19 August four of our five Catholic secondary schools in the Hamilton diocese made the long journey to Gisborne for the 2016 Chanel Shield competition hosted by Campion College. Aquinas College, Sacred Heart College, St John’s College and John Paul College were welcomed into the gym with a powhiri led by the Campion College kapa haka group. After this, it was off to Mass at St Mary, Star of the Sea which was celebrated with Monsignor Frank Eggleton. Each of the colleges had an active role in the celebration and it was a wonderful way to start the competition. At the end of Mass, Msgr Frank blessed the Chanel Shield badges and these were given to each of the Colleges. After a quick lunch, the competition got underway. Six exciting events were held before dinner and, following a Kahoot quiz and a delicious meal, we were treated to some outstanding impromptu drama. Day two saw some exciting events and culminated in the highly

Pictured top, students from the Hamilton Catholic Diocese colleges gathered in Gisborne for the Chanel Shield 2016. Above left, students from St John’s College, Hamilton. Above right, Aquinas College drama students and Sacred Heart drama students, above. contested Religious Knowledge Quiz which all teams participated in. Msgr Frank devised some very tricky questions to challenge our budding Biblical scholars. Congratulations to John Paul College who took out the victory from defending champs Campion College. All students performed admirably and were great ambassadors for their respective colleges. Many friendships were made and all in all it was a fantastic competition. Many thanks to all those who supported the event.

New Deputy Principal for Aquinas

Aquinas College has appointed Kurt Kennedy as Deputy Principal, starting at the beginning of the 2017 school year. Kurt is currently the Head of PE and Health at Kavanagh College in Dunedin and comes with broad experience in the leadership and management of different areas of a Catholic college. This includes work as acting Assistant Principal, Head of Faculty, Deaning, ICT development & PD, Acting Careers Advisor, the Principal’s nominee for NCEA and work with NZQA, as well as his teaching and cocurricular involvement.

Pilgrimage to Waharoa

On 15 October, a group of fourteen (pictured) led by Robert Bruere travelled from Whakatāne to Waharoa to commemorate the anniversary of the death of Tarore. Robert’s report follows: Tarore was the daughter of Ngakuku who became a leading catechist (teacher). He is significant in the Eastern Bay of Plenty because he came with the early Church Missionary Society (Anglican) missionaries to the area.

Pilgrims at St Joseph’s Te Puna. He is known in the Anglican Church as the Missionary to Mataatua. Our pilgrimage began at St Andrew’s Maori Mission Church by Whakatāne Board Mills, where he came in 1839 with John Wilson after establishing the Opotiki Mission. We visited the site of her death on the early morning of October 19, 1836. Ngakuku (also known as William Marsh – baptismal name) did not wish to avenge the death of his daughter near the Wairere Falls and the war between his tribe Ngati Haua and Te Arawa from Rotorua ceased. When one the group saw the stained glass window in All Saints at Matamata, he was deeply moved that a 12 year-old could have such a lasting effect. It was good again to have a girl of the similar age in our group. The church also has a window dedicated to Wiremu Tamihana Tarapipipi Te Waharoa, the Kingmaker. We visited the site of his Peria community which grew food for Auckland in the 1850’s and 60’s and stopped at the site of his flour mill and school. We managed to avoid the showers and our trip ended with a visit to the Wairere Falls and the Site of the Catholic Mission Station by the side of the Old Te Aroha Road. Shortly afterwards, we drove home through a hail storm. Another pilgrimage is planned to the Hot Lakes of Rotorua on 19 November leaving from Whakatāne at 8 a.m.

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ketekorero November 2016 - January 2017

feature - the religious life Living the priesthood in the blame and shame era

he spirit of priesthood in an era of blame and shame was a key theme highlighted by Bishop Steve Lowe during the annual Jubilee Mass for Priests in the Hamilton Diocese in August. Priests participated in a Hikoi of Mercy to Te Puna, near Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty, on 30 August. The little church was filled not only with priests but also parishioners, including a group who had travelled over from Rotorua. Bishop Steve Lowe said in his homily that today’s world was one of blame and shame. “This sums up so much of what we see on our news and so much of how we see our politicians operate, and maybe how we see ourselves as well – living in a world of blame and shame.” Bishop Steve referred back to Adam and Eve and their shame and to the first apostles, locked in the upper room, ashamed because they had run away from Jesus in his hour of need. Jesus Christ asked them to love him, without any shame, and this was a constant call from Him. The Gospel reading for the day told of a man in the synagogue

possessed by an unclean devil, who shouted “What do you want, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the holy one of God.” Bishop Steve said that in one respect the man was saying the right thing, in that he recognised Jesus. “You can hear the fear in his unclean spirit and he is afraid of being destroyed. But Jesus orders him be quiet and come out of him, because Jesus comes to deliver us and set us free. He is the one with mercy. “We have voices in us, don’t we? Those voices when we blame people, point the finger and are angry and hold bitterness in our hearts. They might not be voices that we articulate; they may be the voices that go around and around in our head. They imprison us. ‘Be quiet, come out of them; come out of us’.” One of the mysteries of priesthood was that Jesus called men like those gathered at Te Puna; men who carried their own shame; men who so easily blame, and He invited them to step into His person, to be

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Left, Matt Gibson followed by Isaac Fransen, both seminarians, lead the procession of priests out of St Joseph’s Church Te Puna after the Mass. Pictured above, St Joseph’s was built by Hone Bidois and Werahiko Borrell, and was constructed from timber milled in Whakamarama. St Joseph’s Church was refurbished in preparation for the church’s centenary in 2000, and is surely one of the most beautiful churches in the Diocese. St Joseph’s Church is the spiritual home for the Catholic Maori of the local area, and, like Tauranga, has been served by diocesan, Marist and Mill Hill priests. Source: http://taurangamoanacatholic.nz that bridge that connects God with people. “He invites us, His priests, to open people’s hearts to the hope of being loved forever despite our sinfulness. This is the heart of mercy.” Bishop Steve highlighted the supreme privilege it was to be called as priests. Priests had the mind of Christ,

they were always growing in the mind and heart of Christ, and always turning back to Him in need of His mercy. “The depths of man, St Paul had said, could only be known by his spirit and not by any other man. “We can be captivated by the spirit of God, who shows mercy to us, so that we can show mercy to others,” Bishop Steve said.

Parishioners farewell St Mary’s Piopio

More than 30 parishioners attending the final Mass held at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Piopio on 28 August. Parish priest Fr Joe Stack acknowledged the many significant occasions that had taken place over the 86-year life of the church. “Today we have celebrated with thanksgiving the life and work of the faith of the community of St Mary’s,” Fr Joe said. Dwindling numbers attending Mass in recent years led to two public meetings mid-year to discuss the church’s future, with the lack of churchgoers, ongoing maintenance costs and rates leading to the decision to sell the church.

This decision was announced by Bishop Steve Lowe in August, with a granting of permission for the church and land to be sold. The church was officially opened by Archbishop James Liston of Auckland with a blessing on Sunday 25 May, 1930. Former Piopio priest Father Sean O’Brien recalled how: “Opening day was a big parish event with people from all the outside centres attending including a busload of Tuwharetoa Maori people from Taumarunui and Archbishop Liston.” Consolidating St Mary’s deconsecration, its pews have been removed and taken to the reinstated Chapel of St Theresa at Bethlehem, north of Tauranga. Other items, including the church’s crucifix, statues and confessional grill will also be rehomed according to need. Piopio parishioners have been invited to attend services at St George’s Catholic Church in Te Kuiti. Sources: Te Kuiti parishioners and the Waitomo News.

ketekorero November 2016 - January 2017

feature - the religious life

Love of the Holy Mother takes Sr Mary on a life journey

It’s a long way from Tipperary, Ireland to Owhata, Rotorua but this is the journey Sister Mary Dore has taken over the past many years for the love of the Holy Mother. A Celebration Mass to acknowledge Sister Mary’s 60th Jubilee was held in August at St Mary’s Church in Rotorua. The Marist sister has been in Rotorua for 19 years, after first coming to New Zealand in 1958. Now 79 years of age, Sr Mary said she always wanted to be a nun when growing up in Tipperary. Although this desire goes back to her primary school days, she did not have contact with any religious sisters until she went to secondary school which was staffed by the Sisters of Mercy. Sr Mary said she loved going to church when she was a child and saying the rosary daily with her Catholic family. She wasn’t sure if she was drawn to the church for spiritual reasons or the social activities – “if anything was happening in the church, I was there.” During her secondary years at St Anne’s Secondary School, Tipperary Town, she had many conversations with one nun in particular, Sr Angela, about the vocation of becoming a nun. When she discussed this with her family, her mother was delighted. Her father, being a man of few words said: “Mary, if you don’t like it, the key will always be in the door.” In other words, she could always come home. “I never had occasion to use the key.” Mary was looking forward to going to the Annual Graduation Ball. When it came time for the graduation ball, she went with her mother to buy the material for a debutante’s ball gown. Her mother suggested that they also go to Carrick-on-Shannon to see the Marist sisters, because Mary had an aunty who was a nun in Fiji. “I fell in love with the sisters straight away and on the way back to get the white material, we ended up getting black. Consequently, I never got to the ball.” During her two years in the noviciate, she volunteered to go on mission to Fiji, where one of her aunties was already on mission as a nun. She was professed on 20 August 1956 and missioned to Sunninghill in Berkshire, England. A year later, she was missioned to Oceania, supposedly to Fiji, but she arrived in Sydney on 9 September 1957 as a somewhat raw 20-yearold. “Did I even know what I was doing? It was a big adventure.” She recalls plucking chickens with other young nuns dressed in the full habit in the middle of summer. “It was tough but we were young and we were having fun.” However, she was only in Australia for nine months before a call came from Putaruru in the South Waikato for somebody to come and help out at the school and she arrived there in June 1958. “I always regard Putaruru as my first home.

Sr Mary Dore (right) at the home she shares in Rotorua with Sr Margaret Therese.

The people were wonderful.” Six months later she was off to the mission at Waitaruke, near Kaeo in Northland, where she stayed for three years. A spell at teachers training college was followed by postings to various schools throughout New Zealand. She went back to England for five years from 1971, because she did not have the Irish language teaching certificate. She found it very difficult. The children were lovely but it was so different from New Zealand. During this time her parents died and her two younger sisters wanted her to remain but she belonged in New Zealand, so she had to write a letter to the General Administration telling them she was coming back. “I was actually going to stay and I sat down to write the letter but I couldn’t. I felt I was signing my life away.” She had initially only come out on a temporary basis but now she had decided New Zealand was her home. “I love Ireland, I love the music and everything about it but I would not go back and live there.” Most of her time in the years since making that decision has been spent teaching in the dioceses of Auckland and Hamilton, up until 2000, when she battled with cancer. Today she lives in Rotorua with Sr Margaret Therese, who had her jubilee last year. They are independent and as such have been able to get to know more people than they were able to in years gone by. The love for them in the community was reflected in the celebrations for their jubilees.

Pray for Pa Yvan

Father Yvan Sergy has been diagnosed with Motor Neuron disease, a gradual and severely debilitating disease. Pa Yvan intends to stay ministering in the Marquesas Islands for as long as he is able, but will eventually return to Tauranga, as this disease takes it course. Please keep Pa Yvan in your prayers – let us pray through the intercession of Mary, our Mother, St Joseph, St Thomas Aquinas and Saint Therese of Lisieux for strength and healing for him.

Sr Lorraine bids farewell

Sr Lorraine Gaines has said farewell to the parish of Whakatane, as follows in a recent newsletter note: I would like to thank each of you for the warm and friendly welcome I received nearly three-and-a-half years ago. This same companionship has continued and grown during my time here and I must express my gratitude for all your kindness and the many invitations to join in various parish activities and functions. The friends I have made here are a great source of joy, and I have many special memories to carry with me.

Classifieds

ketekorero November 2016 - January 2017

ADVERTORIAL

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