Kete Korero February 2013 by Catholic Diocese of Hamilton, NZ

ketekorero

Catholic Diocese of Hamilton Lent a.d. 2013

In this issue... Read it online! www.proudtobecatholic.org.nz Features

6 Pope Benedict XVI: A Pope of Surprises 12 Pa Yvan in Antarctica 15 Golden Jubilee for Mother Angela 16 Catholic Care Foundation’s Livestock Programme 18 Ash Wednesday Lenten feature 20 Caritas Lenten appeal

Golden Jubilee at Tyburn

Year of Faith

4 Pilgrimage to Bishop Takuira’s Grave 5 Pilgrimage to Rangiaowhia

Diocesan News

8 QSM for Rotorua Chaplain 9 New Monsignor in Waihi 10 New Director for Catholic Family Support Services 14 Social Justice training days 28 100 years for Gisborne Josephites

Our Parishes

9 Papal Awards in Fairfield 11 Caring Catholic Awards 13 Solar Power in Gisborne

23 Mission Trip to the Philippines

Young and Catholic

22 SetFree Catholic Youth Festival 23 Mission Trip to the Philippines 28 God Opens a Window 29 Catholic Discipleship College

Our Schools

24 Student Leaders 2013 26 Diocesan Schools’ Mass 27 St John’s College Leadership Programme 30 Catholic Kids’ Corner The Kete Korero is an official publication of the Catholic Diocese of Hamilton. Deadline for contributions to the next issue is 4 April

Beginning the Great Fast of Lent

Kete Korero Magazine c-/ 51 Grey St, P.O. Box 4353, Hamilton East 3247 Tel: 07 8566989 kete@cdh.org.nz. Sponsorship and advertising: David Barrowclough, c-/ Chanel Centre 0800 843 233 Fax 07 8567035 or email: cdf@cdh.org.nz Printed by APN Print, Wanganui Student Leaders 2013

ketekorero Lent 2013

Bishop Denis’ Message My brothers and sisters in Christ,

he 11th of February just passed was the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, and the 21st World Day of the Sick. It was celebrated in special ways throughout the Catholic world. Late last year Pope Benedict XVI had prepared a special message for the day, reminding us to be always aware of the part played by the sick and suffering in the salvation of the world. The Pope said, “The Year of Faith which we are celebrating is a fitting occasion for intensifying the service of charity in our ecclesial communities, so that each one of us can be a good Samaritan for others, for those close to us.” He also assured the sick and infirm “You are not alone, separated, abandoned or useless. You have been called by Christ and are his living and transparent image” How true his sentiments have proved to be. His Holiness clearly took the opportunity to reflect on and evaluate his own state of health in relationship to the task that the Lord had asked him to undertake. Consequently on the very day his original message was to be read to the pilgrims of Lourdes, Pope Benedict announced to the world: “After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry. [...] In the last few months, [my strength] has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.” Illnesses and the infirmity of older age are often regarded by our society as a waste, or a burden. In Christ, however, infirmity can become an occasion of blessing, once we unite our suffering to the Cross of Christ. The greatest gift the sick and the infirm give to the church is their prayer in the midst of their affliction. All who feel heavily the weight of the Cross, who weep, the unknown victims of suffering, take courage. You are the preferred children of the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of hope, happiness, and life. You are the brothers and sisters of the suffering Christ, and with him, if you wish, you are saving the world.

6 As this Kete Korero is being distributed the Cardinals of the Church are preparing to enter into Conclave, where they will prayerfully elect the new Pope. Please pray for our new Pope. If we know his name already pray for him directly and carefully. If he is yet to be elected, pray for him still that wisdom and courage will be his to lead and guide the People of God in this world. Pray also for Benedict, Emeritus Bishop of Rome, that he will be at peace and that he may now faithfully “serve the Holy Church of God through a life dedicated to prayer.” God bless you Yours sincerely in Christ

Denis Browne BISHOP OF HAMILTON

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Remembering Bishop Takuira

n Wednesday, 12th December 2012, approximately 80 of us from various parts of the Hamilton Diocese attended a pilgrimage led by Bishop Browne in memory of our late Maori Bishop Takuira. Our first port of call was Otukou Marae where a powhiri was held for all the manuhiri. During the powhiri there was a shower of rain – no doubt gentle tears of joy from Bishop Takuira. After saying all our hellos to the tangata whenua of Otukou, we begun our pilgrimage to the urupa (cemetery) where Bishop Takuira is buried. After all the greetings, we began our pilgrimage. Different areas and people of the Hamilton Diocese were given a decade to say and it was absolutely beautiful. I could feel Bishop Takuira in our presence.

Otukou Marae, Turangi. In the background you can see the urupa where Bishop Takuira is buried, in front of the snow-capped mountains – a breath-taking view.

Upon completion of the Rosary, we all descended down the hill and made our way to Little Waihi, Taupo, to Mass in St Werefrid’s Church, which was celebrated by Bishop Browne. It was a beautiful Mass and it was obvious by the way Bishop Browne spoke that our Bishop Takuira will always be remembered for his faith and loyalty to the Church and his people. At the conclusion of Mass, everybody proceeded to the dining room to partake of a beautiful meal. Speeches of thanks were had before everybody departed for home. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Bishop Browne for this beautiful pilgrimage. I’m sure it deepened the faith of everyone present and it has certainly inspired and motivated me to attend more pilgrimages. This pilgrimage not only reminded us of the unconditional faith of Bishop Takuira and his commitment and love to God; it reminded us of the love of God which Bishop Takuira embraced.

After Mass at St Werefrid’s

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Before we parted, Chris Tangitu of the Te Puna Parish gave a speech of thanks, after which we sung Tangi A Te Ruru, the words for which Bishop Takuira composed. It was a beautiful day and we are so lucky to have our God and love-filled Bishop Browne. Ka mihi nunui kia koe Pihopa Denis. Ma te Atua koe e manaaki. Mate Tangitu Te Runanga O Te Haahi Katorika ki Aotearoa Hamilton Diocese Delegate

Pilgrimage to Rangiaowhia

n Thursday the 21st of February, pupils from St Patrick’s School Te Awamutu had the privilege of participating in a diocesan pilgrimage to Rangiaowhia to learn about some of its history. Year 8 pupils had the choice of walking the 7 kilometre pilgrimage or taking the bus: most of us chose to walk. Together with some St Patrick’s parishioners, we took off at about 8:10 in the morning. It started off being a cool morning but the sun quickly stabbed through the cold, beating down on us and making us relieved we’d put sunscreen on. After walking for about two hours, we passed a small wooden church with a cemetery to the side, and not far down from that on the opposite side of the road there was a gravelly driveway that lead to a hall – Hairini Hall. The rest of the senior school had just arrived. We practiced a Psalm in Te Reo Maori before walking down the road to an area next to the Church where we would be learning about the history of Rangiaowhia and being lead in prayer by Bishop Denis.

Bishop Denis leads the pilgrimage accompanied by Arapiu Seymour and Richard Te Ao.

On pilgrimage from Harini Hall to the urupa (cemetery) at Rangiaowhia.

After finding our places near the flat area on the slope, a Kaumatua from Ngati Apakura called us on to the urupa with a karanga, welcomed us and explained some of the history of Rangiaowhia. After he had spoken, five pupils each had a reading about Rangiaowhia’s history. The readings explained how Rangiaowhia was once a growing community that helped much of the land around it. It was known as the “bread basket” of the Waikato and the Maori thought it a safe haven for the women, children and old, but it was soon attacked by enemies and the community dispersed after the massacre that killed many women and children. However, the place remains and people still belong to it. I felt very awed listening to its history as it was very sad and significant. After the Liturgy we headed off back to outside the hall to have some real morning tea. All in all, the visit to Rangiaowhia was very interesting. We were in awe and very privileged to visit the community. Jacob Syder, Year 8, St Patrick’s Catholic School, Te Awamutu

Karakia at the urupa

Pupils from St Patrick’s Te Awamutu enjoyed the pilgrimage

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A Pope of Surprises On 11 February Pope Benedict announced that he would be renouncing the ministry of Bishop of Rome on the 28th of February 2013. Fr Richard Laurenson looks back at the blessings and struggles of his Pontificate...

ope Benedict began to prepare for priesthood at the age of 12. Hitler and WW2 intervened, and once released from POW camp he became convinced God “wanted something from me, something which could only be accomplished by becoming a priest.” “I was shy and unpractical, had no talent for sports or organization or administration,” Ratzinger later recalled that during this dark time the church served as “a citadel of truth and righteousness against the realm of atheism and deceit.” After ordination as a priest he completed his doctorate in theology and began teaching. He spent time as an adviser to the bishops in the Second Vatican Council, and from there, taught alongside Hans Kung, at the University of Tubingen. This was the time of the 1968 Marxist student Riots and other radicalisms and he understood that in order “to be faithful” to Christ he must oppose those interpretations of Christ, that were actually rejections of him. In 1977, he became bishop of Munich and made a cardinal three months later by Pope Paul VI. When John Paul was elected pope in 1978, he invited Ratzinger to Rome. John Paul named him to head the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith as guardian of church dogma. As John Paul II’s health declined, Ratzinger took over more and more responsibility at the Vatican. The shy and humble Ratzinger stepped more and more into the spotlight.

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Those who met Pope Benedict XVI describe him as a gentle and humble man. Photo: Torvindus

He gave a heartfelt homily at John Paul’s funeral followed by a careful speech to the cardinals “Having a clear faith, based on the creed of the church is often labeled today as a fundamentalism,” he said. “Whereas relativism, which is letting oneself be tossed and swept along by every wind of teaching, looks like the only attitude acceptable to today’s standards.” Surprise seems to be the best rubric by which to understand Benedict’s Papacy. Ratzinger’s election to St. Peter’s throne was surprisingly swift. It took only four ballots in two days. It was one of the shortest in 100 years. At 78 He was also the oldest pope elected since Clement XII in 1730. His first words as Pope seemed to indicate that he too was surprised by the decision to elect him as Pope. His brother, Fr Georg Ratzinger, reported that they had been planning to retire together as soon as the papal election was over. Many people had type cast Ratzinger as a Rottweiller, “Cardinal No”. To their surprise (if not shock) the Cardinals of the church did not share this view of him. They chose a man they knew to be gentle and patient and kind, whilst still holding to the Central and essential truth of our Faith. The Pope did many surprising things, against all expectations he met at least 6 times with different groups of victims abused by priests, and apologised to them.

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Pope Benedict XVI with the New Zealand Bishops during their ad limina visit last year.

Benedict demanded that the church take responsibility for “sin within the Church”. He intervened directly when it became clear that the local bishops, either would not or could not themselves act. He constantly confronted the “Dictatorship of Relativism” both in his actions and his writings. His simple statements often elicited apoplectic outrage from those whose nerve he struck, for example, in the small matter of condoms as “Aid to Africa”, a desire by groups to “convince” others through the use of violence, the refusal by academes to truly allow free speech and the constant rejection of church teaching by those claiming to be faithful Catholics. He surprised the world through his attempts to give the Non Catholic ‘Pius the Tenth’ society a path back to the Church. He opened a path for Anglicans, and fostered deeper Relations with Judaism, and Islam. Surprise has been the reaction to his resignation. However there should have been no real shock. Ratzinger said from the outset that his reign would be brief. He said in interviews that resignation would be possible, “in a time of peace, or when one simply no longer has the strength, but one cannot escape in a moment of danger saying ‘someone else take care of it’.” He also hinted at resignation when he visited Pope Celestine V’s Grave and left the pallium he wore during his papal inauguration in April 2005 on his casket as a gift. Celestine was a hermit, elected aged 80 to a papacy under intense pressure from corruption and scandal. He found governing the Church too difficult and resigned after 5 months. He retired to live a hermit’s life, kept under the watch of the new pope, so no one could use him in an attempt to divide the church. The day before he announced his resignation the pope Tweeted “We must trust in the mighty power of God’s mercy. We are all sinners, but His grace transforms us and makes us new.” ketekorero Lent 2013 7

QSM for Rotorua Chaplain Mrs Miyoko Hammersley received a Queen’s Service Medal in the New Year’s Honours for her services as volunteer Catholic Hospital Chaplain at Rotorua Hospital. Here she describes her role as chaplain...

have been with the Rotorua Hospital Chaplaincy since 1996. I first saw an article in the parish newsletter that some helpers were needed for the coming hospital Sunday service. A thought came to me that I should volunteer, but I decided not to do so straight away since I was a relative new comer and St Mary’s is a big parish so surely many others would like to volunteer. I decided if they didn’t have enough people I would help out. It turned out that nobody came forward. So from that time on I became involved. Why hospital chaplaincy? It is because of an irresistible inner conviction like a powerful magnet that I need to show God’s love, especially healing love, to others.

I am normally at the hospital 3 days a week. If needed, I do follow-ups the next day, so my time is flexible – it depends on patients’ needs. What I do could not be done without support from people around me in the hospital, like the ecumenical chaplain, Ray Bloomfield; administrator, Alison Lambert, who takes care of our admin works so that we, chaplains and chaplaincy assistants can be on the wards; the chaplaincy assistants who take some pressure off us, chaplains; the Chaplaincy Trust and Committee and the Hamilton Diocese which has been very generous in supporting me in many ways. We all work together as a whole body. My recognition as Hospital Chaplain is like the tip of the iceberg. The rest of the 90 per cent belongs to the people who support me.

Congratulations Miyoko and thank you for the way you serve Christ in those you meet in Rotorua Hospital.

LEAVING A LEGACY FOR THE FUTURE Helps fund the Chaplains in the prisons, hospitals and universities; youth initiatives; teacher religious education training; Proud to be Catholic programmes; and Sacramental Programmes.

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

Booklet Guide

available from your Parish or from the Catholic Diocese of Hamilton, Chanel Centre, Hamilton Phone: 0800 843 233 Email: gregb@cdh.org.nz ketekorero Lent 2013

Monsignor Trevor Murray Congratulations to Fr Trevor Murray who has been awarded the title of Monsignor by Pope Benedict XVI. Read about the investiture Mass on our website: www.proudtobecatholic.org.nz

Papal awards in Fairfield Parish

nstituted by Pope Gregory in 1832, the Benemerenti Medal recognises those who have given outstanding service to the Church. Benemerenti literally means “well-deserved” and there is no doubt that the recent recipients from St Joseph’s Parish in Fairfield are extremely well-deserving of the award. Bob and Berrice Cave moved to Hamilton in 1978 and have been serving in St Joseph’s Parish ever since. Both have been involved with numerous groups including the Parish Council, School Committees, PTFA, RCIA, Cleaning, and many more. Bob explains: “There are lots and lots of people who do lots of things in the Church: we are just one of those.” For Bob and Berrice, it is the hundreds of “little things” they do, often unnoticed but always with great love and generosity, that have earned them this award. It is very appropriate that they have received this award as a couple: while Bob is often the more visible helper, he says it is the help and support of his wife that has made it possible for him to be involved in so many things. Faith is very important to Bob, Berrice and their family and this is very obvious to those who meet them. Bob confesses to a little reluctance when he was first asked to get involved in his Parish as a young man, however, he sees his journey as rather like that of Simon of Cyrene: an initial reluctance at being asked to help Christ, but after drawing near to Christ, a realisation of the privilege and joy of being able to serve him. “As we come close to Him, He comes closer to us”. Congratulations Bob and Berrice and thank you for all the “little things” you do that make such a difference.

Phone: 0800 843 233 Email: cdf@cdh.org.nz ketekorero Lent 2013

New director for Family Support

ohn Kavanagh is quite the expert on families. Not only has the new director of Catholic Family Support Services been married for 37 years with four grown-up children of his own, but he is also the eldest child of 15: “an Irish Catholic family” he laughs. John grew up in Hawera and is the nephew of Bishop Kavanagh, a former Bishop of Dunedin. John studied social work at Victoria University and in 1981 moved to Hamilton where he has lived ever since, holding various roles in social work and then in management with the DHB and more recently as a consultant. His new role with “the social service arm of the Catholic Church” is “completing the loop”, as he returns to work for the Church which first drew him into social work. John is looking forward to his new role and hopes to be able to extend the services of Catholic Family Support Services beyond Hamilton City and into the wider diocese.

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John Kavanagh, director of Catholic Family Support Services.

Caring Catholics

ate last year Catholic Care asked for nominations for their inaugural Caring Catholic Awards and on 9 December 2012 the first awards were presented to two special women from St Joseph’s Parish, Fairfield. These awards were created as a way of recognising the people who do so much good work behind the scenes in our parish communities. Recipients receive a certificate acknowledging their work and a monetary grant for a charity of their choice. There was no doubt about the deserving first nominee, Margaret Portland. Her nomination letters cited the numerous roles which she has quietly carried out for many years. These roles include taking Communion to the sick, Church cleaning, Meals on Wheels, the Catholic Women’s League, driving the elderly to appointments and co-ordinating a group to serve refreshments after funerals. One letter summed up: “Margaret has a wonderful care and compassion for people and gives of her time freely. Even during ill health at times she has continued on in some of her roles.” A very special nomination was also received from Scarlett Powell who nominated her mother, K-M Adams, for a Caring Catholic Award. Scarlett wrote “[My Mum] is a really hard worker and she does lots of things for people in our community and at Church. My mum also does a lot of stuff at our Church, St Joseph’s Fairfield, which is next door to my school.”

K-M Adams (left) and Margaret Portland receive their awards from Bishop Denis and Fr Richard

K-M is committed to Dress for Success, an organisation that helps women get back into the workforce by providing clothing and support. She also helps with RCIC, is on the Reading roster and is involved with a music group. Scarlett says: “even though she is always really busy she also has time to be the best mum in the world! [...] I love my mum and I love all the things she does to help other people. I hope I grow up to be just like her.” We congratulate these two women and offer our thanks to them and to all those who work so hard to help others in our community. If your parish would like to acknowledge a hardworking parishioner, please contact Liz Pennell at cathcare@xtra.co.nz or on 07 839 9045

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Adoration in Antarctica Pa Yvan Sergy, Parish Priest in Gisborne, recently spent 40 days in Antarctica at McMurdo station, ministering to those who live and work on the frozen continent. Here he describes some of the joys and challenges of his visit...

felt that Adoration was the right thing to do for the evening of All Saints in McMurdo’s Chapel of the Snows: the problem was that we have no Monstrance on the Station. I just couldn’t stop thinking of having one and needed to find a way to expose the Lord worthily. So I had to think along the lines how we do it in McMurdo… Of Skua and Roll Cage Mary A skua is a biggish brown seagull looking bird, which is very aggressive around food. “Skua” is also the McMurdo slang term for people’s behaviour which is halfway between borrowing and taking without asking. There are “skua” boxes where people leave items that can be reused and sometimes the sorted rubbish bins look more like skua boxes than rubbish! “Roll cage Mary” is the nickname given to Our Lady’s statue that overlooks McMurdo and comes from those bars “woven” around her to protect the statue. They are pretty noticeable and at first seem odd, but at the same time they give the statue an unmistakable character. Monstrance Design I needed to build a monstrance with things I could get on Station and wanted the monstrance to reflect the character of Roll Cage Mary. First I needed some kind of lunette (part which holds the consecrated host) so I went to Crary Lab’s Science Support to ask for a “petri dish” (container which is used to grow bacterial and microbial cultures). At the office, I met a young Catholic lad, Travis. I was agreeably surprised to find him right there as it is difficult to obtain anything from Crary Lab unless you are a scientist! Through Travis though, Science Support gave me a petri dish and I had the “lunette” part of the monstrance. Hmm! God was looking down and really helping in my project. Next step was to think of a contraption to hold the lunette/petri dish. As I walked out of Crary Lab, I saw a big electrical cable in the metal bin. I could almost see how I could weave the cable’s strands to form a cage-like structure to hold the lunette ... 12 ketekorero Lent 2013

Pa Yvan Sergy at Scott Base, Antarctica

Once again it seemed like the material was thrown into my lap, so I “skua-ed” the big cable and brought everything to my office, which started to look more like a laboratory! Back at my desk I drew several sketches of the “roll cage” monstrance but I was still not sure how I was going to make the foot. Next morning, walking out of my dorm past the metal bin, I saw a lamp stand whose lamp end was broken. So I took my Swisstool knife (yep, it’s always with me) and was working out which parts I needed when Brian, the Sat Com specialist, stopped by and asked what I was doing. I explained to him I was gathering parts to build a monstrance. Before he left me, he said “Father, if you need help, let me know!” Anyway, with all my gifted, “skua’d” and found items, my design took shape. Then came the building part. I removed the insulation of the copper cable, unwound the strands and straightened them, but I needed to have the copper wires soldered. That is when I thought of Brian and contacted him to help. The following day, I met Brian at the Chapel and we went to the coms shop which has got soldering stations. In two hours we mounted, soldered and finished the monstrance, with a bonus of a very good talk and sharing with Brian, who was raised Catholic. Brian told me:”If I am still in town Thursday night, I’ll come to Adoration!” All along the way, I saw God’s hand at work and I believe there is a reason why I felt pushed to design this monstrance and offer Adoration in McMurdo this year. Doesn’t God work in mysterious ways… Sometimes we are oblivious, in others a little less… Thank you God! Pa Yvan

Power from Above

t Mary Star of the Sea parish Gisborne has recently installed a photo-voltaic (PV) solar power system, to generate electricity from the sun’s rays for lighting, heating, aircon and appliances. The 5kW system includes 26 solar panels erected on the roof of St. Mary’s parish centre. It is expected to generate around 6,500 kWh of electricity a year, nearly equivalent to the electricity used in an average-size NZ home (NZ Electricity Authority) The system allows real-time monitoring (in the parish) of solar power generated. This is useful not only as a budgeting tool but also as an educational resource, especially for students of the adjacent schools of St Mary’s and Campion College. Should solar power be generated in excess of the parish usage, the surplus power generated is then credited against future usage by the parish. Aside from obvious savings on power bills (with savings increasing as power prices increase), the solar power system also helps reduce the parish’s ‘carbon footprint’ (as solar is renewable energy) and demonstrates good stewardship of our Godgiven resources, in this case, the sun. The PV system of St Mary Star of the Sea in Gisborne is anticipated to offset around 4,355 kg of CO2 emissions a year. As St Mary’s parish priest Pa Yvan says: “the church has a responsibility to look after the Earth. We are trying to set an example and hopefully, it will encourage individuals to do the same”

At the switch (L to R) Phil Simpson, Pa Yvan and Bishop

PowerSmart will also be shortly installing a 5.75kW solar PV system at St Mary’s parish centre, Seddon St, Rotorua – again funded by community trust grants. A further 5.75kW system (also funded by community trust grants) is being installed by PowerSmart at Te Ara Hou Christian Village, Morrinsville Rd, Hamilton, where Catholic Family Support Services is located. Visit PowerSmart’s website: www.powersmartsolar.co.nz and click-on the ‘savings calculator’ to see what solar power savings you can make, or phone them on 0800 00 22 69.

While the price of solar PV systems has fallen in recent years, a solar PV installation should also add value to the building it is affixed to, thus making solar power a viable consideration – and for homeowners too. In respect of St Mary’s there is no ‘pay-back’ period as the system was funded by community trust grants, and a generous donation from Pa Yvan’s overseas contacts and the parish of his diaconate ordination (Paroisse catholique romaine de Bienne et environs) in Switzerland. St Mary’s system was installed by PowerSmart, based in Mt Maunganui but operating widely in NZ, Australia and the Pacific Islands. (PowerSmart recently installed a one megawatt solar power system in the Tokelau Islands, making Tokelau the world’s first fully-solar powered nation).

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Working for Social Justice

hirty-seven people attended the Social Justice Training Days in Rotorua on 9/10th February which were organised by the Diocesan Social Justice Commission. On Friday evening Fr Mark Field, assisted by the John Paul College DRS, Karen Bloomfield, gave an overview of ‘Principles of Catholic Social Teaching’ and their scriptural origins. Saturday morning commenced with participation at the parish Mass, then David Nonu, the Caritas Research and Advocacy Officer presented on ‘speaking for Caritas’ in your parish. Points covered were the role of speakers, guidelines and preparing and delivering a talk. Afternoon workshops were based on this year’s Caritas Lenten Reflection Programme ‘Follow faithfully, tell courageously, live joyfully’. These gave participants practical help with preparation of Prayers of the Faithful, weekly Bulletin Notices, and an end of Mass statement. Deacon Peter Richardson

Teachers from Catholic Schools during the afternoon workshop

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Paul Shannon (right) with David Nonu, Caritas presenter

Fr Mark Field presents to the group on Principles of Catholic Social Teaching on the Friday evening

A Golden Jubilee

n the 17th of November 1962, a young novice made her First Profession of Vows at the Mother House of the Tyburn Nuns in England. 50 years and 5 countries later, Mother Angela, now residing at the Tyburn Monastery in Ngakuru, celebrated the Golden anniversary of her Profession, renewing her Vows at a beautiful and moving Mass. We spoke to Mother Angela about her life and the blessings and struggles of the last 50 years...

Q: Mother Angela, why did you decide to be a religious sister? A: We lived in Portsmouth during the war and as it was a main target [for German bombs] I was sent to a Catholic boarding school run by Nuns. During that time I thought about being a Sister but I couldn’t do anything about it because I wasn’t a Catholic. But it was always in the background and I had thought about it on and off since I was 16 or 17. Why did you choose the Tyburn Nuns? I loved the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; it’s one of the things that drew me into the Church and then into the Tyburn community. Can you describe the Charism of your community? The Charism of our Community (and our whole Congregation) is a Eucharistic one centred around Holy Mass, the Divine Office and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament where each Tyburn Nun prays for the needs of the Diocese, the Church and for the world. Does the Retreat Centre play a big part in your life? It does- it’s the overflow of the life of prayer that you share with others, otherwise we’d be very insular.

Looking back over the last 50 years... What is the hardest thing that you have had to give up for your vocation? It’s quite difficult to think about that because at the time you’re not really thinking about the giving up side of it, you’re thinking of the positive side of it.

...You have 6 years before you make a final commitment. People often say “how do you know if you’ve got a vocation?” You don’t know in one sense, but you sense something that you want to respond to- it’s a mystery. A priest said to me once, a vocation is like a toothache, it won’t go away- which is not very complimentary to a vocation! But it does explain it a little bit: if God is calling you it goes on, reminding you when you don’t want to be reminded!

What has been the greatest blessing of your vocation? The greatest blessing would be the vocation itself; a developing relationship with Christ and with your community as well. It’s a bit like a marriage, Photos: Andrew Warner you give yourself to God and everything goes with it, even if it is to go to the other side of Welcome those who truly seek God as a nun or the world.

The Tyburn Nuns as a retreatant

Private day or longer retreats You don’t think about 50 Share the monastic liturgy and Adoration in a years, you just go from day to secluded setting of peaceful and natural beauty day and I suppose it all adds up eventually. It’s the Grace GLORIA DEO of God that keeps you faithful. new Tyburn Convent It’s a life of faith and you have Film DVD to keep that faith alive by price now reduced to prayer and relying on God.

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What advice would you give to young people who think they might be called to religious life? I think if you think you’re Contact: Mother Prioress, called, you ought to have a try Adorers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus because you’ll soon discover of Montmartre OSB, Tyburn Monastery if it’s right or not. I think if 74 Dods Road, Ngakuru, R D 1, Rotorua 3017 Phone/Fax: 07 333 2378 you don’t try, you’ll always wonder... ketekorero Lent 2013 15

Catholic Care’s Livestock Programme

he Catholic Care Foundation is a charitable foundation of the Catholic Diocese of Hamilton and was reconstituted in 2000 by Bishop of Hamilton, Bishop Denis Browne. The foundation exists to serve those in our local communities who are disadvantaged or struggling and who need a hand up the foundation achieves this by fundraising from within the local Catholic community to provide grants to community organisations that directly help those in need. Since its inception, the foundation has distributed in excess of $100,000 a year on behalf of Catholics to communities in the Waikato, from Te Kauwhata to Gisborne. One of the more unique forms of fundraising can be found in the rural community in the Waikato through the foundation’s livestock programme where farmers either donate calves or graze them until the animals are sold. The foundation’s livestock programme co-ordinator, Mark O’Connor, travels round the Waikato and King Country farming communities to keep in touch with existing farmer donors and to meet new ones. “I’ve been knocking on a lot of doors during the 25 years I’ve spent in this job, and it comes down to building long term partnerships gradually over time. But it works and now we have about 80 farmers who are supporting the foundation through the livestock programme; “It’s a common form of fundraising in rural communities,” says Mark.

The livestock programme is a wonderful way for farmers to support a charity, as there is no exchange of money. Instead, their contribution comes in the form of grazing the calves; it costs around $250 a year to graze just one animal. Others choose to donate calves and the sale of a calf yields between $900 and $1,000, making the livestock programme a cornerstone of the support the foundation is fortunate to receive. God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind, and the cattle of every kind, and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. (Genesis 1:25-26) Mark tries to see the participating farmers as often as he can, but admits this can be difficult as his job requires him to travel long distances and timing can be an issue also. “A lot of the time a farmer will call up and say can you come and pick up the calves, and I might not see the farmer at all because he’s out working, but he’ll leave the paperwork for me and I’ll borrow a trailer and transport the calves to another farmer who will graze them.”

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The chairperson of the Catholic Care Foundation, Michael Morris, has accompanied Mark on these trips in the past, often volunteering the use of his car which has the pre-requisite tow-bar for the trailer. Michael remembers the last visit vividly, “We drove to Tirohia which is about an hour Northeast of Hamilton to pick up two jersey calves. Now I don’t know much about farming, but I fell in love with those beautiful animals when I saw those jersey calves up close with their soft eyes and lovely moist looking noses – my heart went out to them.” When the time arrives for an animal to be sold, more often than not the farmer who has been grazing the animal will include it with other livestock and transport it to the appropriate venue. The farmers who participate in the livestock programme all receive regular updates from the foundation. The Manager of the foundation, Liz Pennell, communicates with the farmers in the same way the foundation communicates with other valued donors. “We send them regular newsletters about how the money we raise through the livestock programme is used to help others. I think it’s really satisfying to know that the sale of a donated calf enables us, for example, to help top up a food bank with fresh fruit and vegetables every 6 months; that sort of feedback is very specific and important to our donors.” Mark O’Connor hopes that this article will result in more farmers coming forward to participate in the foundation’s livestock programme:

Photos: Dave Young

“I would encourage anyone from the farming community reading this article to find out more about the livestock programme. All they have to do is contact the foundation and I will follow up with a phone call or visit them at their convenience.” We would also like to acknowledge our grateful thanks to the Gallagher Group who donated a NAIT Electronic tag reader this enables us to comply with the new regulations for lifetime tracking of cattle. For more information on the livestock programme, please contact Mark O’Connor, Livestock Programme Field Co-ordinator, on 07-854-0613. Alternatively, please contact Liz Pennell, Manager, on 07-839-9045 or email cathcare@xtra.co.nz

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Beginning Lent Burning of the Palms Holding a box with plastic bags, and a metal bin to be the vessel of the palms, Father Aidan explained the story of the palm burning. He told us that when Jesus first arrived in Jerusalem, palms were laid on the road he came in on. On Palm Sunday last year, people put the palms they were given behind a crucifix or a holy picture, and they were returned for the palm burning today. We said the ‘Our Father’and then it began. Father Aidan began dropping the matches into the vessel, and flames violently leapt out of the metal bin. The flames were emitting dark black smoke, slightly clouding up the stage. The burning was eventually over. Now we wait until Ash Wednesday for the palm ashes to be placed as a cross on our forehead. Curtis, Year 8, St Joseph’s Te Aroha

Jonnie, Molly, Arden and Hannah from St Patrick’s Te Awamutu after their Ash Wednesday Liturgy

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ketekorero Lent 2013

Pupils from St Joseph’s Fairfield receive the ashes

Ash Wednesday We had an Ash Wednesday Mass to remember the start of Lent. Lent is a time of repentance, because it is the time when we remember when our Lord Jesus went into the desert to fast for 40 days. The Celebrant was Father Phillip and he talked about how during Lent we take time to pray, to fast, and to do good things for others. Team 2 and Team 3 came, along with some students from Sacred Heart and St. Johns. They helped the priest with putting Ash crosses on people’s foreheads. The Ash cross represents repentance. Clementine (Year 5, Marian Catholic School)

Here After

zealous Priest asked one of the elderly residents in a rest home, “Do you ever think of the hereafter, my dear?” “Yes, Father,” the resident replied, “Every time I go into my room I have to ask myself: “What am I here after?” The days of Lent are a great time to ask ourselves about the “hereafter”. What am I here after? What are my goals in life? Are they goals my family and friends would be proud of? Are they goals that I can be proud of? Are they goals that Jesus would be proud of? Stop here a moment and ask yourself those questions. As a Lenten exercise take a sheet of paper and start writing your answers to those questions. It is amazing what surfaces when we start writing and our subconscious mind starts to take over. Keep what you have written and refer to it often during Lent and add to it and pray about it. Do I ever think about the “hereafter”? Lent is a good time. Every time I recite the creed I pray- “I believe in... the resurrection of the dead and life everlasting.” Some will have heard me tell this story: it starts with an excited group of small children at St Joseph’s Parish School Fairfield rushing out to me in the playground and dragging me to their classroom to watch a monarch butterfly break open its rather ordinary-looking chrysalis and stretch its beautiful orange-black lined wings. I found it a deeply moving and thought-provoking experience. Some time later I officiated at the funeral of a young girl and I used this “miracle” of the transformation of the chrysalis to the beautiful butterfly as a sign of our own breaking through the chrysalis of our body to the beauty of the eternal life of the soul.

Come to the HOLY LAND

Top and bottom: Aquinas College Ash Wednesday Liturgy

At the end of the service a number of friends of the young girl rushed up to me; “How did you know? Who told you?” “Know what? Told me what?” Their friend had the chrysalis of a monarch butterfly in her room and just the day after her death the beautiful butterfly had emerged. A tug on the line... When out fishing, sometimes nothing seems to happen and then there comes a small tug on the line: something is there! During Lent, take time to be still and feel the little tugs on the line of your life and learn to know that there is really someone there. Perhaps you may use the mysteries of the Rosary to reflect on those ‘little tugs’. Recall five moments of special joy in your life and pray the Rosary remembering them, one by one, in thanksgiving. Recall five moments of special sorrow in your life and pray the Rosary for wisdom to understand them one by one. Look forward with special hope for new and glorious mysteries in your life and pray the Rosary for them. And every moment you walk into your room this Lent ask: “What am I here after?” Fr Graeme Alexander

19-day pilgrimage to Jordan (including Petra) and Israel (holy sites in Nazareth, Galilee, Jericho, Bethlehem and Jerusalem, plus the Dead Sea and Masada). A spiritual experience in the footsteps of Jesus, with Msgr Bernard Kiely as Chaplain and Pat McCarthy as Co-ordinator. For FREE brochure, contact Pat at patsuzie@slingshot.co.nz or phone: 09 480 4463 Check out the holy places on www.seetheholyland.net

ketekorero Lent 2013

The Bishops’ Lenten Appeal

id-way through Lent, and the Bishops’ Lent Appeal provides an opportune way for us to give up a little of what we have, so that others can live joyfully the life God intended for all. Lenten envelopes have been distributed to parishes and chaplaincies throughout the Diocese. The President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop John Dew, says the Lent Appeal supports the Church’s ministry for the world’s poorest – in New Zealand and overseas. ‘I invite you to join us in the journey of serving all our brothers and sisters in charity, justice and truth. Your contribution, however small, provides hope to people all around the world.’

Lent 2013: following the way of Jesus Follow faithfully the way, Tell courageously the truth, Live joyfully the life. Kia pono te whai atu i te huarahi, Kia māia te whakapuaki i te pono, Kia harikoa te manawa i te oranga. -Ecclesia in Oceania, 2001

These pages provide some insight into the work that your donations support through the Bishops’ social justice agency Caritas. You can read more at www.caritas.org.nz.

A better way in the Pacific In Papua New Guinea, Caritas is helping a small island-based community stave off the threat of oil palm plantations, that have damaged the lives of neighbouring communities. The Kapo village of 140 families has planted 20,000 cocoa and coconut seedlings as a cash crop to earn income to pay for things like education. Taro, cassava, sweet potato and vegetables are included in the scheme to provide food and sell the surplus. Following Kapo’s success, Caritas is working on a wider scheme for eight communities across three Papua New Guinea provinces. The next phase of the scheme for Kapo includes plans to build better toilets and water tanks, and supply dinghies to transport cocoa beans. Elsewhere in the Pacific, Caritas supports long-term development programmes in Timor Leste, Solomon Islands and Fiji. Its global programme includes activities in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.

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Caritas local coordinator Matthias Ire inspecting cocoa seedlings at Kapo community. Photo: Philip Gibbs.

Responding in emergencies Donations in Lent allow Caritas to respond quickly to disasters around the world. For instance, when separate cyclones hit the Philippines and Samoa last December, Caritas was able to pledge funds immediately for emergency items like food, water and temporary shelter. Subsequent support is helping provide disaster-resilient shelter for 700 families in the Philippines, while Caritas will also be involved in rebuilding homes and replanting crops in Samoa. As part of the Caritas Internationalis network, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand can provide support to almost any emergency on the globe.

Caritas Samoa volunteer Patolo Fidow delivers food to an affected family in Tafitoala, Samoa following Cyclone Evan in December 2012. Photo: Stephanie Lalor/Caritas Australia

Educating for change Caritas schools’ programme promotes reflection and action for social justice, based on Catholic social teaching. Resources, justice leadership days and school visits aim to support teachers and students in ethical, Christian living and make better sense of the world as members of one human family. This year’s Lenten resources for schools, Towards a Sea Change in Oceania focuses on Caritas partnerships in Tonga and Papua New Guinea. It encourages learning about the complex challenges we face in dealing with rapid climate change and pressure on our natural resources.

Reflecting on Lent The Caritas Lent reflection programme explores our faith through the Lenten Sunday Gospels. Designed primarily for group sharing and discussion, it can also be adapted for personal prayer and reflection.

Christina and her son Jerome play a string game on Kapo Island, Papua New Guinea. Photo: Philip Gibbs.

Commentaries draw on Pope Benedict’s message for the Year of Faith, and Pope John Paul II’s 2001 letter to the Church in Oceania. It also incorporates reflections from Caritas’ experience in development, education, advocacy and humanitarian work. The programme is available in English, Tongan, Samoan and Tokelauan, and available from the Caritas office for $2 each, or downloadable from the website at: www.caritas.org.nz/resources/ lent.

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SetFree 2013 In this Year Of Faith I urge all young people to attend SetFree 2013 and make Christ known to the world! Bishop Denis Browne

etFree is going to be more AWESUM and RIGHTEOUS than ever before! This year’s feature speakers are Kelly Pease and Sam Clear. Kelly Pease has been serving the youth of the Catholic Church for the past ten years. Kelly shares about God’s faithfulness through her gift of song and story. She has written and released three albums of music, led worship for thousands of teens, and travelled internationally as a witness to the reality of God in our lives. Sam Clear will speak about his extraordinary pilgrimage, having covered 15,600km on foot from Brazil to Spain across 20 countries and encountered seemingly every conceivable situation! From being attacked to ingrown toe nails, don’t miss Sam Clear! Get on a free bus at a Catholic high school close to you and see you at Totara Springs on March 22nd for an incredible weekend. YOLO. Alex

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Want to know more?

setfree.org.nz

Youth on a Mission

t was difficult to know what to expect, we were a group of five youth who barely knew each other going on a mission trip to a third world country. Myself, James McKay, Sinead White, Saul Knights and our leader Karen Whyte all lived in different towns and had been invited by Karen to be a part of this amazing experience in the Philippines. Arriving in the Philippines was a real eye opener. We were driven through the massive city of Manila, home to over 10 times NZâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s population and I think most of us feared for our lives as we were driven seatbeltless through the chaotic Manila traffic. We were taken to the city of Tagatay, an hour from Manila, where we met the ICPE missionaries. ICPE is a lay missionary organisation which attempts to give both teaching and aid to the poor of society. We recovered from our jetlag and were prepared for the hard work ahead by Esther Fong, the mission leader who was an inspirational teacher and friend to all of us. The work we were to do was called Reverse Carolling, where instead of carolling to earn money we sang carols with poor families, prayed with them and gave them food for the Christmas season as well as a beautiful little picture of the child Jesus. No amount of teaching and warning could prepare us for the poverty we encountered. We worked with families who scavenged and literally worked on the massive rubbish dump of Montalban where the conditions would be considered unfit for an animal in New Zealand. We also worked in the town itself where large families crammed into small concrete houses. That night the guys all slept in a wall-less fourth story room where we were kept awake by the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fiesta for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and woken early by chanting from the church of a local cult. We also worked in the rural area of Magnalles, where farmers lived off the land and later a squatters village where people lived in little shacks precariously perched on the hillside. We were driven everywhere by our awesome driver Rannie who had mastered the art of driving on the Filipino roads. We also experienced many cultural and natural adventures The Philippines have to offer including a volcano climb, a jeepny ride and fun and games with the children who played on the streets. The beautiful churches also amazed us, one church contained over 100 beautiful statues. The Filipinos also had a unique attitude to prayer and Mass which was wonderful to experience. We had our fair share of difficulties; foreign food, carsickness, heat, power cuts and an accident with closing the van boot! But nothing could take anything away from the beautiful experience of sharing our time with the poorest of the poor. We would like to thank the Diocese, parishioners, Esther and ICPE, and especially Karen for making the mission possible. Salamat po! -Michael Kilkelly

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Student Leaders With the Year of Faith now well underway we asked the Student Leaders of our Catholic Colleges for 2013 to tell us “What does your Catholic Faith mean to you?” Here are their responses...

John Paul College From right: Deputy head Boy-Scott Macalister, Deputy Head girl-Samantha Sinclair, Head Boy-Sam Kelly, Head GirlMolly Florence, Deputy Head Girl-Rebecca Firth, Catholic Character-Caitlin Casey

Caitlin Casey, Catholic Character Captain: For me, my Catholic faith is a gift from God. I was born into an Irish Catholic family and have had my faith nurtured and developed by my parents and grandparents since a very young age. As a result of this upbringing and the strong, moral education I received at St Mary’s and JPC, Christ’s teachings underpin my everyday life choices as I strive to live in his image. Catholicism reminds me that God is continuously present and supporting me in both the good times and in times of trouble.

Sam Kelly, Head Boy: I believe the Catholic faith is central to the outstanding successes of John Paul College. It plays a large role in the everyday running of the school, as the Catholic Values are seen everywhere in our family environment. RE allows the students to learn more about our faith in a way that shows relevance and the necessity of the Catholic faith in the world today.

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Molly Florence, Head Girl: I see my Catholic faith as central to how I live my everyday life. I feel that being a Catholic, and having a strong Catholic faith sets me apart from today’s stereotypical teenager. It means attending Mass on Sundays, taking part in sacraments such as Eucharist and Reconciliation. It also means I see things through a Catholic perspective, things like marriage, social justice and abortion, on which there are so many mixed viewpoints in today’s world. I hope that being head girl, I can inspire others to renew their Catholic faith, and become more involved with the Church and their local parishes.

Campion College On Friday 8 February our college gathered together to celebrate the Opening Mass for 2013. At the Mass the college prefects and student leaders were invested and blessed. As student leaders of Campion College we hope that we can help bring our community together so that we will grow as one family. We hope that God will guide us to be strong role models to the younger students of the College, so that it can be a positive environment for everyone. Our hopes and dreams will thrive in a supportive community and we each have a part to play to make sure this happens. Niamh Lovelock and Zoe Foreman

St John’s College From left: Miguel Raman (Special Character Leader), Matthew Staijen (Deputy Head Boy), Conor Gyde (Head Boy) Eugene Koning (Deputy Head Boy), Sam Corban (Special Character Leader)

St John’s College is second to none in it’s character and Marist brotherhood. We pride ourselves on our sturdy Catholic faith in Gospel values. We use these values to guide ourselves and our actions in the shadow of Jesus. Our vision as students or as we like to call each other, “Brothers”, it to firmly re-establish the Marist charism and to guide people in the Catholic faith.

Aquinas College Joe Burke and Caitlin Milne, Head Students at Aquinas College.

To us the Catholic faith is the foundation that we base our decisions on. It also means being true to ourselves and not letting other people’s opinions change our beliefs. At Aquinas College we have six Touchstones: Joy, Scholarship, Service, Family, Truth and Prayer. These Touchstones derive from scripture and we endeavour to live our lives by upholding them, in everything we do. Although it can be testing at times in terms of keeping our faith strong, it’s comforting to know that God will always be there even through difficult times. We can find forgiveness in God and it means a lot to know that we can find inner peace through Him. Our school motto is ‘Hold fast to truth’; this motto reflects the virtues we uphold as Catholics. Joe and Caitlin, Aquinas College.

Tell us what your Faith means to you

Sacred Heart Girls’ College Clockwise from top left: Maggie Jaques (Head Girl), Savanah Edwards (Deputy Head Girl), Laura McKeown (Special Character Leader), Rhiannon Hughes (Sports Leader), Hannah Amundsen (Cultural Leader), Annabel McKinnon (Arts Leader:)

and win “Letters to a Young Catholic” an awesome book by JPII’s official biographer! Entry open to high school students. Entries should be 100 words or less and be sent by 14 March 2013 to: Kete Korero Freepost The CDF, P.O. Box 4353 Hamilton East 3247 ketekorero Lent 2013

Reflect, Engage, Renew!

nder the theme ‘Reflect, Engage and Renew’, more than 500 teachers, students, families, friends, parish and boards of trustee members from the 28 Primary and 5 Secondary schools across the Hamilton Diocese’s Catholic gathered together in Hamilton, Tauranga and Gisborne to celebrate the beginning of the 2013 school year. Graduates who completed studies in religious education through the Catholic Institute of Aotearoa New Zealand were also acknowledged as part of the celebration. Thank you to all those who participated and to all our teachers, BOT members and support staff who are so dedicated to delivering quality Catholic education in the Hamilton Diocese.

Principal Deirdre Edwards with her husband, children and pupils from St Mary’s School, Otorohanga.

100 years of Service

ver the weekend of the 8-9th of February St Mary’s School in Gisborne had the privilege of celebrating with the Sisters of St Joseph as they marked the occasion of 100 years since their order came to serve in Gisborne. On Saturday the 8th the Josephite Associates had a prayer and liturgy service with afternoon tea where the 11 sisters who attended were able to relive memories of their days in Gisborne. On Sunday the 9th February it was the turn of St Mary’s and Campion to participate in the Centenary reunion. Many teachers, parents, students and members of the Parish community attended the 8.30 mass before morning tea and the cutting of the Centenary cake in the Parish centre. Next it was another trip down memory lane when the Sisters visited St Mary’s School to view displays in classrooms and the library. It was a pleasure to be involved in this occasion and be able to thank the Sisters in some small way for their service to our community. Judy Leydon

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St John’s Leadership Programme

he successful St John’s College Leadership programme was run over two days on the 29 and 30th January at the University Teacher’s gym and at the Lady Goodfellow Chapel. Approximately 100 students attended. The theme for the Leadership Programme was Servant Leadership and it was run by Shane Tong (Principal)Peta Lean (Deputy) and myself (DRS) with a range of enthusiastic staff to support us. Students were required to work as a team during a variety of challenges, thus giving the staff the opportunity to select a variety of leaders. We were amazed and delighted at the calibre of the group as a whole. Sonja Maree DRS, St John’s College, Hamilton

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God opens a Window...

have been a dancer all my life, starting dance classes at 5 years of age but always dressing up and dancing around home before that! I love it! One of my goals going into Sacred Heart Girls College was to be part of a production as a dancer, so when the oppourtunity came I practiced and practiced and finally had my audition. I was so pleased when I was told that I had been accepted as one of the dancers! I went to my first practice and had the time of my life and couldn’t wait for the second one. Sunday came and I was so excited. What I didn’t know was that this practice was going to change the next year or so of my life. I was dancing with a partner when I felt a huge pull in my leg. I couldn’t straighten it and the pain was unbearable. My mum came and picked me up and we went to A&E. I had a few x-rays and was in a lot of pain then the doctor told me that I had fractured my hip. A chip of bone had snapped off my hip and three muscles were attached to that bone fragment so the muscles had all snapped. He also told me that he had only seen this injury three times before and that the bone fragment may shatter if they tried to re-attach it. We decided to try and let the bone reattach itself to my hip. I could not weight bear on it or lie down flat. I was constantly taking painkillers and I didn’t go to school for most of the first term. My family was with me every step of the way. My friends were continuously sending me text messages, calling me and visiting me. They are the best friends ever! They kept me positive and put a smile on my face (many times) when I was feeling down. The doctor told me that I was not allowed to do any sport for a least a year! This was extremely hard for me as I love sport and dancing. Now I wasn’t allowed to dance at all! I wasn’t allowed to swim, play volleyball, soccer and also no drumming! It was awful! When I was able to go back to school, the pain of getting around on crutches was too exhausting, so I had to use a wheelchair. I wasn’t too happy about this, but my friends made it an adventure, a game. Who was next to push me? Who got to go in the school lift with me? How fast could we go down the ramps? How many bags can we fit on Shaye’s wheelchair? 28 ketekorero Lent 2013

Shaye (Centre) with friends: “a gift from God”

The same happened when I progressed to crutches. My friends were a gift from God. I watched many movies while I was immobile and one of these was ‘The Sound of Music’. A line that kept me going from this movie was ‘when the Lord closes a door, somewhere He opens a window.’ The window God opened for me was a ‘stained glass’ one. He gave me the time to develop my loving of reading—and I have read many books, my piano playing has improved tremendously, and I’ve even discovered a talent for drawing! After a lot of physio sessions, exercises and waiting, I am finally able to swim (not breaststroke though), ride the exer-cycle, do some Pilates, walk and hopefully this year slowly get back into dance, sport and drumming. I’ve learnt a huge lesson that things don’t always turn out the way we expected, but there is always something positive around the corner. When the Lord shuts a door, somewhere He opens a window. I am lucky, I can get out of my wheelchair, and get off my crutches – many people can’t. I have been blessed! Shaye Nobilo Sacred Heart Girls College Hamilton

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Catholic Discipleship College

few years ago, after having returned from a working holiday overseas, I had a desire to grow closer to God and to become a better Catholic. I had grown up in rural Northland, where there was not much parish life, so I moved to Otorohanga to live with my Uncle and Auntie who are very active in the Church. With the help of my cousins and their friends I got involved in Hamilton Youth activities, but I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know a lot of Catholic people my age and my knowledge of the beliefs and traditions of the Church were quite limited. Catholic Discipleship College was exactly what I needed! CDC is a nine month live in course for lay people. Each week we would have a different speaker come in to teach us on a specific part o the Catholic faith. Our daily routine existed of morning prayer, an hour of adoration, classes, daily mass, some free time and ending the day with rosary and evening prayer. Towards the end of the year, we put our teaching into practice by going to schools throughout the North Island, teaching RE classes and running youth groups.

CDC Graduates in 2012. Brian is standing at the back, behind Fr Neil Vaney.

The last year has been challenging, but very rewarding. I have come from being a Catholic who didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know my faith or how to live it to someone who has a good foundational knowledge of the faith and the ability to be an active, productive member of a parish. A big part of my growth this year is due to the public speaking ministry we are asked to do. Giving my testimony in schools, parishes and running youth retreats has given me a boost of confidence and increased my ability to communicate with people I am not familiar with. This is something that has held me back in the past. I have never had the courage to talk about my faith or invite a colleague to mass. Now I enjoy the challenge of sharing my faith. Being one of seven students at CDC and through CDC being involved in all sorts of Church activities outside the school, I have met a lot of young Catholics and now feel a part of a community. Coming from a rural parish where I knew no one catholic my age, I am grateful to have other faithful young adults whom I can relate to. I feel CDC has been a great foundational year. The skills I have learnt here will be invaluable for whatever work God needs me to do in the future. This year I have decided to come back to CDC as a volunteer to help out however I can. If you would like to support us this year through sponsorship, or have us visit your youth group or school, please contact us at info@cdc.ac.nz or (09) 480 0548. Brian Lenssen

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Catholic Kids Corner

Did you know that Lent lasts forty days, not including Sundays? Here is an idea for a great activity you could do with your family during Lent. For more interesting Lenten activities look up our website: www.proudtobecatholic.org.nz/kete

Lenten Crown of Thorns Each time you do a good deed or make a sacrifice you can take out a thorn to show Jesus you love him.

You will need: Play dough Toothpicks Small plate

1. Roll out your playdough into â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;snakesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. two and coil them together or 2. Take three and plait them. the ends together to 3. Join crown.Place on your plate.

form a

tooth picks in half and push dull 4. Cut end into the playdough crown to make pointy thorns.

You can place a small bowl or box in the middle for the thorns you take out.

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St Mary’s Production St Mary’s Rotorua was a-buzz with their school production. Students auditioned rather like in NZ’s Got Talent, we heard and saw many potential talents. With practice, organisation and prayer we prepared for our production. Actors Tony and Truly Broke, hood, elves, wolves with sidekicks, bears – papa, grizzly, panda, koala, choir, speech choir and many more cast members all had the audience spellbound. Watching the cast develop friendships across the school was humbling and the production provided opportunities for many stars to be born. At times it was hard to believe the growth of confidence these students displayed. It has certainly encompassed our school motto “With Christ as our Centre we strive for excellence.” The production was timed to coincide with our annual Grandparents mass. We hold a special concert each year with our Kapa Haka group, poetry finalists and musicians entertaining our students Grandparents and parish community. Teresa Rush, DRS, St Mary’s Rotorua

Secondary Sponsors

The Catholic Institute Courses for the Year of Faith Time to Renew and Reflect on your Faith The New Testament Learn about the teachings, the people, and world of the New Testament with one of NZ’s leading scripture scholars, Dr Kath Rushton RSM. 15 - 17 April, Hamilton. World Religions The Church teaches that inter-faith dialogue is important, but what do you know about other religions? This course presents an overview of major world religions. 5 - 6 & 12 - 13 April, Tauranga. Women in the New Testament The New Testament shows clearly that women led the way in faith and discipleship. Who were these women? 20, 22 - 23 April, Rotorua. For more information about these courses: email c.piper@tci.ac.nz or phone 0800217411.

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Please support our Sponsors - They Support Us

A H Franks Helping fund a caring community Tyres, Batteries, Wheel Alignment, WOF, Mechanical Repairs > Free Quotes > All tyre brands > A Hamilton family based business since 1921 Contact: 409 Anglesea Street, Hamilton Ph: 07 839 2015 Fax: 07 838 9048 Email: tyre&auto@ahfranks.co.nz

Catholic Care Foundation

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Phone: 0800 843 233

Ph: (07) 839 9045 Email: cathcare@xtra.co.nz

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