A variety of languages were spoken, and many colourful national dress items were worn, at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Hamilton on Pentecost Sunday, June 6.
The occasion was an International Mass, at which readings were proclaimed, and prayers were offered, in several different languages, reflecting the diversity of the cathedral parish community. English translations were available in an overhead display.
Among the languages used during the Mass were Urdu, Tagalog, English, Vietnamese, Spanish, Samoan, Arabic and Malay, while some blessings were said in Te Reo Maori. The offertory was brought forward by young people from the Kiribati community.
International Masses of this type have been celebrated at Pentecost at the cathedral for at least a decade, NZ Catholic understands.
In his homily on June 6, Cathedral administrator Fr Darren McFarlane spoke about how faith and culture are integral to each other, and how they come together “as the Gospel transforms who we are”. He mentioned seeing Pasifika students from Marian Catholic School in Hamilton East at a school Mass, and noted how “very proud these young students . . . are of their culture, of their identity, and in particular how their Catholic faith is woven through who they are”.
Fr McFarlane said that Pentecost celebrates the unity and the diversity of the Church.
The Spirit came upon the disciples, and they spoke to the whole world, proclaiming that the Gospel is for all peoples, for all languages, for all ages, for all nations and cultures, worshipping in the family of God. We become together the People of God, he said.
Fr McFarlane suggested that, on Pentecost Sunday, “it is a good opportunity to take the time to get to know each other, or take the time to get to know another culture if you can, to speak to someone from another culture, or even today to read a little bit about another culture you might be interested in, because you might be surprised about what you discover. . . “.
The family of the Church is a big tent of all the nations of the world, and “that is present and alive in our own parish”, he added. However, the sharing and languages at the International Mass reflects only “a small fraction really of who we are as God’s people, even within our community” of Hamilton.
“Of course, there are many walls and barriers that do divide society, cultures,” Fr McFarlane added, “and sadly these can exist in the Church as well. But hopefully our diversity and our differences can find a home of mutual respect and love within the Church community.”
Fr McFarlane went on to say that, “if Pentecost shows us anything, it is that the Church exists so we can come together to be strong, and to use our gifts and talents that God has given us for the service of others. And there is an enormous energy in that”.
“There is an enormous energy in coming together . . . and there are enormous possibilities and great hope for the future of our Church and indeed for our community.”