“Mass was celebrated by parish priest Fr Marcus Francis and Monsignor Brian Walsh from Palmerston North. Fr Bernard O’Donnell was also present. Ex-parishioners travelled from Wellington, Palmerston North, Timaru, Oamaru, Waihi, Taupo, Fielding and the Tauroa and Wairarapa districts to join us, which was special,” said an organizing committee spokesperson “.

A display of memorabilia, showcasing photos, took parishioners down memory lane. Of particular note were banners depicting the three different church buildings.

Special appreciation was credited to floral arranger Catherine Bailey for her beautiful creations, which enhanced the atmosphere of the occasion.

The evening’s programme was thoughtfully planned, and parishioner Paul Bailey was the popular MC.

After the meal, local parish historian John Harman, who was a parishioner for 60 years and a resident of this small rural settlement, gave a brief history, particularly around the current church, which was built in 1983, being multi-purpose.  This design became a trail=blazer for other parishes.

The centenary cake was cut by nearly 90-year-old Peter McKenna, whose great uncle Fr Don McKenna was the first parish priest. This was the second church in the Tararua Parish that has celebrated 125 years of faith. Dannevirke marked theirs in October this year.

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This was the first ordination for Archbishop Paul Martin, SM, since his appointment as coadjutor archbishop in January, 2021.

“We rejoice with you today Matthew, and we look forward to sharing this journey of faith with you in the years to come,” Archbishop Martin said.

Reflecting on the day’s Gospel (Matthew 25:1-13) about the parable of the wise and foolish bridesmaids, Archbishop Martin spoke about the need to be prepared.

“Matthew, in taking on this ministry of being a deacon, is being asked to be prepared for whatever the Lord has in store for you, to be alert, and to help others to be alert as well, because the deacon is here to help others in all their needs, not just to care for himself,” the archbishop said.

At the conclusion of the liturgy, the new deacon spoke about this day being a truly beautiful day, and about shedding a tear or two when he felt God’s Holy Spirit.

“When I think about my journey to priesthood, I felt God tugging me in this direction for a long time, but [I] resisted. I’m delighted to be standing in front of you today as your new deacon,” he said.

He expressed much gratitude to those who had participated in the liturgy, those who accompanied him in formation, and those who have prayerfully supported him throughout.  Particularly, he acknowledged his family, mentioning his dad Pat, and Mary, for their love and support.  They belong to the Catholic Parish of Whanganui – Te Parihi Katorika ki Whanganui.

Deacon White was born, raised and educated in Whanganui, and then went directly to Massey University, majoring in Te Reo. He then went to Teachers’ Training College in Palmerston North.  He made the parish of Te Ngakau Tapu in Porirua his new home, where he started his career in Education at Tawa College as a qualified teacher. He completed his teaching career at St Patrick’s College in Silverstream in February, 2019, before entering Holy Cross Seminary in Auckland.

“Finally, can I humbly ask you all to please pray for me, as I take this next step towards priesthood,” he said.

Afternoon tea was served in the parish hall, where Deacon White mingled with ease.

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This is the cover for the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference synthesis of responses gathered in the diocesan
listening phase of the 2023 Synod of Bishops on synodality.
(CNS/New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference)

six themes: Inclusion, Gathering, Leadership, Education and Formation, Mission, and Synodality and Change.  This will combine with other syntheses from all other countries to form the basis of the working document expected to be released next year.  

While this goes offshore, it does not give the option for our bishops, or any of us actually, to wait until the working document is released, to act. Each diocese’s synthesis exposes the thinking of its parishioners in the raw.  

Deep genuine listening requires that the narrative be heard and responded to.    

Bishops – as chief missionary disciples, you must lead us into the new evangelical maturity we ache for in our faith communities.   

Unafraid, you must engage with your priests and leadership teams for all to grow and go forward.  

Issues only go away when they are dealt with. 

The synod cannot turn to custard.  

Matters relating to dogma and language need to be directed to various Vatican departments. Working towards co-responsible leadership will require a spirit of mutual respect. Formation for those engaged in ministries associated with Eucharist is a calling to use one’s spiritual gifts, and not just a matter of getting whoever one can. Everyone is responsible for the spiritual well-being of their parishes and katorika marae.  

But those who have ostracised themselves, or been ostracised from worship for whatever reason, are too great in number to ignore. This must surely be a priority.  

To those who feel far from God and the Church, to all those who are fearful or indifferent, I would like to say this: the Lord, with great respect and love, is also calling you to be a part of his people. Says Pope Francis in Evangelii Gaudium – the Joy of the Gospel (113), the mighty blessing of Eucharist celebrated Sunday after Sunday is a reconciliatory celebration for some, but not for everyone.  

In Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis suggests the value of offering accompaniment without a time-frame or instant results, but always with the hoped outcome to finding friendship in Eucharist.  Perhaps each parish could put in place a pathway offering respectful listening with this hope in mind.  Surely such an initiative doesn’t require papal approval!  What is does require is that we notice who is missing, and go out to them instead of expecting them to come to us.  

“He or she invites others to let themselves be healed, to take up their mat, embrace the cross, leave all behind, and go forth to proclaim the Gospel.” (EG 172). 

Jesus puts this experience simply and beautifully in the parable of the lost coin (Luke 15:8-10). She hunted high and low. Not satisfied that she had nine already, she searched along the top kitchen cupboards, felt in behind the couch squabs, and even went through the rubbish tins as well as retracing her footsteps. Bingo! So relieved to find it, she wanted everyone to be happy with her.    

We’ve not been left home alone. Jesus reminds us that his presence wasn’t going to wrap up at the Cross. The last sentence in St Matthew’s Gospel reads like this: “And know that I am with you always: yes, to the end of time (Matthew 28:20).”  

The synod preparatory document states: “The purpose of this synod is not to produce more documents.  Rather, it is intended to inspire people to dream about the Church we are called to be, to make people’s hopes flourish, to stimulate trust, to bind up wounds, to weave new and deeper relationships to learn from one another, to build bridges, to enlighten minds, warm hearts and restore strength to our hands for our common mission.”  

I’m no cheesemaker or winemaker, and this has its difficulties when the Church moves at snail pace. But at the end of the day, we’re dealing with people lives and not just themes.   

Heavens, synod participants knew we weren’t filling out a random consumer questioner about the best outdoor deck cleaner, or most effective toothpaste!
 

• Sue Seconi is a parishioner at The Catholic Parish of Whanganui – Te Parihi Katorika Ki Whanganui. 

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The college’s fourth principal, he replaces Justin Harper who resigned at the end of term 2 to become the principal at John Paul College in Rotorua. Lida Penn will continue to be acting principal until Mr McBride takes up his appointment on January 1, 2023. 

Mr McBride was born in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and his young widowed mother returned to her homeland in Scotland when he was 16, to raise the family after his father tragically died.   

“The trauma and hardship taught me that you need to be resilient – do the mahi and leave the rest to God,” he recalls. 

After graduating from Edinburgh University with a Bachelor of Education degree in physical education, he began his teaching career at St David’s Catholic High School in Dalkeith coaching basketball and rugby. 

His qualification meant he could transfer from country to country.  

“When I came to New Zealand to play rugby, I had teaching to back me up. Over time I realised I loved leading others, through being a department head, dean and then later deputy principal,” he said. 

He was the physical education teacher and dean for five years at Whanganui High School 20 years ago. 

Before joining Cullinane in 2021, he taught at Hastings Boys, Westlake Boys in Auckland and St John’s College in Hastings where he was deputy principal.   

As a Catholic educator and leader, Mr McBride found that participating in Marist Young Leaders’ courses in Wellington and the Josephite colloquium in Auckland re-emphasised the importance of constantly thinking about how to keep the Catholic faith relevant for today’s youth.  Cullinane College is founded on the charisms of the Society of Mary and the Josephite Sisters. 

“I will aspire to develop young people who are loyal partners, loving parents and positive influences in society,” he said. “Strengthening the Catholic and college communities is also critical.”    

Mr McBride is married to Margaret and they have four children: Logan 11, Hayley 9, Grace 6 and Callum 4. He is also a selector for the U18 Hurricanes team. 

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The collated data from the participants in the synod from the country’s dioceses has been published for all to read.   

At the time of writing, the New Zealand Catholic Bishops’ Conference was preparing a national synthesis. All will be posted to Rome. 

The can of worms has been opened.  The reading is too serious to ignore.  

In amongst the projections, conditions, expectations and sweeping generalisations, there wasn’t much expression of joy or excitement.   

There are many Catholics who have estranged themselves from worship because they have been hurt by the Church or the Church has failed to be a place of inclusivity and equality, the synod revealed. Yet these groups and people have no idea of the depth of pining felt by those who go to Sunday Eucharist for them to gather around the Altar.  

Eucharist takes us into paradox: that through the liberation of the Cross, creation replaced destruction and goodness triumphed over evil.  

Entering into the redemptive mystery of Jesus’s life, death and Resurrection offers over and over again the hands of friendship to us. Too overwhelmingly marvellous to be true? – but it is true! 

It’s in the eating and drinking together that life’s messes and tragedies are made whole again. Grapes picked and crushed to become wine to become Blood, wheat thrashed to separate grains, ground to become bread to become Body is the exact place healing is offered.  

The heartbreak is this: The very reconciliatory encounter offered in Eucharist is the very experience those who carry open wounds, distance themselves from. In the worst of the pain, there is hope for wholeness because life only rises from death. This is the “stuff” of Eucharist.  

Jesus puts it this way. “Unload all your worries on to him, since he is looking after you.” 1 Peter 5:7 

Way down here on the ground of parish life, if we are to respond to the synod findings, it would start with halting the blame game. It’s time for personal ownership. 

The Dalai Lama says this: ”When you think everything is someone else’s fault, you will suffer a lot.  When you realise that everything springs only from yourself, you will learn both peace and joy.” 

To blame is to remain held down by injury. It chews and churns away inside us, keeping us a victim. What’s happened or failed to happen, can’t be deleted, nor can we “put it behind us” or “get over it” or “get off the grass” or “you’re still going on about it”  in the form of one-liners.  No, it’s about confronting to integrate the incident to regain our power to be.  

The synod gave reason for any local parish faith community to ask of itself, what is my parish really like? Do we sincerely welcome someone new? Are the liturgies life giving, community vibrant and charisms galore identified and called from parishioners? Would I invite another to experience this body? 

Everyone wants the other to change, but fewer want to change themselves.  

Growth and maturity are in our hands. All of our hands.  

Leadership models are critical to create vitalising environments. Clericalism was cited throughout the synod.  Ordained ministry continuing down through the ages from Jesus, was never meant to be referred to, or become a structure, or hierarchy, or self-governance, but service. Ministry – both ordained and lay  – is only about service.  

St Peter had it figured out 2000 years ago surprisingly. “Never be a dictator over any group that is put in your charge, but be an example that the whole flock can follow.” 1 Peter 5:3-4.  

Once the Catholic Church was likened to a well-oiled mighty piece of machinery.  Everyone knew their place to keep the machine ticking over. She had become so efficient she lost the point of being in the business of Jesus.  Vatican II reclaimed this basic fact that Jesus is Lord, to quote biblical Lydia after she had listened to St Paul preach in her hometown.  (Acts 16:14).  

“Keep us from becoming a ‘museum church’, beautiful but mute, with much past and little future”, said Pope Francis in his homily on October 10, 2021, in Rome at the opening of the synod.  

• Sue Seconi is a parishioner at The Catholic Parish of Whanganui – Te Parihi Katorika Ki Whanganui 

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         Principal Justin Harper

He has been appointed to lead John Paul College in Rotorua, which the previous principal, Patrick
Walsh, left to become headmaster of Sacred Heart College in Auckland.

Mr Harper said that he had a genuine love for Cullinane College, and the four-plus years that he spent
there had been some of the best times in the lives of himself and of his family.

He hopes he will be remembered for challenging students to deeply consider their own directions in life.

“That they remember me as someone who believed in them, and hopes/prays that they’ll authentically live out the lives that God has planned for them.”

“The school is in a strong position with great staffing, enrolment growth, and an enviable learning
environment. The heart of the college is strong.”

Cullinane College board chair Sandy Cuff said that she was sad to acknowledge his resignation.

“The college’s reputation in the arts, sports and exceptional  academic performance reflects the
commitment and priority it has been given within the leadership of the school. While Justin will be quick to
acknowledge the support and hard work from the school’s Senior Leadership Team, committed teaching
and support staff and the board, no one would dispute the exceptional and visionary leadership Justin has
provided to the college,” she said.

He leaves a void within the Catholic parish of Whanganui — Te Parihi Katorika Ki Whanganui, where he was an extraordinary minister of Eucharist and also served on the Parish Pastoral Advisory Team.

There is a sense of homecoming for both Mr Harper, his wife Nicola and their children.

“We are returning to our family’s roots and where family live in the wider Boy of Plenty. Nicola and I
were raised and married in Rotorua. We taught at John Paul College there as a young couple,” he said.

The Cullinane College board will now begin calling for applicants to be the college’s fourth principal.

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“The library is at the heart of the college.  It is a well-used space and provides opportunities for the students to see them,” said principal Justin Harper.  

These stunning glassworks were gifted in 1955 when modifications were made to include a chapel in St Augustine’s College, which was then situated on the corner of Cameron Terrace and Campbell Street. The window depicting St Peter Chanel was donated by the then Old Boys of the school, and the St Augustine window by the Misses Burke, sisters of a parish priest of St Mary’s, Whanganui, Fr Michael Joseph Burke, SM. 

When this wooden building was demolished, the windows were carefully stored, until being reinstalled in the new St Augustine’s College chapel which opened in 1967 in Peat Street.  

They were again put in storage because the building redevelopment schedule required this chapel be pulled down, when St Augustine’s College and Sacred Heart College were combined to form the new co-educational Cullinane College in 2003. 

“The windows are a link to the legacy of Cullinane College.  An acknowledgement of the past journey of our college,” said Mr Harper. 

The cabinet was specially designed by old boy John Fearn, and funding came from the Palmerston North Diocesan Catholic Charities Allocation Committee. 

These taonga will be officially blessed at a later date.  

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The shift from the current parish priest model of sole decision-maker to joint leadership with laity will require simultaneously that we “unlearn” that Baptism is the “done” sacrament when we were babies, and that it’s not clergy first and laity second.  

“The baptismal life is the fundamental human vocation, and all must exercise the priesthood received at baptism. Ministry is at the service of this”, says Cardinal Marc Quellet, chief organiser of the upcoming theological conference titled “toward a fundamental theology of the priesthood”, initiated by Pope Francis for February, 2022. “The ordained ministry isn’t about belonging to the ‘ecclesiastical power’”, the cardinal stated. 

Going back to baptism and the priesthood of all believers “isn’t just a fashion, it’s the basis for all Christian life”, said Michelina Tenance, organising assistant to this conference.  

These years ahead will be of huge change. But not dissimilar to those unexpected times when we receive traumatic news. Suddenly our lives are turned upside down. Hindsight can reveal that, in amongst the anxiety and chaos, we were, in fact, taken out from our comfort zones to see the bigger picture of God’s involving presence. 

This has been the maturing story of the Church as well.  

Not even 100 years old, the early Church was forced to make a decision in amongst mayhem. Can non-Jews become Christians?  Yes, said the leaders. “God does not have favourites. But that anybody of any nationality who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to him.”  (Acts 10:35)  

Putting aside the arguments on both sides of the issue associated with the Lutheran Reformation, the Church returned to the fact that she must be a living experience and that Scripture is essential for spiritual growth.   

The Second Vatican Council was to cut back the externals to realise once again that she is a grain planted in the world, and not a diamond to be admired in a high-end jewellery shop. 

We are capable of being reshaped by life’s circumstances. 

Working towards shared leadership will require parishioners coming together over and over with their priest and bishop or apostolic administrators. Not so much to make a decision, but to enable God’s Holy Spirit to open the way forward from within.   

Jesus’ presence amongst us is a constant. We are not abandoned. 

When an ordained says “Your sins are forgiven” (John 20:23-24), and “this is my Body, this is my Blood”, (1 Corinthians 11:24), it is Jesus who speaks. 

Spiritual gifts – charisms of God’s Holy Spirit – enable us to minister and build up our faith communities to be full of life and joy. And not just for ourselves, but inclusive to those desiring to belong to us.   

Recognising spiritual gifts requires us to look at each other in deeper ways, since often gifts are gifted to those without the skills we usually look for.  Gifted beyond those go-to people and obvious choices.   

Post-menopausal Sarah being told by God that she will become pregnant with Isaac. (Genesis 18: 9-15)  

Moses’ (Exodus 2:11-32) stutter wasn’t an obstacle for him to negotiate with the mighty narcissistic Pharoah. 

Samuel (1 Samuel 3) was just a kid, but led the successful defence against the attacking Philistines.  

Jesus selecting Peter to head the Church, when weeks prior he disassociated himself from the Lord. (Matthew 16:18)  

Lydia (Acts 16) who believed in many gods, professed that Jesus is Lord, and she went onto become an effective evangelist.  

Susanna (Luke 8:2) who was healed of an evil spirit ended up boldly proclaiming Jesus Risen! 

Why ask a parishioner to proclaim the Scriptures when they get tongue-tied?  But I am. Why ask a parishioner to write articles with a poor grip of the basic English grammar? But I am. Why ask a parishioner to pray with another when they’re hopeless at impromptu prayer? But I am.  

Pope Francis, in his document titled Antiquum Ministerium (Institution of the Ministry of Catechist), released in Rome in May, 2021, says developing lay ministry isn’t an effort to clericalise laypeople.  

As I see it, if an ordained man believes himself to be superior to lay people and it’s called clericalisation, then lay people can use spiritual gifts to gain self-importance as well. Both ordained people and lay people can be tempted into using spiritual gifts as if they were their own possession. Ministry is about service! – mature service that is! 

“The New Zealand Catholic Bishops have endorsed the concepts of co-responsibility and lay leadership,”  wrote Bishop Stephen Lowe, the vice-president and secretary of the New Zealand Bishops Conference – Te Huinga a nga Pikopa Katorika o Aotearoa to me on June 3, 2021.   

• Sue Seconi is a parishioner at The Catholic Parish of Whanganui – Te Parihi Katorika Ki Whanganui 

The post More parishes than priests appeared first on NZ Catholic Newspaper.

Many of those at the celebration had worked with Mr Murphy during his 18 years as general manager. Chaplains, priests, religious, finance and pastoral council members, those connected to the schools, friends and parishioners were at the afternoon service.

After Cardinal John Dew had pinned the medal on him and read out the papal citation, the cathedral resounded with applause as Mr Murphy was given a standing ovation.

“This appreciation went beyond our diocese to include the bishops of the other dioceses, and Tony’s counterparts in the other dioceses,” said Bishop Peter Cullinane, Bishop Emeritus of Palmerston North.

“He was a member of the Catholic bishops’ conference finance committee, and of national bodies, to which the bishops appointed him — including those reviewing Catholic education, our New Zealand Catholic insurance scheme, and restructuring at our national seminary and Catholic tertiary education, to name only some,” Bishop Cullinane said.

Mr Murphy said that, upon first hearing of his being made a Knight of the order of Saint Gregory the Great, he felt “shocked, very surprised and humbled”.

“I got paid for my work and struggled to comprehend how I deserved it when a lot of other people — particularly volunteers — do very good work and aren’t recognised,” he said.

Starting as diocesan manager in 2002, when other bishops in New Zealand were making similar appointments, his job description then covered anything that was not considered “pastoral”.

“Initially, it was to do with money and property, but as I moved into the position it became apparent it was linked pastorally, since it was about parish schools, principals, buildings and property, finance committees and people,” Mr Murphy said.

The Christchurch earthquake in February, 2011, had the most impact on his workload.

“All the parish and school buildings across the diocese had to be inspected for earthquake strength, determining whether they were structurally safe or not. To bring them up to standard cost $24 million over five years,” he said.

How he made decisions changed over the years as well.

“I used to make decisions on my own, but then began to consult, seek  advice and collaborate, particularly with those at the parish level,” said the father of five and grandad to 12.

Closing his speech, Bishop Cullinane paid tribute to Mr Murphy’s wife, Denise.

“What Tony has achieved takes two. A life of generous service to a wider community draws much of its strength from the home. Today, we thank you too, Denise,” the bishop said.

Mr Murphy is the second lay person to receive such an honour in Palmerston North diocese. The other, in 1998, was the late Mrs Betty Bourke CBE, QSM and JP from Whanganui.

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Cardinal John Dew at the Mass in                Palmerston North.

“This Easter, radiate the gladness that is inherent in the Good News that God is with us, that Jesus lives, that our lives can be living witnesses to God’s presence, love and compassion,” Cardinal Dew said in his homily at the Mass.

Referencing the words of the prophet Isaiah, that is, to be the garments of praise to replace despair and be the oil of gladness, charges us to be ambassadors of hope in a world that pines for the Gospel, the cardinal said.

“We are all anointed with chrism at baptism and confirmation, some of us at ordination. That anointing with sacred chrism gives us a share in the priestly ministry of Jesus,” he said.

Since the diocese was formed in 1980, the Chrism Mass, that gathers the whole diocese together, had been celebrated on the Tuesday of Holy Week in the evening, but the decision was made to  celebrate it this year on a weekday, thereby enabling students to participate and experience the blessing of the oils liturgy. Unfortunately, a road accident at Waitotara, north of Whanganui, blocked traffic there for five hours, so those from Taranaki were unable to get through.

After the Mass, lunch was enjoyed in the diocesan centre in Palmerston North, and for the students — there was a sausage sizzle.

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