NZ Catholic Newspaper

Grace from sorrow: Theft increases devotion to Blessed Sacrament

Rowena Orejana — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 23:03:08 +0000

by ROWENA OREJANA
An unexpected grace came out of the theft of a brass pyx with the Blessed Sacrament in Christchurch.
The pyx was stolen from an extraordinary minister’s car in early January.
The Christchurch Episcopal Vicar for Education, Fr John Adams, said the theft of the Blessed Sacrament is a sacrilege and a sorrow that the whole diocese shares.

Parishioners visitng the Blessed Sacrament at St Gregory's in reparation for the theft of the pyx containing the Holy Eucharist.

“But the beautiful, unexpected result of that theft has been heightened awareness amongst people of this diocese of the importance of keeping Our Lord safe … and I would say an increase in devotion to the Blessed Sacrament,” he said.
On January 17 Christchurch Bishop Barry Jones celebrated a special Mass with his priests in reparation for the theft of the pyx that contained the Holy Sacrament. The following Saturday, January 24, Christchurch parishes held special Masses and invited parishioners
to fast and visit the Blessed Sacrament.
“The call by Bishop Barry for everyone to fast and pay a visit to the Blessed Sacrament and [hold] special Masses really helped sort of deepen people’s love and reverence and respect for the Blessed Sacrament. That was unexpected, but many people spoke to me about that,” Fr Adams added.
Blogger Brendan Malone, who attended Mass celebrated by Bishop Jones, said he was deeply touched by the way the bishop responded to the situation.
“For me, it certainly challenged me to realise how much even in my own way, I have taken for granted the gift of the Eucharist. I was really touched by it. It’s a great example of a bishop who has taken what is obviously a tragedy and turned it into a really beautiful teaching moment,” he said.
Mr Malone said a lot of the people he has spoken to in the diocese reacted the same way.
Fr Adams stressed the theft was “serious business”.
“As Catholics, we believe that Jesus is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament, body, soul and divinity. And Catholics prize the Eucharist above all else. I think the Second Vatican Council called it the source and the summit of our faith,” he said.
“Even though it was a very unfortunate incident, it’s also been an opportunity for teaching and growth and love for our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. So it’s been unexpected grace,” he added.
The pyx, a small round container, which in this case was made of brass, was stolen from a glove compartment of a car belonging to a lay minister who was about to take the consecrated host to a sick parishioner.
“The person is feeling really terrible. They are truly sorry. There’s no ill-will towards that minister,” Fr Adams said.
However, the incident brought focus to the need to make sure the Blessed Sacrament is always
in a safe place or “to make sure it’s always on our person”, Fr Adams further explained.
noted lay ministers are extremely conscientious in
performing their tasks, but it is desirable that they review the performance of their tasks with their parish priests from time to time.
“The parish priest is the person responsible for the oversight of the ministers who carry the Blessed Sacrament to the sick and housebound. The expectation is that it will be carried direct from the church to the person being visited. If, because of circumstances, the person to be visited cannot receive it at that time, the minister is advised to devoutly consume
the host him- or herself,” Msgr Mahoney said.
Palmerston North Vicar General Fr Brian Walsh said their policy “is that the host or hosts be returned to the tabernacle immediately”.
In St Joseph’s parish in Papanui, Fr Adams said the number of people who visited the Blessed
Sacrament more than trebled after Bishop Jones made the call. On that Saturday (January 24), the Blessed Sacrament was exposed at the main church instead of in the perpetual adoration chapel.

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Fate of cathedral won’t be known for months

Michael Otto — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 03:13:09 +0000

CHRISTCHURCH — The fate of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament and several other Catholic churches in Canterbury will not be known for several months.
With insurance negotiations still ongoing, the diocese is in the early stages of preparing a strategic plan on the number and location of churches to be built. This will be presented to Bishop Barry Jones for consideration.
Lance Ryan, the chairman of the Cathedral Management Board, said the board fully supports the plan, as it was essential that all churches in the diocese are considered, and not just the cathedral.
“The planning group needs to consult with a wide range of people throughout the diocese while also looking at the changes that have occurred to the city’s population demographics.
“All these factors, as well as establishing the status of all insurance claims, need to be known before a comprehensive report can be completed,” he said.
While this plan is being considered, work on the basilica continues.
“We are really looking at three options — whether to demolish the existing building, to retain what we can of the basilica and rebuild to its former glory, or, in the short-term, whether or not to mothball the building until we have a clearer picture.
“Early indications are that the costs of retaining and rebuilding the basilica are in the vicinity of $100 million. The nave is the only part of the existing building that could be retained, but it will still need extensive reinforcing to bring it up to the required standard.”
The board is having costings prepared for the removal of the large organ and the stained glass windows.
Mr Ryan acknowledged it was a frustrating time for all, but they had to ensure they worked wisely.
“The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament is only one piece of the diocesan jigsaw, and until we know all the pieces and the community has been consulted, we are reluctant to move with any haste.
“Getting it right is everyone’s first priority,” he said.

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Stolen chalices found

NZ Catholic Staff — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 03:55:19 +0000

by KATHLEEN CASEY
CHRISTCHURCH — A rare find shows the hand of God once more in Christchurch.
Squatters took historic and valuable chalices from the forbidden territory of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament and stashed them in the nearby Samoan Centre, where police found them before the theft had been discovered.
Of the 11 silver gilt chalices, one was presented in 1891 by Pope Leo XIII, one by Pope John Paul II on his 1986 visit and one by Bishop
Matthew Brodie’s mother on his episcopal ordination in 1915.
A number of other chalices were donated by local families and used regularly. Only very recently were construction workers able to enter the cathedral — and the theft was discovered.
Bishop Barry Jones was adamant no one was to enter the cathedral after the February earthquake, because of significant damage. After September 4, 2010, three workers were killed in the Durham St Methodist church while attempting to remove the organ.
The cathedral custodian of artworks, Max Broadbent, was delighted to have the chalices back. “Of course the thieves felt no need to heed the bishop’s directive and, with such a large building, they could have evaded security,” Mr Broadbent said.
The chalices are now in a safe place.
Mr Broadbent said that most of the cathedral’s valuable artworks had been rescued undamaged, including bronze tabernacle doors created by Ria Bancroft and a lifesize crucifix carved by Pat Mulcahy. Sculptor Llew Summers’ stations of the cross are fixed to the walls, but appeared to be intact.
Charges have been laid against the perpetrators, who also had other goods, such as mountain bikes, in their cache.
The Samoan Centre is not safe because the Christchurch Music Centre (formerly the Ferry Road convent) next to it could collapse.

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