Ordained at last - Lockdown led to seven week delay of ordination - pg 3 - Caritas Lent appeal down this year
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NZ Catholic: June 14 - 27, 2020 1
The national Catholic newspaper June 14 - 27, 2020 • No. 591
Caritas Lent SVDP launches
appeal down National Recovery
this year 2 Appeal 10
Ordained at last
Lockdown led to
seven week delay
of ordination – pg 3
www.nzcatholic.org.nz
2 NZ News NZ Catholic: June 14 - 27, 2020
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Caritas Aotearoa NZ Lent Appeal
funds down 30 per cent on past years
Staying in NZ
before ordinations
by ROWENA OREJANA
Amid the pandemic, Caritas Aotearoa New
p17 Zealand managed to raise some $683,000 during
its 2020 Lent Appeal, a figure that is more than
30 per lower than the amounts they raised in
recent years.
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand director Julianne
Hickey said, in the past, the Lent Appeal raised
$1million.
p20 Our Lady of Still, Mrs Hickey said, they “are encouraged by
Kāpiti Church the generosity of our communities during these
blessed difficult times”.
“Their ongoing support and prayers continue
to enable us to do our work, and we are thankful
for their commitment to helping those in need
around the world and in Aotearoa New Zealand,”
she said.
The reduced amount means community proj-
ects in West Papua, Bougainville, the Philippines Julianne Hickey
and Holy Land that were supposed to be funded
p5 this year would be set aside for next year. n Donations
“Caritas is carefully examining our 2020 Caritas communications advisor Rebecca Sees
operational budget to focus our expenditure to said the agency is still accepting donations to the
Masses help those most in need and make cost savings Lent Appeal.
resume on budget lines such as travel,” Mrs Hickey said. “As the bishops’ agency for justice, peace and
“Our volunteer programme, Catholic Volun- development, our mission is to serve as [a] vehi-
in Dunedin teers Overseas (CVO), will not be sending any fur- cle for all New Zealand Catholics to engage with
ther volunteers to the Pacific this year, although the social mission of the Church: to overcome
p6 A message for Catholic media we continue to support two volunteers who are poverty, protect lives and relieve suffering. This
already in Papua New Guinea,” she added. mission is more important than ever, as we face an
p8 Penecost and the fire in our cities Mrs Hickey said priority will be given to com- unprecedented humanitarian challenge in which
munities in the Pacific and around the world with the poor and vulnerable will continue to be the
p9 Mapping a way forward after lockdown whom Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand has long- most heavily impacted,” she said.
term relationships. “With the help of our supporters, we can con-
“Our priority is to continue to work with our tinue to be love-in-action for these communities,
Meghan Markle’s surprise
p19 graduation speech partners on the ground in these communities to providing essential assistance on the ground,
respond to their most urgent needs. Currently, we both in our region and around the world, to those
are working with these communities to help them who are most in need.”
On the front cover: At the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit for the prepare for the effects of the pandemic,” she said. Caritas is also accepting donations toward its
ordination of Fr Peter Trung Nguyen (front centre) on June 6 were Mrs Hickey said they will be supporting these Pandemic Appeal, which will go towards support-
communities’ efforts “in health care and mes- ing vulnerable communities’ efforts at Covid-19
(from left, front) Bishop Owen Dolan, Bishop Peter Cullinane, saging, well-being, livelihoods and food, so that prevention.
Cardinal John Dew and Bishop Denis Browne, with many priests people don’t go hungry, and to ensure that the “However, we recognise that now is a difficult
(back rows). (Photo supplied) spread of disease is contained”. time for many, and some people who may want
“No community in the world is immune to the to give financially won’t be able to do so. The
ongoing impacts (of the pandemic),” she said. support of our work through prayer and advocacy
Mrs Hickey said another on-going project they is just as critical to our success in the midst of
have is the development of school and parish the pandemic. We ask our Catholic communities
resources for Social Justice Week in September. to join us in raising the voices of those on the
“This year the focus is on Catholic Social margins, and in praying for all who are affected
Pompallier Diocesan Centre, 30 New Street, Ponsonby, Teaching, which will help us all reflect on the by this crisis, from the sick and the suffering to
Auckland. P.O. Box 147-000, Ponsonby, Auckland 1144. core principles that guide our decision-making, the helpers and the workers,” Ms Sees said.
Phone: (09) 360-3067 or (09) 378-4380. participation and involvement in our communi- More information about how to get involved
Email: admin@nzcatholic.org.nz ties,” she said. can be found at: www.caritas.org.nz
New vocations director for Chch
Website: www.nzcatholic.org.nz
Publisher: Bishop Patrick Dunn
Editor: Michael Otto Journalist: Rowena Orejana
Marketing and Administration: Claudia Cachay
Design & Advertising: Anne Rose
by ROWENA OREJANA
Advertising enquiries contact:
design@nzcatholic.org.nz
Christchurch Bishop Paul Martin, SM, has ap-
NZ Catholic is published fortnightly. Subscriptions: One
pointed Fr Tien Cao, assistant parish priest at St
year, $73; two years, $135. Overseas airmail extra. The Peter Chanel, Waimakariri, as the diocese’s new
contents of NZ Catholic are copyright and permission to vocations director.
reprint must be obtained in advance. ISSN 1174-0086 Fr Cao said as the new vocations director, he
Member Australasian Religious Press Association and is looking forward to accompanying men “who
Australasian Catholic Press Association have received even the slightest call from God
to priesthood”.
He said his own “first director” of vocation was
his mother and he acknowledged the essential
St Dominic’s role of parents in building a strong foundation
for the vocation of priesthood.
Catholic College “It was God who chose me from eternity to
be the priest of Christ, but it was the faith and
Founded by the Dominican Sisters
the life witness of my mother, at home and at
Catholic School For Girls Years 7-13
the local church, that made me realise the call,”
he said.
He said, though, that young men who grew
• Year 9 retreats going well. up without much support in their faith life are
• Great to celebrate Mass once more in our Chapel. also encouraged and invited to discern priest-
hood.
• S amoan Language Week well celebrated, led Fr Cao grew up in Central Vietnam and came
by Pasifika leaders Lisa Pesefea and to New Zealand 12 years ago to be a priest in
Christchurch diocese. He was ordained in 2016
Esther Utaiaana. and served in the parishes of Greymouth and
• Our first ever school vans well received. Mairehau.
Fr John O’Connor, who was the former voca-
tions director of the diocese, is currently acting
www.stdoms.ac.nz director of the National Liturgy Office. Fr Tien Cao
NZ Catholic: June 14 - 27, 2020 NZ News 3
Fr Trung ordained after lockdown delay
by ROWENA OREJANA
The much-awaited ordination
to the priesthood of Fr Peter Trung
Nguyen — which was initially sched-
uled for April 18, but was postponed
because of the Covid-19 lockdown
— finally took place on June 6 at
the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in
Palmerston North.
It was a very emotional moment
for Fr Nguyen when he thanked his
mother and father and the rest of
his family who couldn’t be there
due to the closure of New Zealand’s
borders. His voice broke and he had
to pause to collect himself.
His family, instead, followed the
livestreaming of his ordination on
the diocesan website. His parents
are in Vietnam, while his five broth-
ers and a sister are in religious and
diocesan communities in France, En-
gland, American, Colombia, Belgium
and India.
“Thank you, Cardinal John [Dew],
for ordaining me a priest today,
and all clergy and people who are
present really and virtually to sup- Newly-ordained Fr Peter Trung Nguyen (right) at the altar during the ordination Mass. (Photo supplied)
port me on this special occasion,”
he said. He also thanked resigned “[Being] . . . self-possessed means “It was a common practice in Zealand. She accepted his decision
bishop Charles Drennan, who went being comfortable in who we are Vietnam for young men to serve the after a while.
to Vietnam and met his (Fr Nguyen’s) before God. Being content in who parish. Quite a lot of young men “Before I left my family, this is
family and invited him to serve in we are and knowing that God has wanted to do it. It was a privilege (to what mum said to me: ‘Go in peace
Palmerston North. chosen us for service. And knowing be chosen),” he said. and our prayer is with you and for
In his homily at the ordination, that God chose us and loves us. Be- He said even at a young age, there you. Your happiness is our happi-
Cardinal Dew thanked Fr Nguyen ing self-possessed is knowing we can was “something in the back of my ness’,” he said.
for following Jesus’ call to serve in do nothing by ourselves. We can only mind that said: I want to be a priest”. Before entering the seminary in
New Zealand. rely on the grace of God and learn He went to university in Ho Chi New Zealand, Fr Nguyen reportedly
“Anyone who makes the decision to be grateful that God’s grace is Minh City and studied philosophy. learned English at the English Train-
to follow the call of Jesus and try to always at work in us,” Cardinal Dew “I had a lot of fun and had the ing College in Palmerston North.
live as his disciples, knows that it said. normal student life. But deep in my He said, as a priest, he would
means that we die to ourselves in As the ordination took place heart, I wanted that lasting joy,” he want to strengthen the ties between
some way and in whatever way that during restrictions on numbers at said. school and parish.
is. That’s what gives glory to God,” public gatherings under Covid-19 In his fourth year at the universi- Fr Nguyen was also appointed
Cardinal Dew said. alert level 2, only 100 people were ty, he met a Kiwi priest who invited vocations director of the diocese
“That’s very true of any of us allowed to be present inside the ca- him to serve in Palmerston North. before his ordination.
who choose to follow Jesus and the thedral itself. Others could view the He asked his spiritual director “My message to young people
priesthood, or who accept that he Mass by livestream in other rooms. for advice and spent a lot of time is — don’t be afraid to take further
(Jesus) has actually chosen us first. Fr Nguyen told NZ Catholic his in retreats before he made the de- steps towards vocation. It might be
Jesus chose you, Trung.” journey to priesthood began when cision. a challenge, but it is a wonderful
The cardinal also reminded Fr he was 12 years old. He left his Initially, his mum had no prob- journey.”
Nguyen of St Paul’s words to Timo- family home to assist the priest in lem with him becoming a priest, but n Further photos from the ordination
thy, “be self-possessed”. his parish. she didn’t want him to go to New Mass are on page 21.
NZ and Holy See Covid-19 free almost to the day
by NZ CATHOLIC staff announced that the last Vatican employee who restrictive measures.
had tested positive for the coronavirus was test- But the Pope cautioned everyone to continue
New Zealand has joined the Holy See in a se- ing negative. A total of 12 cases were reported to be careful.
lect list of nations that have successfully seen among Vatican employees since late February. “Thanks be to God we are coming out of the
off Covid-19. None of the 12 died, reported the Catholic News epicentre stronger, but always with the rules
On June 8, it was announced that New Zealand Service. [that] the authorities give us,” he said.
has no more active cases. With no new cases According to a report in The New Zealand The Pope reminded people, however, that “the
reported for 17 days, the nation moved within Herald, Johns Hopkins University in the US stated virus continues to claim many victims” in other
hours to alert level 1. there were seven other small nations that had countries.
Two days beforehand, the Vatican press office registered infections, but had no active cases as “I wish to express my closeness to those pop-
of June 8. ulations, to the sick and their families, and to all
These other nations were Montenegro, Eritrea, those who care for them. With our prayer, let us
Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, Saint Kitts and be close to them.”
Nevis, Fiji, and East Timor.
The list did not include nations such as Vanu-
atu that had kept the virus out completely.
The Catholic News Service reported that, on
June 7, Pope Francis prayed for people living in ST. PETER’ S COLLEGE
countries where Covid-19 is still causing a huge EPSOM, AUCKLAND
number of deaths, and he cautioned people in A CATHOLIC SCHOOL FOR BOYS
Italy to continue to be careful and follow health
precautions.
“Be careful, do not sing ‘Victory!’ yet, do not • 1st XV v King’s College @ Cage 2.30pm
celebrate victory too soon! It remains necessary
to follow the rules in force carefully because Saturday 27 June.
they are rules that help us to prevent the virus
from gaining ground,” he said on June 7 after • Farewell College Receptionist
reciting the Angelus prayer from the window of – Mrs Denise Lindsay
the Apostolic Palace.
He greeted the few hundred visitors who had • Sacramental Programme resumes.
assembled in St Peter’s Square, maintaining social
distancing and many wearing masks.
The crowd in St Peter’s Square as Pope Francis leads the Seeing people in the square, he said, was a sign
ST PETER’S COLLEGE BUILDS OUTSTANDING MEN
Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking the that “the acute phase” of the pandemic in Italy ST-PETERS.SCHOOL.NZ @SPCNOW
square at the Vatican on June 7. (CNS Photo) was over, which had led to the gradual easing of
4 Masses in Level 2 NZ Catholic: June 14 - 27, 2020
Contact tracing and hand sanitising before a Mass at Blenheim A Mass finishes at Blenheim.
Masses resume in Marlborough
by CATHIE BELL “People are just being a bit cautious here in However, the Marlborough parish is working to
Blenheim. Those that came seemed happy. ensure that, if larger numbers of parishioners do
Masses resumed in Marlborough last weekend, “Everyone feels a bit disappointed we can’t sing. show up for a particular service, the group can be
with most of the churches in the Te Whetu o Moana We’d like to have the singing, but understand the split up, should the alert level 2 public gathering
Star of the Sea parish holding services. reasons why not.” limits still apply.
Acting parish priest Fr Pat McIndoe, CP, said Fr McIndoe said Marlborough didn’t have the big “With the help of high-tech parishioners, we
that, while the turnouts were lower than usual, populations of people such as parishes in Auckland have people go into the community centre as well
people were happy to be back at church. had. (Some Auckland parishes did not have Sunday and have the Mass live-streamed from the church.
He celebrated Mass in Kaikoura, while assistant Masses in level 2.) We have been doing quite a bit of work behind the
parish priest Fr Jacob Kuman, CP, celebrated Mass- “We have modest numbers,” Fr McIndoe said. scenes to get ready.”
es in Blenheim and Seddon.
“We were good. People were social distancing.
It was very well-organised, they made sure people
put their names down for contact tracing. I sani-
tised my hands before Communion.”
Parishioners’ joy as Takapuna Masses return
Fr McIndoe said people were happy to be back, by ROWENA OREJANA being back, as well as their gratitude for the ef-
with about 85 people at Mass in Kaikoura. forts we made to provide Masses, taking . . . Covid
“We had a good turnout, about 85 people. That’s About one-third of the parishioners at St Jo- requirements into account. People also expressed
very good for Kaikoura. One or two didn’t come, seph’s Church in Takapuna, or a total of 544 peo- gratitude for efforts made by the parish team to
they’re still being careful because of health issues.” ple, went back to church for Mass under level 2. communicate with parishioners during the earlier
He said that, in Blenheim, the congregation was St Joseph’s parish priest Msgr David Tonks phases of the pandemic,” he said.
an older age group, more so than Kaikoura, and said there was a total of 544 people who attended, Msgr Tonks said, in the North Shore deanery,
there were fewer people at three Mass services. A spread over six Masses. Their Sunday Mass count Devonport, Glenfield, Beach Haven, East Coast
5pm Saturday vigil service was held, with a 10am average as of November last year was 1411. Bays, Hibiscus Coast and Wellsford all provided
Sunday Mass and an extra 4pm Sunday service The church prepared its hall and the St Joseph Saturday and Sunday Masses.
also celebrated. Primary School hall in the event that more than “Most parishes put on extra Masses, trying to
Congregations were about half the size of usu- 100 people would show up at a given Mass. The avoid having people ‘shut out’ because of the 100
al services, and Picton’s Word and Communion plan was to livestream the Mass to the two halls limit. All parishes experienced relatively small
service was only about half the size of usual at- and bring the Eucharist to the parishioners in numbers at the Masses,” he said.
tendance too. these areas. “However, priests agreed that last Sunday (May
“We used the church hall only for 11am Mass. 31) was not necessarily an indication of how the
We didn’t use the school hall, although the lives- future might be: there were many people away for
tream relay there was set up,” Msgr Tonks said. Queen’s Birthday weekend. We know that a sig-
In terms of attendance, the 11 am Sunday Mass nificant number, especially of those older, have
had the highest at 133, while the 7pm Sunday decided to play safe, and not return to Mass until
Mass recorded the lowest at 44. we return to level 1, or move beyond the period
“So many parishioners expressed their joy in of restrictions,” he said.
Whanganui return with pre-bookings
by SUE SECONI spread the message and be clear what returning
to Mass would look like,” Fr Leslie said.
There was a sense of joy when parishioners of On entering the church main doors, a new role
the Catholic Parish of Whanganui — Te Parihi Ka- of parish co-ordinator ensured that Government
torika Ki were finally able to receive Communion. regulations were obeyed i.e. sanitising hands,
But with Government limitations in place for the complete contact tracing register, adhering to the
celebration of Mass, there was a sense of strange- 2-metre social distance when seated and receiving
ness as well. Communion and locking the church doors at the
Public Masses started in St Mary’s Church in Our Father. The sign of peace would be expressed
the town centre as soon as the new restrictions of with a nod or smile, Communion in the hand, and
level 2 came into effect, on Friday, May 29. The no holy water when making the sign of the cross.
suburban Churches of Holy Family in Gonville and Since the lockdown Frs Leslie and Brazil pro-
St Anne’s in Whanganui East were closed through- vided daily live streaming Masses in their lounge
out the Covid-19 crisis. house ‘bubble’ with thousands viewing. A final
In preparation, parish priest Fr Vaughan Les- farewell Mass from this site was celebrated on
lie, in regular emails to parishioners, asked them Thursday, May 28.
to pre-book which of the two Masses each day “Parishioners have become very comfortable
(9.30am and 5.30pm) they wished to attend that with Mass online. I was asked if streaming would
would become their “Sunday”. Nominating this continue, to which I was rather direct and said: no,
Mass preference would avoid the risk of being people need to get back to Mass,” Fr Leslie said.
turned away should numbers reach 100.
“People have spread themselves over the 14
Public gatherings with no more than 100 people pres-
Masses on offer, which means that no one would
ent were permitted in New Zealand from May 29. Some
be turned away from Mass.” Fr Leslie said.
parishes went ahead with weekday and Sunday Masses
The three local priests — Frs Leslie, Nathaniel
under the conditions stipulated. NZ Catholic’s staff and
Brazil and John Roberts — fronted a “returning to
correspondents describe on this page and the next how
Mass” safety video for the parish’s facebook page
it happened in various parishes throughout New Zealand.
to familiarise everyone in what to expect.
Sunday Mass obligations had been lifted.
“I’m pleased we did, because it gave us time to
NZ Catholic: June 14 - 27, 2020 Masses in Level 2 5
People return to churches in new Chch parishes
by MINA AMSO nion again,” Fr Head said. “My prayer is that this day marks
He said it was still a challenge the beginning of new life and grace
It was a doubly special Pentecost to connect with all his parishioners in each of our hearts, in our faith
Sunday for the newly-formed Christ- given the restrictions still in place, communities and in our diocese.
church South Parish. namely the 100-person limit at Please pray for the new parishes that
Parishioners finally returned public gatherings, and the fact that come into existence today and for all
to two of their four churches for a number of senior parishioners de- our parishes, that the Holy Spirit will
Mass after about two months of the cided to stay at home. inspire us, all the members, to work
churches being closed. It was also Extra Mass times were added to together for the mission to which we
officially the beginning of the new accommodate the limited number are called.”
parish. of people per service. Speaking of Christchurch South
“It was a wonderful celebration. “The focus [in conversations] was Parish, Fr Head told NZ Catholic that
To see the parishioners again after more on [the parishioners] and how “there’s no way” they could maintain
so long,” said parish priest Fr Peter they were and how things were for four community churches plus the
Head, SM. them. And they were interested in Carmelite monastery in the future.
The parish of Christchurch asking how we were. That’s under- “I am in total agreement with
South is made up of two previous standable after so long,” Fr Head Bishop Paul and his vision for the
parishes — Sancta Maria (Add- said. future.”
ington and Beckenham) and Our He said he couldn’t open all He said the signalled move from
Lady Queen of the Apostles (Hoon four churches at once due to the maintenance to mission is the way to
Hay and Halswell). The Carmel- management that was required for bring life and vitality to the Church,
ite Monastery is also in the new reopening. which typically sees more senior pa-
parish. “Having the churches commer- rishioners attend in the area.
Sacred Heart church in Adding- cially cleaned [was in order] to meet Bishop Paul Martin, SM Fr Head said work on the amal-
ton, Sts Peters and Paul church in all the requirements expected of gamation slowed down due to the
Halswell, and the Carmelite Mon- us with regards to setting up the mission to go out and spread the pandemic, and the focus now is to
astery chapel were opened to the churches for the health and safety Good News of Jesus Christ. The life reconnect with parishioners.
public on Pentecost Sunday. for all concerned.” of God dwells in us, giving us the “The consultation and discussion
Fr Head said parishioners who at- In a pastoral letter, which was strength and power to be his wit- has all gone on hold because of the
tended Mass expressed how grateful read out during Mass to all the par- nesses in our world.” situation we are living in . . . the key
they were to be able to return. ishes in Christchurch on Pentecost He noted the establishment of the aspect is our parishioners . . . with
“An expression of gratitude that Sunday, Bishop Paul Martin, SM, new parishes for the Christchurch regard to the building of the new
they could be back in the church reminded people of the significance and Selwyn areas. church and what is required, well
with the priest and together to cel- of the day. The 12 previous parishes have look, that will come into focus once
ebrate the Eucharist. Secondly, an “We have received this same Holy now amalgamated into five: North, a number of other things have been
opportunity to receive Holy Commu- Spirit. We have received this same South, East, West and Selwyn areas. addressed with the parishioners.”
Dunedin return like start of a school year
by JEFF DILLON warmly greeted people as they entered. of singing that could take place.
Worshippers were counted as they complet- There were no altar servers and just one
Pentecost Sunday witnessed the return to ed the initial tasks. The final task before going reader and one extraordinary minister of the
celebration of the 10am Mass in St Joseph’s Ca- through into the main body of the cathedral was Eucharist. When it came to Holy Communion,
thedral in Dunedin after many weeks of enforced to use the hand sanitiser dispenser attached to certain aisles were selected to come up in single
abstinence from receiving Holy Communion in the wall near the open door. Inside on a table file, and other aisles had to remain seated until
physical form. were baskets for the offering envelopes, as there it was their turn. Similar arrangements were ap-
It was a tentative return, being in the middle of was to be no collection baskets passed along the plied when it came to leaving at the end of Mass.
a long holiday weekend, and the need to conform pews before the Offertory. Once outside at the end of Mass, small gath-
to stringent new rules controlling the way the pa- In the main body of the cathedral, the pews erings of parishioners glad to be back chatted,
rishioners and visitors gathered and participated. were clearly identified with yellow dots placed but kept social distance.
So they arrived like pupils arriving for the first to indicate a suitable seating position, which
day back at the beginning of a school year, with allowed a metre spacing while every second row
nods and slightly awkward waves and smiles. of pews contained a notice to prevent anyone
Entry to the cathedral was restricted to a sitting there. Couples and family groups could
single door at the car park end. On one of the sit together. Auckand’s Catholic
large glass doors were several notices spelling
out requirements under the Covid-19 conditions.
There was no problem about having to turn
anyone away as the congregation had reached
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Massgoers observe social distancing during Commumion at St Joseph’s Cathedral in Dunedin.
NZ Catholicv2.indd 1 4/09/19 12:38 PM
6 Opinion NZ Catholic: June 14 - 27, 2020
A message for Catholic media – don’t let print die
M
arshall McLuhan, the Canadian philosopher people are less likely to multitask when reading and newspapers do not curate content for the
of media, was best known for the phrase hard copies and, if you are paying for an ad, you individual, so subscribers see a greater variety of
“The medium is the message.” That quote want people to pay attention. According to a 2018 opinions side-by-side than they likely would when
has been subject to numerous interpretations — study by the London-based media consultant firm skimming their social media feed.
and some have even been accurate. At the risk of Ebiquity, print advertising still has the highest What else is communicated through the “an-
oversimplifying, it means that the vehicle through return on investment. cient” medium of print? As early as the 1970s,
which a message is communicated is as important This is not hard to believe. How many times scientists measured brain waves to demonstrate
as the message itself. have you picked up your phone to do something, how we interact differently with various forms
McLuhan argued that “the medium” commu- only to be distracted by a text alert, forgetting of media, and discovered that we have a more
nicates something beyond the content but, like a momentarily why you picked up your phone in “active” response to print. “We shape our tools
fish in water, we are often unaware of what that is. the first place? Phones and digital tablets are great and thereafter our tools shape us,” John Culkin,
Take wedding invitations, for example. I have tools, but they certainly do not generate undivided S.J., wrote in a 1969 article about McLuhan in the
38 cousins, and it seems like at least one of them attention. In 2017, a study by the marketing firm Saturday Review.
gets married every year. They always send a paper MarketingProfs reported that 92 per cent of 18- to By choosing print, publishers communicate that
invitation, not a digital RSVP. They are communi- what they have to say is at least worth the cost of
cating — consciously or not — that this particular paper. They also signal that their message is worth
message is special. This is not an invitation to a
trivia night or happy hour or even a 5-year-old’s J.D. Long-Garcia taking up physical space, however small, on your
coffee table or on your nightstand.
birthday party. I do save copies of my favourite magazines.
And I react differently to the paper invitation. 23-year-olds found print easier to read than digital And I refer to them as “mine.” My print magazine
Maybe I will save it longer. It occupies space, content. Perhaps surprisingly, this age group was arrives at my home, whereas I visit a website to
however small, in my home. I stick it to my fridge also more likely to trust and respond to print ad- read something online. We use different words
with a magnet. When things arrive via the post vertising over other media forms. That may explain to describe these interactions because they name
office, I treat them differently than when I receive why the total number of magazine readers in the a different relationship. As a reader, I am more
something in my email inbox. I receive a news United States grew between 2012 and 2018. invested — financially, emotionally and psycho-
magazine’s digital newsletter every day, but when In terms of Catholic media, 24 per cent of US logically — in printed publications.
I get my print copy I stop, admire the cover, thumb Catholic households receive a diocesan print The trend toward digital is inevitable. The
through it and let my wife know it has arrived. publication, according to a 2018 compilation of Church needs to engage with audiences using
We all know this at some level. If I hand some- statistics from Faith Publishing, based on the 2017 digital platforms and to do so more often. But we
one a gift in a brown paper sack, I know I am saying Kenedy directory, or Official Catholic Directory, cannot throw away print. Choosing to produce only
something by the wrapping (or lack of it). and 2011 data from Georgetown’s Center for Ap- a digital product is choosing economics over evan-
Today, leaders of Catholic publications — news plied Research in the Apostolate. Catholic televi- gelisation. It is choosing who you are evangelising
outlets, diocesan periodicals and other tools of sion, reaching 7 per cent of Catholic households, with, even though faith is meant to be universal.
evangelisation — are asking themselves important is a distant second among forms of media. Catholic Being a Church that communicates effectively
questions about their print products. Can they radio reaches 5 per cent, diocesan websites reach 4 requires being aware of the strengths of each
continue to produce hard-copy newspapers and per cent, and diocesan accounts on Facebook and medium. This is the classic “both/and.” Being
magazines at the same frequency, if at all? Perhaps Twitter combined reach 5.5 per cent of Catholic committed to communicating via print and digital
more importantly, should they? households. platforms says the Church is committed to reach-
These are not easy questions. There are many ing people in whatever platform they prefer.
dimensions to consider beyond dollars and cents. n Communication Print will, without question, continue, even if
But advertising is nevertheless a good measure. These numbers indicate that targeted print it never regains dominance. Those who continue
“In the world of advertisement, you do not publications are still an effective means of com- publishing will stand out from the rest, and will
start by the creation of an ad, but by studying the munication. And a 2018 report from the printing be signalling that what they say is worth the extra
effect you wish to elicit,” McLuhan said in a 1972 company Freeport Press found that readers prefer expense. The Catholic Church in the United States
interview with L’Express. “You create the cause print magazines over digital versions. The study and throughout the world has a story to tell. And
after the effect has been defined.” also found that most magazine subscribers report it is a story that is worth telling in print.
Advertisers consider their audience, and what spending more than 30 minutes with each issue. J.D. Long-Garcia is a senior editor at America, a
they would like their audiences to do after they This is not surprising, considering the atten- Jesuit publication based in New York. This commentary
see their ad. Advertisers still like print because tion that print demands of us. Print magazines was posted on the magazine’s website on May 20. (CNS)
Ronald Rolheiser
Faithful friendship
I
grew up in a close family, and one of hardest through our lives, so that, at a point, the question At the end of the day, fidelity is not about how
things I ever did was to leave home and family necessarily arises: How does one remain faithful often you physically connect with someone, but
at the age of seventeen to enter the novitiate of to one’s family, to old friends, former neighbours, about living within a shared spirit. Betrayal is not
the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. That former classmates, former students, former col- a question of separation by distance, of forget-
novitiate year wasn’t easy. I missed my family in- leagues, and to old acquaintances? What does ting an anniversary or a birthday, or of not being
tensely, and stayed in touch with them insofar as fidelity to them ask for? Occasional visits? Occa- able to stay in touch with someone you cherish.
the rules and communication of the day allowed. sional emails, texts, calls? Remembering birthdays Betrayal is moving away from the truth and virtue
I wrote a letter home every week and my mother and anniversaries? Class reunions? Attending you once shared with that person you cherish.
wrote back to me faithfully each week. I still have weddings and funerals? Betrayal is a change of soul. We are unfaithful to
and cherish those letters. I had left home, but Obviously doing these would be good, though family and friends when we become a different
stayed in touch, a faithful family member. that would also constitute a full-time occupation. person morally, so as to no longer share a common
But my life became a lot more complex and so- Something else must be being asked of us here, spirit with them.
cially demanding after that. I moved to a seminary namely, a fidelity that’s not contingent on emails, You can be living in the same house with
and began to live in a community with 60 others, texts, calls, and occasional visits. But what can lie someone, share daily bread and conversation
with people entering and leaving constantly deeper than tangible human contact? What can be with him or her, and not be a faithful family
throughout my seven years there, so that, by the more real than that? The answer is fidelity, fidel- member or friend; just as you can be a faithful
time I’d finished my seminary training, I had lived ity as the gift of a shared moral soul, fidelity as friend or family member and not see that friend
in close community with more than 100 different the gift of trust, and fidelity as remaining true to or family member for 40 years. Being faithful in
men. That brought its own challenges. People who you were when you were in tangible human remembering birthdays is wonderful, but fidelity
you’d grown close to would leave the community community and contact with those people who is more about remembering who you were when
to be replaced by others, so that each year there are no longer part of your daily life. That’s what that birth was so special to you. Fidelity is about
was a new community and new friendships. it means to be faithful. maintaining moral affinity.
In the years following seminary, that pattern It is interesting how the Christian scriptures To the best of my abilities, I try to stay in
began to grow exponentially. Graduate studies define community and fidelity. In the Acts of the contact with the family, old friends, former neigh-
took me to other countries and brought a whole Apostles, we read that, before Pentecost, those in bours, former classmates, former students, former
series of new persons into my life, many of whom the first Christian community were all “huddled in colleagues, and old acquaintances. Mostly, it’s a
became close friends. In more than 40 years of one room”. And here, though physically together, bit beyond me. So I put my trust in moral fidelity.
teaching, I have met with several thousand stu- ironically they were not in real community with I try as best I can to commit myself to keeping the
dents and made many friends among them. Writ- each other, not really a family, and not really faith- same soul I had when I left home as a young boy,
ing and public lectures have brought thousands of ful to each other. Then, after receiving the Holy and which characterised and defined me when I
people into my life. Though most of them passed Spirit, they literally break out of that one room and met all those wonderful people along the way.
through my life without meaningful connection, scatter all over the earth, so that many of them Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser, theologian, teacher, and
some became lifelong friends. never see each other again and now, geographi- award-winning author, is president of the Oblate School
I share this not because I think it’s unique, but cally at a distance from each other, ironically they of Theology in San Antonio, TX. He can be contacted
rather because it’s typical. Today that’s really become real family, become a genuine community, through his website www.ronrolheiser.com Follow on
everyone’s story. More and more friends pass and live in fidelity to each other. Facebook www.facebook.com/ronrolheiser.
NZ Catholic: June 14 - 27, 2020 Opinion 7
To fight racism, The Habit
we must hunger
for justice
Guest Editorial
T
he protests across the nation make clear the
injustice of George Floyd’s killing, and its
roots in a long national history of racism, in-
cluding contemporary patterns of police brutality.
Catholics cannot be content to stand on the
sidelines of this struggle. In the face of racism,
Catholics must hunger for justice as we hunger for
the Eucharist. The Gospel calls us, as we prepare
for Communion, to “go first and be reconciled”
(Matthew 5:24) with our sisters and brothers.
. . . . [P]erhaps the Holy Spirit is moving, in these
days of Pentecost, to give us the strength to stay
the course and work for lasting change. Catholics
should be held to account six months from now
and a year from now — and for our part at America,
we ask to be — for what actions we have taken in
response.
Here are five ways to begin.
Repentance: The church in the United States has
been sadly complicit in the systemic injustices of
white racism. (As a Jesuit publication, we must ac-
knowledge our own part in this history: American
Jesuits and their institutions owned and sometimes
sold enslaved people until 1838.) White Catholics The Body and Blood my voice to the call for
have often ignored and marginalised the voices of
Catholics of colour calling for the Church to listen
Letters of this sacramental Jesus
Christ will achieve Chris-
action within the Church
to right the imbalance of
tian Unity (especially at power that male domina-
and respond to the needs of their communities.
Covid-19
the Lord. We lost our 2020 Pentecost). We hu- tion has inflicted over the
Catholic institutions have only just begun to daughter, but tens of thou- mans have been talking centuries.
acknowledge our part in the history of American sands of immune-chal- about the subject for 2000 The origins of our
racism, from slavery to Jim Crow, from housing lenged people were saved, years. Stop the “hui hui” Church lay in the free
segregation to police brutality. This work of mem- Covid-19 and the lock- and start the “doey doey”. “consent” given by Mary
down has continued to praise the Lord.
ory must continue, it must be public and it must As a Catholic group, “Do this in memory to bear and give birth to
cause inconvenience, es- of Me”. Jesus, God in human form.
not shrink from hard truths. In order to be the pecially perceived by re- our prayer should be for
body of Christ, the Church must share in both the patience and humility James Donald, She was there, as were
ligious and faith groups. Howick. Auckland. other women, named
suffering and the repentance of all its members. Much lobbying, social and gratitude for small
mercies. and unnamed, in the as-
Solidarity: Catholics do not need to invent media posting and gen- sembly of disciples right
John and Dianne
Broadcasting
new ways to fight racism. There is plenty of work eral grumbling has been throughout Jesus’ life.
taking place. Farrell,
already being done for racial justice. Yet many Pukekohe. Women were also there
Catholics seem too timid to listen and collaborate As a family which has in the early Church in a
with new movements, such as Black Lives Matter, experienced serious up- more emancipated way
heaval, caused by sick- With the repeat-
Eucharist
that are leading today’s charge for justice. Bishops, ed graphic showing of i.e. Priscilla, Phoebe, Junia
ness over the past 18 and others.
pastors and lay leaders ought to make overtures to months, culminating in George Floyd’s killing,
anti-racist activist groups present in their commu- television news broad- Gradually women have
grief, observations must been shut out and exclud-
nities. In addition to showing solidarity in the work be made. Yes, it was tough “Here we go again”, my casting in New Zealand
has reached an all-time ed from any form of co-op-
of organising, Catholics also can show economic not being able to visit a Christian pastor friend erative decision-making
solidarity by supporting black-owned businesses dying young mother of replied when I invited low.
While the news must as the Church has revert-
in their own communities, and through giving alms five in hospital. It was him to go to Eucharist. ed to the Old Testament
to organisations working for racial justice, and tough gathering in groups “No thanks, out of respect be told, there is no need
to show the graphic hor- hierarchical structures
ministries directly serving black Catholics. of 10 to pray, and sur- for the teaching of the of temples/churches and
round our daughter with Roman Catholic Church ror of such a brutal, ca-
Presence: A previous generation of clergy and sual, cold-blooded [act], priests with associated
expert nursing care. It was on Eucharist — it is only gender roles.
religious left us with iconic images of Catholics tough to think only eight for Catholics.” especially at times when
marching hand in hand with prominent civil rights children could be watch- Yet in Jesus’ short
of a family of 70 could During Covid-19, I public life, I can find no
leaders. Today, when images and videos of pro- farewell our daughter in read the life story of Car- ing.
tests are shared more quickly and widely than ever, If such displays of trace of such structures,
the local funeral parlour. dinal Nguyan Van Thuan. but simple spontaneous
collars and habits have been sparse. Catholics, We are a close family — it On page 132 it was stated: sadistic cruelty continue,
we will become inured to assemblies of people all
especially those whose presence and dress visibly was not easy, but we man- “The Eucharist sustains looking and listening to
symbolises the church, ought to attend protests in aged bedside prayer and a loving relationship be- the sufferings of others.
I would like to urge Jesus’ stories, parables,
order to demonstrate the Church’s commitment. Communion, and extreme tween God and human- lessons on living a more
unction the night before ity.” like-minded others to
Formation: To ensure deep, lasting change, make their views known God-centred life. Then,
Catholics will need to examine the ways we form death. While in a Vietnam as he left us, he gave us
On Friday, May 15, we prison, Buddists, others to the Broadcasting Au-
consciences, especially in the work of education. thorities. This can be a simple way of remem-
farewelled our daughter and non-Christians, ex- bering him by breaking
Those in charge of institutions of formation, from with a beautiful requiem perienced the influence done on-line or by writing
seminaries to grammar schools, should examine to Broadcasting Standards bread and sharing wine
Mass attended by 50 and of Eucharist — the sac- — a ceremony we can all
curricula to see how the history and present real- watched by thousands ramental Jesus Christ Authority, P.O. Box 9213,
Wellington, 600. co-operatively share in,
ity of racism are addressed. Students formed by on TV. God was good, we as “The Lord of pardon, with the knowledge we
Catholic education should recognise racism both were fortunate, and as a peace and love”. Patricia Brooks,
Tauranga. are following Christ as the
as an intrinsic evil and as a primary manifestation family became extremely I remember Father people we are — “in spirit
of social sin. The ability both to assess curricula grateful for small mer- Tom Keyes saying in
Women
and truth”, all baptised
and to educate students regarding these issues cies. 2004 — “The Eucharist is into the one body whether
During lockdown, I dynamic, vital and trans- we be “Jews or Greeks,
necessarily involves the presence of people of attended Mass daily, re- forming”.
colour in positions of responsibility and authority. slaves or free persons”. Je-
ceived Holy Communion How much more “hui What an illuminating sus didn’t get side-tracked
Prayer: Prayer is one of the most effective three times and firmly hui”, wishful thinking, article by Rowena Orejana
modes of public witness Catholics possess. Cath- into dealing with real es-
believe the Holy Spirit essays, books, sermons, (NZ Catholic, May 31) on tate rather than people.
olics are united for various causes by novenas, intervened and gave us a letters etc. do we have to Catholic theologian Dr Judy Wilton,
processions, rosary campaigns and holy hours. It is beautiful requiem Mass. endure before the “table Rocio Figueroa‘s take on Lower Hutt.
no accident that these spiritual means, depending We, as a nation, con- of the Lord is open to women within the Cath-
more on the grace of God than our own strength, quered Covid-19, praise more than just Catholics”. olic Church. May I add n Abridged — Editor
bind us together and announce the Gospel of mercy
and justice more effectively than proclamations
Except for our own edi- NZ Catholic welcomes readers’ letters, although receipt of a letter does not guar-
of moral principles can alone. Catholic groups,
torials, opinions expressed antee publication. No correspondence will be entered into concerning publication.
starting with the bishops and national organising
in NZ Catholic do not neces- Letters should be no longer than 220 words and should be topical, to the point, and
networks, and continuing down to the local parish,
should promote a campaign of prayer for healing sarily reflect the opinion of include the writer’s address and phone number. Ad hominem attacks are not welcome.
the newspaper or of its own- Emailed letters should be sent as part of the text message — not as an attachment — to
from the sins of racism.
er, the Bishop of Auckland, editor@nzcatholic.org.nz and include the writer’s physical address. Pseudonyms are not
— Excerpts from an unsigned editorial (June 1) on the
unless otherwise indicated. accepted, except by special arrangement.
website of America magazine (Jesuit). (CNS)
8 Opinion NZ Catholic: June 14 - 27, 2020
Pentecost and the fires in our cities
I
t is in a way providential that the Feast of Pen-
tecost arrives this year just as our country is
going through a convulsive social crisis. For
the Holy Spirit, whose coming we celebrate on
Pentecost, is a power meant to transform the
world, or in the language of Psalm 104, “to renew
the face of the earth”. Pentecost, accordingly, is
never simply for the Church; it is for the world by
means of the Church.
One of the principal biblical metaphors for
the Spirit is the wind, and indeed, on Pentecost
morning, the apostles heard what sounded like a
strong driving wind as the Spirit arrived. But the
wind, elusive and unpredictable, is never really
known in itself, but only through its effects. On
the scriptural reading, the first effect of the Holy
Spirit is the formation of an ekklesia (a church),
which in turn is designed to transform the wider
society into the Spirit’s image. In the words of the
Nicene Creed—accepted by Orthodox, Catholic,
and Protestant Christians—this ekklesia is “one,
Robert Barron
holy, catholic, and apostolic”. The wind of the Holy
Spirit produces these qualities, and therefore it is Minnesota Army National Guard chaplains take a knee with protesters during a peaceful demonstration near the Min-
by them that the Spirit’s action is discerned. So nesota State Capital on June 2. (CNS Photos)
let us analyse them one by one.
the life of the Church — sacraments, the Eucharist, of the divine love.
n Unity the liturgy, preaching, the witness of the saints,
The Acts of the Apostles gives us the great etc. — is meant to inculcate love. I will confess n Apostolic
icon for the unity of the Church in the picture of that I frequently shake my head ruefully when I And finally, the Church is apostolic. The word
the Apostles gathered in prayer in one place with come across Catholics on the Internet, who pro- “apostle” is derived from the Greek apostelein,
the Virgin Mary on Pentecost morning. The Holy fess passionate commitment to the sacraments, which means “to send”. The original twelve
Spirit is nothing other than the love that connects doctrines, and practices of the Church, and who apostles were empowered by the Holy Spirit and
the Father and the Son, which explains why one yet are obviously filled with hatred. I want to tell then sent into the world to evangelise. Though
of his great titles in the tradition is vinculum them, “You know, all of your devotions are fine, they received the Spirit while they were hunkered
amoris (chain of love). Thus, the Spirit draws all but in your case, they’re not working!” Did not down in the Upper Room, they were never meant
of the followers of Jesus together in unity. This Jesus himself say, “By this, everyone will know to stay hunkered down. From the beginning, there
is not an oppressive or imperialistic oneness, for that you are my disciples, if you have love for has been an expulsive, centrifugal energy to the
indeed there is a marvellous variety of personal- one another” (John 13:35)? Willing the good of the ekklesia, an instinct for the ends of the earth. The
ities, theological schools, and pastoral emphases other is the great flag of the Holy Spirit. original flame of the Holy Spirit was meant to be-
in the Christian community. But in essentials, come a conflagration, for Jesus said, “I have come
the community of Jesus is meant to be united, n Catholicity to light a fire on the earth” (Luke 12:49). One of
and in that unity to find its power to unify the In the third place, the Church is marked by the principal themes in the writing and sermon-
world. Origen of Alexandria said “ubi divisio ibi catholicity, a word derived from the Greek phrase ising of Pope Francis is precisely this missionary
peccatum” (where there is division, there is sin). kata holos (according to the whole). By its very na- nature of the Church. He wants believers in the
Consequently, the Church’s missionary task is to ture, the ekklesia of Jesus is universal in scope and Lord to leave their sacristies and get out onto the
overcome division, wherever it might be found. mission, for it is meant to bring the whole world streets, to stir things up, even to overturn what
The night before he died, Jesus prayed “that they to Christ. Jesus said, “Go and teach all nations, needs overturning.
might be one, as you, Father, and I are one” (John baptising them in the name of the Father, and of
17:22). In this prayer, he intended not just the the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19), n Racism
Church to become one, but the world by means and that when the Son of Man is “lifted up,” he All of which brings me back to the situation
of the Church. “will draw all people” to himself (John 3:14, 12:32). in which we find ourselves this Pentecost. The
To be sure, there is a terrible history regarding riots and unrest which are convulsing our country
n Holy attempts to achieve this unity through violence were prompted by the killing of George Floyd, to
Secondly, the Church is meant to be holy, and and imposition, but that is simply the story of be sure, but their deeper cause is the racism —
it achieves this quality precisely in the measure how nominal Christians refused to cooperate with systemic and personal — that has bedeviled our
that it is filled with the Holy Spirit. And since the the Holy Spirit. What is most important to see in society for over 400 years. Though undoubted
Holy Spirit, as we saw, is none other than the love this regard is that the Church’s task is to be light, progress has been made in the course of these
that connects the Father and the Son, holiness salt, and leaven for the whole society (kata holos), four centuries, there is still irrational hatred in
consists in love, which is not an emotion, but the never suppressing the plurality of cultures, but at the hearts of far too many in our country. And
act of willing the good of the other. Everything in the same time, bringing them under the influence for all the years that racial tension and violence
have endured — from slavery and segregation to
the racism, both overt and indirect, that obtains
today — the overwhelming majority of people in
our land have been Christians — which is to say,
people baptised into the divine life, filled, at least
in principle, with the Holy Spirit. In the measure
that the scourge of race hatred remains, therefore,
we know that the ekklesia of Jesus has not been
fulfilling its mission, has not been living up to
its identity. If Christians have been the dominant
presence in our country for all of these centuries,
why isn’t there more unity? Why isn’t there more
love? Why is it painfully obvious that so few of us
have really gone on mission?
May I offer a challenge to all the members of
the ekklesia today, Protestant, Catholic, and Ortho-
dox? Celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit this
Pentecost, but then get out of the Upper Room!
Light the fire of love in the streets, in the halls
of government, in the world of communication,
in business and industry, in schools, and in the
hearts of your friends and neighbours. The stub-
born survival of the awful cancer of racism in the
body politic proves — and I say it to our shame
— that we have not been the ekklesia that the Holy
Spirit wants us to be.
Bishop Robert Barron is an auxiliary bishop of Los
Angeles. This article was first published at www.wordon-
A demonstrator wearing a protective mask takes part in a protest in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on June 3. fire.org. It is republished here with permission.
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