The Story of Anzac Day: (attached) - Anzac Day - 25th April 2020

Anzac Day – 25th April 2020
                       The Story of Anzac Day: (attached)

                    They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary
                    them, nor the years condemn.

                    At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember
                    them.

The Ode comes from ‘For the Fallen’, a poem by the English poet and writer Laurence Binon and was
published in London in The Winnowing Fan: Poems of the Great War in 1914. This verse, which became the
Ode for the Returned and Services League, has been used in association with commemoration services in
this country since 1921.

                       'Homecoming – Te Hokinga Mai' by Vincent O’Sullivan. Click here
                       A poem written for the unveiling of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at
                       Pukeahu, the National War Memorial in Wellington.

                       Click here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFxr6PCrohg

             Fr James Lyons – Anzac Day – Lest we forget (attached)

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Fr John O’Connor – Anzac Day – Walking on water
- https://foodforfaith.org.nz/2020/04/walking-on-water-3/

        God Defend New Zealand -
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFxr6PCrohg

         Tui Motu – Anzac Day - https://hail.to/tui-motu-interislands-
         magazine/article/am8F8hj

        Anzac Day Services televised go to
        https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/tv-
        guide/67956380/a-guide-to-anzac-day-tv-coverage

        Cardinal John (Wellington) -
        https://www.youtube.com/c/MCSHWellington
        Bishop Paul Martin (Christchurch)- https://youtu.be/WT_ULHs7J_E

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The Anzac Story

Today is Anzac Day, a day when we remember the anniversary of the landings of New Zealand and
Australian soldiers, or Anzacs, as we now call them, on some beaches far away from our shores. The place
where the Anzacs landed is called Gallipoli, a part of a country called turkey. Today we honour the memory
of those brave Anzacs.

Well, what happened? Very early in the morning, when it was still dark, thirty-six large rowing boats,
loaded with New Zealand and Australian soldiers and towed by naval boats, left the protection of the larger
British ships and set off for the beaches of Gallipoli. They were about to invade turkey.

An hour and a half later, the first boats crunched against the rock and sand of a place now called Anzac
cove. The soldiers scrambled ashore and started to climb up the steep slopes. As enemy machinegun fire
came down on them, many were killed or wounded in those first few hours ashore. In the dark, many of the
boats had drifted off course and had landed quite a long way away from where they should have been. They
had, in fact, landed where the Turkish forces were the strongest and where the machine-gun and artillery fire
were thickest.

By two o’clock that afternoon, some 12,000 men had landed. Later that day, some Anzacs did reach the
heights overlooking the beaches, however they were soon forced to turn back, never to return. Within a
month, over half of those who had landed at Gallipoli were either dead or wounded.

For seven long months, the Anzacs hung on to their positions on the cliffs and slopes of Anzac cove. The
new Zealanders and Australians could not go forward but neither could the stubborn turks force them back
into the sea. In those months a spirit developed amongst the soldiers - a spirit which relied on each soldier
helping his mates.

By the end of that year, 1915, some 32,000 Australians and new Zealanders had been killed or wounded at
Gallipoli. The battle had been a military failure, the Anzacs had lost, and they were forced to withdraw and
leave turkey.

The battle was over, but in those months when so many kiwis and aussies had died under terrible conditions
of heat and cold, of sickness, of suffering, of lack of sleep, and food and shelter, in these months the legend
of Anzac was born.

Well, why do we now remember this occasion? The Anzac story shows us how important it was and still is
to do our very best for our country and to fight for what we believe is right. The story tells us that we must
always be loyal to our country, and to our friends, no matter what the cost and to do everything as well as
we possibly can. The example of the men of Anzac and later generations of New Zealand service men and
women should inspire us today. Those men and women believed in mateship, of helping a mate or a friend,
they were determined and courageous people. They were true kiwis.

Anzac Day is not about talking of war and fighting as something fantastic. It is a reminder that war is
horrible and while we should be proud of what the Anzacs and other New Zealand soldiers have done, we
should always remember that there are never any winners in wars.

We are proud of the Anzacs because they have gone to war to fight to make New Zealand what it is today.
We thank them for what they have done for us - they have kept New Zealand a free and wonderful country
in which to live.
                                    ANZAC – LEST WE FORGET

SETTING: with the Cross, candle(s), place photos, medals, poppy or any memorabilia you may have of
RSA family/friends.

Stand for one minute silence, then pray:

O God, you loved the world so much
that you gave your only Son. In a
similar way, our love has led us to sacrifice
much that is dear to us to safeguard our nations
and ways of life. May we always honour these sacrifices,
never forgetting the lives given that peace might come.
You know, with us, the pain of loss.
Strengthen us, lest we forget the cost of that pain.
Amen.

SCRIPTURE – LUKE 23:33-38 [NRSV; Jerusalem Bible]

The setting for the crucifixion of Jesus was a mixture of jealousy, fear and politics. The popularity of Jesus
among “ordinary people”, his open questioning of traditions, and condemnation of hypocrisy, threatened the
authority of the civil and religious leaders, already under pressure from the Roman Empire’s occupying
force. Yet Jesus died with forgiveness on his lips, flowing from a heart that held no bitterness and sought no
revenge.

Read this passage from Luke and picture yourself in the scene.

Be aware of any injustice you have suffered and your reaction.
Think of the wars that have involved your country and today’s threats to peace. How might you have been
affected by any of this?
Where does forgiveness sit in your life?

SCRIPTURE – COLOSSIANS 3: 2-9; 12-15 [NRSV; Jersalem Bible]

Paul writes of a war within ourselves. Put to death whatever in you is earthly [vs 5]. He emphasises the
unity that should identify humankind. We are one people on one world – something Pope Francis is
repeatedly stressing.

Our clothing, Paul tells us, is to be made up of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience –
 with an overcoat of love [vs 12-14]. This is hardly the uniform of those who wage war.
Think about your experience of being in LOCKDOWN and how the nation has been “fighting” Covid-19.
This passage of St Paul describes the “war-chest” being promoted over these weeks: Be kind, look out for
each other, have patience…

How might you continue to do and be all these things when the present crisis has passed? Do you accept
any personal responsibility for what might happen next? Consider these words of Pope Francis:

Today, the analysis of environmental problems cannot be separated from the analysis of the human family,
work-related and urban contexts, nor how individuals relate to themselves, which leads in turn to how they
relate to others and to the environment. There is an interrelation between ecosystems and between the
various spheres of social interaction, demonstrating yet again that ‘the whole is greater than the
part’. [Laudato Si – the care of our common home, 2015, n.141]
Blessed are the peacemakers [Matthew 5:9]

Jesus wants us to realise the big difference between keeping and making peace. I keep the peace by
standing between warring factions, holding my tongue to avoid confrontation, or just getting out of the way.
Such stances rarely help the situation and do not bring any resolution. To make or create peace, requires
huge energy and commitment and great personal sacrifice. Often the first step is to make peace with
myself. What is my stance?

Priest and writer, Richard Rohr: God can set us right only by breaking us down. As long as we remain in a
self-assured, righteous, left-brain position, there is no way we can be bridge builders or reconcilers. [Job and
the Mystery of Suffering]

A sign at the entrance to a dementia facility:
DO NOT FORGET THOSE WHO CANNOT REMEMBER
A sobering cry on behalf of the increasing number of people suffering memory loss. This cruel illness strips
away much of what gives identity and meaning to a person: the ability to store and recall memories, the
experiences of yesterday.

While this prayer time invites reflection on the horror of war, thanksgiving for those who gave their lives for
the future of others, and resolve not to forget their sacrifice, it is also an opportunity to pray and on behalf of
those who must live without memory. Their loss is our loss too.

Further prayers:
For those who have given their lives in defence of their country, their faith, their family, their principles.
May the joy and freedom they longed for and died for, be your eternal gift to them. We pray to the Lord…

For those whose loved ones did not return from war. May they know the peace and gentleness of your love
through the supportive embrace of friends and community. We pray to the Lord…

For those forced from their homes and country by the politics of terror. May they find welcome and healing
in a new place they can call home. We pray to the Lord…

For the casualties in the war against Covid-19, for those who mourn, for the medical teams and for all who
serve and work for the good of others. Bless, guide, and protect us all. We pray to the Lord…

For national and community leaders, on whose decisions so many lives depend; for scientists searching for
an antidote to the virus – sustain them with courage, compassion and good judgement. We pray…

Our Father…

From the Anzac Day Mass:
Grant us, O Lord, we pray,
fortitude in the cause of right,
and may our remembrance of those who died in war
make us ardent defenders of your peace. Amen.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. From the rising of the sun to its going down, we shall
remember them.