KUA KARANGAHIA E TE WHAKAPONO KIA MAHI I RUNGA I … Booklet - ENGLISH_2.pdf · feel free to read...

CARITAS LENTEN REFLECTION PROGRAMME 2012

Called by faithto act with generous hearts

KUA KARANGAHIA E TE WHAKAPONO KIA MAHI I RUNGA I TE NGĀKAU ATAWHAI

PO Box 12193 Wellington 6144, New Zealand www.caritas.org.nz

English version: Lisa BeechTongan version: Langi PaasiSamoan version: Sa’alea MalaeuluTokelauan version: Eneliko Tovio

Pasifika programmes coordinator: David NonuAdditional advice and input: Catherine Gibbs, Tara D’SousaIllustrations: Peter LendvaiDesign: Rose MillerEditing and proofreading: Martin de Jong, Bronwen Pugh

Many thanks to the following organisations and people who supported the inclusion of the stories of Our Tūpuna in the programme:• Sr Margaret Anne Mills, Sisters of Compassion• Areti Metuamate and Danny Karatea-Goddard, Te Rūnanga o Te Hāhi Katorika• Pā Piripi Cody, Society of Mary• Lucia Jacobs and members of the whānau of Whina Cooper• Sr Colleen Woodcock and Sr Colleen Keeble, Sisters of St Joseph• Fr Michael Gormly, Columban Fathers

The Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand Lenten reflection programme is available in English, Samoan, Tongan and Tokelauan language versions.

Note on Bible translations: Gospel passages are taken from the NRSV (New Revised Standard Version) of the Bible, one of the translations formally approved for use in the liturgy. Please feel free to read the Gospels from the Bible in another translation.

This programme is a contribution to the New Zealand Diversity Action Programme

L e n t e nRe f l e c t i o n P rog ra m m e 2012

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KUA KARANGAHIA E TE WHAKAPONO KIA MAHI I RUNGA I TE NGĀKAU ATAWHAI

CALLED BY FAITH TO ACT WITH GENEROUS HEARTS

Caritas Lenten Reflection Programme 2012

As people of God, we are called to share the love that God has given us with our neighbours. As we hear this call, we already hold in our hearts examples of people who have gone before us, walking the same path of faith. Traditionally Lent is a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. During Lent we have the opportunity to turn back to God, to re-examine our faith and our deepest values, and to consider what we want to change in our lives.

Through scripture we learn of the ways our ancient spiritual forebears came to understand and experience God. The Lenten Gospels, which we hear in a three-year cycle, take us back again and again to some of the central teachings of Jesus Christ. Each time we return to these Gospels we have an opportunity to deepen our understanding of Christ’s words through reflection and discussion with others.

We also carry with us the stories of the communion of saints – people who have gone before us who left examples of responding to God’s call. Some are formally recognised as Saints of the Church. We also remember many others who may be special to the history of our faith community. Perhaps we remember our parents who were our first teachers in faith; or perhaps a person in religious life; or a teacher or friend who helped us to see God in a new way. Or it may have been others in our wider community who inspired us to act justly.

The Caritas Lenten reflection programme this year includes stories of some people from the history of the Catholic Church in Aotearoa New Zealand who have shown us what it means to act with generous hearts. They are among our tūpuna – our ancestors, or the spiritual forebears of our community. Some may have been known to us personally, and this is a chance to share with others what we remember or have heard of them. You are also invited to share memories and stories of people who have helped us understand how to share God’s love with others.

We also share some stories from the work of Caritas – examples which inspire us from work for peace and justice through international aid and development, and advocacy and education in Aotearoa New Zealand. This work has been supported through the generous hearts of New Zealand donors. During your discussion and reflection, please add to these stories from your own experience.

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FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT: He was in the wilderness for forty days

W E L C O M E A N D O P E N I N G P R AY E R

Leader: E Hēhu Karaiti – Christ, during this season of Lent we recall your time of fasting and temptation in the wilderness. Bring hope to all people who experience this wilderness.

PSALM 25

Read antiphonally – half the group reads the first verse and the other half responds with the next verse.

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation. Be mindful of your mercy, Lord, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.According to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.He leads the humble in what is right and teaches the humble his way.

Leader: We ask God’s blessing on our time together today, as we learn from scripture, the example of Suzanne Aubert and all those we remember.

G RO U P S H A R I N G

Leader: What are your hopes as we begin this Lenten journey? Allow plenty of time for sharing.Invite different group members to read the following passage aloud, from a Bible or from this booklet.

A READING FROM THE GOSPEL OF MARK, CHAPTER 1, 12-15

The Spirit drove Jesus out into the wilderness and he remained there for forty days, and was tempted by Satan. He was with the wild beasts, and the angels looked after him.

After Jesus was baptised, the Spirit drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

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Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’

After the reading, pause for silent reflection. Then invite people to share a word or phrase that stood out for them.Invite another group member to read the Gospel passage aloud again. Pause for reflection.

G RO U P S H A R I N G A N D R E F L E C T I O N

Leader: What stood out for you this time? Why did that word or phrase seem important to you? How does it relate to your own experience?If the group is large, invite people to share in twos or threes for about 10 minutes, and then invite brief sharing in the full group.

Leader: What insights can we take with us from this Gospel reading as we enter Lent? Encourage further sharing.Allow good time for further sharing. If there is time, listen to the Gospel again.

A R E F L E C T I O N F RO M T H E WO R K O F C A R I TA S

Responding to those who are suffering

Christ’s time apart in the wilderness was a time of temptation, in which he was looked after by angels. Many people who have suffered loss of loved ones, homes, jobs and security in Christchurch have known this wilderness experience, have accepted the support of others such as provision of warm clothing, or grief counselling for children. Hope for the future is found after the time in the wilderness in Christ’s proclamation of the good news.

Photo: Earthquake Liaison and Support Advisor Karen Payne facilitating the Stormbirds emotional support programme with children at Sacred Heart School in Christchurch.

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T H O S E W H O H AV E G O N E B E F O R E U S – O U R T Ū P U N A

Suzanne Aubert founded the Sisters of Compassion at Jerusalem, on the Whanganui River. She provides an example for Catholics and the wider community of New Zealand of a woman who compassionately responded to all she met. At a time when assimilation of Māori into European society was regarded as the norm, her passionate advocacy for Māori to remain Māori, and her adoption of Māori reo and tikanga (language and culture) provide an inspirational model for the Church of Aotearoa New Zealand today. Through friendship and practical support, such as through Wellington’s Compassion Centre and soup kitchen, the Sisters of Compassion continue the work she began of responding to those who are suffering.

Suzanne Aubert: We must not pay attention to any poor man or woman because of their exterior … reverse the medal and you will see by the light of faith that the Son of God, Who has willed to be poor, is represented by that poor creature.


Leader: Who are people who have gone before us who inspire us to respond to people in need? Who are our tūpuna – who are our ancestors, or the spiritual forebears of the community we share – who acted as angels to those in the wilderness? Are there ways we could acknowledge our memories of our tūpuna, or share their example with others in our parish or wider community? What are some of the sayings or whakataukī that we learned from them?

P R AY E R

Pray individually and together, in response to the reading and reflection. For example:

Leader: We pray for everyone who is living with difficult circumstances every day.Response: Be mindful of your mercy, Lord, and of your steadfast love.Leader: Bless those who are angels to people feeling troubled.Response: According to your steadfast love remember us.Leader: Help us to respond to those who are suffering.Response: He leads the humble in what is right and teaches the humble his way.

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SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT: He was transfigured before them


Leader: Heavenly Father – e tō mātou Matua i te Rangi – we are witnesses as you are revealed to us every day. Help us to overcome our fear to be fully present in the solidarity and love extended to the most vulnerable members of our human family.

PSALM 118


I kept my faith, even when I said, ‘I am greatly afflicted.’Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones. O Lord, I am your servant. You have loosed my bonds.I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice and call on the name of the Lord.I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people,In the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem.

Leader: We ask God’s blessing on our time together today, as we learn from scripture, the example of Pīhopa Takuira Māriu and all those we remember.


Leader: How has this week been? Did last week’s sharing help you come to any new thought or action? Did any insights from last week’s session stay with you?

Invite different group members to read the following passage aloud, from a Bible or from this booklet.

A READING FROM THE GOSPEL OF MARK, CHAPTER 9, VERSES 2-10

Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus: ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ Peter did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there

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came a voice, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him.’ Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more but only Jesus.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean.

Pause for silent reflection. Then invite people to share a word or phrase that stood out for them.Invite another group member to read the Gospel passage aloud again. Pause for reflection.

G RO U P S H A R I N G A N D D I S C U S S I O N

Leader: What stood out for you this time? Why did that word or phrase seem important to you? How does it relate to your own experience?

Allow plenty of time for sharing.Finally, if there is time, listen to the Gospel message again.


Solidarity with and support for children orphaned by HIV and AIDS

Christ’s friends were witnesses as he was revealed before them in the company of their spiritual ancestors. Peter was afraid, but all that was asked of him was his presence. The reality of the HIV and AIDS crisis is revealed in a Kenyan parish’s response to the numbers of grandparents raising orphaned grandchildren. With the support of Caritas, Chiga parish stands in solidarity through support for these families.

Photo: Sr Mary Millicent, Project Coordinator, shares lunch at Mayenya Model Primary School with students whose families participate in the Chiga Livelihoods Support Project.

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Pīhopa Takuira Māriu of Ngāti Tūwharetoa was New Zealand’s first Catholic Māori Bishop. As auxiliary Bishop of Hamilton Diocese he was also a leader for all Catholic Māori throughout the country, and a spiritual leader to many New Zealanders. Despite a life-long heart condition, as a Marist priest and religious of the Society of Mary he became a Bishop while still in his 30s and his early death in 2006 was mourned by all who knew him. His legacy included work on the Māori pastoral plan and encouragement of Māori as full participants in the Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Pīhopa Takuira Māriu: Let us row this waka together. Kia kaha te hoe o te waka kia tika te haere i roto i ngā tūpuhi ngā teitei me ngā hau kaha.


Leader: Who are people who have gone before us who showed leadership when solidarity and support were required? Who are our tūpuna – our ancestors or spiritual forebears of the community we share – who have taught us their understanding of Christ revealed? Are there ways we could acknowledge our memories of our tūpuna, or share their example with others in our parish or wider community? What are some of the sayings or whakataukī that we learned from them?

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P R AY E R


Leader: Open our eyes to see Christ in our world today.Response: O Lord, we are your servants.Leader: Help us to stand in solidarity with people in need.Response: I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice and call on the name of the

Lord.Leader: May memories of our tūpuna or ancestors strengthen us in our work

for justice.Response: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones.

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THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT: He poured out the coins of the money changers


Leader: Holy Spirit – e te Wairua Tapu – you inspire us to challenge injustice wherever we see it in financial dealings and in the treatment of our poorest brothers and sisters. Strengthen us to work for justice and fairness in the marketplace.

PSALM 19


The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;The decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;The commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever;The ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;Sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.

Leader: We ask God’s blessing on our time together today, as we learn from scripture, the example of Fr John Curnow and all those we remember.


Leader: What has happened for you this week? Have you been able to share any insights from last week’s discussion with a friend, neighbour or workmate?

Allow plenty of time for sharing.Invite different group members to read the following passage aloud, from a Bible or from this booklet.

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A READING FROM THE GOSPEL OF JOHN, CHAPTER 2, VERSES 13-25

The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the Temple he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, ‘Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!’ His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’

The people then said to him, ‘What sign can you show us for doing this?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’ They then said, ‘This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days? But Jesus was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

When he was in Jerusalem during the Passover festival, many believed in his name because they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to testify about anyone; for he himself knew what was in everyone.

Pause for silent reflection. Then invite people to share a word or phrase that stood out for them.Invite another group member to read the Gospel passage aloud again. Pause for reflection.


Leader: What stood out for you this time? Why did that word or phrase seem important to you? How does it relate to your own experience?

Allow plenty of time for sharing.

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Christians in the marketplace

Christ was angry and did not hesitate to act at the behaviour of the money changers in the temple. Catholic social teaching on economic justice also teaches us about being Christians in the marketplace. The economic justice programme of Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand’s partner in Fiji, the Ecumenical Centre for Research, Education and Advocacy (ECREA), works to address poverty in the informal settlements of Suva, while also advocating for fair and just public and economic policies.

Photo: ECREA is increasing women’s opportunities to earn income. Caritas provides ongoing support to help establish new means of income, including the sale of food and agricultural products.


Fr John Curnow of the Diocese of Christchurch was the first Executive Director of the Catholic Commission for Evangelisation, Justice and Development, which is a forebear to the current Caritas organisation. He was a passionate advocate for Catholics to respond to our Gospel call to act for justice and peace, and inspired and cajoled many in the Church to move from responding to

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symptoms of poverty to facing the causes of injustice. He took very seriously the message of the 1971 World Synod of Bishops that ‘Action on behalf of justice is a constitutive dimension of preaching the Gospel’. He saw it as necessary to take prophetic positions on issues of social justice, that is to say, positions that were not necessarily popular with everyone, but which followed the Biblical tradition of calling for protection for the most vulnerable members of society. His legacy lives on in the work of Caritas and Diocesan justice and peace organisations, and others committed to working for a fair world for all.

Fr John Curnow: No agency that wishes to be involved in building a more just world can refuse to make links in its own country and share the struggles of its own poor.


Leader: Who are people who have gone before us who have shown willingness to speak out on issues of poverty? Who are our tūpuna – who are our ancestors, or the spiritual forebears of the community we share – who have been moved to anger by injustice? Are there ways we could acknowledge our memories of our tūpuna, or share their example with others in our parish or wider community? What are some of the sayings or whakataukī that we learned from them?

P R AY E R

Pray individually and together in respond to the reading and reflection. For example:

Leader: Stir our hearts to anger at injustice.Response: The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.Leader: Bless everyone who works to bring justice to the poor.Response: The decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple.Leader: Help us to recognise the places and people that are precious to God.Response: The commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes.

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FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT: Light has come into the world


Leader: Lamb of God – e te Reme a te Atua – you show us the way to bring light to situations of darkness. May those who work with love in the land of your birth bring peace to our troubled world.

PSALM 137


By the rivers of Babylon – there we sat down and there we wept when we remembered Zion. On the willows there we hung up our harps.For there our captors asked us for songs and our tormentors asked for mirth, saying,‘Sing to us one of the songs of Zion!’ How could we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand wither!Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you,If I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy.

Leader: We ask God’s blessing on our time together today, as we learn from scripture the example of Dame Whina Cooper and all those we remember.


Leader: What have you learned this week?



Jesus said to Nicodemus: ‘Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

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‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

‘And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come into the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.’

Pause for reflection. Then invite people to share a word or phrase that struck them.Listen to the Gospel passage aloud again. Pause for reflection.

S H A R I N G A N D R E F L E C T I O N

Leader: What stood out for you this time? Why did that word or phrase stand out for you?

Allow as much time as possible for sharing. If you wish, listen to the Gospel passage again.


Revealing the truth of oppressive situations

Christ teaches that those who practise evil prefer the darkness, while those who are true come into the light. Oppressive situations continue in the land of Christ’s birth and death, where he taught and preached, healed and shared the lives of the poor. Our partner in the Holy Land, Caritas Jerusalem, helps bring light to situations of darkness.

Photo: Community nurse Rasha Khalal is one of three nurses who make up to 80 home visits per month to patients unable to come to the Aboud medical centre on the West Bank. Ph

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Dame Whina Cooper of Te Rarawa was a leader of the Catholic community of Panguru. Her memory is held in the hearts of the people of Aotearoa New Zealand for her leadership of the 1975 Land March, which called on the government to address the alienation of Māori from their lands. One of the outcomes of the march was the setting up of the Waitangi Tribunal, which was later extended to consider both historic and present breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi. She showed peaceful, determined leadership in her leadership of the Land March and of the Māori Women’s Welfare League. Her legacy lives on in the work for reconciliation over historic land injustices and in Catholic recognition of the Treaty of Waitangi as a covenental agreement between Māori and all other New Zealanders.

Whina Cooper (aged 88): I will die fighting for my people!


Leader: Who are people who have gone before us who have led the way when those in power seemed deaf to situations of injustice? Who are our tūpuna – who are our ancestors, or the spiritual forebears of the community we share – who have fought with love for their people? Are there ways we could acknowledge our memories of our tūpuna, or share their example with others in our parish or wider community? What are some of the sayings or whakataukī that we learned from them?

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P R AY E R


Leader: Help all people who have lost their ancestral lands.Response: We sat down and there we wept when we remembered Zion.Leader: Bring your light to situations of darkness.Response: If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand wither!Leader: Help us to grow in wisdom and courage.Response: How could we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?

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FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT: Whoever serves me must follow me


Leader: Lord God – e te Ariki – you call us to follow you in a life of service to others. Inspire young people to take up your challenge to live and act in ways that will bear the fruit of compassion and justice.

PSALM 51


Have mercy on me, God, according to your steadfast love; According to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me.Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.

Leader: We ask God’s blessing on our time together today, as we learn from scripture, the example of St Mary of the Cross and all those we remember.


Leader: What difference have these reflections made for you during Lent? What are you hoping for this week?


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Among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus’. Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.

Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.

‘Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say – “Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name!’

Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’

The crowd standing there heard it and said it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’ Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.

Pause for reflection. Then invite people to share a word or phrase that struck them.Listen to the Gospel passage again. Pause for reflection.


Leader: What stood out for you this time? Why did that word or phrase stand out for you?

Allow plenty of time for sharing.Allow as much time as possible for sharing. If you wish, listen to the Gospel passage again.

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Preparing for a life of service to others

Christ showed us the redeeming power of sacrifice, and calls us to serve as his followers. Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand education staff are teachers who work with school leaders, teaching staff and students to help them prepare for a life of service and commitment to others. Justice and compassion are brought into the classroom through live encounters and stories for change from our partners. The goal is to lead students to become more aware of injustice, more concerned and compassionate towards those who suffer injustice, and more committed to working for justice.

Photo: Year 13 students from St Peter’s College, Gore, share ways to fundraise after learning about social justice on a Caritas Justice Leadership Day.


In 1866, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, along with Julian Tenison Woods, founded the Sisters of St Joseph in response to a need to provide education for all children. Her schools, both in Australia and New Zealand, were established to enable those disadvantaged by isolation, poverty or neglect to have the same opportunities as others, a ‘fair go’ in life. Many women joined the congregation so that her work could grow and spread. Mary’s life story included many difficult times of challenge, including opposition from

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some church authorities. She faced these challenges with dignity, and respect and an unwavering trust in God’s providence. Her life of service and holiness was universally acknowledged when she was canonised a saint on October 17th 2010. For further information visit the Mary MacKillop website: www.marymackillop.org.au.

St Mary of the Cross: Never see a need without doing something about it.


Leader: Who are people who have gone before us who pioneered new ways to meet a need and to respond to the poor? Who are our tūpuna – who are our ancestors, or the spiritual forebears of the community we share – who have inspired others to a life of service? Are there ways we could acknowledge our memories of our tūpuna, or share their example with others in our parish or wider community? What are some of the sayings or whakataukī that we learned from them?

P R AY E R


Leader: Bless all who hear the call to serve you and to serve others.Response: Restore to us the joy of your salvation, and sustain in us a willing spirit.Leader: May we always grow in our energy of concern for others.Response: Create in us clean hearts, O God.Leader: Teach us to know how to serve you better.Response: Wash us thoroughly from our iniquities, and cleanse us from our sin.

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PALM SUNDAY: The Passion of Jesus Christ


Leader: Almighty God – e te Matua kaha rawa – you call us in faith to act with generous hearts, to work for justice and peace in our world, and to share what we have with others. Through the example of your Son and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, grant us the strength and love to contribute to the common good of all.

PSALM 22


My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?All who see me mock at me; they make mouths at me, they shake their heads; ‘Commit your cause to the Lord; let him deliver; let him rescue the one in whom he delights!’For dogs are all around me; a company of evildoers encircles me. My hands and feet have shrivelled; I can count all my bones.They divide my clothing among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.But you, O Lord, do not be far away! My help, come quickly to my aid!I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, praise him!Stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel.

Leader: We ask God’s blessing on our time together today, as we learn from scripture, the example of Fr Francis Douglas and all those we remember.

The full account of the Passion of Christ, which is read on Palm Sunday, can be found in Mark 14:1 – 15:47. You could invite different group members to read the following passage aloud, from a Bible or from this booklet.

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THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO MARK, CHAPTER 15, VERSES 16-24 (EXCERPT FROM THE FULL PASSION GOSPEL)

The soldiers led Jesus into the courtyard of the palace (that is the governor’s headquarters); and they called together the whole cohort. And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. And they began saluting him, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him and knelt down in homage to him. After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross. It was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take.

Pause for silent reflection. Share a word or phrase that struck you – without comment or explanation at this point. Listen to the Gospel passage, or part of it, again if you have time. Pause for reflection.


Leader: What stood out for you this time? Why?

Allow plenty of time for sharing.


Called by faith to act with generous hearts

Representatives from Caritas agencies based in 168 countries met in Rome in 2011 for the Caritas Internationalis general assembly. In his final blessing to the delegates, Pope Benedict said: ‘All Catholics, and indeed all men and women, are called to act with … generous hearts … Caritas Internationalis, then, is

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called to work in converting people’s hearts in openness towards all our brothers and sisters, so that everyone, in full respect for his or her freedom and in the full acceptance of his or her personal responsibilities, may always and everywhere act for the common good, generously giving the best of himself or herself in the service of his or her brothers and sisters, particularly those in greatest need.’


Fr Francis Douglas was originally from Johnsonville in Wellington, and served as a priest in New Plymouth. He joined the Columban Fathers because of his commitment to overseas mission, and went from the Church of Aotearoa New Zealand as a missionary to the Philippines. After the Japanese occupation in 1942, moving around the rural communities to serve the needs of his congregation became increasingly difficult for Fr Francis Douglas. He was arrested under suspicion that he was spying for the resistance forces. He was interrogated and tortured for three days before being taken away, never to be seen again. It is believed that he died as a result of the beating he received. A 1945 report stated that what he

suffered made a deep impression on his community: ‘Like our Lord himself, as he stood tied to a post in the church, constantly beaten and ill-treated, but always with unquestionable patience … what he suffered made him a kind of saviour.’ He is remembered as Fr Frank, a down-to-earth talented Kiwi, always enthusiastic for work among people, and committed right to the end. The New Plymouth secondary school Francis Douglas College is named in his memory.

Fr Francis Douglas: War or no war, I’ll stick it out here … [My parishioners] have nowhere else to go - nor do I.

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Leader: Who are people who have gone before us who have suffered and died for others? Who are our tūpuna – who are our ancestors, or the spiritual forebears of the community we share – who have carried out their commitment to others despite danger? Are there ways we could acknowledge our memories of our tūpuna, or share their example with others in our parish or wider community? What are some of the sayings or whakataukī that we learned from them?

P R AY E R

Leader: We remember all who have gone before us who have acted with generous hearts.

Response: I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters.Leader: Give us courage and faithfulness to follow in the footsteps of Christ.Response: You who fear the Lord, praise him!Leader: Help us always to hear and respond to your call.Response: In the midst of the congregation I will praise you.

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