Every year, the Pastoral Directors of each diocese in Aotearoa gather face to face to discuss pastoral matters pertaining to the Church. This year we met in Hamilton on 28 and 29 April.
Recognising the signs of the times and responding to them is a big part of the pastoral kaupapa. The different elements we work on together are for the good and the growth of the national Church. We are currently awaiting the appointment of a new Pastoral Services Director for the Diocese of Auckland, which we expect will be confirmed soon; this will bring the team back to full strength.
It is always valuable to share initiatives, ideas, and common projects across the dioceses — ranging from young Church initiatives, conferences, guest speakers, and national ecclesial trends, to other emerging priorities. Our visit also included a look at the new Diocesan Centre and Community Centre at Hamilton Cathedral — a new and vibrant taonga of the Diocese of Hamilton.
National Pastoral Leads meeting in Hamilton. From left to right: Mike Stopforth (Christchurch), Amy Armstrong (Dunedin), Joanna Kearney (Hamilton), Chris Duthie-Jung (Wellington), and Nick Wilson (Palmerston North).
In that same spirit of shared learning and pastoral care, I’ve also been encouraged by the way chaplaincy ministries — often quiet and largely unseen — continue to serve people at key moments of vulnerability.
That work was especially evident over Palm Sunday weekend, when I was invited to MC the National Catholic Prison and Hospital Chaplaincy Conference, held at the Franciscan Retreat Centre in Auckland. My portfolio includes these chaplaincies, and I was very happy to assist Mr Tony Lenton, NZCBC Senior Chaplain for Prison and Hospital Chaplaincy, in facilitating the event.
It seems to me that these chaplaincies are faithfully at work, but very few people are aware of what our chaplains offer. Thanks be to God, the Jubilee Year shone a light on — and celebrated — these ministries; however, a Jubilee Year only happens every 25 years. I suspect we should stay tuned in to these very important corporal works of mercy more often. Rest assured, our chaplains are at the coalface of this work, and it can be very challenging.
At the conference, we heard from Bishop Steve Lowe, Dr Nicki Weld, Dr Rocio Figueroa, Dr John Kleisman, Manuel Beazeley the Auckland Diocese Vicar for Māori, and others who spoke and offered professional development for the chaplains. It was a real boost to collegiality and our shared work. The gathering also gave us a chance to reflect more deeply on the realities and challenges of this ministry, and to share both frustrations and successes.
Feedback from attendees was very positive. The Diocese of Palmerston North is in the enviable position of having all three prisons and all four hospitals in our diocese staffed with excellent chaplains.
If you or your whānau need the support of chaplaincy in either prisons or hospitals, please see the NZCBC page with contact details here: Chaplaincies – New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference
Photos: supplied.
