Break for Labour Weekend:
In a spirit of discernment, we continue to pray for our Parish and changes to our Mass times

Last week we invited you to respond to some open questions about our Mass times changes. If you have not responded already, you may wish to fill out a form this Sunday. Next week we will present back feedback so far and there will be a final opportunity to respond.
Our questions are open because our process is an open one. In our information leaflet, we have presented the simplest facts about the change required–rather than a lot of data. This is because the Parish Pastoral Council is seeking guidance on the principles to use when considering Mass times, rather than specific options, although all comments will be read and reflected on. Moreover, everyone is invited to reflect on what is best for our Parish as a whole, and how our Mass times can help us live our Vision. The Council knows that the identities of our communities are tied into our Mass times and that this process of change is a difficult one, coming early in the forming of our new Parish identity.
Please speak to your Discernment Leaders after Mass if you have any questions about the process or prefer to give your comments verbally.
You can also access discernment information through the website and Facebook page.
https://wellingtonsouthcatholic.org/?page_id=2298
https://www.facebook.com/Catholic-Parish-of-Wellington-South-219498671512005/
Responses can also be emailed to: office@wellingtonsouthcatholic.org

Sunday 8 October 2016

Week One: Introducing our Discernment

Our discernment on changes to Mass times in Wellington South begins today with an introduction to our process.  Discernment is a gentle process of prayerful reflection which allows everyone to contribute, including quieter voices.

Last year we spent several weeks discerning our Vision. This process served us well with a rich response which continues to guide our Parish leaders.

An information leaflet is available to take home from Mass or view/download on the Parish website.
It outlines important background information on the need to make changes to our Mass times and it includes the time frame for the process.
Please reflect on this during the week and keep our discernment in your prayers.
The Parish Leadership Team and the Parish Council have not preformulated any options for changed Mass times.  Next week, we will ask you to respond to some open questions about the changes we need to make.

On Sunday 18 September our Faith Community joined together to welcome and celebrate the Baptism of our newest members.  We extend our prayers and best wishes to them and their families.

Last Sunday afternoon 38 children in our parish were confirmed by Cardinal John in a special Mass at St Francis de Sales Church. It was such a wonderful and joyful occasion. Thank you to the sacramental programme leaders, liturgy committee members, musicians, sacristans, altar servers and other contributors from our communities. You worked together to make the celebration so special and truly memorable for the children and all those who were present. – Fr David

Photo credit:
Belinda Brown Photography

Parishioners were privileged to be able to mark Fathers Day in a very special way this year.
The community welcomed a new member to our Faith Community
with a Baptism as part of our Mass celebration.

Strategic Planning
The Council continues to focus on themes of communication and connection. The need for robust communication systems in the parish has been identified and is being worked on.
The Archdiocesan Stewardship day proposed for September has been postponed to early 2017. The Council is looking at the best way to incorporate this day into the planning period for the Parish so that we get the most out of it.

Mass Times
Work has begun on forming a process to consult throughout our Parish on changes to our Sunday Mass times. A complete proposal on the process is due at the next Council meeting on 27 September and we will be able to provide more details then. The Council has agreed that the process will include discernment, where we pray and reflect and where the voices of all can be heard. At the completion of the process, recommendations on our Parish Mass times will be made to Cardinal John for his decision.

Chairperson
Lesley Hooper stood down from the Chairperson role. Lesley’s leadership through the Transition period, her commitment to the Vision of the Parish and, in the spirit of Pope Francis, always encouraging us to look outward, were acknowledged. Stephen Neal and Deirdre Hanlon will co-chair the Council.

St Francis de Sales Church, 14 August 2016.

The children led the liturgy for the Mass of the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Strategic Planning
A strategic plan to fulfill our Parish vision is the Council’s focus. This will take time and is likely to be formed in stages. At a Council formation day in early July the Council explored themes of Communication and Connection tied to the Vision. Our discernment process last year has given the Council a richness to draw from.

•  A chairperson for the Council will be discerned at the August meeting after an initial period where Lesley Hooper continued from the Transition Team as interim chairperson.
• The Council agreed that the group which coordinated the Suzanne Aubert birthday celebrations should form a plan for further activities.
• Liturgy Committees will be asked to work together on how resources for Social Justice Week (11-17 September) can be used consistently across the Parish.

A Little Company of Mary sister who has been involved with the hospice movement in New Zealand since the 1980s has been awarded the Queens Service Medal. Sr Mary Scanlon, LCM, of Wellington, received the award in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. She was appointed as the Mary Potter Hospice education officer in Wellington in 1986 and coordinated terminal care education programmes for hospice staff at Calvary Hospital. She later took on the role of principal nurse and helped guide major changes for the hospice, including the building of a new hospice in Newtown and setting up the Mary Potter Hospice Trust.
In the late 1980s she was instrumental in introducing care for those suffering from Aids. She joined the Hospice New Zealand Executive in 1987 and served as President in 1989 and 1990. After retiring as principal nurse in 1990, she took on various roles, including counselling, training and governance.
Sr Mary told NZ Catholic that her QSM award recognised 102 years of prayerful and loving service by LCM sisters to healthcare in New Zealand. “Together we draw inspiration from the vision of Venerable Mary Potter, in her words: ‘We will watch and pray with the dying as Mary did on Calvary’.” Sr Mary said her award also honours the LCM sisters in the province of the Southern Cross (Australia, New Zealand and Tonga), who, despite age and infirmity, continue to pray, live and work in the spirit of Mary Potter.
“My QSM is a huge honour for me from the country of my birth, she said. I am, as it were, the poster girl representing religious women who work tirelessly for the good of our neighbours, especially those sick, suffering, dying and in need.We do what we do cheerfully, knowing that we are also needy human beings.” Sr Mary said prayer has always been the backdrop of their care in hospitals, hospices and in the community. She noted the importance of the sisters’ daily prayer for the dying.