09/06/2023
In an effort to respond to the Bishops question of how our parish will walk the path of reconciliation, we have been preparing a series of events structured around building respectful relationships with all cultures, by working with the Liturgical calendar, its relation to the four seasons/elements and the writing of Pope Francis' Laudato Si.
Our first season of events begins this September for Autumn, which we have chosen to link to the Earth element. Earth represents our home, soil, being grounded, solid, dependable, food, minerals, bones and ancestors (among many others). We have chosen the association of ancestors to work with for the season, with our main event being a Multicultural Ancestral Potluck on All Souls Day, 2nd November, providing the opportunity to celebrate family lines and origins through food, stories and music. People will be encouraged to bring their own pictures of ancestors to display, or to create a poster board of their family tree to bring along.
We have two other events leading up to our potluck, the first is an online 15 Day Earth/Spirit Connection Challenge, beginning on Friday 15th September, people will need to register by email so they can receive their daily prompts. All churches within our Diocese will be invited to this online event, as well as some churches from the mainland who have expressed interest in being a part of it. For those who do not have a computer or internet a handout will be available for them to pick up from the office in advance to the start of the challenge.
The second event is 'Healing of the Family Tree Rosary' to be held on 7th October. Both of these events are designed to build interest in connecting to family roots and to the Earth, for people to consider what tribal lands their ancestors came from (including Europe’s Iron Age tribal lands) and to begin gathering together what they want to bring/display at the potluck from their culture. Please save these dates in your calendars:)
All of our events will be open to everyone of all cultures and denominations. An invitation to our first on-line event will follow shortly for the 15 Day Earth/Spirit Connection Challenge, beginning on Friday 15th September.
Pope Francis, with his encyclical, Laudato Si': On Care for Our Common Home, writes: “Everything is related, and we human beings are united as brothers and sisters on a wonderful pilgrimage, woven together by the love God has for each of his creatures and which also unites us in fond affection for brother sun, sister moon, brother river and mother earth.”
