National Newsletter March 2014

CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE
AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND
National Quarterly Newsletter
March 2014
PRESIDENT’S COMMENT
Greetings to you all.
Next week I start my round of
conferences beginning with Dunedin.
I look forward to being with you all.
In his New Year Address the
Governor
General,
Sir
Jerry
Mateparae, reminded us that 2014
marked the 20th anniversary of the
United Nation’s year of the Family.
He said, “It is time to take stock. As a
nation, and as communities, we need
to both celebrate our successes and
examine how we can help families
facing particular difficulties, so every
child can grow up in a safe and
secure home.”
Certainly over the years CWL has
made a significant effort in this area
and these efforts were formalised with
the institution of the At Home Appeal
– e.g KidsCan, ECPAT, Grandparents
raising Grandchildren. As Sir Jerry
reminded us “The care we provide to
our most vulnerable citizens – our
children – is a barometer of the
wellbeing of our families and our
society.” The Church’s teachings
compel us to do our utmost, both
personally and as an organisation, to
strive to make New Zealand society
reflect the Christian values.
Are we doing enough?
In August last year the Board sent a
letter to all Members of Parliament
expressing our concerns re the level
of child poverty in NZ and asked that
all parties work together to solve this
national scandal. Given that this is an
election year perhaps a timely
reminder to your local MP will keep
this concern at the forefront of party
policy.
Last year the deputy principal of a
local Catholic School contacted me
with the offer of used school journals
that were due to be dumped unless we
could find a use for them. As some of
you may remember I asked for
suggestions re where in the Pacific
these could go and how to get them
there.
The solution was close to home –
Gabrielle Mears, Tawa Branch, along
with her husband Paul had a contact
through Rotary. The journals went to
the Solomon Islands as part of a
Rotary consignment organised with
the help of the NZ High Commisioner
to the Solomons and the NZ Defence
Force.
We had been assured that the school
journals were in safe hands and would
be well-distributed. Just this week we
have had word that this has happened.
Reflection
“Lent is a good time for
sacrificing. Let us deny
ourselves
something
every day to help
others.”
Pope Francis
CWLNZ Board
National President
Anne Joyce
Auckland President
Anne White
Hamilton President
Maureen Russell
P. North President
Pat O’Connor
Wellington President
Kathi George
Christchurch President
Zella McGirr
Dunedin President
Mary Race
International Secretary
Stephanie Swann
Nat. Mission Secretary
Coleen Blackmore
Nat. Social Issues
Ethne WyndhamSmith
National Secretary
Diane Glynan
Some of the school children expressing their joy
at receiving books.
The Heretaunga Rotary Club has
expressed grateful thanks and
appreciation to the League and to
Sacred Heart School,
Thorndon,
for
contributing to the
shipment.
God bless
Anne Joyce
National Conference 2014
16-19th July
Grand Chancellor
Auckland Airport Hotel.
Accommodation booking reference
is: Catholic Women’s League
619360.
National Treasurer
Anne Lumb
Board Chaplain
Sr John Bosco Kendall
www.cwl.org.nz
Did you know?
The word Lent has an
obscure origin, and is
probably a corruption of
similar terms in ancient
Anglo-Saxon, and other
Germanic languages, all
of which referred to
spring, new life, and
hope. Although it is
generally considered to
be a time of mourning
and repentance, it is also
designated as a time of
new life and hope
because by means of the
death of Christ, we
receive new life.
BOARD CHAPLAIN’S CORNER
To think of Lent simply as a time for doing penance for our sins is to do Lent an injustice. The
Lenten season calls us to much more than a focus on sin and extra practices of piety and acts of
mortification which end when Lent ends.
The deeper meaning of Lent is about focusing once again on striving for Gospel justice so that we
are overtaken by the Godliness that Jesus showed us through his life and his death. The prophet
Isaiah puts it this way: ‘Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the
thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your
bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to
cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the
dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly.’ (Is.58: 6-8)
So Lent is achieved not so much by way of fasting and abstinence, but rather by a transformation in
attitude, about caring for others, building up society and becoming a bearer of good will.
Perhaps a different way of approaching Lent this year might be to give some thought to how we
could
show Love to people who are suffering because of war, famine, natural disasters, family
violence, economic downturn, personal or family tragedy, so that we help to ‘undo the thongs of
the yoke’.
Enjoy the gifts God has given us and rejoice in the good that is in the world and in our own
personal lives so that we can be ‘free’ ourselves and help to ‘let the oppressed go free’.
Nurture warm and loving relationships with family, friends, parish and wider community so that
we do not ‘hide yourself from your own kin’.
Grow in awareness of the Transforming power of God’s presence within each of
us and in the whole of creation so that our ‘light breaks forth like the dawn’ and
our ‘healing springs up quickly’.
This year, to use Isaiah’s words, may ‘your goodness go before you, and ‘God’s
blessing follow you’ as you prepare for the Easter that gives meaning to Lent.
Sister John Bosco Kendall RSJ
NATIONAL MISSION SECRETARY
I attended the National Board meeting of
Catholic Women’s League in Wellington at the
end of February. This is a privilege as it makes
one realize the enormous amount of mental,
emotional and spiritual energy which these
women give to the League. The Mass was
especially moving and inspiring. We were
joined by a number of visiting Sisters who were
celebrating one member’s jubilee. During the
shared prayers two sisters, one from Fiji and one
from Tonga, gave thanks for the work and
contributions made by members of CWL in
their respective countries. Take this as a
personal ,thank you, to each one of our
membership who have worked so diligently
over the years.
I also gave the annual report made up from the
Branch returns for the last financial year. There
is no set trend over the entire country as two
Dioceses have steadily decreased their giving,
two have steadily increased their giving, and
two have fluctuated. However, the bottom line
reads that the national amount has remained
about the same over the last two years. The At
Home Appeal raised a record amount – a huge
$12744.00 and I know there has been more
since the books were closed. Changing the
Peter Apostle and Pacific Seminary Funds to
voluntary donations has not made a great
national difference to the total amount given
when compared to previous years.
Although membership has been decreasing,
individual giving is increasing. The value of the
practical work that branches achieve is
enormous. So many people have been blessed
with the sacrifices made, both members and the
recipients. What we achieve in our work has
consequences we will never know but knowing
we have worked hard for others is reward in
itself.
Allocated mission communities within New
Zealand has been the cause of much
communication between Mission Convenors
and me. A large number of branches have been
naming a New Zealand Mission Community as
an allocated mission because of the long and
faithful association with a particular group or
organisation. Even though the description isn’t
absolutely correct I hope these associations
continue to be a blessing for all.
Mission Education Fund. It was encouraging
to know everyone is aware of this fund. There
was a nil balance at the end of last year and
there has already been three grants given this
year.
The Jubilee Trust and National Mission Funds
were discussed and decided on at the Board
meeting. You will already be aware that the
Aotearoa New Zealand Religious against
Trafficking of Humans received the Jubilee
Fund to find and investigate educational
resources. The Sisters of Nazareth at Imaru
Mission in Vanuatu are to use the Mission Fund
to repair the buildings of the school and convent
damaged after the hurricane in January.
Publicity (being Visible). I have been amazed
at the truly huge practical work that some
branches achieve, e.g. the container load of
used, washed and mended clothing that is sent
to Fiji at a cost of about $1000.00. This is sold
in Fiji making between $8000.00 and $9000.00;
the knitters in another branch who have made
almost 900 garments; the branch getting
together exercise books and associated learning
material to provide for a new kindergarten. If I
hadn’t been talking to members from these
branches I would not have known about these.
None of these Branches have involved their
local papers or even Catholic papers and seemed
shy about doing so. Do consider letting the
people in your parish and community know
about your achievements and encourage them to
help. The new theme has so much potential in
the ‘visible’ part for this.
Weather tragedies. Our holiday time seems to
be the season for devastating weather events in
the Pacific with both Cyclone Haiyan and
Hurricane Ian impacting on the South Pacific.
In the case of Hurricane Ian I contacted all
convenors and asked them to be touch with
branches which have mission communities
within the affected areas to ask for information
and prayer. Fortunately, Caritas was already in
Tuvalu helping with drought control so was able
to switch to helping residents to cope with the
flooding causing loss of homes and crops.
Tonga, however, still needs much support.
Some branches responded immediately by
sending money to Caritas asking for it to be
used in the affected areas.
Solomon Islands visit. I first of all want to say
thank you to the Board for giving me the
opportunity to travel to Wellington to meet and
talk to Bishop Chris Cardone*. It was a very
valuable learning time.
Miriam Broad of
Wellington was the last to visit the Solomons as
a CWL representative 29 years ago.
I am
travelling to the Solomon Islands in June on
behalf of CWL and the Branches who support
communities there to assess needs, record
whether money sent is being used effectively,
and to enhance the relationships between
Branches and their people there. To help me in
this I will be corresponding with all branches
that look after these communities, Archbishop
Adrian Smith and Bishop Chris Cardone, and
the person in charge of each community where I
can. I will be accompanied on this trip by Mrs
Adrienne Wylie of the Dunedin Diocese. I look
forward to sharing my experiences with
everyone.
I wish everyone a blessed Easter
as we each share in the sacrifice
and resurrection of Jesus.
Coleen Blackmore
*Bishop Chris Cardone OP is the Bishop of
Auki Diocese.
The Catholic Church in the Solomon Islands
consists of:
the Archdiocese of Honiara (12 parishes)
the Diocese of Auki (9 parishes)
the Diocese of Gizo (5 parishes).
The Auki Diocese is spread across several
islands and has a total of 21 priests – a
ratio of one per 1,999 parishioners in 11
parishes (2012 figures). Travel between
parishes could be seen as challenging –
long, arduous, often in a small boat or on
foot.
In comparison the Wellington
Archdiocese has 119 priests – a ratio of
one per 699 parishioners over 47 parishes
(2010 figures).
Source: http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org
INTERNATIONAL SECRETARY
Women of WUCWO Sowers of Hope
“I commissioned you to go out and bear fruit”
(John15:16)
This is the theme for this years’ General Assembly
and the February message starts our journey to
Fatima with the words - Hope- Women as signs of
Hope in the Gospel of Luke.
Two examples given are “Anna the prophetess”
(Lk2:36-38) and Elizabeth (Lk1:24-25)
There are also suggested readings and questions for
reflection, such as - What characterises the
prophetess Anna and Elizabeth as Women of Hope?
The “Women’s Voice” July edition focused on –
Ecclesial Community: A place to grow our Faith,
while the November copy featured - The Church in
the World as Leaven in the Dough.
These magazines have many interesting articles both
for personal reflection and group discussions, as
well as reports on Regional Conferences and
interesting information from fellow Catholic
Women’s organisations around the world.
The website www.wucwo.org is yet another
valuable source of information. Along with the
monthly messages and Chain of Masses, there is art
for meditation, and a summary of International
activities carried out in 2013, to name just a few.
I encourage you to avail yourself of all these very
worthwhile resources.
On Waitangi Day – February 6th you were all
encouraged to pray especially for Pope Francis, and
send a wave of prayers from Aotearoa New Zealand.
This was a request from the WUCWO Secretariat,
for prayers for the Pope from all continents of the
world.
We pray that the Pope may be graced with the
wisdom, strength and courage needed at this time in
our Church’s history.
In October a conference was held in Amman,
Jordan, with the theme – “Women believers at the
service of life, dignity and the common good”.
Reports from this conference are available on the
website, including one from the Asia Pacific Region,
of which we are a member.
This is a report from a meeting of Asia Pacific
Region Board members held when they were in
Rome for the annual WUCWO Board meeting, and
was presented at the Jordan conference.
I have sent Susana Evening, Vice President Asia
Pacific Region, our December 2013 newsletter, so
she is aware of all the activities that are happening
here. She was pleased to receive it and will include
our activities in her report at the Board’s electronic
meeting in March.
A new Secretary General has been appointed. She is
Maria Lia Zervino, an Argentinian and a member of
the “Servidoras” consecrated community. We
congratulate Maria and wish her well in this
position. She will also continue as Editor of
“Women’s Voice”.
The Secretariat has moved office – the new address
is 76 rue des Saints-Peres 75007 Paris, so if you ever
happen to be in Paris, call in as you will be made
most welcome
The General Assembly information has been
received and distributed to Diocesan WUCWO
Officers, and Diocesan Presidents.
If you are interested in attending please contact me.
Registration and deposit need to be made by 1st May
with the balance due by 15th July 2014
The registration form and study days information is
also available on the website.
At the last General Assembly, in 2010, we put
forward the successful resolution - Work to Abolish
Forced Marriages.
Once again we have the opportunity to propose a
resolution. If anyone has a concern or idea that could
be put forward as a proposed resolution, please let
me know. The deadline for these to get to WUCWO
is 25th April.
The 2014 WUCWO Day Prayers have been received
and distributed to Diocesan WUCWO Officers.
They are also available on the website.
The prayers this year have been prepared by the
women from the African Region with the theme:
Truth in action –speaking the truth in love.
We have been commissioned to go
out and bear fruit - May we all be
“Women of WUCWO Sowers of
Hope.”
In Faith and Service
Stephanie Swann
“As a woman, my country is the whole world.”
Virginia Woolf
NATIONAL SOCIAL ISSUES
League members need to be aware
that there is a strong push to
decriminalise abortion especially
from Abortion Law Reform
Association
[ALRANZ]
and
Family
Planning.
The
Government is being pressured to
do this as a human rights measure through
CEDAW.
Does this country want more
abortions and terminations at an even later age?
The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms
of Discrimination Against Women [CEDAW]
was adopted by the UN in 1979. It is an
international human rights treaty that focuses on
women’s rights and women’s issues worldwide. It addresses the advancement of women,
describes the meaning of equality between
women and men and sets forth guidelines on
how to achieve it. There is nothing in this
Convention that requires those who have signed
to decriminalise abortion.
The subject of abortion has featured in the
NCW Circular on many occasions since
September 2012 when the CEDAW Committee
called for the decriminalisation of abortion. A
heated argument then developed as to whether
or not abortion affects mental health, to the
principle that all women deserve the right to
reproductive automony.
CWL was challenged as to why they were not
adding to the debate, hence my letter below to
the Circular which should have been published
in August 2013 but was ‘overlooked’ and
therefore not published.
~~~~~~~~
Letter to the Editor:
Simonette Boele’s ‘Focus on abortion law in
New Zealand’ in the May Circular uses the
phrase “ensure women’s autonomy”. Whatever
way one looks at the question of abortion, the
debate can never be reduced to autonomy alone,
which is what she seems to be suggesting.
There is always more at stake because there is a
new human life, a separate unique being
growing independently inside her. A new
human life has human rights.
Recent research in Australia showed that
amongst the general public 87% said that they
would support initiatives that would reduce the
number of abortions. In our own country
abortion statistics are the lowest since 1995.
Meanwhile it is disturbing that the Government
is now being pressured by CEDAW to
decriminalise abortion as a human rights
measure for the woman but not for the new
human being. New Zealand was the first
government to sign up to CEDAW. There is
nothing in this Convention that requires those
who have signed to decriminalise abortion.
~~~~~~~~
Dr Frances Townsend, NCW Papakura-Franklin
Branch, wrote two Letters to the Editor pointing
out that for the last 20 years a considerable
amount of research has been done on the effects
of abortion on women and that there was
growing evidence that abortion could be linked
to mental illness.
This letter was eventually published after the
intervention of a past editor.
“It is theologically and anthropologically
important for woman to be at the centre of
Christianity. Through Mary, and the other holy
women, the feminine element stands at the heart
of the Christian religion.” Pope Benedict XVI
Ethne Wyndham-Smith
Diocesan Conferences 2014
15- 16th March Dunedin
28-29th March Christchurch
5th April
Auckland
9-10th April
11-12th April
26th April
Palmerston North
Hamilton
Wellington
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