OCEANIA/NEW ZEALAND - Schools and parishes involved in the preparation for Mission October

Monday, 12 September 2011

Wellington (Agenzia Fides) - The diocesan Directors of the Pontifical Mission of New Zealand have just concluded their annual meeting, held in Wellington, under the leadership of the National Director, Fr. Paul Shannahan, SM, who announced in this circumstance the end of his 5-year term because he is not eligible as he has reached the age of retirement. "During the meeting - father Shannahan tells Fides – the diocesan Directors reviewed their demanding task of animating and motivating and raising awareness of the mission in today’s Church. They were satisfied with the production of a regular 'Missionz Newsletter' and the launching of its website www.missionz.co.nz. Parish week-ends visits remain the preferred and most effective way of arousing mission interest".
"This year - continues the national Director - Initiatives for World Mission Day, on Sunday, Oct. 23, will be a real 'challenge', as it coincides with Labour Weekend and the final of the Rugby World Cup. Mission October materials, however, have been prepared and a special appeal is being made to parishes and schools to celebrate Mission Month in spite of the festive occasion. Jo-Anne Carley of the national office has led a campaign to reassert the role of Holy Childhood in primary schools and noted that more were using materials sent to them". During the general meeting a farewell was given to some diocesan directors who leave their posts, including Msgr. Vincent Walker, who has done much to promote the Church's mission in the schools of Dunedin diocese. "In 2010 we raised more than $ 600 000 to assist the Church in Mission territories, and has recently been sent to about 10 dioceses, such as Tezpur in India and Vanuatu in the Pacific", concluded Father Shannahan. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 12/09/2011)


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