.
Some readers will know exactly where the pic above was taken.
A clue?
For me it’s my home region…
…heartland South Canterbury.
If you know the road between Geraldine and Fairlie you will recognise the hilltop, just a few kms before Fairlie.
I grew up in North Otago and South Canterbury (Otematata, Oamaru and Timaru), but many happy family holidays were in Fairlie, and as the supply priest for the past two weeks it was good to be in a part of the country which for me is full of formative memories.
I celebrated the weekend Masses in Fairlie and Twizel, and a house Mass for a family member who is unwell. I know he would appreciate your prayers. Coincidentally this home Mass was on the site of our 1970’s holidays… and that kind of returning to the spot 50+ years later prompts food for thought.
Back then in my early teen years life was ahead of me. Now (unless I live past 120) I have more years behind than ahead! But I am excited about the years ahead because of the richness of my life in the years past.
As a Diocesan Priest (of the Christchurch Diocese) my prime community is the people of Canterbury, Westland and the Chatham Islands. My mission in the months ahead will take me out of New Zealand a few times, and while I don’t get to the Chathams as much as I did when serving as Parish Priest, the rest of the diocese is home,
This coming weekend I am in Auckland for a retreat day (open to all) at Sacred Heart Parish in Ponsonby. The two weekends following I will be on the West Coast (Hokitika and Kokatahi) then I have two weekend in the Opihi parish – Temuka, Pleasant Point and Geraldine.
More homeland memories.
This weekend in Auckland I will also meet with the four Food For Faith Trustees – Kate Kearins, Chris Fogarty, Catherine Gibbs and Merv Duffy sm. I’m looking forward to that too. Every month we meet via Zoom, and after four years this will be the first time we meet in person.
Three weeks ago I posted that I wasn’t making any New Year resolution but today, over an afternoon beer with a couple of friends one mentioned that he simply sought to be fully with the one or two people he was with in any moment, and that was enough.
That really got me thinking.
Small things…
Little encounters…
The understated…
That’s the real heartland.
That’s enough for me.
Thank you for sharing this Father John.
On two different occasions while holidaying in the South Island we went to Mass in the area. Twice at Twizel for Saturday evening Mass (in the Anglican Church) and once on a weekday morning in the Fairlie presbytery.
On all three occasions what stood out for us was the hospitality offered us. Small things, little encounters, the understated, that was enough to stand out in our memories years later. How important is it for us to do likewise in our local parishes. Most of us sit in the same area of the church and notice those who are new. A small encounter can go a long way to making visitors feel welcomed. We can never underestimate the difference it can make to us and those we encounter.
The small things & little encounters make me feel happy too. I pray for the success of your meeting.
Thank you Fr John for your excellent reflections., we did see the Movie Conclave and appreciated your one on it.
Yes hospitality is so important, we in KAIKOURA get many overseas visitors and New Zealanders and I make an effort to welcome and talk to them..
My husband and I have been extremely fortunate to go to Mass in many
Countries and often it has been a highlight of our travels!
Even though we may not understand the language sometimes the Mass being universal you know where they’re up too.
It would be interesting to see if this alone was preached rather than what I see as heavy emphasis on sin and forgiveness as God’s gift to us what a difference it would make to how we live each day with gratitude and how we would want this for everyone. Living every day as a blessing and blessing those who were not as fortunate as ourselves spiritually and temporally.