The Domestic Church 
 

The COVID -19 pandemic has seen our Church buildings close. This is not a shutdown of Church.  We are the living Church. The People of God creating communities of faith, reaching out to others, praying. It might not be in the most familiar of ways and we may be challenged but we are still Church. Our Living Church at this time is based in our ‘bubbles’ it is a time when the Domestic Church takes on new prominence. 


 

In the Catholic tradition, the family holds a special place–especially in the formation of faith. Parents are recognized as the first formators in faith. According to the Second Vatican Council  

The family, is so to speak, the domestic church.  

                                                                                     Lumen Gentium#11 

This means that it is in the context of the family that we first learn who God is and to prayerfully seek God’s will for us. 

Some ideas for promoting Domestic Church include: 

• Talk freely about the presence of God in the joys and sorrows of your life in the bubble. 

• As you go on your ‘bubble walk’ pray for your neighbours as you pass their homes even if you do not know their names. 

• Encourage each other by reminding yourself of the gifts each person has. 
  At the end of the day have a gratitude time. 

• Remind everyone that they are loved by God even when they make mistakes 

In order to support whānau in this important endeavour the Diocese has prepared a series of fun and engaging activities that explore the Gospel stories. Kid’s Korner 
https://www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz/the-church-covid-19/celebrate-easter/kids-korner/ 
is full of ideas for sharing faith through the Scriptures. 

Some Justice & Peace Commission Activities
during Lockdown 2020

Submissions to Government Select Committees were a moving feast during Lockdown with Government sometimes changing deadlines for submissions daily.  All oral submissions were held by videoconferencing with both MPs and submitters zooming in from their own homes. Most of the Commissions eight Committees were involved in preparing Submissions and other representations.

Urban Development Bill – this Bill was designed to give sweeping powers to Kāinga Ora
(new entity replacing Housing NZ and Kiwibuild), including compulsory land acquisition, streamlined consenting processes etc. We called for greater clarity of purpose & better environmental & sustainability provisions. 
Written Submission 14 February and Oral Submission: 6 April
Residential Tenancies Bill – responding to increased numbers of people renting permanently, increased protection to tenants and greater clarity to owners.
Written Submission: 25 March. Oral: 22 April
Fair Trading Amendment Bill – giving greater power to Commerce Commission to reign in rogue traders exploiting people in vulnerable areas.
Written Submission 26 April. Oral: 10am 14 May Electoral (Registration of Prisoners) Amendment Bill – restoring voting to prisoners with sentences less than 3 years following judgements from Supreme Court and Waitangi Tribunal.
Written submission: 24 April, Oral: 30 April
Auckland Council Annual Plan: - submission sent
24 March on need to pay contractors Living Wage especially cleaners as essential workers responding to Covid 19 situation.
Letters:
- To Prime Minister 2 & 11 April on Easter Trading.
- To Prime Minister 18 April on amnesty provision for over stayers during Covid 19 Lockdown – prepared by Philip Cass, Convenor Peace & International Justice Committee

Parish Newsletter Notice – for Earth Day sent for Sunday 18 April
Video – by Susanne Montgomerie for Bishop Michael Facebook page 21 April
Petition to Auckland Council to pay cleaners 100% during Lockdown – signed by Commission    24 Apr
 
Coming up:
Combined Commission/Committee members/Parish Social Justice Facilitators Meeting with Bishop Pat 9am-12noon Saturday 9 May – by Zoom. To feature presentation on Catholic Social Teaching and Covid 19 from Lisa Beech, Ecology, Justice & Peace,
Advisor Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington. 
Also Commission Meeting 1.15-2.45pm 9 May
 
Meeting with Auckland Mayor – delayed from 1 May. Questions/letters being considered
Resources for Parishes – for Laudato Si’ Week 16-24 May – sent out this week.
Screen Industries Workers Bill – reverses punitive provisions of ‘Hobbit Bill’ submissions due      25 May
Election Forum 18 August – involving representatives of all main parties.
                                                                                                                       
Peter Garrick, Social Justice Advocate,
Justice & Peace Commission

Happy Mothers’ Day 

A Prayer for Mothers 

All-loving God, we give you thanks and praise for mothers young and old. 

We pray for young mothers, who give life and count toes and tend to our every need; may they be blessed with patience and tenderness to care for their families and themselves with great joy. 

We pray for our own mothers who have nurtured and cared for us; may they continue to guide in strong and gentle ways. 

We remember mothers who are separated from their children because of war, poverty, or conflict; may they feel the loving embrace of our God who wipes every tear away. 

We pray for women who are not mothers but still love and shape us with motherly care and compassion. 

We remember mothers, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers who are no longer with us but who live forever in our memory and nourish us with their love. 

Amen. 

By Heidi Busse