Easter 2020 - CathNews New Zealand https://cathnews.co.nz Catholic News New Zealand Sat, 18 Apr 2020 06:12:50 +0000 en-NZ hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://cathnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/cropped-cathnewsfavicon-32x32.jpg Easter 2020 - CathNews New Zealand https://cathnews.co.nz 32 32 70145804 We have been seduced - NZ Bishops https://cathnews.co.nz/2020/04/16/seduced-by-busyness/ Thu, 16 Apr 2020 08:02:19 +0000 https://cathnews.co.nz/?p=126013 seduced

In their Easter Pastoral Letter, the Catholic Bishops of New Zealand say that during the lockdown New Zealanders have realised that they have been seduced by busyness, the pursuit of trivial things and of taking for granted the important things of life. They hope and pray that post lockdown people will work together to build Read more

We have been seduced - NZ Bishops... Read more]]> In their Easter Pastoral Letter, the Catholic Bishops of New Zealand say that during the lockdown New Zealanders have realised that they have been seduced by busyness, the pursuit of trivial things and of taking for granted the important things of life.

They hope and pray that post lockdown people will work together to build a better church and a better community.

"People have enjoyed this slowing time. People have noticed families doing things together."

"The world has become quieter and we have noticed the beauty of nature."

"This time has proved to be a reflective time enabling us to refocus or revision ourselves and how we live."

They acknowledge that the future, for many, appears uncertain or even dire.

But, "In the meantime, we are continuing to have the tomb experience of being locked down at home and we know, for many families, that this situation is becoming difficult and stressful."

The bishops say that this Easter, with Jesus, we have been offered the opportunity to die to self and rise again to a new beginning."

  • When we leave the tomb of lockdown, we will work together as a community to build a better Church and society
  • We will all be stronger in our relationships with one another and in our appreciation of the gift of life.
  • For a society that is not driven by profiteering but works for the common good as we together rebuild our nation's economy
  • That we will be a society that is more aware of the tangible presence of God who journeys with us on the paths of life.
  • That the Church will be more ardent in our faith, hope, love and service.

Read the Bishops Pastoral Letter

Source

  • Supplied: David McLoughlin
    Communications Adviser, NZ Catholic Bishops
    Te Huinga o nga Pihopa Katorika o Aotearoa
  • Image: voanews.com
We have been seduced - NZ Bishops]]> 126013 Innovative efforts to celebrate Easter but you need the internet https://cathnews.co.nz/2020/04/06/easter-need-the-internet/ Mon, 06 Apr 2020 08:00:51 +0000 https://cathnews.co.nz/?p=125869 need the internet

Catholic groups big and small are sharing many innovative resources to help New Zealand Catholics celebrate Easter in lockdown. But most of them require access to the internet or satellite television, resources that some elderly, less affluent and rural people may not have access to. A 2019 survey revealed that in 85% of decile 1-3 Read more

Innovative efforts to celebrate Easter but you need the internet... Read more]]> Catholic groups big and small are sharing many innovative resources to help New Zealand Catholics celebrate Easter in lockdown.

But most of them require access to the internet or satellite television, resources that some elderly, less affluent and rural people may not have access to.

A 2019 survey revealed that in 85% of decile 1-3 schools 25% said their students had no home access to the internet.

There does not appear to be many local catholic programmes available on the radio.

However, the Christian Broadcasting Association has 14 hours of air time on two nationwide networks.

Radio Rhema will also be carrying its Easter programmes.

Here are some of the many Catholic resources on the web and TV:

Shine Television

There will be a special Catholic Good Friday liturgy on Shine Television 8:35 am on Friday.

On Easter, Sunday there will be is a 30-minute Catholic broadcast on Shine TV at 1:35 pm.

Shine TV is a New Zealand Christian television channel operated by Rhema Media and broadcast on Freeview Channel 25 and Sky TV channel 201.

Streaming

Many Catholic churches big and small around New Zealand are streaming Mass online daily for parishioners.

Diocesan Websites

All of the diocesan websites have links to resources that people can use in their bubble.

Bishop Dunn has announced there will be a 3 pm national Catholic liturgy available in all the websites of the different dioceses of New Zealand.

On Thursday morning the Palmerston North Diocese will be posting their weekly update containing links for livestream and prayer resources for Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter celebrations.

Social media

Many parishes and groups are holding virtual meetings to support each other and to pray together.

Source

Innovative efforts to celebrate Easter but you need the internet]]> 125869 Easter services may be screened on television in NZ https://cathnews.co.nz/2020/04/05/nz-catholics-easter-services-television/ Sat, 04 Apr 2020 11:02:10 +0000 https://cathnews.co.nz/?p=125745 easter services

Negotiations are underway to have Easter services screened on television. "Our celebrations during the Easter period, which for us begins with a Mass on Holy Thursday evening, April 9, a special service on Good Friday afternoon and a Mass on Easter Sunday morning," said Lyndsay Freer spokeswoman for the Catholic Diocese of Auckland. "Because our Read more

Easter services may be screened on television in NZ... Read more]]> Negotiations are underway to have Easter services screened on television.

"Our celebrations during the Easter period, which for us begins with a Mass on Holy Thursday evening, April 9, a special service on Good Friday afternoon and a Mass on Easter Sunday morning," said Lyndsay Freer spokeswoman for the Catholic Diocese of Auckland.

"Because our churches are in lockdown, we are attempting to provide recorded daily Masses to our Catholic people via our diocesan website and the Bishop's Facebook."

Besides screening through these channels, Freer said they were in talks to have the services aired on TV.

"We are negotiating to have some television time during this period, and are very grateful that this is likely to be a possibility," Freer said.

She said the Church remained committed to keep connected to Catholics and provide for their spiritual needs "as best as we can in these troubled times".

Many thousands usually crammed St Peter's Square, and a few lucky ones will get to attend Easter Sunday mass conducted by the Pope.

However, there will be no such celebrations this year after the Vatican confirmed one resident who lived with the Pope tested positive for coronavirus, resulting in testing being done for 170 people in the complex.

Six of those tested came back positive but Pope Francis tested negative for COVID-19, according to a Vatican statement.

"Pope Francis celebrates a daily Mass which is live-streamed from the Vatican, and the Easter liturgies will also be coming to us from there via the Vatican website," Freer added.

The Church is posting online Mass links on its National Liturgy Office website.

The page has regular updates of links in New Zealand and overseas, including to the Pope's daily Mass, held at 7 pm New Zealand time.

Source

Easter services may be screened on television in NZ]]> 125745 Easter date can not be changed, despite coronavirus https://cathnews.co.nz/2020/03/23/easter-date-coronavirus/ Mon, 23 Mar 2020 06:51:26 +0000 https://cathnews.co.nz/?p=125422 The Vatican department for liturgy published guidelines Friday for bishops and priests on the celebration of Holy Week, the Triduum, and Easter liturgies during the coronavirus pandemic. The document recommends that bishops postpone those liturgies which may be postponed. It also indicates how priests and bishops can offer those celebrations which cannot be moved, such Read more

Easter date can not be changed, despite coronavirus... Read more]]> The Vatican department for liturgy published guidelines Friday for bishops and priests on the celebration of Holy Week, the Triduum, and Easter liturgies during the coronavirus pandemic.

The document recommends that bishops postpone those liturgies which may be postponed. It also indicates how priests and bishops can offer those celebrations which cannot be moved, such as Easter, in places where public liturgies are suspended.

The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments published the "general indications" after receiving inquiries from several bishops. Read more

Easter date can not be changed, despite coronavirus]]> 125422