Christmas Greetings and news to you all.

HAPPY AND BLESSED CHRISTMAS















FR KEVIN WITH SNOW BALL

Well I have come to the halfway point of my stay here in New Zealand and I have really enjoyed it. The two parishes that I have been in have been very different. Christ the King Burnside a city parish that is very lively with lots of things happening and a big mix of social classes. The Holy Name parish Ashburton a fairly quiet country parish with lots of farmers retired and active living in and around the town. Uncle Arnett came down and spent a few days with me in the parish and he was struck by how much Ashburton had changed in the building aspect of the town. But if you came for the night life and a good old knees up I am afraid you would be literally on your own. After six, sorry after 5.30, its deed(the New Zealand way of saying dead) On Saturday afternoon we took a stroll round the shops and most of them in the town centre were closed and there was only a handful of people around. When you think that it is only eight days before Christmas, you think the place would be teeming with people, not in Ashburton. They have their set way of doing things here and nothing will change them, not even Christmas. But that is country life all over the world not just here in Ashburton. We went to the RSA (Return Soldiers Association) and there were not many people there either. They were dancing to some country band. One of those bands that no matter what they sing it always sounds the same.

On the Monday I took Uncle Arnett home and went to the cathedral where there was a Christmas meal and get together for the clergy. But before the meal they had a Penitential Service just for the clergy. It was really good and very moving. The bishop presided and introduce the service and we sang hymns and heard the gospel and one of the priest gave the homily. Then four priests went to the four corners of the sanctuary and the rest of the priests went to receive the sacrament. We then finished with the Magnificate and a hymn. I found the whole experience spiritual and uplifting and a great way to start the Christmas celebrations. After that we had a meal and this gave all the clergy a time to catch up with each other. It was here that I learnt that after I come back from Sydney on the eighth of January I will be based in the Cathedral house. Here I will be the chaplain for the main hospital for a couple of months as the present chaplain is not well. I will also be helping within the cathedral parish itself. This should be interesting pastoral work which will not be unknown to me as I was the hospital Chaplain in Guernsey for four years. What I will need is a mobile phone. I have resisted up to now but I think it will be essential for the work.

I will be in Ashburton until Christmas day then after the nine o’clock Mass at Methven I will leave Ashburton, Methven and Rakaia to go and stay with uncle for Christmas week before flying to Sydney on the first of January. This will be great and quite moving for me as this will be the first time that I will have spent Christmas day with a blood member of my family. It is a strange thought. Arnett is looking forward to the day and also to the week I will be spending with him because since his wife Evelyn died it has been a bit lonely for him. Sylvia his step daughter always has him over for Christmas day but that will be the last he sees of anybody until the following week. I think he gets lonely at times. So during that week we will go to lots of places and hopefully the weather will be good. At the moment it is pouring down and has been for the last four hours and snow and hail is the forecast for tomorrow. Who said I have come here for the sun and surf?

It is good to hear that the parish in Crowthorne and Sandhurst are managing very well without me and that Fr Adrian is looking after your spiritual needs. I thank all those who have helped keep the parish running in my absence, especially Bill, and the two Sues in the office who are co-ordinating everything. I also want to mention John and Norah Kavangh who will be celebrating their Golden Anniversary on Boxing day. I know we all wish them well and that they have many more happy years together and we thank them for all they do in our parish. I will offer mass for them on that day, though saying that it will be at nine o’clock in the morning of the 26th but only eight o’clock in the evening of Christmas day for you. New Zealand is 13 hours ahead of the UK.

This Christmas I will be celebrating the Midnight Mass at 6.00pm (Now I understand why people ring up and say; ‘What time is Midnight Mass?) with a real donkey in the Church and a three week old baby as the baby Jesus. Should be interesting. Being the practical person I am I asked what happens if there is any mishaps. Oh you don’t have to worry about that, came the reply the donkey is not fed or watered that day. Poor donkey. I have heard that the donkey doesn’t stay long it leaves after the first hymn. Which will be a blessing especially if the singing is a bit out of tune and it upsets him and he starts braying. At least it will be authentic. I asked as there are 45 million sheep in New Zealand could we have a few sheep as well and a cow. Father if we had all those in as well there would be no room for the congregation, which is a different slant on having no room in the inn. It is a small church and the aisle is only a couple of feet wide and it only holds sixty people.

Anyway that’s all from me for the time being. I will write some time in Christmas week if I can get access to broadband. I wish you all a peaceful and prayerful Christmas and New Year. I will keep you all in my prayers at Mass on Christmas day and please say a pray for me. I hope you get lots of snow and more importantly lots of God’s blessing.

Yours in the love and peace of Christ Fr Kevin.