Book review
December 2013
Joy Cowley’s Kiwi Christmas situates the Christmas story in Aotearoa New Zealand with a Māori Mary and flowering pohutukawa. The first visitor after Jesus’ birth is a Māori landowner on her quad bike. She has seen her woolshed curiously full of light.
Bruce Potter has depicted some realistic Māori angels above the shining shed outside which Joseph’s ute is parked. The angel Gabriel is a fantail bathed in light who visits Mary in the autumn and then Joseph as he sleeps.
The shepherds have clearly just come from the farm and the wise men are clad in today’s garb. This country’s children will love seeing themselves in this story.
Have a look too at Notes to a Friend. Joy Cowley has collected her thoughts about God from the perspective of those who have never heard the word ‘God’ but who know a spiritual presence.
Both books are available from Pleroma.
Filipino community celebrates 500 years
WelCom May 2021 Michael Fitzsimons The Bishop Viard College Hall in Porirua was filled to the brim for the 500th anniversary of the first Catholic Mass in the Philippines. Around…
COVID-19 vaccine and immunisation programme
WelCom May 2021 “The New Zealand Catholic bishops are strongly urging everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand to get a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available.” COVID-19 information The Nathaniel Centre…
Clergy hui invites new ways for ministry
WelCom May 2021 Fr Seph Pijfers Last month, 41 clergy of the Archdiocese of Wellington gathered for a week-long assembly at Tatum Park conference centre, north of Ōtaki on the…