WelCom February 2022
Called to Be Peacemakers – Kua Karangatia Tātou hei Kaihohou i te Rongo
The Lent Appeal on behalf of the New Zealand’s Catholic Bishops Conference enables Caritas to continue working to heal and support those overcome by poverty and injustice around the world. The theme for the 2022 Lent Appeal is “Called to be Peacemakers”, inspired by Pope Francis’ recent encyclical Fratelli Tutti and referenced in the Beatitudes in Matthew’s Gospel.
“Intermediaries seek to give everyone a discount, ultimately in order to gain something for themselves. The mediator, on the other hand, is one who retains nothing for himself, but rather spends himself generously until he is consumed, knowing that the only gain is peace. Each one of us is called to be an artisan of peace, by uniting and not dividing, by extinguishing hatred and not holding on to it, by opening paths of dialogue and not by constructing new walls.” – Pope Francis, 2013: Address to the International Meeting for Peace organised by the Community of Sant’Egidio (30 September 2013), as quoted in Fratelli Tutti, para 283.
Called to be Peacemakers
The Lent 2022 theme, Called to be Peacemakers, is based on the Beatitude reference in Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God” and on the writing of Pope Francis, particularly his recent encyclical Fratelli Tutti. As we journey towards Easter we also recall from Luke 23 – The Passion of Christ – where Christ becomes the ultimate Peacemaker and Reconciler for all people through the Passion, Crucifixion and Resurrection. In a time where societies are increasingly dividing into opposing camps where authentic communication and dialogue become difficult or impossible, it is vital that Christians play a positive and healing role as peacemakers who promote genuine and respectful dialogue – even on issues where people have sincere disagreement. Pope Francis says “we are called to be true ‘people of dialogue’, to cooperate in building peace not as intermediaries but as authentic mediators.” We are called to be Peacemakers.
About the Lent Appeal
During Lent, New Zealand’s Catholic Bishops invite us to provide for the needs of the poor through the work of Caritas. Money raised through the Bishops’ Lent Appeal helps to fund both development and emergency relief work around the world.
The Lent Appeal provides funding which can be used where they are most needed. Funding from the Lent Appeal allows Caritas to respond quickly to emergency situations by having resources immediately available to those in urgent need.
We appreciate that not all those who wish to donate to the Lent Appeal will be able to do so. We invite everyone to join us in prayer for the work of Caritas and for the poor and vulnerable around the world.
Lent in Schools 2022
The theme of “Called to be Peacemakers” is very timely for Lent 2022 as we reflect on the events of the past two years and the impact of the pandemic. The focus of the school resources for Lent is similar to the Caritas Lenten Reflection Programme used in parishes, arranged to focus on the Gospel readings for each Sunday during Lent and connect to the work of Caritas and the call of justice in our world.
Lessons have been made using PowerPoint and Google Slides and are designed for a range of levels for each week of Lent. The teacher guide provides a good summary of all the resources available and how they can be used. Other key resources like the action plan and the Way of the Cross Notes and Slides are also available.
All education resources are freely available online on the Caritas website and some elements are available in printed form. Every New Zealand Catholic school received a pack of materials at the start of December to help them utilise the Caritas resources for Lent 2022.
Get Involved through Lent Speaking
Are you interested in supporting the work of Caritas in an active way in your community?
We invite you to consider volunteering as a Lent speaker within your parish. As a Lent speaker, you will help to share information about Caritas with your parish and encourage others in your community to get involved.
Caritas will provide support and online training for interested speakers. We would love to hear from you!
If you would like to join our team of Lent speakers for 2022 or if you just want to find out more about Lent speaking, please contact Mareta Lavea Leitupo at maretall@caritas.org.nz or Joanna Viernes at joannav@caritas.org.nz
Caritas Challenge
Registration is now open for Caritas Challenge 2022, a fun and engaging annual event for schools and youth groups around New Zealand.
Students and young people are challenged to Move It, Live It, Sweat It or Stop It for 24 hours to show solidarity with those living with poverty and injustice and to raise vital funds that will support Caritas programmes.
Participating groups can get involved in the Caritas Challenge at any time from February to December 2022.
For more information about the Caritas Challenge or to register your own group for 2022, please visit our website: www.caritas.org.nz/caritas-challenge
Lent Reflection Programme
Each year, Caritas creates a Lenten Reflection Programme (LRP) to support parishes, communities, families and individuals as they pray and spend time with the Gospels during Lent.
The LRP includes prayers, Gospel readings and reflections, discussion materials and information about Caritas projects with a focus on helping us to live out our faith during the Lenten season. It is available in English, Te Reo Māori, Sāmoan and Tongan language versios.
LRP booklets can be ordered from the Caritas office for a small fee by calling 0800 10 22 or emailing caritas@caritas.org.nz. They can also be downloaded for free from the Caritas website: www.caritas.org.nz/lent
Your Lent donations will save lives
Thank you to all those who have already generously supported our life-changing work by donating to previous Lent Appeals.
The ongoing support from generous donors enables us to continue our development, emergency relief, advocacy and education work around the world, including Aotearoa New Zealand. All funding received through the Lent Appeal is used where it is most needed.
Donate throughout the weeks of Lent, or make a one-off donation using the Lent Appeal weekly or single donation envelopes distributed by your parish.
Leave donation envelopes in your parish collection basket or post to Caritas: PO Box 12193, Wellington 6144.
You can also donate online at our website or call us at the phone number below.
www.caritas.org.nz | 0800 22 10 22
“Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God”
Matthew 5:9