New Zealand fishermen bring in their catch.
''Ka hao te rangatahi,'' is a Maori proverb that means, ''the new net goes fishing.'' It is a picturesque way of saying that it is time for the young people to do the work.
I thought of that proverb recently when someone asked me if there are any young Columbans. My answer was 'no' and 'yes'. Talking about Aotearoa, I have to say unfortunately 'no'. The last Kiwi Columbans were ordained in 1987. However, I can say 'yes' because two Columban lay missionaries left New Zealand last month to take up their overseas appointments.
Fortunately, I can say a much louder 'yes', because our official directory lists 12 young Columban missionaries who were ordained in the last five years. They come from countries where Columbans work, such as Fiji, Korea, Philippines, Peru and Chile.
Ling (Hui Ling Chuah) and Sophia Ting NZ Columban Lay Missionaries as they prepare to depart for their first assignment in Britain
The 'yes' gets even louder when I count up the number of seminarians. There are 33 currently listed, although it is possible that one or two may have left the programme and some others may have joined. Do any of them come from Aotearoa, New Zealand? Again the answer is 'no'. They were born in the Philippines (7), Korea (11), Fiji (7), Myanmar (7) and China (1).
The majority are in formation in Manila and some are training in Korea and Fiji. During their formation, they will spend two years on their First Mission Assignment to experience and evaluate their capacity for life and work in another culture. At the moment, there are five doing that in Fiji, Taiwan and South America.
Because of Covid, overseas travel is very much restricted at the moment, but time will come when it is possible again. When more young men and women begin formation to be Columban missionaries, ordained and lay, we hope and pray that there will be some Kiwis and Aussies among them.
"MATE ATU HE TETE KURA, WHAKAETE MAI HE TETE KURA" - When a fern frond dies another rises to take its place
Columban Fr Donald Hornsey spent 40 years working in Chile, Brazil and Peru. He now lives at St Columbans in Lower Hutt, New Zealand and works with Colombian refugees there.
