One of the new houses at the Columban Mission Centre, Lower Hutt, New Zealand.
In planning for the present and future retirement needs of New Zealand Columbans, the Superior General, the Australia/New Zealand Regional Council as well as the local Columban community believed that a land development project was the best option. It was also the most responsible use of the resources we had available to us.
Selling off 11 lots was designed to pay for the development and have some funds left over to support the work of Columban Mission here in New Zealand. We did not have to use any of the money given to us by our donors for this project.
The end result is that we now have a refurbished office, a new chapel which is small but ideal for our weekday Masses and five new houses that are warm and dry. We have a more confined space than previously and lots of new neighbours.
So, on November 4, 2017, we celebrated the blessing of our new Columban chapel, office and residences as well as the centenary of the Missionary Society of St Columban.
Marquees had been set up in front of the main residence and 160 people were present for the occasion.
Cardinal John Dew entering the Columban Centre, Lower Hutt, New Zealand.
When Cardinal John Dew - the Archbishop of Wellington - arrived, there was a Maori welcome which was powerfully touching while evoking respect for the tangata whenua, the people of the land.
When Cardinal John reached the place of gathering, there were a few words of welcome in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
After the welcome, Cardinal John proceeded with the simple ceremony of blessing. In his homily, Cardinal John spoke of the true foundations of the Columban presence in New Zealand. It is not just cement and steel but, more importantly, faith in Jesus Christ and the call to mission.
Prayers of the Faithful were read by a number of people representing different groups who are closely connected to the Columbans, family, friends and religious.
Returning to the marquee, Cardinal John blessed a plaque on which were written the names of the 26 New Zealand Columbans who have died in the past 100 years.
This was followed by four speeches given by Columban Vicar-General, Fr Arturo Aguilar, Regional Director of Australia and New Zealand, Fr Gary Walker, Project Manager, Mrs Kirstyn McKeefry and myself (Fr Tom Rouse, local Columban Co-odrinator).
After the speeches, guests had the opportunity to wander around and look at the new Columban houses and the display in the office.
It was a great way to remember the past and look forward in hope to the next 100 years of the Columbans in Aotearoa-New Zealand.
Columban Fr Tom Rouse was a missionary in Fiji from 1976-2014. He is now Mission Coordinator of St Columbans, Lower Hutt, New Zealand.
Related links
- Read more from The Far East, January/February 2018
