The World Day of the Poor, Ordination and Anniversary of Jean Claude Colin.

Icon of Jean Claude Colin

The Catholic Bishops of New Zealand have issued a pastoral letter for today, the World Day of the Poor. They refer to Pope Leo's recent document, Dilexi Te number 8. "In hearing the cry of the poor, we are asked to enter into the heart of God, who is always concerned for the needs of his children, especially those in greatest need. "

You may like to pray the prayer below in solidarity with the poor among us and in other parts of the World.

God of Justice, open our eyes to see you in the face of the poor. Open our ears to hear you in the cries of the exploited. Open our mouths to defend you in the public squares as well as in private deeds. Remind us that what we do to the least ones, we do to you. Amen.

The Bishops go on to suggest a few ways we may like to consider in responding to those who are in need within our community. They may be helpful if you are looking for something practical to do.

• Might you give an hour of your time each week to support your local Vinnies group, maybe delivering food parcels to families in need?

• Might you donate an hour of your week’s wages to support the Church’s charitable works? 

• Might you become a local promoter or member of a Catholic group that responds to the needs of the poor? 

• Might you include in your weekly shop something for the local food bank?

This weekend too, we as Marists have celebrated the ordination to the priesthood of Hemi Ropata. Please keep him in your prayers. He is appointed to the parish in Napier/Taradale. We are blessed to have Hemi journey with us as a Marist confrere. His parents live in Auckland but he has connections with Otaki, Opotiki and the far North. The Haka led by his Father and whanau when Bishop Steve presented Hemi to all of us after his ordination was moving and powerful.

Hemi wore a beautiful korowai presented by his family after his mother and others vested him while his aunty sang.

Yesterday also marked the 150th anniversary of the founder of the Society of Mary, Fr Jean Claude Colin. He is buried in La Neyliere near Lyons in the chapel. You may like to listen to a song I wrote in 2010 after visiting his grave and the home he lived in for the latter part of his life. We owe so much to Fr Colin for the early Marist insights he has left us in our constitutions and numerous writings. One example encouraging us to, 'Think as Mary, judge as Mary, feel and act as Mary in all things...…

I have included the lyrics for you and a brief explanation of the song. Click on the title and listen to track 11.

Dream, a wide-eyed vision

Drink from the well of solitude

Come rest awhile in La Neyliere

Gaze at the rolling hills and sky

Dream, a wide-eyed vision

Honour the man who lies there in peace

And Mary’s work, may it increase

Honour the ones who carried the founder’s flame

Receive from his life beatitude

This is our time here in this place

Call on his prayer for this we know

He dreamt a wide-eyed vision

He calls to us now to go do the same

Always in faith and in Mary’s name

She is the one who carried the Word of Life

Come be the face of gratitude

Ring out a song of joy in our heart

Come be a light that people see

Dream, a wide-eyed vision

Showing the world a Marian face

Disciples of hope for our human race

Drawing all those seeking the Reign of God

Drink from the well of solitude

Come rest awhile in La Neyliere

Gaze at the rolling hills and sky

Dream, a wide-eyed vision

 From ‘Pilgrims of the Heart’, Chris Skinner SM, 2011

Some thoughts to consider.

The song was composed during the Marist Family Mid-life Renewal Programme in Manziana in 2010 and recorded in 2011. As a renewal group we visited the Marist places in France including, La Neyliere.

The song honours the founder, Jean Claude Colin, buried there.

His deep desire for solitude and contemplative prayer in his latter years is referenced in the opening line of the song, ‘Drink from the well of solitude.’ He lies there in peace and continues to inspire Marists up to our present day to live out his wide-eyed vision.

Gazing from his bedroom window, the view is wide, spacious and open and was for me symbolic of his inner life and spirit in wanting the whole world Marist.

Blessings on your week.