This Weeks News from Bishop Andrew

biancasnee
Apr 18
3 min read

Greetings to you all this Maundy Thursday,

This past weekend I attended the powhiri and karakia to recognise the retirement from stipendiary ministry of Te Pihopa Ngarahu Katene, of te Hui Amorangi o Te Manawa o Te Wheke, held at Tamatekapua in Rotorua. The service attracted many hundreds of people from within Te Arawa from around the motu who came to give thanks to God for Pihopa Ngarahu’s faithful episcopal ministry which has spanned nearly 20 years. The service was supported by many of the Bishops who were able to be there for the weekend, including Archbishops Sione and Justin. I know that Archbishop Don who was unable to attend this past weekend because of commitments for ordinations within Te Pihopatanga in Te Waipounamu will be alongside Pihopa Ngarahu as he celebrates the Easter eucharist with whanau at Horohoro. The tributes for Pihopa Ngarahu included acknowledgement and thanksgivings for the joy he brings to the proclamation of the gospel and those spoken words filled with heart, are always accompanied with song. I have many good memories of being with Pihopa Ngarahu in churches, on marae and in other settings and appreciating his voice and confidence in leading others to sing with heart and mind in praise of God. I am very grateful for the many opportunities we have had to be alongside one another during the past 10 years and for what I have learned from Pihopa Ngarahu. In the week following Easter I will join with Pihopa Ngarahu and the clergy of Te Manawa o Te Wheke to support their reaffirmation of Ordination Vows and offer a more personal thanksgiving to Pihopa on behalf of Waiapu.

This week I’m traveling around the Diocese leading services of Chrism Mass and reaffirmation of Ordination Vows. On Tuesday I was at the Cathedral, then on Wednesday in Gisborne with Archbishop Don and the combined clergy service at Waerenga-a-hika. Today I’ve been in Tauranga with the clergy from around the Bay of Plenty at a service at Otumoetai. On Good Friday I will be joining the parish of Taupō in the morning for the towns witness Good Friday Walk and then later in the afternoon for the parish service for Good Friday. Then back to Hawke’s Bay and looking forward to the Easter Vigil, and Easter Day services with the Cathedral parish.

My hope and prayer for you is that the celebration of the Paschal Triduum restores, reignites, or refreshes the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Christian discipleship is about following in the footsteps of Jesus. Perhaps many of you have heard me speak of the old age of disciples walking so closely behind their rabbi that their clothes are covered with the dust kicking up from the rabbi’s sandals. I find this a helpful image to speak to the heart of attentiveness that is the joy of being a disciple of Jesus. We are called into that mode of being attentive to Jesus every day, attentive in heart and mind internally, and with active intent living our lives in a way which reflects Jesus’s teaching, grace and love. As we journey through Holy Week we are reminded again of the costliness of love, that love calls us to action for righteousness’ sake, and that in the depths of love we find even in darkest grief a hope that leads us away from despair. In the celebration of Easter, we find that hari/joy, rongo/peace, and aroha/love spring forth in the most profound way imaginable, right from the depths of the darkness of death. When we celebrate Easter in our communities we proclaim this truth for the world. May our celebrations be places where the stranger is welcomed, where those in despair find hope, where love is lived out with generosity. May Christ’s peace be with you all this Paschal Triduum.

Nga mihi,

+Andrew