Today at the 10:00 am Mass, Claire Anstice will speak about the work of the Interchurch Hospital Chaplaincy Service, which provides and guides the ministry of chaplaincy in most hospitals in New Zealand. Christchurch Hospital, which is on our doorstep, is a major centre for this work, employing a team of chaplains, some of whom are in paid positions and some of whom are unpaid. They are all trained and accredited by the service, as well as by the Churches they come from. The Health Department recognises the value of chaplains to the extent that it provides half of the funding for those in agreed positions. The Churches have to provide the other half of the funding. Much of their work is in supporting people who are forced by a health crisis to face difficult life issues. We have brochures for distribution and envelopes for donations towards the costs of the chaplaincy service. Claire is one of the chaplaincy team at Christchurch Hospital, as well as being employed there, and being our People’s Warden.
Thank you to all who were able to represent the parish at the recent funerals of Hester Ramsay and Taryne Malaquin, two servants of God in and from this parish community. The work that so many of you do to enable a good S. Michael’s funeral is much appreciated. It is also very good evangelism, helping people to discover a sense of the Christian significance of life and of death. Many visitors remark on the impact of our funerals, which surprise them and make them curious.
Our annual patronal festival, Michaelmas, is on Tuesday and will be celebrated here with a Low Mass at 10:00 am and the Solemn Mass at 6:30 pm. This will be followed by the Michaelmas dinner. This year the meal will be catered but parishioners are asked to contribute a salad or wine. This celebration is another opportunity to welcome friends and enquirers to S. Michael’s, and for all of us to have a good time.
May God bless you all.
Fr Peter Williams
