Bishop Steve Lowe Launches Quincentennial Celebrations in New Zealand
WRITTEN BY:
Mel B. Libre, BAYANIZ
READ TIME:
2 mins
Bishop Steve Lowe celebrated Mass at St Mattihew's Catholic Church Hamilton, on March 13 2021 to launch the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines celebrations in New Zealand. Approximately 200 people attended the celebration.
In his Homily, Bishop Steve said that “Filipinos have enlivened our churches. Three of our parishes (in Hamilton) were dying and the Filipinos have brought them new life. And we need to continue to make and bring that life to our parishes.” He called on all to change the world by following the ways of Christ, “We are gifted, we are called to be a gift.” In conclusion, he declared that “Christ will prevail in our time. Christ cannot be locked down by Covid. Christ cannot be locked down by the secular world,” confident that Christ cannot die as long as people stand up and rise up with Him.
Among the features of the even were the liturgical dance from the Rotorua Filipino ecclesial community; the unveiling and blessing of the Quincentennial Mission Cross; the Prayers of the Faithful spoken in different Philippine languages; and the giving of gifts by children dressed in Sto. Nino-inspired attire. Fr Fernando Alombro, Filipino chaplain, invited those in attendance to gather for a photo after the Mass. Ashley Jubelag led everyone in a Sinulog dance joined by members of the Te Awamutu Ecclesial Choir who provided music during the Mass.
Also among those present were: Fr Mark Field, Pepa Torre of the Waikato Hispano Latino Cultural Trust, Joan Prado and Gladys Stephens of the Waikato Filipino Association and lay leaders of the ecclesial communities of the Catholic Diocese of Hamilton.
A salu-salu or food sharing concluded the festivities with more than enough dishes served to all. Fr Alombro said he was overjoyed with the turnout and that he expected an even bigger and more grand celebration on April 24 in observance of the First Baptism in Cebu with re-enactments of the Battle of Mactan and the First Circumnavigation of the World.
Join the celebrations in Hamilton on the 24th April at Gerry Sullivan Events Centre, Marian School, Hamilton:
10:00 AM - Mass, Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Free
11:30 AM - 500 Human Formation, Free
12:00 Noon - Lunch, Palengke, Cash
02:00 PM - Cultural Presentation, Gerry Sullivan Centre (Free ticketed event)
More information can be found on the Facebook event page.
