Working together to build our common home

WRITTEN BY

By Dr Teresa Fernandez (WIFCO & NZ Catholic Bishops Committee for Interfaith Relations)

READ TIME

3min.

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Multicultural Tree Planting at Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park

Despite it being the middle of winter, over two-hundred people gathered on the morning of July 18, for a multicultural (and interfaith) tree planting event at Waiwhakareke National Heritage Park in Hamilton. This event was jointly organised by Hamilton City Council, Waikato Interfaith Council, EarthDiverse, Waikato Multicultural Council, Go Eco/Kaivolution, Tui 2000, Artmakers and Waikato Biodiversity Forum.

I arrived early with my granddaughter and daughter-in-law, guided by cheerful parking assistants to park my car. Soon the trickle of people grew into throngs and when Mayor Paula Southgate gave the opening address, there were more than two-hundred people gathered at Waiwhakareke. She acknowledged that this tree planting event is one of the more important community events in Hamilton. Also in attendance were local councillors and MPs.

The warm winter sun shone on people of many different ethnicities and religions, all gathered to plant approximately two-thousand native trees. Pope Francis would have been pleased, given his teaching that “Humanity still has the ability to work together in building our common home… I want to recognize, encourage and thank all those striving in countless ways to guarantee the protection of the home which we share.” (Laudato Si, 13.).

People of all ages from grandparents to little children were present. Geared up in gumboots, hats, warm clothing and clutching their spades, they made their way through the native bush (planted in earlier years) to the space allocated for the new plantings. They worked with gusto, helping one another and planted over 1950 trees in one hour!

Meanwhile, representatives from the Baha’i faith community, the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter-Day Saints, and the Catholic faith community worked together under the marque at the carpark preparing kai for the volunteers. The food donated by the different organisations included bread, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, fruit, scones, cakes, and ethnic desserts. In addition, there was tea and coffee brewing on outdoor stoves. 

The atmosphere was fun, loving and filled with a sense of accomplishment. The beautiful weather was definitely a bonus. This event proved that humanity, in its diversity of cultures and religions, can work together in building our common home. Todd Nachowitz (from EarthDiverse and WIFCO) an organiser of the event said that all those who came out had a good time, gave back to the Earth, and helped offset our carbon usage!

This event was also an interfaith event and there was Catholic representation. There are other Interfaith events organised or participated by the Waikato Interfaith Council (WIFCO). Paul Flanagan and I (Teresa Fernandez) are the Catholic representatives on WIFCO. These Interfaith events welcome participation from the various religious communities in the Waikato.

What does the Church teach on Interfaith Relations?

All Catholics are called to dialogue and to cooperate with other faiths and religions (Nostra Aetate, Pope Paul VI, 1965). This can happen in our everyday lives but there are also special occasions for interfaith “dialogue” which include actions such as this tree planting event. It would be great to have a strong Catholic representation at these Interfaith events. You can read more about the Catholic perspective on Interfaith in the booklet Promoting Interfaith Relations produced by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Committee for Interfaith Relations.

Want to get involved?

To keep in the loop with future interfaith events, please contact Teresa Fernandez or Paul Flanagan.