WelCom June 2020:
Isabella McCafferty, Diocese of Palmerston North
Pope Francis has shared his vision for the Covid-19 aftermath in a reflection called: A plan for the rising up again. He said ‘an emergency like Covid-19 is overcome in the first place by the antibodies of solidarity.’ This has been our response in the Diocese of Palmerston North to the lockdown challenges of uncertainty and change. From the beginning, faith leaders, diocesan staff and parishioners have worked hard to adapt and continue to support those in communities around the diocese and to do this in solidarity with one another. Included have been priests, parish and diocesan staff, school principals, DRSs, teachers, families, people making digital or phone contact with vulnerable people and other individuals reaching out to those around them while remaining physically isolated.
Throughout our diocese we wanted to make sure our communication was clear, relevant and streamlined from the beginning. We quickly established ‘UNITED’ as a brand that would link us both as a people of faith and to the country’s response in facing the pandemic. We set up a page on our website and uploaded new resources and links frequently to equip people with tools to pray from home. Our weekly e-newsletter has been distributing these resources around the diocese and providing several resources for prayer at home in various styles. To sign up for our e-newsletter, Kotahitanga – United in Spirit, head to: www.pndiocese.org.nz/newsletter