Palmerston North
31 March 2012
Parishioners of three parishes in the Palmerston North Diocese have been awarded papal Benemerenti medals.
On Saturday February 11 (the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes), Martin and Judith Wall and Lyn Braithwaite of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Palmerston North, were presented with Benemerenti Medals. The parish also celebrated their 60th Jubilee with a dinner after Mass.
Lyn Braithwaite has been involved in many aspects of life of the parish from its earliest days, being part of the liturgy committee, training and organising readers.
She also gave many hours to floral arrangements, maintaining altar linen and cleaning the church. She led the Women’s Parish Guild for many years and her enthusiasm enabled the guild to support Mission Stations in the Pacific. Lyn’s generosity has been a great example in the parish.
Judith has also been generous with her time and energy. As a member of the parish choir, organist and eventually conductor, she ensured there was a high standard of music in the parish. She was also a member of the liturgy committee for many years and is still a member of the guild. She has been a considerate and thoughtful support of the parish clergy in much appreciated ways.
Martin has also been part of most of the parish’s activities. He was a member of the parish council for some time and although now over 80 he still does his duty as sacristan for one of the weekend Masses.
Martin has been an active member of St Vincent De Paul Society for many years.
At Sacred Heart, Rongotea, the week before, Bishop Peter Cullinane also pinned medals on John and Anna Feldberg and Remai Hehir.
John and Anna arrived from Holland more than 50 years ago and settled, first in Bulls, then in Rongotea. They have given selflessly to the community. Their labours in service of the Church have won recognition. John has carved many images for churches, including the statue of Mary and Child in the cathedral, Palmerston North.
Remai has lived all her married life in the Rongotea community. She has been actively involved in Church life for more than 60 years and, at 88, is still responsible for most of the organisation of Rongotea’s ecclesial community.
Meanwhile at St Peter Chanel, Heretaunga, Ken and Shirley Tulloch started the ball rolling on January 29 receiving Benemerente medals for their work for the parish for more than 25 years.
The Tullochs arrived in Hastings in 1984 and, being devout Catholics, immediately became parishioners of St Peter Chanel Parish in Hastings. Their dedication and willing contribution to their home parish flourished and continues today. Ken and Shirley have been on most parish committees and part of every ministry team at Hastings West, they have literally shared their lives with their parish including their 60th wedding anniversary celebrations recently which became a parish event.
Shirley and Ken work as a team and are up to the minute with computer skills. Now in their 80s they compile and produce the weekly newsletter for the three parishes of Hastings. Congratulations and well done good and faithful servants.