Hamilton priests gather and recharge in South Waikato

The Bishop of Hamilton, Bishop Denis Browne, left, and Fr Gerald O’Collins, SJ, socialising with Hamilton priests at Okoroire.

by PETER GRACE
OKOROIRE — Hamilton diocese priests got high quality input on Vatican II in the first week
of July. About 30 priests, several seminarians and Bishop Browne heard a number of presentations from Fr Gerald O’Collins, SJ, author, academic and
educator and theologian.

The Bishop of Hamilton, Bishop Denis Browne, left, and Fr Gerald O’Collins, SJ, socialising with Hamilton priests at Okoroire.


They also had a presentation from Fr Michael McCabe from Our Lady of Kapiti parish, sharing his experience of combining parishes — Paraparaumu and Waikanae, in his case.
An organiser of the gathering, Fr Mark Field, said Fr O’Collins’ presentations reminded his
audience that collegiality is a goal set out by Vatican II.
Sometimes, Fr Field said, priests focus on individual parishes, rather than seeing them as part of a greater whole.
“Fr Gerald used the term ‘Lone Ranger’ … and the diocesan pastoral plan is called Who is My
Neighbour? And I think Fr Gerald has reminded us to ask that question of ourselves as well.”
Fr Field said the times of informal contact between priests were also valuable. “They are great, from the time together, Mass and morning prayer. You often see guys walking around,
catching up.”
He understood the regular gatherings had been going on for a long time in the diocese. “They
are a very important part of bringing the presbyterate together,” Fr Field said.
The 2014 gathering was at Okoroire, about 7km out of Tirau, and a location known for its hot
springs.

fb-share-icon
Posted in

Michael Otto

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *