Weekly Communication 29.10.2021

Dear Families

As we complete yet another week of Level 3 Lockdown, it is easy to feel despondent at the ongoing nature of the complications of this pandemic. You will have read my email message earlier in the week regarding the possibility of primary schools reopening on 15th November. We will share more updates regarding this as information comes to hand.

In the meantime, we continue to be so grateful for family support of our school led learning from home programmes. Please be in touch with your class teacher if there is anything more we can do.

Say safe and God bless

Mālō nī te tatou kaiga – Celebrating Tokelau Language Week!

This year’s theme for Te vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau – Tokelau Language Week is “Tokelau! Tapui tau gagana ma tau aganuku, i te manaola ma te lautupuola” which means “Tokelau! Preserve your language and culture, to enhance spiritual and physical wellbeing”.

Tokelau! Tapui tau gagana ma tau aganuku, i te manaola ma te lautupuola, is a powerful reminder about the importance of preserving Pacific languages and cultures.

Tapui refers to preparing the soil for plants to thrive and bear fruit. The term ‘tapui’ is used to emphasise the work we are called to do to maintain and promote Tokelau language and culture.

This year’s theme reflects the overarching 2021 Pacific Language Week theme of Wellbeing, by linking the importance of language to overall wellbeing.

All Saints

People often talk about someone they may know who they think is a saint. Generally they are referring to someone who is very kind and ‘good’. Great qualities to have. The Church refers to saints as living individuals who have dedicated themselves to the worship and service of God. All Saints Day is celebrated on the 1st of November. It is a time when we join Catholic’s all around the world to remember and honour all the Saints in our lives. The saints we know and those we do not know. While we have information about many saints, and honour them on a specific day, there are many unknown, or unsung saints who may have been forgotten or have never been honoured specifically. On All Saints Day, we celebrate these holy men and women. When we were Baptised we promised to serve God and carry on Jesus’ work on earth, just as the Saints have done. We ask them to pray for us, and through the model of their lives, recognise how Jesus wants us to be.

Throughout November, Catholics around the world remember and pray for those who have died and are now in the arms of Jesus. Our school Memorial book holds the names of loved ones from our community. If you would like a name of a loved one entered in the Memorial Book please send through to the office their name and the date of their anniversary. More information is on the school website https://www.starofthesea.school.nz/memorial-garden/

NZ Catholic Magazine

This issue of NZ Catholic is provided free of charge and has been produced by NZ Catholic’s staff, from their homes.

Some headlines from the latest issue: Challenges for Church with ‘traffic light’ system. Synod process opens in NZ dioceses. Love and marriage in lockdown. Running parishes at higher capacities.

https://indd.adobe.com/view/313d39d7-5e24-4a5f-b027-31769480dd31