15 August | The Assumption of Mary | Pa Peter Tipene

Happy feast of the Assumption. The feast of the Assumption speaks to us of the saving love of Christ that envelops our human lives. Mary ‘first disciple’ walks with and before us in our path of Christian discipleship. Her participation in the resurrection of Jesus is an anticipation of our own resurrection. Who Mary is becoming, we are becoming. One day we too will live forever with God. This great solemnity is a celebration of Christian hope, an affirmation of the human body, and an encouragement in our struggles in everyday life. This is our National Patronal Feast. This year it is also being marked in a special way as a re-dedication of our country to Mary Mother of God Assumed into Heaven. Bishop Pompallier our country’s first Catholic bishop, made this dedication to Mary while celebrating the first Mass at Totara Point in the Hokianga in 1838. Parishes and faith communities such as our Shine TV viewers, throughout the country are joining in prayer on this solemnity for the renewal of the dedication. Today in Wellington the Bishops are gathering at St Mary of the Angels to formal commemorate this re-dedication and launch a year of pilgrimage and prayer. We are led in praying of the Mass today by Pa Peter Tipene and the community of St Mary’s Avondale. Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE with license M-400197 Bishop Pat Dunn - Limited Podcast License. All rights reserved.