Venkat Raman
An honest array of tributes devoid of verbosity will be the hallmark of the Ninth Annual Mother Teresa Interfaith Meeting due to held next week in Auckland.
National MP and former Trade Minister Todd McClay will be the main speaker at the meeting scheduled to be held at Christ the King Church located at 260 Richardson Road in Mount Roskill, Auckland on Saturday, November 24, 2018.
Mr McClay is an elected Member of Parliament from Rotorua since 2008 and has increased his majority at each successive election. He is the first MP to be elected for the fourth successive term in Rotorua.
Peace and Love
The Mother Teresa Interfaith Committee is privileged and honoured to have the patronage of Bishop Patrick Dunn, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Auckland.
“We invite everyone to participate in the Meeting and honour one of the greatest personalities of the 20th century. The Interfaith Committee, comprising representatives of the Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, Sikh and Zoroastrian communities, is devoted to spread the message of love and peace of the Saint. There will be songs and hymns on Peace and Love and Mother Teresa sisters in Auckland will be taking part,” a Spokesperson said.
The annual event has acquired a special status since 2016 when Mother Teresa was canonised by Pope Francis on September 4 of that year.
“Mother Teresa stood for peace, love and harmony and worked hard throughout her life for the poor and the needy. Those with compassion and social responsibility held her special attention and it is appropriate that Mr McClay is with us this year,” the Spokesperson said.
Mother the Saint
In 2016, Pope Francis held a Consistory of Cardinals and Bishops at which, among others Causes, the Canonisation of Blessed Teresa was approved.
The canonisation, held after the Sunday Mass, was celebrated as a part of the Jubilee for workers and volunteers of mercy.
The entire Missionaries of Charity family – Sisters, Brothers, Fathers, co-workers, Corpus Christi Movement for Priests, lay associates (Lay Missionaries of Charity and Thirst Movement), volunteers, benefactors, friends of different faiths, and especially the poorest of the poor – rejoiced on that day.
It is providential that the approved miracle that occurred in Santos, Brazil in 2008 through the intercession of Blessed Teresa, was brought to the attention of the Postulation only in late 2013 and received approval in December 2015.
Icon of Mercy
Even in her lifetime, Mother Teresa was an icon of God’s tender mercy, radiating the light of God’s love to many through the works of mercy, both material and spiritual.
From heaven, she continues to fulfil her mission as she lights the light of those in darkness on earth. With her canonisation, the Church presents her as a model and intercessor of those who, like her, long to light the fire of love and peace throughout the world. She can be taken as a Patron Saint especially for those who are most in need of God’s mercy.
A Statement from the Mother Teresa Charities in Kolkata said, “By her example and through her intercession, may Mother Teresa inspire many to give their ‘hearts to love and their hands to serve,’ starting with those closest to them. May we all continue to live and deepen our awareness of being in need of mercy and our willingness to extend mercy in our communities, in our families and in our service of the poor.”
