On Monday 23 March, Cardinal John Dew, posted on Facebook a reflection on isolation in the face of the pandemic: (https://www.facebook.com/CardinalJohnDew/)

Pandemic

What if you thought of it
as the Jews consider the Sabbath—
the most sacred of times?
Cease from travel.
Cease from buying and selling.
Give up, just for now,
on trying to make the world
different than it is.
Sing. Pray. Touch only those
to whom you commit your life.
Center down.

And when your body has become still,
reach out with your heart.
Know that we are connected
in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.
(You could hardly deny it now.)
Know that our lives
are in one another’s hands.
(Surely, that has come clear.)
Do not reach out your hands.
Reach out your heart.
Reach out your words.
Reach out all the tendrils
of compassion that move, invisibly,
where we cannot touch.

Promise this world your love–
for better or for worse,
in sickness and in health,
so long as we all shall live.

— Lynn Ungar 3/11/20 (from Gratefulness.org – Living Gratefully in the Time of Coronavirus

If you or your community are looking for spiritual and prayer opportunities while in isolation go to:

• https://www.nlo.org.nz/news-and-events/media-releases/celebrate-mass-online/ for links to live streamed Masses. The National Liturgy Office will keep this information updated across the Diocese.  
• http://www.tuimotu.org/ Tui Motu-Interislanders has advised as of 24 March that they are unable to send out the April copy of Tui Motu. Their website has a selection of back copies with a wide range of interesting articles.
• https://www.facebook.com/TuiMotuInterIslands/ Tui Motu are providing short daily reflections and a few videos and ‘memes’ to make you smile.
• https://bustedhalo.com/ministry-resources/lectio-divina-beginners-guide; https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-what-how-why-of-prayer/praying-with-scripture/ or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKYEOc3ik9k for guidance on the close reading of Scripture.
• https://catholicclimatemovement.global/ The Global Catholic Climate Movement invites you to join their weekly Online Lenten Prayer Service, that includes reading, reflections, and intercessions.
• https://caritas.org.nz/system/files/2020%20LRP%20English.pdf for a copy of Caritas’ Lenten Reflection Programme that was running in parishes until the government announced the cancellation of small group gatherings.
• https://cathnews.co.nz/2020/03/22/lay-led-sunday-reflection-launches-in-nz/ Pray Today New Zealand is a lay led service of the Word using the Sunday readings.
• The link will take you to the April edition of Welcom.

  https://www.wn.catholic.org.nz/adw_welcom/welcom-april-2020-issue-381/ 

  The Archdiocese of Wellington website is adding resources almost daily for people of all ages including children – so there is plenty to choose from https://www.wn.catholic.org.nz/ and https://www.wn.catholic.org.nz/adw_community/resources-for-an-unusual-time/
• NZ Catholic has provided a free online copy of their publication https://indd.adobe.com/view/888733fa-9004-4e70-9b91-df418a9f5d2a
• Shine TV will be televising Mass on a regular basis and this will be welcomed by those who do not have a computer. Details will be made available when they come to hand. (Please spread this message to any elderly Catholics that you know)