MASS
THE SAME BUT DIFFERENT
Adolfa gets ready for Mass
“On our island we have
a lot of families.
We live close together.
We have a nice church.
You can see where we
sit on low wooden
planks of wood.
“We gather for Mass
every week.
Some of us dress in
the traditional way.
Here is Rose with
decorations made
with shells and
flowers.
“Here are Joe and
his baby going to
Mass.
“The priest is getting ready to say the Mass.
The group wait outside until it is time.
“Here are families in our village
standing ready to begin the Mass.
“The people are singing and dancing and playing
drums as they bring in The Word.
“We listen to God’s Word
“Next the people bring up
the gifts to the altar.
“Our dance celebrates
the goodness of God.
“The people are
carrying gifts to
the altar.
They give thanks
to God.”
Now think about
Aotearoa New
Zealand as also part
of the Pacific.
Many different
people have made
this place their
home.
When we go to Mass in our country
some things are the same.
Can you
identify what
things are the
same as on
the island in
Papua New
Guinea?
What do we see around the altar?
What’s the same or different between your church and PNG?
How do we bring in The Word?
We listen to The Word-Te Kupu
We sing our songs-waiata
How do we bring in the Gifts?
The altar table is important.
Do you know why?
This is My Body which will be given up for you.
Ko tōku Tinana tēnei ka tukua nei mō koutou.
The Body of Christ.
Ko te Tinana o Karaiti.
May Almighty God bless you, the Father, the Son
and the Holy Spirit.
Kia whakapaingia koutou e te Atua kaha rawa,
e te Matua, e te Tamaiti, e te Wairua Tapu.
At Mass in Nuku’alofa, Tonga
Mass where you live
What have you noticed about things that are
the same and things that are different from
Mass where you live?
Talk about the things in the Mass you know
that are the same and things
that are different.
Words you could use in this discussion:
Bible
customs
procession
forgiveness
Catholic
singing
prayers
sign of peace
communion
altar table
blessing
Acknowledgements
• Pictures show the village on Kapo Island in
Kimbe diocese of West New Britain, Papua
New Guinea.
• Photos from New Zealand show Mass in
different settings in Wellington, Lower Hutt
and Hamilton.
• Thank you to everyone who contributed to
this presentation.
www.caritas.org.nz
2012