An Invitation to Generosity and Sacrifice
More than 120 years ago, Bishop John Grimes invited the Catholic people of Canterbury to help build a cathedral that would stand as a visible sign of faith, hope, and the presence of God among us. Families responded with remarkable generosity, sacrificing from what they had so that future generations would have a sacred place in which to worship and encounter Christ.
I continue to meet people who speak with gratitude of the sacrifices made by their grandparents and great-grandparents for that great undertaking. Their gifts were not simply financial contributions; they were acts of faith, offered in the belief that God was calling them to build something that would outlast them and serve generations yet unborn.
That same responsibility and privilege now rests upon us. We have been given the opportunity to build a new Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament: a mother church for our Diocese and a lasting sign of hope for Christchurch and beyond.
I therefore invite every Catholic family and every individual to prayerfully consider making a sacrificial offering towards this sacred mission. The Cathedral will not be built by a few generous donors alone, but through the faithful response of many people, each giving according to their means.
At the heart of our faith stands the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who gave everything for us on the Cross. Our generosity can never equal His gift, yet sacrificial giving is one way we express our gratitude and love. It is not measured simply by the size of the gift, but by the love and sacrifice with which it is offered.
For some, this may mean setting aside the cost of a few coffees each week; for others, the gift of an hour’s wages. What matters is not that every gift is equal, but that each one represents a personal commitment to our shared vision.
In practical terms, it is my sincere hope that every household will consider giving every week for the next five years. This is the commitment our priests have already made, giving $50 a week for five years. Their example reminds us that sacrifice, offered together, can achieve something truly significant. A gift of $40 a week over five years amounts to more than $10,000; $20 a week becomes more than $5,000. Such faithful and regular giving would make a profound contribution toward
the fundraising required for our new Cathedral.
I have been deeply moved by the generosity already shown within and beyond our Catholic community. Many recognise that this Cathedral will be more than a building: it will be a place of prayer, beauty, welcome, and evangelisation; a beacon of hope that points people towards God.
Now it is our turn. Just as those who came before us answered the call of faith, so we are invited to leave a legacy for those who follow. Together, through prayer, sacrifice, and generosity, we can build a Cathedral that will honour God and serve His people for generations to come.
