PARISH PRIEST INSTALLED

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 43, 17 April 1984, Page 1

PARISH PRIEST INSTALLED

Ohakune has a new Parish Priest and Maori Missioner ... he is Father Neal Wilson who was officially installed by Bishop Peter Cullinane on Sunday 8 April. The outdoor ceremony took place before a crowd of more than 200 people on the Maungarongo Marae in blustery conditions with threatening shower clouds. Father Neal Wilson, who returned to Ohakune earlier this year from Auckland was to follow in the tradition of his two predecessors, Father Brian Condon and Father Gordon Kerins, by being both maori missioner and parish priest. He was presented at the Maungarongo. Marae as a maori missioner to the Bishop who would then induct him as Ohakune's parish priest. The ceremony began with a welcome performed by the Maori people of Maungarongo Marae with a welcoming call by Joan Akapita. As Bishop Cullinane of Palmerston North approached the marae, he and his party, including Father S.M. Bourke were challenged by Charles Mareikura and Noel Akapita. The Bishop accepted the challenge and came onto the marae to take up his seat and was welcomed by Maori elder, Hoani (John) Mareikura, who was already on the marae with Father Wilson and Ohakune's Father Bernie Vella. The Maori elder with the Bishop's party, Thompson Tukapua, then extended a welcome to Father Wilson. Throughout the proceedings all Maori speeches were translated into English by Ruka Broughton, a former Anglican

Minister in Ohakune who is now a lecturer in Maori at Victoria University in Wellington. The ceremony was compered by Matiu Mareikura. Bishop Peter Cullinane said in his reply that it "really does feel good to be back amongst the people of this parish on this marae." Father Wilson, was then escorted across the marae by Hoani Mareikura to be presented to Bishop Cullinane. The Bishop asked the people on the marae to welcome their new Parish Priest and this was done by Mathew Mareikura on behalf of the assembled congregation. Mass then followed with readings by Hildalene Wilson, John Braebyn and Father Gledhill of Wanganui. During the mass three local girls, Luana Akapita, Aurora Mareikura and Corina Mareikura, approached the altar, accompanied by Biddy Mareikura, to be blessed by the Bishop following Te Whakaputanga which had taken place on the Marae before dawn the previous morning. Then they each placed their taiaha at the foot of the altar showing that they were placing themselves and their culture at the feet of Jesus. Charles Mareikura, in a prayer, welcomed Father Neal Wilson to the parish and thanked his parents (Mrs Wilson was present at the ceremony) for their son's calling to the church. Father Wilson, in his acceptance speech, replied that he too enjoyed being back in Ohakune and would serve his parish to the best 01" his ability.