On the 30th of November a large crowd gathered to celebrate the Magnificat Community’s 20th Anniversary.
The community was commissioned in 1993 by Monsignor John Carde and he returned on Saturday to celebrate Mass with the community and its supporters.
It was joy filled day of thanksgiving and celebration for all that God has provided for the community over the last 20 years.
Mons Carde was very encouraging in his homily and inspired all present to continue to live and share the Gospel in the knowledge that small individual actions have the capacity to change the climate of the society around them.
The community originally started at St Joseph’s parish, Mt Victoria where they lived for 7 years. It was during this time that the community was formed and developed.
In December 1998 the community moved to Cross Creek farm in the Wairarapa where they now run a rural Retreat Centre and farm.
They are blessed to have a Chapel in the grounds called the Chapel of the Annunciation. This was consecrated by Cardinal Thomas Williams on the feast of the Annunciation in the year 2000.
Over the years, the group has grown and now a vibrant community of consecrated, single and married people live onsite.
The ministry is very much one of hospitality which embraces the concept of stewardship where all are encouraged to share their time, talent and treasure with the wider church and society.
Other important members of the community are the many varied pets that reside at Cross Creek. There are donkeys, ponies, pigs, sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, Scottish Highland Cattle and the list goes on!! Together these animals create community; they are a joy to visitors and a very loving presence on the farm. These creatures of God speak to many people and have literally transformed people’s lives by their presence. The pets certainly have their own specific ministry.
The Magnificat Retreat Centre comprises two buildings, Nazareth, a house that sleeps 18 people and a larger complex called Bethlehem which has 19 bedrooms and sleeps up to 35 people. The centre has been widely used by many catholic parish and church groups as well as a variety of groups from other Christian denominations.
The Mission Statement which was formulated in 1993 is :
Following in the footsteps of Mary, the Magnificat Community exists to give Glory to God through life witness, prayer and apostolic works. We actively participate in the missionary activity of the Catholic Church, responding to the call of Jesus and his Church to the work of evangelisation.
Web site: www.magnificat.org.nz