A well-known kaumatua, Paul Pōnui Kimiora Carr, passed away suddenly and peacefully in his home on Thursday 13 November 2014.
Paul was a great story teller and had many stories to tell.
One was how on one occasion, when he was working as a driver for the government, he was blessed with the honour of driving Pope John Paul II around.
He was a man who lived out the Gospel teachings especially giving to the poor.
Along with his family he ran a restaurant in the first food court in New Zealand at the BNZ tower in Wellington.
Every day along with paying customers they fed the homeless of Wellington and continued to do so even after complaints.
Paul Carr was a great supporter of the need for a Māori Catholic Bishop and often voiced this.
He was one of the group who travelled to Rome with this ‘take’ (cause).
“Māori Catholics need a leader, we need a Māori Bishop” he would often say.
He himself was a leader of Māori Catholics.
He was never shy to step up into roles and always encouraged others to do the same.
Paul Carr was the chairperson and an active member of Te Kainga Marae and, recently, at times a katekita.
He was an active member of St Anne’s Parish in Newtown, and a member of Te Kahu o te Rangi, the Archdiocesan Māori Pastoral Care Council,
He was also a member of the Christian Life Community – a worldwide Ignatian lay movement.
His wife Carolyn also serves both the Te Kainga community, Ngā Karere whānau and St Anne’s Parish.
Their daughter Lucy is on the Archdiocesan Justice and Peace Commission.
A Rosary was recited for Paul at St Anne’s Parish, in Wellington on Saturday.
Straight afterwards the funeral party departed for his ancestral marae, Wharepuni Marae, in Hawera.
Requiem Mass will celebrated for Paul at Wharepuni Marae on Wednesday at 11am.
He will be buried in the new urupa just over the road from the marae as was his wish.
E te kaumatua, moe mai i raro i te kahui o tō tātou Ariki. Moe mai, moe mai, moe mai.
Source
- Supplied Nikki Phillips Turanga Maori Wellington Archdiocesan Pastoral Services
- Image: Supplied P.Cody
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