Which part of N.Z. do you live in? I visited there for a month in 2007 and REALLY loved the whole country, but especially Wellington and much of the South Island (not so much Christchurch or Auckland, to be honest!) I went to a Mass said by the bishop of the Wellington diocese (archdiocese?) at the cathedral and found it bland, but not irreverent. It was certainly packed for a Sunday evening Mass, in any case. However, the secularism there was and is rampant, much like here.

Great to hear from Kiwi Catholics–keep the faith!

BIG DADDY’S RAP (The Lord’s Prayer):

YO, BID DADDY UPSTAIRS (Our Father, who art in heaven)
YOU BE CHILLIN (Hallowed be thy name)
SO BE YO HOOD (Thy Kingdom come)
YOU BE SAYIN’ IT, I BE DOIN’ IT (Thy will be done)
IN THIS HERE HOOD AND YO’S (On earth as it is in heaven)
GIMME SOME EATS (Give us this day our daily bread)
AND CUT ME SOME SLACK, (And forgive us our trespasses)
SOS I BE DOIN’ IT TO DEM DAT DISS ME (As we forgive those who trespass against us)
DON’T BE PUSHING ME INTO NO JIVE (And lead us not into temptation)
AND KEEP DEM CRIPS AWAY (But deliver us from evil)
‘CAUSE YOU ALWAYS BE DA MAN (For thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory forever and ever.)
AAA-MEN (Amen)

It is sad. Even though we have a similar problem in Godzone, I don’t think it is as serious as in your great country.