'He Rau Toroa'

(A treasured Plume of the Albatross) - A course in Maori spirituality from a Catholic perspective.

The plume is treasured because it represents everything about the albatross – beauty in flight, strength, long-ranging flights across the oceans, always returning home ki te whenua, ki tona kohanga (to the land of its nesting place).

Introduction

He Rau Toroa is an introduction to Maori spirituality from a Catholic perspective.

It is a distance learning course designed with Maori and Pakeha in mind. It may be studied in a group, at their own pace, over the course of a year.

Course Objectives

The course aims to help participants:

gain a better understanding of concepts and values central to Maori spirituality

appreciate those concepts from a Catholic perspective

reflect on how Maori spirituality developed and how it is understood today

deepen their awareness of being Christian in our bi-cultural context

be challenged to better understand their own faith life

Assessment

A postal tutor comments on written reflections for those doing the course for credit.

Delivery Method

Each participant receives a study guide for each theme and a book of course Readings A videotape showing Pa Henare Tate in conversation with Fr. Bernard Dennehy on the subject of each theme is also provided.

Course Content

The eight themes covered are:

An overview of Maori spirituality

The spiritual world of the Maori

Inculturation

Tapu and Mana

Noa and Hohou Rongo

Christian Maori perspectives on scripture and church

Addressing tapu in daily life

Working bi-culturally

Readings

A book of Readings compiled specially for the course contains all the required reading.

Forming a group

If you would like to form a group, please contact NCRS for an Enrolment Form.

The National Centre for Religious Studies