Author: Jemma

Island Bay’s Blessing of the Boats

WelCom March 2017: Diocesan News Every year, on the second Sunday of February, the picturesque seaside suburb of Island Bay on Wellington’s south coast sees a flotilla of fishing boats and other sea-craft of all shapes and sizes arrive to take part in the ‘Blessing of the Boats’ by local clergy. This traditional ceremony, which offers […]

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Religious Enriching Communities

WelCom March 2017: Parishes, schools, and chaplaincies that have the support of religious communities living amongst them are enriched. These stories are just some of examples of the many good works undertaken by religious through prayer, hope, retreats, education and other professional activities and support for people everywhere. Benemerenti Medal to Br Doug Dawick Esther Saldanha […]

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A Renewed Vision for the Catholic Enquiry Centre

WelCom March 2017: National News When announcing their appointment of Fr Neil Vaney as Chaplain to the Catholic Enquiry Centre late last year, the New Zealand bishops said, ‘Fr Neil brings with him significant experience in and commitment to the work of evangelisation, with a particular gift in enabling young people to hear and respond to […]

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Catholic College Dux and Special Catholic Character Awards 2016; and Student Leaders 2017

WelCom March 2017: Youth, Schools, Education Archdiocese of Wellington Bishop Viard College, Porirua St Patrick’s College, Wellington St Bernard’s College, Lower Hutt Chanel College, Masterton St Patrick’s College, Silverstream Garin College, Nelson Sacred Heart College, Lower Hutt St Mary’s College, Wellington St Catherine’s College, Kilbirnie Diocese of Palmerston North St Peter’s College Palmerston North St Joseph’s […]

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Budget 2017 must prioritise community wellbeing say Archdiocese and Caritas

WelCom March 2017: National News Lisa Beech ‘Kaikōura social services are anticipating significant hardship over the coming winter’, Te Tai o Marokura social services manager Riria Allen told the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee in support of the Archdiocese of Wellington’s submission on the government’s 2017 Budget policy statement. Speaking to the select committee by phone […]

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Institutional Abuse ‘Staggering’

WelCom March 2017: International News ‘Ashamed. Humiliated. A kick in the guts.’ They’re some of the words Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher op used to describe his reaction to the extent of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church [in Australia], reported Sydney’s Daily Telegraph, after The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse released figures […]

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Focus on Youth

WelCom March 2017: Focus on Young People and Faith: Synod of Bishops 2018 Chris Duthie-Jung With the dust still settling from the stirring appeal of Pope Francis in Amoris Laetitia – The Joy of Love, excitement is once again building over what the next Synod of Bishops in Rome will recommend. About every three years the […]

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Mind over Matthew: Part 1

WelCom March 2017: Reflections Dr Elizabeth Julian rsm Last month in an article in WelCom on the liturgical calendar I pointed out this year is Year A of the Liturgical Cycle and that we are following the Gospel of Matthew on Sundays during Ordinary Time. I suggested two short videos on YouTube provide an excellent way […]

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Mary and the Reformation, 2: Zwingli Pt 1.

WelCom March 2017: Reflections This year marks the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, which brought the Catholic Church into deep conflict and schisms. Kieran Fenn fms continues his series on Mary and the Reformation in which he explores some of the key reformers of the sixteenth century. This is the first part about Ulrich Zwingli. […]

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Gospel Reflection: Sunday 5 March

WelCom March 2017: Reflections Parishioner of The Immaculate Conception Parish Stratford and retired Taranaki dairy farmer, Tom Gibson, reflects on this Sunday’s Gospel. Matthew 4:1-11 1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the desert to be put to the test by the devil. 2 He fasted for forty days and forty nights, after […]

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