Nau mai, Haere Mai.
It is a pleasure tinged with sadness that I write in the final issue of WelCom. Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand and the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Wellington and the Diocese of Palmerston North have had a strong relationship over many years and we will be sad to see this newspaper go.
‘State of the Nation’ speeches are very popular among politicians, though the cynical part of me believes they are mainly used to either justify what they have done or what they are about to do. I have waited in vain for a speech that outlines a dream or vision for the future.
One in our midst, Honouring Mary in the 21st Century, is a new book of spiritual reflections from well-known Wellington author, Fr James Lyons.
High Wire, a new book of poetry from regular WelCom contributer Michael Fitzsimons, has been published by Wellington publisher Cuba Press. It is his third book of poetry.
Living on the Fault Line – Aotearoa’s bicultural future, Quentin Wilson Publishing, February 2025, is a new book by New Zealand author and retired Anglican Bishop John Bluck.
Knowing My Place: An Autobiography in 3-D by Bishop Emeritus of Palmerston North is an autobiography he published in 2023. The book shares an in-depth insight and account of his rich, interesting and faith-filled life.
Have you heard this joke about Pope Francis? I hadn’t until just recently. It goes like this.
‘We are here to appreciate beauty.’
I read this in a novel over the Christmas break. While I can’t recall how it fitted into the plot, the image has stayed with me. It’s a great answer to the question each of us has to ask at some time on our life’s journey.
39 Jesus told his disciples a parable, ‘Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? 40 No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.
If human life is the wonderful gift and privilege we believe it is, then so too, is the work of making it more fully and authentically human, and countering everything that dehumanises.