A farewell afternoon tea was held for Srs Francine McGovern sm and Margaret Vaney sm, at Our Lady of Hope, Tawa, on 28 October. The Sisters are the last of many Marist Sisters who have ministered in the Archdiocese of Wellington over the last 70 years, including in Tawa for 27 years.
After a four-year break, the archdiocesan induction programme for incoming clergy from overseas, called ‘Landing the Waka’, recommenced in October.
The Wellington Abrahamic Council hosted a public seminar last month on the ever-increasing impact of technology on religions and how to adapt in the post-AI age.
Questions included: What are our religions’ positions on technology in general, and AI specifically? How could AI impact our religious beliefs and practices? Can a machine be conscious or have a soul? How do we mitigate potential threats AI poses to humanity, to religion and to God?
Signalling the Vatican’s growing engagement in efforts to ensure the ethical development of new technologies, the Vatican has announced ‘Artificial Intelligence and Peace’ will be the theme for the next World Day of Peace, on 1 January, 2024. ‘The remarkable advances made in the field of artificial intelligence are having a rapidly increasing impact on […]
Themes of wrongdoing, repentance and reparation weave seamlessly through Wellington author Kate Mahony’s newly published novel, Secrets of the Land. The author, a former reporter/feature writer for Catholic newspapers, Zealandia, NZ Catholic and WelCom has set the story in Taranaki, the region where Kate grew up, on a farm in Hawera.
A new Religious Education curriculum is being introduced to Catholic schools in New Zealand. By 2026 all primary and secondary schools will be using the new curriculum throughout their Religious Education teaching programmes. Colin MacLeod, Director/Kaitohu Te Kupenga – National Centre for Religious Studies, explains.
Fr James Lyons continues his exploration of titles given to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the 16th century Litany of Loretto.
As has been the custom for many years, an archdiocesan Mass will be celebrated on the Archdiocese of Wellington feast day, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, 8 December. The Mass will be celebrated at St Teresa’s Pro-Cathedral, Karori, at 7pm.
It seems to me that each year it gets that little bit more difficult to engage with the Christmas message, to cut through the commercial hoo-ha that surrounds it; hoo-ha that, these days, can start to build as early as September.
During the month of December 2023 Pope Francis’ intention is: for persons
with disabilities.
We pray that people living with disabilities may be at the centre of attention in society, and that institutions may offer inclusive programmes which value their active participation.