For the past 15 years, Challenge 2000 in partnership with the Society of Mary has been providing an amazing ‘gap year’ formation and employment opportunity for young people committed to the community, while gaining skills and spirituality to live their gospel call to love and serve.
Archbishop Paul Martin sm has appointed Ms Jude McKee as his new Executive Assistant. Jude commenced in the role on 29 January 2024.
Catholic Social Services are part of a collaboration that provides household goods and pantry packs to help in the settlement of newly arriving refugees. We can do this because of the generosity of our parish communities and others who have donated household goods, pantry packs and turned empty houses into homes.
Greenstone Doors has been helping pregnant women and their whānau in the Hutt Valley for over a decade – and now they are making a move.
Fr Philip Gibbs SVD, OBE, President of the Catholic Divine Word University in Madang, Papua New Guinea, was visiting family in Lower Hutt over the summer break. He caught up with WelCom to talk about his missionary life as a priest of 50 years in PNG, and his work leading the university there. Through its Catholic faith-centred, integrated and holistic approach to educating ‘the whole person’, the university is transforming the lives of its students and their communities.
Monsignor Charles Harold Pascal, a much loved and respected priest of the Archdiocese of Wellington, died on 3 January 2024, aged 90, peacefully at Vincentian Home, Berhampore, Wellington. Charles had been recently diagnosed with terminal cancer but died more quickly was expected.
Pope Francis released a new apostolic letter as a motu proprio on 1 November 2023, entitled: Ad Theologiam Promovendam – To Promote Theology, The 1500-word letter, divided into 10 articles, has been described as: ‘presenting an ambitious vision for the renewal of theological pursuit within the life of the Church, cognisant of the shifting cultural landscapes and the Church’s mission in the contemporary world.’ Emeritus Bishop Peter Cullinane of the Palmerston North Diocese comments on Pope Francis’ new letter.
A Kiwi contingent is invited to take part in this year’s international Genfest in Brazil and neighbouring countries from 12–24 July. Organised by the Focolare Movement’s youth arm, Y4UW International, it offers an experience of universal fraternity for thousands of young people from around the world.
Seminarian Matthew White was ordained a deacon by Archbishop Paul Martin sm on Sunday 12 November at St Teresa’s Pro-Cathedral, Karori.
Members of Matthew’s family, friends, clergy and several parishioners from his home parish Te Ngākau Tapu in Porirua and from Ōtari parish in Wellington were all there to support him.
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
I want to take the opportunity to wish you all a blessed and holy Christmas. These days of Advent pass so quickly in the busyness of the end of our year.