WelCom April 2021 The New Zealand Catholic Bishops’ Committee for Interfaith Relations sent a letter of support last month to the country’s Muslim communities on the second anniversary of the Christchurch mosques’ atrocity. Fifty-one worshippers died and many more were wounded when a gunman opened fire in attacks on the Masjid Al-Noor and Linwood mosques […]
WelCom April 2021 Annette Scullion Monsignor Brian Walsh semi-retired on 31 January this year, stepping down from his role as Local Administrator for the Diocese of Palmerston North. He remains as Vicar General for the diocese and Fr Craig Butler is now the Local Administrator. Mons Brian was formally farewelled as Local Administrator at the […]
WelCom April 2021 Lisa Beech Human activity has taken the world’s climate into uncharted territory – but we still have the ability to make a difference. This was the message Professor James Renwick of Victoria University delivered to participants at the Caring for our Common Home – The Dimensions of Laudato Si’ day, at Cardinal […]
WelCom April 2021 Matthew Balm In his 2020 encyclical Fratelli Tutti – on fraternity and social friendship, Pope Francis wrote, ‘God has created all human beings equal in rights, duties and dignity, and has called them to live together as brothers and sisters.’ This context of ‘fraternity’ means we are all united by human dignity […]
WelCom April 2021 Rupi Mapusua and Brigid Sharp Parishioners at Our Lady of Hope Parish of Tawa and Titahi Bay stood in solidarity at Our Lady of Fatima Church, on Sunday 21 February and St Pius X Church on Saturday 27 February, to publicly acknowledge sexual abuse by clergy. They stood with other churches that […]
WelCom April 2021 Ko Tahi Ano – Together as One, is made up of five communities in and around Palmerston North: the Cathedral; Our Lady of Lourdes, Palmerston North and Sacred Heart Church, Rongotea; St Mary’s, Foxton, and St Joseph’s Church, Shannon. There are four Catholic schools: St Peter’s College, St James and Our Lady […]
WelCom April 2021 Michael Fitzsimons Tim Stuck, the new principal of Francis Douglas Memorial College in New Plymouth, has a lot invested in the college. His father went there, he and his brothers went there and now son Harry is walking through the school gates. ‘I’m very much a local,’ says Tim. ‘After college I […]
WelCom April 2021 Tears flowed freely at the parish farewell for Michael Fletcher, Director of Music at Sacred Heart Cathedral for the past ten years. The occasion followed his final choral Mass on Sunday 14 March with tributes from choristers and parishioners emphasising Michael’s outstanding contribution to the cathedral, particularly in music ministry. His resignation […]
WelCom April 2021 A new book, GENERATION 20/20: Agents for Change was launched at the Central Library in Palmerston North on 21 March – the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The book, written by Mary Eastham, is a record of two, young adult interfaith forums held at Square Edge, Palmerston North in […]
WelCom April 2021 Mark Hurley St Mary’s College Wellington fielded a senior team and an Under-15 team at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Sevens Nationals (Condors) held in Auckland last December. The U15 team was undefeated in pool play, then went on to win their quarter final against St Peter’s Cambridge 15–7, their semi-final against […]