Pope Francis opened the Holy Doors at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome on the evening of 24 December 2024, thereby officially inaugurating the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope. During his Christmas evening Mass, he reassured us that the Christ Child of Bethlehem offers the world infinite hope and joy.
Deacon Matthew White was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Paul Martin sm, on Saturday 22 February. His was the first priestly ordination in the newly re-stored Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. As Archbishop Paul remarked, the day was ‘coincidently on the Feast of the Chair of St Peter’.
This edition of WelCom – the 430th issue since the newspaper began 40 years ago – is significant, being the last issue as the publication comes to a close. We have invited two former proprietors, Cardinal John Dew and Bishop Peter Cullinane, and some of our longstanding and regular contributors to share their reflections on WelCom for this final edition.
Eight years ago in February 2017, WelCom set out on a Hīkoi Whakapono: Journey of Faith, to visit all the parishes, schools and Catholic faith communities within our two dioceses of Palmerston North and Wellington.
The 2024 Advent Calendar and the December 2024/January 2025 edition of Welcom are available here.
The Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti, a nationwide protest against the Treaty Principles Bill, culminated in Wellington on 19 November where more than 40,000 participants walked from Waitangi Park through the heart of the city to Parliament grounds.
As the leaders of the Hīkoi arrived at Parliament, the march stretched back through the CBD to Taranaki Street. It is thought to be New Zealand’s largest-ever protest.
The 80th anniversary celebration of the arrival of Pahiatua’s ‘Polish children’ in 1944, took place from 1 to 3 November 2024. Events were held in Pahiatua and Wellington including a deeply moving traditional Latin Mass at St Mary of the Angels Church to honour the enduring legacy of the Polish children and their families who were brought to New Zealand towards the end of World War II.
Exhibition at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata June to September 2025
The Gallery is on a nationwide callout for portraits of students painted by the renowned artist Sr Lawrence (Julia B) Lynch (1896–1975) for inclusion in this upcoming exhibition.
One of the things that struck me when I was in Rome for the Synod in October were all the places that were undergoing renovation or restoration or repair in preparation for the Holy Year 2025, which will be begin on 28 December 2024. It is a reminder that so many people will be heading there on pilgrimage next year to celebrate this Jubilee Year of Hope.
The 2024 Advent Calendar and the November edition of WelCom are available here.