WelCom August 2021 In recent years in the preparation for, during and after our Archdiocesan Synods I have heard comments such as: ‘it is all just a talk-fest’; ‘Nothing changes, it is all the same’; or ‘Synods don’t actually do anything’. They are disappointing comments to hear. I believe Synods have really helped our diocese […]
WelCom August 2021 This month the WelCom’s Hīkoi of Faith visits Our Lady of Kāpiti Parish and School – Te Whaea Tapu o Kāpiti. The parish area includes Paekakariki, Raumati, Paraparaumu, Otorohanga, Waikanae, Peka Peka and Te Horo. The parish is a combination of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Waikanae and St Patrick’s Parish and […]
WelCom June/July 2021 This month WelCom visits Ko te Pārihi me te Kura o Hāto Hōhepa, Taitoko – the Parish and School of St Joseph, Levin – the northern most pastoral area within the Archdiocese of Wellington. Levin township, established in 1906, is the largest town of the Horowhenua District. It is located on SH1 […]
WelCom June/July 2021 Michael Fitzsimons talks to archdiocesan archivist Peter Holm about why it’s important for the Church to take its past seriously. Maintaining a reliable, well-organised archive provides the Church with a sense of continuity and a knowledge of what it has done over time, says the Archdiocese of Wellington’s archivist, Peter Holm. ‘It’s […]
WelCom May 2021 Michael Fitzsimons The Bishop Viard College Hall in Porirua was filled to the brim for the 500th anniversary of the first Catholic Mass in the Philippines. Around 700 people from Wellington’s Filipino community gathered for the joyous occasion. The first Mass in the Philippines was celebrated by the Spanish priest, Fr Pedro […]
WelCom May 2021 “The New Zealand Catholic bishops are strongly urging everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand to get a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available.” COVID-19 information The Nathaniel Centre for Bioethics, an agency of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops, is producing information to communicate the Bishops’ support for the COVID-19 immunisation and vaccine programme. […]
WelCom May 2021 Over Anzac weekend I returned to the parish in which I was born and grew up, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of St Patrick’s Church, Waipawa. The current St Patrick’s Church is the third church on the site, with the first being dedicated by Bishop Phillipe Viard on 16 April 1871. When […]
WelCom May 2021 Caritas has expressed its deep appreciation for the recent response of the Catholic community to the Lent Appeal. ‘We were truly humbled by the response we have received from the Catholic community this Lent. We have faced a number of challenges due to Covid level changes and uncertainty around Masses. A few […]
WelCom May 2021 19 January 1949–20 April 2021 It has been with sadness we learned of the passing of Rīhari (Richard) Tiki te Aroha Puanaki of Wairoa, who died on Tuesday, 20 April 2021. Known and loved by many people across Aotearoa and the world, Rīhari gave so much to his whānau, communities and Kaupapa […]
WelCom May 2021 A chapel that was built to house the remains of French Marist missionary Fr Antoine Garin SM is to be restored, but it will be a long-term project. The chapel was built in Nelson’s Wakapuaka Cemetery and is listed as a category one historic place, with ‘special or outstanding historical or cultural […]