Category: Uncategorized

WelCom September 2017: The recently released and long-awaited Health Select Committee Report into euthanasia and assisted suicide has revealed 80 per cent of the more than 21,000 submissions received from members of the public and organisations are opposed to euthanasia and assisted suicide. It expresses significant public concerns around the unintended consequences of any such legislation while also […]

WelCom September 2017: The Catholic Bishops 2017 Election Statement reminds us our voting choices must be guided by our faith. It specifically highlights ‘pro-life policies’, including upholding/advocating for policies and laws that protect the right to life of the unborn child and promote effective support for pregnant women. Various politicians, and more than one political party, have outlined […]

WelCom September 2017: Vincentians from around the world and throughout New Zealand will gather in Christchurch for a weekend of anniversary celebrations in October. This year the St Vincent de Paul Society celebrates 150 years since it was first established in New Zealand. The first Conference was formed in Christchurch in 1867 and has flourished in Catholic parishes […]

WelCom September 2017: The NZ Catholic Bishops’ 2017 Election Statement, Step out and Vote, has received a resounding endorsement from the Society of St Vincent de Paul. President Terry Comber said the social issues the Bishops raise are at the forefront of the Society’s work. ‘On behalf of Vincentians in New Zealand, I would like to publicly support […]

WelCom September 2017: Catholic priest Brian Walsh of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Palmerston North and Chaplain to the local Marist Sports Club has been named a Monsignor by Pope Francis. The title Monsignor refers to a priest who has been honoured by the Pope for his outstanding services to the Church and society. With his […]

WelCom September 2017: What is the most important thing in the world? It is the people, the people, the people. To celebrate Te Reo Māori Language Week 11–17 September 2017, WelCom features some of the Catholic Māori communities within our two dioceses. The Māori Mission Pā Gerard Burns The first Catholic priests in Aotearoa New Zealand came […]

WelCom September 2017: I have been asked to reflect on what the Church teaches us about how God is revealed in our lives. I want to lead you on a small visualisation exercise. I have three sons. Each of them came into this world blind, unable to speak, dependent ‒ but they certainly weren’t dumb or unable […]

WelCom September 2017: This Year A of the Liturgical Calendar follows the Gospel of Matthew on Sundays during Ordinary Time. Dr Elizabeth Julian rsm addresses some basic questions about Matthew’s gospel to show how it is relevant to our lives today. In last month’s article I considered Matthew’s portrayal of Mary, Jesus’ mother. In this article, I’ll […]

WelCom September 2017: Fr James B Lyons While the publication of Luther’s 95 Theses is recognised as beginning the Reformation, there were earlier rumblings of discontent with Church authority and practice in other parts of Europe. Luther struck the match and what had been unnoticed, ignored or allowed to lie fallow, came to light and suddenly exploded, […]

WelCom September 2017: Before and since Vatican II: Tom Gibson, Stratford Old time missionaries came to our parish of Manaia every three years during and after World War II. In deference to the dairy industry, where dairy workers made up 80 per cent of the parish, missions were held in the ‘off season’ ‒ May to July. […]