Demand remains strong for Catholic marriage
Demand remains strong for sacramental marriage and Catholic marriage preparation courses according to new data from Accord, the Catholic Marriage Care agency in Ireland.
Welcom Archive 2007-2026
WelCom is the monthly newspaper of the Archdiocese of Wellington. Print copies of the eight-page newsletter are free and available in parishes, and sent to parishes and schools in PDF form. The archive contains WelCom stories published from 2007 to 2026 (May).
World Youth Day cuts costs
The organisers of World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon say they have lowered the cost of the main stage which will be used as an altar for the final Mass, following an outcry over the price of the construction. Concerns were raised in late January when it was announced that the infrastructure for the stage […]
Nicaraguan Bishop sentenced to 26 years
Pope Francis has decried the imprisonment of Nicaraguan Bishop Rolando Alvarez and the expulsion of 220 dissidents, including several priests and seminarians. Bishop Alvarez has protested against the regime of President Daniel Ortega, and was sentenced for what a Nicaraguan court called treason and ‘undermining national integrity’. Bishop Alvarez has been sentenced to 26 years […]
Lightning strikes famous statue
The Christ the Redeemer statue, a landmark of Brazil since it was completed in 1931, was struck by lightning in February. A photographer named Fernando Braga was in the vicinity to capture the electrifying moment. Located atop the Corcovado mountain, the sculpture is 98 feet high and presents itself as if Jesus Christ is overlooking […]
Myanmar junta torches church
Myanmar junta forces have continued their attacks on Christian communities by torching a more than century-old Catholic church in a predominantly Christian village. The 129-year-old Assumption Church in Chan Thar in Ye-U township in the north-western Sagaing region was set ablaze on 15 January, along with many villagers’ homes. The church was completely destroyed in […]
Anglicans explore gender-neutral language
The bishops of the Church of England are launching a new project to explore the use of gender-neutral language for God in church services. A spokesperson for the Church of England said, ‘Christians have recognised since ancient times that God is neither male nor female, yet the variety of ways of addressing and describing God […]
‘Speak the truth in love’
On 24 January this year, which is the Feast of St Francis de Sales, and in memory of this saint who is the patron saint of journalists and communicators, Pope Francis released the Message for the 57th World Day of Social Communications. The theme of the Pope’s message for this year is wonderful. It is: Speak from the heart. ‘Living the truth in love’ (Eph 4:15).
Keep the beginning in sight
Do you have a beginner’s mind?
A child starting school comes home excited by the newness of it all. The first days in a new job bring an eagerness and freshness to life. As a relationship opens to love, there is a profound joy that you can’t wait to share with the whole world.
Gospel Reading: Sunday 5 March 2023
Second Sunday of Lent – Matthew 17:1-9 1 Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. 3 And suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, and […]
The Feast of the Annunciation
25 March, Solemnity
The Feast of the Annunciation on 25 March is one of the most important in the Church calendar.