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).

Service to Seafarers

WelCom July 2019: Jeff Drane Sea Sunday occurs on 14 July this year and it is a good time to remember the dedicated volunteers and workers in the ports of Wellington and Napier. Twelve Wellingtonians of whom four are ship visitors in Wellington devote their time to serving the needs of seafarers and fishers when they […]

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Act on climate crisis now: Pope

WelCom July 2019: Many of the world’s leading oil producers announced their support for carbon pricing schemes following Pope Francis’ plea for a ‘radical energy transition’ during a climate summit at the Vatican June 13‒14, on ‘Energy Transition and Care for Our Common Home.’ The Vatican joined oil companies, investors and environmentalists in signing a statement […]

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Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong calls for restraint

WelCom July 2019: The Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong has called for the government and public to exercise restraint and seek a peaceful resolution to a controversial bill that if passed into law would allow Hong Kong citizens’ extradition to mainland China. The bill has resulted in massive protests. Church leaders are supporting the protests, which […]

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Regional seminars to revitalise Vinnies

WelCom July 2019: Mike Fitzsimons A series of regional seminars are being run throughout New Zealand focusing on spiritual renewal and the recruitment of new members to join the Society of St Vincent de Paul. The seminars, run by the Society’s National Spiritual Adviser Fr Jeff Drane, are being held in the coming months in response […]

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A saintly man committed to peace and justice

WelCom July 2019: Zachariah Duke Jean Vanier, founder of the L’Arche Community, passed away on 7 May 2019, aged 90. As someone who was blessed to share a friendship with Jean Vanier over a number of years, it seems almost unimaginable to accept that he is no longer with us. It has been difficult for me […]

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Joy Cowley a Finalist in 2019 Mind Body Spirit Literary Awards

WelCom July 2019: One of New Zealand’s best-loved writers, Dame Joy Cowley – a regular contributor to WelCom – is a finalist in this year’s Ashton Wylie Mind Body Spirit Literary Awards’ Book category for her non-fiction work Veil Over Light. Joy joins four other authors from all over the country writing about issues as wide-ranging […]

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The Size and Shape of Parables

WelCom July 2019: “Parables of sight, parables of hearing, they can nourish us in so many ways.” As we get older, we tend to lose sharpness of sight and hearing, but those same inner senses can become more acute. It’s as though life experience teaches us to see and hear new truth beyond the surface of […]

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Papal honour for exceptional stewardship

WelCom July 2019: Brendan Quirk A joyful Mass of love and thanksgiving was concelebrated on Sunday 26 May 2019, at a packed-out St Anthony’s Church, Seatoun, Wellington, of the Holy Trinity Parish. Mrs Julie Marshall was presented with a Benemerenti Medal and framed scroll, which Pope Francis had awarded in January this year. Fr Ephrem Tigga […]

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Sr Joan Manson celebrates her 90th birthday

WelCom July 2019: Ethne Maher A large group of family, Sisters of Mercy and friends gathered in Palmerston North to celebrate Sr Joan Manson’s 90th birthday on 28 May this year. Sr Joan was born in Whanganui where she spent her childhood years as well as in Palmerston North. After leaving school she worked as a […]

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Supporting better connections and communication

WelCom July 2019: ‘Come to the Water, You Who Are Thirsty’ – Isaiah 55:1 Kelly and Luana Durston Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME) team members invited Bishop Charles Drennan to their monthly meeting, in Pahiatua in April this year, to share their WWME mission and experience. The team is grateful for Bishop Charles’ support for their planned […]

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