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).
WelCom April 2018: Hiruhārama – Jerusalem The Sisters of Compassion have been connected with Hiruhārama – Jerusalem on the Whanganui River since 1883 when Venerable Suzanne Aubert established a convent school there. Later in 1892, she founded the congregation of the Sisters of Compassion and today the Sisters are kaitiaki (guardians) of the church, old convent […]
WelCom April 2018: A Prelude to Anzac Day Brian Fennessy On Palm Sunday we commemorate Jesus’ entry, riding on a donkey, into Jerusalem. For us in New Zealand, a donkey doesn’t portray an image of elegance or strength. However, for Jesus, and his contemporaries, the donkey represented an animal of peace, hard work and a fulfilment […]
WelCom April 2018: Cardinal John Dew The fifth anniversary, last month, of the election of Pope Francis on 13 March 2013 has given us a time for reflection on this remarkable papacy. Pope Francis’ humble and practical ways surprised us from the day of his election. He continues to surprise, challenge and delight with his wisdom […]
WelCom April 2018: To mark the fifth anniversary of the election of his Holiness Pope Francis, the Apostolic Nuncio HE Archbishop Martin Krebs hosted a reception in Wellington on 14 March 2018. Guests included government officials, diplomats, political and civil leaders, NZ bishops, clergy and religious, representatives of other churches and religious traditions, and a host of […]
WelCom April 2018: On 15 March 2018, Cardinal John Dew announced the appointment of Deacon Danny Karatea-Goddard as Vicar for Māori for the Archdiocese of Wellington. Danny was appointed as Tūranga Māori in February 2017. Monsignor Gerard Burns, the former Vicar for Māori will continue in his role as Vicar-General and parish priest of Te Ngākau Tapu […]
WelCom April 2018: A large crowd of around 1500 packed Christchurch Boys’ High School auditorium for the ordination of Bishop Paul Martin sm on Saturday 3 March. Cardinal John Dew ordained Martin the tenth Bishop of Christchurch to succeed Bishop Barry Jones, who died in February 2016. Attending were several members of Bishop Paul’s family from […]
WelCom April 2018: Amanda Gregan In their submission last month, the New Zealand Catholic Bishops expressed their deep concerns about David Seymour’s ‘End of Life Choice’ Bill, currently before the Justice Select Committee. ‘The Catholic Church’s long involvement in the hospice movement and pastoral care of the dying and their families provides us with strong credentials […]
WelCom April 2018: Anglican and Catholic Bishops met last month, at the Home of Compassion in Island Bay, as part of the ongoing commitment to dialogue between the two Churches on issues including homelessness, poverty, trafficking and the environment. The Bishops gathered in prayer the evening prior to their meeting the next day, 15 March. Discussions included: […]
WelCom April 2018: The Federation of Catholic Bishops Conferences of Oceania will meet in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, 12‒16 April this year, for their four-yearly Plenary Assembly. The Federation is made up of Bishops from Australia, PNG and Solomon Islands, New Zealand and other Pacific nations. The Assembly’s theme is, ‘Care of our Common Home […]
WelCom April 2018: Rā Huritau – Birthday Celebration – ¡Feliz Cumpleaños! On Sunday 18 March, parishioners of Te Ngākau Tapu hāhi in Porirua and the wider church community celebrated the 60th birthday of parish priest, Pā Gerard Burns. The hakaari (celebratory meal) was held in neighbouring Tū-Hono hall after the 10am Miha (Mass in Māori). In […]