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 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. […]
WelCom September 2017: Parishioners at St Andrew’s Church Newlands were notified at Mass on 25 June their church would be closed indefinitely the following day. A statement read out said, ‘There is danger from wet and slippery floors…and a general dampness which can affect the health of parishioners.’ The notice said that a building and maintenance report had […]
WelCom September 2017: There was a man who, during the 1990s, offered to regularly clean the interior of Palmerston North’s Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. He collected several like-minded people and every Monday they cleaned, with complaint, every nook and cranny. They called themselves the Cathedral Gnomes! As time went by, one by one they grew too […]
WelCom September 2017: Registration is strong for the Aotearoa Catholic Youth Festival at St Mary’s College, Auckland, 2–3 December 2017. Hosted by the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference, the festival is aimed at young people aged 15 to 29. Around 500 are expected. The festival will include workshops, a cultural showcase, and a Mass on the Saturday night. International […]
WelCom September 2017: Jo and Tim McDade, from Brisbane, facilitated this year’s Passionist retreats for young people at two retreat centres in July. Thirty-five 15-to-18-year-olds from the Diocese attended the youth retreat Camp Rangi Woods in Pohangina Valley, to explore ‘a relationship with ourselves, with others and with God’. Along with the usual sessions, games, great food and […]
WelCom September 2017: Over 200 people attended the annual Young Vinnies Mass held at Bishop Viard College on Sunday 13 August. The Mass also celebrated the Society of Vincent de Paul’s 150 years of service in New Zealand. Vinnies from Catholic Colleges in Wellington, Hutt Valley, Masterton and Kapi-Mana, DRSs, teachers and deputy principals, gathered with SVdP […]
WelCom September 2017: Past and present students and staff celebrated Francis Douglas Memorial College Founder on Friday 2 June 2017. The day began with Mass at St Joseph’s Church New Plymouth, celebrated by Fr Tom Lawn, an Old Boy from FDMC. The focus was on those in need. Part of the Offertory was for the Foodbank and contributions […]
WelCom September 2017: “Do all you can to preserve the unity of the spirit by the peace which binds you together” – Ephesians 4:3 Jennifer Ioannou, Principal For a number of years now St Anthony’s School in Seatoun, Wellington, have committed to providing all students with multiple and varied learning opportunities to allow them to develop a […]
WelCom September 2017: “I O MAHI KATOA MAHIA” – “Whatever You Do, Do Well” Sr Sarah Greenlees rndm On Friday 6 October this year, nearly 1000 Sisters, teachers and past pupils of St Joseph’s Māori Girls’ College will gather at the College in Greenmeadows, Hawke’s Bay to celebrate the 150th anniversary of their foundation on 10 October […]