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).
Schools David Sullivan The annual O’Shea Shield public speaking contest among colleges in the Wellington and Palmerston North dioceses, presents public speaking of the highest quality, and is also an amazing forum for the faith of students. This year St Patrick’s College Kilbirnie and St Catherine’s College finished victors in the tough tussle but there […]
Feature Cecily McNeill Some 45 people joined together with Australian Sr Anne Boyd in a workshop at the beginning of May in Plimmerton to discuss the interconnectedness of the universe and how Christians’ understanding links to what is happening in the world. Through a 15-minute dvd, workshop participants realised that humans have been interconnected with […]
Archdiocesan News Debbie Matheson On 28 April the ‘Launch Out’ candidates gathered for their second Prayer Day Experience of the year. Presentation Sister Regina Daly led the candidates in meditation and contemplation exploring the themes of journey and pilgrimage. They started the day journeying around the room to Enya’s song ‘Pilgrim’ before choosing a ‘Guided […]
Feature Cecily McNeill With parishes being asked to discuss the way they operate and perhaps join with neighbouring parishes in some areas of ministry, it is timely to look at the Second Vatican Council’s ‘earnest exhortation to laity to take an active role’ in parish life. The Decree on the Apostolate of Lay People – […]
Scripture Kieran Fenn fms This article is a response to a request to reflect on the call for new Marian dogmas. Rather than go down new paths, we need to give life to the truths about Mary we already have, to let them speak anew to our 21st century Church and faith. We need, first, […]
Editorial Cecily McNeill Archbishop John Dew’s plan for restructuring the diocese echoes developments in the early church documented in the Acts of the Apostles about which we have been hearing in the liturgical readings between Easter and Pentecost. While the excerpts from Acts in the readings have been largely on the apostles’ teachings about Jesus […]
Archdiocesan News Cecily McNeill City parishes in the Wellington Archdiocese may be struggling to come to terms with the possibility of having to go to the next suburb for Sunday Mass but in its southernmost parishes of Reefton and Westport, the prospect is an hour’s drive over sometimes impassable roads. Tony Fortune of Sacred Heart […]
Obituary Jane Allan A fortnight before his death while distributing communion at Napier’s St Patrick’s Church, Monsignor Timothy Hannigan had remarked to a parishioner that he wanted to die ‘in his vestments’.Fr Tim was granted his wish. He was at his happiest surrounded by people and died minutes after baptising a baby. Born in Ireland, […]
Archdiocesan News Tricia Kane To wait in silence in that dark, quiet space for God to speak was the challenge for Christian Life Communities in Wellington and Palmerston North when they met last month. Acting ecclesial assistant Fr Denis O’Hagen sm led them in meditation and prayer at the Home of Compassion inspired by the […]
Archdiocesan News St Joseph’s Upper Hutt held a morning tea on 20 April to say ‘farewell’ to Fr Michael Sweere. Five years ago the parish was blessed with the arrival of Fr Michael as a retired priest. In Fr Michael’s case this description became an oxymoron. He has assisted parish priest Fr Ron Bennett by […]