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).
The Chrism Mass in Wellington was held on Wednesday 27 March at St Teresa’s Pro Cathedral, Karori. Chrism Masses are celebrated throughout the world during Holy Week each year to bless the sacred oils used to administer sacraments for the coming year.
The coalition government has been passing multiple laws under parliamentary urgency since coming into power late last year. But a lack of public scrutiny and input to processes raises concerns among advocates for society’s vulnerable.
For this year’s Laudato si’ Week and Pentecost, we are invited to gather in community to contemplate and nurture seeds of hope for our ‘suffering planet’ (Laudate Deum 2).
Death happens to us all. It’s a healthy part of being on the planet, says Tony Paine, Chief Executive of Mary Potter Hospice.
The Treaty of Waitangi is the founding document of New Zealand, named after the place in the Bay of Islands where it was first signed on 6 February 1840. It is an agreement entered into by representatives of the Crown and of Māori iwi (tribes) and hapū (sub-tribes). The Treaty was not drafted as a constitution or a statute.
Cemeteries used to be called churchyards, because that’s what they were – a place near the church for deceased parishioners. Like St Paul’s image of the body, the burial ground is an ‘earthenware vessel’ holding the treasured remains of people whose lives have been part of the life of the parish. It’s hallowed ground, a sacred space.
Jesus said to his disciples: 9 ‘As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love.
The tradition of dedicating the month of May to Mary came about in the 13th century. The reason is that this month in the Northern Hemisphere is the time when spring is at the height of its beauty. Spring is also connected with nature renewing itself.
During the month of May 2024 Pope Francis’ intention is:
for the formation of religious and seminarians.
We pray that religious women and men, and seminarians, grow in their own vocations through their human, pastoral, spiritual and community formation, leading them to be credible witnesses to the Gospel.
Running since 1946, the O’Shea Shield is one of New Zealand’s oldest intercollegiate competitions. Sacred Heart College Napier has the privilege of hosting the 2024 O’Shea Shield.