Landing the Waka recommences
The archdiocesan induction programme for incoming clergy from overseas – called ‘Landing the Waka’ – recommenced last October after a four-year hiatus.
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).
Dame Malvina Major to present Wellington concert for Maxwell Fernie Trust
Chris Hainsworth, Principal Organist of Beziers Cathedral, France marks his return to Wellington this month to give a special organ concert with ‘a delightful blend of music and observation delivered with effortless flourish and wit’.
Farewell and welcome Mass for Hastings Parish
The Catholic Parish of Hastings – Te Parihi Katorika ki Heretaunga, held a wonderful celebration at a special Mass in late January to farewell departing assistant priest Fr Trung Nguyen and to welcome back Fr Marcus Francis as the new parish priest.
New safeguarding coordinator
Archbishop Paul Martin sm has appointed Kevin Plant as the new safeguarding coordinator for the Archdiocese of Wellington. Kevin replaces Sr Catherine Jones smsm who retired from the role in December.
Working for Church ‘a good fit’ for new GM
Taking up the position of General Manager of the Archdiocese of Wellington has felt like ‘coming home’, says new appointee Reuben Norris.
Pursuing the common good
The core responsibility of those entrusted to govern is to promote the common good. This doesn’t mean just what is best for most people.
The Rātana Church – Te Haahi Rātana
Rātana is really a family birthday. It honours and celebrates the birthday of the founding prophet of Rātana, Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana (1873–1939). His birthday is 25 January each year. So the atmosphere of Rātana is just that: a whānau gathering to share and enjoy company and mark a birthday, not least by the regular playing and marching of the Rātana band.
Lent – an encounter with the gift of mercy
The season of Lent invites Christians into a time of self-examination; to take ourselves through a ‘warrant of fitness’ test regarding our relationships with God and with one another. It is not meant to be a scary time, but rather one of gratefulness and gladness as we come to appreciate how loved we are – and how loving we can be – through the great gift of mercy.
Gospel Reading: Sunday 3 March 2024
Third Sunday of Lent – John 2:13-25 13 Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money changers seated there. 15 He made a whip out of cords and drove them all […]
‘Your authentic sense of liturgical occasion’
Monsignor Charles Harold Pascal Cooper, a much-loved and respected priest of the Archdiocese of Wellington, died on 3 January 2024, aged 90, at his home in Wellington. Ken Joblin, organist and chorister at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Wellington from 1988–2000, and now Sacred Music Adviser for the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch, pays tribute to his former mentor and guide.