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).
When Gabrielle Carman was invited to a friend’s place for lunch last November, she was surprised to find out just how many other people there were there when she arrived.
Most of them were from St Vincent de Paul where Carman volunteers in New Plymouth.
Greenstone Doors has been helping pregnant women and their whānau in the Hutt Valley for over a decade – and now they are making a move.
Celebrating Eucharist at 5.30pm Mass followed by a shared meal on Sunday 26 November 2023, were among the highlights marking 125 years of Catholic faith shared by early settlers to present-day parishioners at Eketahuna’s Sacred Heart Parish in the Tararua District.
Fr Philip Gibbs SVD, OBE, President of the Catholic Divine Word University in Madang, Papua New Guinea, was visiting family in Lower Hutt over the summer break. He caught up with WelCom to talk about his missionary life as a priest of 50 years in PNG, and his work leading the university there. Through its Catholic faith-centred, integrated and holistic approach to educating ‘the whole person’, the university is transforming the lives of its students and their communities.
Bern Atkins was a man of great exuberance and warmth, who brought a rare vitality to the many spheres of his life. His sudden passing, aged 67, while on a cycling trip in Northland was a huge shock to his family and wide circle of friends.
Monsignor Charles Harold Pascal, a much loved and respected priest of the Archdiocese of Wellington, died on 3 January 2024, aged 90, peacefully at Vincentian Home, Berhampore, Wellington. Charles had been recently diagnosed with terminal cancer but died more quickly was expected.
Pope Francis released a new apostolic letter as a motu proprio on 1 November 2023, entitled: Ad Theologiam Promovendam – To Promote Theology, The 1500-word letter, divided into 10 articles, has been described as: ‘presenting an ambitious vision for the renewal of theological pursuit within the life of the Church, cognisant of the shifting cultural landscapes and the Church’s mission in the contemporary world.’ Emeritus Bishop Peter Cullinane of the Palmerston North Diocese comments on Pope Francis’ new letter.
The final segment of this series in which Fr James Lyons has explored titles of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, as found in the 16th century Litany of Loreto.
Recently, I attended a party for a woman celebrating her 100th birthday. Sr Juliana’s 80 years of music ministry as a disciple of Jesus has been sustained by her prayer life. Today she is most often found in the chapel deep in contemplation.
During the month of February 2024 Pope Francis’ intention is: for the terminally ill.
We pray that those with a terminal illness, and their families, receive the necessary physical and spiritual care and accompaniment.