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).
Recently I was reminded that it is not the breaths I take that matter, but what takes my breath. I thought once more of what there is in my life that takes my breath: The fact that the universe is still expanding, A parent’s love for a child, The look of love between a couple celebrating 60 years of marriage,
Caritas has come out in support of a ‘third way’ amendment to a controversial parliamentary bill on physical punishment of children that seeks to outlaw most cases of spanking. Scoop reports that Caritas CEO Michael Smith said the Catholic social justice agency was satisfied that the compromise found through cross-party discussion and negotiation met concerns raised by their submission to Parliament.
As our society debates the issues around Section 59 of the Crimes Act and the physical punishment of children, we wish to restate the principles of our 2002 statement on the protection of children, written as our Church faced up to incidents of abuse against children, sometimes in the name of discipline. We learned through this experience that general concern for children is not always enough to protect them from harm.
The Directors of Catholic Social Services around the country have come out in support of repeal of Section 59 of the Crimes Act. The directors from Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington and Dunedin met recently in Wellington and endorsed Sue Bradford’s bill which seeks to repeal a section of the law which allows children to be physically disciplined.
It is presented by married couples and explores the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of marital intimacy, and helps couples to identify their individual intimacy needs.
Last month, throughout the world, many people, after much prayer, guidance and reflection, decided to enter the Catholic community. This really continues the tradition that we hear so much about in our Easter readings from the Acts of the Apostles. The early church, and in the millennia ever since, has responded to the deep longing of people wanting to discover the beauty and the challenge of following this man we call Jesus.
A ‘pastoral genius’ of the Marist order was farewelled at the end of March. Priests and brothers of the Society of Mary, family and friends celebrated the life of Fr Michael Tomasi, known universally as Mick, in St Mary of the Angels Church, Wellington, on 30 March.
Many religious, family members and friends of Sr Mary Genevieve gathered at St Joseph’s Convent Chapel, Upper Hutt, on 28 March 2007 for a Thanksgiving Liturgy to celebrate her life. Born in Timaru, Joan Casey received her religious name when she was professed as a Sister of Mercy in Wellington in 1942.
As New Zealand politicians debate the question of trading on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, an Australian bishop has called on his government to open for scrutiny information on working conditions. In a pastoral letter issued for last Tuesday’s feastday of St Joseph the Worker (1 May) Bishop Christopher Saunders, Chairman of the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council (ACSJC), asks for regular releases of data on the terms and conditions of Australian workplace agreements.
It is now well accepted that the high consumption lifestyles of the richer nations and wealthy elites throughout the world are primarily responsible for the most threatening ecological challenge facing the planet – climate change. Human activity, especially industrialisation, continues to harm the natural climate balance.