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).
WelCom December 2023
The latest issue of WelCom is available to read here.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.”– Isaiah 9:6
Helping the Sisters at the Home of Compassion to set up the Christmas crib in the chapel for Advent are brother and sisters from the Chine family of Island Bay (l-r) Gelila (10), Minab (13), Asgedet (7) and Luwam (15). The three younger children are students at St Francis de Sales School and Luwan attends Wellington East Girls College.
The world must unite in faith to tackle climate change
On the eve of Pope Francis’ historic attendance at the UN climate change conference COP28 in Dubai, 30 November to 12 December, His Excellency Rashed Matar Alqemzi, UAE Ambassador to New Zealand, writes for WelCom on the profound significance of Pope Francis’ invitation and acceptance to attend COP28.
Diaconate ordination of Matthew White
Seminarian Matthew White was ordained a deacon by Archbishop Paul Martin sm on Sunday 12 November at St Teresa’s Pro-Cathedral, Karori.
Members of Matthew’s family, friends, clergy and several parishioners from his home parish Te Ngākau Tapu in Porirua and from Ōtari parish in Wellington were all there to support him.
Christmas Message
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
I want to take the opportunity to wish you all a blessed and holy Christmas. These days of Advent pass so quickly in the busyness of the end of our year.
Divine logic opens the way to an adventure of faith
I have always loved the story that is told about Mother Teresa – that she would pray an hour’s adoration every morning unless she was really busy, in which case she would pray for two hours…. We might call this divine logic, a logic that exists in the world but has a supernatural origin.
UN expert tells Wellington Catholics Israel-Palestine tragedy has ‘simple solution’
Nothing will ever be the same in the Holy Land after the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel and Israel’s apocalyptic response, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, told a Catholic audience in Wellington on 22 November.
Caritas NZ launches appeal for Holy Land
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand welcomes donations to its special fund for the Holy Land, which goes towards emergency relief and development. Donation details can be found on the Caritas website caritas.org.nz.
An ‘offer’ from Bishop John to diocesan staff to begin their day in prayer
aith is that genuine renewal in the Church is always a supernatural phenomenon. Therefore, when we speak of the renewal of parish life it can only proceed with an increased docility to the Holy Spirit. As I begin my time as the Bishop of Palmerston North, I know this applies to me also. Unless I accept the truth of John 15:5 ‘…for without me you can do nothing…’ my own strength will surely be insufficient.