Unleashing the writer
Two creative women with many years experience and flair in their respective fields are featuring at the Josephite Retreat Centre, Whanganui, in the next few weeks.
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).
Papal award tops off jubilee
The Golden Jubilee of religious profession of Sr Peter Chanel Hoban RNDM was held March 9-11 at St Patrick’s Parish, Napier.
St Pat’s Community Cafe
The gap between rich and poor in New Zealand is growing. According to Make Poverty History, the proportion of all children in severe and significant hardship in New Zealand has increased from 18 to 26 percent since 2000.
Poverty banquet espouses Lent goals
For the 75 people who showed up to share a bowl of rice with a spoonful of veges, it was more like fasting or a serious diet than a banquet. The idea, of course, was to make us aware of the plight of millions of poor people all over the world, many of whom would have been lucky to enjoy such a meal.
Gala day success
Donkey ‘doos’ proved a popular feature in a fundraising gala at Whanganui’s St Mary’s parish in February.
Turning 90
Friends and family from all over New Zealand and Australia celebrated with Home of Compassion Sister Anna-Marie Shortall her 90th birthday in early February.
Making the most of the earth
A fresh take on Exodus
Escaping from the Egyptians and getting through the Red Sea were uppermost in the minds of pupils in Rooms 1, 2 and 3 of St James’ School, Palmerston North, last month as they embarked on an Exodus walk. Two students of the school had revised the story.
56 years a priest
Sunday 11 March was a day of thanksgiving and celebration in Taranaki for Fr Jim Rickard who celebrated his 56th year in the priesthood. Mass was celebrated at the Bell Block Parish Centre and included a joyful guitar Mass, with parishioners from different ethnic backgrounds being involved in the liturgy.
Compassion centenary
The tragedy of the human suffering which leads to suicide is not being loved or not knowing that you are loved. Fr Richard Taylor of Angelicum University in Rome told the Sisters of Compassion during a seminar in Whanganui last month that Christianity is the only religion that really addresses the issue of human suffering.