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).
In a spirit of joy, parishioners, religious and clergy with connections to St Joseph’s parish in Dannevirke, gathered over the weekend of 14–15 October to salute 125 years since early settlers established Catholic faith practice in the area in 1898.
The noise of coming from the church hall from parishioners watching the Rugby World Cup final on the big screen saw Bishop John Adams join them as he arrived at St Mary’s Church before his official welcome that morning.
Every Christmas season, the Benjamin Hughes Hair Salon in Te Whare Manaaki Makawe Ōtaki, embraces the spirit of joy and hope by organising a toy drive for a worthy cause.
A farewell afternoon tea was held for Srs Francine McGovern sm and Margaret Vaney sm, at Our Lady of Hope, Tawa, on 28 October. The Sisters are the last of many Marist Sisters who have ministered in the Archdiocese of Wellington over the last 70 years, including in Tawa for 27 years.
The Sacrament of anointing with oil gave a sense of community, healing and the Lord’s presence to those gathered at St Mary’s Church, Blenheim, for a special mid-week Mass in July.
Every year in November, the archdiocesan Canonical Bodies meet with the archbishop to share reports about the year passed, and their vision and strategies for the year ahead. They include the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council (APC), the Board of Administration, the Council of Priests, and the Directors of the Archdiocese.
After a four-year break, the archdiocesan induction programme for incoming clergy from overseas, called ‘Landing the Waka’, recommenced in October.
Signalling the Vatican’s growing engagement in efforts to ensure the ethical development of new technologies, the Vatican has announced ‘Artificial Intelligence and Peace’ will be the theme for the next World Day of Peace, on 1 January, 2024. ‘The remarkable advances made in the field of artificial intelligence are having a rapidly increasing impact on […]
The Wellington Abrahamic Council hosted a public seminar last month on the ever-increasing impact of technology on religions and how to adapt in the post-AI age.
Questions included: What are our religions’ positions on technology in general, and AI specifically? How could AI impact our religious beliefs and practices? Can a machine be conscious or have a soul? How do we mitigate potential threats AI poses to humanity, to religion and to God?
A new Religious Education curriculum is being introduced to Catholic schools in New Zealand. By 2026 all primary and secondary schools will be using the new curriculum throughout their Religious Education teaching programmes. Colin MacLeod, Director/Kaitohu Te Kupenga – National Centre for Religious Studies, explains.