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).
Bishop Steve Lowe, President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference advised, on 28 October, that the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Rugambwa had been taken seriously ill the previous day. Bishop Steve wrote: ‘Yesterday Archbishop Novatus Rugambwa, our Apostolic Nuncio, had a severe stroke. He is in a serious condition at Wellington Hospital. Please keep him in your prayers.’
It is hoped the Palmerston North Diocese will soon have a Diocesan Justice Peace Development and Ecology Commission (JPDEC – Commission) up and running once again. Over the past 12 months a steering group (SG) has been working on the restoration and renovation of the PN JPDEC.
Concerned leaders across diverse religious communities joined by other individuals and organisations around the globe have been calling for governments to create a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (FFNPT).
A recent interview with Br Kevin Dobbyn fms on Hamilton-based ‘Free FM’ has been made into a podcast. Br Kevin, a Te Kupenga lecturer and course co-ordinator based in Palmerston North, shares something of his interesting life story.
Forrestal House and land has a long history with Sacred Heart Parish Inglewood. The future and ownership of the historic convent house and land is up for review as a committee of parishioners begins to explore possibilities. Sue March of Sacred Heart Parish, shares some of the history of Forrestal House history and invites WelCom readers to contribute ideas for its future development.
Ōtari Parish of Wellington has been slowly integrating more te reo Māori into our Mass responses for some years.
Around 8.30am on Sunday 8 October, the sound of taonga puoro (traditional Māori instruments) echoed over Wilton’s valley from St Thomas More Church.
A double celebration was held at St Michael’s Church in Taita of Te Awakairangi Parish over a weekend in September. On Saturday 23 September, St Michael’s Taita Samoan Aulotu/community celebrated their 30 years’ anniversary of establishment within the parish.
On 8 August, to celebrate St Mary MacKillop’s Feast Day and as part of their Local Histories Curriculum, everyone dressed-up as children and teachers from the 1860s.
It was with great rejoicing and gratitude we celebrated the 70th Jubilee of Religious Profession of Srs Mary-Ellen O’Sullivan rndm and Valerie Lawson rndm. Family, Sisters and friends gathered firstly in Notre Dame Chapel in Hamilton for the celebration of the Jubilee Mass. Rev Darren McFarlane and Rev Msgr Frank Eggleton were the celebrants.
All parishes throughout the Palmerston North Diocese will be invited to seek out the Poor and the causes of their poverty in response to World Day of the Poor on 19 November.
Material poverty can be obvious, but Pope Francis prompts us to seek out other less obvious forms of poverty and address their causes.