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WelCom April 2024
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Heaven and earth rejoice. Alleluia!
Easter Sunday. ‘Christ is Risen’ – statue above the altar at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Palmerston North.
‘We are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song’
Easter Greetings to you. I hope you have had a fruitful time of Lent and that these days of the Easter Triduum have been a blessed time as you pray and reflect on the gift of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for each one of us. It is a time for celebration for us as Christian people.
Journeying Together – Hīkoi Ngātahi
As the universal Church continues its synodal journey towards the second and final session in Rome in October this year, here is a recap of the Synod on Synodality steps so far.
Cardinal overwhelmed by support
Cardinal John Dew has been overwhelmed by enormous support following his statement and the letter from Archbishop Paul Martin sm in response to media coverage about an allegation of sexual abuse.
The New Zealand Police have concluded their 10-month investigation and have determined that no charge will be laid against Cardinal John Dew, retired Archbishop of Wellington.
News
Papal Nuncio Archbishop Novatus Rugambwa returns to Rome
Archbishop Novatus Rugambwa, the Apostolic Nuncio to Aotearoa New Zealand, left New Zealand for Rome on 16 March, as he continues his recovery from a stroke. Archbishop Rugambwa arrived in Rome after a smooth journey. On Monday 18 March he entered a Catholic facility there to continue his rehabilitation.
Royal Commission report due
Te Rōpū Tautoko is the group coordinating Catholic engagement with the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. Tautoko recently reported the commission is due to present its final report to the Governor-General by 28 March 2024. If that date is met, the report will likely be available to the public in early to mid-April.
Countdown on for Cathedral reopening weekend in June
The countdown is on for the reopening of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart over the weekend of 7 to 9 June this year. Parish volunteers are busy planning a schedule for the opening.
International News
Pope pleads for ceasefire in Gaza
Pope Francis has called for Israel and Hamas to reach an agreement for ‘an immediate ceasefire in Gaza’, repeating ‘Enough!’ and ‘Stop!’ from the window of the apostolic palace.
Coptic Orthodox suspend dialogue with Vatican
The Coptic Orthodox Church has suspended its two-decade-long doctrinal dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church over the Vatican’s approval of same-sex blessings.
Three-quarters of youth believe in God – survey
Nearly three-quarters of youth questioned in an international survey believe in God.
About 73 per cent of those surveyed said they believe in God, while a further eight per cent were ‘searching to believe in God.’ The survey canvassed the views of young people in eight countries about religious beliefs, prayer and social issues.
Diocesan News
Two parishioners finalists in ‘Welly’ 2023 awards
Two archdiocesan parishioners have been nominated as finalists in The Post 2023 Wellingtonian of the Year Awards.
Closure and sale of Murchison church property
The Catholic Parish of Buller and Inangahua have decided to sell their St Peter Chanel church, hall and land in Murchison.
Suzanne Aubert Rongoā Garden of native plants
A re-opening ceremony of the Suzanne Aubert Rongoā Garden at the Callaghan Innovation | Te Pokapū Auaha site in Gracefield, Lower Hutt, was held on 25 January this year.
Srs Margaret Anne Mills, Sue Cosgrove, Josephine Gorman, Veronica Hurrings dolc, along with other Compassion whānau members attended the official ceremony.
Features
World Day of Prayer for Vocations – April 2024
Vocation Sunday is a worldwide day of prayer for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. It falls on the 4th Sunday of Easter – Good Shepherd Sunday – and a day on which there is a seminary collection. There is usually a message from the Pope for the day. Pope Francis’ 2024 message was released on 19 March. This year’s theme is: ‘Called to sow seeds of hope and to build peace’.
Anzac Day 25 April 2024 – National Day of Remembrance
King George V’s comment, as he visited the Commonwealth war cemeteries in Flanders during 1922, is a powerful statement of remembrance and upholding peace:
‘We can truly say that the whole circuit of the earth is girdled with the graves of our dead…and, in the course of my pilgrimage, I have many times asked myself whether there can be more potent advocates of peace upon earth through the years to come, than this massed multitude of silent witnesses to the desolation of war.’
WelCom … invites your support
WelCom is delivered free to all Catholic parishes and schools in the Archdiocese of Wellington and the Diocese of Palmerston North to reach all Catholic homes. Our mission is to…
Reflections
The joy of the Resurrection – the grace of Easter believed
In the Old Testament reading for the Thursday after Ash Wednesday, Moses speaks to God’s people. He speaks about being good, of loving God and of keeping his commandments. If God’s people do this he says, ‘the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you are entering to make your own.’ In the Gospel Jesus speaks of the hardship of being his follower.
The Eighth Day – a new beginning
In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were… Jesus came and stood among them… Eight days later, the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them.’ [See John 20:19-31]
Gospel Reading: Sunday 31 March 2024
Easter Sunday, the Resurrection of the Lord – John 20:1-9
1 On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been moved away from the tomb.
Young Church
‘Keep our free school lunches’ Bishop Viard College students say
Students at Bishop Viard College Porirua have posted a video on YouTube in which they discuss the benefits of the free school lunch programme – Ka Ora, Ka Ko. The Government proposes to review the programme ahead of Budget 2024 in May, and Associate Education Minister and ACT leader David Seymour has stated he wants to cut the programme by up to 50 per cent.
Three decades of outstanding service
St Brigid’s School, Johnsonville, acknowledges and celebrates Deputy Principal Fiona Kearns on her remarkable 30-year tenure at our school – an impressive milestone!
New chair for Council for Young People
Nick Wilson of Palmerston North is the new chair of the Council for Young People of the Catholic bishops of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Nick is the Diocesan Young Catholics Team Leader for the Diocese of Palmerston North. He has had a career in education in New Zealand and overseas. He works as the Manawatū Catholic Tertiary Chaplain and is on the Diocesan Leadership Team.
What's on
Dates and events – what’s on
To list events free, email welcom@wn.catholic.org.nz with event name, date, time, location and contact details. Sunday 31 March Easter Sunday – Resurrection of the Lord Monday 8 April Annunciation of…
Events – coming up
Natural Fertility Management – Billings Ovulation Method training seminar, Saturday, Sunday 27, 28 April, Christchurch, for Health Professionals and Natural Health practitioners interested in women’s health and fertility, and those…
March Church calendar dates
13: Anniversary of Election of Pope Francis 17: St Patrick – Feast Day 19: St Joseph, Husband of Mary – Solemnity 24: Palm Sunday 28: Holy Thursday 29: Good Friday…