WelCom November 2021
The second postponement of the Cathedral Restoration Dinner made it 2-nil to Covid in the race to raise funds for Sacred Heart Cathedral!
Both August 19 and October 11 coincided with national lockdowns and 170 paying guests had to be advised that their evening would not happen. A third date has been set for Wednesday, February 9, 2022.
The combined dinner/auction could potentially raise $40,000 to $50,000 so is considered a major event on the funding calendar.
Covid-19 is contributing to several difficulties facing the Archdiocese and Cathedral Parish in their efforts to ensure the reopening of the cathedral, which has been closed since July 2018.
The lengthy lockdowns, school closures, job losses and general uncertainty as the pandemic spreads its tentacles, are making it inappropriate – or at best extremely awkward – to approach potential donors.
Also, some Trusts and Foundations have shifted their funding focus to supporting community groups particularly hard hit by Covid.
A total of $3 million is still needed to fully complete our project. Nearly $1 million of this needs to be raised in order the reopen the cathedral mid-2022 and this is our immediate goal.
No one should think their offering too small. The ‘Give-a-Little’ initiative has often shown how a substantial amount can grow from small individual gifts. The offer, in WelCom last month, of Real Estate agent, Anna Geremia-Young, to donate from her commission is an example of one person deciding to help.
Remember, cathedrals do not belong to the parishes in which they are located but symbolise the whole Church in a particular diocese; the preservation and upkeep of our cathedral should be the concern of every Catholic in this diocese. It is our cathedral and, with the Bishop, our centre of worship.
You can donate to the Cathedral Restoration Fund by Internet Banking to – Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish A/c: 02 0506 0138488 025
Reference your surname and initials and ‘Reopen’.
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception 8 December
‘As has been the custom for many years an archdiocesan Mass will be celebrated on our diocesan feast day, 7pm, Thursday 8 December, at St Teresa’s Pro-Cathedral, Karori. The archdiocese will again be entrusted to the care of Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception at this Mass. Parishes are asked to renew that Consecration on the following Sunday, 11 December, at All parish Masses.’ – Cardinal John Dew
Dates and events – what’s on
December 2022
If you would like your event listed on this page, please send an outline to welcom@wn.catholic.org.nz including name of event, date, time, location and contact.
Pope Francis registers for the next World Youth Day in Lisbon
At the conclusion of the Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis registered for the next World Youth Day to be held in Lisbon, Portugal, in August 2023. Assisted and accompanied by Portuguese university students studying in Rome, the Pope tapped his way to becoming the first officially registered pilgrim for World Youth Day.