WelCom August 2021

Anne Phibbs csb
June is the usual time for ordinations for the Missionaries of Faith, a Congregation founded in 1982, who ‘live by faith’. On 22 June this year, in Holy Family Church, Porirua East, Missionaries of Faith priests gathered for the 5pm Mass to celebrate the ordination anniversaries of seven priests. They were supported by the beautiful Samoan choir and parishioners.
Celebrating their anniversaries were:
- Fr Andrew Atonio 30 years
- Fr Iosefu Timo 30 years
- Fr Talipope Vaifale 29 years
- Fr Tuly Paul 10 years
- Fr Isaac Babu nine years
- Fr Joseph Thirumala eight years
- Fr Vijay Kumar seven years

Joining them were Fr Consedine Toleafoa mf, Auckland, and Fr Peter Timoteo mf, Porirua, who were ordained in October last year, as well as Fr Maleko Api-Tufuga, Upper Hutt, and Fr Rico de la Torre, Tawa.
During Mass, the priests’ parents were remembered with love and gratitude. The congregation prayed for the Missionaries of Faith and for all priests to find their sustenance and support in the Eucharist and to maintain fervour throughout their lives.
In his homily Fr Iosefu asked, in both Samoan and English, why the priests were drawn to Porirua. ‘As missionaries they are unsure where they will be from one time to another, and they go where they are needed. And as Missionaries of Faith they recognise the faith and faithfulness of the Holy Family parishioners.’
The Holy Family Samoan Community hosted an abundant feast for the local clergy, the visitors from Auckland and parishioners, followed by Samoan, Tokelauan and Indian music and dancing.
More details produced about reported abuse in New Zealand Catholic Church
WelCom June/July 2022 Continuing research has produced further details of where and by whom much of the reported abuse in the Catholic Church in Aotearoa New Zealand was committed. The…
A compliment Christians pay to one another
WelCom June/July 2022 + John A Cardinal Dew, Archbishop of Wellington Archdiocese, Apostolic Administrator of Palmerston North Diocese The Acts of the Apostles recounts, among other things, the story of…
Pope Francis appoints Bishop Michael Gielen as Bishop of Christchurch
WelCom June/July 2022 Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Michael Gielen (50) as the new Bishop of Christchurch. Bishop Gielen has been the Auxiliary Bishop of Auckland since March 2020. He…