Four diocesan seminars this month, focusing on the Social Justice Week theme, will give parish leadership, pastoral councils, social justice animators and other interested people the chance to reflect on increased cultural diversity in Catholic communities.
The seminars will be in parishes at Stratford, Whanganui, Taradale and Palmerston North on the weekends at either end of Social Justice Week, September 11-12 and September 18-19.
The keynote speaker and facilitator will be Dr Moyra Pearce, author of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference parish formation booklet Creating inclusive and connected communities and co-author of the Caritas Social Justice Week booklet Your people will be my people.
Moyra is a third generation Pākehā New Zealander, and a parishioner of St Joseph’s Parish, Mt Victoria, where she has had a long involvement with parish social justice groups.
As a sociologist she has a doctorate on aspects of New Zealand identity encompassing ethnicity, culture, nationality and religion.
Since August 2009 she has been employed on research and advocacy projects for Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand.
The annual Palmerston North Diocesan social justice seminars have made a significant contribution each year to Social Justice Week, which focuses on a particular current issue in the light of Catholic social teaching.
All interested people are welcome, but Palmerston North Diocese Bishop’s advisor Rex Begley said this year’s seminars are especially aimed at members of parish councils and leadership teams.
‘They will surely be aware that our Sunday congregations are becoming much more multicultural.’
The four Diocesan seminars will be held at:
Stratford September 11, 10.30am-3.00pm at Immaculate Conception parish centre, Miranda St, Stratford
Whanganui September 12, 10.30-3.00pm at St Mary’s parish, Campbell St, Whanganui
Taradale September 18, 10.30-3.00pm in St Mary’s parish, Osier Rd, Greenmeadows, Napier
Palmerston North September 19, 10.30-3.00pm in St Mary’s parish, Ruahine St, Palmerston North
For more information, please contact Rex Begley, (06) 358 8079
Image: Dr Moyra Pearce. Photo: Jo Elliot