WelCom November 2019
Places of worship in Palmerston North opened their doors for people to pray for world peace during the 2019 international Interfaith Week of Prayer for World Peace, 14 to 21 October.
The Week of Prayer for World Peace was started as a Christian initiative in 1974. It soon became an interfaith activity and now welcomes everyone of ‘all faiths and none’. People are invited to join in prayers at different churches throughout the week. Palmerston North Interfaith Council spokeswoman Mary Eastham said the group had celebrated the week since 2011.
‘Something very special happens when people from different faith traditions come together to pray. We affirm our shared humanity, despite our differences. It is wonderful when people of goodwill stand together as friends and partners for peace.’
Prayers were held after midday Mass on Monday 14 October at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit on Broadway Ave. The Manawatū Islamic Centre on Cook St hosted two prayer evenings on Tuesday and Wednesday, and prayers were held at the Presbyterian New Church, Rainforth St, at midday on Thursday and Friday.
All ‘people of goodwill’ were encouraged to come along.
Mary Eastham said, ‘We invite people to come and pray for respect for others, even if they seem different from ourselves, to pray for an end to violence, to resolve conflict and for our willingness to take the necessary measures to protect the environment.’
Pahiatua Polish Children’s 75th Reunion
WelCom December 2019 Phil Cotter, a life-long parishioner of St Brigid’s parish, Pahiatua, remembers as a seven-year-old welcoming the three trains carrying the Polish children and their care-givers in 1944….
Care for our common home
Manaakihia tō tātou kāinga From Garden To Table WelCom December 2019 ‘Grow, harvest, prepare, share’ is the motto for ‘Garden to Table’. It’s a programme founded in 2008 to teach…
New Zealand Catholic Bishops Meet Pope
WelCom December 2019 The New Zealand Catholic bishops met Pope Francis for an 80-minute private audience in the Vatican on Monday 28 October during their Ad Limina visit to Rome. …