WelCom August 2020
Michael Fitzsimons
A large-scale religious painting by one of Australia’s most renowned abstract painters has been gifted to the Mission Estate Winery in Hawke’s Bay. The painting, entitled Study for a crucifixion, was done by Dick Watkins in 1991, measuring 152 x 244 cms.
The painting is a gift from Australian-based art collector James Erskine, chairman of Sports and Entertainment Ltd (SEL) who have partnered with the Mission over many years to host the very popular Mission Concerts.
‘Study for a crucifixion is a dramatic work of modern art,’ says Peter Holley, Mission Estate Winery Chief Executive. ‘It hangs in the grand stairwell in the cellar door area so all our visitors can enjoy it.
‘It is a very generous gift and it is so appropriate this striking painting is now hanging here at the Mission with its deep religious traditions. The Mission, New Zealand’s oldest winery, is owned by the Society of Mary and was for many years a seminary for the formation of Marist priests and brothers. Members of the Society of Mary were the first Catholic missionaries to arrive in New Zealand in 1838.’
Artist Dick Watkins was born in 1937 and is a pioneer of abstract painting in Australia. He is stylistically eclectic, citing cubism, Picasso and the American abstract expressionists as influences. His work appears in the National Gallery of Australia and in many State Galleries, as well as in many corporate collections. He lives and works in Sydney, Australia.
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.