Lead Stories
WelCom Office
WelCom March 2024
The latest version of WelCom is available to read here.
Catholic College Dux and Special Character Awards 2023 and Student Leaders 2024
Catholic College Dux, Special Character Awards and Student Leaders for the Archdiocese of Wellington and the Diocese of Palmerston North
St Mary’s College rugby sevens rising star
St Mary’s College Wellington produced the first contracted schoolgirl Black Fern, Dhys Faleafaga, and now the youngest ever schoolgirl Black Fern at 17, Justine McGregor.
State of the Nation – successes but growing socio-economic challenges too
Amidst the country’s deepening cost-of-living crisis, the Salvation Army’s State of the Nation 2024 report pinpoints the growing socio-economic challenges facing New Zealanders.
Community reflections – a year on from Cyclone Gabrielle
Throughout the Hawke’s Bay, Wairoa and Tai Rāwhiti districts, on 14 February 2024 thousands turned out for dawn hīkoi, services, karakia and community events to remember the devastation Cyclone Gabrielle caused one year ago – turning lives, livelihoods and homes upside down – and the ongoing impact it has had on people.
News
Inquiry’s Final Report to be released
Te Rōpū Tautoko, the group coordinating Catholic engagement with the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, has advised in its February newsletter that the Royal Commission of Inquiry will publish its final report by 28 March 2024.
Compassion Soup Kitchen launches appeal to fund increase in demand
On the frontline of supporting people facing hardship, Compassion Soup Kitchen launched an appeal last month, called Support People in Your Community. The appeal is to raise funds to help those in need in Wellington.
New Rector for Holy Cross Seminary
Fr David Dowling has been appointed the new rector of Holy Cross Seminary in Auckland.
International News
Synod on Synodality resumes in October
The next session of the sixteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops – the Synod on Synodality – will take place in October this year.
Church concerned about rise of far-right parties
The Catholic Church in Germany has expressed its concern over the rise of far-right, anti-Semitic, and anti-democratic groups that are gaining increased support among the German electorate ahead of the European Parliament elections in June, and other important regional and local polls to be held this year.
Humanity on ‘brink of the abyss’ – Pope
Pope Francis says today’s wars and conflicts have put humanity on the brink of the abyss and has called for a global ceasefire.
Diocesan News
Wellington Catholic Women’s League to celebrate 80 years
Members of the Archdiocese of Wellington Catholic Women’s League branches are preparing to celebrate a major milestone of 80 years of ‘Faith and Service in Action’ along with the recently incorporated branches from the Taranaki region.
Benemerenti Medal for Sr Trish Hanaray
Sr Patricia Hanaray was presented with the Benemerenti Medal by the Archbishop of Wellington Paul Martin sm at a ceremony held last month at Whitby Lakes Retirement Village.
Dedicated vocations weekend in Porirua
Eleven young men from around the archdiocese and from as far as Hawke’s Bay attended a dedicated vocations weekend last month at Camp Elsdon in Porirua. Hosted by the archdiocese Church Mission vocations team as part of its ‘Come & See’ programme, it was their first whole weekend devoted to young men discerning a call to the priesthood.
Features
Working for Church ‘a good fit’ for new GM
Taking up the position of General Manager of the Archdiocese of Wellington has felt like ‘coming home’, says new appointee Reuben Norris.
Pursuing the common good
The core responsibility of those entrusted to govern is to promote the common good. This doesn’t mean just what is best for most people.
The Rātana Church – Te Haahi Rātana
Rātana is really a family birthday. It honours and celebrates the birthday of the founding prophet of Rātana, Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana (1873–1939). His birthday is 25 January each year. So the atmosphere of Rātana is just that: a whānau gathering to share and enjoy company and mark a birthday, not least by the regular playing and marching of the Rātana band.
Reflections
Our intentions help form our moral character
In recent times there has been a question in front of the western world, which has demanded our attention. Debates have been lively with strong opinions on both sides. Just recently, this same contentious issue flared up again, and once again there was plenty of public discussion about it.
Lent – an encounter with the gift of mercy
The season of Lent invites Christians into a time of self-examination; to take ourselves through a ‘warrant of fitness’ test regarding our relationships with God and with one another. It is not meant to be a scary time, but rather one of gratefulness and gladness as we come to appreciate how loved we are – and how loving we can be – through the great gift of mercy.
Gospel Reading: Sunday 3 March 2024
Third Sunday of Lent – John 2:13-25 13 Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 He found in the temple area those who…
Young Church
New bishop receives warm welcome
On the Feast of St Brigid, 1 February, the students, staff and community of St Mary’s Catholic School, Foxton gathered in St Mary’s Church, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new bishop of Palmerston North. It was Bishop John Adams’ first visit to our school.
Connecting with God at Life Teen Summer Camp 2024
More than 300 young participants, chaperones and volunteer leaders attended this year’s Life Teen Summer Camp based in Cambridge, from 16 to 20 January.
Fostering Christian musical talents
Another Christian Summer event for young people that took place in the Waikato, was the Festival One Christian Music Festival, 26–29 January, staged in Karapiro, just out of Cambridge.
What's on
Events – coming up
Natural Fertility Management – Billings Ovulation Method training seminar, Saturday, Sunday 27, 28 April, Christchurch, for Health Professionals and Natural Health practitioners interested in women’s health and fertility, and those…
March Church calendar dates
13: Anniversary of Election of Pope Francis 17: St Patrick – Feast Day 19: St Joseph, Husband of Mary – Solemnity 24: Palm Sunday 28: Holy Thursday 29: Good Friday…
Dates and events – what’s on
To list events free, email welcom@wn.catholic.org.nz with event name, date, time, location and contact details. Sunday 3 March Day of Prayer for all Children – Te Rā o Ngā Tamariki…