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WelCom September 2023
The latest issue of WelCom is available to read here.
“Let Justice and Peace Flow”
In his 2023 message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, 1 September, Pope Francis appeals for a renewal of our relationship with creation. His message focuses on the theme, ‘Let Justice and Peace Flow’, inspired by the words of the prophet Amos: ‘Let justice flow on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream.’
‘Build a better world’, says Australian RE expert
The gifts we have as Catholics are not just to build a stronger church but to help build a better world, says visiting Australian religious educator Professor Br David Hall fms.
Catholic bishops say abhorrent abuse at Marylands and Hebron Trust should never have happened
The nature and scale of abuse set out in the report, released 2 August 2023, from the Royal Commission on Abuse in Care is abhorrent and should never have happened, says Archbishop Paul Martin sm, General Secretary of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference.
World Youth Day 2023 – Lisbon, Portugal
The 37th World Youth Day Catholic festival in Lisbon, Portugal, 1–6 August 2023, got underway with Mass celebrated by Cardinal Manuele Clemente, Patriarch of Lisbon.
News
Newly amalgamated Catholic Parish of Buller and Inangahua
It was a while in the planning… and Sunday 20 August 2023 was the day the two Catholic parishes in the Buller District reformed into one combined parish.
October WelCom – Sunday 8 October
The October edition of WelCom will be published a week later than scheduled so we can bring news coverage of Bishop-elect John Adams’ ordination and installation as the new Bishop of Palmerston North, which will take place at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, 11am, Saturday 30 September. October WelCom will therefore be distributed to parishes and schools for Sunday 8 October 2023.
Te Wiki o te Wahi Tika – Social Justice Week
Diocesan News
Cathedral corner: Exchanging cookies for cookies brings success for monthly bake sale
Fundraising for the restoration of Sacred Heart Cathedral has taken many forms over the five years since its closure. Direct donations have been supported by an on-line auction, book sales,…
Mercy Sisters farewelled
St Mary’s Parish in Palmerston North will, with some sadness, soon say ‘Goodbye’ to two of the Sisters of Mercy who have served in Palmerston North and the wider diocese for many years. Sr Joan Manson rsm and Sr Pamela Ward rsm are moving to Upper Hutt to join other Sisters at ‘Villa Joseph’.
Strengthening climate change resolutions
A small and enthusiastic group of parishioners gathered in St Anne’s Church Hall Newtown, Wellington, on Sunday 23 July, for an interactive workshop led by Peter Lang of Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand.
International News
Don’t be indifferent to migrant tragedies – Pope
Following yet another migrant tragedy in the Mediterranean, Pope Francis has expressed his sorrow and urged people not to be indifferent in the face of continuing migrant deaths during dangerous sea crossings.
Celibacy exemption for aboriginal priests
Married Indigenous men should be allowed to be ordained as Catholic priests and the centuries-old rule of compulsory celibacy will ‘very likely’ ultimately be changed by the Vatican, says Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge.
Kerry counting on Pope’s ‘remarkable leverage’
President Joe Biden’s special envoy for climate issues is counting on Pope Francis’ support to get nations attending the next UN climate summit, at the end of this year, to adopt bold measures to mitigate climate change.
Features
From hilltop to marketplace
Lucienne Hensel of the Institute for World Evangelisation (ICPE Mission) and the Archdiocese of Wellington Church Mission team, lived in community at St Gerard’s Monastery for many years, raising her young family there and calling it home. Lucienne reflects on moving from the hilltop to new fields.
World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation 2023: 1 September
Pope Francis has established 1 September as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, encouraging the Catholic community around the world to pray for our common home. The day is inspired by his landmark encyclical Laudato si’, which calls on ‘every person living on this planet’ to care for our shared Earth.
Highly anticipated synod document released
The Vatican’s General Secretariat of the Synod published the Instrumentum laboris on 20 June 2023. The document, which calls for a welcoming Church that embraces diversity, will guide the work of the participants in the two-part General Assembly that will meet in Rome in October 2023 and in October 2024.
Reflections
A Litany Revisited
Fr James Lyons continues his presentation of Marian titles from within the 16th Century Litany of Loreto. Our use and understanding of ‘Tower’ are explored and related to our devotion to Mary, the Mother of Jesus.
‘We need to be open to listening and respecting one another’
We are entering an interesting time in our country and in our Church as this month of September begins. Here in New Zealand, we are in the midst of the campaign for the General Election planned to be held on 14 October 2023.
Gospel Reading: Sunday 3 September 2023
I urge you, then, brothers, remembering the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, dedicated and acceptable to God; that is the kind of worship for you, as sensible people.
Young Church
Nelson music teacher a TikTok sensation
Life in education always has new learning adventures on the horizon, some alongside children and others alongside fellow teachers. The latest is one we hadn’t expected. Our music teacher, John Phillips, has become a TikTok sensation.
Tertiary study scholarships
The Catholic Foundation offers eight scholarships to students living in the Archdiocese of Wellington and who are in their final year of secondary education.
Catholic Education News
Chief Executive of New Zealand Catholic Education Office, Dr Kevin Shore, provides an update on some of the many developments underway in the Catholic Education sector.
What's on
‘Let Justice and Peace Flow’ – resources and events
The Archdiocese of Wellington’s Ecology Justice and Peace Commission’s Integral Committee has created resources to support parishes celebrate the Season of Creation.
Archdiocese to participate in Church Life Survey
The Archdiocese of Wellington will be taking part in the New Zealand Church Life Survey (CLS) 2023 from 9 to 26 September.
Dates and events – what’s on
If you would like your event listed free on this page, please email an outline to welcom@wn.catholic.org.nz including the name of the event, date, time, location and contact. Thursday 31…