Lead Stories
WelCom Office
WelCom returns
WelCom has returned in a brand new format!
WelCom February/March 2025
The February/March 2025 edition of WelCom is available here
Final edition: Bishops announce closure of WelCom
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ
This edition of WelCom marks the end of the publication of this magazine as a collaboration between the Archdiocese of Wellington and the Diocese of Palmerston North. We are both aware of the rich heritage of this newspaper, firstly for the Archdiocese of Wellington and then latterly as a collaboration with the Diocese of Palmerston North.
Holy Year of Jubilee begins
Pope Francis opened the Holy Doors at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome on the evening of 24 December 2024, thereby officially inaugurating the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope. During his Christmas evening Mass, he reassured us that the Christ Child of Bethlehem offers the world infinite hope and joy.
Celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Orders
Deacon Matthew White was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Paul Martin sm, on Saturday 22 February. His was the first priestly ordination in the newly re-stored Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. As Archbishop Paul remarked, the day was ‘coincidently on the Feast of the Chair of St Peter’.
News
New Zealanders called to educate themselves on gene technology
Christian bioethicists are encouraging New Zealanders to educate themselves about gene technology and genetic editing as Parliament considers legislative changes that better align with recent scientific and technological advancements.
State of the Nation 2025 shows serious challenges and falling living standards across Aotearoa New Zealand
Aotearoa New Zealand is backsliding on many areas of social progress, making life harder for people and their whānau across the motu, according to The Salvation Army’s State of the Nation 2025 report. Titled Kai, Kāinga, Whānau, The Basics – Food, a Home, Family, the report was released on 11 February.
Remembering Dame Tariana Turia
New Zealand Māori rights activist and politician Hon Dame Tariana Turia DNZM died on 3 January 2025, aged 81.
International News
Worldwide outpouring of good wishes and prayers for Pope Francis
Messages of support and prayers for Pope Francis’ health have poured in, as he continues to be hospitalised at Rome’s Gemelli hospital.
Pope in hospital, condition remains critical
Pope Francis slept well on his tenth night at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he is being treated for double pneumonia, according to the Holy See Press Office.
Pope on Ukraine: ‘Painful and shameful’ anniversary ‘for all humanity’
During his Angelus address, which Pope Francis asked the Holy See Press Office to release while he recovers in the hospital, the Holy Father remembers the imminent three-year anniversary of the War in Ukraine on 24 February 2025, calling it ‘a painful and shameful occasion for all humanity’, and saying he renews his solidarity with suffering Ukrainians and for all victims of armed conflicts as he prays for peace.
Diocesan News
Waitangi Day Masses – recognising dignity, mana and tapu
The annual Waitangi Day Mass hosted at St Mary of the Angels has been celebrated for about 20 years. On Waitangi Day a good-sized congregation gathered again for this celebration, presided over by Archbishop Paul Martin sm.
Flood protection options for Wairoa Catholic Marae
Of all the extensive damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle, Tawhiti a Maru Marae in Wairoa was one of the communities most impacted.
New awareness, renewed Kaupapa for inclusiveness
The Palmerston North Diocese Synod synthesis last year, indicated a strong discernment from the Spirit pointing us towards doing a better job of welcome and inclusion.
Features
Catholic Education – outlook for 2025
A very important milestone in 2025 is that our Catholic state integrated schools are celebrating fifty years since the signing of the Private Schools Conditional Integration Act (PSCIA) in 1975.
Testing times ahead for our world – Caritas’ focus remains strong
Nau mai, Haere Mai.
It is a pleasure tinged with sadness that I write in the final issue of WelCom. Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand and the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Wellington and the Diocese of Palmerston North have had a strong relationship over many years and we will be sad to see this newspaper go.
‘Where to from Here’
‘State of the Nation’ speeches are very popular among politicians, though the cynical part of me believes they are mainly used to either justify what they have done or what they are about to do. I have waited in vain for a speech that outlines a dream or vision for the future.
Reflections
…and a time to laugh
Have you heard this joke about Pope Francis? I hadn’t until just recently. It goes like this.
The key to life is the appreciation of beauty
‘We are here to appreciate beauty.’
I read this in a novel over the Christmas break. While I can’t recall how it fitted into the plot, the image has stayed with me. It’s a great answer to the question each of us has to ask at some time on our life’s journey.
Gospel Reading: Sunday 2 March 2025
39 Jesus told his disciples a parable, ‘Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? 40 No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.
Young Church
Catholic College Dux and Special Character Awards 2024 and Student Leaders 2025
Festival One 2025
Festival One, formerly known as the Parachute Christian Music Festival, is held annually in January at Karapiro, in the Waikato.
Students awarded Suzanne Aubert Tertiary Scholarship 2025
The Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert Tertiary Scholarship has honoured three students with support for their studies in 2025.
What's on
International World Youth Day 2027 – South Korea
Expressions of interest will soon be called for to prepare for WYD, in Seoul, South Korea, in 2027. It will be the first time WYD takes place in mainland East…
World Youth Day 2025
WYD, usually on the Feast of Christ the King in November, will be celebrated at the beginning of August to coincide with the celebration calendar of the Jubilee Year. The…
Catholic Schools Commissioning Masses
The Catholic Schools Commissioning Masses for 2025 celebrate Eucharist and whanaungatanga; and all who serve in our Catholic school and college communities are commissioned and blessed in their ministries. Archdiocese…