WelCom is the monthly newspaper of the Archdiocese of Wellington and the Diocese of Palmerston North. Copies of the newspaper are free and available in parishes and schools.

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WelCom November 2022

The latest issue of WelCom is available to read here.

Hato Pāora College 75th Jubilee

Hato Pāora College, the Catholic Māori boarding school for boys north of Feilding, celebrated its 75th Jubilee over Labour Weekend.

Archdiocese explores Hill Street options

The Archdiocese of Wellington’s Hill Street site in Thorndon, home of the archdiocesan Catholic Centre, is to be re-developed, following several adverse seismic assessment reports.

Continental stage of Pope’s Synod on Synodality process begins

The next stage of Pope Francis’ Synod on Synodality has begun with the Vatican on 27 October publishing the working document that brings together the many Synod syntheses from around the Catholic world including Aotearoa New Zealand’s.

The Season of Advent – Ko te Wā o te Aweneti

WelCom November 2022
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News

Artists rally for children in Ukraine

An art exhibition in support of the children of Ukraine was held at Our Lady’s Home of Compassion in Island Bay in October.

Caritas appeals for peace in Ukraine

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand appeals for peace and calls for international humanitarian law to be respected after recent deadly missile attacks and airstrikes in Ukraine.

Unifying and learning course held in Rome for new bishops

During September, recently ordained bishops from around the world met in Rome to take part in the ‘Formation Course for New Bishops’. The tradition started in 2000 by St Pope John Paul II. Wellington Coadjutor Archbishop Paul Martin sm attended and and reports on his experience.

Diocesan News

St Gerard’s may become a hotel

St Gerard’s, the former Redemptorist church and monastery and Wellington’s most imposing landscape building is likely to be sold, reports Wellington’s DomPost.

Jubilees of priestly ordination

The Diocese of Palmerston North held its annual Mass to celebrate the Jubilees of priestly ordination, at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit on 11 October. Cardinal John Dew was presider of the Mass, supported by bishops and several priests from across the diocese as well as hundreds of parishioners, friends and whānau. 

Te Awa Kairangi Prayer Walk

From a Catholic Mass at 8am with birdsong beside a clear running river, to an Anglican Communion in the midst of a bustling city, to a circle of prayer with waves lapping on the shore, pilgrims of the Hutt Valley blessed and were blessed by Te Awa Kairangi – ‘river of great value’ – in a prayer walk along the Hutt River trail on 11 September. 

International News

Archbishop of Canterbury shows support after massive floods

The Archbishop of Canterbury has visited Lismore, New South Wales, which is still recovering from record flooding.

European bishops urge EU to stay united

European bishops have voiced solidarity with those impacted by the ongoing war in Ukraine and appealed to Russia to stop the violence.

First pope to visit Bahrain

Pope Francis’ trip to Bahrain this month blends three of his top priorities as Pope: ministering to a tiny Catholic community; promoting dialogue with the Muslim world; and fostering relations with other Christian communities.

Young Church

Vatican lays the groundwork for World Youth Day

Ahead of World Youth Day 2023, a Vatican official has praised the creativity of youth and said they ought to be protagonists not only in the event, but also in the organisational process. 

Council for young people meets in Palmerston North

The New Zealand Catholic Bishops’ Council for Young People (CYP) met in Palmerston North last month for their biannual meeting. The council serves the national bishops’ conference and advises in matters about young Church across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Teachers learn correct pronunciation

Recognising the importance of pronouncing students’ names correctly saw Napier’s Sacred Heart College teachers head back to the classroom earlier this year. 

Reflections

The silent moment called death

On the Christian calendar, November 1 is All Saints’ Day, commemorating all the saints of the Church, known and unknown. The following day, November 2, is All Souls’ Day and is a day of remembrance for our beloved dead and all the faithful departed.

Gospel Reading: Sunday 6 November, 2022

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time – Luke 20: 27; 34-38 27 Some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, came forward.34 Jesus said to them, ‘The children of…

Pray for Ukraine

Holy and Gracious God We pray for the people of the Ukraine, for their country and their leader. We pray for all those who are afraid; that your everlasting arms…

What's on

Workshop: The Letter documentary

To observe the sixth International Day of Prayer for the Poor on 13 November, Mary Nash, who is actively involved in the Laudato si’ movement, and Mary Eastham from the Religious Diversity Centre Climate Action workgroup, will facilitate a workshop about Pope Francis’ documentary, The Letter.

Dates and events – what’s on

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. Saturday 5 November Home of…

Dates and events – what’s on in the two dioceses

Saturday 10 SeptemberCome and See Vocations Morning – meet other like-minded young men, talk to priests and seminarians, and ask questions about a vocation to priesthood, 9am–11.30am, St Teresa’s Church,…

Views

World Day of the Poor: 13 November 2022

The World Day of the Poor is commemorated annually on the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time in the liturgical calendar, which this year falls on 13 November. In this year’s message themed, ‘For your sakes Christ became poor (2 Cor. 8:9)’, Pope Francis recalled the words of St Paul to the Christians of Corinth, to encourage their efforts to show solidarity with their brothers and sisters in need. The Pope noted the World Day this year comes ‘as a healthy challenge, helping us to reflect on our style of life and on the many forms of poverty all around us.’

‘A universe of care’

Michael Fitzsimons reviews the latest book from Fr James Lyons, The Lord’s Prayer For Everyone – Ta Inoi A Te Ariki Ma Te Katoa.

Pope’s message for World Day of Poor: ‘We must uphold values of responsibility, solidarity’

In his message for the 6th World Day of the Poor, Sunday 13 November, released in June this year, Pope Francis invites Christians to greater solidarity and responsibility for the poor in society, stressing the importance of putting our faith into practice through personal involvement that cannot be delegated to others. Benedict Mayaki sj, writer for Vatican News, reflects on Pope Francis’ 2022 message.