On 13–14 December, we observe the Jubilee of Prisoners — the final Jubilee weekend for the 2025 Year of Jubilee. This Jubilee weekend calls us to acknowledge the humanity, dignity, and worth of all those who are incarcerated. We are reminded of the Gospel’s call to...
Christmas – Jesus has your back
Please note: The reflections and opinions expressed in this piece are those of the author and are shared in the spirit of personal faith and contemplation. They do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Diocese of Palmerston North.December 25 is creeping...
From Dry Bones to Living Fire | Testimony from Fr Simon Story
At the Hope and Renewal Summit held on 3-4 October 2025, in front of over 500 participants, Fr Simon Story from the Catholic Parish of New Plymouth shared a personal account of his journey through challenges in parish ministry and the impact of adopting a...
Voices of Hope and Renewal: Post-Summit Reflections
The Hope and Renewal Summit brought together over 500 Catholics from across Aotearoa, igniting hearts with the Holy Spirit’s call to love, connection, and transformation. In this collection of post-Summit reflections, Victoria Arrowsmith shares a personal journey from...
Mary: Truly Our Sister
Please note: The reflections and opinions expressed in this piece are those of the author and are shared in the spirit of personal faith and contemplation. They do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Diocese of Palmerston North.October is one of the...
Salting the Dough
Please note: The reflections and opinions expressed in this piece are those of the author and are shared in the spirit of personal faith and contemplation. They do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Diocese of Palmerston North.Sue Jones is a lifelong...
From Hidden to Seen: The Power of the Sunflower Lanyard
In this reflection, EJ Barrett shares their journey with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and the transformative impact of embracing the identity of being disabled. From navigating invisibility and misunderstanding to finding empowerment through the Hidden Disabilities...
Palestine: Grief Building a New Kind of Love
Please note: The reflections and opinions expressed in this piece are those of the author and are shared in the spirit of personal faith and contemplation. They do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Diocese of Palmerston North.On Sunday 13 July, the...
A Way Forward
Introduction I had the pleasure of meeting Fr Arthur Toothill SM at our Pastoral Day in March earlier this year and again at the Clergy Day in July. Though he is now “retired” (insofar as a priest ever truly retires!), he continues to serve in supply ministry for the...
Baptism: Paying it Forward
Please note: The reflections and opinions expressed in this piece are those of the author and are shared in the spirit of personal faith and contemplation. They do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Diocese of Palmerston North.Often within the tragedies...
A Journey of Hope and Holiness: Walking with the Saints in Assisi
Emily Sit, the Director of Mission and Evangelisation for the Diocese of Palmerston North, recently went on pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy. Below she shares some reflections of the trip.This past month, I had the profound gift of travelling to Assisi — a place where...
Brothers (and Sisters) in the Church
Kevin Dobbyn FMS, a Marist Brother, reflects on the unique vocation of Religious Brothers and Sisters in the Church. Drawing on personal experience and the story of St Marcellin Champagnat, he invites us to consider the role of brothers and sisters in religious life...











