The Catholic Parish of New Plymouth hosted the Divine Renovation Open House on November 22 and 23, gathering over 200 participants. The event aimed to explore strategies for parish renewal and evangelisation.
The event featured keynote presentations from Bishop John Adams, Bishop Michael Gielen, Msgr Trevor Murray, and Cheryl Surrey, NZ Regional Lead for Divine Renovation. The speakers discussed key topics such as parish leadership, fostering a culture of evangelisation, and building trust and collaboration within parish communities.
The Open House was hosted by Fr Simon Story and the parish team at St Joseph’s Church. The event provided an opportunity for attendees to learn about the principles of Divine Renovation, including reliance on the Holy Spirit, the primacy of evangelisation, and strong leadership. These principles have been implemented in various parishes within the Diocese of Palmerston North, with the goal of transitioning from maintenance to mission-focused parishes.
Attendees participated in breakout sessions, learning from parishes that have experienced renewal by pursuing a mission-driven approach. The event also included Mass celebrated by Bishop John Adams on Friday evening, followed by his keynote address. On Saturday, Mons Trevor Murray delivered a keynote talk, and attendees took part in breakout sessions with ministry leaders. The event concluded with a prayer service led by Bishop Michael Gielen.
The Divine Renovation Open House provided a platform for discussion and networking, allowing participants to share ideas and experiences related to parish renewal within the Diocese of Palmerston North and beyond.
