On Wednesday, 28 May 2025, the Diocese of Palmerston North joined Catholic communities across Aotearoa New Zealand in celebrating Catholic Schools Day. The theme for this year – Shine like stars in the world – E tīaho ana koe hei rama i te ao – invited reflection on the role of Catholic education in nurturing faith, character, and service in young people.
Catholic schools have been a valued part of New Zealand communities for generations, offering an education grounded in both academic excellence and spiritual formation. In a video message posted to social media on Catholic Schools Day, Bishop John Adams expressed his pride in the schools of the diocese: “I truly love and care for our Catholic schools. I’m incredibly proud of the work being done across our diocese to nurture young minds and hearts.”
Across the Diocese, the 36 Catholic schools – spanning Hawke’s Bay, Palmerston North, Feilding, Tararua, Taihape, Whanganui and Taranaki – marked the occasion with liturgies, acts of service, prayer, and community events.
In Whanganui, Catholic schools gathered for a combined Mass at the War Memorial Hall, uniting communities from Cullinane College, St Mary’s, St Anne’s, St Marcellin, St Matthew’s Marton, and St Joseph’s Patea.
In Palmerston North, St Peter’s College held a school-wide liturgy, distributed rosary bracelets, and launched a winter clothing drive in support of St Vincent de Paul. St James Catholic School welcomed a visit from Bishop John.
In Hawke’s Bay, St Patrick’s School Napier celebrated with a liturgy while also welcoming Education Review Office (ERO) visitors to witness the school’s Catholic character in action. St Joseph’s School Hastings combined liturgy, RE-focused activities, student-led art, and sharing across syndicates. Leaders also visited other Catholic schools to gift St Joseph badges. Reignier Catholic School launched their new school waiata and had student leaders visit neighbouring Catholic schools with small gifts. St Mary’s Hastings combined prayer with a fun afternoon of tabloid games. St Joseph’s Māori Girls’ College created a human Rosary chain and began the day with whole school karakia and reflection, honouring the gift of Rosary bracelets from Bishop John.
In Taranaki, St Joseph’s School Waitara held a school Mass, a pilgrimage with their parish, and themed activities. St Joseph’s Opunake and St Patrick’s Inglewood focused on acts of service through House groups, while St Pius X students shared messages of hope in a community pilgrimage.
In the Manawatū and Tararua regions, St Joseph’s School Dannevirke celebrated the day alongside Grandparents Day, honouring the important role elders play in passing on faith traditions. St Anthony’s Pahiatua created paper stars inscribed with the Catholic Schools Day theme and delivered them to local businesses.
In Taihape, St Joseph’s School came together to pray the Rosary using their own Rosary bracelets and explored the theme of pilgrimage.
Many schools incorporated the Rosary into their celebrations, with students using rosary bracelets gifted by Bishop John. Activities also reflected the diversity and identity of each community, with schools celebrating their cultural backgrounds, engaging in craft and art, and strengthening ties with local parishes.
Catholic Schools Day was also an opportunity to acknowledge 50 years since the passing of the Private Schools Conditional Integration Act, a milestone that helped shape the landscape of Catholic education in New Zealand.
As Bishop John shared in his message: “To our parents – thank you for entrusting your children to the care of the Church through our Catholic schools. And to all those who work in and lead our schools – your dedication is a gift.”
