There have been lots of exciting things happening around our Diocese over the past month – have a read of some of them below!
Diocesan Staff Day Out
On 16 August, 14 staff members from the Diocesan Office gathered for their annual staff day out.
The purpose was to provide staff with an opportunity for teambuilding and personal spiritual growth.
Staff were dropped off in Linton for a pilgrimmage by foot back to the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Palmerston North, stopping off at the Manawaroa Pavilion for a shared lunch of pumpkin soup, rolls and ham.
There was a special Mass celebrated by Mons Brian Walsh upon reaching the Cathedral.
Each person was invited to find their own way to the Holy Spirit. And aside from a few blisters and cramps, everyone arrived back safely and full of hope and joy.
Benemerenti Medal Awarded for 18 Years of Compassionate Service
The Benemerenti Medal is awarded by the Pope to members of the clergy and laity in recognition of their service to the Catholic Church.
On August 24th, Mr Tony Tooman of New Plymouth was honoured with the Benemerenti Medal for his 18 years of service as a Hospital Chaplain. Tony began his role as a Catholic Hospital Chaplain at New Plymouth Hospital (also known as Taranaki Base Hospital) in 2005.
During his tenure, he ministered to not only Catholics in hospital but also anyone in need of his compassion. Tony retired in 2023 after eighteen years, leaving with the gratitude and admiration of his colleagues.
Fr Simon Story presented the medal and certificate to Tony, who was completely surprised. Tony had anticipated attending the baptism of his and his wife Teresa’s latest grandchild. Family from near and far were gathered in New Plymouth for this special occasion, making the timing ideal.
Tony, along with his successor Albert, is one of 30 people ministering across major public hospitals in Aotearoa. In these busy, stressful environments, they support individuals at their most vulnerable, often dealing with difficult news about themselves or their loved ones. Even now, Tony continues to serve as a volunteer chaplain.
Our thanks go to Bishop John, Liam Greer, and the Diocesan staff who facilitated Tony’s application to Rome.
Written by Tony Lenton
Senior Catholic Hospital and Prison Chaplain
Confirmation in Marton
On August 18 2024, Bishop John celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation with a group of young people from St Francis Xavier Parish in Marton.
Congratulations to all those newly confirmed!
60 Confirmed in the Catholic Parish New Plymouth
60 candidates were confirmed on Sunday, 30 June 2024 after completed a series of 7 sessions and a weekend camp centered on the Holy Spirit theme for their Confirmation. Throughout the programme, they deepened their understanding of various topics such as the Sacrament of Confirmation, the concept of God as a loving Father, the importance of Jesus and Salvation, the inspiring stories of Saints, the roles of a sponsor, the Holy Spirit, the gifts and fruits bestowed by the Holy Spirit, the Eucharist, methods to make a difference, and ways to demonstrate their faith.
This year’s Confirmation Programme revolves around the theme of GREATNESS, inspired by the words of the late Pope Benedict XVI: “The world may offer you comfort, but you were not created for comfort. You were created for greatness!”
Susilo Kent Jana
Catholic Parish of New Plymouth Youth Minister
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Whanganui Church leased out to Preschool
St Anne’s Church with its distinctive sparkling stained-glass steeple and tiered seating, was packed for the last Eucharist to be celebrated in Whanganui East after 82 years.
The Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated on Sunday evening 4 August 2024 by Parish Priest Fr Craig Butler and Fr John Roberts was one of sadness. Especially touching were parishioners in silence clearing the sanctuary, removing forever, the liturgical items, lectionary, candle sticks, hand bells and finally the altar cloth.
Given the challenges of ongoing maintenance on parish buildings & properties across the city, coupled with the serious impact of rising costs of living, meant a tough financial decision had to be faced and decision taken.
Rather than being sold, the Church is being rented by Whanganui Montessori Preschool.
“We see this as being a much better option to lease it out for a term, rather than sell it outright. This still gives hope for the future,” said Fr Craig.
Masses that were celebrated in St Anne’s will now be held in St Mary’s in the central city.
St Anne’s was first established in 1942 with the purchase of a large house on the corner of Kawakawa and Nixon Streets to serve as a Mass center and primary school. With the increased numbers of families settling in the East a long hall type church was built. In 1973 a sizable property was purchased around the corner in Raine Street and a new open-plan style school was built 2 years later. In May 1999 the contemporary St Anne’s church was opened and blessed by Bishop Peter Cullinane.
St Anne had the last say in one of the presentations at the final service offering us the same blessing God gave Moses those thousands of years ago:
May Yahweh bless you and keep you.
May Yahweh let his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
May Yahweh uncover his face to you and bring you all peace.
Sue Seconi
Catholic Parish of Whanganui – Te Parihi Katorika Ki Whanganui
Bishop meets with men’s group
Bishop John Adams inspired over seventy men from Our Lady of Kapiti Parish when he spoke to them on Saturday 24 August.
Bishop John spoke about the way that we are the custodians of the greatest love story ever told and challenged us to spread this good news. He did not want us to be Catholics who focus on maintenance of our churches, but true evangelisers.
He shared from his own experience in using the principles of Divine Renovation to reinvigorate his parish of Rangiora. The audience was both receptive and challenged. Let’s watch this space!
Peter Ryan
Our Lady of Kapiti Parish
LifeTeen Aotearoa Leadership Convention
On 31 August, 150 people gathered for the LifeTeen Aotearoa Leadership Convention hosted at Sacred Heart College in Wellington.
The Convention opened with a mihi whakatau from Te Atiawa Iwi, the mana whenua of Wellington. Three guest leaders from LifeTeen Ministries were the keynote speakers, and Darcy from National Evangelisation Ministries (NET) also participated.
The conference was geared towards equipping people from across New Zealand, offering 17 workshops covering topics such as activating youth ministry in parishes, safeguarding, teaching small group basics, and more. The keynote speakers provided tips, encouragement, and testimonies to inspire young people and leaders to bring teens closer to Christ. The praise and worship were energetic, and great connections were made as we prepare for the upcoming LifeTeen Aotearoa Summer Camp, hosted by the Hamilton Diocese in January 2025.
Tickets are limited, so if your parish is interested in sending youth to LifeTeen Summer Camp, please register at https://lifeteen.nz/camp/summer-camp-info/.
Those over 18 can apply to be Summer Missionaries – applications are open now here: https://lifeteen.nz/summer-missions/.
Nick Wilson
Diocesan Young Catholics Team Leader