There have been lots of exciting things happening around our Diocese over the past month – have a read of some of them below!
Life Commitment of Sr Lee Tan rsj
On Saturday, 29 March 2025, at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Sr Lee Tan rsj publicly professed her life commitment as a Sister of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart.
When Congregational Leader Sr Monica Cavanagh rsj received the vows that Sr Lee declared before the congregation, there was a warm round of applause.
The spirit-filled liturgy was thoughtfully prepared to include Māori and Malaysian cultural elements and was presided over by Monsignor Gerard Burns from Wellington.
During the presentation of the bread and wine, an image of a lotus was included and placed in front of the altar. This had deep significance for Sr Lee, symbolising her remarkable journey to this day.
This beautiful flower rises pure from muddy water, opening to the light of day on a strong stem. The lotus represents faithful service and remaining true to one’s purpose—faithful to Jesus, while avoiding the worldly temptations of power, wealth, corruption, and disloyalty.
Born in Malaysia, Sr Lee first came to New Zealand to study at Massey University. Her role as International Student Officer exposed her to students from Asia, Africa, and Oceania, each offering insights beyond formal education.
“I then felt called to return to Malaysia, specifically to Sarawak in East Malaysia, a place unknown to me, to work alongside indigenous communities,” she said.
Through her practical work with an ecumenical Christian organisation—whose objectives focused on rural development, health, essential sanitation projects, and women’s literacy programmes—she was deeply affected.
“I witnessed firsthand the profound suffering caused by poverty, deforestation, and the violation of indigenous land rights,” she said.
At the time a non-Christian, she accepted an invitation from a co-worker to attend a Good Friday Mass at the local Catholic church. It proved a pivotal moment in her life. During the Gospel, she connected with the ‘wounded Jesus’.
This realisation ignited a deeper understanding of Jesus—one centred on active empathy for the suffering of the world—and she felt a profound call to respond.
Returning to New Zealand and settling in Wellington, Sr Lee became involved with groups such as Justice & Peace, YCW, the union movement, and the Sisters of St Joseph, who all worked to realise Gospel values and beliefs. In 2000, she was baptised at Newton Parish, and her journey continued as she sought membership with the Josephite Sisters.
At the conclusion of the liturgy, she expressed her heartfelt gratitude, acknowledging the guiding presence of God on her spiritual path toward becoming a vowed member of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart.
A scrumptious luncheon followed, along with the cutting of the cake.
Sue Seconi
Catholic Parish of Whanganui – Te Parihi Katorika Ki Whanganui
St. Marcellin School’s Hikoi Wairua Pilgrimage
On Tuesday 1st April 2025 the St. Marcellin School, Whanganui, students, teachers and Father John Roberts headed off to Hiruhārama on their special Hikoi Wairua (Spiritual Journey) Pilgrimage.
Hiruhārama is a wonderfully spiritual setting, and an instant calm was felt as we all disembarked the bus and walked up the drive to the convent and chapel.
The students had been focusing on learning all about the Venerable Suzanne Aubert and her time spent up the river with tangata whenua and the school and convent at Jerusalem. For many of our students this was their first trip to Jerusalem.
After arriving, the students and staff celebrated Mass at the St. Jospeh’s Chapel with Father John. It was a beautiful heartfelt mass that focused on pilgrimage and tangata whenua. The students filled the chapel with waiata in te reo Māori.
Next, the students sat in the gardens to have lunch before having a guided tour of the convent by Father John, who was very knowledgeable about the history of the convent and had all the children enthralled with his story telling.
Belinda Backwell
St Marcellin School Principal
A Special Visit for St Matthew’s School
On Wednesday, 9 April, the St Matthew’s Catholic Primary School community in Marton was delighted to welcome Bishop John Adams for a special visit. The day was filled with excitement as Bishop John spent time in classrooms, engaging with students, asking questions, and learning about their work and faith journeys.
Students and staff enjoyed the opportunity to chat informally with the Bishop over a morning tea that featured delicious banana cake and pancakes.
Adding to the celebration, Corrinna and Steph from Property Brokers provided a sausage sizzle.
The visit was a wonderful opportunity for the school community to connect with Bishop John and share a part of their daily life with him.
Tumua Pala’aia
St Matthew’s School Principal
KPF Retreat Brings Community Together in Lent
On April 12, 2025, KPF Mission Ministries Palmerston North hosted its Annual Lenten Retreat at St Mary’s Church in Palmerston North. This year’s retreat centred on the theme of “Sin and Repentance.” Bishop John Adams opened the day’s activities with an inspiring talk. In addition to gaining deeper insights from his message, the retreatants felt honoured to have the Bishop present with them.
The retreat also featured two other distinguished speakers: Father Ralph Barcelo, a Filipino priest from the Pahiatua parish, and Father Ambrose, the parish priest at St Mary’s. Approximately 40 parishioners and members of KPF communities participated in the event.
The day concluded with adoration, confession, and the celebration of Holy Mass. By the end of the retreat, participants had gained a deeper understanding of sin and repentance and felt spiritually renewed through the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist.
Rhea Villocido
KPF Fellowship
Palmerston North Welcomes New Deacon
Over Easter weekend, Deacon Noel Piden was warmly welcomed to the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit.
Originally from the Philippines, Deacon Noel arrived on Thursday, 10 April, marking his first time outside his home country. His parents and five siblings remain in the Philippines, supporting him from afar as he begins this new journey.
As a transitional deacon, Noel hopes to one day become a priest of the Diocese of Palmerston North.
Photo: Deacon Noel (right) with seminarian Sy Nguyen (left) and Bishop John on Palm Sunday.
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme Launched at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme (HDSS) was officially launched at the Cathedral during the 9:30am Mass on Sunday, 27th April. The occasion also marked the Jubilee for People who Experience Disability and coincided with Divine Mercy Sunday, making it a particularly meaningful and well-attended celebration.
The Cathedral was full for the event, which also included a baptism. Among those present were numerous adults and children who experience disability, as well as members of the All Saints Church community. During the entrance procession, a Freyberg High School student who experiences Down Syndrome carried the Lectionary to the Lectern.
The entire service was interpreted in New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) by an NZSL interpreter and David Loving-Molloy, who also presented a PowerPoint after Communion to officially launch the HDSS and outline his new role as Leader and Advisor for Inclusiveness.
The launch was received positively, and in the coming weeks, the HDSS will be introduced to parishes, schools, and faith communities across the diocese.
For more information on the HDSS, click here.
Bishops Gather in Palmerston North for NZCBC Meeting
From 5–9 May 2025, the Diocese of Palmerston North was honoured to host the Catholic Bishops of Aotearoa New Zealand for their quarterly New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference (NZCBC) meeting, held this time in Papaioea (Palmerston North).
On Monday 5 May, the Diocesan staff had the privilege of welcoming the Apostolic Nuncio to New Zealand, Archbishop Gábor Pintér, alongside the bishops: Bishop Michael Dooley, Bishop Steve Lowe, Bishop Michael Gielen, and Archbishop Paul Martin. They were accompanied by Fr Giosuè Busti and staff from the NZCBC.
Joining them were members of Te Rōpū Māori: Manuel Beazley, Kathy Simmons, and Pa Gerald Paterson.
The visit began with a warm mihi whakatau at the Diocesan Centre. Kaumātua Wiremu Te Awe Awe—grandson of the last paramount chief of Rangitāne iwi—led the welcome, supported by his whānau: Trieste Te Awe Awe, Nuwyne Te Awe Awe-Mohi, and Rakena Mohi. They were joined by Rangitāne representative and Palmerston North’s Deputy Mayor, Debi Marshall-Lobb.
It was a joyful occasion marked by connection, whakawhanaungatanga, and the spirit of kotahitanga.
