Writings from across our diocese and around the world.
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The Catholic world entered a time of mourning and transition following the death of Pope Francis and the election of his successor, Pope Leo XIV. Pope Francis, remembered for his humility, global outreach, and emphasis on synodality, died on 21 April 2025 after more...
Owen John Dolan, Emeritus Coadjutor Bishop of Palmerston North, passed away peacefully at the age of 96 following a short illness. Born in Palmerston North on September 30, 1928, he was raised in Hāwera after the early death of his mother. He was ordained a priest on...
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...
Robyn Andrews, a Research Fellow at Massey University and a parishioner at St Mary’s in Palmerston North, brings a unique perspective to her research on contemporary parish life in Aotearoa New Zealand. She will also be publishing a series of more detailed pieces in...
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...
ACROSS Te Kotahitanga o te Wairua is a faith-based, not-for-profit social services organisation supporting tamariki, rangatahi, whānau, and individuals across the Manawatū and surrounding regions. Guided by the values of hope, compassion, and connection, we offer a...
Deborah Thompson Jones is a Cathedral of the Holy Spirit parishioner, wife, mum, birth doula, and newly baptised Catholic. The daughter of church leaders, she grew up in a nondenominational charismatic background and has been deeply involved in Christian ministry,...
Sue Jones is a lifelong Catholic from Napier who has been writing for Catholic publications like the Marist Messenger and NZ Catholic since the late 1980s. Using the simple, homely image of breadmaking, Sue invites us to pause and reflect on the quiet, faithful work...
The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit marked its centenary with a weekend of reverence, music, and community. From 21–23 March 2025, parishioners, clergy, musicians, and guests gathered to honour 100 years of history, faith, and architectural beauty. The festivities began...
There have been lots of things happening around our Diocese over the past month - have a read of some of them below!Three Parishioners Receive the Papal Benemerenti Award On Sunday, March 2, 2025, the parish of Immaculate Conception in Stratford gathered for a special...
On the First Sunday of Lent, catechumens and candidates from across the Palmerston North Diocese gathered at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit for the Rite of Election with Bishop John. They were joined by their godparents, sponsors, and families as they took this...
On Saturday, 8 March 2025, a group of 35 pilgrims set out on the first Diocesan Pilgrimage for the 2025 Year of Jubilee, travelling from across the Palmerston North Diocese to the historic Catholic site of Hiruhārama-Jerusalem along the Whanganui River. Led by...