Pope Francis is calling for us to be a church of missionary disciples. This Pastoral Day was an opportunity for nominated lay leaders to gather with priests from across the Diocese of Palmerston North to explore how we might respond to this call. Around 60 people came...
Towards an Ever Wider We
On June 20, the New Zealand Catholic Bishops ask us to all mark a Day of Prayer for Refugees and Migrants. This date is celebrated as World Refugee Day around the world. Pope Francis has written a message for the global church for a World Day of Migrants and...
Living in Community | Te Ahi Kaa o Mātauranga
Te Ahi Kaa o Mataūranga - The Hearth Place of Learning is the Diocesan Catholic Young Adult Community. Based in the Palmerston North CBD, this is where 20 - 35 year olds can spend a year focusing on prayer, hospitality, formation and service. In this article, current...
Their most vulnerable moments
For me, I have always felt as though nursing was a calling and it is the most rewarding career. I wanted to do something with my work that is challenging, interesting, and makes a positive difference in the lives of other people every day. My mum is an Registered...
Everything is Communication
I'm really passionate about communication, about how important it is and about finding tools to strengthen how we communicate in our communities. Technically a lot of what I do is specifically focused on communications. Sometimes it kind of feels like a vocation. On...
Let us go to Galilee | Holy Week 2021
In 2020, due to the National Lockdown, we were unable to celebrate Holy Week in person as communities of faith. We wanted to celebrate the fact that across the Diocese, we were able to gather in person in 2021. The Diocese of Palmerston North Comms Team attended...
Why would we call it Good Friday?
Even if you’re only remotely familiar with Catholicism, you’ll probably be aware that Good Friday is a special day in the Church’s calendar. In fact, it is one of the most holy days in the entire church year. It is the day where Catholics and Christians around the...
Lenten Reflections – What Does Lent Mean to You?
We asked a few people to share some personal reflections on what the season of Lent means to them, and how they plan to fast, pray and give alms this year. "I've never really been one to give up something during Lent (like chocolate, sweets, caffine) because I don’t...
Lenten Growth
― Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium: The Joy of the Gospel(quoting Pope John XXIII in 1958)You might not know that the word Lent comes from the Old English “lengthening of days” or springtime. Here in the Southern Hemisphere there’s a touch of autumn in the air so it...
Why do we eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday?
For many people, the day before Ash Wednesday is marked by over-indulging in pancakes and frantically trying to think of something to give up for Lent. But there's more to Shrove Tuesday than pancakes ... The name 'Shrove Tuesday' comes from the word shrive, meaning...
Te Rau Aroha – The Leaf of Love
The Diocesan Centre As the central office of the Diocese, located next to the Diocesan Cathedral, The Diocesan Centre - Te Rau Aroha serves an important function as a place of work, gathering, training, formation and celebration. The connection with the Mana Whenua...
Wisdom begins in Wonder
In December 2020, the Diocesan Young Catholics team ran a five-day leadership training programme for Year 12 students across the Diocese called 'Young Catholic Leader.' This programme, modeled off the Marist Youth Leader Programme, has been running now for a number of...











