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Cameron Surrey lives in North Canterbury with his wife, Cheryl, and their three children. Cameron has a PhD in theology and more than a decade of experience in formation and discipleship. This year he is working in the Diocese of Palmerston North, facilitating the...
Please note: The reflections and opinions expressed in this piece are those of the author and are shared in the spirit of personal faith and contemplation. They do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Diocese of Palmerston North.Reflections from the...
When Jesus sent out the seventy-two, He sent them ahead of Him, in pairs, into every town and place He himself intended to visit. They went without purse or bag. They went in trust. And they returned with joy. I keep coming back to that number. On 7 March in...
The Palmerston North Cathoic Education Office (PNCEO) Annual Faith Leadership Gathering once again provided a rich and life‑giving opportunity for Catholic principals, Directors of Religious Studies and HOD RE from across the diocese to come together in a spirit of...
The Sisters of Compassion, in partnership with Ngāti Hau, hosted a blessing and service at the historic settlement of Hiruhārama on 19 March, following renovations to the Old Convent and St Joseph’s Church. Over a hundred people with links to Hiruhārama joined the...
Our first Diocesan Hub gathering will take place: Saturday 7 March, 12:30pm–4:30pm – Palmerston North (Diocesan Centre) Sunday 8 March, 12:30pm–4:30pm – Hastings (St Peter Chanel Hall) At this first Hub, we will begin by returning to one of the foundational documents...
On 22 February 2026, RCIA groups from around the Palmerston North Diocese gathered at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Palmerston North for the Rite of Election and Enrolment of Names. There were 25 Catechumens and Candidates from the parishes of Hastings,...
On Saturday 28 February, the Catholic Parish of Hastings (CPH) gathered to celebrate Fr Marcus’ 25th Jubilee of Priestly Ordination, marking twenty-five years of dedicated service to God and the Church. Around 250 people attended, including family and friends who...
Holy Days is a movie based on a story by much-loved author, Joy Cowley. Joy knows what makes a good story and this movie has these elements in spades – sharply drawn characters, a suspenseful plot, and buckets of humour. The film is set in 1970s New Zealand. Young...
On Friday 20 February 2026, the Diocese joined Catholic communities throughout Aotearoa New Zealand in observing the annual Day of Prayer and Penance for the Victims of Abuse and Violence. Held each year on the Friday after Ash Wednesday, the day calls the faithful to...
If you drive past the town of Marton around New Year’s, you might be surprised by an unusual sight: 150 young people gathered in a chapel at 7:30am, singing with all their hearts! It is, of course, Hearts Aflame Catholic Summer School, which brings together young...
The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Palmerston North was filled with parishioners and visitors on Sunday, 1 February, as the diocese gathered to celebrate the Closing Mass of the 2025 Year of Jubilee. The sunshine of the morning seemed to echo the joyful mood inside...