It was painful reading from those who have felt ignored and excluded and been deeply hurt by the Church, including the personal experiences of abuse, yet the repeated need and desire for a fulfilling Catholic community was clear. Some expressed the need to be clearer...
Leadership | Where to from here?
There was a strong call in the submissions for changes to current leadership models. Things that need to be addressed in relation to leadership: representation of diversity in leadership roles co-responsible, shared leadership models clericalism more lay leadership...
Belonging | Where to from here?
There are many diverse experiences of belonging. Many other participants were struck by this - “Our Marae is where we as Maori can go to express every part of our being”, reflecting upon whether they could say the same for themselves in the Church. Often more than...
Inclusion & Welcome | Where to from here?
Submissions pointed to those they feel are being excluded from that journey, including the young; the elderly; women; Maori; migrants; the deaf; the poor; those divorced or separated; those who identify as LGBTQIA+; those who value more conservative or traditional...
Nō hea koe? | Where are you from?
Names carry a lot of mana. An important part of honouring the places around us is knowing why they have been given their names and making the effort to pronounce them correctly. This series of videos explain the significance behind the names of some of the towns and...
A Church of Aotearoa | Where to from here?
A desire for fundamental change towards a true church of Aotearoa New Zealand was expressed in the submissions recieved. The hope being that there was ways of reflecting the country's biculturalism and partnership with Māori through the use of te reo, tikanga, and...
The Call for Change | Where to from here?
That ‘things need to change’ was one of the strongest messages received. This desire for change indicated that there is great hope and need for renewal within the Church. “We believe this is an opportunity to renew the Church.” A number of responses included ideas...
For a Synodal Church
Pope Francis has approved a dramatic shakeup to the next Synod of Bishops, pushing the physical gathering of Bishops from around world out a year (to 2023) and asking every diocese in the world to begin a local process of listening and walking together in October...
Stories of transformation. #tryalpha
Alpha is a opportunity to explore life, faith and God in a friendly, open and informal environment. The programme is run all over New Zealand and has done so for many years. Parishes around the world are finding Alpha to be a integral part of renewal, evangelisation...
Pope Francis | Ever wider WE
“We are like so many grains of sand, all of us are different and unique, but together we can form a beautiful beach, a true work of art… We are all in the same boat and we are called to commit ourselves so that no more walls separate us, so that there are no longer...
A Reflection from our ‘baby’ Priest
Fr Trung reflects on his first year of priesthood and encourages others to consider a similar calling. National Vocations Awareness Week in 2021 runs from April 25 to May 1. https://youtu.be/01DzT0w2obI Hi everyone, I am Fr Trung Nguyen, the baby Priest in the Diocese...
Reflecting on the Year of Saint Joseph
We are encouraged to imitate the example of Saint Joseph in our lives and into our communities as we celebrate the Year of Saint Joseph. Enjoy this short reflection and prayer inspired by Patris Corde, a letter by Pope Francis which has been produced by The Well, an...