The Catholic Church in Aotearoa New Zealand has made a formal apology to victims and survivors of abuse committed by priests and other Church figures. Cardinal John Dew, Archbishop of Wellington and President of the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference, gave the apology in Auckland today during a hearing of the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care, on behalf of Church leaders.
After a year like 2020, “Rejoicing in the Cross” was the perfect theme for this year's Hearts Aflame, the annual Catholic summer school for young adults held at Nga Tawa Diocesan School, Marton, from 1-10 January 2021. Covid-19 didn't deter the planning team from going ahead and the 120 participants - a full house - from all over the country taking part…
It is reassuring that neither Martha nor the disciples are rebuked for questioning Our Lord’s care for them. Christ is seemingly quite happy to receive our raw and honest desires. It has been said of the incident in the boat that maybe Our Lord was sleeping with one eye open, implying that he was waiting for his disciples to express their concerns to him…
What is spiritual direction? The short answer: a help to pray. The Catholic tradition has long regarded spiritual direction, for a person who is praying regularly, as a means of growth towards becoming a more prayerful person. So spiritual direction is a positive reality: helping to become “the best me”…
Although I've only been working as a pilot for maybe six years I feel like I've had my head in the clouds since I was old enough to reach the rudder pedals. When I was about 6 or 7 years old I went for a flight with a family friend. I absolutely loved it, and from then on became absolutely plane crazy: pilots talk about “catching the bug”…
For some time now I have been becoming increasingly concerned about the increasing divisions within our world and Church. The growing hate talk and constant attacks and accusations against people really upset me. We see this increasing as the mainline media lose the art of investigative journalism and as social media grows, allowing anyone to publish any idea or any so-called “truth”…
A group of high school students have brought the words of Pope Francis to life in Hamilton. In the encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis calls on us to be ‘neighbours without borders’. “The future is not monochrome,” writes the Holy Father…
“Jubilant cheers of praise fill the air each year as faithful gather to conclude the annual novena to the Holy Child Jesus. “
You may be wondering what this devotion is all about. Read our blog to find what happened locally and about the origins of this devotion.
A popular summer camp for girls is proving how growth in Christian virtues can be a lot of fun…
“To engage, inspire and empower through Christ”: this vision, the motto of Suzanne Aubert Catholic School, was inspired by the work of Suzanne Aubert and is what will guide the foundation board of trustees, staff and students in the creation of this new community of learning. After only six months of planning, praying and preparing, the school was blessed and opened by Bishop Steve on February 2 2021 in the presence of…
John Kleinsman, Nathaniel Centre for Bioethics
At the upcoming election, voters face two referendum questions: one on whether to implement assisted suicide and euthanasia and the other on whether to legalise recreational cannabis.
What is the “Catholic” way to think about such issues prior to voting?
Fr Matthew McAuslin
Throughout the diocese, many schools get involved in fundraising in a special Missions Day. One school, in particular, deserves special mention: St. Joseph’s School, Morrinsville. Every year this country school holds a special fun and fundraising day that generously raises over $1,000 to help children in need overseas. These country children really get stuck in and do so much good to help those in need overseas. Thank you, Morrinsville!
Jil Miller
It was only after graduation when I hit rock bottom, that I decided to “give this Jesus thing a go” …
Bishop Steve Lowe
In most families there is a regular call that the younger members try to avoid - “Clean your room”, “Do the dishes” or perhaps today “Empty the dishwasher.” When we are young we often try to avoid these calls and think about ourselves and what we want. We tend to forget about how these calls invite us to be more of a family where everyone has a part to play to make the family more united and harmonious…
Heather Major
You couldn’t find a more fired up high schooler than Rachel Major when it comes to talking about the End of Life Choice Act and voting in the binding referendum this September.
And that makes sense when you hear Rachel’s story…
Fr. Joe Stack
Robert: How about an article for this weekend on Vocations?
Fr Joe: Sure thing…No Probs!
Except there were plenty of problems…
Isaac Fransen
I desire true friendship and love. I desire Christ.
These desires are innate in each of us and can be experienced every day…
Adam Kirkeby
…Every seminarian has come to the seminary via a different journey so there is no usual path, but for me, I had thought about trying for the seminary from about when I was twelve. There was no particular moment…
Dr Teresa Fernandez
Despite it being the middle of winter, over two-hundred people gathered on the morning of July 18, for a multicultural (and interfaith) tree planting…
Jil Miller
A good friend of mine and Catholic speaker, Bob Lesnefsky, once told me a story about his son Toby. Toby is one of seven kids and, truth be told, he has always…
