Volunteer extraordinaire Veronica Williams received a Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice award in a special Mass on June 13. Archbishop John Dew aligned her with the women of the gospel who followed more»

The lack of support for new mothers and role models for boys appear to be significant factors influencing New Zealand's high levels of violence towards children. more»

The rector of St Patrick's College, Wellington, Paul Martin sm, suggests that a significant factor in New Zealand's high incidence of child violence is a shift in society's expectations of children. more»

As a supporter of West Papuan independence from Indonesia, Fr Neles Tebay is on a black list and everywhere he goes in his homeland, West Papua, he is under constant surveillance by the Indonesian authorities who rule the western half of the island of New Guinea and at risk of imprisonment, torture and even death more»

The international Caritas relief effort is now targeting more than 60,000 people through local partners with food, temporary shelter, health care and other aid items in four of the most seriously affected areas of Myanmar despite ongoing difficulties with access for international aid teams. more»

Caritas is urging the UN Security Council to impose an immediate arms embargo on Zimbabwe.
Church leaders in the country say that without international intervention Zimbabweans face genocide. more»

There were concerns that the incident might adversely affect tourism and New Zealand's hosting role for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. There were calls for tougher action against thugs.
But there was no suggestion that the story might not be true and this should be our biggest concern. more»

If we wish to relate the Catholic priesthood to what the bible actually says about Christian priesthood, we must begin with the old testament. Already an objection might be made, that Christian priesthood is more directly related to the priesthood of Jesus himself, especially as explained in the Epistle to the Hebrews. more»

We have moved forward into a new way of thinking and planning with parishes working together in pastoral areas to respond to the sacramental, spiritual, pastoral and educational needs of the communities they serve. more»

On Shrove Tuesday, the new Mercy Crew at St Catherine's College ran an exchange of pancakes for Refuge toiletries. more»

Ss Peter and Paul School's Intermediate classes have won four prizes in the finals of the Wearable Arts Extravaganza for the Lower Hutt region. more»

The Marist St Pats Premier team won the first round in Wellington club rugby - the Swindale Shield. more»

As a young parent I smacked my children. I myself was brought up with the idea that small children needed physical punishment as well as instant reward in order to learn. more»

The question has been posed in such a way that those who designed it expect people to answer 'no'. They hope it will draw a gut reaction from people. more»

From this brief look at one of the women at the end of Romans, it is easy to see that being 'baptised into Christ' meant something different in Paul's day from what it means today. Women were able to participate fully in the early Christian communities. Presiding, preaching and decision-making did not require ordination. more»

Former spiritual directors at Frederic Wallis House will be back in the Hutt to launch the restored former retreat house's labyrinth pathway into a new era when it is officially reopened on its new Hutt Hospital site on Sunday March 1. more»

The first Newtown People's Market and Boot Sale was such a success last year that organisers have decided to run it each month on the last Saturday, 11am to 3pm at St Anne's Church Hall, Emmett Street, Newtown. more»

Even before the diocese was established, there were the beginnings of the Catholic community in Wellington bringing together Catholic immigrant families. Bishop Pompallier celebrated the first Mass in Wellington on Christmas Day, 1840. more»

In seeking ways to highlight the social justice message during Lent, one of the animators staged a drama depicting a challenging situation for local parishioners. more»

A Lenten retreat at Kaitoke Prison in Whanganui became so popular with prison inmates that the number of retreatants doubled by the end of the weekend. more»

Sitting before me on the computer screen is a scene of Wanaka. What a serene and marvellous place! It's beautiful when the summer sun burns the hills and the lake is alive with people and it's vibrant in winter too when the snow comes down low and the skiers arrive in force. We were so lucky to have nearly a week there. more»

Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24 This passage is addressed to socially marginalised Jews in Alexandria in Egypt just a few decades before the birth of Jesus. Life, not death, is God’s doing, and the more»