News

Veronica Williams invested with a papal medal.

Cecily McNeill 3 July 2009

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»
Wel-com proofreader honoured

Catholic Social Services director responds to a literature review on violence towards children.

Cecily McNeill 3 July 2009

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»
Why we are so violent towards our children

Cecily McNeill 3 July 2009

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»
Expectations of children key in violence stats

World News

Gillian Vine 5 May 2009

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»
West Papuan priest risks life to speak of oppression

Tim O'Connor 6 June 2008

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»

30 April 2008

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»

Columns

Because of other incidents of late-night violence towards tourists, Mathieu Bastareaud, got away with his accusations for some days.

Fr James Lyons

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»
Guest editorial: We believed the lie

Kieran Fenn FMS

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»
The Year of the Priest: Biblical reflections on priesthood

Archbishop John Dew

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»
Archbishop's Column: I invite you to collaborate with me

Schools

Pooja Patel 5 May 2009

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

Ss Peter and Paul's intermediate classes take prizes in the final.

Heather McCabe, Madeleine van Woerkom, Alex Shackleton, Emma Leahy and Belinda Dodge 7 January 2009

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»
Hutt school tops wearable arts

21 December 2008

The Marist St Pats Premier team won the first round in Wellington club rugby - the Swindale Shield. more»
Marist St Pat's takes the prized Swindale after eight tries

  

Features

3 July 2009

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»
My journey from parental smacking

3 July 2009

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»
Protect our children - vote 'yes'

5 June 2009

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»
From the Year of Paul to the Year of the Priest

Wellington

Labyrinth reopens at Hutt Hospital

Martin de Jong 3 March 2009

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»

Helen Frances 3 March 2009

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»

June 20 marks the 160th anniversary of the opening of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart

Sr Catherine Jones 6 June 2008

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»

Palmerston North

Terence Whelan 5 May 2009

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»
Sharing the gospel using social context

Rex Begley 5 May 2009

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»

Fr Kevin Neal 5 May 2009

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»
Southern Delights

Reflect

Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24; 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15; Mark 5:21-43

Veronica Lawson RSM 26 June 2009

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»