News

Auckland Catholics launch appeal to help Cyclone Gabrielle victims in Palmerston North and Hamilton dioceses

By Michael Otto | February 20, 2023 | 1 Comment

The Catholic Diocese of Auckland’s Caring Foundation has begun an appeal to help Cyclone Gabrielle victims in the Hamilton and Palmerston North dioceses. Bishop of Auckland Steve Lowe says neither diocese has the infrastructure to host a national appeal and both are without a bishop at present. “We have reached … Read More about Auckland Catholics launch appeal to help Cyclone Gabrielle victims in Palmerston North and Hamilton dioceses

PN diocese hasn’t heard from priest or parishioners in Wairoa but diocese hopeful for their well-being

By Michael Otto | February 17, 2023 | 3 Comments

(UPDATE: NZ Catholic understands Fr Devlin is safe and the Wairoa parish and school properties were not impacted by the flooding. The damage was mostly on the other (northern) side of the river.) As of February 17, Palmerston North diocese had not heard from Fr Rob Devlin, SM, or from … Read More about PN diocese hasn’t heard from priest or parishioners in Wairoa but diocese hopeful for their well-being

Liturgy for those affected by Cyclone Gabrielle

By Michael Otto | February 17, 2023 | 0 Comments

From Palmerston North diocese local administrator Fr Craig Butler. Whakawhanaungatanga/solidarity is about recognising we are all connected. We are all brothers and sisters, in Christ. Jesus reminds us that the greatest commandment is to love God and to love our neighbour. We pray for people in our diocese and throughout … Read More about Liturgy for those affected by Cyclone Gabrielle

Polish family murdered by Nazis along with Jews they helped hide to be beatified

By OSV News | February 16, 2023 | 0 Comments

By Paulina Guzik, OSV News KRAKOW, Poland (OSV News) – Urszula Niemczak keeps a regular schedule. At least twice a week she carefully checks whether winter decorations or fresh flowers growing in the summer on a historical gravesite of Józef and Wiktoria Ulma and their children look good and are … Read More about Polish family murdered by Nazis along with Jews they helped hide to be beatified

A tale of bells and more in stunning new Catholic church in Samoa

By Michael Otto | February 15, 2023 | 1 Comment

The beautiful sounds of several huge bells can be heard ringing out from the new Church of St Theresa of the Child Jesus in Lepea in Samoa. And the St Theresa 7’Oclock Fundraising Community, Auckland (affiliated to the Lepea 7am Sunday Mass Community, Samoa) was instrumental in finding the bells, … Read More about A tale of bells and more in stunning new Catholic church in Samoa

New rector at St Bede’s College in Christchurch

By Michael Otto | February 14, 2023 | 0 Comments

Jon McDowall has been appointed as the sixteenth rector of St Bede’s College in Christchurch. Mr McDowall was previously the associate rector at St Bede’s. He succeeds Justin Boyle, who is taking up a position with the Society of Mary as education director of Catholic character, working with the three … Read More about New rector at St Bede’s College in Christchurch