Weekly Notices

World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Today, Good Shepherd Sunday, the entire Catholic Church prays for vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life. Please pray that the “Lord of the harvest will send labourers into his harvest” (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2). Please pray that young men and women hear and respond generously to the Lord’s call for there lives. You might life to join in the Diocesan nine-day novena for vocations starting today. Copies are at the back of your church or online at the Diocesan website here. For more information contact the Vocations Coordinator Matt O’Connell on 366-9869 or moconnell@cdoc.nz

Thinking about a Vocation to the Priesthood or Religious Life?

The Good Shepherd knows his sheep and lays down his life for them. On this Vocations Sunday are you being called to Shepherd others as a Priest or Religious? Hearing that divine call, Pope Francis writes, is the “surest way for us to fulfil our deepest desire for happiness”. Contact the Vocations Director, Fr Tien Cao on petercaochitien@yahoo.com or the Vocations Coordinator, Matt O’Connell on 366-9869 or moconnell@cdoc.nz if you want to talk more information or to talk about a possible vocation.

INFERTILITY SUPPORT GROUP

We welcome you to a monthly Support Group if you are struggling with infertility. Join us to find encouragement and a way forward through. Meeting on Monday May 12th 7.30pm. To contact us Ph 021 0814 8834 or email info@jp2.org.nz

SISTER EVELEEN RETREAT HOUSE

Join us at Sister Eveleen Retreat House for a Retreat Day. 

Monthly Day of Retreat 
A quiet day of reflection, prayer, silence and sharing. May 29

Praying with St Ignatius A two-night silent retreat led by Ignatian Spiritual Director Colin Renouf, to be held on June 23-25
This retreat introduces the life of St Ignatius and key themes of the Spiritual Exercises, such as Radical Love, Principle & Foundation, Freedom, Desire, and Contemplation.
It offers a transformative space to grow whether new to Ignatian spirituality or seeking to deepen your practice.

Sister Eveleen Retreat House, Sumner, 6 Whitewash Head
More information and to register follow the link

The Crafty Crew

Holy Family Parish hosts monthly meetings in the Bishop Joyce Centre at Our Lady of Victories. Come along on Saturday May 17 and work alongside crafters from other parishes. Bring your handcraft project and a gold coin donation. Any queries, call Jude Lathey 021 217 2052.

National Vocations Awareness Week

As we today begin National Vocations Awareness Week, let us renew our commitment to creating an environment of vocational discernment in our families, parishes, and schools, encouraging young men to seriously consider a call to serve God as diocesan priests. Thank you to all who are active in promoting diocesan priesthood as a fulfilling, God-centred life of adventure and service.

FOOD FOR FAITH

Fr. John O’Connor invites you to write telling of one experience of God in up to 400 words for the second edition of FIFTH GOSPEL LIVING. Send your contribution to john@fff.org.nz. This second collection will be published later this year.

CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE

The National Board of the Catholic Women’s League, Aotearoa, New Zealand, urgently requires a National Treasurer for the ensuing year, commencing May 1st, 2025. This honorary position is appointed by the National President for her term of office.

CWLANZ is an Incorporated Society and is registered as a charitable trust under the Charities Act 2022.

A knowledge of Xero Accounting Software would be a requirement of this position along with a knowledge of the workings of the Charitable Trust’s Association.

It is not necessary to be a CWL Member.

For Further details please contact:

CWLANZ National President, Sylvia Mellish cwlnat.president@gmail.com

TE KUPENGA

Te Kupenga Catholic Theological College is now open for enrolment for Semester 2. Go to www.tekupenga.ac.nz/apply to apply or call (09) 361-1053 for more information. Enrolment closes on May 16.

BEATITUDES RETREATS

WOMEN’S RETREAT May 25-27

“Freedom to Be Loved & to Love as Women” is the theme for the retreat. Starting at Genesis where our knots were tied up through Eve, we will journey with the Lord allowing Him to untie the lies of the enemy; concluding with Mary who shows us how to be loved and love freely as a woman.

MEN’S RETREAT – June 6-8

“The Spirit blows where He wills; you hear His voice, but you know neither where He comes from, nor where He is going! (cf. Jn 3:7-8).” Let us learn to walk in the Spirit.

To book, email retreats@beatitudes.nz or

phone 022 103 6994

UNDERSTANDING AND PRACTISING SYNODALITY

Join us on Saturday, June 7 from 1–4pm at Rosary House for a session on how we can be Pilgrims of Hope in today’s world, facilitated by Kevin Gallagher. More info here. All are welcome—please RSVP via text 027 227 2471 or email rogerandannemarie@hotmail.com

Jubilate

Jubilate 2025 is Under Way

Christchurch South and West begin this year’s series, bringing together their parish and school choirs for an hour of sacred singing. Along with shared singing, this hour will feature Christchurch choirs and musicians. All are welcome to join in singing and supporting our featured choirs.

Where? St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral.

When? Tuesday May 27 from 7.00 to 8.00pm.

All welcome and admission is free.

Praying for Vocations and Priests on Thursdays

As in the past, the diocesan family dedicates Thursdays to pray for priests and vocations to the priesthood. You might like to come to Mass on Thursdays, if possible, but all are invited to pray for this intention using a prayer for vocations written by Pope Francis. Prayer cards are available at the

back of the church or online at the Diocesan website. For more information contact the Vocations Coordinator Matt O’Connell on 366-9869 or moconnell@cdoc.nz

Catholicism4Catholics – New Series Begins!

Faith Formation Talks at Sacred Heart Basilica, Timaru. We’re excited to begin a new series of Catholicism4Catholics — our ongoing faith formation talks that explore and deepen our understanding of the Catholic faith.

Date: Thursday, 8th May 2025

Time: 1:45 PM

Venue: Parish Centre, Sacred Heart Basilica, Timaru

Topic: “Upon This Rock – Understanding the Papacy in a Time of Sede Vacante”

In this first session, we will reflect on the role of the Pope, the Church’s journey during a Sede Vacante, and our call to remain united in faith as we await a new Pope. Come, learn, reflect, and grow in faith.

All are welcome!

CHRISTCHURCH DIOCESAN JUBILEE PILGRIMAGE TO NORTHLAND

In this year of Jubilee, one of the exciting opportunities the Christchurch Diocese is offering is a Diocesan 6-day pilgrimage to the sacred places at the very foundation of the Catholic Faith in New Zealand. As ‘pilgrims of hope’, the pilgrimage will begin in Auckland and will explore the sites of the first missionaries that brought the faith to this country.

The pilgrimage is being held Oct 26 – 31, 2025. Places are limited. Matt O’Connell is leading the tour and there will be a priest chaplain. Bishop Michael will also join the pilgrimage for two days. For more information and a full itinerary, please contact Matt at the Diocesan Office on 366-9869 or moconnell@cdoc.nz

HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY CONTACTS

Most hospitals no longer provide names of Catholic patients to our chaplains.

If there is someone from your family going to hospital please either advise the chaplain or your parish office or let the nurses know that you would like to see the Catholic Chaplain/Priest on call 

Christchurch Hospital:  Angela McCormick – 021 702 378

Burwood Hospital: Jane Dick - 021 572 480 

Hillmorton Hospital: Joan Hough - 021 501 683 

Nurse Maude Hospice: Christchurch North Parish - 03 359 1438

St George’s Hospital: Christchurch North Parish - 03 359 1438

Southern Cross: Cathedral Parish - 379 1068