Weekly Notices

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

HOLY WEEK LITURGY TIMES

Are you travelling during Easter? Are you looking for Holy Week times including Reconciliation? Parish Holy Week and Liturgy times can be found on the diocesan website https://cdoc.nz/easter

CHRISM MASS

You are warmly invited to the annual Chrism Mass on Monday 14th April, 5.30pm at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral.

During this Mass, the bishop will bless the sacred oils used throughout the year in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders, and the Anointing of the Sick and the clergy of our diocese will renew their commitment to priestly service. All are welcome to join in this celebration.

HOATU FUND

Applications for Hoatu Fund are now open. The Hoatu Fund provides funding to assist vulnerable women, children and families with material and spiritual needs. Parishes, Schools and Organizations are invited apply. The Hoatu funding allocation process is also used to distribute the funds the Bishop receives annually from The Tindall Foundation. Details about the fund can be found online here. The funding round closes on May 16th. Please contact Matt on 366-9869 or hoatu@cdoc.nz for more info.

CBS MUSIC

J.S. Bach’s St John Passion will be performed at 8.00pm on Good Friday, April 18, at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral. Written for Good Friday, 1724, the Passion is a compact and intensely dramatic setting of St John’s description of Christ’s last hours. Details of this event and upcoming concerts can be found here.

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY DIOCESAN CELEBRATION

The annual celebration Mass of Divine Mercy Sunday will be offered by Bishop Michael at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral at 2.45pm on Sunday April 27 with confessions from 1.30pm, all welcome. Mass will be followed by refreshments and a book sale. Please note there will be no parking on Cathedral grounds until after 2pm. Contact: Pat on 359 2087 for more information.

SISTER EVELEEN RETREAT HOUSE

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

Creative Writing Retreat at Sister Eveleen Retreat House. Have you always wanted to write a book, poem, or memoir? Or you just need the time and space to focus. This weekend retreat, offers gentle guidance in the craft of writing alongside contemplative rest and reflection.
The retreat will be held on Saturday June 7 and will be led by Eddie O’Connor.

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

SAFEGUARDING

The Catholic Diocese of Christchurch has zero tolerance for all forms of abuse and is committed to safeguarding everyone involved in its activities, ministries, and services. The safety and wellbeing of children and adults-at-risk is our highest priority.

Our next Safeguarding Workshop is on Tuesday April 15th – Online at 1pm and 7pm. Register with Clodagh on cward@cdoc.nz A link to the workshop will be sent to those who register on April 14th.
All volunteers/staff in Catholic entities regardless of role are required to attend a Safeguarding Workshop every three years.

Details link here: Safeguarding Workshop

St Joseph’s Hāwera celebrating 150 Years

St Joseph’s Parish & School, Hāwera, will be celebrating 150 years over Labour Weekend, 24–26 October 2025. All past and present members of the parish and school community are invited to participate in the Jubilee celebrations. Registration Forms & Event Calendar are available at here. For further details email stjosephshawerajubilee@gmail.com.

FREE HAIRCUTS

Starting May 13 and fortnightly thereafter, Catholic Social Services will be offering free haircuts to the community from 9.30am - 1.30pm at their office located at 336 Cashel Street.

Any questions? Contact css@cdoc.nz

SOUP KITCHEN

Catholic Social Services is running a Soup Kitchen on Thursday, May 1, from midday to 2.30pm at Linwood Park. St Vincent de Paul will be there providing free blankets and other winter items.

For more information contact css@cdoc.nz

MARIAN COLLEGE OPEN DAY

Marian College is holding an Open Day on Tuesday May 20 from 2pm - 6.30pm. Bookings essential,  book your tour here.

THE CRAFTY CREW

Holy Family Parish hosts monthly craft meetings in the Bishop Joyce Centre at Our Lady of Victories, 106 Main South Rd in Sockburn. The time of the meetings is now from 12:30-3:30pm. Our next meeting is Saturday April 19.

Come meet and work alongside crafters from other parishes. Bring your handcraft project and a gold coin, as well as some cash for raffles. Any queries, call Jude Lathey 021 217-2052

PRINCIPAL VACANCY

The Marist Alternative Education Centre is seeking a Teaching Principal. The ideal candidate will have experience in teaching, social work, and a strong commitment to social justice and supporting at-risk youth. The role is based in a small, supportive school environment. For more information contact Alan Blackie at alan.blackie43@gmail.com

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