Weekly Notices

DIOCESAN OFFICE HOURS

The Diocesan Office will close at 12:00pm on Tuesday, 23 December and will reopen on Monday, 5 January. Wishing you and your families a joyful and blessed Christmas from all of the staff at the Diocesan Office.

CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES

Mass times and Sacrament of Reconciliation times from parishes across the diocese are now available on the Diocesan website https://cdoc.nz/christmas

Closing Mass of the Jubilee Year of Hope

2025 has been a special year of grace as the Church celebrates the Jubilee Year of Hope. As the Jubilee Year draws to a close, we gather for a final Mass of thanksgiving.

Date: Sun, Dec 28

Time: 9.30am

Location: St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral

This Mass will mark the end of local diocesan celebrations of the Holy Year, while the universal Church celebration formally concludes on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord in Rome.

All are invited to join Bishop Michael in celebrating the closing Mass of the Jubilee Year.

OPEN HEAVEN

All are invited to join Christians from across Canterbury at Open Heaven 2026 - a combined prayer meeting. It will be a powerful night of worship and intercession for New Zealand. This night will be a chance for Christians to come together as one, lifting our voices in praise and

seeking God’s blessing for our country. We invite you to join us for this special evening of prayer and worship. To be held at Wolfbrook Arena on Thurs, Feb 19. Doors open at 6:30pm, the prayer meeting will begin at 7:00pm. This is a free event, open to everyone. For more info visit our website.

INFORM

The final issue of Inform for 2025 is available now in parishes and online at cdoc.nz/inform

Subs required over Christmas / New Year for the Adoration Chapel

Over the past 12 years the Diocesan Perpetual Adoration Chapel has remained open throughout the Christmas period. We have a large number of people going away and require extra people to help out. If you are going to be at home this Christmas and would be happy to cover an hour or two please contact Matt on 027 536 9407 or chchadoration@gmail.com

SISTER EVELEEN RETREAT HOUSE

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

Step aside from the busyness of life and enter a day of rest, reflection, prayer, and quiet time with God. Our next Sabbath Day is on 26 Feb.

Sister Eveleen Retreat House, Sumner, 6 Whitewash Head

For retreat info and to register follow this link

Mass in Te Reo Māori

Mass will be celebrated in te reo Māori at St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral at the following times:

First Sunday of the month — 12:30 pm, Blessed Sacrament Chapel

Second Sunday of the month — 12:30 pm, Blessed Sacrament Chapel

Third Sunday of the month — 12:30 pm, Blessed Sacrament Chapel

Fourth Sunday of the month — 6:00 pm, Nave (Parish Mass)

Fifth Sunday (when applicable) — 12:30 pm, Blessed Sacrament Chapel

The Catholic Shop

Now open Sundays 8.30am till 12.30pm till Christmas.

373 Manchester St, 9.30am till 4.30pm Monday to Friday, 10am till 1pm Saturdays.

Your best range of religious gifts.

Theology at the University of Otago 
The Theology Programme at the University of Otago offers the opportunity to think more deeply about Christian faith. You can study toward a qualification, or you can take a single paper.
For further info email: theology@otago.ac.nz
www.otago.ac.nz/theology

CHRISTCHURCH DIOCESE National Office for Professional Standards (NOPS) REVIEW

The NOPS office recently carried out their 3 yearly eternal review of the Christchurch Diocese. You can read their Executive Summary Report here.

INFERTILITY SUPPORT GROUP

John Paul II Centre for Life welcome you to a monthly Support Group if you are struggling with infertility. Join us to find encouragement, hope and a way forward through prayerful reflection, sharing and solidarity. Please contact us to register and to find out more: Ph 021 2434820 or email info@jp2.org.nz.

SEVEN SORROWS ROSARY GROUP AND ADORATION

Supporting Catholics through grief: 4th Monday of every month, 7.30-8.30am, after the 7am Mass. St Teresa’s Church - 8 Puriri Street, Riccarton. For more info contact info@jp2.org.nz

CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH: VACANCY - CHIEF FINANCE OFFICER

The Diocese is looking to recruit a Chief Finance Officer (CFO) to lead a passionate and committed team and be a key strategic partner in shaping the future of the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch. The CFO will be accountable for the CDC’s financial and IT performance. The primary responsibility of the role is to safeguard and improve the financial position and performance of the Diocese, enabling the achievement of its pastoral and property objectives. Furthermore, the CFO drives risk management and ensures an excellent standard of reporting. For a full Candidate Brief please email applications@cdoc.nz To apply, click here or attach your cover letter and CV to applications@cdoc.nz with ‘Chief Financial Officer Job Application’ in the subject line.

Applications close 11.59pm Thursday, 15 January 2026. For more information please phone Annette Pugh on 03 378 3647.

VINNIES ROLE - Conference Coordinator

Part time permanent role: 20 hours per week. The role of the Conference Coordinator involves responsibility for implementing membership programmes, supporting local Conferences in their charitable activates and fostering community engagement to ensure effective delivery of

the Societies mission. The role supports local conferences by enabling spiritual formation, program delivery and facilitating training for Vincentians that strengthen skills.

For a full role description please contact Bill Manning- Area President - bill@svdpcanterbury.nz or Clodagh Ward - clodagh@svdpcanterbury.nz Closing Date for application is January 15, 2026.

VACANCY - CATHOLIC ENQUIRY CENTRE Three Part-Time Roles

The Catholic Enquiry Centre (an agency of the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference) is expanding its digital outreach in 2026 and is seeking passionate, faith-filled people to join the team:

Digital Ministry Specialist (Content & Platform) –oversee CEC’s website and social media, creating content that helps people explore faith.
Digital Ministry Specialist (Media Production) – create short videos, testimonies, and reels introducing Catholic faith and traditions.
Resource & Enquiry Support Officer – respond to enquirers and coordinate the dispatch of printed resources across Aotearoa.
All roles are part-time (0.4 FTE) and may be remote or Wellington-based. Expressions of interest to carly@catholicenquiry.nz by Friday 9 January 2026. Roles may be filled sooner for the right candidates.

MARIAN MOVEMENT OF PRIESTS (MMP)

The Marian Movement of Priests (MMP) invites you to join Fr Donal McIlraith, priest responsible for MMP in Oceania, for Mass and a Cenacle (prayer meeting) on Thursday, 22 January at 5:00 PM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 70 Spencer Street, Addington, Christchurch. For more information, please contact Jeanette on 03 325 7066 or email info@mmp-oceania.net.

PRAYER FOR THE UNBORN

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus, you are invited to join us in praying for all unborn babies, especially those in danger of abortion.

We will gather to pray on Sun, Dec 21, 2.00pm - 4.00pm; at Hagley Park, by Deans Ave/Matai Street Intersection. For more info, please contact Anastasia on 021 0822 6960.