GOLDEN CATHOLICS
Golden Catholics warmly invite senior parishioners from across the Diocese to come together, enjoy a light lunch and connect with others. To be held on Wed, Sep 24 starting with 11.00am Mass followed by a presentation and lunch, to be held at St Mary’s New Brighton, 116 Lonsdale St, Christchurch. Bishop Michael will share how hope is at the heart of our faith as Catholics. Visit our website for more information and please RSVP by 19 Sept on 03 366 9869 or email cdf@cdoc.nz.
ST JOSEPH’S THE WORKER PARISH & SCHOOL
We are celebrating 160 years of Catholic faith since the founding of St Joseph’s The Worker, Lyttelton in 1865, it is one of New Zealand’s oldest parishes. Though the parish and school were closed following devastating earthquakes, the spirit of St Joseph’s is still with us. To honour this legacy, all former parishioners, students, teachers, and friends are warmly invited to a special celebration on Sat, Oct 25, featuring a Dedication Mass at St Anne’s in Woolston, followed by dinner, speeches, cake cutting, and dancing at the Lyttelton Top Club. More details are available here or email sjlyttelton160@gmail.com, please spread the word!
STAY INFORMED ON NATIONAL SAFEGUARDING EFFORTS
The National Office for Professional Standards
(NOPS) is now publishing a quarterly newsletter with updates, resources, and information about the Church’s safeguarding efforts.
Read the latest issue here.
SEASON OF CREATION
This month we celebrate the Season of Creation - a time of reflection and action that continues through to October 4.
The theme this year is Peace with Creation, this theme describes a future period of peace and transformation.
Sign the Caritas petition Turn Debt into Hope https://www.caritas.org.nz/tur...
SISTER EVELEEN RETREAT HOUSE
Join us at Sister Eveleen Retreat House for a Retreat Day.
Sacred Maps: A Creative Reflection on Your Faith Journey, Sep 26-28
Hearts Ablaze: Praying the Psalms. Nov 7-9, with Colin and Carol Renouf
Facing the Fire: A Journey into Darkness with the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius Oct 24-26, with Eddie O’Connor
Sister Eveleen Retreat House, Sumner, 6 Whitewash Head
More information and to register follow the link
CALLED TO LEAD - A RETREAT FOR MEN
Men of the diocese are invited to a Joshua Men’s Retreat. Join men from across New Zealand for a special time of formation and encounter.
The retreat will be held on Fri, Oct 10 – Sun, Oct 12 and will be held at Chosen Valley Christian Camp, Ararimu, Auckland.
Retreat Director: Mike Lobo
Attending Priest: Fr Carl Telford SM
Keynote Speaker: Bill McElhinney
Cost: $175pp (includes food and accommodation) Follow this link to register or for more info contact Mike Lobo (021) 2809285 or Jerome Hardy (027) 2334380.
WEDNESDAYS AT ONE
All are welcome at the CBS weekly Wednesday concerts held at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral or the CBS Music Centre, 373 Manchester St, from 1.10-2.00pm. For more information visit our website.
HEAVENLY HARMONY HAYDN
Come and hear the CBS Choir and Orchestra perform Te Deum, Symphony 97, Heavenly Harmony Haydn, Harmoniemesse. 2.00pm Sun, Sep 21 at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral. Entry price $30 (eftpos available). For more information visit our website.
HOPE AND RENEWAL SUMMIT
Parish renewal isn’t just for one person — it’s a shared mission. Come as a parish. Be renewed. Go back ready.
3 & 4 Oct, Palmerston North. Register now at:
INFERTILITY SUPPORT GROUP
If you are struggling with infertility you are welcome to a monthly support group. Join us to find encouragement, hope and a way forward through prayerful reflection, sharing and solidarity. Please contact the JPII centre to register and to find out more: Ph 021 0814 8834 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
ST BRIGID’S LOBURN ANNIVERSARY
150 years of St Brigid’s Church in Loburn will be celebrated this year. Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Michael Gielen on Sun, Nov 9 at 2.00pm. St Brigid’s is the 4th oldest church in the diocese and one of the very few with an active cemetery. Mass will be celebrated in a large marquee and everyone is invited, especially those with a family connection to St Brigid’s.
To follow there will be a blessing of the cemetery by Bishop Michael and afternoon tea will be served. An updated version of Michael Hanrahan’s history of St Brigid’s will be available for sale at $20.
For further information contact Michael Brown at mandmbrown.nz@gmail.com
BEATITUDES UPCOMING RETREATS
PRAYER & UNION WITH GOD WOMEN’S RETREAT –Oct 24 -26
A serene and enriching silent retreat for women focused on deepening our Union with God, inspired by St. Teresa of Avila.
To book, email retreats@beatitudes.nz or phone 022 103 6994
St Therese Rose Petal Evening,
Come celebrate St Therese - 100 years of sainthood. Sat, Sep 27, starting 5.30pm An evening of prayer and song with St Therese, followed by potluck dinner. Please bring a plate to share. Community of the Beatitudes, 67 Leithfield Rd, Leithfield. Theme: “St Thérèse – the pilgrim of hope” Speaker: Sr Giovanna-Maria of the Holy Eucharist. For more information contact beatitudesnz@gmail.com or phone (03) 314 8837.
Te Kupenga Catholic Theological College
Te Kupenga Catholic Theological College enrolment for Bachelor Degree and Graduate Diploma in Theology for Semester One 2026 will run from Sep 22 – Nov 21, 2025. Go to www.tekupenga.ac.nz/apply to enrol. Te Kupenga invites everyone for the webinar on “Raising a Catholic family in the Third Millennium” with Cameron & Cheryl Surrey on Wednesday, October 8, 5:00-6:00pm on Zoom. Click here to register.
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 next meeting is Sat, Sep 27, 12:30 -3:00pm.
Come meet and work alongside crafters. Bring your handcraft project and a gold coin donation, as well as some cash for raffles. It’s a friendly social gathering with good fellowship.
Any queries, call Jude Lathey 021 217-2052
CATHOLIC DEVELOPMENT FUND (CDF)
If you’re interested in planning ahead and saving for peace of mind, we warmly invite you to get in touch for a private, no-obligation conversation about funeral planning.
CDF – Invest in Good | cdf@cdoc.nz | 03 366 9869
HOLIDAY HOUSE FOR RENT
The Catholic Outdoor Club has a Holiday House available in Arthur’s Pass, on Sunshine Tce (behind the Police Station). The house has 3 bunk rooms to accommodate 18 people. It has a good lounge and kitchen. Ideal for an economical family holiday in the mountains. Cost from $90 a night. Bookings may be made on the website here.
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: John Dooley – 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
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 your church or online at the Diocesan website. For more information contact the Vocations Coordinator Matt O’Connell on 366-9869 or moconnell@cdoc.nz
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
Catholic Diocese of Christchurch - https://www.facebook.com/ChchCatholic
NZ Catholic Bishop's Conference - https://www.facebook.com/CatholicNZ/
Instagram
Catholic Diocese of Christchurch - @catholicdioceseofchristchurch
NZ Catholic Bishop's Conference - @nzcatholicbishops
CATHOLIC NEWS IN YOUR INBOX
What’s happening in the Catholic Church in New Zealand? What are the big stories affecting people of faith in our country? Get Catholic headlines delivered to your inbox each Tuesday and Friday. Sign up today at https://cathnewsnz.com/
