Weekly Notices

ANTIOCH

Antioch is back for 2025 for young people in Year 10, 11, 12 and 13! It will be held on Sep 19 - 21. All the key camp favourites return this year including an international speaker, our iconic house band and messy games of course! That’s all alongside the usual camp staples of engaging small groups, encounters through sacraments and so much more. Registrations are open at www.cyt.org.nz/antioch so get a group together with earlybird pricing closing on the Feast of the Assumption. Any questions? Contact Mark via mcurrie@cdoc.nz

CATHOLIC BUSINESS NETWORK LUNCH

We invite you to join us for our final Catholic Business Network event of the year, featuring Leonie Guiney — South Canterbury dairy farmer, Fonterra Director, BNZ consultant, respected business leader, and committed Catholic.

Date: Thurs, Sep 11

Time: 12:00pm – 2:00pm

Venue: Rydges Latimer Christchurch

Leonie will speak candidly about the role of her Catholic faith and daily disciplines in sustaining her during challenging times, her sense of responsibility to “pay it forward” to the next generation, and the importance of acknowledging those who have supported her along the way.

With reflections from her time on the board of Fonterra and life on the land, Leonie offers a compelling perspective on values-based leadership, perseverance, and community.

Reserve your place now at: www.cbn.nz

BEATITUDES UPCOMING RETREATS 

COUPLE’S RETREAT – Sep 5-7

“Call to Holiness” is the theme for the retreat. Come away with your spouse to enrich your marriage under the guidance of Saints Louis and Zelie Martin - the parents of St Thérèse of Lisieux and her sisters. 

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

JOHN PAUL II CENTRE RACE NIGHT 2025

Join over 200 people for an unforgettable evening of harness racing, great food, and friendly competition. Enjoy a 2-course dinner, live racing commentary, and our famous Priest Punter of

the Year competition - all while supporting local families. To be held at 5.30pm on Aug 29 at Addington Raceway. You can find more information and book tickets here.

MISSION SISTERS ANNUAL APPEAL 2025

This year, with your help, we hope to support two new missions - health care services in Bangladesh and hostel accommodation in Vietnam. These are new missions in very remote areas. Posters and brochures sent to the parishes provide further info and details for donations. Many thanks to all our donors!

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

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

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.

SISTER EVELEEN RETREAT HOUSE

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

HEARTS ABLAZE: PRAYING THE PSALMS. Weekend Retreat with Colin Renouf, on Nov 7-9 Moving beyond mediocrity to passion. Write your own psalm of praise.

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

CATHOLIC DEVELOPMENT FUND (CDF)

Did you know that there have been changes to the Residential Care Subsidy? Read more here.

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

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:

www.hoperenewalsummit.com

ONE DAY DIOCESAN JUBILEE PILGRIMAGE TO AKAROA

On Tues, Sep 9, the 185th anniversary of the

first Catholic Marriage in Akaroa, join us on this one-day pilgrimage to one of our Jubilee Sacred Sites, St Patrick’s in Akaroa. We will travel by bus and learn more about the foundations of the faith in the Christchurch Diocese. The pilgrimage will include Mass, talks, quiet time and more. The cost is to be confirmed but will include bus travel, morning and afternoon tea. Places are limited so please contact Matt O’Connell on

moconnell@cdoc.nz or 03 366 9869 to reserve your place now.

MĀORI PASTORAL CARE

On Sun, Aug 24 there is a Special Collection for Māori Pastoral Care in the Christchurch Diocese. This collection is used to support the pastoral care of the members of the Te Rangimārie Chaplaincy and maintain the facilities used by the Chaplaincy. We encourage you to give generously to this special collection by using the unique envelope provided in your planned giving envelopes or by internet banking to your local parish. When paying via internet banking please put Māori in the Particulars. Thank you for your support of Māori Pastoral Care in our diocese.

Safeguarding Workshops

Sacred Heart Addington - Tues, Sep 2 at 1pm – 2.30pm – Click here for details

Sacred Heart Addington - Tues, Sep 2 at 7pm - 8.30pm –Click here for details

Attendance at Safeguarding Workshops for all church volunteers is every three years. Turn up and sign in, your parish will be advised of your attendance.

Further workshop dates can be found on the website.

RETREAT DAY - CHRIST THE REDEEMER PARISH

‘The Power of the Psalms as a Source of Strength’

Lead by Dr. Mary Allan

You are warmly invited to take part in a retreat day which explores the power of the Psalms on various levels and in relation to different aspects of our lives. The day will combine study alongside a time of relaxation.

The retreat will take place on Sat, Sep 6 from 10am-4pm. Morning Tea, Lunch and Afternoon tea will be provided.

Venue - St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre - Vagues Road.

Koha will be welcomed.

To register - click here.

Season of Creation

Reflection hour on Tues, Sep 2 at 1.30pm drawing on ‘Laudato Si’ and material provided for 2025 by ecumenical movement for Season of Creation. A Rosary House event at Te Manawa Atawhai Catherine McAuley Centre at Villa Maria College. Indication of attendance helpful to roho@xtra.co.nz or (03) 379 1298

Catholicism4Catholics

The Eighth Commandment – “You Shall Not Bear False Witness Against Your Neighbour”

This week we reflect on the Eighth Commandment, which calls us to live as people of truth. More than avoiding lies, it challenges us to respect the good name of others, to avoid gossip and slander, and to speak with honesty and integrity in all areas of life.

In a world filled with half-truths, fake news, and careless words, the commandment reminds us that truth builds trust, strengthens community, and reflects Christ Himself - “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6).

Join us on Thurs, Aug 28 at 1.45 pm in the Parish Centre, Basilica of Sacred Heart, Timaru.

How Good Philosophy Can Save the World

The St Thomas More Trust is hosting Dr. Paul Morrisey, president of Campion College, at the St Bede’s College Auditorium, Thurs, Aug 28. He will speak on the importance of thinking well about the things that truly matter and how we can all become better philosophers—for the benefit of our families, friends, and the culture around us. Join us, and bring a friend! Reserve your seat at stmtrust.org.nz

ROSARY HOUSE REFLECTION DAY

Reflection Day based on Teilhard de Chardin’s “Mass on the World”: Saturday 6 September, 10am – 4pm facilitated by Kevin Gallagher, at Te Manawa Atawhai Catherine McAuley Centre at Villa Maria College. Bring own lunch. Tea, coffee provided. Koha/Donation. Indication of attendance helpful to roho@xtra.co,nz or (03) 379 1298. A Rosary House Spiritual Life Centre Programme.

Safeguarding Training Course for NZ Priests, Religious & Church Ministry Leadership – 1 day Event

SCCANZ – Safeguarding in the Catholic Church Aotearoa New Zealand is a course specifically for those involved in ministry in the Catholic Church whether paid or voluntary. The kickstart day is facilitated by a tutor from Te Kupenga – Catholic Theological College. Attendees are tutored through the first three modules. What remains is completed within a two-month period post the kickstart event, estimated 15 minutes a day as a commitment to completion. Course Information details here.

Register and Enrol: Contact Clodagh Ward at cward@cdoc.nz / 022 0124142

Date: Sep 4, 2025

Time: 9.30am – 3.30pm

Venue: Catholic Diocese of Christchurch Offices, 391 Moorhouse Avenue, Christchurch – Parking available on site.

Tutor: Catherine Lipski – Te Kepunga