Weekly Notices

DIOCESAN JUBLIEE PRAYER CONFERENCE -2nd AUGUST, TEMUKA

As we journey through this Jubilee Year, the Bishop’s Pastoral Office is organising a one-day conference to be held in Temuka on Saturday August 2nd with the Jubilee theme, “Pilgrims of Hope”. The Saint Mary Mackillop Chapel in Temuka is a Sacred Jubilee site for the Christchurch Diocese so we hope many people will take the opportunity to make a pilgrimage and come to this conference. The Conference will involve Mass, Prayer, workshops, keynote talks and more. Bishop Michael will be attending and will give a keynote talk. We also have a guest keynote speaker coming from Australia, Fr Chris Eaton from the Missionaries of God’s Love Community. The cost is $49 which includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. For more information and to register go here or contact Matt O’Connell on 366-9869 or moconnell@cdoc.nz

DIOCESAN MEN’S RETREAT

Bishop Michael warmly invites all men to join him at our Diocesan Men’s Retreat. Join us as we venture out into the deep - a powerful opportunity to strengthen faith, deepen connections, and journey together in brotherhood. This is open to men of all ages. Date: Fri, Jul 25 & Sat, Jul 26 Click here to register. For more info contact Mike Stopforth on 027 539 8542 or mstopforth@cdoc.nz

NIGHT AT THE CONCLAVE

Join us for this rare opportunity to hear Cardinal John share his personal reflections and insights into one of the most sacred and secretive gatherings in the world — the Papal Conclave. Whether you are curious about Church tradition, intrigued by the theology and history, or simply seeking inspiration, this evening promises to touch the heart and mind.

Fri, Aug 1 at 7.30pm - James Hay Theatre -Town Hall - Christchurch. BOOKINGS NOW OPEN - Get your ticket here. Any questions? email
events@cdoc.nz

VOCATIONS RETREAT FOR MEN

A ‘Come and See’ Weekend Retreat for men interested in the Priesthood is being held over the weekend of Jul 4 – 6 at the Sr Eveleen Retreat House in Sumner, Christchurch. The weekend will involve talks, prayer, Mass, silent time, fraternity and more. Places are limited. For more information and to register please contact the Vocations Coordinator, Matt O’Connell on 027 536 9407 or moconnell@cdoc.nz

“BLESSED IS SHE WHO BELIEVED” (LK1:4)

A weekend retreat for young women open to discerning a call to consecrated life.

Join other young women aged 18-30 for a weekend of prayer, friendship and formation on discerning a vocation to different forms of consecrated life within the Church.

Aug 9-10, Sr Eveleen Retreat House, Sumner. Contact Matt moconnell@cdoc.nz or Jess 02102444876 for more information and to register.

BEATITUDES UPDCOMING RETREATS 

MARIAN DAY RETREAT – Aug 16

Consecrate yourself to Mary as did the first missionaries. Mary cares for each of her children and is waiting to intercede for us for every grace we need!

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. To book, email retreats@beatitudes.nz or phone 022 103 6994

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

MASS OF OUR LADY OF MT CARMEL

The Carmelite Sisters warmly invite you to the annual celebration of the Mass of Our Lady of Mt Carmel on Sun, Jul 13 at 2.30pm, at the Carmelite Monastery, 52 Halswell Road. Bishop Michael Gielen will be the principal celebrant at a concelebrated Mass, followed by afternoon tea. You are most welcome to join us on this special occasion to ask Our Lady’s intercession for all your intentions. In preparation, a novena of Masses will be offered for all our relatives and friends.

TE KUPENGA CATHOLIC THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE 

Study anywhere, at your own pace, with the support from qualified lecturers, with Te Kupenga Catholic Theological College online courses. Semester 2 starts July 21. To see courses offered in Semester 2, go to www.tekupenga.ac.nz/distance

MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE

Whether you’re considering engagement or already planning your wedding day, we’d love to walk alongside you as you prepare to enter into marriage. The John Paul II Centre for Life invites you to discover the gift of marriage through the lens of St John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, combined with practical wisdom for building a joy-filled life together. Course date: Sat, Jul 19

To learn more and sign up, visit: www.jp2.org.nz/marriage-prep/

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

PRISONER REINTEGRATION FORUM

Jesus had a heart for those on the edge of our society, in particular for prisoners:, “when I was in prison, did you visit me?” Our prisoners also need support when reintegrating into society, most importantly, obtaining employment. This is a crucial step towards positive reintegration into society and in breaking the cycle of re-offending. Obtaining employment upon release is one of the key markers of positive reintegration and is very strongly connected with an individual’s physical, mental, and social health. In partnership with the Christchurch City Mission, the Salvation Army, and the Department of Corrections, an innovative program has been initiated to enable businesses to play a key role in supporting the successful reintegration of individuals who have come into contact with the justice system. A forum to explain this initiative has been organised for Wed, Jul 30, at noon – 1.30pm to be held at Rāwhiti Community Corrections, 296 Breezes Road, Aranui. If you are interested in knowing more or know an employer who would be interested, please contact Luis Arevalo, Catholic Social Services Manager on 022 308 9804 or email larevalo@cdoc.nz

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

ST NICHOLAS CHILDRENS TRUST MARCH

A March will be held to raise awareness of child sexual exploitation. The march will be held on Sat, Jul 26, meet at the Bridge of Remembrance at 10am. For further details contact events@snctrust.org

HEARTS AFLAME CATHOLIC SUMMER SCHOOL 

Hearts Aflame Catholic Summer School is back again this summer with ten days of world-class lectures, uplifting prayer and authentic community! Hearts Aflame is a life-changing experience for young adults aged 18 to 35 who want to know more about their faith, have an authentic encounter with Christ and meet other Catholic young adults from all over New Zealand. Join us this year at Nga Tawa Diocesan School, Marton, from Jan 2-11, 2026! Registrations open July 6th at 1pm: we sell out fast so be in quick! Visit heartsaflame.org.nz to register or find out more.

LAUDATO SI’ ACTION

Our work is to care responsibly for the earth; it’s creatures and all of creation. Through prayer and deep listening we become more aware of how to love and protect God’s creation. If your School or Parish church could take part in a Season of Creation activity and plant a small native area (forest) we have access to free tiny native plants to plant in the season of creation (available in late Aug and early Sep) Please email Jenny.carter@xtra.co.nz for more info. Our next Laudato Si Waitaha meeting is Jul 7 at 7pm at Rosary House, 22 Gracefield Ave Christchurch.