Weekly Notices

Catholic Social Services has moved!

We’re excited to announce that CSS has relocated to join the diocesan team at 391 Moorhouse Avenue, Christchurch. The CSS office will reopen on Mon, Dec 1. Thank you for supporting CSS, visit their website to learn how CSS serves our community.

BEATITUDES UPCOMING RETREATS & EVENTS

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

Sat, Dec 6 – 6.00pm

Join Bishop Michael Gielen at the Community of the Beatitudes to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception at the Sanctuary of Fourviere 67 Leithfield Road, Leithfield, North Canterbury. The evening starts with Mass under the sky at 6.00pm, picnic dinner and sausage sizzle, followed by a procession at dusk, and adoration under the stars. For more information, contact Sr Giovanna-Maria 022 103 6994

SISTER EVELEEN RETREAT HOUSE

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

Life gets busy, especially around this time of the year. Take a day or overnight retreat and enjoy quiet time for rest, prayer, and being with God in the beauty of creation.
Book a room for an overnight retreat or get in touch to book a room for a day retreat.

Sister Eveleen Retreat House, Sumner, 6 Whitewash Head

For retreat info and to register follow this link

Te Rangimārie Final Mass and Whakanoa 

A final Miha Māori and whakanoa ceremony at the Te Rangimārie Centre will be celebrated by Bishop Michael on Sun, Nov 30 at 11:00 am followed by a shared lunch. All welcome.

From Sun, Dec 7, 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, Main Church (Parish Mass)
Fifth Sunday (when applicable) — 12:30 pm, Blessed Sacrament Chapel

WOMEN’S RETREAT

Holy Family Parish invites women from across the Diocese to come for an afternoon retreat focusing on the sacredness, the beauty and call we have as women.

“No longer forsaken - the Lord delights in you”

Sat, Dec 6, 11.45am - 5.00pm

St Teresa’s Church & Hall, $30 - Lunch Included

Registration Essential www.holyfamily.nz/nourish-your-faith/womens-retreat

Be encouraged and inspired by the Sisters of Life and take a moment of quiet at the beginning of Advent to hear from the Lord.

CBS MUSIC - HANDEL MESSIAH

All welcome to hear Handel Messiah by the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament Choir and Orchestra. At 1.30pm on Sun, Dec 7. To be held at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral. Admission is $30.

WEBINAR – 50 Years of Proclaiming the Gospel

In December 1975, St Paul VI published his landmark apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Nuntiandi. It identified evangelisation as the task of all Christian people, not just clergy and religious, and noted that it required both word and authentic witness. Join Bishop John Adams of Palmerston North, Catholic Enquiry Centre director Carly Mulqueen and Te Kupenga – Catholic Theological College director Dr John Evangelista as they share their insights on the wisdom of the document and how it can be lived out in today’s context. The event is live at 7pm on Tues, Dec 2. Register at: https://bit.ly/december2webina...

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.

SCRIPTURE FOCUS THIS ADVENT

You are invited to prepare for Sunday Mass by reading and reflecting on the Scripture we will hear that weekend. Marist priest Fr Frank Bird has for several years been helping people make those preparations through his Living the Word project. As the name suggests, Living the Word is an invitation for Catholics and others to allow the Word of God to shape their lives. You can download the resources, and access other rich content, at www.livingtheword.org.nz/pray

Food For Faith for Advent 2025.

Daily reflections for those seeking greater maturity of Christian Faith in preparation for Christmas. Sign up to receive daily emails during Advent at www.foodforfaith.org.nz.

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.

PRAYER FOR THE UNBORN

You are welcome to join in praying for an end to abortion on Sun, Nov 30, 2.00pm - 4.00pm. Meet in Hagley Park, by Deans Ave/Matai Street Intersection. For more info contact Anastasia on 021 0822 6960.

Loving for Life New Zealand – Help Us Bring God’s Vision of Love to Our Young People

Loving for Life NZ supports young people and their whānau to encounter God’s vision for life, love, and relationships. Through programmes in schools, parishes, youth groups, and through resources, we help them discover their dignity, the value of friendship, and the beauty of real, lasting love.

This month we are launching a donations campaign to help us continue this mission. Our goal is to raise $3,000 and to invite new regular donors to join us in supporting this work.

To join our prayer list, donate, or learn more, please visit: lovingforlife.org.nz/

CATHOLIC KIWI PODCAST

Six episodes of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference’s new podcast series have now been released, sharing stories of faith, ministry and mission of Kiwis and visitors to our shores. Guests in the opening episodes include Carmelite Sister Lauren of the Cross, broadcaster and policy expert Tim Wilson and Wellington Archbishop Paul Martin SM. More episodes will be released before Christmas to complete season 1, with season 2 set for 2026. Search “Catholic Kiwi Podcast” on YouTube or Spotify now.

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

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.