WelCom April 2024
Annette Scullion
The countdown is on for the reopening of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart over the weekend of 7 to 9 June this year. Parish volunteers are busy planning a schedule for the opening.
The Cathedral has been closed for a number of years for strengthening and refurbishment to take place. This work is soon coming to an end.
In a video update Archbishop Paul Martin sm said he is very excited for the future of the Cathedral, ‘both that it is safe and the work that has been done inside is helping it to be a place of beauty and reverence and also a place of community and worship’.
‘I think you will be really delighted when you see the work that has been done and for us to be able to come home again to that place, I know, so many are looking forward to.’
Overall, the project has cost around $13m and $1m is left to fundraise to be able to finish the work. Archbishop Martin said, ‘donations towards this amount would be really appreciated and are a real contribution to the life of the whole archdiocese’.
‘Sometimes, when you’re not in Wellington you might think, “What’s this Cathedral thing all about?” But it’s the heart of our diocese, it’s the place where the Bishop’s chair, the cathedra, lives. It’s the focal point [where] a church binds us all together, that we belong to, because it’s the Cathedral.’
Archbishop Martin thanked everyone who has donated their time, their talents, and ‘especially if you’ve contributed your funds as well – it’s very much appreciated’.
‘I know you’ll look forward to seeing the Cathedral, as am I, and we will be able to have lots of opportunities in the future to celebrate there together. Thank you and God bless,’ he concluded.
For more information and to donate to the Cathedral Restoration fund please go online to: cathedralcampaign.org.nz
See Cathedral restoration project architect Jane Kelly finalist in 2023 Wellington of the Year Awards.