WelCom December 2023
To list events free, email welcom@wn.catholic.org.nz with event name, date, time, location and contact details.
Sunday 3 December
Advent Sunday – Season of Advent, 3 to 24 December. National Liturgy Office has substantial resources online at nlo.org.nz ‘Come Lord Jesus’, for all four Sundays of Advent – a time of preparing for celebration of Christ’s birth through prayer and reflection.
Annual Sick and Retired Priests; special collection for Clergy Trust Fund – provides for wellbeing and care of priests in Palmerston North Diocese, including stipends, food, travel home for ‘overseas priests’, retreats and healthcare costs. ‘The fund is struggling to meet growing medical costs. Giving to this collection is most appreciated, especially by our elderly priests. Many thanks and blessings to all who contribute to this special collection,’ – Mons Brian Walsh, Chairperson, Clergy Trust Fund, Diocese of Palmerston North.
Combined parish Christmas bbq – Waitara and Inglewood parishes, 6pm, Waitara Presbytery, 17 Nelson St. BYO food and beverages (postponement date 4 February 2024).
Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 December
‘Christmas Carols 2023’ – presentation by Unity Singers, 7pm, Palmerston North Cathedral. Donation of non-perishable food for SVdP Foodbank appreciated.
Wednesday 6 December
Senior Anointing Mass and Christmas Luncheon, 11am, Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Palmerston North.
Thursday 7 December
Catholic Women’s Christmas luncheon – 12.30pm, Tea House on Lake (Kiosk), Pukekura Park, New Plymouth.
Friday 8 December
Solemnity of Immaculate Conception – Archdiocese of Wellington patronal feast, see p 20.
Sunday 10 December
Christmas pot-luck dinner – 6pm, Sacred Heart Inglewood parish hall.
Monday 25 December
Christmas Day – Christmas Mass times across the archdiocese online: wn.catholic.org.nz/adw_community/christmas-mass-times/
Tuesday 16–Saturday 20 January
Life Teen Summer Camp – registrations closed but contact your parish about spaces.
Thursday 8 February
Tomáš Halík – visit by highly regarded Czech priest, philosopher and theologian, 5.30pm-7.30pm, Pipitea Campus, Victoria University of Wellington. Collaboration between Archdiocese of Wellington, Te Kupenga–Catholic Leadership Institute, and VUW.
Sunday 3 and Sunday 10 March
Love is a Decision – registrations open for archdiocesan marriage preparation course for engaged couples, 10am–4pm, location tbc. Visit wn.catholic.org.nz/about/church-mission/marriage-ministries for information and to register.
Saturday 16–Sunday 17 March
Engaged Encounter – marriage preparation weekend for couples in Karori. Visit www.cee-wellington.co.nz for information and to register.
Palmerston North Young Catholics
All 18-35-year-olds – after each Sunday 6pm Mass, are invited to the Cathedral lounge, 7.15pm, for great opportunity to meet like-minded people, form new friendships and get involved.
Archdiocese Church Mission programme 2024
Church Mission team has a range of formation programmes for 2024 to support parishes: creating and implementing a parish pastoral plan; hospitality 101; building families of faith; marriage and enrichment; place for young people (two parts); Pope Francis’ writings. For information please email churchmission@wn.catholic.org.nz or ph (04) 496-1709.