Our Lady of the Bays

WelCom May 2017:

On Saturday 1 April, the three parishes of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Richmond, St Peter Chanel, Motueka, and Sacred Heart, Takaka, became Our Lady of the Bay’s Catholic Parish – Te tatou wahine o ngā whangapariha Katorika.

Parish Priest Fr Seph Pijfers said, ‘Our journey to amalgamation, along with many other parishes, has had its share of ups and downs. I like to think our logo captures beautifully, the hope and newness of what we are, and can become under the guidance of Mary’s nurturing love.

‘Designed by a young parishioner, Leigh Snodgrass, the logo with Mary holding her child in ‘waves’ is a reminder that Mary invites us to see and be a part of the great themes of election and grace, freedom and response, birthed into our world. Through Mary, ‘the’ woman of faith and servant of the Lord, we can see our own journeys of light and darkness, as one in solidarity with all peoples. Mary shows us that to be rooted in God is to be rooted in the created world. And that, ultimately, is the gift, presence, experience and life of Jesus himself…How Blessed are we.’