WelCom, September 2024
Sue Seconi, Catholic Parish of Whanganui – Te Parihi Katorika Ki Whanganui
St Anne’s Church, with its distinctive sparkling stained-glass steeple and tiered seating, was packed for the last Eucharist to be celebrated at the church in Whanganui East, after 82 years.
The Mass of Thanksgiving, celebrated by parish priest Fr Craig Butler and Fr John Roberts on Sunday evening 4 August 2024, was one of sadness. Especially touching were the parishioners in silence clearing the sanctuary and removing the liturgical items, lectionary, candlesticks, hand bells and finally the altar cloth.
Given the challenges of ongoing maintenance on parish buildings and properties across the city of Whanganui, coupled with the serious impact of rising costs of living, meant a tough financial decision had to be faced by the parish and a decision about the church taken.
However, rather than being sold, the church is currently being rented by Whanganui Montessori Preschool.
‘We see this as being a much better option to lease it out for a term, rather than sell it outright. This still gives hope for the future,’ said Fr Craig.
Masses which were celebrated in St Anne’s will now be held in St Mary’s in the central city.
St Anne’s was first established in 1942 with the purchase of a large house on the corner of Kawakawa and Nixon Sts to serve as a Mass centre and a primary school. With the increased numbers of families settling in Whanganui East, a long, hall-type church was built. In 1973 a sizable property was purchased around the corner in Raine St and a new open-plan style school was built two years later. In May 1999, the contemporary St Anne’s Church was opened and blessed by Bishop Peter Cullinane.
St Anne had the last say in one of the presentations at the final service offering us the same blessing God gave Moses those thousands of years ago.
May Yahweh bless you and keep you.
May Yahweh let his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
May Yahweh uncover his face to you and bring you all peace.