Towards the beginning of Holy Week, each Diocese will hold a Chrism Mass. During this Mass, priests from the diocese will renew their priestly vows, and the oils that are used for anointing during Baptism, Confirmation and Anointing of the Sick, will be blessed by the Bishop. The Mass is a wonderful opportunity for the people from many different Parishes to come together and worship as one.

Jemma Brunton is not only a leadership coach with deep insights into prayer, but she’s also someone who has walked a long path of spiritual growth and transformation. At the 2024 Prayer Convention, organised by the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch, Jemma shared ten profound lessons she’s learned about prayer over the years. She captivated the audience with her authenticity and wisdom.

Throughout Lent, our 'This Sunday' reflections will look at the way in which the famous stories found in the Sunday Gospel readings have been explored by poets. Poetry can often provide new insights and a fresh understanding of the familiar, and we hope that our focus on poetry assists in your own Lenten reflections and prayers. Through the gift of poetry, we celebrate the abundance found in the Gospel and in our personal preparation for Easter as we journey through Lent.

Throughout history, art has served as a powerful vessel for expressing faith, offering solace, and inspiring hope. Some of the world’s most revered masterpieces capture profound spiritual themes—resurrection, redemption, transformation, and divine love—reminding us that hope is an enduring force.

Music has the power to uplift, inspire, and bring people together. In Aotearoa, musicians create melodies of hope, weaving together faith, culture, and resilience. Through song and sound, they tell stories that echo across generations, offering connection, comfort, and a deep sense of belonging.

Writing has the power to inspire, uplift, and connect us. In Aotearoa, writers give voice to stories of hope, resilience, and faith, weaving words that reflect the richness of culture and the depth of human experience. Through poetry, fiction, and storytelling, they invite us to see the world anew and find meaning in every page.

Art has a profound ability to inspire, uplift, and unite. In Aotearoa, artists weave stories of hope through their work, reflecting the beauty, resilience, and depth of faith and culture. Whether through painting, sculpture, or design, their creations offer a powerful lens into the human spirit, inviting connection and contemplation.

How much silence do you have in your life? Silence is a space of healing and peace, yet it can also be confronting. I immersed myself in prayerful contemplation during a Silent Retreat with the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites recently, and it changed my life.

Upon his arrival, Archbishop Pintér was required to present his credentials to both the Governor General of New Zealand and the Chairperson of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference as our new Apostolic Nuncio Bishop.  But what is a Nuncio Bishop anyway?

Instead of trick-or-treating or hanging plastic skeletons in the window, Catholics are busy with other things at this time of year. With the Saints in heaven, we are praising God, and asking the Saints to pray for us. We are also praying for and remembering our loved ones who have passed.

Auckland's Ethnic Community Festival was a two-day feast. It started with a feast for the stomach with many food vendors. Then, a feast for the ears and eyes with the cultural talent show, and on the Sunday, a feast for the Spirit, with a colourful and joyful Mass. Read our blog all about it, with a full gallery of pictures...

The 14th of September is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The Cross that the Romans deliberately designed for horror and subjugation has become the symbol of victory and liberation. Christ’s death is the moment of victory when all the sin of the world is conquered by the ultimate act of love.