If you have any items to be included in the Diocesan Bulletin, please email them to newsletter@cdh.org.nz
Join our Bishops and other people of faith to explore the Gospels of Lent online.
Parishioners are warmly invited to take part in the Lent Webinar Series 2026, a six‑week national online journey with New Zealand’s Catholic Bishops. Through prayer, reflection and sharing, Caritas and the Bishops of Aotearoa invite you to join us for a journey through Lent, in the light of the Gospel and the needs of our world. Hear what the Lord is asking of us in our moment of time. Each session includes guided reflection, insights from Catholic social teaching, and moments for quiet contemplation as we prepare our hearts for Easter.
To register, simply scan the QR code on the poster or visit the Caritas website.
www.caritas.org.nz/lent-webinars
Download dates and poster here.
25 Feb - Webinar 1: The Temptation | Led by the Spirit with Bishop Richard
LENT 2026 with FOOD FOR FAITH.
FORTY DAYS & FORTY NIGHTS. Growing in maturity of Faith accompanied by Food For Faith through Lent with daily reflections at www.foodforfaith.org.nz
Set Free is a Catholic Youth Festival for teens year 10-13. Far from what you might think of when you say Catholic Church Camp, Set Free is a celebration of YOU, the young church, alive and vibrant. Over the three days you’ll have a great opportunity to build meaningful relationships with Set Free Whanau and to grow more into the person God created you to be through workshops, prayer, music, sport, and of course our epic main sessions. Come and see what we're about mate. 7 -9 April 2026. Download flyer here.
Heaven Come is a festival for Catholic Young Adults. Whether you've just graduated secondary school or you're young and married with kids, HC is a space for you to get plugged into community and be fed spiritually. We have top notch speakers and worship leaders, and aim to provide opportunities for you to encounter the Lord in a new and deeper way through the Sacraments and the rich traditions and spiritualities the Church calls hers. 10 - 12 April 2026. Download flyer here.
Join the Waikato Cathedral Church of St Peter in March, for an evening of music followed by a morning of community and connection, to help support fundraising efforts for the earthquake strengthening of their Cathedral.
This year’s evening concert will feature the Cathedral Choir and soloists, led by Director of Music Rachael Griffiths-Hughes. On market day, a wide range of stalls will be offered, including baking, plants, face painting, local crafts, clothing, 3D printing and more. Visitors will also have the opportunity to see bell ringing in action at the Cathedral.
The Autumn Gala includes:
Evening Concert | 7:00pm to 8:00pm, Friday, 6 March - admission by koha
Morning Market | 8:30am to 1:00pm, Saturday, 7 March - free entry
St Peter’s Cathedral, 51 Victoria Street, Hamilton
Men's Rosary
Calling all men to gather and pray for the conversion of New Zealand!
Where: Steps of the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary
When: Saturday, 7 March 2026, 12:00 pm
Recurring: Every first Saturday of the month
Contact: Bruce 021 556 227
CATHNEWS NEW ZEALAND: CathNews New Zealand shares the big news from the Catholic Church and stories of relevance to Catholics every Tuesday and Friday. Sign up for the free digital newsletter and read the latest stories at cathnewsnz.com
Three posters to download and share here
Carmelite Chapel Rebuild
The Carmelite Sisters in Christchurch are fundraising to rebuild their public chapel. Visit their webpage to view videos and find out more: https://christchurchcarmel.org.nz/chapel-rebuild.html. If you would like to contribute to this appeal, they would be very grateful.
Account Name: The Discalced Carmelite Nuns (Christchurch) Charitable Trust. Account Number: 03-1592-0216044-001
Current of Grace, Hamilton Invites you to Come and Join us at
St Peter Channel School Hall, 5 Vardon Rd, Hamilton, Wednesday 25th February 7pm
For an Evening of Praise and Worship
Followed by fellowship - a small plate would be appreciated
Contact: Helen 0272941270
Pilgrimage of Mercy women's retreat with Sr Kat Stone MGL (Melbourne Australia)
29th -31st May 2026
St Francis Retreat Centre, Auckland.
https://book.venue.life/stfrancis/register/pilgrimage-of-mercy-womens-retreat
Join us for another exciting series of webinars in 2026.
In preparation for World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul Korea, this series of online webinars explores the context of the theme, “Take courage! I have overcome the world” in John 16, what it means for our youth of today, and how we can prepare for this event.
More information at www.tekupenga.ac.nz/webinars-2026.
No two sessions are the same so you can come for one that may interest you or come to all the live sessions. Fee is $20 per webinar.
Click here to register. First up:
Biblical Context: John 16:33, Tuesday, 03 March 2026, 5:00-6:00PM, Speaker: Dr John Sehorn
Here’s how to get involved:
Make a plan to be in Auckland for the March on 7 March 2026.
Follow March for Life on Facebook and Instagram for updates, to enter competitions, discover shareable content, and more.
Spread the word and invite all your family, friends, and colleagues to participate!
Volunteer on the day by filling out the form here.
Church Code of Conduct Survey
The Church Code of Conduct is an essential document used throughout the motu to support employees and volunteers in understanding expectations for their behaviour. It guides how we work, serve, and care for one another. We are extending the timeframe on this survey to ask everyone in the Church - what in our Code of Conduct works well, and what could be strengthened? Please share your perspectives via our brief online survey whether you are familiar with the Code or not. We also encourage you to share this invitation with others.
You can read the existing document and complete the simple survey on the NOPS Reviews page: safeguarding.catholic.org.nz/reviews
SAVE THE DATE - Joshua Catholic Men's Fellowship (JCMF) 40 year celebration in August 2026
JCMF celebrate our 40 year anniversary this year and will do so on 14-16 August in Rotorua, with 15 August 1986 being the date of our original gathering. The venue in Rotorua and the keynote speaker are booked and we are busy with planning and preparing the event. More to come in 2026.
New Zealand Catholic Medical Association (NZCMA) is an organisation that provides community, support and chaplaincy for those involved in health care in Aotearoa. We invite doctors, nurses, midwives, carers, pharmacists, physiotherapists, psychologists, counsellors, social workers, chaplains, dentists, health administrators, lawyers, and anyone in allied roles. The next nationwide event: Retreat and Seminar, based at the St Francis Friary & Retreat Centre, Auckland, commencing 6 pm, Friday 20th March, concluding 5 pm Saturday 21 March 2026
Parish to Parish Bed and Breakfast (Catholic Hospitality) was started about 26 yrs ago by a wonderful lady, Marie Anderson, who lives in Christchurch. Marie’s hope was that it would give many Catholic families the opportunity to meet, dine with, and chat with their hosts. (Like-minded people) In Marie’s last communication with us existing hosts, she expressed that more hosts were needed in several areas, i.e. Cambridge, Coromandel, Dannevirke, Gisborne, Levin, Mt Maunganui, Papamoa,, New Plymouth, Rotorua, Taupo, Thames, Wanganui, Alexandra, Christchurch, Cromwell and Timaru. However, hosts from all towns are welcome. This is not a business, but guests give a set contribution directly to the host towards costs.
For most travellers, bed and breakfast is all they require (and all you are obliged to provide). If it suits you to offer, guests may like to have dinner with you at further cost. My husband and I have been hosts from the launch of this service and have met many interesting people. We have also stayed with other hosts. If you have a spare bedroom/s and would be interested – Contact Marie (who would love to hear from you) Marie Anderson, 2 Brent Place, Christchurch 8053, Email – marie.ian@xtra.co.nz
From host: Margaret Hall - Te Awamutu, 021 1108700, marghallta@gmail.com
To view or register for this event, please click https://www.newzealandcatholicmedical.co.nz/2026-auckland-retreat or to receive updates for future events, please email newzealandcatholicmedical@gmail.com
Join a MIR pilgrimage to Medjugorje in 2026. Two departures tentatively planned for the first two weeks in June and October. Take the opportunity to extend your stay in Europe post-pilgrimage. Expressions of interest are welcome by using the contact form on: www.pilgrimage.nz or emailing: info@mirpilgrimages.co.nz
Expressions of Interest for World Youth Day 2027 are being taken. Please complete the form here. No further details available at this time.
CATHOLIC KIWI PODCAST: Six episodes of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference’s new podcast series have now been released, sharing stories of faith, ministry and mission of Kiwis and visitors to our shores. Guests in the opening episodes include Carmelite Sister Lauren of the Cross, broadcaster and policy expert Tim Wilson and Wellington Archbishop Paul Martin SM. More episodes will be released before Christmas to complete season 1, with season 2 set for 2026. Search “Catholic Kiwi Podcast” on YouTube or Spotify now.
Brand new flyer to attach to newsletters or for your foyer here
Stay Informed on National Safeguarding efforts
The National Office for Professional Standards (NOPS) is now publishing a quarterly newsletter with updates, resources, and information about the Church’s safeguarding efforts.
Read the latest issue here: Newsletter web version
Please find attached the final version of the National Calendar for the Catholic Church in Aotearoa New Zealand for 2026.
The calendar has also been posted to the NZCBC website, which includes a link to the PDF: https://catholic.org.nz/resources/national-calendar-2026/
The Vocations Team for the Hamilton Diocese have asked for this new poster to be displayed in parish foyers. This is to replace and previous posters you may have up already.
Full size version downloadable here
We pray for the young men in our own families. May they respond to your call to follow you more nearly as a Priest of Hamilton Diocese. Lord Hear Us.
Music
We have renewed our annual subscription for sacredmusic.online
If your parish/community-group/school is interested please contact kirstym@cdh.org.nz we have set up a diocesan subscription and can add you as a user.
CathNews
CATHOLIC NEWS IN YOUR INBOX: What's happening in the Catholic Church in New Zealand? What is Pope Leo doing and saying? What are the big stories affecting people of faith in our country? Get Catholic headlines delivered to your inbox each Tuesday and Friday. Sign up today at: https://cathnewsnz.com/
Pro-Life Vigil Outside Waikato Hospital
Is anyone interested in attending a fruitful, legal and regular pro-life vigil outside Waikato Hospital?
Times and days that we meet: Wednesday’s and Alternate Friday’s
If you are interested in coming along please contact Ria Rose via email: sixroses@xtra.co.nz
Please support our Kete Kōrero Sponsors - click on image to be taken to their website
