If you have any items to be included in the Diocesan Bulletin, please email them to newsletter@cdh.org.nz

One space left at Cluny Weekday retreat. Join us for a peaceful (silent) Ignatian retreat that includes Mass and personalised spiritual guidance from Fr. Richard Shortall SJ. Sunday, Apr 19, 2026 at 7:00 PM to Friday, Apr 24, 2026 at 8:00 AM, Cluny Retreat Centre, Tauranga.

Online Newsletters : Book here

Printed Newsletters : www.cdh.org.nz/retreats

Further retreats are linked in Clearly articles top of this page

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, 28 March 2026, 12:00 pm
Recurring: Every first Saturday of the month from May

Contact: Bruce 021 556 227

Diamond Jubilee - The Catholic Parish of Wellington South

All former and current parishioners are invited to a celebration of several historical milestones on Sunday, 19 April 2026.  The first Catholic church, St Francis de Sales Church, Island Bay, was built in 1906, 120 years ago, and the current church was blessed and opened on 17 April 1966, 60 years ago.
The weekend of celebration will also acknowledge 100 years since the opening of the St Madeleine Sophie primary school, the forerunner of the current primary school of St Francis de Sales. A special Mass of remembrance and thanks featuring past and present priests will be followed by a lunch at the Pines Cabaret, Houghton Bay.
Registrations of interest are welcomed by providing contact details at:
office@wellingtonsouthcatholic.org

Board vacancy Catholic Family Support Services

Bishop Richard is looking to fill a vacancy on the Catholic Family Support Services governing board with someone who is passionate about supporting families in need. This is a voluntary governance role. The board meets approximately six times per year and attendance at meetings can be either in person or electronically.

Application is by way of an introductory letter outlining your background and experience including any governance experience, although the latter is not essential. Applications close on 27 March and should be emailed to John Coulam at: johnc@cdh.org.nz

Holy Days is out in cinemas today.

If you are wondering whether it could make a good parish fundraiser, read a review here.

https://hail.to/catholic-diocese-of-hamilton/article/PuYICXZ

This review will be included in Clearly for February which will be out tomorrow.

Join a group pilgrimage to Medjugorje from 05-18 June 2026.  

Experience ‘Medjugorje In-Depth’ with a 10-night stay in the Holy Valley in the company of Our Lady, Queen of Peace.  

Expressions of interest are welcome. Booking now.

 www.mirpilgrimages.co.nz |Email: info@mirpilgrimages.co.nz | Phone Patricia on 027 35 25 217 for further information.

Download flyer for foyer here

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.

18 March - Webinar Three: The Man Born Blind | Now I see with Archbishop Paul Martin SM

Register for Webinar 4

Other newsletter insert idea:

Journey with us this Lent!
Our parish is joining the nationwide Lent Webinar Series 2026 with New Zealand’s Catholic Bishops. Each session offers guided reflection, insights from Catholic social teaching, and space for prayer and connection.

📅 18 March
🕢 7:30pm – Online
💬 The Man Born Blind | Now I see with Archbishop Paul Martin SM
🔗 Scan the QR code on the image to register

All are welcome—join us as we “Hear the Voice” and “Answer the Call” this Lent.

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.

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

Option One

Option Two

Option Three

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

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

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

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

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

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/

Download here