If you have any items to be included in the Diocesan Bulletin, please email them to newsletter@cdh.org.nz
Sacramental Preparation: Let’s Get Practical!
A practical formation session for those involved in preparing children and families for the sacraments.
Come along for an opportunity to share ideas, explore useful approaches and resources, and consider how we can support families well as they prepare for the sacraments.
Who is it for?
Parish sacramental preparation teams, catechists, clergy and anyone involved in supporting children and families through sacramental preparation.
What are the details?
Saturday 19 September 2026 | 10am - 2pm, Chanel Centre, 47 Clyde St, Hamilton, www.cdh.org.nz/events to sign up
Mission Hub: Sharing the Heart of the Gospel – The Kerygma
What is the heart of the Gospel we are called to share? Join us for this month's Mission Hub featuring Fr Chris Ryan MGL, Director of the Areté Centre for Missionary Leadership. Fr Chris will guide us through the kerygma—the essential message of Jesus Christ—and offer practical wisdom on how to speak about Jesus with clarity, joy, and confidence. Whether you’re looking to grow in confidence talking about Jesus or wanting to share your faith in a clear, joyful, and inviting way, this session will leave you inspired, equipped, and renewed.
Monday 14 September
7.00pm–8.30pm (NZT) | 5.00pm (AEST)
Online
Excellence Awards for Kete Kōrero
We’re delighted to share that Kete Kōrero, our diocesan magazine, received two awards at the 2026 Australasian Catholic Press Association Awards in Christchurch for the publishing year of 2025. Kete Kōrero was Winner in one category and Highly Commended in another.
A wonderful recognition of the stories of faith and life shared from across our Diocese.
Catherine McAuley Symposium – Wellington
Registrations are open for the Catherine McAuley Symposium, 13–15 December 2026 at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington.
Hosted by Whānau Mercy Ministries and Te Herenga Waka, the three-day symposium will explore the impact of religion across education, healthcare and social services, and what it means to be a religious organisation in today’s changing world. Speakers from Aotearoa and overseas will explore Catholic and religious life, mission, Indigenous perspectives, bioethics, education and more. All grounded in Catherine McAuley’s own intention: “To serve God faithfully.”
Early bird registrations close 24 September.
Find out more, view the programme and register:
https://whanaumercy.nz/catherine-mcauley-symposium/
Family Inner Healing Retreat – Hamilton Join us for an evening of spiritual renewal, healing, and transformation through the power of the Holy Spirit! Organised by Divine Retreat Centre NZ, this retreat will be led by guest speaker Fr. (Dr) Antony Parankimalil VC, Director of the Divine Retreat Centre in Rwanda. This event is open to all with no registration required.
Location: Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Hamilton Date & Time: Friday, 04 September 2026 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Contact: Randel (022 657 5563) Email: drcnz@hotmail.com Come and experience healing and renewal—all are welcome!
Billings Ovulation Method™ – Natural Fertility Seminar
Christchurch: Friday 9th & Saturday 10th October 2026
The Billings Ovulation Method™ is a Fertility Awareness Method that helps couples prevent or achieve pregnancy and track reproductive health and general well-being during the menstrual cycle. When used correctly, it is highly effective.
This seminar is for
Couples using or interested in using the Method
Health professionals & natural health practitioners interested in women's health & fertility
Those aiming to become accredited Billings Teachers
Woman keen to understand & track their menstrual cycles
Marriage educators, Youth & community workers
Billings Teachers Needed!
Rising demand for our teaching services has increased the need for more accredited educators in the Billings Method. If you are interested, please get in touch!
For information: Contact Billings LIFE NZ National Office
Register at: https://www.billingslife.org.nz/training-seminar
Demystifying Death with Dignity: Dying is a part of life, but what is true death with dignity? Join Father Shenan Boquet and the Family Life International team for an insightful presentation that casts a vision of what it means to provide authentic compassionate end of life care.
Evening programme: September 15
6.00pm Rosary, followed by Mass with Fr Shenan Boquet
7.00pm Presentation, Q&A and supper
St Thomas More Church and Parish Lounge, Mount Maunganui
(Death with Dignity in a New Zealand context - The End of Life Choice Act came into force in November 2021, making assisted dying legally available to eligible New Zealanders.)
Safeguarding
NOPS is offering an online Strengthening our Culture of Safeguarding Workshop over the next few weeks. These are scheduled for the following dates and times:
Sep-16, 12pm
Sep-30, 7pm
Instructions for registration can be found on this poster.
You may also scan this QR code.
Becoming a summer missionary is answering the call of Jesus.
LIFE TEEN SUMMER CAMP 2027
Location: Camp Keswick Rotorua
Mission serving dates
WEEK ONE: 10 - 17 Jan
WEEK TWO: 17 - 24 Jan
*Sorry - this link is only suitable for digital newsletters (it is external from us)
Applications for our WYD27 Pilgrimage are OPEN NOW!
Our 19-day pilgrimage will include: visiting key pilgrimage sites across South Korea, Days in the Diocese in the vibrant coastal city of Busan, WYD Week in Seoul with Pope Leo XIV, and a post-WYD retreat in the mountains near the city of Jeonju.
The pilgrimage is open to young adults aged 18–35 (as of 1 April 2027), with both a full 19-day option and a shortened 13-day option.
Find out more and apply: wyd27.org.nz
The Diocese has reserved two tables for Catholics wishing to attend this year's Hamilton Prayer Breakfast. Simply register at www.cdh.org.nz/events and you'll be seated with fellow Catholics as we join Christians from across Hamilton to pray for our city, its people, and those in leadership. September 16, doors and coffee open 6.15am with formalities beginning at 6.55am.
"Register Interest"
Save the ‘date’ for a pilgrimage to Medjugorje and Rome in April 2027, with Bishop Richard intending to join the journey. Travel with Mir Pilgrimages whose founder has visited Medjugorje over 35 times.
We are currently seeking expressions of interest from people across our Diocese who may wish to travel with this group. Registering your interest is not a commitment, it simply means you'll receive updates as plans, itinerary and pricing are confirmed.
Register your interest:
www.cdh.org.nz/pilgrimage2027
“Te Kupenga Catholic Theological College is holding its 4th session for the WYD Seoul 2027 webinar series. Join us for this session, “Witnessing: A Call for Young People to Evangelise” with the Auckland Diocese NET Team. This will be on Tuesday, 1st of September 2026, 5:00-6:00pm on Zoom online platform. Register through www.tekupenga.ac.nz/webinars-2026. Fee discounts apply.”
Please find attached the 2027 national calendar for New Zealand. It can also be found on the NZCBC website here.
Want more news and stories between printed editions of Kete Kōrero?
Stay connected with the life and mission of our Diocese through the latest online newsletter, featuring faith stories, parish updates, events and messages from around our diocesan family.
www.cdh.org.nz/clearly
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, 3 October 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
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.
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
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
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.
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
We are delighted to be approaching a special milestone in the life of St Joseph’s Catholic School, New Plymouth and we warmly invite past students, staff, and families to join us in this joyful celebration of this Mission Sister’s school. This will be a meaningful time to come together in fellowship, to reconnect, and to give thanks for the many memories and blessings shared within our school community.
Please mark your calendars for Friday 23 October, Saturday 24 October, and Sunday 25 October.
We kindly ask you to complete the “Register Your Interest” form here: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSeUuzs83RR.../viewform...
As our planning continues and we gain a clearer idea of numbers attending, further details will be shared here. In the spirit of community, please feel free to pass this invitation on to others who have been part of St Joseph’s Catholic School, so we can gather as widely as possible.
In the meantime, we invite you to stay connected by following our Facebook page, where you can see the life and spirit of our school as it continues today.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576850039718
We look forward to welcoming you back, renewing connections, and celebrating together as a faith-filled whānau.
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