If you have any items to be included in the Diocesan Bulletin, please email them to newsletter@cdh.org.nz
Inside:
✝️ Litany of Saints for the Conclave (also below)
✝️Snippets from the Requiem Mass held at the Cathedral
✝️Update from our Schools team
✝️The new chanel centre building site blessing
✝️A couple of reels from Set Free and Heaven Come
✝️Witnessing to Hope (also below)
✝️ and MORE!
Cardinal John Dew, Archbishop Emeritus of Wellington, was present in Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis. Now, he and the other cardinals prepare for the Conclave in which they will elect the next successor of St Peter.
Before leaving for Rome, Cardinal John explained that the Litany of the Saints will be sung as the cardinals commence the Conclave, calling upon the saints for their help and intercession. A friend of Cardinal John said they would pray a Litany each day before and during the Conclave for the Cardinals.
Cardinal John himself has added a recitation of the Litany of the Saints to his daily prayer. He said if other people would join him, “that would be wonderful”.
This Litany of the Saints has been prepared specifically for the intention of the Conclave and especially for Aotearoa New Zealand. It invites use of both of our spoken languages in New Zealand, as well as the language of the universal Church. It is hoped it will be prayed by many Catholics in our country.
This resource will be supplemented with a sung recording that can be used in prayer while you listen. A PowerPoint presentation, with the recording, will also be available for use in schools and other settings.
Let us unite our prayers with those of Cardinal John, his fellow Cardinals and the universal Church, that the Holy Spirit will give wisdom and insight to all those who enter the Conclave on Wednesday, 7 May.
DOWNLOAD THE LITANY RESOURCE
Joshua Men’s Fellowship Group
This is an all day retreat, from 9.00am to 3.30pm at the Catholic Church of the Holy Angels in Matamata on May 10th. The cost is by way of a $20 koha, which also covers lunch. The presenters for they day are David Jones, Dave Colquhoun and Deacon Nick Bruce.
For further information or to register your attendance, please contact Dave on dave.colquhoun@xtra.co.nz or 027 884 8408 (text or call)
Turn the Page 2025 - Hamilton Dove Catholic Fellowship for Women
Gathering for Praise and Worship; Teaching, Prayer and Ministry
With reflections by Christine Kornman
"As the clay is in the potter's hand so are you in my hand...." - Jeremiah 18:6
Monday 5th MAY, 7 pm with fellowship afterwards
St Peter Chanel Church | 5 Vardon Road | St Andrews, Hamilton
nzdove.hamilton@gmail.com
www.dove.org.nz
Open for adoption recently ran an essay competition
The essay question was: Alarm is rising about falling birthrates in New Zealand and throughout most of the world. With 57,006 births*, an abortion death toll of 16,277 (in 2023) and rising, and only three non-kin adoptions in 2024**, what are the long-term implications and possible solutions for New Zealand?
Essay Winners
First Place: Maninder Singh - The Birth Rate Crisis
Second Place: Andrew Balchin - Falling Birth Rates in New Zealand
Our aim to have the Kete in parishes for Easter Sunday consequently meant that delivery fell in the school holidays. Our allocation for schools was therefore give to parishes, if you are wondering why you have extra - you may have schools collect small bundles once they return for Term 2. If you have run out we do have a box of spares left over - we will send some to our colleges since their head students are featured, but do sing out if you would like some more delivered. Our next issue this year will not be until August, we have decided to trial 3 issues this year falling with Easter, Assumption and Christmas.
Miha Maori will be held the last Sunday of every month at St Matthews, Hillcrest at 11am followed by morning tea.
Fr Dominique Faure in the diocese start of May
Your host, Brendon Fraser-Jones, along with Fr Matt Gibson and Fr Isaac Fransen have organised two events with Fr Dominique Faure.
The first weekend of May 2025, May 3-4 at the Gerry Sullivan Events Centre (GSEC) in Hamilton, Fr Dominique is leading a retreat titled:
Mary Mother of Mercy and Rock of our Hope
Both days start at 9am with Mass, continuing until 5pm and 4pm Saturday and Sunday respectively.
Following the conference, on the Sunday evening, he will follow the retreat with a talk for MEN on 'Paternity and Chastity' which will run from 7.30 to 8.30pm, also at the GSEC.
A brief bio on Fr Dominique: 'Fr Dominique Faure ~ a religious priest of the Word of Hope (Verbum Spei) community ~ is a preacher and teacher who travels to many different locations around the world, giving retreats, conferences, colloquiums, and seminars. After hearing him preach, while he was still a deacon, Mother Teresa asked him to oversee the spiritual formation of her contemplative order of sisters, and to assist them through retreats and seminars'
While registrations are not necessary, please register your interest or ask any further questions by emailing Brendon - brendon2@hotmail.com
Donations will be happily accepted to help contribute toward costs. Please also bring a plate to share both days.
St Joseph’s Hāwera | 150 Years
St Joseph’s Parish & School, Hāwera, will be celebrating 150 years over Labour Weekend, 24–26 October 2025. All past and present members of the parish and school community are invited to participate in the Jubilee celebrations. Registration Forms & Event Calendar are available at www.stjoeshawera150celebration.co.nz. For further details email: stjosephshawerajubilee@gmail.com.
SAVE THE DATE
PHOTOS REQUIRED
St. Patrick's Parish Putaruru is celebrating its 100 year centenary this year on 30th November 2025.
As part of the celebrations, we will be having a photographic exhibition and would kindly ask if anyone has any photos of St. Patrick's Church, in particular the construction or opening of the church if they could scan and email to the parish office: stpatricksputaruru@gmail.com along with any stories or names that may be in relation with the photos.
"Te Kupenga Catholic Theological College is offering online webinars in 2025. This series features our current and past students who will inspire us as they talk about growing in faith, leadership in ministry, and their role in ministry.
Please share the attached flyer
Copy and paste of information available below.
Topics:
UP NEXT:
Role of Social Media and Digital Publishing in the New Evanglisation
Wednesday, 14 May 2025
5-6pm via Zoom
Speaker: Rebecca Taylor-Hunt (Director, Catholic Enquiry Centre)
Pastoral Ministry among Māori and Pasifika in the Third Millennium
Wednesday, 25 June 2025
5-6pm via Zoom
Speaker: Rev Hemi Ropata (Deacon, Society of Mary)
Parish Ministry in Aotearoa New Zealand
Wednesday, 20 August 2025
5-6pm via Zoom
Speaker: Emily Sit (Director of Mission & Evangelisation – Palmerston North Diocese)
Raising a Catholic Family in the Third Millennium
Wednesday, 08 October 2025
Speakers: Cameron and Cheryl Surrey (Catholic Parents – Cheryl is the Regional Lead for Divine Renovation NZ)
Reflections on Jubilee 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope
Wednesday, 26 November 2025
Speaker: Fadi Yalda (CTC Biblical Studies Lecturer)
Divine Mercy Conference May 23-25 2025 Auckland
Fr Chris Alar - Keynote Speaker
Divine Mercy NZ is excited to be bringing back to New Zealand Fr Chris Alar MIC from the US plus several other international speakers.
Divine Mercy Conference2025 will be in a real sense an encapsulation of all that has gone before, and yet more, and to the point – how that is lived out, witnessed, in the Third Millennium. Please join us for this important event in the Jubilee Year.
Registrations are essential; www.divinemercyconference2025.co.nz
Pat Barrett 03 359 2087 info@divinemercy.co.nz
CATHNEWS NEW ZEALAND: The Bishops Conference have launched the renewed CathNews New Zealand project. This ministry supports Catholics and people interested in the Church in accessing news and other content of interest. It draws from material that has already been published and includes original content. The best way to receive CathNews New Zealand is by signing up to the newsletter, which is sent on Tuesday and Friday mornings. Visit the CathNews New Zealand website and sign up at https://cathnewsnz.com
ALPHA 2025
Are you running Alpha this year? Have you already saved the dates? Can you please let us know as we get requests often to be told when the next Alpha course will be run - people are willing to travel!
For financial help to assist running Alpha in your parish please learn more here.
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.
The Guidebook Pilgrimage Aotearoa, is available for distribution in the Hamilton Diocese, on behalf of the wonderful authors, John Hornblow and Jenny Boyack. It’s genesis and release are certainly a moment of Divine Providence given that 2025 is the Year of the Pilgrimage!!
Dove Catholic Fellowship for Women, is excited to be launching a new initiative called Dovecotes. We invite you to prayerfully consider joining us by forming a Dovecote in your parish. All it needs is for two or more women, to support each other to deepen their personal relationship with Jesus Christ, through regular shared prayer. Our leaflet called ‘Welcome to Dovecotes’ available from your parish, contains all the relevant information. It’s also on our website: www.dove.org.nz or email Gloria Stafford: dovenational.leader@gmail.com
Mens Rosary Group
Calling all men to gather and pray for the conversion of New Zealand.
Meet: Steps of the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary
When: Saturday May 3rd, 12pm
Contact: Bruce 021 556 227
(These will continue to run every 1st Saturday of the Month)
Parish to Parish for Bed and Breakfast, Catholics throughout New Zealand and a few in Australia host Catholics in their homes, a wonderful way for Catholics to meet and enjoy the company of other Catholics A contribution of $50 for one person, and $30 for each additional guest, this is per night. E.g two people would pay $80 per night.
If you wish to purchase a book with the details of the hosts, the cost is $15, includes postage, contact or order from Marie Anderson 2 Brent Place, Christchurch 8053, phone 027 2800 611, email marie.ian@xtra.co.nz
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
