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

Our Jubilee 2025 page is live - click through!

Updated June 2025

Sacred Sounds Concert: This free concert is a celebration of music from diverse faith traditions. The Cathedral Choir is performing in this concert representing the Catholic tradition. Similarly, there will be music from many different faiths making it a unique experience.  The Waikato Interfaith Choir invites you to join us for an afternoon of cultural celebration in conjunction with Hamilton City Council's Welcoming Week. There will be music and food to celebrate social cohesion in diversity. It is on Sunday September 7th from 4 pm to 6 pm at the LDS Chapel on 5 Higgins Road, Dinsdale, Hamilton. See poster attached.

Family weekend registration is now open, 10 - 12 October in Rotorua.

Link here

For printed newsletters it might be easier to point people to the following web address.

cdh.org.nz/events

Our annual family camp weekend is set to kick off Friday 10 October early evening.  Accommodation is being offered at Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park with most of our sessions being held onsite at St Marys, Seddon Street, Rotorua. 

Discount codes are available to use thanks to generous donors. FULL will give you 100% off HALF will give you 50% off.

Our theme this year explores fostering and discerning vocations and gifts as part of family life - pilgrims of hope for the future! Price includes - planned activities; lunch, dinner, morning and afternoon tea on Saturday, morning tea and lunch on Sunday; Mothers wine and cheese night and Dads breakfast. Accomodation extra at heavily discounted rates.

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

Calling past students of St Joseph’s, Paeroa.                                                                                                                  

At the moment we are gathering information - pictures, stories, memories - of St Joseph's over the years. We are hoping to share some of these later on this year at a celebration event for the school's 125th birthday. If you have anything to share, please email Emalene principal@stjpaeroa.school.nz, or simply drop by and visit our office. 

Father Shenan J. Boquet returns to New Zealand - this time in the Hamilton Diocese he will be speaking in Taupo and at Fairfield.

Join, Fr Boquet, President of Human Life International, for a powerful and timely series of events that will inspire and equip you to defend life and family in today’s world. Discover how God’s beautiful plan for marriage, and for life from its very beginning to its natural end, forms the foundation of a healthy society—and how embracing this plan can transform our culture for the better. With insight, clarity, and a deep pastoral heart, Father Boquet will speak directly to the pressing moral and spiritual challenges of our time. Drawing on his extensive global experience, he’ll offer hope, practical wisdom, and a compelling vision for life, marriage and family. You’ll gain a clear understanding of the current threats—and the exciting opportunities—facing New Zealand, and how you can make a real difference right where you are. Whether you’re a parent, student, advocate, priest or seminarian, you’ll leave this event informed, encouraged, and empowered to be a courageous witness to the Gospel of Life.

Don’t miss this vital opportunity to be inspired, equipped, and encouraged!

Beginning Experience - Grief Resolution Weekend 5-7 September 2025 - St. Francis Friary

ALONE AGAIN ? A weekend away to help those suffering the heartache of Separation, Divorce, or Widowhood on 5-7 Sept. The Beginning Experience is a non-profit organization that provides support for the grieving single again and offers an opportunity to turn the pain of loss into an experience of positive growth. The cost for 2 nights' accommodation, meals, and materials and follow up event is $350. For further information please phone Karena evenings 021-802-352

www.beginningexperience.org.nz

Flyer here (there is no date on the flyer as the thought is - it can stay up past event with contact details for people to reach out to)

The Australian Pastoral Musicians Network and the National Liturgical Council will present a joint national conference, Pilgrims of Hope: Transformed Through Sacrament & Song, at the Hilton Hotel, Adelaide from 1 to 3 October 2025.

Flyer here

Letter to parishes here

Urgently Needed - Volunteer Chapel Co-ordinators

Waikato Hospital Chaplaincy urgently need to recruit Volunteer Chapel Co-ordinators. The Chapel Co-ordinators are responsible for assisting in the running of the weekly Sunday Services, organising the rosters of Chapel volunteers and overseeing the process of inviting patients to attend the service each Sunday. These tasks can be filled by one person or shared by a number of people. Volunteers generally need to be available on a Sunday morning from 8.45am until 11.00am. However, the role of overseeing the rosters would not require Sunday attendance. If you are interested in volunteering please contact the Chaplains: chaplain@waikatodhb.health.nz Flyer here

9 Sept 2025 ~ Hamilton Prayer Breakfast ~

Ephesians 4:3 “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.”

Book your tickets here now

You can purchase a table of 10 for your parish or ministry, or you can purchase an individual ticket and we will sit you with someone from our diocese. 

Love in Action for our Communities, Church, City and Nation

A team of Christian pastors and representatives organise an annual prayer breakfast to pray for our city. The mayor and members of parliament generally attend. They are very welcoming and happy to have us join with them.  This is not a fundraising event, sponsorship and grants are applied for so the cost is kept at a minimum. It would be a great community initiative if the Hamilton Diocese was well represented again. Last year we booked and filled three tables - lets make it four this year!

Arden Morunga, Head boy at St John's College, will be delivering the closing prayer

Download flyer for your Church foyer here

Would you like to attend the Family First's annual Forum in Manukau, 28 - 29th August?

Family First (charitable trust) promotes family values. They have an excellent website, check it out for details.  It doesn't advertise itself as Christian but most of the speakers and most of the attendees last year were. Depending on numbers we could carpool, share accommodation etc. Please contact Richard Turnbull on 012 0250 1899.

Full flyer here

"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

UP NEXT:

Future topics":

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)

SAINT TERESA’S SCHOOL BLUFF is to celebrate 125 years Jubilee.

Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th October 2025.

We would love to see you and do let your friends / relations know.

Enquiries to Sonz125@hotmail.com

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.