If you have any items to be included in the Diocesan Bulletin, please email them to newsletter@cdh.org.nz
~ Hope and Renewal Summit 3/4 Oct ~ Cardinal John Dew in Mount Maunganui 5 Oct ~ Family weekend 10/11/12 Oct
~ Hope and Renewal Summit 3/4 Oct ~ Cardinal John Dew in Mount Maunganui 5 Oct ~ Family weekend 10/11/12 Oct
Our Jubilee 2025 page is live - click through!
Updated June 2025
Bishop’s Appeal 2025 - Sunday 21 September
Thank you all for the trust and generosity you showed in last year’s appeal. Together, we supported people and places where the love of Christ is needed most — from chaplaincy and Catholic education, to family outreach and faith formation.
This year, our campaign is titled ‘Planted in Christ, Reaching in Love.’ It is a call to remain firmly grounded in our relationship with Jesus and, from that place of strength, extend ourselves to others with care, mercy, and hope.
Your gift will help carry out this mission through:
▪ Supporting clergy and lay formation
▪ Enriching Catholic identity in our schools and parishes
▪ Providing chaplaincy and outreach to the sick, the struggling, and the seeking
In every parish, in every home, in every heart, we’re called to grow deeper and reach further. Please prayerfully consider a donation to this year’s Appeal.
Every gift — no matter the size — helps build a Church that is alive in Christ and present in love.
Envelopes with further information including details on how to donate are available in the Church foyer. (insert what description works best for you)
Or please head online to bishopappeal.cdh.nz
The bishops have received with sadness the news that Archbishop Novatus Rugambwa passed away Wednesday morning, New Zealand time. Archbishop Novatus, a native of Tanzania, was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to New Zealand and the Pacific in March 2019. He suffered a significant stroke in October 2023 and moved to Rome in March 2024 to continue his recovery.
Bishops Conference president Bishop Steve Lowe said Archbishop Novatus was a man of deep faith and of prayer who served the Church in New Zealand and the Pacific with warmth and generosity. Bishop Steve said it was a source of joy to see a recent photo of Archbishop Novatus meeting Pope Leo. Sadly, his health deteriorated in the weeks since and he has now returned to the House of the Father.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace, Amen
“Te Kupenga Catholic Theological College enrolment for Bachelor Degree and Graduate Diploma in Theology for Semester One 2026 will run from September 22 – November 21, 2025. Go to www.tekupenga.ac.nz/apply to enrol.”
“Te Kupenga Catholic Theological College invites everyone for the webinar on “Raising a Catholic family in the Third Millennium” with Cameron & Cheryl Surrey on Wednesday, October 8, 5:00-6:00pm on Zoom. To register, go to https://form.jotform.com/250418045698059”. (see below for more)
Strengthening Communities Through Catholic Values
Each year, the Common Good Foundation provides targeted funding to support Catholic parishes and community organisations across the Diocese of Hamilton. These grants enable impactful work in areas such as youth ministry, food security, and pastoral support. Applications for the 2025 funding round are open from 1–30 September. Visit commongood.org.nz/grants for eligibility guidelines and application instructions.
JUBILEE OF JUSTICE WEBINAR — SEPTEMBER 19:
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is hosting a 30-minute webinar to celebrate the Jubilee of Justice.
This will include an update on the progress of the global "Turn Debt Into Hope" campaign focusing on debt justice, and expert advice on how to advocate for justice in your local community. The webinar will feature guests from NZ and Australia with specialist expertise.
Mark your diaries for 12.30pm on Friday, September 19.
Find out more and learn how you can get involved at www.caritas.org.nz/season-of-creation-2025
Last week the Australasian Catholic Press Association Conference was held in Canberra. This was a great chance for Catholic Communicators from Australia and New Zealand to come together to celebrate, learn and network in the conference theme — Messengers of Hope: Communicating the truth, beauty and goodness of our faith. The annual awards night also took place and we are proud to announce that our print publication, Kete Kōrero won an award for excellence in the ‘Most Improved’ Category. Your support —picking up those copies in parish foyers — made this possible, we love sharing your stories of God actively working in your lives. Thank you for being part of this journey of hope. Keep sending us your testimonies, photos, and reflections; together we continue to bear witness to the Gospel in our families, schools, and parishes ..... and beyond! You can also read more in Cathnews
Great news story in the Beacon - the local Whakatane newspaper - which you can also read online
The Madonna and Child returns home
Cardinal John Dew to speak in Mt Maunganui.
You may have seen the movie, or read the book, Conclave. Now you have the opportunity to meet a real Cardinal, who went to a real Conclave, and voted to elect a real Holy Father.
You are invited to this special talk on his experience at the Conclave in Rome earlier this year.
Venue: St Thomas More Church, 19 Gloucester Road, Mt Maunganui.
Date: 5 October
Time: 3.00 pm
All are welcome to join, refreshments and a chance for a few Q and A will follow his talk.
Cardinal John will also celebrate the 10am Mass at St Thomas More the same day.
Family weekend registration is now open, 10 - 12 October in Rotorua.
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/
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.
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.
Hope and Renewal Summit–3&4 October, Palmerston North
To learn more or support the Hope and Renewal Summit, visit: hoperenewalsummit.com or email hoperenewal@pndiocese.org.nz.
"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:
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)
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/
Mihi Māori
The next two dates for Miha Māori are as follows:
St Matthew's Catholic Church, 59 Silverdale Rd, Silverdale , 11am
Sun -28 Sept, Sun -26 Oct
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 October 4th, 12pm
Contact: Bruce 021 556 227
(These will continue to run every 1st Saturday of the Month)
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
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.
Please support our Kete Kōrero Sponsors - click on image to be taken to their website
