We are so excited to be welcoming Mike and Alicia Hernon from the Messy Family Project to our diocese this May. If you’ve ever wondered how to build a strong family life in the middle of the everyday mess… this is for you. Their talk on Growing a Family Culture is all about the reality of family life — how the small, often unseen things in our homes shape our children, our relationships, and the kind of family we become. Not through perfection, but through intention. They’ll be sharing five key elements that help create a family culture that is strong, faith-filled, and lived out day by day.

St Thomas More Catholic School Gathering Space, Mount Maunganui – Thursday 14 May, 7.00pm

Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish Hall, Hamilton – Friday 15 May, 7.00pm

All are welcome - no registration required.

Talk content: Growing a Family Culture

Creating a Family Culture is a powerful way to influence our children in a way that goes beyond our relationship with any one individual child. It is greater than just you or your spouse. Family Culture is the unspoken system that binds your family together and communicates your expectations, beliefs, and values more powerfully than any written word. Mike and Alicia will share with couples the five elements of family culture and how to make a plan to intentionally strengthen these elements in your home.

The Holy Spirit has gifted each of us with charisms — spiritual gifts given for the service of others and the mission of the Church.

Called and Gifted is a prayerful and practical process that helps participants discern how God is inviting them to serve through the unique gifts He has given them. Rooted in Scripture and the Church’s tradition of discernment, this workshop offers time for prayer, teaching, reflection and discussion.  

We are excited to gather at St Mary Immaculate Church, Tauranga for the first of several Called and Gifted Workshops planned for the Diocese of Hamilton. 

Since 1993, over 200,000 laypeople, clergy, and religious across the globe have embarked on the Called & Gifted™ Discernment Process developed by the Catherine of Sienna Institute to uncover how the Holy Spirit is uniquely at work in their lives. This powerful discernment process helps Christians recognise the charisms—spiritual gifts—they’ve been given not just for their own sake, but to represent Christ and be channels of God's goodness for others.  Charisms are not reserved for a few; they are for every baptised Christian. As the Catechism reminds us, “All charisms ought to be exercised in the service of God”
(CCC 2003).

In June, internationally renowned Catholic theologian Dr Mary Healy will be in Hamilton for a three-day formation series, Rebuild My Church, at the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Known around the world for her engaging teaching on Scripture and the Holy Spirit, Dr Healy helps people hear God’s voice more clearly and grow in confidence in the gifts He gives for the building up of the Church.

Everyone is warmly invited to the three-night series (June 9–11) exploring the power of God’s Word, the life of the Holy Spirit, and our call to live our faith today.

Alongside the evening mission there will also be:
• A clergy workshop – Awakening the Gifts of the Faithful (Wednesday 10 June)
• A leadership formation day for clergy, diocesan staff, parish leaders, school principals and teachers (Thursday 11 June)

This is a wonderful opportunity for clergy, parish leaders, school principals and teachers, and anyone seeking to deepen their faith and grow in service to the Church.