On Monday 5 August the Diocesan staff welcomed Isabella McCafferty to her new role as Parish and Pastoral Support Coordinator for the Diocese of Palmerston North.
Issy comes to our Diocese after 6 ½ years as part of the Marriage, Family, and Young Church team for the Archdiocese of Wellington. Alongside her employed role for the Archdiocese, Issy has been instrumental in establishing the Life Teen Summer camps that started in 2015. Her ministry has taken her all around the world, and in June she was one of 2 delegates selected by the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference to participate in the International Youth Forum in Rome (where she met Pope Francis).
Bishop Charles Drennan has commented that the key to Issy’s role will be to work with other diocesan staff teams in order to serve our parish communities and their schools in a holistic way. A vital aspect of the role will be developing new initiatives, especially in school & parish relationships, the development of adult education opportunities, and supporting formation for ministry in parishes.
During the whakatau, Issy said that while she was sad to be leaving her job in the Archdiocese, she is looking forward to starting in her new role for the Diocese of Palmerston North.
“I come to offer what gifts I have to the people of this diocese,” she said.
We look forward to working with you Issy!

The Archdiocese Marriage, Family and Young Church team, who traveled up from Wellington with Issy this morning. From left: Chris Duthie-Jung, Felicity Giltrap, Danielle Webb, and Issy McCafferty.
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