One of the Church’s best-known experts on parish renewal and two New Zealand bishops are among those who will headline a Catholic conference in Palmerston North this October.

The Hope and Renewal Summit is being jointly presented by the Diocese of Palmerston North and Divine Renovation, an international organisation that supports priests and lay leaders in transforming their parishes from places of maintenance to ones of mission.

Bishop John Adams, as the Summit’s host, is excited to offer a chance for Catholic communities to think about how they can share the faith more dynamically.

He said it is challenging to hear people speak of Christian communities as places where the Gospel is spread, but for Catholic parishes to be seen as largely struggling to do so.

“The Sunday experience needs to be compelling and that is what this Hope and Renewal Summit is about: parish renewal,” Bishop Adams said.

“Gathered in that space over the two days will be people who are expert in this craft of renewing our parishes, bringing about environments that lead to conversion, and conversion leads to the desire to share our faith with others.”

Among those experts is Fr James Mallon, who founded the Divine Renovation ministry after transforming his parish in Canada into a centre for evangelisation.

He challenges Church leaders to rethink models of parish life, from membership-based communities to assemblies of disciples of Jesus who proclaim and share the good news with all peoples.

“I feel like I am coming there as a parish priest – that’s my primary calling, that’s my primary vocation,” Fr Mallon said in a video inviting people to attend the event.

“I come not just as someone who has perhaps stumbled over a few things that might be better than what we were doing before.”

He said he will come also as a learner – as he has heard about parishes across New Zealand being places of learning in recent years.

“So many of you have taken up the challenge to renew your identity, to be missionary parishes, to be outposts of the great commission,” Fr Mallon said.

Priests will have a special day of learning on Thursday, October 2. Others are invited to join the Summit on October 3 and 4 for a series of talks, workshops, prayer and worship.

Bishop Adams said the Summit is a “wonderful opportunity to learn from those who have actually experienced parish renewal”.

He said people’s participation in the event “I believe, will lead to the renewal of parish life in this country”.

Palmerston North Diocese’s director of mission and evangelisation, Emily Sit, said the Summit “isn’t just another conference”.

“It’s a space of prayer, encounter, and worship—designed to reignite hearts, inspire bold leadership, and spark real change in parish life,” she said.

“Whether you’re a priest, parish leader, school staff member, or committed layperson, you’re invited to be part of what God is doing next in our Church.”

Registrations are now open for the Hope and Renewal Summit at www.hoperenewalsummit.com, with early-bird rates available until June 15.