The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Palmerston North was filled with parishioners and visitors on Sunday, 1 February, as the diocese gathered to celebrate the Closing Mass of the 2025 Year of Jubilee. The sunshine of the morning seemed to echo the joyful mood inside the church, where members of the Cathedral parish and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish came together, joined by visitors from across the diocese.

The Mass began with the official Closing Rite from Rome, marking the conclusion of the Holy Year. Concelebrating clergy included Bishop John Adams, Bishop Peter, and priests from neighbouring parishes, including Father Peter from the Kāpiti Coast and Father Vijoy from St Mary’s.

After the Gospel, Bishop John offered his homily, inviting the congregation to reflect deeply on the Beatitudes — especially the first: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. He described the Beatitudes as paradoxes, teachings of Christ that appear contradictory but reveal profound truth. The Christian way, he noted, often runs counter to the values of self‑affirmation and self‑promotion so common in today’s culture.

Drawing on the original Greek term makarios, Bishop John explained that the blessedness Jesus speaks of is not dependent on circumstances but is instead a serene, untouchable joy — an inner gladness that can endure the challenges of daily life. This joy, he said, springs from recognising our dependence on God rather than ourselves.

A special moment followed the Prayers of the Faithful when Fr Vui invited all parishioners who had volunteered for ministry roles in the Cathedral and Our Lady of Lourdes communities to stand for a commissioning prayer. Bishop John blessed them, sending them forth to serve in the year ahead — a tangible sign of renewal and shared mission within the parishes.

As the Jubilee Year of Hope concluded, the faithful were encouraged to carry its spirit forward. Bishop John invited everyone to step into the new year with humility and trust in God’s companionship, confident that the journey ahead will be shaped by renewal, service, and the joy promised to the “poor in spirit.”

After Mass, the celebration continued in the back car park, where families and friends enjoyed food, cultural stalls, face painting, and a bouncy castle for children. The lively fellowship offered a beautiful expression of parish unity, with people reconnecting after the summer break and welcoming new faces into the community.

View more photos of the event at tūmanako.pndiocese.org.nz.