As we continue our journey through Lent, I want to share a few reflections and updates from around our Diocese that speak to the life, faith, and hope I see growing among our people.

Many of you will be aware of the conversation we’ve been having about liturgical posture. I am grateful to the more than 150 individuals and groups who have already shared their thoughts. If you still wish to contribute, please do email me at [email protected]. The closing date for submissions is Easter Sunday, 5 April.

This year’s Rite of Election on 22 February was a moment of genuine joy for our Diocese. Across the country, and in other dioceses overseas, numbers are increasing, and we are one of those places experiencing that growth. We celebrated two Rites of Election this year: one in New Plymouth and one here at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit.

It was heartening to see so many young people present. I met two young women from Eketāhuna, whose mother — though baptised — had not been practising for some time. Now, moved by her daughters’ example, she has started to return to Mass. Isn’t it incredible that sometimes it is the children who lead their parents back to faith. Stories like these remind us that the Spirit is at work in quiet and unexpected ways.

This month sees the beginning of our Diocesan Hubs, held on 7–8 March, where we will be exploring themes of the Second Vatican Council. I hope many of you will take part in these gatherings of learning, reflection, and shared mission.

I will also be presenting the final session in the Caritas Lenten webinar series on 1 April. My focus will be on Peter — how the frailty of Peter mirrors the frailty of us all. Good Friday was not the end of the Easter story, and Peter went on to lead the Church. Though he denied the Lord three times, Jesus restored him by asking three times, “Do you love me?” My hope is that this might be true for all of us — that we, too, can be restored by Christ.

In May I will be leading a pilgrimage from Lourdes to Lisieux. This journey allows me to attend a leadership conference at the Royal Albert Hall in London beforehand — an opportunity for Catholic leaders from around the world to learn and pray together. Some of our priests will be there as well, which I am very pleased about. For the pilgrimage, we will travel through places marked by saints such as Bernadette, Thérèse of Lisieux, John Vianney, and Joan of Arc; then visit the D‑Day sites before finishing up in Paris where we will visit special places of interest such as Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur, and the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. We are still welcoming expressions of interest for another month – visit www.harvestjourneys.com/pv2659 for more information.

Later this year, our Diocese will have the great privilege of hosting a relic of Saint Carlo Acutis. Relics can seem mysterious, yet they are deeply rooted in biblical tradition — Peter’s handkerchief and even the cloak of Jesus were instruments of healing. Objects touched by the holy can become conduits of grace. Carlo’s witness as a young, modern disciple offers something particularly powerful for our time.

As we walk together toward Easter, may each of us find ourselves, like Peter, restored by the love of Christ.

+John.