Liturgy & Prayer
The heart of Catholic life, the “Source and Summit” of all we do is our life of prayer and worship. In our daily gathering as a community to pray and worship, but especially on Sunday, we are formed by the Word of God and become one in Christ’s offering to the Father in the Eucharist.
Thanksgiving and Worship
The diocese offers formation in ministry and the liturgy, and recommends many links to support our liturgical life:
Preparation of Sunday readings and Scripture
Weekly Scripture Reflections from Fr Marcus Francis
National site of liturgical resources
Diocese of Auckland Liturgy Centre
Archdiocese of Brisbane Liturgy Centre
Links to online lectionary texts:
New Revised Standard Version (recommended study bible and the translation used in the Canadian Lectionary)
The Jerusalem Bible (Original post Vatican 2 Lectionary)
United States Lectionary (CCD edition)
Retreats and Spiritual Direction
Click here to find information about and contacts for:
Prayer days, retreats in daily life, guided or directed retreats
Christian Life Community (CLC)
We are also gifted with spiritual directors in the Marist community in the Hawkes Bay, and the Josephite community in Whanganui (contacts are available through the diocesan office).
The other great centre of retreat, formation and deep prayer is the Cistercian community, based at Kopua (near Norsewood), who for 50 years have lived a monastic life at the heart of the Diocese. You can spend time in their guest house or visit for prayer during the day, visit their website at www.kopuamonastery.org.nz.
Within the Diocese there are also:
Latest News and Resources
Clergy Shifts for 2025
Pastoral
Published on 17th Dec, 2024
Bishop John has announced the clergy appointments for 2025 [..]
Calls for urgent support for Christians of Aleppo and Syria
Pastoral
Published on 9th Dec, 2024
ACN has made an urgent appeal for prayer and financial support for all residents of Aleppo, Syria [..]
Archbishop Pintér arrives as Pope’s new ambassador
Pastoral
Published on 3rd Nov, 2024
Pope Francis’ new ambassador to New Zealand and the Pacific has formally presented his credentials [..]
‘He Loved Us’: Pope Francis’ new encyclical on Sacred Heart
Pastoral
Published on 3rd Nov, 2024
Pope Francis has published a new encyclical focusing on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the context of [..]