The Priests’ Council in Wellington has asked funeral directors to ensure that their clients are not given the impression that payments relating to a church-based funeral are non-negotiable, or that Catholic clergy expect to be reimbursed for their service. “Please understand that we do not charge for our services. It would therefore be appreciated that Read more
New Zealand
Caritas Director to speak at Paris Climate Conference
Tuesday, December 1st, 2015
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand Director, Julianne Hickey, is bringing the voices of Pacific peoples affected by climate change to a global audience at the historic Paris Climate Change conference (COP 21) in December. She is one of only two leaders to represent the 165 member organisations of the Caritas Internationalis confederation and will speak at an event Read more
Destiny Church buys $2m lifestyle block
Tuesday, December 1st, 2015
A trust owned by Destiny Church members has purchased a $2 million rural property in Clevedon, south west of Auckland. It appears church leaders Bishop Brian Tamaki and his wife Hannah may be building on the property. Hannah Tamaki has been posting to social media about the spot, saying she had taken her parents “to have Read more
Why Jonah Lomu’s funeral is a private one
Tuesday, December 1st, 2015
Jonah Lomu became a Mormon, joining the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints in 2012. The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (LDS) forbids the broadcasting of a funeral service on the internet or “in any other way.” The LDS announced details today for Tuesday’s funeral services for Jonah Lomu. Read more
Manawatu Catholic schools form a Community of Leaning
Tuesday, December 1st, 2015St James School, St Peter’s College, St Mary’s School and Our Lady of Lourdes School are part of a group of six schools who will be working together with Rangitikei counterparts as part of the Palmerston North Catholic Community of Learning. A Community of Learning is funded through the Government’s $359 million investing in Educational Read more
Nuns make room for fancy ice cream
Tuesday, December 1st, 2015Before Hamilton East was a destination for recycled clothing and fancy ice cream, it was a home for nuns. Nuns have been in Hamilton East since 1884, says Sister Raewyn Hogan, and four generations of her family have gone through Marian Catholic School and Sacred Heart. Euphrasie House is now an earthquake risk building is being Read more
Every week another 300 families ask for food parcels
Tuesday, December 1st, 2015Every week another 300 families struggling to put food on the table are turning to the Salvation Army for help, the organisation says. In the year to September, it recorded a 7 percent increase in requests for food parcels compared to the previous year – the biggest rise since 2011. In some regions, including Hawke’s Read more
Christmas good time to take a stand against domestic violence
Friday, November 27th, 2015
A Northland anti-domestic violence campaigner says, in the lead up to Christmas, White Ribbon Day is a perfect time to encourage people to stand up to domestic violence. Phil Paikea, champion for the It’s Not OK campaign, said the Christmas/New Year period is the worst time of the year for domestic violence. “I’d like to Read more
Dawn karakia, not Christmas, the problem
Friday, November 27th, 2015
The Auckland Regional Migrant Services (ARMS) Trust is not doing away with Christmas, says its chief executive Dr Mary Dawson. “To those who celebrate Christmas, we wish you a very happy Christmas. To those who do not, “season’s greetings”. The Anglican Bishop of Auckland, Ross Bay, says “All very laudable in a way, though an Read more
Muslim school taking time to get up and running
Friday, November 27th, 2015
Plans to establish a secondary boarding Muslim school for boys in South Dunedin have had another setback. The Al-Noor Charitable Trust is trying to be selected as a Ministry of education partnership school. The proposed school would be exclusively for boy boarders, with a capacity for 100 students in Year 11 to Year 13 groups. Read more