Holy Family Parish priest Father Chris Friel said he and the parishioners were looking forward to Sunday's mass, the first in the historic building since February 2019.

Friel, who was ordained in the ornate church in 1994, has fond memories of it while growing up in Pleasant Point.

"It's very special ... It's great to have it open again." Read more

Sacred Heart Parish council chairman Gary Shand said after the Canterbury earthquakes the church realised the building was not completely earthquake-proof and needed to be bolstered.

The main work will focus on putting steel structures and extra layers of concrete into areas of the Basilica to make it more stable.

The project had been given the go-ahead because the parish community had managed to raise $1 million of the $1.6 million it needed to contribute.

Along with this, and money kept aside, the Catholic Diocese will contribute close to $700,000 towards the project, but more was still needed.

With $600,000 still to be raised in Timaru, the parish was hoping businesses and the wider community would get involved.

"What we've got to push to the community is that it's used for community events," Shand said.

"If we can get to the $1.6 million, we'd be really happy."

Other possible ideas to raise funds included a pre-closure concert and giving guided tours of the Basilica, although Shand was not sure about going up on the roof.

In an earlier 2015 report, the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch's property and development manager Keith Beal said the cost of three possible schemes ranged between $5 million and $10 million.

However, he said those were very early estimates from the surveyors and the extent of the schemes would be looked at in more detail.

Source

• stuff.co.nz
• stuff.co.nz
• Image: stuff.co.nz

A handful of Timaru Messianic believers are waiting to see if the fourth blood moon since April last year will be significant as predicted.

Based on the teachings of American Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Kahn, as well as a number of other unrelated religious individuals, group member Patricia Hughes believes "something probably will happen" Read more

This is the second time they have tried to buy this church.

If a sale goes ahead the group will rename it St George's Coptic Church.

Businessman Dean van Buuren purchased the church, Friendship Centre and neighbouring restaurant building earlier this year, despite the Coptic community placing the highest bid.

At that time, a member of the Coptic community, Sylvia Tawadrous, said she was not judging the Presbyterians for not accepting the Coptic community's offer.

Peter Wilson, of Reid & Wilson First National real estate, said he could not comment on the negotiation process which saw a Timaru businessman buy the church properties ahead of the Coptic community.

"There are no rules, the vendor can decide [who to sell to]," Wilson said.

Timaru Presbyterian Parish clerk Ken Falconer said there had been "quite a few" interested parties in the properties, but he would not comment further.

"I do not want to discuss it, it's our business," Falconer said.

The Coptic community is interested only in the church building and surrounding land.

They met and prayed there on South Canterbury Anniversary Day (22 September).

Previously the 28 members met at Phar Lap Raceway.

Immigrants and refugees from the Middle East and North Africa introduced the Coptic Church to New Zealand.

Timaru's Coptic community is one of four in New Zealand.

Source

• Stuff.co.nz
• Stuff.co.nz
• Image: Stuff.co.nz

The church has not been used for regular mass for the past five years and its deconsecration gave about 200 past parishioners a chance to say goodbye.

Deconsecration removes the religious blessing placed on the building, in preparation for future secular use.

After the service, presided over by Christchurch bishop Barry Jones, and attended by five other past priests, afternoon tea was held at St Thomas's.

The property on a 1690-square metre residential section is on the market for $395,000 plus GST.

Timaru District Council's community services group manager, Sharon Matson, said yesterday Project Turnaround had been advised verbally that it had secured the tender for providing the service over the next two years. "Until we see the final contract, we cannot provide more detail than that in terms of our numbers that need to be delivered."

Project Turnaround is a concept being used to resolve crime. It focuses on redressing the harm to victims while holding offenders to account for their actions.

Last month, the Ministry of Justice announced there would be a shake-up to the way restorative justice services were offered.

It was understood the ministry would look for fewer providers, who would deliver the service across a wider area. Continue reading

The Holy Family parish was formed in 2012 by combining two Timaru parishes, Timaru North and Sacred Heart

There are two churches in what was formally Timaru North, St Thomas the Apostle and St Joseph's.

St Joseph's, was built in 1938 and has not been used since 2009

"We haven't used that building for a Sunday Mass in five years. It's surplus to requirements," Father Brian Fennessy said.

If the decision is approved by the diocese, Father Fennessy said it would likely go on the market later in the year.

There are about 600 Holy Family parishioners attending each week.

Father Fennessey said that the two "great facilities" - St Thomas Church and the Sacred Heart Basilica - which were still being used were sustainable and served the needs of the parish very well.

Other possible changes, including that offices be consolidated at St Thomas' church administration area and that potential buyers be sought for the Sacred Heart centre and carpark section in Napier St, were still just proposals, said Father Fennessy.

Source

• Timaru Herald
• Image: rootsweb.ancestry.com