Catholic Character

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Holiday prayer. Help us to be a practical Christian these holidays, to appreciate what others do for us, to give time and effort to help others. To be peacemakers in our family. Keep us safe in our activities; give us good rest and good fun. Bring us back refreshed and ready for a new term. Amen.

Last Saturday a group of students helped celebrate the Mercy Day Mass in Hokitika with students and parishioners. Following Mass, they shared pizzas and drinks, making the transition for the year 8 students from St Mary’s to JPII just that little bit smoother, recognizing some familiar faces in 2023. Many thanks to Fr Joaquim, especially for the invitation for JPII students to serve at Mass and participate in the Readings.

This Saturday October 2nd is dedicated to Suzanne Aubert. In 2016, Pope Francis declared Mother Aubert 'Venerable', an important milestone on the journey to a person being declared a saint. In 1860, after working as a nurse in her homeland, France, Suzanne Aubert voyaged to New Zealand to work as a Catholic missionary in Auckland. She joined the Marist Māori mission in Hawke's Bay in 1871, then the mission at Hiruhārama (Jerusalem) on the Whanganui River in 1883. Mother Aubert was well known for her Herbal Remedies. Establishing the first Creche and Soup Kitchen in Aotearoa.