Catholics in North Taranaki gathered with their Bishop for a regional mass on Sunday.
More than 1000 people attended the mass at the TSB stadium in New Plymouth.
The Bishop of Palmerston North, Charles Drennan, whose Diocese covers Taranaki as well as Manawatu, Hawke’s Bay and Northern Wairarapa said Sunday’s mass was the first of several regional masses to be held this year.
Drennan also confirmed 22 young people. Confirmation organiser and team leader Ellen Hall said the group of teenagers had been preparing to reaffirm their Christian commitment since May 6. The group had been meeting regularly to learn and talk about the ceremony and what it would mean.
Father Craig Butler, the parish priest of New Plymouth, said it was usual during mass to pray for the sick or those who had died.
He said the congregation had prayed for New Plymouth Boys’ High School student Nikolao Meafua, 16, whose body was found on the rocks at Kawaroa last week.
“Often if there has been something significant happen we will name the people involved, as we mentioned Niko.”
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