All of Wairarapa to become one parish

Tuesday, June 17th, 2014

The Catholic parishes of Masterton, Carterton (including Greytown) and Featherston (including Martinborough) are merging into ”One Wairarapa Parish”.

In an open letter to Catholics in Wairarapa, Father Julian Wagg says all parishes in New Zealand face unprecedented challenges because of a wide range of factors and the Archdiocese of Wellington.

“As a result we are required to undergo the most dramatic changes since the Diocese was first formed 163 years ago,” Wagg says.

The One Wairarapa Parish is to be united by February 1, 2015.

‘”The approach is to be collaborative, a shared Mission of Evangelisation; the future of our local church depends on all the gifts in our parish communities being used for the good of the Body of Christ.”

Representatives from all three parishes have formed a working group comprising clergy, lay pastoral leaders and chairs of the parish pastoral councils and finance committees.

To assist this group, and involve as many parishioners as possible, three subcommittees have been formed to discuss pastoral, communication and finance issues presented by the merger.

Two updates on progress have been released to the three parishes and a website and email address have been created to foster a two-way flow of information. Continue reading