Marian College will move to Catholic Cathedral College at the start of next year. The College’s Shirley site is to be ‘mothballed’ for up to four years. Marian College principal Anna Heffernan said the school was not being amalgamated with Catholic Cathedral College. Each would remain a separate school community, with its own culture and identity. Marian will Read more
The stunning Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, known as the Christchurch Basilica suffered considerable structural damage to the two towers flanking the entry portico, and to the main dome during recent earthquakes in Christchurch. However a plan to temporarily remove the main dome may help save large sections of the building. Opus International Consultants was Read more
A Mass was held last Saturday in Christchurch to farewell a group of young Catholics on their pilgrimage to attend World Youth Day. Altogether there are 70 pilgrims attending from Christchurch, which is the largest New Zealand group. This is despite the Christchurch pilgrims having had their efforts to attend the event disrupted by the Read more
Displaced central Christchurch school will be able to return to its site next month, as work to deconstruct unstable parts of the nearby Catholic cathedral progresses. Work to remove the top of the main dome of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament is continuing, while the unstable rear section of the building is expected to Read more
A Liaison and Support Advisor has been appointed to help principals and teachers in Catholic schools living in post-earthquake Christchurch. Karen Payne, principal of St Mary’s School, Hokitika, has been seconded to the position for the rest of the year. The role has been funded by Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand in partnership with the New Read more
The Cathedral dome that once stood proud on the city’s Catholic Cathedral in Christchurch has been saved. Contractors are currently deconstructing the top half of the severely damaged cathedral and have completed the removal of the copper dome. Catholic Cathedral spokesman Lance Ryan says they’re pleased with the way the stripping of the copper and wooden beams Read more
On Wednesday a programme began to help Christchurch children and teenagers deal with the emotional impact of the ongoing earthquakes. The programme is being offered to schools and community groups in Christchurch and other cities to which Christchurch children have relocated, with funding support from Catholic social justice agency Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand. Caritas has contributed $12,500 Read more
Dean Peter Beck and Jonathan Mane-Wheoki are wrong to reject Alan Goss’s suggestion of rebuilding the Christchurch Anglican cathedral as a people’s cathedral. Keeping some of the old and embracing the new is a must in our new world of blended religions and spirituality. Like Alan Goss, I’ve been dreaming about this multi-faith worship and Read more
Marist Priest and singer/songwriter Chris Skinner performed a joint concert with the Auckland Boys Choir at the Cathedral of St Patricks and St Josephs in Auckland on Saturday. A highlight of the evening was the singing of the ‘Sons of Gallipoli’. Fr Chris was joined by the choir and Thomas Scott, a choir member, on Read more
It could be six months before the fate of the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Christchurch is known and it could be up to five years before services resume there. Parishioners from the Cathedral are now worshipping at St Mary’s pro-Cathedral, Manchester Street. Bishop Jones has asked the two parishes to work together and to take the appropriate pastoral Read more