In September 2015, the parishes of St Joseph's, St Philomena's and Our Lady Help of Christians became one, known as the Catholic Parish of New Plymouth.

Held at the TSB Stadium, the mass attracted hundreds of parishioners from New Plymouth, Bell Block and Okato.

Father Simon Story who presided at the Mass said it was the largest Mass he had been involved in during his time in Taranaki.

He said a decade ago, parishes had a presence of mainly European people, but about one third of churchgoers now were either Filipino or Indian, a change which represented a "big shift" across the region.

"That's a blessing and a gift to the faith community," Story said.

But despite this, the numbers of people affiliated to the Catholic faith across New Zealand was fairly stagnant.

Source

• stuff.co.nz
• Image: stuff.co.nz Grant Matthew

The reunification Mass at Sacred Heart Girls' College on 6 September was led by Bishop Charles Drennan, who told the parishioners that Taranaki had always been and would continue to be a fertile ground for the Catholic faith.

He said the fire that gutted the St Philomena's church in Brooklands in January 2014 had proven that faith did not live in bricks and mortar, but rather in the people of the community. Read Bishop Charles' homily.

Regional dean of North Taranaki Father Craig Butler said the amalgamation was a part of a plan to ensure the Catholic church would continue to grow.

Butler said to begin with there would be no changes and services would continue at the individual churches.

The amalgamation would ensure the Catholic community was unified and that emphasis was placed on the importance of the five Catholic schools in the district.

He said the process leading up to the amalgamation had been challenging but exciting.

"We are facing change and people are being very generous around that. It's been a lot of hard work, but it has been very satisfying because Taranaki has some wonderful people."

In 1856 the first Catholic church was build in the district, on Courtenay St, at a site now occupied by McDonalds and Countdown supermarket.

The Fitzroy and Brooklands parishes were established in the 1950 and 60s after the arrival of a cohort of Irish priests.

Source

• Stuff.co.nz
• Image: Robert Charles/Fairfax NZ

About 200 people turned out last week to a series of presentations given by a steering group which has the task of explaining the move and organising consultation with the community about the proposed changes. The group is made up of representatives from each of the three parishes.

Father Craig Butler, one of six people on the steering committee, said the changes had been initiated by Bishop Charles Drennan as a way to strengthen the faith in the city as well as make the best use of resources.

As regional dean, Butler will focus on supporting the other priests and Catholic schools in the area, along with facilitating the pastoral care of St Philomena's congregation after their church was destroyed by fire in January.

To do this, he will step aside as parish priest at St Joseph's New Plymouth and will be replaced by Father Adonis Rancho.
Butler said although change was not always easy, there was an opportunity for parishioners to be part of the final plan, which is due to be in place by Easter next year.

Source

• The Taranaki Daily News
• Image: cruisenewzealand.org.nz

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."

Source

• Taranaki Daily News
• Image: Andy Jackson/Fairfax NZ