"How did I celebrate under lockdown? - Jesus and I did it quietly together; we are hoping to celebrate with others later. He is in my bubble," he told NZ Catholic.

The anniversary on April 23 occurred when New Zeland was under Level 4 COVID-19 lockdown.

Everyone in the country was confined to their bubble and gatherings of every kind were prohibited.

Cardinal John Dew has expressed, ‘Warmest Congratulations to Bishop Peter and sincere thanks for his service as a bishop to Palmerston North and to New Zealand."

He asked that people "remember Bishop Peter in gratitude in your prayers."

Cullinane was the first bishop of the Palmerston North diocese.

He retired in 2012 but is still busy at the local, national, and international levels.

Bishop Peter has served on several International Catholic Committees.

He has given many years of service on ICEL (the International Commission for English in the Liturgy) and has always shown a deep interest in liturgy and liturgical reform.

He has also contributed significantly to both the Ecumenical and Inter-Faith dialogue within New Zealand and abroad, bringing closer relationships between different denominations and faith traditions.

Cullinane's many writings have offered a wide breadth of knowledge and learning from which many have benefited.

10 years ago he promoted a national campaign to get a new symbol to identify Catholic clergy.

He noted that clerical dress was being worn less by priests, but no new symbol had been inserted in its place.

It was a matter of being identifiable, without having to dress formally for casual occasions, he said.

"Identify so people know who I am, and identify with the people so I don't seem to come from a different race."

Source

• nzcatholic.org.nz
• wn.catholic.org.nz
• pndiocese.org.nz
• stuff.co.nz
• Image: stuff.co.nz

Costello and three others will have their decades of service celebrated in a Jubilarians' Mass at St Mary's Church in Whanganui on September 18. Continue reading

He told those gathered to honour the occasion that his first posting was to Pahiatua where the then parish priest advised him that "the less you say, the more you say."

"As a Martinborough parishioner, where Fr. Don celebrates vigil Mass on a Saturday evening, I can confirm that Fr Don took this advice to heart - homilies are 3 - 5 minutes max!" said Margaret Bath, writing in the Martinborough Star.

"Although extra padding (topics which include family matters, Harry-the-dog visits to the vet, doctors, dentists visits, etc) are all covered before the final blessing." she added.

Morrison has spent of 34 of his 60 years of priesthood years living in Featherston, in the shadow of the Rimutaka Range, serving the people of South Wairarapa.

The whole community, Catholic and non-Catholic, honoured Morrison's 60th anniversary on July 22nd with a mass attended by local dignitaries, Cardinal John Dew and 14 other priests.

In all, about 200 people attended.

Bath said Morrison had done great work not only for the Catholic community but all.

"He mixes well, has a great sense of humour, has been a Rotarian, is great with the children who know that at special occasions there is always a treat, even a sibling baptism!

"He is a leading example of 'ecumenism at work'" she said.

Morrison celebrated his 85th birthday last December and takes his dog, Harry, for a daily walk around the streets of Featherston and talks to all he meets - young and old.

On Wednesdays, after the weekly Martinborough Mass, he can be found walking the aisles of local businesses Pain & Kershaw or Mitre 10 singing...la- la- la -la.

He also is often to be found at St Teresa's School in Featherston and uses his talents as an artist to illustrate God's teachings.

In the course of his priesthood, he has served in Kilbirnie, Opunake, Takaka, Featherston, 1976-80, Picton and Karori.

He returned to South Wairarapa in 1990.

Sources

• Martinborough Star
• WelCom
• Image: WelCom

On July 25, 1994, he was ordained as auxiliary to assist Bishop Denis Browne in Auckland.

At a Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral last Friday, Bishop Dunn dwelt on two things he found inspirational.

The first were the words of St Augustine of Hippo about being a bishop.

"What I am for you as a bishop, terrifies me. What I am with you, as a Christian, consoles me," Bishop Dunn said, recalling the saint's famous saying.

Bishop Dunn said that during the past 20 years he had been inspired by the faith of the priests, deacons and people of Auckland diocese.

Later that day about 100 diocesan staff gathered at Pompallier Diocesan Centre and presented the bishop with his portrait, which they had commissioned from the Studio of John the Baptist.

In 1995, when Bishop Denis Browne was appointed Bishop of Hamilton, Bishop Dunn was installed as the eleventh Bishop of Auckland.

Sources: Lyndsay Freer and Michael Otto