The mayor of Central Hawke's Bay (CHB), Peter Butler, presented the award as an acknowledgement of Shirley's 46 years of service to the local community.

Specifically, it recognised her work with vulnerable pregnant mothers and in the areas of counselling and social services.

Shirley also worked successfully to bring the Hawke's Bay Community College (now known as EIT) to rural areas such as CHB to enable tertiary study in the regions.

In the 1970's Shirley and her late husband, Ian, saw a need for support services for pregnant women who wanted to continue their pregnancies in order to either keep their babies or place them for adoption.

After prayer and careful discernment, they donated their family home and, with the assistance of community members, the Pleroma Charitable Trust was formed.

The Pleroma Trust is now known as Pleroma Social Services and continues to provide counselling and social services in the Central Hawke's Bay community.

It is part of the Pleroma Group which also includes Pleroma Press and Pleroma Christian Supplies which were also founded by Shirley and Ian.

Shirley is currently general manager of Pleroma Christian Supplies.

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It is the first time in nearly 40 years, both trusts have enjoyed tailor-made facilities.

Kopua Abbot, Brian Keogh and kaumatua Rev John Flavell blessed the new building on 1 April.

Abbot Brian spoke of the meaning of "Pleroma". He stressed the implications of fulness, brimming over and the absolute generosity of God.

In a statement to CathNews, Pleroma Christian Supplies Co-founder Shirley Duthie stresses Pleroma's mission to provide those in the front line with the tools for evangelisation.

She said Pleroma's achievements are the result of "great ecumenical support".

Pleroma Christian Supplies is now New Zealand's major distributor and retailer of Catholic supplies.

Pleroma's other outreach, Pleroma Social Services, offers social work, counselling, stopping violence programmes, spiritual direction and supervision.

Shirley Duthie remembers vividly the night a young pregnant woman was found almost frozen in a car. Brought to Pleroma House to thaw and heal the woman eventually gave birth to a healthy child.

Reflecting on Pleroma's journey, Shirley Duthie said: "There have been many miracles of provision, those strange God-incidences that build faith and on occasions are breath-taking in their audacity".

Image: Pleroma