Mackenzie Catholic Parish

13/12/2025

A Big Thank You to Gary Brosnahan, Terry O’Connell, Fergus Dale, and Tony Hill for their help at the parish working bee in Fairlie. They worked hard splitting the firewood, and thanks to them I could happily stay for another ten years! 😊 Watching these men in action shows what true masculinity, fatherhood, care, and manhood look like.

30/11/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1A9GnMust4/

14/11/2025

This Sunday 16th Nov, is World Day of the poor! Saint Augustine observed: “You give bread to a hungry person; but it would be better if none were hungry, so that you would have no need to give it away. You clothe the naked, but would that all were clothed and that there be no need for supply this lack”. Please be generous, because it is the way of Christian life

Help change more lives – $1 becomes $4 right now. Right now, your gift is multiplied by four thanks to the NZ government. Be the answer to the prayers of young people looking for a chance. READ MORE Crisis in the Holy Land Our international network is saving lives across the region. The need for u...

07/09/2025

https://www.youtube.com/live/EEM7a3mHMR4?si=-Ta3LevTtzBAmptq

https://www.vaticannews.va/en.htmlThese images are produced by the Dicastery for Communication. Any use of these images by third parties is prohibited withou...

06/09/2025

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

This weekend, we also celebrate Father’s Day, honoring the role of fatherhood in our lives. Theologically, all forms of fatherhood and manhood are rooted in God the Father. In contemplating the mystery of God, we also contemplate the beauty of fatherhood.
True fatherhood, like God’s, provides love, care, and protection for the family.

Pope Francis writes:
“Perhaps your experience of fatherhood has not been the best. Your earthly father may have been distant or absent, or harsh and domineering. Or maybe he was just not the father you needed. I don’t know. But what I can tell you, with absolute certainty, is that you can find security in the embrace of your heavenly Father, of the God who first gave you life and continues to give it to you at every moment. He will be your firm support, but you will also realize that he fully respects your freedom.”

In God’s word, we find many expressions of his love. It is as if he has sought different ways of showing that love, so that at least one of them might touch your heart.

• At times, God speaks of himself as an affectionate father who plays with his children: “I led them with cords of compassion, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks” (Hos 11:4).

• At other times, he speaks as a loving mother whose visceral bond makes it impossible for her to neglect or abandon her child: “Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you” (Is 49:15).

• He even compares himself to a lover who inscribes his beloved on the palms of his hands, keeping her always before him: “See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands” (Is 49:16).

• At other times, he emphasizes the strength and steadfastness of his love: “For the mountains may depart, and the hills be shaken, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be shaken” (Is 54:10).

• He tells us that we have been awaited from all eternity, for it was not by chance that we came into the world: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you” (Jer 31:3).

• And he reveals that he sees in us a beauty that no one else can see: “For you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you” (Is 43:4).

(Christus Vivit, 113–114)

17/08/2025

12/08/2025

“In a world torn apart by war and inhumanity; in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, Myanmar, Haiti, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and in so many other countries wounded by both visible and invisible conflicts, we cannot remain silent spectators” (International Union of Superiors General).

All the victims need to know that they are not alone and that we stand by their side.

To use the words of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Elie Wiesel:
“The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference.
The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference.
The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference.
And the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference.”

28/06/2025

RIP - Paddy Beban

Last evening (Fri 27th June 2025), Paddy was called home to God. Paddy served for many years as the CEO of the Mackenzie District, and his children attended St. Joseph’s School in Fairlie. Before his retirement, he was working for the Diocese of Christchurch for many years. His dedicated service greatly supported our faith community, particularly during the challenging period following the Christchurch earthquakes. As Financial Administrator, he helped navigate the Diocese through the aftermath of the earthquakes, overseeing church property matters, coordinating repairs and rebuilding efforts, and managing issues related to potential property sales. His contribution was a blessing to many, and his legacy of faithful service will be remembered with gratitude. May he rest in peace and may God console his family with hope.

04/06/2025

The Catholic Development Fund (CDF) is honoured to acknowledge the remarkable 107th birthday of Rima Arney (seen here on her 106th birthday), a cherished and loyal CDF client born on 15 May 1918.

Rima Arney opened her CDF savings and funeral accounts in 1997 — thirty years after the Fund’s establishment in 1967. For nearly three decades, her quiet generosity and steadfast commitment to the Church have helped enable countless good works across the Diocese of Christchurch. Through her investment with the CDF, school classroom developments have been completed, outreach programmes have flourished, and care for the vulnerable has been strengthened.

Her daughter Angela Woolstencroft, who worked as Bishop Barry Jones’ personal assistant before the Canterbury earthquakes, reflects on Rima’s enduring love for the Church:

“She was very upset when she could no longer attend Mass at her parish, but she’s so grateful to now receive Holy Communion weekly. While I was still working, Mum rang me every day at the same time. Bishop Barry would often ask how she was. One Monday, she called a little distressed after getting lost on the way to Sunday evening Mass. I told Bishop, and he replied, ‘Tell her from me she’s probably got a few in the bank — but make sure she keeps saying her prayers!’ She loved that!

She doesn’t quite believe her age — she’ll say, ‘I’m getting a bit old,’ and I’ll reply, ‘No, Mum, you are old!’ and get a cheeky smack on the hand. She’s been so lucky with her health … and still enjoys a daily coffee. It’s all quite remarkable, I don’t know the secret to her longevity.”

Rima’s humour, resilience, and unwavering faith continue to inspire everyone who knows her.

From all of us at the Catholic Development Fund: Happy 107th Birthday, Rima.
Your faith and generosity are a blessing to our Catholic community. Thank you for the difference you’ve made!