Catholic Diocese of Hamilton, NZ

14/06/2026

NB: We're still sorting through hundreds of photos (we don't want to miss a thing!), but here is where the pilgrimage of St Carlo Acutis began in our diocese at St Michaels before making the journey over to St Marys ..... and two of some of our youngest to venerate the relic.

Thousands of kilometres from Assisi, St Carlo Acutis arrived in Rotorua yesterday, welcomed first at St Michael's Church, Ohinemutu, before being carried in procession to St Mary's Church, Glenholme.

In keeping with Māori custom, the relic was accompanied on foot between the two churches, significantly and quite appropriately passing by Rotorua Hospital along the way.

Throughout the day, hundreds of pilgrims gathered for Mass, adoration, confession and veneration, including many who travelled specially from Auckland and beyond. Young people from across the diocese also came together for a dedicated youth gathering before joining the Diocesan Youth Mass.

Monsignor Anthony preached three homilies throughout the day, each reflecting on the example of St Carlo Acutis, whose simple desire was "to be always close to Jesus." Pilgrims were also invited to reflect on the question that shaped the lives of both St Carlo Acutis and St Francis of Assisi:

"Lord, what do you want me to do?"

As the pilgrimage continues, we look forward to sharing more of the moments, stories and encounters from this extraordinary visit. Prepare to be inundated with photos 🙏

Today we are at JPC (you can watch the livestream here -https://youtube.com/live/jGWTHOzZxkM) before we make a pilgrimage out to the Tyburn Monastery.

St Carlo Acutis, Pray for us

14/06/2026

Calling on the power of our Catholic community (and the power of social media).

We have a box of books in Palmy that we are hoping can get to Rotorua today or tomorrow. (Not the book attached)

Sometimes, even a simple offer will get it where it needs to go! Even if we can get it to Taupo!

There will be at least a book in for you and lots of prayers for sure!!!

We would love to see them continue their journey.

St Carlo Acutis, Pray for Us!

13/06/2026

Beautiful Mass! More photos to follow today! We are just soaking in all the graces 🙏

13/06/2026

We are ready!!! If you want to join the 8am reception Mass, this will be at St Michael's, Rotorua. Livestream link below

https://www.youtube.com/live/mTDLiEmiv9I?si=7y6GbGRXTsT--DGv

12/06/2026

12/06/2026

Three days. Five dioceses represented. Four visiting bishops. More than 280 participants.

Over three days, people gathered from across Aotearoa for the Rebuild My Church Series with Dr Mary Healy to pray, learn, and be renewed in the Holy Spirit.

While the series was hosted in Hamilton, we welcomed participants from across New Zealand, with some travelling from as far north as Whangārei and as far south as Christchurch.

Each evening welcomed more than 200 participants, while more than 100 parish leaders and missionaries gathered for a Leaders Workshop. Forty-two clergy also took part in a day of formation and encouragement alongside five of New Zealand's six bishops.
The leaders day Mass was originally planned for our historic St Mary's Chapel, however the large number of registrations meant we had to move to the Cathedral. (not a bad problem to have!)

In his homily, Bishop Richard reminded us that we are children of the apostles. The mission entrusted to the Church has been handed on from generation to generation, and each of us is called to play our part in sharing the Good News.

In the final evening session, Dr Healy reflected on the story of Esther and the courage to live and proclaim our faith in today's world. Her invitation was to recognise that God has placed each of us here, now, for a purpose.

As we reflect on the week, it is not only the attendance numbers that stand out, but the many conversations and messages received since the final session ended 24 hours ago. Again and again, people have spoken of being encouraged, renewed in hope, and inspired to deepen their relationship with the Lord.

We will share more, but for now, we give thanks to everyone who travelled, prayed, served, volunteered, and participated throughout the week. Of course our grateful thanks also to Dr Mary Healy, who not only shared her wisdom and love for Scripture, but also promised she would return to try more flavours from Duck Island Ice Cream (and speak to us of course). 🍦

Please keep praying that the seeds planted this week will continue to bear fruit in our parishes, communities, and hearts.

🔥 Rebuild My Church 🔥

12/06/2026

12/06/2026

❤️‍🔥

11/06/2026

As we prepare to wrap up our final day and evening with Dr Mary Healy, we're taking a moment to look back at the powerful reflections and conversations from Day Two of Rebuild My Church.

Earlier in the day, on Wednesday after the 8am Mass, clergy gathered for a formation session on Awakening the Gifts of the Spirit, exploring how the Holy Spirit continues to work through His people for the building up of the Church.

By evening we were drawing from Scripture and the life of Jesus where Dr Healy invited us to rediscover the Holy Spirit not simply as a doctrine of the Church, but as a Divine Person who desires a real relationship with each of us.

Reflecting on Jesus' baptism in the Jordan, she reminded us that even Jesus chose to carry out His mission in dependence on the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit given to Christ has been poured out upon the Church, empowering every Christian to share in His mission.

One of the evening's key themes was that the Gospel is more than a message to be heard. It is the living power of God at work in the world. The Church is not called to rely on programmes, strategies, or human effort alone, but to be continually renewed and strengthened by the Holy Spirit.

Dr Healy reflected on Pentecost as a model for every generation of believers. Just as the disciples were transformed from fear to boldness, the Holy Spirit continues to reveal the Father's love, deepen our relationship with Jesus, and equip us for mission.

The evening concluded with a time of prayer, inviting us to surrender our plans, disappointments, and obstacles to the Lord, and to allow the Holy Spirit to move more freely in our lives.

As Dr Healy reminded us, Jesus did not die and rise again for a powerless Church, but for a Church filled with sons and daughters who know who they are in Christ and are equipped with power from on high.

09/06/2026

What a wonderful first evening with Dr Mary Healy as part of Rebuild My Church.

She won us over right from the start, Dr Healy shared that she first fell in love with NewZealand while watching "The Lord of the Rings!"

But the heart of the evening was an invitation to rediscover the power of God's Word. Drawing on the words of Jesus, "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God," Dr Healy reminded us that Scripture is not simply a book to be studied, but the living Word of God that nourishes, guides, and transforms our lives.

She encouraged us to approach the Bible in four ways: reading to understand what God is saying, meditating on His Word, responding in prayer, and resting in His presence. Through these simple practices, the Word of God moves from the page into our hearts.

One of the evening's most powerful reminders came when she reflected on the theme of the mission:

"We're not rebuilding His Church. He's rebuilding His Church."

As Catholics, we are invited to listen, respond, and cooperate with what the Lord is already doing among us.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the opening night. We look forward to another evening of teaching, prayer, and renewal.

If you want to come along tonight, jump onto www.cdh.org.nz/events