Saint Mary of the Cross Mackillop, Rotorua

17/06/2026

How to take your Alpha from good to great

Alpha in a Catholic Context trainings – Setting the scene and a firm foundation.

Over the last 2 months, we have been speaking to Catholic Diocesan Pastoral and Evangelisation offices to understand each Bishop's priorities and where Alpha fits. With all we have heard, we are running four Alpha in a Catholic Context trainings over the next 4 months.

Who are these training/information sessions aimed at?

Parish Priest, Parish Leadership teams, Alpha teams, anyone interested in running Alpha, and anyone who would like to know more about Alpha. Just like at Alpha all are welcome.

What will be covered?

Wednesday, 17th June @ 7pm | Why Alpha. Why do Catholic Parishes need Alpha?
Wednesday, 22nd July @ 7pm | What is Alpha and who is it for?
Wednesday, 19th August @ 7pm | Where does Alpha fit in the life of the Parish?
Wednesday, 16th September @ 7pm | How to take your Alpha from good to great

Each Session is stand-alone, but to get the full experience, we recommend attending them all.

Register to receive the Zoom link for each session. Training Zoom for Alpha in a Catholic Context – Fill out form - https://forms.office.com/r/kVmxvX9hFb

Who is presenting?

The training will be presented by Clare Bell, the Alpha Catholic Engagement Manager for NZ. Clare has been running Alpha in the Cathedral Parish in Christchurch for 6 years, and she has been working in the Parish as they have amalgamated Parishes and begun the journey of Parish Renewal. Alpha has been at the center of all of this change. Throughout the training, Clare will share real experiences of how Alpha has assisted the Parish to become more welcoming, more generous, have plenty of volunteers, and a growing RCIA programme.

See you there!

St Mary's Catholic School Rotorua, John Paul College Rotorua - JPC, St Michael's Catholic School Rotorua

17/06/2026

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed, supported, and helped make these three beautiful days with the relics of St. Carlo Acutis such a blessed and memorable experience.

Your time, kindness, prayers, and service brought our community together in faith, hope, and joy. St. Carlo reminded us that holiness is possible in our everyday lives — especially when we use our gifts to love God and others.

As the relics departed, we were gifted with a beautiful rainbow — a gentle reminder of God’s promises and blessings upon us. May the inspiration of St. Carlo continue to guide our young people and our whole community closer to Christ.

Thank you all for being part of this special journey. 🙏🌈

16/06/2026

One of the highlights of the pilgrimage yesterday was a visit to Tyburn Monastery to take St. Carlo to the cloistered Nuns. Students from Aquinas and JPC, along with our entourage, experienced something rarely encountered in today's world: silence, prayer, and a life completely centered on God.

Monastic life can seem very different from the world our young people know. We live in a culture that prizes visibility, achievement, and constant activity. The sisters offer a quiet witness to something else entirely .... that our worth is not found in what we do, but in who we are before God.

During our visit, we reflected on the dignity of every human life and the call to build a true culture of life. In a society that can sometimes struggle to recognise the value of the most vulnerable, the sisters remind us that every person is precious, loved by God, and worthy of care.

Their hidden life of prayer may never make headlines, but it is a powerful witness that some of the most important work in the world happens unseen.

It was also a fitting reminder during the pilgrimage of St Carlo Acutis. Carlo's desire was simple: "To be always close to Jesus." The sisters have made the same choice, dedicating their lives to prayer, the Eucharist, and remaining close to Christ.

For many of our young people, it was a chance to encounter a different way of living, one that asks not "What do I want?" but "What does God want?"

Thank you to the sisters for their warm welcome, their witness, and their prayers for our diocese.

📸 We took lots of photos, the only one that captured the sun hitting the relic direct, and the halo was for Monsignor Anthony. Isn't it beautiful!

16/06/2026

16/06/2026

14/06/2026

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

13/06/2026

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

This 8am Mass will be the first Mass of our three day mission, ther...

13/06/2026

12/06/2026

A wonderful evening of fellowship, faith, and friendship at our Men’s Fellowship Gathering.

A special thank you to Antony Jaques and Reverend Tom Poata for sharing with us on the theme: “Unity in Christ – Working Together in Strength & Love.”

May our brotherhood continue to grow as we walk together in Christ. 🙏