Mission and Evangelisation

Pope Francis is quite clear that we are living an era of change, but through a change of era. His point is that this is a moment of great opportunity and he uses beautiful images to describe what a missionary church should look like. He says the Church is the House of the Father where the doors are open and all are welcome. It should be like a field hospital where those who are burdened or wounded find comfort and healing.  We can not do this if things just stay the same, if we just keep on doing the same things the same way because we always have done so.  We need to move from maintaining our parishes to focussing on being this missionary field hospital.

Divine Renovation is a way of being Church, of looking at things in new ways that provides ideas, guides and tools for Parish Transformation.  It is a concept we hope to use in the diocese that we might be more.  More welcoming, more grateful and more focused on Mission.

People from many nations have come to Aotearoa New Zealand and made New Zealand their home. Along with their pots and pans, they play a crucial role in supporting the spiritual, cultural and social needs of each individual member within their communities, ensuring they feel welcomed and valued within the Church of Auckland.

Goals of the revised Migrant Chaplaincy Norms

There is a revised edition of the Migrant Chaplaincies Norms which guideline was launched in February 2025. The Norm saw it integral in setting out the goals for the migrant communities to adhere with: that the baptised faithful seek full and active participation; integration into the life of the Church of Aoteroa New Zealand; and provide pastoral care to its members by working together with its chaplain, community leaders and the members themselves. The revised norm was the result of consultation with migrant chaplains and deaneries, and there has been input from chaplaincy leadership and diocesan administration. The norms are intended as a resource and a directive for chaplains and parish priests, chaplaincy leaders and members of chaplaincy communities.

"As our migrant chaplaincies have increased in number and grown in themselves, more
sophisticated governance structures have emerged. It has become increasingly clear
that we need greater consistency and clear guidance for our chaplaincies. Of
particular importance is the need for transparency and accountability in meeting all
legal accountabilities. I am, therefore, happy to introduce this handbook of Norms for
Migrant Chaplaincies for use in the Auckland Diocese."

                                                            - Foreword extract on the Endorsement of the Norms from +Bishop Steve Lowe, Bishop of Auckland, May 2025.

Norm for Migrant Chaplaincies

This is the latest edition of the “Handbook of Norms for Migrant Chaplaincies” for use in the Auckland Diocese.  Through its use we trust that the migrant peoples who come to our diocese are more easily welcomed into our faith communities.

Contact Details, Mass Times for Migrant Chaplaincies

In the Norms, migrant chaplaincies are requested to provide updates of their leadership changes of personnel and contacts, so that we, your community members know how to contact you, and also, our website and the national directory is updated periodically. These are relevant information for your chaplaincy, and the wider Catholic community.

Please complete the Chaplaincy Contact form as soon as a change takes place. See below form for this.

Mass Times for all migrant Chaplaincies - click for the link here.

A number of parishes employee lay people or permanent deacons in the role of pastoral worker.

The Parish Pastoral Worker works in partnership with the priests and pastoral council of a parish or in many aspects of faith community life.

• Relating – Building community through quality relationships and pastoral care. Being mindful of the needs of people for spiritual nourishment and practical care.
• Praying  –  Enhancing the prayer and worship of the parish community through coordination, support and encouragement for participation.
• Animating – Bearing witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ and encouraging involvement in existing and new initiatives of faith community life.
• Educating – Promoting lifelong learning in the Catholic tradition and in Christian living.

The Diocese offers advice and guidance to those in this important role and provides opportunities for pastoral workers to gather for formation and support.  Contact Mission Support for more details.

Often the first face of the parish visitors and enquirers encounter is that of the parish secretary.  Many of these Church workers are part-time.  They carry out a range of responsibilities.   Including some or all of the following.

• Welcome and direct visitors and parishioners
• Provide administrative, secretarial, and office support to the Pastor and Parish Staff.
• Answer phone calls and forwards calls accordingly, takes messages.
• Maintain parish calendar, schedule appointments, special events, and meetings.
• Prepares parish bulletin, parish announcements, and other communications.
• Maintaining parish memberships and sacramental records; Preparing Baptismal and Marriage Certificates
• Coordinates information for baptisms, funerals and weddings.
• Maintain a current list of volunteers to contact for different tasks

The Diocese offers advice and guidance to those in this important role and provides opportunities for parish secretaries to gather for formation and support.  Contact Mission Support for more details.