G.I.F.T (Growth in Faith Together)
Ministry for people with intellectual disabilities

Every Saturday programme involves sharing our week’s journey in a safe environment, prayer, singing, Bible reading, discussion, growing in faith, supporting one another, respecting the values of Te Tiriti o Waitangi - behaving with tika, pono and aroha, Te reo Māori, waiata, learning, personal growth and self-determination, and cooking.
Time - 1.00pm to 4.00pm
Where -  G.I.F.T.  Room in the Pompallier Centre, 30 New St, Ponsonby

Life Skills:

• Showing manaakitanga: kindness, honesty, respect
• Empowering everyone to know that God made each of us unique and special and we all have a place in God’s creation story
• Encouraging everyone to understand that G.I.F.T. is their turangawaewae where there is no comparison or judgement
• Coping with anxiety, disregulation - acknowledging problems, finding solutions and moving forward
• Respecting and learning about different cultures and their festivals
• Discussing and praying for local and world current events
• Cooking, collaborating, cooperating, creating
• Growing in our relationship with Jesus, our best friend

Afternoon tea: about 3.30pm, please bring something to share

All people with intellectual disabilities most welcome
You are most welcome to come with your whānau, family, friends, support workers and caregivers. 

Contact - Vivienne 021 044 8362 [email protected]

Brief - Sr Jean Sinclair

We want to celebrate with you the lifetime ministry of Sister Jean Sinclair to G.I.F.T.
“17 September 2023, ‘G.I.F.T.’ celebrated its 50th Jubilee. ‘G.I.F.T.’  stands for:
Growth in Faith Together. It was the vision of Cenacle Sister Jean Sinclair, who saw the need to walk with, and nourish the faith lives of those with intellectual disabilities. There was a huge void in this area and ministries like L’Arche were beginning to emerge overseas.
Sister Jean recognised that these people were missing out when it came to celebrating the sacraments and living fully their faith. Sr Jean had the enthusiasm, commitment and faith to put her vision of ‘growing in faith together’ into action.

For over 50 years this very special community has had a place in the life and mission of the Auckland Diocese and we have been blessed to have had ‘G.I.F.T.’