Summit attendees urged to promote renewal at home

By CathNews New Zealand

October 7th, 2025

Bishop John Adams, Fr James Mallon and Divine Renovation New Zealand coordinator Cheryl Surrey at the Summit. (Taila Burton photo)

Palmerston North Bishop John Adams says he is “looking forward to the future with great anticipation” after more than 500 people gathered in his diocese for the Hope and Renewal Summit.

Delegates from each New Zealand diocese, as well as Australia, the Pacific and southeast Asia took part in the Summit from October 2-4, jointly hosted by the Diocese of Palmerston North and international parish renewal ministry Divine Renovation.

Bishop Adams said the Summit had been a “wonderful few days”.

“I’m not sure there’s been an occasion in recent history where the clergy and Catholic people have come together to talk about the future of the Church and what our parishes might look like,” he explained.

“So, I’m thrilled with what’s happening and looking forward to the future with great anticipation.”

Dozens of priests and six bishops attended a clergy day on the Thursday, with Divine Renovation founder Fr James Mallon and ministry coach Matt Regitz speaking about the important role priests play in the work of parish renewal.

Hundreds of lay people joined the conference on the Friday, with Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Gabor Pinter celebrating Mass.

In addition to prayer, praise and worship, and keynote addresses, delegates attended workshops across three streams, depending on their own or their parish’s current status: “New to renewal” or, using the nautical theme, either “Casting off” or “Sailing the Waves”.

Fr Mallon, who gave several talks across the three days, invited delegates to return to their communities and be “prophets of hope and renewal”.

Although the conference finished on Saturday evening, about 200 delegates attended a thanksgiving Mass on the Sunday morning.

Palmerston North diocesan mission and evangelisation director Emily Sit said the Summit was “an incredible experience, united in worship and vision”.

“Our prayer is that the seeds of hope and renewal planted at this Summit will continue to stir the Spirit across our land and make our parishes shine as beacons of light, renewing our nation and carrying the Gospel with fresh courage into our communities,” she said.

FULL STORY

Summit attendees urged to promote renewal at home (NZCBC)