Inaugural Mass celebrated in new Nelson-Tasman parish

Hundreds of people attended the inaugural Mass celebrated at Garin College, Nelson, on April 19. The amalgamation brings the parishes of Holy Family, Nelson, and Our Lady of the Bays, Tasman into the new St John Paul II parish.

“A larger parish does not mean a loss of community. It calls for a deeper commitment to build communities of prayer, support, formation, where people come to know and care for one another and grow together in faith,” Archbishop Martin said.

He told parishioners that while it was natural to feel some ambivalence about change, the new parish was about “strengthening the mission of the Church in this region”.

“As you take on this new identity, I encourage you to take seriously the mission that comes with that name [St John Paul II]. Be a parish that is not afraid, that goes out, that welcomes people and is a parish that forms people in faith – young and old alike.”

A new pastoral parish council was commissioned at the Mass, as was parish priest Fr Andrew Kim.

Plans are in place for a new 500‑seat church to be built on the Garin College grounds to serve more than 1100 parishioners. An agreement has been reached between the college board and the Archdiocese of Wellington for the site, with funding and project management options currently being explored.

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Seven churches unite as new parish forms (By Gordon Preece/TopSouthNow)