Speaker invites PN school staff to re-engage with hope

David Wells, a catechist, teacher, speaker, storyteller and author from the United Kingdom, led two full-day workshops — in New Plymouth and in Palmerston North — drawing staff from across the region. The sessions were part of Mr Wells’ visit to several New Zealand dioceses.

He presented a powerful and inspiring series of sessions themed “Waiting in Joyful Hope: A Catholic Approach to Wellness and the Fullness of Life”. With a blend of wisdom, humour and faith, Mr Wells’ message resonated powerfully in today’s climate of challenge and change.

The day unfolded through three engaging sessions.

The first was titled, “The Doctor does not come for the healthy” (Mark 2:17). This session explored the paradox of pursuing wellness while living at an unsustainable pace. Mr Wells unpacked the roots of collective anxiety and invited Catholic educators to rediscover flourishing through authentic hope.

The second session was titled “The darkness shall not overcome it” (John 1:5). Acknowledging the reality of suffering and stress, Mr Wells drew on “Hope Does Not Disappoint”, Pope Francis’ letter announcing the Jubilee Year of Hope, to guide the staff in cultivating virtue, calm and clarity amid life’s trials.

The third session focused on “That my joy may be in you” (John 15:11). In this final session, Mr Wells encouraged the school staff to embrace joyful hope, offering practical insights from the Catholic tradition to support personal and professional flourishing.

FULL STORY

Waiting in Joyful Hope | International Speaker David Wells visits our Diocese (Catholic Diocese of Palmerston North)

David Wells (RE Congress)