Palmerston North to begin series on Vatican II documents

Palmerston North Bishop John Adams said there is a desire “across the diocese for ongoing formation, particularly around the Second Vatican Council”.

Theologian Dr Cameron Surrey will guide participants through the documents themselves, “helping us engage directly with their content”, Bishop Adams said.

The formation series comes after an invitation by Pope Leo XIV last month for people to re-read and prayerfully reflect on the Second Vatican Council as a living gift of the Spirit for the Church today. The Holy Father made this invitation during a general audience on January 7.

Study days will take place in “diocesan hubs” in various locations. Those hubs, which are one diocesan outcome from the Hope and Renewal Summit in Palmerston North last year, are local gatherings for prayer, formation and mission.

They are described as “simple, relational spaces where people can come together to pray, listen, reflect and encourage one another as we seek to live the Gospel”.

The focus will be prayerful and pastoral, not academic. Each gathering will follow a simple rhythm of encounter through prayer and Scripture, deepening through shared reflection and formation and mission through discernment about how people are called to live the Gospel

Diocesan Hubs are free to attend and open to all. The first will take place at the Diocesan Centre in Palmerston North on March 7 and at St Peter Chanel Hall in Hastings on March 8. Further details and registration are available through this link.

Further hubs are planned for May in Manawatu-Whanganui and Taranaki, and then in August in Palmerston North and Hawke’s Bay, with details to be confirmed.

FULL STORY

Reflections on Renewal and the Year Ahead (Catholic Diocese of Palmerston North)

Diocesan Hubs – Tūmanako (Tūmanako/Catholic Diocese of Palmerston North)

Diocesan Hubs: Walking together in response to our call (Tūmanako/Catholic Diocese of Palmerston North)