Catholic Social Services, Archdiocese of Wellington

29/09/2026

It is not too late to register for our Parenting programme for dads starting 14 October in Petone

21/09/2026

18/09/2026

11/09/2026

Register now for our Dad's Parenting programme starting 14 October

03/09/2026

So proud of our Hospital and Prison Chaplaincy team. Ka mau te wehi!

✝🎉 CELEBRATING OUR CHAPLAINS ✝🎉

On 11 August Archbishop Paul hosted a morning tea to recognise and give thanks for the ministry of our lay hospital and prison chaplains. As part of the ecumenical prison and hospital teams, these chaplains offer a listening ear, prayer, comfort, worship, sacramental care, or practical pastoral support to people, families, whānau, and staff in times of vulnerability, uncertainty, grief, hope, and decision-making. Their compassionate care helps make visible the presence of Christ and the Church in places where people may be facing some of life’s most difficult moments.

The morning tea also provided an opportunity to congratulate Fou Sio on becoming a Level 2 prison chaplain. This achievement recognises his commitment to ongoing learning and professional development. Fou’s colleagues from the prison chaplain service were also in attendance, and Phil Alexander-Crawford, the Chief Executive of Tira Tūhāhā (Prison Chaplaincy Aotearoa) acknowledged Fou as a valued member of the prison team who brings faith and hope to those he works with.

Thank you chaplains for all you do! 😁🙏

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Photo, from left to right: Fou Sio (chaplain Rimutaka and Arohata Prisons), Phil Alexander-Crawford (CE of Tira Tūhāhā – Prison Chaplaincy Aotearoa), Archbishop Paul, Kate Sanders (chaplain Wellington Hospital) and Stephanie Martin (chaplain Wellington Hospital).

17/08/2026

Become a Grief Support Facilitator

Grief can feel lonely - but understanding it can be the first step toward gentleness.

After the death of his wife of over 50 years, Peter joined our Seasons for Growth programme hoping to better understand grief and learn how to care for himself through such a painful time.
Through the programme, he recognised that withdrawing from others and experiencing bursts of anger can be common grief responses. This helped him let go of self-judgement and meet himself with greater kindness and compassion.

“I left reassured that my grief was a natural response to a profound loss.”

You can help others on their journey through grief, loss and change.

We are inviting people to train as Seasons for Growth facilitators and support adults as they navigate grief, loss and significant change.

Our next two-day facilitator training course is being held on 29 & 30 September. Full cost of the training (including resource material) is $423.25.

With training and support, you can create a safe space where people can understand their experiences, build resilience and discover hope.

Interested in becoming a facilitator? Contact Jess 021 374 405 to find out more or to register your interest: https://cadw.nz/community/seasons-for-growth-adult-facilitator-training-september-2026/

24/07/2026

So good to collaborate with others opposing the Move On Bill.

This week, we joined Catholic Social Services, Archdiocese of Wellington, Catholic Social Services Auckland, and Society of St Vincent de Paul in New Zealand in making an oral submission to the Justice Select Committee opposing the Summary Offences (Move-on Orders) Amendment Bill.

This Bill risks criminalising poverty, homelessness, and visible need, rather than addressing the underlying causes of hardship and distress in our communities.

This submission was an opportunity for Catholic agencies to work together and amplify our shared commitment to human dignity, compassion, and social justice. We now await the Justice Committee’s recommendations before the Bill proceeds to its second reading in New Zealand Parliament.

⬇️Watch the full submission: https://www3.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/scl/justice/news-archive/watch-public-meetings-of-the-justice-committee

24/07/2026

Join our September Facilitator training now!!!!