Pukekaraka Notices (Pānui)
Please note that this will now be held in the main church on Friday, 7th August and will be followed by a shared lunch. (Fr Simi and Fr Beni are in Wellington for a clergy gathering on Friday 31st July).
The Mass and Anointing will be at 11 am and therefore replaces the usual 10 am Mass. All are welcome.
If you know of anyone who might need transport, please let Stephanie know - 021 253 1080 or Mary-Elizabeth - 021 595 695.
6th World Day of Prayer for Grandparents and the Elderly is celebrated worldwide this Sunday.
The theme chosen by Pope Leo XIV is “I will never forget you” (Is 49:15) to remind us that God’s unwavering love is the ultimate answer to the isolation and neglect often experienced by the elderly. It brings comfort and hope, assuring us that the Lord knows each of us personally, forgets no one, and loves us unconditionally, even through the frailties of old age.
A message from the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life, "invites the elderly to celebrate the Day in the joy of feeling like children loved by God, and emphasises that “rediscovering oneself as a child at every age is a call for all the elderly to deepen their vocation and to feel—in every season of life—that they are living members of the Christian community and co-responsible for its mission”.
Congratulations and blessings to Pa David Gledhill, who is part of our Marist Community, on his 60 years of Ordination today.
May God bless you on your wonderful, loyal service in the Priesthood.
- There will be a St. Vincent de Paul Collection this week for refugees. The government has allocated 1500 spaces for this year, and these will begin in July. Levin is one of the communities they go to. Otaki Vinnes contributes by providing them with pantry packs to set up their kitchens.
HE WĀ AROARO TANE
Thursday 2nd July 4-8pm. In Hine
A time for men to get together, listen to some input and reflect on that.
4 pm start (after work) with soup break and finish by 8pm
Some leaflets in foyer
If interested contact Fr Phil (
Ōtaki Public Housing Group has come together from a shared concern for the lack of public housing for people in our area. We believe this is a key election issue and want to raise public awareness and political commitment for more public housing. Our vision is "All whānau have decent housing because housing is a right and housing changes lives".
It is fundamental to Catholic Social Teaching where a home is more than physical shelter; it is the foundation where a person's deepest identity is formed and family life flourishes. It is essential for human dignity and family life, that both society and the state ensure equitable access to shelter for everyone.
Ōtaki Public Housing Group has set up an online petition to make this an election issue calling all political parties to commit to:
- Build enough public housing in Kapiti starting with Ōtaki.
- Support community and iwi-led housing solutions.
- Treat decent homes as essential infrastructure.
- Commit to long-term, cross-party solutions.
Please consider signing the petition – follow the link https://www.publichousingfutures.com/otaki?hl=en-NZ
More information can be found on the petition page and in an article titled “A housing system that is failing Kāpiti whānau” in Otaki Today (14th Apr 2026) by Tara D’Souza.
Encyclical Letter Magnifica Humanitas of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV On Safeguarding the himan person in the time of artificial intelligence.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available after the 10:00 am Mass on Thursdays from now until further notice.
Cleaners needed for the Mother Church: Now that the Mother Church has reopened and been professionally cleaned, we need more people to help with the cleaning. Please ring Irene on 027 618 7535
Sunday 1st February is the first Miha Māori of the year. We will be welcoming Pā Hemi Ropata SM, Ngāti Huia ki Katihiku, and his whānau to Pukekaraka. Pā Hemi will be the celebrant and will be assisted by Pā Rawiri Gledhill, Pā Piripi Cody & Pā Pita Healy. Following Miha, refreshments will be prepared for our manuwhiri and Pukekaraka community in the church foyer. We ask that our Pukekaraka community provide kai.
Come, hear about everyday life under occupation and his encounters with refugees, humanitarians, Palestinian Christians, Bedouin communities, and more.
Cole is speaking in Ōtaki next Thursday, the 20th, at the Memorial Hall at 7:45pm. Please invite your friends and come along.
The Ecology Justice and Peace Commission is running a Webinar on 18 November to mark World Day of the Poor.
Click on https://www.wn.catholic.org.nz/about/commission-for-ecology for more information
2026 Columban Calendars are available now, for $16 from Stephanie.
Passionist Family Groups – Formation Day & Shared Lunch (PFG) is holding a Formation Day and shared lunch on Monday, 24 November, at St Joseph’s Centre in Levin (behind the church) at 11:00 am. This gathering is a wonderful opportunity to come together with other groups for fellowship, formation, and to deepen our understanding of how we can ‘be there for others’ and build a place of welcome and belonging in our Pukekaraka community. All are warmly invited. Anyone needing a ride, please, contact Stephanie.
This Sunday is the World Day of the Poor. St Vincent de Paul invites everyone to bring along a couple of cans of food or other non-perishable items. These donations will go to the SVDP Food Bank in Levin, which supports Otaki & Levin people in need when they need assistance.
Our Remembrance Tree will be set up in the sanctuary during November, and all are invited to write the names of deceased loved ones on a leaf to tie to the tree. These whanau and friends will be remembered in our Masses and weekday liturgies throughout November.