First Week of School of Mission 2016: Bonding Week

The participants of the school of mission got a taste of the school in the bonding week. It was a time of getting to know each other and was the beginning of forming new friendships. Each had an opportunity to share their different life stories and also their individual call to the mission school.

The week also consisted of a lot of games, a picnic day and a music jamming session. The games were a time for the participants to discover their inner child as some of the games involved their artistic skill in drawing and acting on the spot and some others involved water where they had to think on their feet.

The participants got to explore a bit of Wellington and surrounding scenic areas as we spent time at Rivendell in Kaitoke Regional Park followed by sport at Avalon Park and spent some time enjoying the view from the Mt Victoria lookout.

The Jamming session was a way to let loose, to sing and give thanks to God with one’s whole being. We saw the participants enjoyed praising God with their voices and musical instruments, some even trying their hands on certain musical instruments for the first time.

The bonding week was indeed a time for the participants and the staff to get closer to each other and work to the goal of being rooted in Christ by being ourselves and loving each other the way Christ has called us to.

Testimony of one of the Participants of the School: 

My highlight was the picnic with everyone in the community. I felt that through this bonding week, I was able to settle in comfortably. I didn’t feel like a stranger as everyone were very friendly and generous. It also helped me to get to know each of them as a personal level through their life stories. It made me feel like home and I am now prepared for the upcoming week of teaching. I know that I am in a safe and secure place where I can seek God earnestly with all my heart. 

– Louisa Cyprinus

SCHOOL OF MISSION 2016: OPENING

Excitement was in the air as the participants of the School of Mission (SOM) arrived in Wellington to embark on a 20-week journey to see what God has in store for them. Hailing from nine different nations, with varying cultures and languages they have some to make St. Gerard’s their homes for the next 5 months. Each of them having left their families, friends, careers, homes for something far greater than what this world could offer i.e. to be rooted and built up in Christ’s love for them. The theme for this year’s School of Mission being, “I Have Called You by Name” (Col 2:7).





Cardinal John Dew, the archbishop of Wellington welcomed the participants at the Opening Mass on World Mission Sunday 2016 addressing the participants with words of wisdom, encouragement and comfort. He reassured the participants saying that though things may not be comfortable at the start with having to adapt to new surroundings, at the end, this place would feel like home because of the hospitality they would receive here. He prayed that at the end of the School of Mission their hearts will be touched with the love of God and will have grown up as a people on mission.





The day continued with the Sunday congregation moving to the lawn of St Gerard’s Monastery on a beautiful sunny day for fellowship over finger food. It was as if Wellington put on its best weather to welcome our SOM participants. The celebrations continued in the evening with a formal agape meal as the staff prepared a sumptuous meal for the participants as we endeavor to live as one ICPE NZ Mission Community.









We look forward to what God will unfold in the lives of these participants in the months to come. Do keep us in your prayers too.

Opening Mass of School of Mission

23rd Oct at 10:30 am

at 75 Hawker St, Mt. Victoria, Wellington. 

Come join us as we celebrate the opening mass of the 5-month School of Mission along with participants from ten different countries who are embarking on this new journey to deepen their relationship with God. The Main celebrant will be Cardinal John Dew. 

All are welcome to attend. 

New Plymouth Outreach - 9-11 Sept 2016

The 9^th -11^th of September 2016, saw a team from ICPE Mission NZ go to New Plymouth for an outreach with the parishioners at Our Lady Help of Christians (OLHC), as well as have a day’s retreat for the Year 9 girls from Sacred Heart Girls College.

At the college, the team shared with the girls the understanding that they are God’s beloved ones. True love costs and God shows just how much we are loved when He sacrificed His son for us. Personal life stories were shared with the fundamental encouragement that the girls should not find their identity from the people around them. Instead, their truest identity is from the Lord.

At the Church of OLHC, we had the opportunity to meet some young adults and to encourage them to have a relationship with Jesus; we reflected on growing in that relationship as they were encouraged to spend more time with God through reading the scriptures and going for the sacraments.

The Friday evening session at OLHC church was a time of reaching out to the wounded of the church. To acknowledge that as wounded people we hurt others, but all are able to receive the mercy of God. With the call to be instruments of healing to others, the parishioners went through a time of  ‘Lazarus ministry’ during which individuals spent some time in silence being bound up followed then by the community calling each one out and unwrapping them. It was indeed a beautiful time of healing.

The following day, we focused more on the mercy of God, who just like the father of the prodigal son, has great compassion for His children. Our God is a just God, and by His justice, we should all go to the cross for our sins. It was not cheap grace that cost God His only Son as we have been bought with a heavy price. And just as our Heavenly Father is merciful, so must we, the Church be merciful. In the encouragement to be the fifth gospel to those around us, the spiritual and corporal works of mercy was shared and discussed among those gathered. Later in the afternoon it was time to empower the parishioners to live mercifully and reach out with the good news in the power of the Spirit. We ended with a time of adoration to empower all those who were in attendance.

 

We are truly grateful for this opportunity and continue to pray for the people of New Plymouth to rise up and grow deeper in their relationship with God.

"THE JOY OF MARRIED LOVE" - A Weekend Retreat for the Married and To-be-married

The ICPE Mission New Zealand announces a special retreat for those married and to-be-married entitled "THE JOY OF MARRIED LOVE". The retreat will include time of worship, testimonies, animated talks on married life and times of fellowship.

Date & Time: Saturday,1st October 2016: 10 am - 5pm
                      Sunday, 2nd October 2016: 2.30 pm - 6 pm

A Koha will be taken at the end of the day to support the needs of the mission. Child minding will be provided during the sessions.

To register email us at new-zealand@icpe.org OR call us at 04-8017797.

Jesus Youth Outreach in Hamilton - 4-7 Aug 2016

“Those who trust in the Lord for help will find their strength renewed. They will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak.” - Isaiah 40:31

When I recall the outreach with Jesus Youth where I was part of the ICPE music ministry, the above scripture came to mind.

They came together for the retreat even if they had to drive from far off towns just a few hours!

I witnessed their passion, thirst and hunger for God as well as their openness and Joy. It was a long journey to Hamilton but each one of us experienced great joy including our littlest missionary Xavier ! 

We experienced God’s anointing over our lives despite a few challenges that we faced.We thank the Lord for all He has done for us during this retreat and for their warm hearts that welcomed us. May the Lord bless them and keep them always alive in the Spirit!