This choir and music group are a group of families and friends who have come together to use their gifts in support of the convention and for the glory of God. Soloists (Saturday afternoon) Jess and Mya Rogers, Kate Brannigan, and Eli Moore Our soloists are all professionally trained and multi talented. Combining their talents as singers, pianists, guitarists and composers, they will perform for you as a witness to the goodness of God in their lives. Children’s Choir (Sunday afternoon) This choir is made up primarily of the children from the choir of Holy Family Parish in Te Atatu (Michael Loretz – conductor) joining with other
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Diane Foley, whose son was murdered last August, forgave Emwazi. “It saddens me – his continued hatred,” she told The Times. “He felt wronged, now we hate him – now that just prolongs the hatred. We need to end it. Ms Foley added: “As a mum, I forgive him. You know, the whole thing is tragic.”   “The “blood of martyrs” is already uniting divided Christian communities, as the indiscriminate persecution and murder of Christians worldwide has shown. Those who hate and target Christians are not interested in finding out whether they are Lutheran or Methodist, it is enough that
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Kitty talks about why she does what she does….. “If I had to boil down the essence of what I feel called to do, it is to encourage people—whether through singing, storytelling, or teaching from the great Catholic spiritual writers and my own life experience. Tears in the audience (and occasionally from me) are not uncommon, and I consider them sacred. My audiences and I also laugh a lot, which I consider to be a true gift of the Holy Spirit. These audiences range from women’s prayer breakfasts like Magnificat, to Catholic leadership groups like Legatus, to retreats and large regional
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Under the maternal leadership of Susana Fiu Fetalai the Mother of Mercy Divine Refuge Group will be leading our singing at the convention Masses and assisting wherever else they see a need.  For the last two years their assistance has been invaluable – we welome them back on board again this year with open arms! Here’s a little about their leader Susana – she is the reason the group exists The message is heard loud and clear when Susana Fiu Fetalai counsels a family stuck in a cycle of violence. That’s because she’s lived through it. Mrs Fiu Fetalai has
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Father Paul has been good enough to give of his time to come to our conventions on many occasions over the years.   In the early days he spoke about the work both his brother Tony, also a Marist priest, and himself were involved in reconciling the peoples of Japan and Australia following the terrible events that took place during the second world war. Father Paul introduced us to Dame Jan Ruff O’Herne who was a sex slave for the Japanese during the war who told of the plight of her and other young women who were treated very harshly at
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Christine Bell holds the vision to open a residential House of Welcome for men in New Zealand who are struggling in life whether from depression, anxiety, addiction or other presentation. Christine has recently lived with communities in Italy who have successfully operated in this ministry and has witnessed first hand the miraculous transformation of these men as they follow the two-three year residential programme. She is working to open a similar community, St Philomena House, on a ‘farmlet’ in the wider Auckland area, prior to Christmas 2016. Christine is excited to share the progress to date and will present a
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Either Colleen, Michelle or both of them together will give us an update of how things are going with their work of saving the most venerable in our society; innocent babies.  This will take place after the opening Mass of the Friday evening of our convention and is always a highlight of the weekend. Colleen Bayer is the National Director, Family Life International NZ Colleen established Family Life International NZ in 1992. Inspired by the late Fr Paul Marx (the great Apostle of Life, she realised the need for a pro-life, pro-family organisation in New Zealand which addressed all the
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Philip, whose singing talent was made known to us during the year, is the son of Brian and Barbara Hines who are well known in many areas of lay involvement in the Catholic Church in the Auckland Diocese. We are delighted to be able to welcome Philip onto our guest list this year and look forward to his contribution with eager anticipation. John Porteous  
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Mark is the the Senatus President of the Legion of Mary for New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga and Nuie. He has found his calling working within the Legion. He is very aware that all Catholics are called to be witnesses for the Lord. What better way to fulfil this mission but through the Mother of God, Mary. Mark plays the organ at St. Joseph’s Parish in Grey Lynn and helps with the Catechism programme at Holy Family Church in Te Atatu, and for fun he starts up Legion groups throughout the parishes in Auckland. Mark is married to Annemarie and they
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Father Andrew is Parish Priest of Holy Family Parish in Te Atatu, Auckland City.  He is also spiritual director to the Senatus of the Legion of Mary. Father Andrew will talk about the objective of the Legion of Mary, some topics may include: The Legion of Mary Altar Mary Mediatrix of all Graces The Legion of Mary and St Patrick St Louis Maria De Montfort – The True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin What is Faith? The Spirit of Generosity Assumption of Mary The Spiritual life of Mary after the Ascension of Jesus Who is the Virgin Mary to You?
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