“A larger parish does not mean a loss of community, it calls for a deeper commitment to build communities of prayer, support, formation, where people come to know and care for one another, and grow together in faith.”
The words were among many uplifting reflections shared by Archbishop Paul Martin at Garin College on Sunday, as he and hundreds from Nelson Tasman’s growing Catholic community marked the amalgamation of seven local churches into the newly formed St John Paul II Parish.
The historic and joyful occasion brought together parishioners from the former Holy Family and Our Lady of the Bays parishes, with candles, incense, the breaking of bread, hymns, entertainment, and the commissioning of a new pastoral parish council and parish priest, Father Andrew Kim.
The seven churches now coalescing are St Mary’s in Nelson and St Francis of Assisi in Stoke, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Richmond, Sts Peter and Paul near Appleby, St Joseph’s in Wakefield, St Peter Chanel in Motueka, and Sacred Heart in Tākaka.
Nelson Tasman sits within the Archdiocese of Wellington, and Paul told parishioners that while it was natural to feel some ambivalence about change, the new parish was about “strengthening the mission of the church in this region”.
“We stand on the shoulders of those who had gone before us, we think especially of those early missionaries who brought the gospel to this part of our country… and from those early beginnings, communities grew, and over time, parishes were established,” he told the Mass.
“Now we come to another chapter in that story… by coming together as one parish, you are being invited to share your resources more fully, to support one another more effectively, and to create new opportunities for faith to grow.
“As you take on this new identity, I encourage you to take seriously the mission that comes with that name [St John Paul II]. Be a parish that is not afraid, that goes out, that welcomes people and is a parish that forms people in faith, young and old alike.”
Plans are in place for a new 500‑seat church to be built on the Garin College grounds to serve the amalgamated parish’s more than 1100 parishioners.
An agreement has been reached between the college board and the Archdiocese of Wellington for the site, with funding and project management options currently being explored.
The larger church will mean St Francis of Assisi and Our Lady of Perpetual Help will close.
