Catholic Enquiry Centre celebrates 50 years

A celebration will be held in each diocese to mark 50 years of the Catholic Enquiry Centre’s service in New Zealand. The diocesan bishop and Father Allan Jones SM, Director of the Catholic Enquiry Centre (CEC), will speak at the events, which will be held on a Sunday afternoon in July or August.
A main feature of the celebrations will be a display of art works from local parishioners and senior Catholic school students who entered the CEC ‘Faith in Art’ competition. The theme was ‘Jesus proclaims the Kingdom of God: “Repent and believe the Gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15; Matthew 4:12-17).

Around 100 entries were received for the nationwide competition, sponsored by the CEC to celebrate its 50th Jubilee. Diocesan judging is taking place early in July with the national finals to be held in Wellington on 16 July. There were two categories – ‘Years 12 & 13 students from Catholic Schools’ and ‘Anyone from the Catholic Parishes of New Zealand’. The winner of each category will receive $1000 and the two winning artworks will become part of the CEC’s permanent collection. All artworks entered will be returned to the artists’ dioceses in time for display in the jubilee events.

Fr Jones SM, says the principles underpinning the CEC have not changed in 50 years.

“Since its beginning in 1961 the principles of priests and people working together in faith, placing advertisements, recording responses and mailing the “free and confidential course” of booklets have remained intact,” he says.

“We use today’s technology and expertise in their various forms, but we remember that the handing on of the Gospel is done by the Holy Spirit working through people of faith. Technology and expertise are at the service of this holy work”.

Diocesan Celebrations

Wellington 24 July, 2-5pm
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
Hill St, Wellington

Palmerston North 31 July, 2-5pm
Diocesan Centre
33 Amesbury St, Palmerston North

Dunedin 7 August, 2-5pm
Catholic Pastoral Centre
300 Rattray St, Dunedin

Christchurch 14 August, 2-5pm
St Bede’s College
Main North Rd, Papanui, Christchurch

Hamilton 21 August, 2-5pm
Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary
494 Grey St, Hamilton

Auckland 28 August, 2-5pm
St Columba Centre
40 Vermont St, Ponsonby, Auckland

For more information contact

Fr Allan Jones SM
Director, Catholic Enquiry Centre
Email. info@catholicenquiry.org.nz
Phone. 0800 FATHER or 0800 328 437
Website. www.catholicenquiry.org.nz