Liz Roche
CWLANZ International Secretary

CWLANZ National Conference was held in Auckland last week over two and a half days, with seventy six women attending. All five Diocese were represented, and our numbers included four Catholic Women’s League members from Australia.

The first day began with a powhiri - a traditional Maori welcoming ceremony which is both formal and spiritual, involving speeches, songs and physical gestures to welcome visitors, build connections and foster unity.

Our first guest speaker was the Vicar for Maori, Manuel Beazley, who gave an interesting and enlightening talk on his experience as a participant at the Synod, and the Journey so far. The highlight for him was a face to face meeting with Pope Francis, and a chance encounter with the then Cardinal of Chiclayo, Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV.

Manuel emphasised the importance of “Conversations in the Spirit” and outlined the ongoing process and implementation of the Final Document of the Synod. He encouraged our continued involvement, awareness and prayers for this gift we have been given from the late Pope Francis.

We were extremely fortunate to be able to welcome our second guest speaker, Dr. Rocio Figueroa, a Catholic theologian now based in Auckland, but who spent many years working at the Vatican and is known to the WUCWO Board. Dr. Figueroa led us through the history of women in the early Church, from the women known to Jesus, and with New Testament verses showing how women were prophets, “house leaders”, deaconesses. She then shared her vision of Mary and asked us to see Mary “with the eyes of a woman” and a renewed view of Mary.

Another important guest speaker was Women's Refuge Tāmaki Makaurau manager Linda Thompson who runs one of the nation's largest refuges for women and their children escaping family violence. She shared her personal story and work at the Refuge and what is offered to women escaping violent relationships. The National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges is our “At Home” appeal for 2025, and money raised will assist with specific needs of women and children. The Conference attendees voted to support the Coalition to End Women’s Homelessness in Aotearoa New Zealand, by submitting a recommendation to Parliament and the responsible Ministers for Housing.

Conference attendees had been requested to knit suitable garments for the local neo-natal unit and Women’s Refuge. The number of items exceeded all expectations, all beautifully “crafted with love” and will be gratefully received by the organisations.

The business of the Conference was conducted in a timely and concise fashion, with Diocesan reports highlighted in a lighthearted way with poems and “skits”, but still conveying the immense amount of work undertaken.

Likewise reports from the National Mission Secretary, and the National Social Concerns Officer and myself as International Secretary were presented, along with visual displays and information.

A Liturgy for the Deceased members was held, and Conference Mass was held at the conclusion of the second day concelebrated by Bishop Browne, Fr. Peter Farrant and Fr Anthony Malone. Daily prayers and reflections brought our focus to our Faith, a central point for us all to help us in our Service.

Our faith and service as members of the Church was enriched by a talk by Fr. Anthony Malone on “Acolytes, Lectors and Catechists, and the importance of adequate formation of “instituted ministers” as a whole new vision of Church is being developed, to grow the Kingdom of God.

The time spent at Conference was beneficial in so many ways, from the happy and friendly atmosphere, waiata (maori songs), by making and renewing friendships, confirming our Motto of Faith and Service, feeling energised and renewed, and knowing we are loved and blessed by God.

As our new theme for the next two years reminds us, we are “Women of Hope - Nga Wahine Tumanaka”.