Mission Statement of Our Parish
We, the Catholic Community of the Holy Cross Parish, Henderson, empowered by the Holy Spirit, accept and proclaim the Good News and strive to be one in God’s love and to be of service to others.
About our Parish
In the 1880’s Priests from the Avondale Parish said Masses in the local Catholic houses in Swanson and Henderson. In about 1900 the first Western district church was built in Swanson. On the 6th of August 1911 Henderson officially received its first Catholic Church.
The little wooden building was later extended and on the 16th September 1923 the Church was dedicated to the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The parish was established as an independent parish in 1940, covering the areas of Hobsonville, Whenuapai, Massey, Swanson and Henderson. A new and larger brick building, replacing the small wooden one was opened and blessed on 20th November 1960. The interior of which was changed in 1973.
A new church in Ranui, dedicated to St Malachy, was officially opened and blessed by Archbishop Liston in 1966.
In 1967 the Massey Parish was established, which now covers part of our former parish.
Parish Locality
Our parish is a constituent parish of the Catholic Diocese of Auckland. To find out about our parish boundaries, please contact the Parish Office.
Our Parish Personnel
Our parish is served by the Capuchin Friars, an autonomous branch of the Order of Friars Minor, founded by St Francis of Assisi. The Capuchin community lives in the Friary next to the school in 14 Lavelle Road, Henderson.
A Parish Administrator is now operating from the parish office at 2 Lavelle Road from 9:30am to 12:30pm Tuesday to Friday.
You can contact them on (09) 835 3355 or by email:
Parish Administrator secretary@hendersoncatholic.org.nz
Our Parish Pastoral Council
The purpose of our Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) is to enrich the quality of parish life and provide opportunity for parishioners to:
* Proclaim the good news of God’s love throughout the world
* Invite more people into the community of disciples
* Encourage the whole community to grow in holiness
* Transform the world until the justice, peace and love of God’s reign prevail
* Build community, serve the people of God in the parish
To work together with the Parish Priest and Pastoral Assistants, to set clear goals and to help achieve the parish general mission.
Membership and Composition
The Parish Pastoral Council consists of the Priest, assistant Priests, Pastoral assistants and elected members from the Annual General meeting (AGM) of parishioners, held each year in February or March. Also representatives of ethnic communities plus representatives of organizations or standing committees recognized in our parish: Caring Community, Finance, Social Justice, Legion of Mary, Liturgy, Passionist Family Groups, The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), The Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC), Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD), St Vincent de Paul Society and Works and Maintenance. Including some appointed directly by the Parish Priest after consultation with the Parish Pastoral Council.
Terms of Office, Meetings and Executive
Meetings are held on each first Thursday of the month in the parish office. Members serve at least two years to ensure continuity. The executive consists of the Parish Priest, the Chair, Vice-Chair and the Secretary.