Indian Community
Over the last few years there has been quite an influx of Indian families joining our Parish of St. Thomas More. In 1988 when Joe & Eva Fernandes arrived in New Zealand, there were just two Indian families – the D’souza and Miranda families, and in 1989 Joe & Jenny Kingham came in from Malawi. After that more and more Indians came in from all over the world - Goa, Bombay, Malawi, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Hong Kong, Dubai, many countries from the Middle East, England etc. The Passionate Group made a huge impact towards making us feel welcome and part of the community. One funny thing many of us recall, is that when we were invited to TEA, we couldn’t understand why 'Tea' was so late in the evening and why we were invited to 'Tea' until later we realized, Tea was actually Dinner. And when we were asked to ‘bring a plate’ – we wondered whether the host did not have sufficient crockery…… 😊
Between 1992-1994, when Fr Philip Sullivan was parish priest, we had about five Indian families. Today, there are more than 40 families most of them young married couples with little children. The majority of them attend the 5:30 p.m. Vigil Mass on Saturdays. It is good to see so many new families coming in and few of them attending daily Mass.
The Indian community has been active in few of the parish events and devotions. We have participated in the various fundraising events namely the well-loved and popular ETHNIC FOOD DAY, THE GREAT GATSBY NIGHT, CHURCH RENOVATION.
The Indian Youth were very active in the Youth Group, participating in St Thomas More Idol with dance and music, in both Christmas and Easter dramas.
We have an Indian Choir that sings at the 10 a.m. Mass every two months. This year we have made a change and will be singing at the Vigil Mass every month since most of the Indians attend this Mass.
More than 15 years ago, we began a Rosary group meeting monthly in homes. But when the group grew larger around the year 2001, the priest at that time, Fr Nettilaus, suggested we meet in the church hall on First Fridays starting with Mass in the Church. Our group is still active and meet monthly on First Fridays for Mass and Rosary and end our evening with shared dinner.
The other devotion that the Indian community lead is the annual Novena to Our Lady of Vailankani (Good Health) from 30th August to 7th September in honour of our Blessed Mother Mary's birthday.
In the Legion of Mary in our parish, we have 4 Indians who meet on Mondays with the other members and make weekly visits to rest homes or participate in other activities
We have some of us who are on the Parish Councils, Liturgy and Finance committee.
St. Thomas More Church is a vibrant, welcoming parish and we are privileged to part of this parish.
Between 1992-1994, when Fr Philip Sullivan was parish priest, we had about five Indian families. Today, there are more than 40 families most of them young married couples with little children. The majority of them attend the 5:30 p.m. Vigil Mass on Saturdays. It is good to see so many new families coming in and few of them attending daily Mass.
The Indian community has been active in few of the parish events and devotions. We have participated in the various fundraising events namely the well-loved and popular ETHNIC FOOD DAY, THE GREAT GATSBY NIGHT, CHURCH RENOVATION.
The Indian Youth were very active in the Youth Group, participating in St Thomas More Idol with dance and music, in both Christmas and Easter dramas.
We have an Indian Choir that sings at the 10 a.m. Mass every two months. This year we have made a change and will be singing at the Vigil Mass every month since most of the Indians attend this Mass.
More than 15 years ago, we began a Rosary group meeting monthly in homes. But when the group grew larger around the year 2001, the priest at that time, Fr Nettilaus, suggested we meet in the church hall on First Fridays starting with Mass in the Church. Our group is still active and meet monthly on First Fridays for Mass and Rosary and end our evening with shared dinner.
The other devotion that the Indian community lead is the annual Novena to Our Lady of Vailankani (Good Health) from 30th August to 7th September in honour of our Blessed Mother Mary's birthday.
In the Legion of Mary in our parish, we have 4 Indians who meet on Mondays with the other members and make weekly visits to rest homes or participate in other activities
We have some of us who are on the Parish Councils, Liturgy and Finance committee.
St. Thomas More Church is a vibrant, welcoming parish and we are privileged to part of this parish.