The Eucharistic Convention

2012

The schedule for this convention is configured to support the Catholic Parishes of the Diocese of Auckland. To that end we have mainly adoration and Holy Masses before lunch and the majority of presentations in the afternoon. In this way Aucklanders can still attend their own parish weekly celebrations if they want to then make their way to the convention venue to hear what we have on offer in the afternoons.

While this event is hosted in the Auckland Roman Catholic Diocese of New Zealand where we get a lot of support from local attendees, we also attract people from Australia, the Pacific and countries far and wide. This year we have two online registrations from Angola of all places - these Angolans can't wait to get here they are truly excited about joining us for a fantastic weekend.

People have different expectations form a weekend such as this. Some must participate in everything on offer, they are there at the very start on Friday night and don't want to miss any part of the programme until the curtain drops late Sunday afternoon. Others prefer to select what they want to participate in some preferring to hear just one speaker - this is fine by us.

Those wanting to make a mini-mission or retreat of the weekend will be there for the Holy Hours between 8am and 9am where the scene is set for the day ahead. Those not wanting to attend the Holy Hours are part of them anyway because all attendees intentions are remembered during this special time.

Holy Masses each day are immediately before lunch from 10.15am to 11.45am. This time-frame has been selected to allow plently of time for the beautiful liturgies that are part of the convention to be experienced in a manner befitting the nature of the celebration. Should it happen that the Mass continues past 11.45am we can be certain all will be concluded by noon.

As has always been the case we will celebrate the Divine Mercy devotion in a special way on Sunday. It is to be noted that it is not necessary for people to go to the sacrament of reconciliation on the Sunday to fulfil any obligation. As Father Morrissey has explained previously so long as you go reconciliation as per the recomendation of the Church all obligations are fulfilled. Therefore can I suggest to people that they celebrate the sacrament in their own parishes over the lenten season and before coming to the convention. This will do two things; 1) fulfil the obligation and 2) take the pressure off the priests at our convention who are often lean in numbers.

What we could do well to understand is that the Holy Spirit touches people in a special way at this event. There are countless stories told about people who have had life-changing conversions at the convention; I must say it happens every year. It is these people who have the most need to participate in the sacrament of reconciliation 'on site' so to speak. Please consider this aspect carefully.

Thanks for taking the time to consider these matters. We are to have a very special weekend mid April - I certainly hope you can join us.

John Porteous

See Programme here.