Nearly 1000 Catholics celebrate inaugural Mass

FULL HOUSE: Parishioners pack St John's College gym for the first unified catholic Mass. PHOTO/WARREN BUCKLAND

A special Mass to launch the unification of three Hastings Catholic parishes into one was held at St John's College yesterday.

The inaugural Mass for the combined parishes of Heretaunga Plains drew almost 1000 Catholics.

The celebrant for the service was Bishop Charles Drennan, the second Catholic Bishop of Palmerston North.

The move to unify follows the amalgamation of the three parishes of St Mary's, St Patrick's and St Thomas More, presently celebrating Mass at the combined parish's temporary site at St Mary's in Greenmeadows.

The move to create one single parish in Napier began just over a year ago in the wake of a fall in the number of clergy, and drop in people attending church.

A local parishioner said the Mass was "wonderful" and the entire service ran smoothly.

He said the parishes - Sacred Heart, St Peter Chanel, Our Lady of Lourdes and Immaculate Conception - would now run under the same umbrella.

Each previously had its own committee.

He said unifications were taking place across the country.

The St John's feast day Mass will be celebrated at 10.30am on Thursday at Sacred Heart Church.