Hallelujah: New Catholic mission centre planned for Napier

St Patrick's Catholic Church. Photo / File

Napier Catholic parishioners could soon be enjoying a new Catholic administration and mission centre.

Recently, the Catholic Parish of Napier stated that since the demolition of the old presbytery and office in 2015, there had been no day-to-day physical presence of clergy or office staff on the St Patrick's Catholic Church site in Napier.

The aim was that the new facility would be not only an office, but "a mission centre where people are offered hospitality".

Concept plans were presented to the three Napier parish communities of St Patrick's, St Thomas More and St Mary's earlier this year and some 250-300 people attended the presentations.

According to the newsletters, the concept design seemed to have the support of all parishioners. The diocese was also "very happy" with what was being proposed.

"At the moment we do not have a facility to welcome and offer hospitality to visitors [to Napier and Clive Square], as well as to the many local groups who meet in the Hannigan Centre."

A project manager was engaged, discussions had started with the local council on resource and building consents and the architect was working on preliminary designs drawings.

The drawings are meant to allow the quantity surveyor to provide an accurate estimate of the cost.

When this work has progressed, another parish meeting will be appropriate, the newsletter stated.

The church is expected to be in a better position in early 2020 to arrange a parish meeting and present detailed costs.

Previously faithful parishioners had been a presence at the site and welcomed visitors to the city at the foyer of the church on weekday mornings in summer.

But the absence of clergy and office staff day-to-day has "had a real effect on the St Patrick's community and also on our Catholic presence in the city", the newsletter stated.