It all started with a prayer when one our first parishioners asked our Lord for a church within the Albany area, a church near to the place where he worked, a place where he can celebrate a solemn mass while he is on his break. Few months later it was granted and several years later it grew to what we are now.
John Paul Catholic Community is a very vibrant community located within the peaceful and solemn premises of Massey University in Albany North Shore, a community which was started by few university students with the help and guidance of Father Samuel Pulanco. Initially mass was celebrated in a small room with few students and with some assistance of devoted Catholics. Few months later those few students grew in numbers with the help of other Catholics who were dedicated to build a church. As the parishioners grew in numbers, the celebration of mass was moved to a larger premise which is now on Building 102.
Five years later with lots of trials and hard work here we are gifted with an active community of at least 100 people striving and devoting their time, talent and treasure to fulfil the dream of establishing a church, a place and a community where everybody is welcomed warmly and feel being a part of. Now the community was succeeded by Father Rory Morrissey and it’s as vibrant as ever.
Today while we might lack a physical church we are more established and united in serving our Lord, we are very active in organising and joining activities where we can promote our church, our community and our faith hence we you might have seen our community in events like Father Sam’s A Night to Remember Concert, St. John Paul Community Bingo Socials, Annual St. John Paul Feast Day, Christmas Eve Celebrations and participation to other Auckland Wide Catholic events like Sinulog and Auckland City Stations of the Cross to name some. We also had instituted several church ministries to assist parishioners in their needs and develop a better church organization. There is also a good camaraderie amongst our parishioners where you can see individuals from different nationalities and cultures as well as several religious groups like Couples for Christ, Light of Jesus and Tawag Awit work hand in hand together like true brothers and sisters in Christ.
This church is still quite young but its full of wonderful experiences which we all have learned on, we are still learning every day and we all invite you to be a part of that learning, to be a part of that meaningful journey where we all serve our Lord with a big smile on our faces while enjoying each other’s company, the journey to have that church we all dreamed of.
Listen to why our kids want to celebrate mass at John Paul Catholic Community