There’s nothing like adversity to bring people together, and the parishioners of Holy Spirit Parish in the Archdiocese of Wellington, New Zealand, know this only too well, having enjoyed the ecumenical hospitality of their Anglican neighbours since their church was damaged by earthquake.

Fr Dom Flores SVD, who spent the first three months of this year working in the parish, says this ecumenical spirit was one of the many highlights of his time in New Zealand.

Fr Dom, who is in his 80s, and normally resides at the SVD Marsfield community, was in New Zealand, assisting Fr John Quang and filling in for Fr Marlon Maylon who was enjoying his Home Leave.

The Parish of the Holy Spirit in the Archdiocese of Wellington is made up of four churches, following the amalgamation of four parishes at Wainuiomata, Petone, Eastbourne and Waiwhetu, so it is a busy life, says Fr Dom.

“While I was there, I celebrated Sunday Masses, as well as the Seniors Mass on Fridays and I attended the Bible Groups,” he says.

“I also went along to a school Mass, which was great. I gave the kids a reflection after Communion and then they sang a song with me. I love children’s Masses because you can be more informal with them.

“I also enjoyed the Seniors Mass which is followed by coffee. We are in the same age group, so we always have a good time!”

The Church at Wainuiomata was affected by the earthquake and it’s still being renovated, although it’s not far away from being finished.

“In the meantime, we celebrate Mass in the nearby Anglican church on certain days when we need to,” says Fr Dom. “There’s a lovely spirit of ecumenism and friendship there.”

Fr Dom says it was wonderful to go back to New Zealand and see how the Bible Groups which he helped to set up, are going.

“There are four Bible groups in the different areas. Two groups meet on Friday evenings, one group on a Wednesday morning and one group on Thursday evening,” he says.

“During my stay, we celebrated Bible Sunday and all the groups came together for Mass and then we had a fun gathering afterwards, where each group did something special, like sang a Gospel or Bible-based song and then we had a Bible quiz. It was a lot of fun.

“Three months was a long time for me, but I enjoyed it because I liked meeting the people and relating to them on a personal level, and it was good to be able to help out.”

PHOTOS: Fr Dom Flores SVD with parishioners of Holy Spirit Parish, in Wellington Archdiocese, NZ.

TOP: Celebrating Bible Sunday with all four Bible Groups coming together

MIDDLE: Holy Spirit Bible Group meeting

BOTTOM: RCIA candidates and sponsors