Our People - "Behold, the Lamb of God, behold Him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb."
Parish Priest - Father Philip Billing
Father Philip arrived in the Parish 6th September 2019.
I was ordained in St Mary Immaculate Church Hamilton on 20th September 2002. In 2016 I spent time in Melbourne studying at the Heart of Life Spirituality Centre, completing the "Siloam' programme, a one year formation programme for Spiritual Directors.
Assistant Parish Priest - Father Arnold Punzalan
Arrived in the Parish 23rd January 2020, from the Philippines.
Deacon Ricky Kuka
Tena tatou katoa. Tenei te mihi atu ki a koutou ra i runga i te aroha o to tatou Ariki. Noku te honore ki te mihi atu i tenei wa.
I am most privileged to be chosen by God to serve His people as a Deacon. I hail from Te Puna where I live with my wife Donna, and I have five brothers and one sister. My primary school years were at St Joseph’s Convent in Te Puna, and my secondary schooling was at Hato Petera College in Auckland.
Kia ora tatou! Ma te Atua e tiaki i a tatou katoa i nga wa katoa.
Margie Cooper
Parish Administration:
I feel blessed to be a part of the Parish of St Thomas Aquinas community and to be working alongside Father Philip and Father Arnold. Attending a Catholic Primary school I grew up having close connections with the Parish Community. I am a member of All Saints by-the-Sea Parish (St Thomas More Church), am married to Carl and have had a long association with St Mary’s School and Aquinas College through our children. It has been an absolute privilege to serve as a past Proprietor’s Representative on the Aquinas College Board of Trustees for some years.
Mark Hassett
I am fortunate to be part of the St Thomas Aquinas Parish staff. I have been part of the Diaconate formation programme since 2019 and our studies should conclude towards the end of this year. On the 11th of July 2021, myself and two other men were installed as Acolytes in Taupo by Bishop Steve.
I am married to Alison and have three sons. We immigrated from South Africa in 2009 and settled in Hamilton. We moved to Tauranga in 2011 with our youngest son Dylan, who attended Aquinas College. We joined the St Thomas More Church until we moved to McLaren Falls. We have been members of St Thomas Aquinas Parish since 2013.
I am a cradle catholic, I attended Christian Brothers College in Bloemfontein for thirteen years.
I am currently studying part -time at Bethlehem Tertiary Institute, doing a Bachelor of Counselling degree.
Wendy Showan
Parish Pastoral Coordinator:
Wendy comes to the Parish bringing experience in Chaplaincy and pastoral care. She has ministered in the fields of Hospital, NZ Police, and Fire & Emergency Chaplaincy and in pastoral care in a parish setting. Born in England, Wendy and her family emigrated to New Zealand in 1975 coming first to Te Awamutu, then moving to Hamilton, Auckland and finally, in the early 1980’s, to Tauranga. Currently, one son is in Wales with his family, two are in Auckland with their families and one is in Napier with his.
Wendy joined the parish just over a year ago and is looking forward to taking up her new role as the Parish Pastoral Coordinator and the opportunities it will bring for her to get to know many more of you.
Leanne Brooks
Hospital Chaplain:
Hi, I’m Leanne Brooks and I am the Catholic hospital chaplain based at Tauranga Hospital.
It’s a great privilege and I feel very blessed to be in this role, as I become involved in the spiritual care of patients in hospital.
Being in hospital can truly be a stressful time not only for the patient but also for family and loved ones, so please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like me to visit, or if you would simply like a listening ear!
A bit about me: I have until recently lived in Christchurch, and moved to Tauranga with my husband Hamish and our daughter Hannah – and we are loving it! I have worked in health and was previously working at Christchurch and Burwood hospitals, which I really enjoyed.
For me my heart has always been my compass, and my heart is fully about caring for people. It’s about being available to help people in a time of need and to help them understand their situation - this is something so very special.
Please say hi and know I am only too happy to come visit you or a loved one should you come into the hospital. You can telephone the Parish Office at 578 6209, or telephone me on 0210563326.
Parish Pastoral Council Members:
Father Philip
TBA(Chair)
Clare Kowalewski
Shona Woodhead
Clare Sokimi
Gavin Hesqua
Parish Finance Committee:
Father Philip, Ashley Hayes (Chairman), Andrew Burn, Brendon Bradley.
"In each parish there is a finance committee to help the parish priest in the administration of the goods of the parish..." (Canon Law, p.537)
Parish Contacts and Organisations
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Parish Priest
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Father Philip Billing
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578 6209
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frphilip@taurangamoanacatholic.nz
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Assistant Priest
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Father Arnold
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578 6209
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frarnold@taurangamoanacatholic.nz |
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Parish Administration
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Margie Cooper
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578 6209
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027 649 0549
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office@taurangamoanacatholic.nz
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Parish Pastoral Coordinator
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Wendy Showan
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pastoralcoordinator@taurangamoanacatholic.nz
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Parish Lay Worker
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Mark Hassett
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578 6209
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markhassett@taurangamoanacatholic.nz
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Parish Finance
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Ashley Hayes
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578 5190
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021 634 786
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sartorial@kinect.co.nz
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Parish Pastoral Council (Chair)
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TBA |
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parishcouncil@taurangamoanacatholic.nz
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| Cluny Retreat Centre |
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578 5220 |
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clunyretreatcentre@gmail.com |
| Youth Group Contact |
TBA
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Matakana Island Catholic Community
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Mark & Demita Ngatai
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578 7638
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027 210 1296
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Deacon
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Ricky Kuka
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552 4149
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rickodonna@xtra.co.nz
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Organists (Coordinator)
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Viviene Stefadouros
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544 7271
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027 453 2766
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tomandviv@xtra.co.nz
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Sacramental Programme
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Please contact Parish office
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Aquinas College Principal
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Matthew Dalton
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543 2400
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mdalton@aquinas.school.nz
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Aquinas College D.R.S.
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Susan Van Zyl /
Leon Roberson
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543 2400
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svanzyl@aquinas.school.nz
lroberson@aquinas.school.nz
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St Mary’s Primary School Principal
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James Murray
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578 8066
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jmurray@stmarystga.school.nz
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St Mary’s Primary School D.R.S.
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TBA
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578 8066
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trush@stmarystga.school.nz
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R.C.I.A. (Becoming Catholic)
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Katherine Abbott
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020 41547782
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katherineabbott1994@gmail.com
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Baptism Preparation
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Parish Office
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578 6209
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office@taurangamoanacatholic.nz
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St Vincent de Paul
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Shop - Tauranga
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578 8218
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Welfare Office
(Lorna Edlin)
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578 3814
Ex. 2
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021 047 7144 |
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Helpline
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021 0298 7817
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Catholic Family Support Services
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07 8563760
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referrals@cfss.org.nz
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Marriage Preparation
Marriage Preparation (Hamilton Diocese)
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For Tauranga Moana / TBA
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07 8566989
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marriagepreparation@cdh.org.nz
or visit: www.cdh.org.nz/marriage
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