To register and pay for this event, please follow these few steps.

  1. Register your name(s) and details then hit “Submit”. If you’re with a spouse, submit the first person, refresh the page and submit the second person, then go on to pay.

  2. Click on one or more of the payment options to pay for your ticket(s) which includes food.

  3. Call the Home of compassion to reserve your accommodation.

SORRY - EVENT IS NOW FULL FOR 2026

EVENT IS FULL/REGO’S FULL FOR 2026 -SEE U NEXT YEAR.

NZ Catholic Medical Association Retreat and Seminar.

“Difficult but possible: finding hope in a hopeless world.”

“the object of hope is a future good, difficult but possible to obtain” St Thomas Aquinas ST 2:2 Q17

Schedule:

St Francis Friary and Retreat Centre 6pm Friday, 20th March to 5 pm, 21 March 2026

Friday 20th March, 6 pm. Registration and light meal finger food.

7 pm Welcome: Dr Joseph Hassan, Cushla Hassan

7.20pm Speaker: Fr Chris Denham

8.30- 930pm Holy Hour with Stations of the Cross and reconciliation

(Saturday 21 March 2026)

8 am Holy Mass

8.45 am Breakfast

9.30 am Fr Chris Denham, retreat focus

10.30 Morning tea

11 am international connection Hosted by Dr. Joseph Hassan, Cushla Hassan RN Elvis Seman (Matercare International) and Dr Eamonn Mathieson (Australian Catholic Medical Association, F.I.A.M.C)

11.40 Introductions – introduce yourself to person beside you (Your name, where you are from, your family, your workplace, why you came)

12.10 Rosary

12.30 Lunch

1.15 pm Retreat and sharing

3 pm Working cuppa - discussing the future of the NZ Catholic Medical Association.

  • Regional Coordinators

  • Proposed rotating national coordinator roles - president (doctor) and either doctor, nurses, midwives helping) sharing the role per 1-2 years

  • Getting a roster organised

3.30 Working in a consistent ethic of life

  • The “Why” of Natural Fertility Awareness – Church teaching, history and relevance today

  • Pregnancy Support Services – Compassionate support for pregnant women who seek help and support for their infant and whanau

  • Compassionate healthcare

4.25 pm Closing Karakia

Themes woven through:

Take up your cross and follow me – 2-3 Catholic health workers share the challenges and joys of living their faith.

The example of Simon of Cyrene. How do we support our fellow pilgrims to carry their cross?

Mental health, psychopathy, evil and empathy – a compassionate approach

Research proposal, seeking support (ethics, research assistants, coordination, funding)

Maternal, Infant and whānau wellbeing

The New Zealand Catholic Medical Association (NZCMA) was founded in 2019 with the support of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference. It aims to support medical practitioners, drawing on the treasures of our faith, especially in regard to the ethical challenges of healthcare today

Proudly Supported by the 12 Baskets Foundation

Address

50 Hillsborough Road,

Hillsborough,

Auckland,

New Zealand 1042

Phone: (64) 09 625 6651

Email: admin@stfrancisretreatcentre.org.nz

 

LAST - ACCOMMODATION

Onsite Accommodation Options: (Additional Cost)

These can easily be booked by calling the St Francis Retreat Centre and asking for a “Catholic Medical retreat pre-booked room) on Phone: 09 625 6651 or
Email: admin@stfrancisretreatcentre.org.nz

Spaces are strictly limited