A youtube video based on Fr Bernie Hehir's St Teresas parish history below.. Read by Bernard O'Brien, edited by David Ross
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Fr Joy Thottankara is the parish priest for the Catholic Parish of Ōtari which includes St Teresa’s Church in Karori. (St Thomas More Church in Wilton has been closed) iHe formally commenced his pastoral duties and ministry at St Teresa’s Church at the beginning of the 2024 liturgical year. Prior to leading the Karori parish, he served in ministries across the Lower Hutt area and spent time working abroad
- St Thomas More Church, Wilton, held its final Mass on 🕊️ Sunday, 1 September 2024
- This was a deeply significant moment for the Wilton Catholic community. Parishioners gathered for one last celebration of the Eucharist in the church that had served them for more than 60 years.
- The final Mass was marked by:
- a full church with long‑time parishioners, families, and former members returning
- prayers of thanksgiving for the generations who worshipped there
- acknowledgement of baptisms, weddings, funerals, and community life held in the church
- a blessing of the building and a prayer for the future of the parish
- quiet moments of farewell as people stayed afterward to walk through the church one last time
- The closure was made after careful review of parish resources, building condition, and long‑term sustainability. With the parish now centred at St Teresa’s, Karori, the community continues together as one parish family.