Our roots in Southland stretch back to 1864 and the Catholic Church in Invercargill continues to be vibrant and faith-filled. In recent years our parishes have been re-vitalised with parishioners from all over the globe, each bringing unique traditions that have enriched our parish life.

A recent series of synodal reflections have indicated that our parishioners believe that we are called to be a Christ-centred, outward-looking and welcoming parish community. As an outward-looking parish we seek to serve those the wider community, especially the vulnerable and those who feel distant from the church.

While our north and south parishes have historically operated in pairs, all four parishes - representing eight distinct faith communities - already collaborate extensively. We are now discerning a move to become a single unified parish that preserves the unique identity of each of these eight communities.

• Invercargill North includes Sacred Heart church in Waikiwi and St Theresa’s church in Perth Street.

• Invercargill South includes St Mary’s Basilica in Central Invercargill, Te Tomairangi Marae and St Patrick’s church in Georgetown.

• Beyond the city limits, our faith reaches the coast at St Mary, Star of the Sea in Bluff, and the rural hearts of St Joan of Arc (Rimu) and our historic St Patrick’s (Rakahouka).

Our Parish Priest is Fr. Gerard Aynsley (based at St. Mary’s), supported by Fr. Suu Nguyen (Invercargill North), and Fr. Peter Chadwick (Invercargill South), with the continued active support of the recently retired Fr. Tony Harrison. For over 20 years Alfy Paine has been the Katekita of Te Tomairangi Marae.