Canadian priest Fr Richard Smith was just shy of his 43rd birthday when Pope John Paul II appointed him the Bishop of Pembroke, Ontario. More than 20 years later, and with a stop in Edmonton, he is now the Archbishop of Vancouver. Archbishop Smith sat down with host James Bergin recently while in New Zealand for an international conference.

In this episode, Archbishop Smith reflects on his vocation, his ministry in various contexts, organising Pope Francis' historic visit to Canada and the task of now having led three Canadian dioceses.

With thanks to Archbishop Smith, James and the Catholic Diocese of Auckland for their support of this digital ministry.

As Carly Mulqueen's Christian faith was growing as a young woman, she was conditioned to wonder if Catholics were even part of the Christian family. As her husband began to explore Catholicism, Carly joined him on the journey, including through engagement with the director of the Catholic Enquiry Centre.

Years later, Carly now finds herself as the CEC's director, helping people on their own journey of faith, and with her own experience of joy, but also an understanding of what it means to suffer. Carly shares her story with Joanna Kearney in this episode of the Catholic Kiwi Podcast.

With thanks to the Catholic Diocese of Auckland, Carly and Joanna. And you can find out more about the Catholic Enquiry Centre at https://www.catholicdiscovery.nz

When he was a child, Andy Orosco had dreams of ordained ministry in the Church. His teacher, though, didn't think he was up to the task. The Holy Spirit had other ideas, though, and

Andy now serves as a permanent deacon in California, with a particular focus on ministry to his fellow Native Americans.

Deacon Andy joined the Catholic Kiwi Podcast while in New Zealand recently for an international conference. He speaks with our host, James Bergin, about his childhood, his work within and beyond the Church and the place of Native Americans in the US today.

He also offers a glimpse into the life of the first Native American saint, Kateri Tekakwitha.With thanks to Deacon Andy, James and the Catholic Diocese of Auckland for their support of this digital ministry.

As technology seems to be advancing even faster, how can we seek to understand the place of artificial intelligence from a Catholic perspective? In this episode, technologist James Bergin trades the host’s chair for the guest’s chair, sharing his insights into what AI is, and what it is not.In conversation with Joanna Kearney, James explains that successive Popes have spoken about the intersection of technology and humanity, and he says the Church continues to have much to contribute to such discussions. He says Catholics are called to help shape the future of technology, not “sleepwalk” into that future.With thanks to James, Joanna and the Diocese of Auckland in producing this episode.

For almost two centuries, religious women have been making a massive contribution to the life of the Catholic Church in New Zealand. In this episode, the leader of Nga Whaea Atawhai o Aotearoa — the Sisters of Mercy New Zealand — shares her own story of vocation, of Mercy founder Catherine McAuley and the religious order's historical and current ministries.Sr Denise also shares how the Sisters of Mercy have worked to safeguard the legacy of their various works, including schools and hospitals, through the establishment of a new entity: Whanau Mercy Ministries.Thanks to Sr Denise, to our host, Joanna, the Diocese of Auckland and to you, our faithful audience.

As Season 2 of the Catholic Kiwi Podcast commences, we welcome the Diocese of Auckland's Vicar for Māori -- or, as he calls himself, the "Chief Cup of Tea Drinker" -- Manuel Beazley.

Manuel, who also serves as chair of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference's advisory body, Te Rōpū Māori, speaks of his dual identity as a Māori and as a Catholic, and his experience of never seeing those two parts of himself as contradictory.

Manuel, speaking with our host James Bergin, also addresses some important but sometimes contentious issues like the Treaty of Waitangi and the integration of Māori customs and celebrations like Matariki into New Zealand culture.

We're excited to have you back with us (or joining us for the first time) as we launch Season 2. And a special thanks to our host, James, and the Catholic Diocese of Auckland for their efforts in producing this episode.

In this final episode of Season 1 of the Catholic Kiwi Podcast, we sit down with Canadian anti-euthanasia campaigner Amanda Achtman. In addition to her work fighting for the vulnerable and opposing the expansion of assisted dying in Canada, Amanda offers fascinating insights into how her Jewish heritage and Catholic faith have intertwined in her life.

Amanda shares emotional stories from people she has met, explains how her own family circumstances made an abstract idea like euthanasia very real and recounts the impact of time spent studying the Holocaust in finding her purpose.

If you're interested in the local Catholic perspective on ethical issues in the health care field, you can visit the Nathaniel Centre for Bioethics or the NZ Catholic Medical Association.

With thanks to our host, Joanna Kearney, the Catholic Diocese of Auckland and Simplepress Studios for their support of the Catholic Kiwi Podcast.

We hope you've enjoyed Season 1 on the Catholic Kiwi Podcast. We'll return for Season 2 next year.

If the Church is going to serve its people well, it is important to understand who those people are and where they are on their faith journey. That's the challenge and the invitation issued by Vicki Surrey from Holy Family Parish in Christchurch West.

In this episode, Vicki explains how her parish has walked the path of research through two significant surveys in recent years and how those efforts have borne fruit for the community in its pastoral planning and practice.

You can find out more about the Holy Family surveys, including access some of the findings, here: Parish survey results | Holy Family Parish

With thanks to our host, James Bergin, the Catholic Diocese of Auckland and Simplepress Studios for their support of the Catholic Kiwi Podcast.

Growing up in Hastings, a young Paul Martin saw the example of Marist priests in his local parish and the local college. He saw the life of a priest, a teacher and a Marist living in community as a life of great value. Little did he know when making the choice to enter the Society of Mary how diverse his life and his ministry would be.

In conversation with Joanna Kearney, Archbishop Paul talks us through family life, his seminary formation, his roles in school leadership and leadership within his religious order. But Pope Francis had new plans for him -- first as Bishop of Christchurch and later as Archbishop of Wellington.

And if you're wanting to contact the Catholic Enquiry Centre, which Archbishop Paul mentions, head to: https://www.catholicdiscovery.nz/

With thanks to our host, Joanna Kearney, and the Catholic Diocese of Auckland and Simplepress Studios for this production.

Sr Lauren of the Cross acknowledges that she might have been a "most unlikely" candidate to become a nun, but as she looks back on her life before entering the Carmelite Monastery in Christchurch, she sees it all as great preparation for her current life.

In conversation with Joanna Kearney, Sr Lauren recounts adrift away from her practice of the faith, her years working at Christchurch Casino, a reawakening of her faith after seeing a priest on TV and her discernment of a religious vocation -- which hasn't been a straightforward journey.

She is now an Extern Carmelite Sister, one of only 300 or soaround the world. Find out what an Extern does, the life of a Carmelite and the ministry of spiritual direction in this episode of the Catholic Kiwi Podcast.

And if you're looking to access the booklets Sr Laurenmentions, visit the Catholic Enquiry Centre website at: https://www.catholicdiscovery.nz/

With thanks to our host, Joanna Kearney, and the CatholicDiocese of Auckland and Simplepress Studios for this production.