Introduction of the Senior Leadership Team
Dear Parishioners,
As a parish community, we are moving from maintenance to mission, and as we take these first steps together, we begin by forming a Senior Leadership Team and now introduce them to you.
With gratitude to God and hope for the future of our parish, I am pleased to introduce our Senior Leadership Team, formed to support and guide the mission of Te Awakairangi Parish. Following the vision and principles of the Divine Renovation Ministry, and with the support of the Archdiocese, this team has been prayerfully discerned and personally invited to serve. They will work closely with the parish priests to help build a vibrant, mission-focused parish and communities that lead people into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.
The members of our Senior Leadership Team in formation are:
Fr Raja Kommareddy SVD(PP), Fr Satheesh Voora SVD, Kevin Crighton, Rita Kasiano-Graves, Dr Ruvimbo Bangure and Aren Valentine.
Each member has been chosen for their faith, commitment, gifts and willingness to serve. Together, they will meet regularly for prayer, discernment and planning, helping to guide the direction and priorities of our parish. This team focuses not simply on administration, but on mission leadership, supporting evangelisation, strengthening our communities and helping our parish grow in faith. The team began meeting on 15 January 2026, the feast day of Arnold Janssen, founder of the Society of the Divine Word, who sent missionaries to serve the Church. The team is currently in a period of formation and training, gathering fortnightly. We are currently taking part in the Kickstart sessions, have completed Clifton Strengths 34, and continue to grow together in leadership. (Some have completed the Called and Equipped Program, Lay Pastoral Leader formation, and a few are undertaking Mission Leadership formation through the Archdiocese.)
In the coming months, when the time is right, we hope to establish a Parish Pastoral Council and also review and renew all other parish committees, especially the Church and liturgy committees. We will keep you informed as this develops. Please keep the team members in your personal, family and parish prayers as they take on this important responsibility. May the Holy Spirit guide them with wisdom, understanding, unity and courage.
Together, let us continue to grow as a parish community of communities that is alive in faith, welcoming to all and committed to sharing the Good News.
Yours in Christ
Fr Raja, SVD,
Parish Priest
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace and may the Heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people.”
– St. Arnold Janssen
