About Us

Simon Story

Parish Priest

I was ordained priest on 9 February 2002 at the Waipawa Town Hall in Central Hawkes' Bay. The church in Waipawa, St Patrick's, was too small for an ordination. Bishop Owen Dolan presided. Amazingly the bones of Bishop Pomallier which were on hikoi from Bluff to Motuti for reinterment passed through Waipawa at the time of the ordination. We stopped the liturgy after proclaiming the Gospel for a 10 minute prayer with Bishop Pompalliers' bones. I was formed at Holy Cross College in Mosgiel 2 years and then Holy Cross Seminary in Ponsonby, Auckland 4.5 years.

I am the oldest of 2 sisters and 5 brothers. All 8 of us were raised at Abbotsford Road, Waipawa. My dad, Bernard, was a clothing retailer - W.M Story & Co. it still trades in Waipukurau and Mum a nurse become homemaker. I have a variety of interests that change over time. At the moment tennis, gardening and amateur handy man jobs occupy my spare time. I hope to be in New Plymouth Parish for some time and to build this community of Christs' disciples. 

Email Simon Story

06 7573682

Tom Lawn

Diocesan Priest

Tom Lawn (Diocesan Priest) was ordained in the Arch-Diocese of Wellington in 1975 and then joined the Diocese of Palmerston North in 1987. The Parishes in which he has served are as follows:  St Joseph’s Wellington (1 year); St Patrick’s Paraparaumu (5 years); St Canise’s Westport (1 year); Society of St James in Equador (5years); St Joseph’s Parish New Plymouth (1987-2009); Sacred Heart Inglewood & St Joseph’s Waitara Parishes (4 years); St Joseph’s Hawera (4 years) and Catholic Parish of New Plymouth for the past 4 years.  Tom says’ he returned to New Plymouth “to do what they ask me to do when I agree with it”.

Email Tom Lawn

06 7573682

Vui Hoang

Assistant Priest

“Hi everyone,  My Name is Fr Vui Hoang.  I am from a family of 8 children in Vietnam.  Before coming to New Zealand, I studied Electrical and Telecommunication Engineering.  After that, I decided to followed the priesthood and prepare to enter the seminary in Vietnam.  Then I got the invitation from our diocese to come here to train and to be a priest for the diocese of Palmerston North.  I have been here in New Zealand for nearly 8 years.

Most of the time I studied at Seminary in Auckland, and recently became a priest for our diocese.  After ordination, I am assigned here as assistant priest for the Catholic Parish of New Plymouth.  It is my privilege to be here with you and among you.   

God Bless you all.  In Christ,  

Fr Vui Hoang”

To view Vui's story on his journey to priesthood, please click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JV9ImAOTy3I

Email Vui Hoang

06 7573682

Ireen Crossan

Parish Secretary

Ireen has held the role of Parish Secretary for some time, working originally with Tom Lawn and the newly ordained Fr Simon, when the Secretary was the only office employee. I am responsible for the Administration and Finance matters of the parish.

"I do my best to ensure the smooth running of the parish occurs every day of the week and hope to convey to each and every person who contacts the Parish Office that they are important and that your enquiries reach the right person".

Email Ireen Crossan

06 757 3682

Denise Fleming

Office Manager

The Office Managers position was introduced to the Parish team on Jan 2019, to ensure Health and Safety, Employment compliance obligations are met and Property management/maintenance.  I support each team member to succeed in their respective Ministries and co-ordinate Parish Communications.  I report to the Leadership Team and sit on the Building and Finance Committees.

I am a Registered Social Worker with the NZ Social Workers Registration Board.

Email Denise Fleming

0277573600

Michelle Butler

Young Families Minister

My part-time role includes everything related to young families (parents and children up to 12 years old) across the parish.  My primary focus is to develop more connections for families in our Faith community. This has included but is not limited to, coordinating the First Sacraments and the Older Children’s Baptism programmes, supporting infant Baptism, children’s Liturgy and connecting with our Catholic schools (primary and intermediate). I welcome your ideas and involvement! 

Email Michelle Butler

06 7573682

Rain Forest

Youth Minister

Lorraine (Rain) Forest has joined us recently for the role of Youth Minister - Rain has considerable experience working with youth in the LifeTeen space.

We are very fortunate to have Rain - who is a little bit of sunshine :)

Email Rain Forest

0277573612