Mō mātou
About
Dove Ministry began with a Seminar Day in February 1984. The response was wonderful and from that day Dove has continued to meet for monthly meetings, full day seminars and weekend retreats.
Our goal is to support each other with compassion and love and lead women to a personal and ongoing relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord
Te tirohanga
Our Vision
Our vision sees women from all walks of life, bonding together in the power of the Holy Spirit to effect a force for good in the nation, and becoming instrumental in building up family life and parish life, providing effective support for one another.
The primary focus is leading women to a personal and ongoing relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour; to become fully immersed in the life of the Church and to become effective evangelisers of others.
The emphasis is on women’s ministry to women in gentleness and love as exemplified by Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church.
All women, all walks of life
Bonding together in the power of the Holy Spirit
Supporting one another
Building up family life
Leading women to a personal relationship with Jesus
Evangelisers of others
Gentleness & love
Why Join Us
Dove is a great way to meet other Christian women and to be strengthened and encouraged in our walk with Jesus.
All women, all ages, all walks of life warmly welcomed. Friendship, fellowship & confidential, gentle prayer ministry available.
No membership or commitment is required. Come join us, bring a friend and allow yourself to be drawn closer to the Lord.
Our leadership team
Gloria Stafford
Hello all you beautiful princesses of the kingdom of God,
My name is Gloria Stafford. I live in Upper Hutt. I have two sons, one daughter and three beautiful granddaughters. I am a retired Special Needs teacher.
I was involved in Dove Catholic Fellowship for Women since the first meeting of our Hawkes Bay Fellowship in May 1996, until I moved to the Wellington area last year. I was invited to that meeting to play my guitar in the Praise and Worship team and enjoyed it so much that I never left. I have been the leader of the National Team since March 2022. It has been an eventful two years both in my personal life and in Dove. Last year I relocated to the Wellington area to be closer to my family and to be a more hands-on mother and grandmother.
The National team has grown to four members. I have been able to hand over the treasury to a younger and better qualified pair of hands. I now concentrate on coordinating the team and carrying out the vision.
The vision we have been given is unfolding step by step each time we meet as a team and pray for guidance. It is not my vision. I only carry it for Him and pass it on in whatever way I can.
Here it is. God wants to pass the essence of Dove on to a new generation. There is much effort in the Church currently focusing on Youth, but Dove Catholic Fellowship for Women is an adult faith-sharing organisation. I believe God is longing to pour out His Holy Spirit upon women who are between 20 and 60 years old, who want to see His signs and wonders in their lives, who want to be active co-workers in His Church, and who need the support of like-minded friends to help them live this reality. He has shown us that all of this can be available in small parish-based groups as well as large regional Fellowships.
We are calling these small groups Dovecotes. Please pray about you may be part of this new vision.
Blessings
Gloria
Theresa Goulding
My name is Theresa Goulding. I live in Te Awamutu with my husband Les. We have one daughter and are blessed with two grandchildren.
I work full-time at Otorohanga District Council.
Piano is my talent and passion. I love playing for the Lord and bringing others into a special place with him.
I have been involved in Dove Fellowship since 2000 when I was discerned onto the first Hamilton Dove Team serving for two years. I have journeyed along with Dove, since then supporting Leadership Teams in different roles in whatever the Lord has asked me to do.
My mantles on the National Team are Praise and Worship, and publicity.
Dove is a love ministry. I have been nurtured and loved through the ministry of Dove making many new friendships and receiving countless blessings.
I am privileged to be called onto the Dove National Team to serve women with Holy Spirit passion, to listen to the sound of the Dove throughout Aotearoa in a new and exciting way and to share his awesomeness with a new generation of Dovecotes.
Zephaniah 3:17-20. “The Lord you God is with you; he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”
Maree Kowalewski
My name is Maree Kowalewski. I live in Tauranga with my husband Owen. We have 3 children and 4 grandchildren. 1996 I attended my first Dove Catholic Fellow for Women meeting and my life has not been the same. I have met some incredible women, made long lasting friendships with women all over NZ. I have done things that I never ever thought possible. The Lord has stretched me, moulded me and He continues to shape and nurture me as I walk in faith with Him
I have been involved in all levels of local, regional and National Dove Catholic Fellowship for Women. This is my third year on National Team, and my areas of responsibility are Hospitality and Intercession.
I know the Lord has an amazing plan for the future of Dove Catholic Fellowship for Women. I am committed to do all that the Lord asks of me as Dove Fellowship journeys through a time of change and new growth.
“I don’t know exactly what the future holds, but I’m stepping out in faith anchored in grace.”
You, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay; you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8
Margo Mason
My name is Margo Mason. I live in Rotorua with my husband Ash. We have 4 sons, and 8 grandchildren. I have worked in administration and tourism and have been the Accounts Administrator at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School the past 11 years.
I was introduced to Dove 25+ years ago by my mother Gabrielle, attending Rotorua Dove meetings and various camps. I became involved in music ministry at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (Owhata, Rotorua), and then St Mary of the Cross Mackillop (St. Mary’s Church) as well as Dove Rotorua Fellowship.
My mantles on the National Team are Treasurer and Prayer Ministry.
I am very honoured to be part of the National Dove team. I feel that our Lord has given me this opportunity to grow as a Christian and be part of the “new” Dove Catholic Fellowship for Women chapter.
Psalm 139:10 “Your hand will guide me; your right hand will hold me fast”.