The Catholic Development Fund remains a practical way of loving the Church and supporting the good works of this diocese.
Funding and lending are essential when supporting and developing the pastoral care of our community and for the formation of diocesan priests.
I remain grateful to members for their continued support. I appreciate CDF trustees and staff, who, guided by an investment policy based on Catholic teaching and expert investment advice, enable the CDF to make a tangible impact within our community.
As Bishop of Christchurch, I believe investing with the CDF is an excellent way of helping the Church, and I look forward to sharing many good news stories achieved via the Fund.
Staff
Simon Thompson
Simon is the General Manager of the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch and has a background in economics and finance. Most recently, Simon lead teams in a number of infrastructure organisations and has used his ability to foster and develop relationships to manage complex projects. Simon’s proven leadership experience and ability to influence provides strength and resilience to the sustainability of the CDF.
Janice Rennell
Janice has held the position of Manager – Finance and Support Services for the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch since 2002 and is responsible for the financial management and reporting for both the Diocese and the CDF. Prior to this, Janice was an auditor - predominantly in the public sector. Janice is a Chartered Accountant and has a Bachelor of Management Studies majoring in Accounting from the University of Waikato.
Liza Sparrow
Liza has been the CDF Marketing and Business Development Manager since 2019 and is responsible for the promotion and development of the CDF and growing its membership. A Chartered Marketer with a Bachelor of Arts and Post-Grad in Tourism from Otago University, Liza has a solid background in communications, marketing and event management with specific experience in earthquake recovery, community engagement and advocacy.
Melanie Perry
Melanie has been the CDF Administrator since 2007 and is responsible for CDF operations and member communications. Melanie brings extensive experience in front-line customer service roles to the CDF and is well-placed to build relationships and respond to member requests. Prior to joining the CDF, she held key customer engagement roles at The National Bank, Ansett New Zealand and Air New Zealand.
Board of Trustees
Graeme Wilson
Graeme is a chartered accountant with over thirty years of commercial experience in large corporates. He was appointed as a trustee of the CDF in 2019, and elected Chair of the Catholic Development Fund in 2022. Graeme is also a member of the Diocesan and CDF Audit Sub-Committee, trustee of the Clergy Trust Fund, and chair of the Catholic Parish of Christchurch North Finance Committee. Married to Louise they have two adult children.
Kintilla du Boucher-Ryan
Kintilla is an experienced digital marketer and works at the University of Canterbury. She previously worked at Skellerup Industries Ltd and Ngāi Tahu Property, as well as a decade in advertising agencies. Kintilla has facilitated training sessions and events on digital marketing, including the Marketing Association’s annual Marketing South conference. Appointed a Trustee of the CDF in 2020, she and her husband Conor have a daughter, Naomi.
Terry Foote
Terry is a chartered accountant with over 30 years of experience in the property and public transport sectors. A member of the CDF Board since 2020 and CDF Investment Sub-Committee since 2022. Terry brings a wealth of practical and professional experience to his role as a Trustee. In 2022 Terry joined the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch to assist the Property Team. He and his wife Joanne have three adult children and four grandchildren.
Simon Roughan
Simon is a registered chiropractor with a post-graduate in Functional Neurology and Clinical Nutrition. Director of Roughan Chiropractic Centres in Christchurch and Hokitika. Simon was appointed a Trustee of the Catholic Development Fund in October 2003. He and his wife Therese have seven adult children and ten grandchildren. They have now retired from their active role in the diocesan marriage education scene.
Dina Kubala
Dina is a dedicated Finance Business Partner with over 8 years of experience encompassing financial accounting, business advisory, and audit. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant holding a Master of Commerce degree. Dina currently works for Skellerup Industries and has previously worked at Ravensdown and several accounting firms. Her Finance expertise lies in fostering interdepartmental collaboration, financial alignment, and innovative solutions.
Michael Toomey
Michael, a retired solicitor, continues to consult to his former firm. With 40 years of experience in Christchurch and Dunedin, practicing property, estate planning, and commercial law. Appointed a Trustee of the CDF in 2023, Michael is also the bishop’s representative and Chair at Our Lady, Star of the Sea School, Sumner. Prior to this, he held positions in sporting organisations, and enterprises involving clients and on school boards at St Patrick's, Bryndwr, and St Bede’s College. Married to Elizabeth, they have three adult children and four grandchildren.
Investment Sub-Committee
Michael Wilkes
Michael has been Chair of the Christchurch Diocese Management and Finance Board since October 2021 and its Audit Sub-Committee. In 2021 Michael joined the Investment Sub-Committee. Michael is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and member of the Institute of Directors. A former managing partner of the Christchurch Office of Deloitte, Michael has extensive business, corporate governance, and executive management experience.
Terry Foote
Terry is a chartered accountant with over thirty years of experience in the property and public transport sectors. A member of the CDF Board since 2020 and Investment Sub-Committee since 2022. Terry brings a wealth of practical and professional experience to his role as a Trustee. In 2022 Terry joined the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch to assist the Property Team.
Rob Farrell
Rob holds a Master's Degree in Finance and a Commerce Degree in Property, reflecting his broad commercial knowledge across the property, construction, and finance industries. Additionally, Rob is a Trustee of the St Bede's College Foundation and has served as a CDF Trustee from 2015 and Chair in 2016-2017. Furthermore, Rob joined the Diocesan Finance Council and the Diocesan Investment Sub-committee in October 2023.
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Good News Stories
Sharing good news and testimonials from around the Diocese
CDF SUMMARY ANNUAL REPORT
CDF trustees and staff deliver good news to the Bishop of Christchurch for the 2022-23 financial year.
A new kāika, home for St Anne’s senior students
In the heart of Woolston is a great wee school teeming with special character and full to the brim with 180 students. Founded by the Mission Sisters in 1906, St Anne’s Catholic School stands proudly as an example of Catholic education where Christ and Gospel values are at the center of school life.
Strengthening Community for 55 Years
Celebrating 55 years of strengthening community within the Diocese of Christchurch since 1967.
GIVING THANKS FOR 2022
As Covid restrictions eased and the hiatus ended, we celebrated by gathering again. Enjoy this snapshot of the year's activities.
Welcoming Bishop Gielen to Golden Catholics
In October 2022, Golden Catholics were delighted to come together for Mass and to hear of Bishop Michael Gielen’s recent time in Rome at the ‘Seminar for New Bishops.’
A new chair appointment for cdf
At its Annual General Meeting in June 2022, board trustees accepted the resignation of Michael Schimanski as CDF Board Chair after a successful three-year term. They confidently elected fellow board member Graeme Wilson as the new Chair of the CDF.
Great results for the CDF in 2021-2022
In July the CDF published their Summary Annual Report, sharing the good news that during the 2021-22 financial year, the fund made a healthy distribution of $900,000 to Bishop Michael.
A RICH HISTORY BUILDS A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR CATHOLIC EDUCATION
Established in 1967 as The Catholic Education Fund to raise capital to build Catholic schools, 55 years later, the role of the CDF in education is as relevant today as it ever was.
Meet the Team – CDF Trustee, Kintilla du Boucher-Ryan
The CDF is overseen by trustees and staff, guided by an investment policy based on Catholic teaching and by expert investment advice acquired from the financial sector.