The Catholic Development Fund has been a genuine success story in our Diocese of Christchurch. Catholic people, because they want to help the work of the Church, have invested their savings in the Fund. As we know, the works of the Church, spiritual as they are, require money. Funding is important for resources, personnel and buildings. It has been so since the very beginning.
The gospels show us that Our Lord and the apostles had a common fund. People with money supported Jesus by contributing to the Fund. The early Church shown in the Acts of the Apostles provides examples of people selling property and coming to give the funds to the Apostles to help them in their work.
Investing in the Catholic Development Fund is a practical way of loving the Church and supporting the works of the Diocese. As you know, those who invest get interest on their deposits, but the Church gets a return too. As well, loans can be made from the Fund to parishes and schools at reasonable rates.
The Catholic Development Fund is overseen by Trustees and Staff who are guided by an investment policy based on Catholic teaching and by expert investment advice purchased from the financial sector. Investors' rights and interests are of paramount concern. This is an excellent way of helping the Church
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.
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.
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, as well as 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.
Board of Trustees
Michael Schimanski
Michael, a chartered accountant, is a senior partner of Kendons Business Advisors and Chartered Accountants in Christchurch (Michael joined the firm in 2000 and became a partner in 2007). He has been a CDF Trustee since 2014 and was appointed Chair in 2019. He is also Secretary of the Christchurch Diocesan Foundation and holds several governance positions with a number of clients and non profit organisations. Michael is married to Tania, and they have two adult daughters.
Kintilla du Boucher-Ryan
Kintilla is an experienced digital marketer and works at Skellerup Industries Ltd. She previously worked at Ngāi Tahu Property and Farmlands Co-operative, after 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, Kintilla is also a Rotarian (Rotary Club of Christchurch) and Trustee of the Keith Laugesen Trust. She and her husband Conor have a daughter, Naomi.
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, also a faculty member for two international chiropractic universities for interns coming to NZ for clinical expertise. Simon was appointed a Trustee of the Catholic Development Fund in October 2003. He and his wife have seven children and remain active in diocesan marriage education programmes.
Graeme Wilson
Graeme is a chartered accountant with over thirty years’ commercial experience in large corporates. Appointed as a trustee of the CDF in 2019, Graeme is also a trustee of the Clergy Trust Fund and chairs the Catholic Parish of Christchurch North Finance Committee. Married to Louise they have two adult children.
Terry Foote
Terry is a chartered accountant with over 25 years of experience. Terry has joined the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch to assist in the Property Team and was appointed a Trustee of the CDF in June 2016.
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Investment Sub-Committee
Geoff Bailey
Geoff, a retired Chartered Accountant, was a partner in chartered accountancy practices from 1975 until retirement in 2014. Geoff is Chair of the CDF Investment Sub-Committee and has been a member of the Christchurch Diocese Management and Finance Board since 1991.
Michael Schimanski
Michael, a chartered accountant, is a senior partner of Kendons Business Advisors and Chartered Accountants in Christchurch (Michael joined the firm in 2000 and became a partner in 2007). He has been a CDF Trustee since 2014 and was appointed Chair in 2019. He is also Secretary of the Christchurch Diocesan Foundation and holds several governance positions with a number of clients and non profit organisations. Michael is married to Tania, and they have two adult daughters.
Sara O’Connor
Sara, a Financial Advisor, joined Craigs Investment Partners in October 2006. Sara holds the following qualifications: Bachelor of Commerce and Management, Lincoln University (2000) and Certificate of Authorisation AFA (2011). She is also a NZX Associate Adviser. Sara joined the CDF Investment Sub Committee in 2016 and is a member of the Christchurch Diocese Management and Finance Board.
Good News Stories
Sharing good news and testimonials from around the Diocese
Hospital Chaplains, providing spiritual support amidst suffering
Working in our hospitals is a privilege for hospital chaplains, where every day is different. The CDF caught up with Angela McCormick, Pastoral Chaplain at Christchurch Hospital, recently to learn about the services offered within our diocese.
Support a faith education for those you love
By starting a savings plan early, even at baptism, you can reduce the burden of taking on attendance dues and school expenses as the financial pressures of family life set in.
Preserving capital whilst putting it to good use
It is a privilege to have money set aside for more than just day-to-day expenses. It is also true that accumulating money in its various forms has been indispensable to the progress of civilisation and doing good.
Planning for Christmas and Summer Holidays
Marie Marshall loves to camp. Camping is a regular event in her family’s summer diary, with their next adventure beginning on Boxing Day!
Every little bit helps – Loretta Iosefo
Loretta Iosefo, from the Stella Maris parish Ferrymead has been a member of the CDF for nearly 20 years. She's an ambassador of both her faith and the Fund.
Great-grandchildren learn to save
Jim Mitchell believes in the greater good, helping where he can and supporting the work of his beloved Catholic Church.
Prison Chaplains – Providing faith and hope on the inside
Freedom and prison are concepts that do not usually go together. The freedom many find within the prison has a lot to do with a growing faith in God and relationships with chaplains built on trust and respect.
Putting money aside gives peace of mind
The CDF caught up with Irene Maguire this month to find out why she chose the CDF over a traditional bank to manage her business finances.
Funeral Savings Account for Mum
Sharon Lee opened a CDF Funeral Savings Account on behalf of her mother, Thelma McMahon, in 2010. Peace of mind for her family was comforting, knowing that when required the CDF would use Mrs McMahon’s savings to pay funeral expenses on the family’s behalf.