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 Thompson, General Manager of the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch, has worked in large New Zealand infrastructure organisations. Coupled with a background in economics and finance, he has had the experience of dealing with politicians and Treasury officials on highly commercial and politically charged projects; this has instilled the value of building good relationships and communication skills to influence outcomes. As a senior executive with over ten years of experience leading multi-disciplinary teams, and a proven ability to deliver complex projects, Simon looks forward to directing the CDF for the good of the diocese.
Janice Rennell
Janice has held the position of Manager – Finance and Support Services for the Diocese since 2002, where she is responsible for the financial reporting of both the Diocese and the CDF. Before this, she worked as 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 is well-placed to build relationships and respond to member requests with a background in front-line customer service gained when working for the National Bank of NZ, Ansett New Zealand and Air New Zealand
Liza Sparrow
Liza is responsible for promoting the fund and growing 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 is a chartered accountant and a senior partner of Kendons Business Advisors and Chartered Accountants, Christchurch. Current Chair of the CDF, prior to which Michael was a CDF Trustee since June 2014. Also, Secretary of the Christchurch Diocesan Foundation. 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, a registered chiropractor, has post-graduate specialties and qualifications in Functional Neurology and Clinical Nutrition. Active in clinical practice Simon is a Director of Roughan Chiropractic Centres in both Christchurch and Hokitika. He is a registered faculty member for two international chiropractic universities for interns coming to NZ for clinical expertise. Simon and his wife have seven children and remain active in diocesan marriage education programmes. Simon was appointed a Trustee of the Catholic Development Fund in October 2003.
Richard Bailey
Richard, a chartered accountant with a commerce degree from Lincoln University. Richard is a financial advisory partner with Deloitte and for the past 15 years, he has specialised in providing strategic financial management and performance improvement advice to his clients. Richard is married to Nicole and they have two sons. He has been a Trustee of the CDF since January 2016.
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.
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. A member of the Christchurch Diocese Management and Finance Board since 1991, Geoff currently Chairs this Board.
Michael Schimanski
Michael is a chartered accountant and a senior partner of Kendons, a chartered accounting practice in Christchurch. He is a Trustee and Chair of the CDF. He is also Secretary of the Christchurch Diocesan Foundation, a member of the St Joseph’s Papanui Parish Finance team and a Trustee on The Marralomeda Charitable Trust Board. Michael is married to Tania and they have two daughters.
Sara O’Connor
Sara O’Connor, an Authorised Financial Advisor (AFA) 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 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
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.