The Chaplaincy Team

The Auckland Catholic Tertiary Chaplaincy team is based at 110 Symonds St, Grafton right in the heart of the University of Auckland and AUT City Campuses. The team consists of 4 members: Fr Chris Denham (Priest Chaplain), and Olivia Watson, Dom Malgeri, Shana Llorando (Lay Chaplains).

Fr Chris Denham: I’m a true Roman Catholic, born in Rome, but a kiwi through and through (don’t let the accent fool you). An old boy of St Patrick’s College in Wellington, after years of moving around, both New Zealand and the world, I spent six years with the Dominican friars in Australia before returning to New Zealand and being ordained for the Diocese of Auckland. I’ve worked in the parishes of Papakura, Devonport, and Warkworth. In addition to being the Tertiary Chaplain I am also the parish priest of Parnell. My hobbies are music, reading and arguing and I’m always happy to share them with anyone.

Olivia Watson: “Hi guys, my name is Olivia and I joined the chaplaincy team in 2012, travelled overseas part way through 2013, then returned to Chaplaincy in 2014 where I have remained since. I have travelled extensively, am passionate about cooking and often find myself creating unique new dishes, both sweet and savoury. I paint portraits in my free time, write poetry whenever a moment of inspiration strikes, which is usually daily and I am an avid reader of anything and everything that has an unpredictable or inspirational plot. I enjoy nature and any kind of reflective activity that allows me to expand my mind, my heart and my soul, I really enjoy dialogues and activities which engage others in finding deeper, more meaningful connection within themselves and with their faith. I have studied Fine Arts at Ilam down in Christchurch and have a Massey University degree in Communications majoring in journalism with a minor in linguistics. I look forward to re-connecting with the old and meeting the new students for 2017.”

Dominic Malgeri: “One is not simply born a chaplain. After being afforded the opportunity to engage with other believers at university, I found a home in the Catholic Church, leading me on an adventure I could never have imagined. After my degree I went on to spend a year in a volunteer missionary community in the Westminster Diocese called SPEC It was there that I met my now wife, whom I followed back to NZ. In my first 8 months in the country I worked as a labourer, but when the calling to ministry became too strong on my heart, I left and found a job a Newman Hall. I am a familiar face at the Chaplaincy, heading up the formation of students, running events like “Catholicism: A Journey to Faith” by Bishop Barron, and “Theology Of the Body: Freedom to Love” by Christopher West. I can also be seen organising bible studies, student retreats, and Stations of the Cross alongside various other smaller regular events at Newman Hall throughout the week.”

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Catholic Diocese of Auckland Library(Formally know as the Eugene O’Sullivan Theological Library)