Papakura is in the South Auckland area. General population is 43,000 (2001 census). Europeans account for 60% of the population, Maori: 22%, Pacific Islanders: 12%, Asian: 6%. Catholic population is 5, 800.

The parish embraces 48 different cultural groups, Maori, Samoans, Koreans, Philipinos. Fijian Indians, Dutch, being some of the bigger groups.

The parish is a mix of both town and country, reaching out to Clevedon, Ardmore, Kawakawa Bay in the East, Karaka and Kingseat in the West, Drury, Hunua, Ararimu and Ramarama in the south and Takanini and Conifer Grove in the North.

There is one church centre, St Mary's in central Papakura. The three weekend Masses, vigil at 5.00pm and Sundays at 8.30am and 10.00am account for a Mass attendance of around 700. Weekday Masses, Monday - Saturday mornings also are well attended, with additional masses on Thursdays and Fridays. A Mass in honour of Our Lady is celebrated on Saturday mornings.

A Samoan Mass is provided, third Sunday of the month. Many Maori families from the parish attend the Maori Mass at the neighbouring parish of Manurewa. A Service of the Word with Eucharist is celebrated at Clevedon on the First Sunday of the month in The Clevedon Presbyterian Church.

The parish provides for a variety of lay ministries. Liturgical ministries are strong with 8 separate musical groups and 6 organists. The liturgies are well prepared and presented. Training courses for Ministers of the Word, Eucharistic Ministers are presented twice a year.  Altar servers are also trained, male and female. There are 12 helpers for children's worship.

Sacramental programmes are in place and Children's liturgy and worship operates  as does a Samoan Sunday School.

There are a number of others groups which function within the parish, RCIA, Passionist Family, Alpha, Prayer Groups, Scripture Study Group, Legion of Mary, Parish Council, Liturgy Committee, Catholic Women's League, PPTA, Board of Trustees, Finance Committee.

There is a parish primary school of some 480 pupils of whom 5% are non-Catholic, mainly Anglican or Evangelical Christian. The Catholic Character of the school is strong with a dedicated teaching staff. The priest's of the parish are involved in the school activities with weekly school masses and occasional family Masses on Sundays. Reconciliation, Rite II is provided for each term. Class room visitation takes place each week. A secondary school is at the planning stage, projected opening date, 2006.

The youth of the parish have a choice of six Catholic Colleges within easy reach to choose from. Youth activities are centred on Manurewa Parish and St Patrick's Cathedral and draw many of our youth into their activities. We are a 'Youth Friendly Parish' with a youth representative on the parish council. However, it is recognised that there is a gap in parish support for young people following Children's worship to young adulthood.

The parish is committed to the Diocesan wide programme for 'Shaping our Future". Our recommendations, now before the bishop, cover the two areas of St Mary's, Papakura and St Anne's Manurewa parish. There are areas where co-operation with St Anne's would be valuable as each parish has different strengths.

Mass, with anointing for the sick, is celebrated four times a year on the First Friday of the month. Visitation of the Parish is on-going. Evangelization and the spiritual development of the parish also in on-going.

Within the parish boundaries are 5 rest homes, 5 hospices, and a private hospital.

Papakura Parish is part of the South Auckland Deanery consisting of 6 diocesan clergy and 18 religious clergy. The Deanery meets monthly.

Each month, the ministers fraternal, covering the local churches of the Papakura area meets. Recent ecumenical activities include 'Christmas Carols in the Park', a 'Christmas Service' in St Mary's Church, 'Ash Wednesday Service' in St Mary's, and 'World day of Prayer' also held in St Mary's. Ecumenical relations are strong. There is a two day retreat, twice yearly for those involved in the 'Ministers Fraternal'.

A language school functions each Thursday of the week to assist recent arrivals from Korea, Cambodia and elsewhere. There are a number of dedicated and skilled teachers of various ethnic groups who do this work.

25% of people in the area are under 15 years of age, 45% are under 25, and 70% are less than 40 years in age. The parish mix would reflect these figures. The Sunday congregation presents a colourful mix of culture and age which helps to make the liturgies diverse and lively.

The parish plant includes a large parish hall, well serviced, a meeting room (Fr Tom Ryder Centre) with parish library (books from Fr Tom Ryder's library). Video facilities also provided. The parish office functions Tuesdays and Fridays 9.30 - 3pm). The staff are highly qualified. There are several small meeting rooms in the presbytery.

The parish is fortunate to have the priestly services of the parish priest bringing strengths into the parish life of St Mary's.

Parishioners are involved in a wide variety of organisations and activities within the town and throughout the area. The parish and church have a high profile in the town.