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Tena koutou ka toa ete whanau, kia ora
A story is told about three priests discussing what language they speak in heaven. One said, Latin because that is the language of the Church. One said English because that is the language widely used everywhere. The other said it is Chinese because everything new is made in China. To cut the story short, the three priests died and went to heaven. There at the pearly gates they were welcomed by St Peter, “Ete whanau, Kia Ora!” My dear friends, each one of you is invited by God to use the language of love. You are being sent to proclaim Jesus and His teachings by the way you live your life. This year Mission Sunday’s theme is “whom shall I send?” Pray and say to God “Here I am, send me!” Let me paraphrase the words of St Therese of the child Jesus. “Christ has no body on earth but yours no hand but yours, no feet but yours yours are the eyes through which the compassion of Christ must look out on the world yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good yours are the hands with which He is to bless the people And with Padre Pio “Pray, hope and don’t worry! Fr Mario Let us pray for all those who are unwell especially Margaret Mansell, Barney Scully, Hazel Kingston, Nesi Tan, Warren Stevenson, Gerard Birss, John Cairns-Cowan and Graeme Adams and those recovering at home including Eddie Wilkins. And we pray for the wonderful people who are caring for the everyday needs of the sick in our Community. We also pray for the members of our Parish families who have died recently and those whose anniversaries occur around this time; Danziel Kalolo-Apolinario, Zita Milne, Russell Stuart, Angela Panettieri, Jarlath Dooley and Robert Gates. St Vincent de Paul New Members Commissioning, Holy Trinity Parish St Vincent de Paul Holy Trinity Conference extends its warm appreciation to all parishioners who offered prayerful support to the commissioning by Fr Ephrem of 10 new members of the Society at the 10.30am Mass in St Patrick's Church Kilbirnie on Sunday 11 October 2020. We have been blessed by these members putting their faith into action in the service of those in need in our communities. I am also pleased to advise on behalf of all our members that Andrew Bridgman, an experienced member of our Conference, has been unanimously elected as President of Holy Trinity Eastern Suburbs Conference to now succeed me after my nine faith-filled and fruitful years serving you in this role. (Contact: Brendan Quirk, 021 236 5695) A family in our Holy Trinity Parish needs urgently in good working condition a washing machine and some beds, i.e. 2 bunk beds, 1 queen & 1 double. They are currently struggling due to living on a single limited income and one of the parents is still coping with a health challenge. They lost most of their household items a while ago due to a flood and rodent infestation. If you can donate such items in good condition, please urgently contact Tina Quidilla SVDP on 021 159 2412 or email: [email protected] With Many Thanks. Finance Committee Meeting – 20th October 7pm, St Patrick’s Meeting Room Parish Council Meeting – 4th November 7pm, Gascoigne Room St Anthony’s Calling for volunteers. A form will be available in the coming weeks asking for more volunteers. This will include all ministries and such duties as setting up before Mass. Please consider now the ways in which you can best use your talents and help our community. Gascoigne Educational Scholarship. This scholarship is open to all ages groups who are present members of Holy Trinity Parish and are planning to study for 2021 and beyond at a tertiary level and who meet the qualifying criteria which are included in the terms and conditions. For an application form (including terms and conditions) email the parish office [email protected] or download a copy from the website http://www.holytrinity.parish.nz/ Closing date: 31 October 2020 Columban Calendar to give away! – only 1 left!! Two Columban Calendars have been very kindly donated by one of our parishioners and one has already gone. Contact the Parish Office [email protected] or 388 6953 The little blue book for Advent and Christmas Seasons 2020 – 2021 – 2 copies left!! 5 copies of the little blue book have been very kindly donated by a parishioner. If you would like one of the remiaing 2 copies contact the Parish Office [email protected] or 388 6953 2021 Columban Calendars available through the office $12 each. You can either put your money or cheq (made out to Holy Trinity Parish) in an envelope with your details and pop in the collection basket, email, phone or drop into the Parish Office. Alternatively pay by internet banking to Holy Trinity Parish 02-0536-0185031-00 and use CALENDAR as the reference. When you have paid, email the office [email protected] with the following details: your name, the amount paid, the number of calendars ordered, which Church you will collect your calendars from or if you would like to collect them from the office. Once payment has cleared, the Calendars will be left for you in the back of your chosen Church or in the office for you to collect. Bernadette Hyland also has them available for sale at St Patrick’s Church REAL CHRISTMAS CARDS St Vincent de Paul Society Christmas cards will be on sale soon in our Church foyers after Sunday Masses at Holy Cross, St Anthony's and St Patrick's churches, same price as last year's. Religious-theme cards "Keeping Christ in Christmas", $2.50 per pack of 5 cards with envelopes. Proceeds to our local St Vincent de Paul Conference activities in the eastern suburbs. Contacts: Holy Cross Church (Julian Knap, ph 970 3905), St Anthony's Church (Andrew Monahan, ph 021 772 350), and St Patrick's Church (Frank Quirke, ph 387 4977) or from the office Isaiah 6:8 Today many people, especially children, are victims of poverty. This not only affect their health conditions, but also their education, social integration, and even their faith development. The missionary work of the Church is an effort to make human life regain value and dignity. Poverty in a developing country shortens the lives of many. Today, in our MISSIO-NZ Newsletter, you will read the story of children like Zyrhrie who is affected by malnutrition but are assisted by missionaries, lay and religious. You can support the missionary work of the Church in more needy places outside New Zealand. Your gift of prayers and financial help will fund community and child‑focused programs run by the Church in countries like the Philippines. Your one‑off gift TODAY or your regular monthly gift made through MISSIO-NZ is very much appreciated and will make a great difference to those in need in the Philippines and around the world. http://www.missio.nz/missionunday (09) 489 6549 Age Concern are hosting their next monthly Pop-Up Hub, light lunch and a cuppa in Seatoun on Tuesday 20th October 12 - 2pm at the Seatoun Village Hall. * Free social gathering for 65+ * Enjoy a cuppa and make new friends *No need to register, just turn up *Bring your laptop & cell phone if you have questions or need help * Therapy dogs will come for a short visit Call 04 4996648 to find out more The October 18-31 issue of NZ Catholic is out now. Our 600th issue. Some headlines are: Pope issues new encyclical on fraternity and social friendship. Former NZ seminary rector farewelled. Extraordinary form ordinations in Auckland. Christchurch ordination after many delays. Election Weekend Latin Masses Three Latin Masses will be celebrated by newly ordained Auckland Priest Fr Roger Gilbride FSSP on the weekend of the national election. All are welcome. Sunday 18 October at St Mary of the Angels, 7.30pm – Missa Cantata in Solemnis, then Rosary Monday 19 October at Sacred Heart (Petone), 9.30am – Low Mass, Rosary, then morning tea in the church foyer. All enquiries to Neil Coup at 021 896 924 Lord, our God, help us to walk with you On the pathway to the beatitudes and To live out your mission in today’s world. Bind us to all men and women of our time So that altogether we may bring the Good news to the ends of the earth. Open our hearts and our Christian communities To the needy, the afflicted, the oppressed. May we radiate the Living Christ And transform our lives in the hope of the Resurrection This prayer we make to you Who is the living God, now and forever. AMEN FINAL CALL; an oppportunity to make a new start! Men’s One-Day Retreat at Our Lady’s Home of Compassion, Island Bay on Saturday 31st October 2020, 8:30am – 5:00pm Theme: "Don't Worry. Trust in Jesus" Retreat Leader is Fr James Lyons Want to know more? Ring Steve Ready 027-356-9555 email: [email protected] Online Session (Evening): Mary and the Reformation – Mary, full of Grace with Br Kieran Fenn who has a wonderful way of bringing Scripture alive.Tuesday, 20 October, 7-8.30pm. Fee: Koha/Donation. ZOOM.For more information and registration: [email protected] also: https://www.studyjoy.nz/events/virtual-teaching-mary-in-the-reformation/Online Session (Retreat Day): Who am I ? – Reflecting on our Identity in God with Eamon Butler. Saturday, 28 November, 10.30am-4pm. Fee: $60. (Please note new Date!) For more information and registration: [email protected]https://www.studyjoy.nz/events/virtual-retreat-day-with-eamon-butler-who-am-i/ Online Session (Retreat Day): Who am I ? – Reflecting on our Identity in God with Eamon Butler. Saturday, 24 October, 10.30am-4pm. Fee: $60. For more information and registration: [email protected] https://www.studyjoy.nz/events/virtual-retreat-day-with-eamon-butler-who-am-i/ Vacancies for Engagement Assistants We're looking for team players in the Wellington region who feel passionately about social justice and advocating for a world free of poverty and injustice. You may be a recent graduate or school leaver. Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is the New Zealand Catholic Bishops' agency for justice, peace and development. We play an integral part in the worldwide Caritas network of 165 Catholic relief, development, and social service organisations.We want to broaden our Wellington team who are working with our international partners, our donors and supporters, parishes, schools and the wider Catholic community. The assistant roles we are seeking to fill will be instrumental in providing support to our engagement and programmes work, ensuring we continue our mission in delivering aid, supporting development and advocating for justice around the world. These are fixed term positions. Hours can be full or part-time. We want people with an understanding of and commitment to the values of Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand. If you're interested in making a difference and would like to find out more about any of these positions visit www.caritas.org.nz or contact [email protected] . Pax Christi Aotearoa New Zealand invites you to remember two significant dates in Aotearoa New Zealand’s history: The Declaration of Independence, signed on October 28th , 1835 and invasion of Parihaka on the 5th of November 1881. The Declaration of Independence was initiated by northern Rangatira. It is considered the first constitutional founding document of Aotearoa New Zealand and is thus the first recognition of New Zealand as an independent entity. The Parihaka invasion is significant in that it is the first known case of nonviolent resistance in the world. Mahatma Gandhi heard about Parihaka while in South Africa and it inspired him to nonviolent resistance action in India which effectively led to the independence of India in 1947. We ask you to remember these events in your prayers and to pray for the protection and safety of all peace makers and peace builders around the world.
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Is 25, 6-10; Phil 4, 12-14. 19-20; Mt 22, 1-14
Our God is a God who forgives and gives life Dear sisters and brothers, today the church asks us to celebrate “Respect life Sunday 2020”. What does it mean to us in the context we live? The world is experiencing unprecedented fear due to Covid-19 which is threatening human life. New Zealand is voting for its next government for three years: there are couple of issues referendum is enforced upon us, one is legalising recreational weed and the other is Euthanasia that is voluntary choice to end life at the recommendation of the couple of doctors. One hand the sickness is taking away our life and on the other we are trying to make a law that will allow us to end life. So, we are saying, that the weak, vulnerable, defenceless (in the womb, in the advanced old age and sickness) no right to live. So, the “respect life” Sunday becomes all the more significant for us to realise the culture we live, of use and throw; saying, either you are inconvenience to me or burden to the society. Prophet Isaiah begins the scripture passage with the image of the messianic banquet, the banquet which the LORD is preparing for the end of time, an image which Jesus takes up in the gospel story of the wedding feast. After the first lines the image changes to the removal of the mourning-veil and the destruction of death, every tear wiped away. Gradually Israel comes to realise that God’s love is so enveloping and so enduring that God cannot desert or abandon his faithful even in death. Death hastens our union with God in the messianic everlasting wedding banquet. Here we see the permanent, saving strength of God’s love expressed. Speaking to the Sadducees (who did not believe in the resurrection) Jesus says, “god is the God not of the dead but of the living”. Saint Paul would say, “neither death nor life can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.” A wedding is a time of joy and completion after long preparation, a time of love and of complete satisfaction. In Judaism at the time of Jesus the coming of the Messiah is often compared to a wedding feast. The marriage feast at Cana must have been some party! At Mary’s request Jesus produced 200 gallons of wine. The letter to the Ephesians teaches that the love in a human wedding is only a pale shadow of Christ’s love for his bride, the Church. In this story of the royal wedding, however, two things go drastically wrong. First, the original wedding guests refuse to come. Not only do they refuse, but they brutally maltreat the innocent messengers, and the king (who must stand for God) relentlessly burns down their city. This must be a adjustment to Jesus’ story, applying it to the Sack of Jerusalem, captured and burnt by the Romans in 70AD, a few years before Matthew was writing. Secondly, the man who has no wedding garment is slung out. A wedding garment is a standard Jewish image for works of generosity expected of every faithful Jew. For us Christians, too, the story constitutes a double warning. Dear sisters and brothers, first reading confirms our hope of life and existence, God intends to give us in abundance. that would be fulfilled in Jesus’ feast of wedding banquet. God invites every one of us, you and me to the wedding feast. He gives equal opportunity to the priests and elders of the people, to the invited guests and to the people on the crossroads. There are people who work tirelessly to bring joy and happiness into the lives of the people; but there are people who choose to bring harm and destruction into the lives of the people. And refuse to come to the wedding banquet (life) and choose (death). Paul recognises God’s providence and strength in his letter to the Philippians. Calls upon them glory of God and blessings. This is our God who forgives and gives life in abundance. Remember, each one us is important, precious, and valuable. You and I are created in the image and likeness of God. It is by His will we are here, and it is He who will call us in His time. Our life span has God’s purpose. Bless you Fr Ephrem Let us pray for all those who are unwell especially Margaret Mansell, Barney Scully, Hazel Kingston, Nesi Tan, Warren Stevenson, Gerard Birss, John Cairns-Cowan and Graeme Adams and those recovering at home including Eddie Wilkins. And we pray for the wonderful people who are caring for the everyday needs of the sick in our Community. We also pray for the members of our Parish families who have died recently and those whose anniversaries occur around this time; Danziel Kalolo-Apolinario, Zita Milne, Russell Stuart, Angela Panettieri, Jarlath Dooley and Robert Gates. There will be no adoration or confession next Saturday 17th October St Vincent de Paul New Members Commissioning, Holy Trinity Parish We are delighted to say that our Holy Trinity Eastern Suburbs Conference has welcomed 10 new active members: Mary Blair, Catherine McLauchlan, Leeroy Pinto, Irene Beamish, Alan Robinson, Cecilia Stipkovits, David Williams, Neal Swindell and Andrew and Annette Bridgman. Several other parishioners have offered assistance. We are grateful for the support of parishioners, parish council and Fr Ephrem to now fully extending our mission to people in need in the Kilbirnie community and the wider eastern suburbs. To offer prayerful support and allow for dedication of our members to serve humbly and practically, commissioning prayers by Fr Ephrem and these new members will be included after communion in the 10.30am Mass at St Patrick's Church on Sunday 11 October (Contact: Brendan Quirk, SVDP Eastern Suburbs, 021 236 5695). Farewell to the Capuchin Friars You are invited to a Farewell and Thanksgiving Mass for the Capuchin Friars who are withdrawing from work in the Wellington Archdiocese at the end of 2020. The Friars have been involved in Parish and Mission work since 1958. They will be sadly missed. The Mass will be celebrated on: Sunday 18th October 9.30am at St Patrick’s Church , Childers Tce, Kilbirnie, Wellington To be followed by a cup of tea in St Patrick’s Church Hall. Plesae bring a plate of food to share and leave in the hall prior to Mass We need volunteers to help with the cup of tea for the Capuchin Farewell Mass on the 18th. If you are available to help set up, be there for the food drop off before Mass, serve or clean up, please contact the office 388 6953 or [email protected] Finance Committee Meeting – 20th October 7pm, St Patrick’s Meeting Room Parish Council Meeting – 4th November 7pm, Gascoigne Room St Anthony’s Calling for volunteers. A form will be available in the coming weeks asking for more volunteers. This will include all ministries and such duties as setting up before Mass. Please consider now the ways in which you can best use your talents and help our community. Gascoigne Educational Scholarship. This scholarship is open to all ages groups who are present members of Holy Trinity Parish and are planning to study for 2021 and beyond at a tertiary level and who meet the qualifying criteria which are included in the terms and conditions. For an application form (including terms and conditions) email the parish office [email protected] or download a copy from the website http://www.holytrinity.parish.nz/ Closing date: 31 October 2020 2021 Columban Calendars available through the office $12 each. You can either put your money or cheq (made out to Holy Trinity Parish) in an envelope with your details and pop in the collection basket, email, phone or drop into the Parish Office. Alternatively pay by internet banking to Holy Trinity Parish 02-0536-0185031-00 and use CALENDAR as the reference. When you have paid, email the office [email protected] with the following details: your name, the amount paid, the number of calendars ordered, which Church you will collect your calendars from or if you would like to collect them from the office. Once payment has cleared, the Calendars will be left for you in the back of your chosen Church or in the office for you to collect. Bernadette Hyland also has them available for sale at St Patrick’s Church 2 Columban Calendar to give away! Two Columban Calendars have been very kindly donated by one of our parishioners. If you would like one of these please contact the Parish Office [email protected] or 388 6953 The little blue book for Advent and Christmas Seasons 2020 – 2021 5 copies of the little blue book have been very kindly donated by a parishioner. If you would like one of these please contact the Parish Office [email protected] or 388 6953 REAL CHRISTMAS CARDS St Vincent de Paul Society Christmas cards will be on sale soon in our Church foyers after Sunday Masses at Holy Cross, St Anthony's and St Patrick's churches, same price as last year's. Religious-theme cards "Keeping Christ in Christmas", $2.50 per pack of 5 cards with envelopes. Proceeds to our local St Vincent de Paul Conference activities in the eastern suburbs. Contacts: Holy Cross Church (Julian Knap, ph 970 3905), St Anthony's Church (Andrew Monahan, ph 021 772 350), and St Patrick's Church (Frank Quirke, ph 387 4977). Looking for flat to rent. Single, quiet, professional lady in her 50s looking for a small 2 bedroom or 1 bedroom flat with possibility of storage to rent in the Eastern Suburbs up to $350pw. References available. Contact details [email protected] 04 386 4484 or 021 709 270 Joshua Don’t forget the Joshua men’s meeting this Thursday 15th October 2020 at 7:30pm (Note: cuppa from 7:00pm for 7:30pm start). Note: venue ‘Loaves and Fishes’ next to Anglican Cathedral, corner Hill and Molesworth Streets. Speaker: Fr Peter Ewart on “What can we learn from Teresa of Avila about prayer and trusting in Jesus” Also, keep Saturday 31st October free for Men's Retreat at Home of Compassion, Island Bay Want to know more? Ring Steve Ready 027-356-9555 or email: [email protected] The Bishops’ 2020 Election Statement-Whakapuaki Pōti has just been published. Printed copies of the Election Statement are available at the back of the church. The Statement online here: www.catholic.org.nz/assets/Uploads/Catholic-Bishops-Election-Statement-2020.pdf A link to it is also on the NZCBC Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicNZ/ And a media statement about it is online here: www.catholic.org.nz/news/media-releases/bishops-election-statement-2020/ Respect Life Sunday 2020 on 11 October invites us to value and protect vulnerable members of our families, communities, society and nation in all we do. Quoting Pope Francis, the theme reminds us: “We are all frail, all equal, all precious”. Respect Life Sunday falls a week before the New Zealand General Election, in a year in which we face old and new questions about the way we value lives through the Covid-19 pandemic, abortion legislation and the euthanasia referendum. Sincere and humble worship of God bears fruit not in discrimination, hatred and violence, but in respect for the sacredness of life, respect for the dignity and freedom of others, and loving commitment to the welfare of all. Pope Francis: Fratelli Tutti, 3 October 2020 The CLC Kohanga community will shortly be running 7 weekly sessions to introduce new people to CLC and Ignatian spirituality. They welcome anyone interested to join with them. These are information sessions, there is no obligation to continue at the end of the 7 weeks, and they are free! The introductory evenings will be held at 7:30 pm every Tuesday from 13 October 2020 at a home in Hataitai. If you know anyone who is interested please ask them to contact: Chris Kelly on 0272942983 or email [email protected] or Andrea Havell on (04) 9721042 or 022 0925445 Election Weekend Latin Masses Three Latin Masses will be celebrated by newly ordained Auckland Priest Fr Roger Gilbride FSSP on the weekend of the national election. All are welcome. Saturday 17 October at St Mary of the Angels Chapel of Our Lady, 9.00am - Low Mass, then Rosary Sunday 18 October at St Mary of the Angels, 7.30pm – Missa Cantata in Solemnis, then Rosary Monday 19 October at Sacred Heart (Petone), 9.30am – Low Mass, Rosary, then morning tea in the church foyer. All enquiries to Neil Coup at 021 896 924 About to get married A wedding is a day, marriage is a lifetime. Could you successfully run a marathon without preparing for it? Of course not! So too marriage. The next opportunity to prepare for your lifetime together by attending a Engaged Encounter weekend marriage preparation course is 14th and 15th November. This is the final one for the year. For more details go to the website http://www.cee-wellington.co.nz/ Phone Kate and Simon Olson. 04 801 6192 or email [email protected] Online Session (Evening): Mary and the Reformation – Mary, full of Grace with Br Kieran Fenn who has a wonderful way of bringing Scripture alive. Tuesday, 20 October, 7-8.30pm. Fee: Koha/Donation. ZOOM.For more information and registration: [email protected] See also: https://www.studyjoy.nz/events/virtual-teaching-mary-in-the-reformation/ Online Session (Retreat Day): Who am I ? – Reflecting on our Identity in God with Eamon Butler. Saturday, 28 November, 10.30am-4pm. Fee: $60. (Please note new Date!) For more information and registration: [email protected] https://www.studyjoy.nz/events/virtual-retreat-day-with-eamon-butler-who-am-i/ Isaiah 6:8 Next weekend our parish will be holding the Pontifical Mission (MISSIO-NZ) Church Appeal. This year we are invited to partner with the needy Church in the Philippines. They reach out to those who have been affected by poverty and disability. They give them hope and support to live a fulfilling life. Zyrhrie Costales is a seven years old girl but weighs only 7kgs when the team of Sr Maris found her. In recent months Zyrhrie has also been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. The reach-out program of the diocese of San Jose, Nueva Ecija in the Philippines led by the Canossian Sisters and their teams worked hard to help bring integral development of mind, body, and soul of the children of the Diocese. Zyrhrie represents the many children who longs to live with top health. The Missionary Canossian Sisters and their team need your help. Next week you will be offered the opportunity to personally partner with the Church in the Philippines and other countries. Your gifts will specifically be directed to support communities and child- focused integral programs. May your generosity be an expression of your care for those less privileged. May your gifts be an expression of your response. Give from your heart. http://www.missio.nz/missionunday (09) 489 6549 KIWI ATHLETIC CLUB (est 1926) opening and enrolment nights 1st two Wednesday in October 5pm, Newtown Stadium. For College age to Veteran adults . Ideal for winter coders, newcomers. Contact Peter Jack 3886224 from 7pm Online Session (Retreat Day): Who am I ? – Reflecting on our Identity in God with Eamon Butler. Saturday, 24 October, 10.30am-4pm. Fee: $60. For more information and registration: [email protected] https://www.studyjoy.nz/events/virtual-retreat-day-with-eamon-butler-who-am-i/ Vacancies for Engagement Assistants We're looking for team players in the Wellington region who feel passionately about social justice and advocating for a world free of poverty and injustice. You may be a recent graduate or school leaver. Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is the New Zealand Catholic Bishops' agency for justice, peace and development. We play an integral part in the worldwide Caritas network of 165 Catholic relief, development, and social service organisations.We want to broaden our Wellington team who are working with our international partners, our donors and supporters, parishes, schools and the wider Catholic community. The assistant roles we are seeking to fill will be instrumental in providing support to our engagement and programmes work, ensuring we continue our mission in delivering aid, supporting development and advocating for justice around the world. These are fixed term positions. Hours can be full or part-time. We want people with an understanding of and commitment to the values of Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand. If you're interested in making a difference and would like to find out more about any of these positions visit www.caritas.org.nz or contact [email protected] . Is 5, 1-7; Phil 4, 6-9; Mt 21, 33-43
“The vineyard of the Lord of Hosts is the House of Israel and the men of Judah that chosen plant.” I do not have any experience of preparing of a vineyard. A few times I have visited vineyards (even on 26th September I had a wedding celebration) and winepress where I see a lot of work goes through. Isaiah puts it very clearly in today’s reading that the hosts is the Lord, you and me are chosen vine. Let us take a walk at the vineyard: A vineyard needs a lot of devoted care, pruning, manuring, tying back. In the rocky soil of Israel even more special care is needed, such as gathering the stones to form retaining walls to keep the soil from eroding, building a lookout tower against thieves and a vie-press for crushing the grapes. Then right fruiting-vine has to be grafted onto the sturdy stock, as here the vine-dresser grafts on fine grapes. We see disappointment when host gets for his pains is inedible wild grapes! This haunts the owner the vinedresser. St Francis of Assisi is born at this very point when religious fervour was at lowest ebb in 12th century. God’s call to St Francis was to rebuild his church which was falling into ruins. Today the Franciscan brothers and sisters are working in 153 countries. Dominic V Monti – by 2002 there 31,000 thousand friars and over one Million lay Franciscan following Christ in the spirituality of St Francis. This is how St Francis has taken the rebuilding of the Church. So too we are called to rebuild the church by our very sacrament of baptism, but evangelisation is not easy in todays world. This bring us the celebration of diamond jubilee of Holy Cross church, blessed on 2nd October 1960. This church must produce good and juicy fruits in you and me, the living church. Our relationship with God and his creation builds the church and vineyard. Are we ready to build it? The gospel presents the paradigm of our relationship with the creator. Jesus’ understanding of the sovereignty of God brought him the violent opposition of some of the Jewish leaders. Were they corrupt or just closed to any new way of thinking, so closed that they could not see that Jesus was the promised Messiah? Anyway, Jesus used this story about the tenants of a vineyard to show that they were not leading the people as they should. Everyone would immediately understand the image of the vineyard. The prophet Isaiah -and may others after him – had used this image in a well-known poem eight centuries earlier to show that the vineyard of Israel refused to yield a good harvest to God, whatever care God lavished on it. God expected fairness of judgement and all he found was a shriek of agony. What does it mean for us? Not that we have to follow every new idea. But it does mean that we must be open to the idea that we may be wrong, that our service of the Lord may be faulty that people we find tiresome or unacceptable may have more good in them than we credited. God’s ways are not our ways, and we need to watch out for the bend in the road. Listen to Paul, how he concludes the letter to the Philippians. Dear sisters and brothers, it is warm and affectionate little passage Paul concludes his letter. He encourages them in every way to be cheerful in the Lord, but especially to be grateful. If we really appreciate that the Lord is near, we cannot worry, and the peace of God will rest upon us. Then also gratitude and thanksgiving will be our mode of thought, penetrating all our thoughts on every subject. The word Paul uses for ‘thanksgiving’ is the word used for the Eucharist, which is the great prayer of thanksgiving, offered by Christ to the Father in the name of us all. It is the summing up of all prayer, petition, gratitude and admiration. No doubt Paul is thinking of it as the high point of all prayer. Dear friends, we are called to be grateful for the Lord has chosen us to be his right fruiting vine, grafted onto the sturdy stock; tenants who deliver the produce to him at the when the season arrives. May God bless us to be rooted in His Son’s teaching of gratitude and thanksgiving in this Eucharistic celebration. Fr Ephrem Let us pray for all those who are unwell especially Margaret Mansell, Barney Scully, Hazel Kingston, Nesi Tan, Warren Stevenson, John Cairns-Cowan and Graeme Adams and those recovering at home including Eddie Wilkins. And we pray for the wonderful people who are caring for the everyday needs of the sick in our Community. We also pray for the members of our Parish families who have died recently and those whose anniversaries occur around this time; Angela Panettieri, Frances Shaw, Glynn McArthy, Diane Crowhurst, Norman Paton and Moira Button. The Parish Office will be closed from the 1st to the 5th of October. You can still reach Fr for any urgent matters on the office phone number 388 6953 otherwise the office will open again on the 6th October. Thank you Farewell to the Capuchin Friars You are invited to a Farewell and Thanksgiving Mass for the Capuchin Friars who are withdrawing from work in the Wellington Archdiocese at the end of 2020. The Friars have been involved in Parish and Mission work since 1958. They will be sadly missed. The Mass will be celebrated on: Sunday 18th October 9.30am at St Patrick’s Church , Childers Tce, Kilbirnie, Wellington To be followed by a cup of tea in St Patrick’s Church Hall. (Depending on Covid19 Alert Level) Annointing Mass St Patrick’s Church 11am Wednesday 7th October VENERABLE SUZANNE AUBERT/ MERI HŌHEPA CELEBRATION SUNDAY OCT 4 This Sunday we remember and celebrate the spirituality and good works of Venerable Suzanne Aubert known to Maori as Meri Hōhepa. It’s the one day in the year when we can take time to reflect on what this remarkable woman achieved here in Aotearoa/New Zealand and be inspired and encouraged as we hope and pray that she will soon be formally recognised by the church as New Zealand’s first Saint. Cardinal John Dew received a personal letter last month from the president of the Causes for Saints, confirming the cure attributed to Suzanne’s alleged intercession is right now being closely examined in Rome. If the cure is accepted as miraculous, she will be beatified and known as Blessed. This will be a very significant stage on her journey to Sainthood. One can only wonder what Suzanne Aubert would say about the COVID-19 pandemic but we know she would be working at the coalface ensuring all were cared for during this time of upheaval and stress. Her wairua lives on in the work of the Sisters of Compassion and their co-workers today. To coincide with Celebration Sunday, the Sisters have launched a special video project design for students. Details are on the Suzanne Aubert website. (www.suzanneaubert.co.nz ). You will also find new resources including a video book on her life and a booklet of 35 reflections. Please pray for her beatification and eventual canonisation. And, let us remember her constant prayer. “ Thanks be to God for all He has done and is doing for us.” St Vincent de Paul New Members Commissioning, Holy Trinity Parish We are delighted to say that our Holy Trinity Eastern Suburbs Conference has welcomed 10 new active members: Mary Blair, Catherine McLauchlan, Leeroy Pinto, Irene Beamish, Alan Robinson, Cecilia Stipkovits, David Williams, Neal Swindell and Andrew and Annette Bridgman. Several other parishioners have offered assistance. We are grateful for the support of parishioners, parish council and Fr Ephrem to now fully extending our mission to people in need in the Kilbirnie community and the wider eastern suburbs. To offer prayerful support and allow for dedication of our members to serve humbly and practically, commissioning prayers by Fr Ephrem and these new members will be included after communion in the 10.30am Mass at St Patrick's Church on Sunday 11 October (Contact: Brendan Quirk, SVDP Eastern Suburbs, 021 236 5695). Parish Council Meeting – 7th October 7pm, Gascoigne Room St Anthony’s Finance Committee Meeting – 13th October 7pm, St Patrick’s Meeting Room Gascoigne Educational Scholarship. This scholarship is open to all ages groups who are present members of Holy Trinity Parish and are planning to study for 2021 and beyond at a tertiary level and who meet the qualifying criteria which are included in the terms and conditions. For an application form (including terms and conditions) email the parish office [email protected] or download a copy from the website http://www.holytrinity.parish.nz/ Closing date: 31 October 2020 2021 Columban Calendars available through the office $12 each. You can either put your money or cheq (made out to Holy Trinity Parish) in an envelope with your details and pop in the collection basket, email, phone or drop into the Parish Office. Alternatively pay by internet banking to Holy Trinity Parish 02-0536-0185031-00 and use CALENDAR as the reference. When you have paid, email the office [email protected] with the following details: your name, the amount paid, the number of calendars ordered, which Church you will collect your calendars from or if you would like to collect them from the office. Once payment has cleared, the Calendars will be left for you in the back of your chosen Church or in the office for you to collect. Bernadette Hyland also has them available for sale at St Patrick’s Church Masses available on Television: Free to air telecast Shine TV Freeview channel 25 Sundays – 2pm Invitation to a Christian Life Community introductory group The CLC Kohanga community will shortly be running 7 weekly sessions to introduce new people to CLC and Ignatian spirituality. They welcome anyone interested to join with them. These are information sessions, there is no obligation to continue at the end of the 7 weeks, and they are free! The introductory evenings will be held at 7:30 pm every Tuesday from 13 October 2020 at a home in Hataitai. If you know anyone who is interested please ask them to contact: Chris Kelly on 0272942983 or email [email protected] or Andrea Havell on (04) 9721042 or 022 0925445 DVDs wanted Please donate DVDs to young people living at Remutaka Prison, in the Youth Wing. I need DVDs to give to the prison to provide film evenings. If you have any: please send them to Steve O'Connor: Challenge 2000 PO Box 13059 Johnsonville. Or drop them at our Centre at 1 Wanaka Street Johnsonville. For more information, please phone Steve 021 192 7328. Men’s One-Day Retreat at Our Lady’s Home of Compassion, Island Bay on Saturday 31st October 2020, 8:30am – 5:00pm Theme: "Don't Worry. Trust in Jesus" Retreat Leader is Fr James Lyons Also, Joshua meeting on Thursday 15th October 2020 at 7:30pm in the ‘Loaves and Fishes’ next to Anglican Cathedral, corner Hill and Molesworth streets. Want to know more? Ring Steve Ready 027-356-9555 mail: [email protected] The Bishops’ 2020 Election Statement-Whakapuaki Pōti has just been published. Printed copies of the Election Statement are available at the back of the church. The Statement online here: www.catholic.org.nz/assets/Uploads/Catholic-Bishops-Election-Statement-2020.pdf A link to it is also on the NZCBC Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicNZ/ And a media statement about it is online here: www.catholic.org.nz/news/media-releases/bishops-election-statement-2020/ Nau Mai Haere Mai “COME AND SEE” Come and explore a vocation with the Sisters of Mercy Saturday 10th Oct Time: 9.30am – 2.00pm Venue: St Anne’s Parish Hall, 22 Emmett Street, Newtown RSVP for Catering and for more information Sr Fatima - [email protected] - Ph 021 084 29440 Sr Linda - [email protected] Ph 021 263 0439 Notices from Titipounamu Study & Joy Ecumenical Day – Presence in Unity with Sarah Hart, Fr Kevin Waldie and Rev Ivica Gregurec. If Auckland is in Level 1, we will have a celebration with biblical, theological, artistic musical input and morning tea at St Columba Centre (Ponsonby, Auckland). If we are in Level 1-4, it will be organised as Zoom event. Saturday, 17 October, 10am-1pm Fee: $10 (if on site at St Columba Centre). Free if by ZOOM. For more information and registration: [email protected] or: https://www.studyjoy.nz/events/ecumenical-day/ KIWI ATHLETIC CLUB (est 1926) opening and enrolment nights 1st two Wednesday in October 5pm, Newtown Stadium. For College age to Veteran adults . Ideal for winter coders, newcomers. Contact Peter Jack 3886224 from 7pm Jeremiah 29:11 ”For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Online Session (Retreat Day): Who am I ? – Reflecting on our Identity in God with Eamon Butler. Saturday, 24 October, 10.30am-4pm. Fee: $60. For more information and registration: [email protected] https://www.studyjoy.nz/events/virtual-retreat-day-with-eamon-butler-who-am-i/ October WelCom is being distributed to parishes and schools this week for Sunday, 4 October. Content includes:
As some are still at level 2 with various restrictions applied to gatherings, there will be no deliveries of the current print issue of NZ Catholic to parishes. However, the latest version of NZ Catholic is being made available free of charge for you to distribute. A cover graphic is also attached to assist in this. The link to the free issue is below. https://indd.adobe.com/view/698d4346-8ba8-465b-9b90-c612e4d57a8c If you in your family, in your neighbourhood start out with envy, with fights, there will be “war” in the end. Instead, if you start out with love, sharing love, forgiveness, there will be love and forgiveness for everyone. Pope Francis: General Audience 9 September 2020 Holy Trinity Parish Vision
We are a prayerful and diverse Catholic community in the Eastern suburbs of Wellington, drawing strength from one another to grow and become fully alive as missionary disciples. Ezek 18, 25-28; Phil 2, 1-11; Mt 21, 28-32 “My Sheep listen to my voice, I know them, and they follow me.” Dear brothers and sisters, last couple of Sundays we have been experience the grace of love and forgiveness of God brought by Jesus and calls all of us to live in these virtues. These do not happen without the change of our hearts and outlook, or inner conversion. The entrance antiphon to this weekend Mass reminds us of God’s mercy and his goodness to us for disobeying his commandment. It is a prayer of a gratitude person to God in recognition of His bountiful mercy. In our day-to-day life we see there are many good people chose to do something that is harmful to themselves and to the society; at the same time we too have examples of people who are in a bad habits and situations turn round their life and become good people, the reform their life and become responsible citizens. Prophet Ezekiel was speaking in Babylon during the exile of the Jews there after the destruction of Jerusalem. Not surprisingly, the second generation of exiles were questioning why they should suffer for the failures of their forefathers. This was, however, a new phase in the development of morality, for beforehand the sense of solidarity with family or clan had been so strong that it was assumed that punishment for the sins and failures of an individual would affect the whole clan or family. Now the individual cannot simply rely on good deeds of the past, nor4 feel irremediably condemned for failures in the past. Conversion in both directions is possible: just as the good person can become evil, so the evil person can change direction. At the end the Lord promises conversion to the good, a new heart and a new spirit, so that even the sinner can repent and live. During the Lent the midday prayer antiphon reads, “as I live says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but the wicked turn their ways and live” (Ezek 33, 11). In the Gospel to we find Jesus takes us into personal journey of two sons; one who says “yes” but doesn’t do but the one who says “no” yet changes his mind and does the work asked by his father. So there is ‘goodies’ and ‘baddies’ like these two in all of us, but the question is: which is the one that dominate to us? Often we are caught up doing right thing for the wrong reason. You know the sayings of Jesus were handed down by word of mouth for some years before being written down. Did the straightforward contrast in Matthew develop in Luke too; the prodigal son as of Matthew’s two sons. Both times ‘goodie’ son ends up bad, and bad, and the ‘baddie’ son ends up good. In the prodigal son great emphasis is put on his repentance, change of heart motivated by his father’s abundant mercy. Matthew’s story is given by Jesus’ word in the Sermon on the Mount, ‘it is not anyone who says to me, :Lord, Lord” who will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in Heaven.’ It is no use simply saying that Christ is our ‘Lord’, we must express it in our behaviour. Dear sisters and brothers, today we are called to put on Christ who empties Himself totally on the Cross is vindicated by the Father. We are called to live in fellowship with one another and with Christ. To have the mind of Christ is to imitate Him. Discipleship implies following Jesus and seeking in his way of living and acting in our day to day life. Through our common faith and baptism, we share in Christ’s life; he lives in us and we live in Him. To have the mind of Christ is to allow oneself to be moulded by the Spirit of Christ from within. This involves opening our minds, hearts and live to the Sacraments worthily. Let us pray that at this Eucharistic celebration, where Jesus is present actively in self-giving love transform us from within to make us his disciples. In celebrating and sharing it we are enabled in deepening ourselves and becoming like Him. As we reflect in his voice we hear today, penetrate our minds and hearts, and make us his Sheep. Fr Ephrem Let us pray for all those who are unwell especially Margaret Mansell, Barney Scully, Hazel Kingston, Nesi Tan, Warren Stevenson, John Cairns-Cowan and Graeme Adams and those recovering at home including Eddie Wilkins. And we pray for the wonderful people who are caring for the everyday needs of the sick in our Community. We also pray for the members of our Parish families who have died recently and those whose anniversaries occur around this time; Luke Cochrane, Noeline Cosgrave, Maria Garden, Brigid Lyon, Gilbert Raymond and Brian Bell. The office and several parishioners have received emails in the last week that appears to be from someone you know. It has a file attachment and a password in the body of the email to open the document and no other details. If you receive one of these, DO NOT OPEN. delete immediately. The Parish Office will be closed from the 1st to the 5th of October. You can still reach Fr for any urgent matters on the office phone number 388 6953 otherwise the office will open again on the 6th October. Thank you 60th Anniversary Mass Holy Cross Church - 4th October 8.30am All parishioners are welcome to come and celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Holy Cross Church. There will be a cup of tea in the hall after Mass so please bring a plate of food to share.
Feast of St Francis of Assisi Our Capuchin Friars and the Lay Franciscans are celebrating the Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi, their founder, on the 4th of October. There will be the Transitus of St Francis (passing away) on the 3rd of October 3.30pm at Holy Cross Church Miramar. The Solemn Holy Mass will be on Sunday 4th October 10.30am at St Patrick’s Church followed by a cup of tea in the parish centre the blessing of the animals will be at 4pm via his Facebook page Ephrem Tigga We welcome you all to come and celebrate with us the Feast day of our Founder. Farewell to the Capuchin Friars Parishioners are invited to a Farewell and Thanksgiving Mass for the Capuchin Friars who are withdrawing from work in the Wellington Archdiocese at the end of 2020. The Friars have been involved in Parish and Mission work since 1958. They will be sadly missed. The Mass will be celebrated on: Sunday 18th October 9.30am at St Patrick’s Church , Childers Tce, Kilbirnie, Wellington To be followed by a cup of tea in St Patrick’s Church Hall. (Depending of course on the Covid19 Alert Level) St Anthony’s Church The Mar Dionysius Indian Orthodox Church in Wellington will be using St Anthony’s Church Seatoun starting the weekend of Sunday 27 September from 8am – 12pm. These Masses will be held on the second and fourth Sundays and the third Saturday of each month. PARISH PROPERTY – Good Shepherd Hall As we shared with you last month, our action for this year regarding Cardinal John’s request that we rationalise property, is to sell Good Shepherd Hall in Strathmore. The Parish Aulotu is going to move their monthly Mass and meeting from Good Shepherd to St Anthony’s or one of the other Churches and halls in the Parish when the sale is finalised. Steady progress has been made on this. The property is being marketed by Bayleys Real Estate and Tenders will close on 21 October. We will keep you informed and updated regarding this process. Holy Trinity Finance Committee Annointing Mass St Patrick’s Church 11am Wednesday 7th October Gascoigne Educational Scholarship. This scholarship is open to all ages groups who are present members of Holy Trinity Parish and are planning to study for 2021 and beyond at a tertiary level and who meet the qualifying criteria which are included in the terms and conditions. For an application form (including terms and conditions) email the parish office [email protected] or download a copy from the website http://www.holytrinity.parish.nz/ Closing date: 31 October 2020 2021 Columban Calendars available through the office $12 each. You can either put your money or cheq (made out to Holy Trinity Parish) in an envelope with your details and pop in the collection basket, email, phone or drop into the Parish Office. Alternatively pay by internet banking to Holy Trinity Parish 02-0536-0185031-00 and use CALENDAR as the reference. When you have paid, email the office [email protected] with the following details: your name, the amount paid, the number of calendars ordered, which Church you will collect your calendars from or if you would like to collect them from the office. Once payment has cleared, the Calendars will be left for you in the back of your chosen Church or in the office for you to collect. These will be available for sale at St Patrick’s Church from October. St Vincent de Paul Eastern Suburbs Conference appreciates the assistance of food and donations given over the last few months by many parishioners of our Holy Trinity Parish. Our members have delivered food parcels to several families experiencing hardship during COVID, children's clothing and knitted items, and household items. Donations have been put towards supply of school uniform, shoes, jackets and activities for many local school students. Visits and phoning to elderly and isolated parishioners continue to show the parish cares for them. If you wish to help with these acts of charity, please consider a direct online donation to our local Conference account which is: BNZ Kilbirnie, St Vincent de Paul Society, A/c No. 02 0576 0017 817 06 , reference “ Donation ”. If you want a receipt of the donation for tax purposes, do please contact our Treasurer , Maria Pene, ph 022 428 0247, [email protected] St Patrick’s Church Liturgy Committee are looking for someone to run the Sacramental Programme for the children in 2021. In this programme the children are prepared for Reconciliation, Confirmation and Holy Communion. Each Sacrament has 3 lessons each which are held in the Parish Centre before or after Sunday Mass. Resources are provided and help and support provided. Are you interested in taking part? Please contact the Chairperson of the Committee Patricia O’Donnell 04 934 3179. Thank you. Meet the Candidates – Miramar Monday 28th September 7.30pm Gateway Baptist Church, 33 Park Rd, Miramar. Come see our local candidates speak on issues that matter to Rongotai and Wellington. Masses available on Television: Free to air telecast Shine TV Freeview channel 25 Sundays – 2pm St. Mary's College has a small number of places available for Preference students in Year 9, 12 and 13 for 2021. Please see our website for further information https://www.stmw.school.nz/SMC-Parents/Enrolments-Fees/Enrolments-Fees or phone the school office 473 5554. DVDs wanted Please donate DVDs to young people living at Remutaka Prison, in the Youth Wing. I need DVDs to give to the prison to provide film evenings. If you have any: please send them to Steve O'Connor: Challenge 2000 PO Box 13059 Johnsonville. Or drop them at our Centre at 1 Wanaka Street Johnsonville. For more information, please phone Steve 021 192 7328. The Bishops’ 2020 Election Statement-Whakapuaki Pōti has just been published. Printed copies of the Election Statement are available at the back of the church. The Statement online here: www.catholic.org.nz/assets/Uploads/Catholic-Bishops-Election-Statement-2020.pdf A link to it is also on the NZCBC Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicNZ/ And a media statement about it is online here: www.catholic.org.nz/news/media-releases/bishops-election-statement-2020/ Online Session (Evening): Mary, the Mother of God – A Contemporary Understanding of Mary with Br Kieran Fenn who has a wonderful way of bringing Scripture alive. Topic on Monday, 28 September, 7-8.30pm: Mary through History: the Changing Face of Mary Fee: $25/session. Special fees for groups of more than 2 persons. ZOOM. For more information and registration: [email protected] See also: https://www.studyjoy.nz/events/virtual-teaching-mary-mother-of-god-i-with-kieran-fenn-fms-7/ A virus that does not recognize barriers, borders, or cultural or political distinctions must be faced with a love without barriers, borders or distinctions. Pope Francis, General Audience, 9 September 2020 Parish Council Meeting – 7th October 7pm, Gascoigne Room St Anthony’s Finance Committee Meeting – 13th October 7pm, St Patrick’s Meeting Room KIWI ATHLETIC CLUB (est 1926) opening and enrolment nights 1st two Wednesday in October 5pm, Newtown Stadium. For College age to Veteran adults . Ideal for winter coders, newcomers. Contact Peter Jack 3886224 from 7pm Online Session (Retreat Day): Who am I ? – Reflecting on our Identity in God with Eamon Butler. Saturday, 24 October, 10.30am-4pm. Fee: $60. For more information and registration: [email protected] https://www.studyjoy.nz/events/virtual-retreat-day-with-eamon-butler-who-am-i/ SUNDAY MASS MINISTRY ROSTER – 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (27 September 2020) Ezek 18:25-28 Phil 2:1-11 Mt 21:28-32 Prayers of the Faithful: Counters: D Hyland & B Hyland St Anthony’s Church, Seatoun Time Host / Welcomers Altar Servers Proclaimers of the Word Offertory Special Ministers Commentary 5.30pm A Gunn G Blair To the sick: C Quidilla Altar Linen H Lepionka Cleaning: Moanstra Family Holy Cross Church, Miramar Time Host / Welcomers Altar Servers Proclaimers of the Word Offertory Special Ministers Children’s Liturgy 8.30am D Fugle T Amitrano S Lavea L Nota C Biggs L Kerschbaumer Altar Linen: P Palamo St Patrick’s Church, Kilbirnie Time Host / Welcomers Altar Servers Proclaimers of the Word Offertory Special Ministers Commentary 10.30am E & I MacDonald A Greening B Soli I Masun-Ryan C Madar-Leuluai D Hyland C Stipkovits Madar Family P Virtue S McCabe Morning Tea Rosary Statue: Liturgy of the Word with Communion: Monday 28th September - T Sutcliffe SUNDAY MASS MINISTRY ROSTER – 27TH Sunday in Ordinary Time (4 October 2020) Is 5:1-7 Phil 4:6-9 Mt 21:33-43 Prayers of the Faithful: C Stipkovits Counters: F Hutton & M O’Sullivan St Anthony’s Church, Seatoun Time Host / Welcomers Altar Servers Proclaimers of the Word Offertory Special Ministers Commentary 5.30pm Kevin Marshall To the sick: C Quililla Altar Linen: F Vanio Cleaning: Holy Cross Church, Miramar Commentary 10.30am Children’s Liturgy A Greening D Smith Children’s Liturgy Children’s Liturgy Children’s Liturgy I MacDonald Morning Tea: Rosary Statue: Liturgy of the Word with Communion: Monday 5th October - M Falanai-Andrews Covid19-Level 1 Many people are thrilled that we are now back to Alert Level 1, the level of being ready in case COVID-19 reappears in our community. This means we should remain vigilant and be careful to keep up many of the practices of past weeks.
Holy Trinity Parish Vision
We are a prayerful and diverse Catholic community in the Eastern suburbs of Wellington, drawing strength from one another to grow and become fully alive as missionary disciples. Ecc 27, 33-28, 9; Rom 14, 7-9; Mt 18, 21-35 Forgive your neighbour the hurt he does you; and when you pray, your sins will be forgiven. Dear sisters and brothers, tomorrow’s big tree is today’s seed. Today’s reality becomes tomorrows dreams fulfilled. This world is filled with so many possibilities, just waiting to be explored. You and me have seed that is waiting to be planted, watered and God will give it growth. You and me have today to live and make the dreams of tomorrow come true. We are in the season of creation, that is bursting with new life and growth; a month of social justice and we are in our home, called earth is calling for reconciliation. The first reading the son of Sira brings to the house of God called Temple and shows the love he has for it and the law of God. The wise old scribe Ben Sira gathered together and reflected on the wisdom of the ancients, aware all the time that the Lord God is the source of all true wisdom. Most of his proverbial wisdom accords with that elusive quality, common sense, but it is none the worse or less important for that! Here he already looks forward to the message of today’s gospel parable: the quality of God which we know best is the divine name revealed to Moses on Sinai is ‘God of mercy and compassion’, and this echoes again and again down the scriptures. We are made in the image of God, and our glory is to imitate in our won poor human way, this divine forgiveness. Once we see love and forgiveness as our divine mode of living, our whole relationship with other people changes. The last few lines give us a good, common sense summary of the foolishness of quarrelling. For us forgiveness is the life’s-blood and the seed of the Christian community. In this seed the plant of discipleship takes its shape. We are acutely aware, that we cannot live together without upsetting one another, unwittingly, or even deliberately. So forgiveness is the vital step and real forgiveness cements a relationship, leaving it stronger than it was before the offence. Don’t forgive and forget but remember the forgiveness. Look at the Lord’s prayer which stresses on the ‘forgive us our trespasses as we forgive others.’ This healing balm is not only to the person forgiven but the person who forgives too. It heals the Brocken heart, broken seed, and broken dream. The contrast between the two slaves sums of money is deliberately fantastic: the first slave owes millions of dollars, a sum no private person could ever repay, let alone a slave; it is more than a year’s tax for a whole Roman province. The second owes a couple of months’ wages of a casual labourer. Dear sisters and brothers, it’s like two friends receiving a milk in a glass; one sees the glass half-filled whereas the other sees the glass is half empty. The unforgiveness creates rapture among us and leaves the society fragmented but forgiveness makes us disciples of Christ and brings wellness to humanity and our home (earth). It gives us an opportunity to fulfil the dream God has for you and me. We are here to listen the old wisdom form Ben Sira, gather them with common sense, reconciliation and forgiveness brought by Jesus, and be the disciples of mercy and compassion. Forgive your neighbour the hurt he does you; and when you pray, your sins will be forgiven. “A full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back” (Lk 6, 38). Fr Ephrem Let us pray for all those who are unwell especially Margaret Mansell, Barney Scully, Hazel Kingston, Nesi Tan, Warren Stevenson, John Cairns-Cowan and Graeme Adams and those recovering at home including Eddie Wilkins. And we pray for the wonderful people who are caring for the everyday needs of the sick in our Community. We also pray for the members of our Parish families who have died recently especially Erich Renner and those whose anniversaries occur around this time; Brian Slater, Beverley Thurlow and Mary Dysart. All Masses are suspended till we are back in alert level 1; Faithful are dispensed from Obligation of Mass as long as the restrictions remain. All churches are now closed except Holy Cross Church which will be open for personal prayer between 9am - 2pm each day. Following rules apply
We want to ensure we keep everyone safe Fr Ephrem is offering Mass every day from the prayer room in the presbytery at the following times till we are back at level 1
Holy Cross School baptism and feast of the Holy Cross – Monday 14 September 9am - postponed The school baptisms will now be on the 21st September and will only be for the children being baptised and their families. Feast of St Francis of Assisi Our Capuchin Friars and the Lay Franciscans are celebrating the Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi, their founder, on the 4th of October. There will be the Transitus of St Francis (passing away) on the 3rd of October 3.30pm at Holy Cross Church Miramar. The Solemn Holy Mass will be on Sunday 4th October 10.30am at St Patrick’s Church and the blessing of the animals 4pm via his Facebook page Ephrem Tigga We welcome you all to come and celebrate with us the Feast day of our Founder. Please note: This will only go ahead if we are at level 1. If we are at level 2, Fr will say Mass at the above times via his Facebook page Ephrem Tigga A big thank you to Francie Dwyer, Brendan Quirk, Tony Giannotti and Allan for coming and tidying up the gardens at the front of the presbytery. Looks great. And a big thank you to Ray Whelan for cleaning Holy Cross every day while we have been at level 2 so we can continue to keep the church open for personal prayers. Is anyone else is available to help with the cleaning? All cleaning products and PPE provided. If you live locally and have no underlying health conditions, please contact the office 388 6953 or [email protected] The latest copy of the Welcom is out now. Can you drop copies to parishioners you know? Do you want a copy for yourself? Since we are still at level 2, we need a way to get these out to parishioners. Drop by the office, ph 04 3885319 or email [email protected] Gascoigne Educational Scholarship. This scholarship is open to all ages groups who are present members of Holy Trinity Parish and are planning to study for 2021 and beyond at a tertiary level and who meet the qualifying criteria which are included in the terms and conditions. For an application form (including terms and conditions) email the parish office [email protected] or download a copy from the website http://www.holytrinity.parish.nz/ Closing date: 31 October 2020 2021 Columban Calendars available through the office $12 each. Either drop in and pay by cash or by internet banking to Holy Trinity Parish 02-0536-0185031-00 and use CALENDAR as the reference. Once the payment has cleared, you can collect the calendar from the office or once we are back at level 1, it can be left at the back of your preferred church. St Vincent de Paul Eastern Suburbs Conference appreciates the assistance of food and donations given over the last few months by many parishioners of our Holy Trinity Parish. Our members have delivered food parcels to several families experiencing hardship during COVID, children's clothing and knitted items, and household items. Donations have been put towards supply of school uniform, shoes, jackets and activities for many local school students. Visits and phoning to elderly and isolated parishioners continue to show the parish cares for them. If you wish to help with these acts of charity, please consider a direct online donation to our local Conference account which is: BNZ Kilbirnie, St Vincent de Paul Society, A/c No. 02 0576 0017 817 06 , reference “ Donation ”. If you want a receipt of the donation for tax purposes, do please contact our Treasurer , Maria Pene, ph 022 428 0247, [email protected] St Patrick’s Church Liturgy Committee are looking for someone to run the Sacramental Programme for the children in 2021. In this programme the children are prepared for Reconciliation, Confirmation and Holy Communion. Each Sacrament has 3 lessons each which are held in the Parish Centre before or after Sunday Mass. Resources are provided and help and support provided. Are you interested in taking part? Please contact the Chairperson of the Committee Patricia O’Donnell 04 934 3179. Thank you. Masses available on Television: Free to air telecast Shine TV Freeview channel 25 Sundays – 2pm 1Chronicles 16:23 “Sing to the Lord, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day.” Finance Committee Meeting – 13th October 7pm, St Patrick’s Meeting Room Parish Council Meeting – 7th October 7pm, Gascoigne Room St Anthony’s Over the centuries, and by the light of the Gospel, the Church has developed several social principles which are fundamental, principles that can help us move forward in preparing the future that we need. I cite the main ones which are closely connected: the principle of the dignity of the person, the principle of the common good, the principle of the preferential option for the poor, the principle of the universal destination of goods, the principle of the solidarity, of subsidiarity, the principle of the care for our common home. These principles help the leaders, those responsible for society, to foster growth and also, as in the case of the pandemic, the healing of the personal and social fabric. All of these principles express in different ways the virtues of faith, hope and love. Pope Francis: General Audience address 5 August 2020 Alternatives to on-line masses: See attached Family Liturgy of the Word Use this beautiful video clip to reflect/ discuss/ pray with : https://gratefulness.org/resource/this-place-is-heaven/ Notices from Titipounamu Study & Joy Online Session (Evening): Mary, the Mother of God – A Contemporary Understanding of Mary with Br Kieran Fenn who has a wonderful way of bringing Scripture alive. Topic on Monday, 14 September, 7-8.30pm: Mary in the Gospel of John. Fee: $25/session. Special fees for groups of more than 2 persons. ZOOM. For more information and registration: [email protected] See also: https://www.studyjoy.nz/events/virtual-teaching-mary-mother-of-god-i-with-kieran-fenn-fms-5/ Online Session (Retreat Day): Homecoming – A Journey of Transformation (Prodigal Son) with Eamon Butler. Saturday, 19 September, 10.30am-4pm. Fee: $60. For more information and registration: [email protected] https://www.studyjoy.nz/events/retreat-day-with-eamon-butler-the-prodigal-son/ JOSHUA FELLOWSHIP Come and join other men on Thursday 17th September 2020. A cuppa available from 7:00pm for a 7:30pm start in 'LOAVES and FISHES' next to Anglican Cathedral of St Paul, corner Hill and Molesworth streets. Speaker: Jane Sutherland sharing an amazing story of forgiveness “Forgive a little/love a little; forgive a lot/love a lot” Want to know more? Ring Steve Ready 027-356-9555 or email: [email protected] I want to sing to you – Fr Chris Skinner SM With an interlude from Kapiti Senior Singers. At our Lady of Kapiti Church on Sunday 20th September 2-4pm. Tickets $25 from Our Lady of Kapiti Parish Office 04 902-5815 or Mary Cook 027-298-3255 [email protected] CDs for sale at the concert. KIWI ATHLETIC CLUB (est 1926) opening and enrolment nights 1st two Wednesday in October 5pm, Newtown Stadium. For College age to Veteran adults . Ideal for winter coders, newcomers. Contact Peter Jack 3886224 from 7pm Youth Together – young people’s therapy group (Free) Monday 14 Sept – 7 Dec 3.15pm – 5pm Are you 13 – 17 years old? Have you had a refugee life experience? Do you want to meet others with similar experiences? Do you sometimes find life hard or stressful? Do you find yourself upset, angry or quiet? Would you like to have fun while developing skills to cope with school, family and making friends? If you speak enough English to complete your schoolwork without an interpreter then this group is for you. If you are interested contact Lorraine Singh (counsellor) 022 624 3699 or [email protected] or Mary Cook (psychotherapist) 022 680 3084 [email protected] Community Programme Inspire – open to Women from all Ethnicities with Refugee Experiences. Translators Available. Join Us Tuesdays 15 Sept – 01 Dec 2020 from 12pm – 2.30pm Central Wellington. For women 20years + register before 7 September by email or ph Anji Piper-Beckett 022 624 38703 or [email protected] or Carolina Henriquez 022 354 2860 or [email protected] Discover Maori Culture and world views how to balance your life and regain personal power. Create art, healing strategies, nurturing, cooking. Loear women’s rights in New Zealand strategies to build health lifestyles. Human Love in the Divine Plan (Theology of the Body)- First intake in Wellington! Course for Adults (18 years up) on September 19 & 20 (Saturday and Sunday) Venue: Challenge 2000, 1 Wanaka St, Johnsonville, Wellington. General Registration: $50.00. (closes three days before the event) Contact 0220289737 or email [email protected]. For information, visit: www.marriageandfamily.org.nz Be informed about the End of Life Choice Act Referendum: • The End of Life Choice Act is not an option of ‘last resort’. It will not just apply to the ‘exceptionally difficult cases’. It does not require that a person first make use of available treatments or counselling, nor that they first receive palliative care. A person does not need to be in physical pain. • If euthanasia becomes legal in NZ, people will access it because they think they lack other choices. Even though quality palliative care is effective, there is no corresponding legal right to access palliative care. Under current law, people can already say ‘no’ to treatments and can receive whatever level of pain relief they need. These days, no-one need die in pain. The EOLC Act is badly drafted and seriously flawed. Whatever one’s views about the idea of euthanasia, it is not ‘compassion’ to vote for a dangerous law. See www.riskylaw.nz or www.votesafe.nz or www.carealliance.org,nz or www.nathaniel.org.nz Authorised by John Kleinsman, 15 Guildford Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington The Suzanne Aubert Heritage Centre and Cloister Cafe are open Everyone is welcome to spend some time in our public spaces. Cloister Café: 9am to 3pm, Tuesday to Friday. 10am to 3pm, Saturday & Sunday. Suzanne Aubert Heritage Centre: 10am to 3pm, Tuesday to Sunday The story of Suzanne Aubert, is more relevant than ever in 2020. Come and find new inspiration in the exhibition rooms. Feed your spirit with a visit to the Chapel and Resting Place of Suzanne Aubert. Enjoy a barista coffee or a bowl of soup in the Café. Craft Gathering at the Home of Compassion Join us for our new weekly craft gathering. We will meet 12 noon on Wednesdays in the Suzanne Aubert Heritage Centre, 2 Rhine Street, Island Bay. For more information contact (04) 282 1953 or [email protected] Bee Awareness Open Day 20 September, 11am-3pm. Bring all the family for crafts, honey tasting and learn all about bees from our beekeeper. You can purchase our delicious honey from our shop – but be in quick, there are limited amounts available! Our Lady’s Chapel at Our Lady’s Home of Compassion, 2 Rhine Street, Island Bay. https://soupkitchen.org.nz/donate/annual-appeal/ - Annual Appeal “Thanks for the meals you are providing every day. If it weren’t for you many of us would be searching for food in rubbish bins” – Compassion Soup Kitchen guest We missed this information last week, but 6 - 12 September is the celebration of Tongan Language Week - Uike Kātoanga'i 'o e Lea Faka-Tonga. Interestingly, the theme this year is: "Fakakoloa ‘o Aotearoa ‘aki ‘a e Lotu Mo’oni" which in English means "Enriching Aotearoa New Zealand through Prayer and Faith". it’s a good reminder, especially at this time, when to help keep ourselves and others safe from potential harm of Covid 19, many of are keeping our faith and prayer life strong, until we can safely gather together again as parish community in our church buildings. Maori Language Week – Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori 14 - 20 September- Hepetema Gather in my name These changing Covid days there are still many different ways to gather virtually by zoom, skype, face time, in reality with family or in small groups, or in spirit. Christ is among us as we gather in these new or different ways. Christ is present too in the Word! While we may not yet be able to participate in Sunday Mass, remember, God’s Word. When we celebrate and proclaim the Word alone or in small groups, Christ is present in this special way and we are fed anew. Reading scripture alone or in a small group, reflecting on it and perhaps discussing it, then sharing some prayers is like experiencing a little liturgy of the Word. The NZ Bishops Conference invites us to take Māori texts, to treasure them and pray them. Some people ask why we use Māori in our liturgy and our prayer. One of the reasons is that it is an official language of New Zealand. It also does link into tenets of Catholic Social Justice. Some of us might consider adding a little Te Reo to our prayers and meditation this coming week. Te Tohu o Te Rīpeka – The Sign of the Cross Ki te ingoa o te Matua, o te Tamaiti, o te Wairua Tapu. Āmene. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. After Reading God’s Word Ko te Kupu a te Ariki The Word of the Lord Whakamoemiti ki te Atua Thanks be to God The response to prayer (including the Prayer of Faithful at Mass) Prayer: E te Ariki . . . Response: Whakarongo mai rā ki a mātou. Oh Lord . . . Listen to us. Season of Creation As we focus on the environment, we are called also to look at “common property” locally and globally across the planet. The survival of the planet depends on people working together in whatever ways we can. GLOBAL WARNING Creator God – maker and shaper of all that is, seen and unseen; You are in the expanse and depth of Creation, and in the processes that make life possible. Yet we are distracted by the gods we make ourselves and our lives become fractured and fragmented. In our brokenness we disturb the Earth’s capacity to hold us. Instead we find climate uncertainty and global injustice. Call us back from the brink. Help us to choose love not fear, to change ourselves and not the planet; to act justly for the sake of the vulnerable; and to make a difference today for life tomorrow. In your name – Father, Son and Spirit. Amen. Martyn Goss 2008: Source: Churches together in Britain & Ireland. Over time, ignorance, misunderstandings and greed have led to the failure of protection and to near-collapse of many life systems throughout the world. Pope Francis and others, are challenging us to value the world wide community and to do all we can in order to protect our lives and our world. Some thoughts and prayers for this week: Spirit of God, You establish the dance of Creation; bring life out of death and order out of chaos. Call us to radical action to care about the whole created world and to share resources more equitably with all life. O God, hear us we pray Give us your love for the whole of Creation Bless, O Lord, the plants, the vegetation and the herbs of the field, that they may grow and increase to fullness and bear much fruit. And may the fruit of the land remind us of the spiritual fruit we should bear. Coptic Orthodox liturgy, Egypt. Fr Chris Skinner S.M. sings Awesome God https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7aR0CvQSBA Also remember to check out: https://tuimotu.org/ NCR – esp the Lense on Creation link has some fabulous articles and reflections. https://www.ncronline.org/ Support St V de Paul; Donate to the food bank; Watch your electricity use; Be creative with food left overs; Recycle what you can; Check out a local environmental organisation of interest; Challenge unnecessary use of plastic; Monitor your weekly rubbish; Be thoughtful; Benediction May God who established the dance of creation, Who marvelled at the lilies of the field, Who transforms chaos to order, Lead us to transform our lives and the Church To reflect God’s glory in creation. Ezek 33, 7-9; Rom 13, 8-10; Mt 18, 15-20
Praise be to you, O Lord Dear sisters and brothers, as I was walking back from Clear Vision, Riddiford St, Newtown to Holy Cross Presbytery, Miramar after my eye examination, it was a torture. I could hardly see anything without my specs, the sun was too strong, it was breezy, and my eyes were teary. I remembered Jesus say, “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your vision is poor, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” Mt 6, 22-23. It calls for appreciation that every little part of the body is so vital, thing we see, and every person exist in this world. They are all gifts from God for us to help us see God’s love for us. It calls us to respect and be responsible for the creation, our neighbour and myself. Pope Francis begins the encyclical letter “Laudato Si” (on care for our common home), “LAUDATO si’, mi’ Signore”, meaning “praise be to you, my Lord”. This statement recognises the creator and all that is created are from God. the whole creation cries out for love and care for it. Crown of the creation is human being, you and me. This month gives us an opportunity to act responsibly for the care of our home and provide social justice (6-12 September social justice week) as church asks us to. Reflecting on the care of our common home, reminds us that it needs to begin with you and me, that is care of one another. Prophet Ezekiel provides warnings and calls for reconciliation for the harm we do to one another. If we fail in our duty to our brothers, sisters, spouses, children or other dependant, those harm the holiness of the whole society, creation and the church. we can’t shrug them off as no concern of our saying: ‘I can’t be bothered, too busy, nothing to do with me, anyway.’ We cannot afford to be indifferent to the creation. Gospel brings the truth home as the evangelist says, “despite the presence of the Christ in the Christian community there are going to be disagreements and misunderstandings in every community and every family. The vital thing is to sort them out and not to let them fester.” He also highlights the value of forgiveness by Jesus’ teaching, “forgive not just seven times but seventy-seven times.” Dear sisters and brothers, Christ is present in his community always. The same promise is given at the beginning and the end of the gospel, “I am with you to the end of time.” Therefore, the strength of the community both to reconcile grievances and to make further requests of the Father lies in the presence of Christ within it. It is especially striking that the same promise is here given to the Church as had earlier been given to Peter himself. Paul describes the process of salvation won for us by Christ’s loving obedience to his Father. He teaches us to live as Christian by loving neighbours as we love ourselves. Thus, love covers all our faults and commits us to grow in charity. This way we evolve ourselves into a people who love and care not only fellow human beings but whole creation. St Francis is one of the most joyful persons to have lived closest to the creation and praised God with all his heart for his creation. He reconciled humanity with animals with the example of the wolf of Gubbio. Dear sisters and brothers, today we celebrate Father’s Day, let us remember to pray for their love, care, support and understanding in leading us to be a responsible person. Happy Fathers’ Day. May God be praised for our dads. Every blessing to you all. Fr Ephrem Let us pray for all those who are unwell especially Barney Scully, Hazel Kingston, Nesi Tan, Warren Stevenson, John Cairns-Cowan and Graeme Adams and those recovering at home including Eddie Wilkins. And we pray for the wonderful people who are caring for the everyday needs of the sick in our Community. We also pray for the members of our Parish families who have died recently especially Mary McArthur and Philipine Calllanan and those whose anniversaries occur around this time; Nola Foley. All Masses are suspended till we are back in alert level 1; Faithful are dispensed from Obligation of Mass as long as the restrictions remain. All churches are now closed except Holy Cross Church which will be open for personal prayer between 9am - 2pm each day. Following rules apply
Fr Ephrem is offering Mass every day from the prayer room in the presbytery at the following times till we are back at level 1
Memorial Mass for John Rogers – 12 September 2pm St Patrick’s Church Kilbirnie A memorial Mass will be celebrated for John who died on the 22nd March. Please note: This will only go ahead at level 1. If we are at level 2, this will be postponed to a later date. Holy Cross School baptism and feast of the Holy Cross – Monday 14 September 9am Father will be celebrating Mass on this day at Holy Cross School Hall to celebrate the feast of the Holy Cross and baptise some children from the school. Come join in this special occasion. Please note: there will be no liturgy of the word with communion on this day Finance Committee Meeting – 8th September 7pm, St Patrick’s Meeting Room Parish Council Meeting – 7th October 7pm, Gascoigne Room St Anthony’s St Vincent de Paul Eastern Suburbs Conference appreciates the assistance of food and donations given over the last few months by many parishioners of our Holy Trinity Parish. Our members have delivered food parcels to several families experiencing hardship during COVID, children's clothing and knitted items, and household items. Donations have been put towards supply of school uniform, shoes, jackets and activities for many local school students. Visits and phoning to elderly and isolated parishioners continue to show the parish cares for them. If you wish to help with these acts of charity, please consider a direct online donation to our local Conference account which is: BNZ Kilbirnie, St Vincent de Paul Society, A/c No. 02 0576 0017 817 06 , reference “ Donation ”. If you want a receipt of the donation for tax purposes, do please contact our Treasurer , Maria Pene, ph 022 428 0247, [email protected] St Patrick’s Church Liturgy Committee are looking for someone to run the Sacramental Programme for the children in 2021. In this programme the children are prepared for Reconciliation, Confirmation and Holy Communion. Each Sacrament has 3 lessons each which are held in the Parish Centre before or after Sunday Mass. Resources are provided and help and support provided. Are you interested in taking part? Please contact the Chairperson of the Committee Patricia O’Donnell 04 934 3179. Thank you. Some possible options as we can’t attend Mass on Sundays: This link takes you through to four different types of online retreats including a “3-Minute Retreat” and an Audio retreat as well as daily scripture with Sacred Space and Pray as You Go. https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/prayer-online/ Auckland Liturgy Office https://www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz/liturgy/ “Celebration of the Word at home” with links to daily readings and music Reflections from John O’Connor, ‘Food for Faith’ have just started again. https://foodforfaith.org.nz Psalm 105: 1 “Oh give thanks to the Lord: call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!” https://indd.adobe.com/view/3d006405-1cb7-4d8a-9bf7-b0c140727602 Over the centuries, and by the light of the Gospel, the Church has developed several social principles which are fundamental, principles that can help us move forward in preparing the future that we need. I cite the main ones which are closely connected: the principle of the dignity of the person, the principle of the common good, the principle of the preferential option for the poor, the principle of the universal destination of goods, the principle of the solidarity, of subsidiarity, the principle of the care for our common home. These principles help the leaders, those responsible for society, to foster growth and also, as in the case of the pandemic, the healing of the personal and social fabric. All of these principles express in different ways the virtues of faith, hope and love. Pope Francis: General Audience address 5 August 2020 Liturgical Guide for Season of Creation 2020, by Tui Motu InterIslands Magazine https://tuimotu.org/a/3ngdBdW JOSHUA FELLOWSHIP Come and join other men on Thursday 17th September 2020. A cuppa available from 7:00pm for a 7:30pm start in 'LOAVES and FISHES' next to Anglican Cathedral of St Paul, corner Hill and Molesworth streets. Speaker: Jane Sutherland sharing an amazing story of forgiveness “Forgive a little/love a little; forgive a lot/love a lot”Want to know more? Ring Steve Ready 027-356-9555 or email: [email protected] I want to sing to you – Fr Chris Skinner SM With an interlude from Kapiti Senior Singers. At our Lady of Kapiti Church on Sunday 20th September 2-4pm. Tickets $25 from Our Lady of Kapiti Parish Office 04 902-5815 or Mary Cook 027-298-3255 [email protected] CDs for sale at the concert. KIWI ATHLETIC CLUB (est 1926) opening and enrolment nights 1st two Wednesday in October 5pm, Newtown Stadium. For College age to Veteran adults . Ideal for winter coders, newcomers. Contact Peter Jack 3886224 from 7pm Notices from Titipounamu Study & Joy Online Session (Evening): Mary, the Mother of God – A Contemporary Understanding of Mary with Br Kieran Fenn who has a wonderful way of bringing Scripture alive. Topic on Monday, 7 September, 7-8.30pm: Mary in the Gospel of Luke. Fee: $25/session. Special fees for groups of more than 2 persons. ZOOM. For more information and registration: [email protected] See also: https://www.studyjoy.nz/events/virtual-teaching-mary-mother-of-god-i-with-kieran-fenn-fms-4/ Online Session (Retreat Day): Homecoming – A Journey of Transformation (Prodigal Son) with Eamon Butler. Saturday, 19 September, 10.30am-4pm. Fee: $60. For more information and registration: [email protected] https://www.studyjoy.nz/events/retreat-day-with-eamon-butler-the-prodigal-son/ Youth Together – young people’s therapy group (Free) Monday 14 Sept – 7 Dec 3.15pm – 5pm Are you 13 – 17 years old? Have you had a refugee life experience? Do you want to meet others with similar experiences? Do you sometimes find life hard or stressful? Do you find yourself upset, angry or quiet? Would you like to have fun while developing skills to cope with school, family and making friends? If you speak enough English to complete your schoolwork without an interpreter then this group is for you. If you are interested contact Lorraine Singh (counsellor) 022 624 3699 or [email protected] or Mary Cook (psychotherapist) 022 680 3084 [email protected] Community Programme Inspire – open to Women from all Ethnicities with Refugee Experiences. Translators Available. Join Us Tuesdays 15 Sept – 01 Dec 2020 from 12pm – 2.30pm Central Wellington. For women 20years + register before 7 September by email or ph Anji Piper-Beckett 022 624 38703 or [email protected] or Carolina Henriquez 022 354 2860 or [email protected] Discover Maori Culture and world views how to balance your life and regain personal power. Create art, healing strategies, nurturing, cooking. Loear women’s rights in New Zealand strategies to build health lifestyles. September – Hepetema September is a busy month for Catholics in New Zealand: It’s the Season of Creation, this week is Social Justice Week, Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori starts 14th, plus the 6th is also Fathers Day! And everything is connected. Ā, kei te honono i ngā mea kātoa. There’s plenty to keep us thinking about, praying for and acting upon as members of Christ’s body, the Church on earth. Here are three quotes to help with some short meditations over the next week: Human life is grounded in three fundamental and closely intertwined relationships: with God, with our neighbour and with the earth itself. (Laudato si’ #66) We are faced not with two separate crises, one environmental and the other social, but rather with one complex crisis which is both social and environmental. Strategies for a solution demand an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature. (Laudato si’ #139) “A real concern today is that liturgy and social justice tend to be treated as two unrelated activities in the life of the Church... the equality we know at the table of Christ’s Body must be celebrated at all other tables.” (Cardinal Thomas Williams - Social Justice Week 2020 booklet p.2) In the spirit of Kaitiakitanga Stewardship may we all take action throughout this Season of Creation month, not just in prayer but in our daily lives too. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle- Three R’s for a better planet – reduce, reuse, recycle.
Let us pray for the diversity of humanity: The gifts of the human race expressed in music and art, science and engineering, philosophy and literature, laughter and friendship. May we appreciate and embrace the diversity, creativity and vulnerability of those with whom we share earth’s journey. Enable us, God of love, to honour all of creation in our interactions with others and in our interactions with nature. We ask this through Christ your Son. AMEN Catholic Social Justice Week - Te Wiki o te Whai Tika Easy as CST: Unlocking the Church’s Potential. Let us take this opportunity to investigate our Church’s nine principles of social teaching and consider how we promote love, peace and justice for all. Good information for parishes at: https://caritas.org.nz/parishes/social-justice-week Human Dignity • Te Mana i te Tangata Solidarity • Whakawhanaungatanga Preferential Option for the Poor and Vulnerable • He Whakaaro Nui mo te Hunga Rawakore Subsidiarity • Mana Whakahaere Stewardship • Kaitiakitanga Distributive Justice • Te Tika ka Tohaina Promotion of Peace •Te Whakatairanga i te Rangimarie Participation • Nau te Rourou, Naku te Rourou Common Good • He Painga ma te Katoa COVID 19 Alert Level 2 We’ve come so far and so well – do keep up with those safe practices – most of us want to keep this virus away.
Jer 20, 7-9; Rom 12, 1-2; Mt 16, 21-27
Fool for the sake of Christ. Dear sisters and brothers, I am going through roller coaster life, life of turmoil and chaos. It makes hard to write a few words of encouragement and enhance faith to encounter Christ in your life in your own situation. Let me try to make some sense from the Scripture we hear today. Prophet Jeremiah goes through very tough time as he feels himself trapped in the message of God and the people with whom he lives. St Paul writing to the Romans strongly advises them to “truly pleasing to God”, and recommends that that “is the only way to discover the will of God and know what is good, what it is that God wants, what is the perfect thing to do.” By remonstrating Peter, Jesus chides us too to relinquish worldly thoughts and “turn-around” gain life. Due to prevailing present situation in the world with Covid-19, other natural calamities, we are forced to adjust our daily lives, the life of care and love for one another. It is making us sacrifice, in the language of St Paul, “that Christian behaviour must be totally different from the values of the world, for the Christian is a new creation with a new set of values.” In Chapter 8 on the Spirit Paul repeatedly stresses that not only Christians but the whole of creation is straining to be set free from slavery to corruption; the presence of the Spirit of Christ makes all things new; it is a totally new world. Now we are encouraged to be new creation by renewing our minds and hearts from within. It is no longer of the external compulsion of the Law, but of inner compulsion, for the Christian has become a living sacrifice, dedicated to God with minds transformed, discerning personally the will of God and acting upon this discernment. This is Christian personally responsibility: we must ‘discern for ourselves what the will of God is’. Jeremiah had to make a choice of proclaiming God’s message to the citizens of Jerusalem that their city was to be besieged and destroyed, and that they themselves were to be dragged into exile.” He himself wanted to evade but “God overpowers or seduces the prophet and compels him to proclaim the message.” Both messages are tough but at the same time when submitted to the will of God becomes “a willing and joyful compulsion. Humanly speaking, we can say that prophet Jeremiah had a love-hate relationship to the LORD. We know the prophets have suffered the same dilemma like Peter and Paul in today’s’ readings. We are thrown into chaos as best we can say. Jesus’ disciples simply failed to understand him. Jesus puts it bluntly saying, ‘that you cannot be a Christian without following Jesus without carrying a Cross. We too have love-hate relationship with God. We people suffering the whole time, physical disabilities, breakdown of relationships, heartless treatment from others, financial worries – and then we grouse at a twinge of pain or a hurtful word. Carry the Cross behind Jesus? Yes, of course I will, but if you don’t mind, I’ll just take that section which is well padded and fits my shoulder nicely. No point in unnecessary splinters in my neck. Dear brothers and sisters, we can say in the words of St Teresa of Avila when she fell from her horse into the cold river, her comment was, ‘Lord, if that is how you treat your friends, no wonder you have so few of them.’ Fr Ephrem Let us pray for all those who are unwell especially Barney Scully, Hazel Kingston, Nesi Tan, Warren Stevenson, John Cairns-Cowan and Graeme Adams and those recovering at home including Eddie Wilkins. And we pray for the wonderful people who are caring for the everyday needs of the sick in our Community. We also pray for the members of our Parish families who have died recently especially Patrick Connolly and those whose anniversaries occur around this time; Barbara Ah Mu. All Masses are suspended till we are back in alert level 1; Faithful are dispensed from Obligation of Mass as long as the restrictions remain. All churches are now closed except Holy Cross Church which will be open for personal prayer between 9am - 2pm each day. Following rules apply
We want to ensure we keep everyone safe Fr Ephrem is offering Mass every day from the prayer room in the presbytery at the following times till we are back at level 1
Memorial Mass for John Rogers – 12 September 2pm St Patrick’s Church Kilbirnie A memorial Mass will be celebrated for John who died on the 22nd March. Please note: This will only go ahead at level 1. If we are at level 2, this will be postponed to a later date. Parish Council Meeting – 2nd September 7pm, Gascoigne Room St Anthony’s Finance Committee Meeting – 8th September 7.30pm – venue TBC St Patrick’s church Liturgy Committee are looking for someone to run the Sacramental Programme for the children in 2021. In this programme the children are prepared for Reconciliation, Confirmation and Holy Communion. Each Sacrament has 3 lessons each which are held in the Parish Centre before or after Sunday Mass. Resources are provided and help and support provided. Are you interested in taking part? Please contact the Chairperson of the Committee Patricia O’Donnell 04 934 3179. Thank you. St Vincent de Paul Eastern Suburbs Conference appreciates the assistance of food and donations given over the last few months by many parishioners of our Holy Trinity Parish. Our members have delivered food parcels to several families experiencing hardship during COVID, children's clothing and knitted items, and household items. Donations have been put towards supply of school uniform, shoes, jackets and activities for many local school students. Visits and phoning to elderly and isolated parishioners continue to show the parish cares for them. If you wish to help with these acts of charity, please consider a direct online donation to our local Conference account which is: BNZ Kilbirnie, St Vincent de Paul Society, A/c No. 02 0576 0017 817 06 , reference “ Donation ”. If you want a receipt of the donation for tax purposes, do please contact our Treasurer , Maria Pene, ph 022 428 0247, [email protected] St Catherine’s College Enrolments Enrolments are now open at St Catherine's College. If you would like to make an interview with our Principal, Steve Bryan or come and look around please phone us on 04 9398988 or email us on [email protected]. We still have preference and non-preference spaces available. We also have limited scholarships for families needing extra financial assistance, to pay $1000 towards your attendance Dues fees to the Archdiocese. St Catherine's College aims to nurture and empower our young women to be active and creative learners. St. Mary's College has a small number of places available for Preference students in Year 9, 12 and 13 for 2021. Please see our website for further information https://www.stmw.school.nz/SMC-Parents/Enrolments-Fees/Enrolments-Fees or phone the school office 473 5554. Some possible options as we can’t attend Mass on Sundays: This link takes you through to four different types of online retreats including a “3-Minute Retreat” and an Audio retreat as well as daily scripture with Sacred Space and Pray as You Go. https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/prayer-online/ Auckland Liturgy Office https://www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz/liturgy/ “Celebration of the Word at home” with links to daily readings and music Reflections from John O’Connor, ‘Food for Faith’ have just started again. https://foodforfaith.org.nz UPDATE: Archdiocese of Wellington Election Forum on environmental and climate change issues This event is going ahead as a livestreamed event on 1 September from 6-8pm. Please note we are no longer holding a public meeting. We invite you to join us from home in viewing live as young people of the Archdiocese question political party representatives about their environmental and climate change policies at https://youtu.be/Dpog-Gva3_M. The discussion will be chaired by Dr Areti Metuamate of Te Kupenga – Catholic Leadership Institute and there will be an opening address by Cardinal John Dew. The video will also be available for viewing following the event. For more information, please contact Lisa Beech – Ecology, Justice and Peace Advisor, [email protected] 0212884388 MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD – A CONTEMPORARY UNDERSTANDING… with Br Kieran Fenn. This online series (Zoom) started on Mon, 24 August at 7pm, but it is not too late to join. It runs for 6 consecutive Mondays. The sessions are connected but also stand alone. Fee: $25/session or $120 for 6 sessions Special fees for groups of more than 2 persons. For more information and registration: [email protected] Liturgical Guide for Season of Creation 2020, by Tui Motu InterIslands Magazine https://tuimotu.org/a/3ngdBdW Online Session (Evening): Mary, the Mother of God – A Contemporary Understanding of Mary with Br Kieran Fenn who has a wonderful way of bringing Scripture alive. Topic on Monday, 31 August, 7-8.30pm: Mary in Paul, Mark, and Matthew. Fee: $25/session. Special fees for groups of more than 2 persons. ZOOM. For more information and registration: [email protected] See also: https://www.studyjoy.nz/events/virtual-teaching-mary-mother-of-god-i-with-kieran-fenn-fms-3/ Online Session (Retreat Day): Homecoming – A Journey of Transformation (Prodigal Son) with Eamon Butler. Saturday, 19 September, 10.30am-4pm. Fee: $60. For more information and registration: [email protected] https://www.studyjoy.nz/events/retreat-day-with-eamon-butler-the-prodigal-son/ I want to sing to you – Fr Chris Skinner SM With an interlude from Kapiti Senior Singers. At our Lady of Kapiti Church on Sunday 20th September 2-4pm. Tickets $25 from Our Lady of Kapiti Parish Office 04 902-5815 or Mary Cook 027-298-3255 [email protected] CDs for sale at the concert. THE END OF LIFE CHOICE ACT: ARE YOU READY TO VOTE. Join representatives of the Care Alliance as they unpack the details of the Act and outline their concerns. Wednesday 2nd Sept 7pm @ The Dowse, Lower Hutt. Sponsored by the Care Alliance Trust. To allow us to contact trace, please regiser for this talk by clicking https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/end-of-life-choiceact-public-meeting-tickets-117586513427. The organisers can also be contact through the above link. (authorised by Sinead Donnellly, Care Allince, 15 Guildford Tce, Wellington. The pandemic has highlighted how vulnerable and interconnected everyone is. If we do not take care of one another, starting with the least, with those who are most impacted, including creation, we cannot heal the world. Te Kupenga–Catholic Leadership Institute is seeking a Marketing and Business Development Advisor to build the profile of the organisation, which was formed on 1 January by the merger of Good Shepherd College and The Catholic Institute (TCI). The role is Auckland-based and fixed term full-time for two years. Full details: https://www.seek.co.nz/job/50415919 ‘ KIWI ATHLETIC CLUB (est 1926) opening and enrolment nights 1st two Wednesday in October 5pm, Newtown Stadium. For College age to Veteran adults . Ideal for winter coders, newcomers. Contact Peter Jack 3886224 from 7pm THE SEASON OF CREATION: “Jubilee for the Earth: New Rhythms, New Hope”. Since the beginning of our Covid journey in March, many of us have enjoyed a renewed awareness of our environment and appreciated how it can positively affect our wellbeing. Pope Francis (see his document Laudato Si’ ) has designated the time from the 1st September – the World Day of Prayer for Creation until 4th October - the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, as the Season of Creation, an time of prayer and action to protect Earth, our common home and ourselves. We are invited to take part by praying, taking action – at home, in the parish, in the community and beyond or even advocacy for some related issue. New Zealand, Social Justice Week takes place 6-12 September. The focus: Catholic Social Teaching (CST), which provides a moral framework to help guide our decisions and actions as Catholics. The theme for 2020: "Easy as CST: Unlocking the Church's Potential" - "Māmā Noa, Pēnei i te CST: Te Tuku i ngā Pūmanawa o te Hāhi kia Whai Hua." One of the principles of Catholic Social Teaching (CST), is Kaitiakitanga or Stewardship - about caring for the gifts that God has given us, for the environment, our own talents and skills and other resources in our lives and society. Creation is given for all people. Understanding our interdependence with all living creatures, and as people of faith we should use God’s gifts responsibly to meet the needs of humankind, now and in the future. Prayer is a good way to start - at home or with a small group on Tuesday 1 Sept and on throughout the Season of Creation. Some of the following may be helpful. Common prayer for the fifth anniversary of Laudato Si’ Loving God, Creator of heaven and earth and all that is in them, You created us in your image and made us stewards of all your creation, of our common home. You blessed us with the sun, water and bountiful land so that all might be nourished. Open our minds and touch our hearts, so that we may attend to your gift of creation. Help us to be conscious that our common home belongs not only to us, but to all future generations, and that it is our responsibility to preserve it. May we help each person secure the food and resources that they need. Be present to those in need in these trying times, especially the poorest and those most at risk of being left behind. Transform our fear, anxiety and feelings of isolation into hope so that we may experience a true conversion of the heart. Help us to show creative solidarity in addressing the consequences of this global pandemic, Make us courageous to embrace the changes that are needed in search of the common good, Now more than ever may we feel that we are all interconnected, in our efforts to lift up the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. AMEN An ECOLOGICAL EXAMEN St Ignatius Loyola developed the idea of an Examen, a reflective prayer technique to help us become more aware of God’s presence in the events of the day and to help us make choices for our own way into our futures. Begin the Examen by putting yourself or your group in a place (or posture) that allows you to be open to the ways God’s Spirit is working in you. Spend as much time as you want on each reflection. You might like to share your reflections with others. All Creation reflects the beauty and blessing of God’s image. There are six steps in the Examen:
Conclude with a prayer for the earth and the vulnerable in our society. O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this Earth, so precious in your eyes. Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction. Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the Earth. Creative Spirit, enlighten our hearts, remain with your world and strengthen us to act for change and for good. We ask this in the name of the Lord. AMEN We pray that people everywhere become more caring towards the environment in which they live, and that politicians, planners & developers seriously consider environmental concerns when making decisions. We ask this prayer through Christ, your son. AMEN Grant us the wisdom, to care for the earth. Help us to act now for the good of future generations and all your creatures. Help us to become instruments of a new creation, founded on the covenant of your love. We ask this through Christ your Son. AMEN Gracious God, your amazing love extends through all time and space, to all parts of your creation, which you created and called good. You made a covenant with Noah and his family, putting a rainbow in the sky to symbolize your promise of love and blessing to every living creature, and to all successive generations. You made a covenant with Abraham and Sarah, blessing them and their descendants throughout the generations. You made a covenant with Moses and the Israelite people to all generations, giving them the 10 commandments and challenging them to choose life. In Jesus, you invite us to enter into a new covenant, in communion with all who seek to be faithful to you. As people of faith, we are called into covenant. Your covenant of faithfulness and love extends to the whole creation. We pray for the healing of the earth, that present and future generations may enjoy the fruits of creation, and continue to glorify and praise you. National Council of Churches “A Prayer for Our Earth” All powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures. You embrace with your tenderness all that exists. Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty. Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one. O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes. Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction. Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth. Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light. We thank you for being with us each day. Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for justice, love and peace. (Laudato Si’, n. 246) Here’s a link to an “ecological rosary”: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X53spMlbd7pasdkw-xIALTPoPKPKSk8p/view Is 22, 19-23; Rom 11, 33-36; Mat 16, 13-20
God’s love will win us eternal life because he is merciful. Dear sisters and brothers, our social life has been the way we are not used to, spinning very unorthodox way that we have ever known as best I can say. Spiritual exercises have been severely affected the way we did, but I guess people are resolved to make best use of this time to redevelop deeper relationship with God by delving deep into their reserve, finding kingdom of God buried deep in their hearts. I believe, God’s love will win us eternal life because he is merciful, mercy itself. Isaiah walks into the message of God and predicts that Eliakim will take the place of Shebna as master of the king’s palace in Jerusalem, and that God will invest him with authority. To open and close the doors of the palace was the privilege of the master of the place. To the Hebrew mind such a pair of opposites often signifies everything in-between, so that opening and closing the doors mean having control of everything that goes on. No one else may interfere. Similarly, by the total authority over the assembly or community of Jesus that is the Church. Equivalently, as Eliakim is given the key of the palace on his shoulder (or, as we would say, round the neck), so Peter is given the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Peter is sometimes pictured as the doorkeeper of heaven but ‘the kingdom of heaven’ is far wider: it means ‘God’s sovereignty’, which Jesus came to establish on earth, in which all obey, worship and give glory to God. Paul after his long and thorough exposition of the way in which the work of Christ won our salvation, and by his loving obedience wiped away the proud sin of Adam’s disobedience. Quoting one passage of scripture after another he finally concludes that in the end, in God’s good time a remnant of Israel will be saved. Throwing up his hands in incomprehension, he can only burst into this wonderful hymn of praise to God’s inscrutable Wisdom. We simply cannot understand God’s plans and methods. Look at Job who can only admit that God’s Wisdom surpasses anything human beings can conceive, and God’s might infinitely transcends any human power. So, Paul willingly grants that God must run his own world, and we cannot even attempt to challenge God’s reasoning, for everything begins and ends in God. It is here that Peter recognises that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ. At last he realizes that in Jesus they can see the action of God. the disciples followed Jesus as soon as he called, but for a long time they were puzzled what to make of him, of his wonderful teaching and his godlike personality. Now comes a shaft of light and understanding. We too often take some time to appreciate the true worth of someone we know well: a little gesture and sometimes reveal just how generous and thoughtful they are. Peter suddenly grass that there is God, acting among them, a daunting or even terrifying thought. Jesus replies to Peter’s recognition with his own generosity giving him a new name, ‘Rock’, for this is what ‘Peter’ means. If you name something, you make it your own, take it to yourself. This is just what Jesus does with Simon who becomes his own Peter. That is the importance of the naming of a child at Baptism: Jesus takes us to himself and we become his. The early Christians called themselves ‘Those over whom the name of Jesus has been called’. We may have been named Mary or John, but the name of Jesus has been called over us and we have become his. Jesus is with us and we have a name by which we are called and recognised. God in his all generosity, love and mercy calls us to himself acknowledging His life in us. May God bless us to recognise his kingdom within us. His love and mercy will win us to himself, life for ever. Blessed be God forever. Who is God for you? Fr Ephrem Let us pray for all those who are unwell especially Barney Scully, Hazel Kingston, Nesi Tan, Warren Stevenson, John Cairns-Cowan and Graeme Adams and those recovering at home including Eddie Wilkins. And we pray for the wonderful people who are caring for the everyday needs of the sick in our Community. We also pray for the members of our Parish families who have died recently especially Lorraine Watson and those whose anniversaries occur around this time; Woo Low, Patrick Rosson, Margaret McCabe and Man. Sefo Alofosio. All Masses are suspended till we are back in alert level 1; Faithful are dispensed from Obligation of Mass as long as the restrictions remain. All churches are now closed except Holy Cross Church which will be open for personal prayer between 9am - 2pm each day. Following rules apply
We want to ensure we keep everyone safe Fr Ephrem is offering Mass every day from the prayer room in the presbytery at the following times till we are back at level 1
Parish Council Meeting – 2nd September 7pm, Gascoigne Room St Anthony’s Finance Committee Meeting – 8th September 7.30pm – venue TBC Vinnies Food Bank Appeal Saturday 29 August / 11am – 6pm at Pak n Save Kilbirnie (Please Note: if Government extends the current COVID Alert Level 2, this Food Bank collection will be cancelled) The St Vincent de Paul Society is holding their final Food Bank Appeal, collecting food to support individuals and families seeking food assistance over the coming holiday season. Vinnies provide a choice-based food bank, supporting over 2000 people each year – which is only made possible by the generous donations from our community. If you can afford to drop a few extra items in your trolley on Saturday 29 August, please look out for our Vinnies collection table. St Patrick’s church Liturgy Committee are looking for someone to run the Sacramental Programme for the children in 2021. In this programme the children are prepared for Reconciliation, Confirmation and Holy Communion. Each Sacrament has 3 lessons each which are held in the Parish Centre before or after Sunday Mass. Resources are provided and help and support provided. Are you interested in taking part? Please contact the Chairperson of the Committee Patricia O’Donnell 04 934 3179. Thank you. St Catherine’s College Enrolments Enrolments are now open at St Catherine's College. If you would like to make an interview with our Principal, Steve Bryan or come and look around please phone us on 04 9398988 or email us on [email protected]. We still have preference and non-preference spaces available. We also have limited scholarships for families needing extra financial assistance, to pay $1000 towards your attendance Dues fees to the Archdiocese. St Catherine's College aims to nurture and empower our young women to be active and creative learners. St. Mary's College has a small number of places available for Preference students in Year 9, 12 and 13 for 2021. Please see our website for further information https://www.stmw.school.nz/SMC-Parents/Enrolments-Fees/Enrolments-Fees or phone the school office 473 5554. UPDATE your information. Make sure that you receive Parish Communications.
Parish Property At a recent combined Parish Pastoral Council and Finance Committee meeting it was decided that the sale of Good Shepherd Hall will be the first step in the process of rationalising our parish property. The Cardinal has given permission for the sale process to go ahead, but this will of course, take some time. We will keep you informed. The Parish Pastoral Council has consulted with the Parish Aulotu who will eventually move their monthly Mass and meeting to St Anthony’s or one of the other Churches and halls in the Parish when the sale is finalised. We are still seeking some further clarification regarding other aspects of Cardinal John’s proposals regarding our property and will provide you with updates on all these matters too. Thank you for your support and patience. Please continue to pray and work together for the good of the whole parish as we move forward on our journey towards a future full of hope. Holy Trinity Finance Committee COVID-19 is still out there. Let’s play it safe. We’re at Alert Level 2 These are unusual times that we are living in. Not many of us would have imagined being back in Alert Level 2 again so soon. However here we are, and hopefully if we act as positively as we can, soon we’ll be back to our new normal. What each of us might remember:
There is a huge amount of on-line information about making and wearing face masks. (Minimise droplet spread) This link is quite a helpful one: https://youtu.be/quuA6854DmM (even though it’s from the Breast Cancer Foundation) What Holy Trinity Parish is doing:
Daily Prayer reflections (and more): https://www.pray.com.au/ So, what are some things that people of Faith are doing while churches are closed? Having my morning coffee and then praying the rosary. Just finding a quiet place and sitting in the presence of God. Praying every day. Reading the psalms and writing a daily reflection. Donating to the Food bank. Texting or calling people who might be lonely. I’ve heard some people are praying together on Zoom. I read the daily Mass reading most days. I like walking & praising God for his wonderful creation. Praying. St V de Paul contacting and helping those in need. Praying. Each day writing and thanking God in gratitude for all I have. Daily prayer. Greeting people I pass when out walking. Donating to the Hospice shop. Praying the Lectio Divina. I’ve been watching live-streamed Mass. Phoning my friends and family. Sharing my baking. Reading the Bible. I am more aware of God’s presence around me. Saying the rosary. Reading books about the Catholic faith. Trying to sit in silence and meditate for 10 minutes each morning. Journaling Apply now – The Suzanne Aubert Tertiary Scholarship is open Tertiary students in the Archdiocese of Wellington and the Diocese of Palmerston North who are entering into their third year or more of study are invited to apply for a Suzanne Aubert Tertiary Scholarship. Each student selected receives $3,000 towards their third year of tertiary study. For more details contact Kevin Crighton at [email protected] https://compassion.org.nz/latest-news/suzanne-aubert-tertiary-scholarship/ for application. Closes on 16 October 2020. Hospital Chaplaincy Assistants The Hospital Chaplaincy Department within Wellington Regional Hospital is enhanced by a team of volunteer Chaplaincy Assistants who give around 2 hours a week to visit all patients in a ward. We are currently looking to add to our team, people with good pastoral skills and willing to work within the terms of our contract with the Ministry of Health. A ten-week training programme is planned, running each Tuesday 1-3pm, beginning Tuesday 1st September to 3rd November. Expressions of interest are invited by Tuesday 25 August 2020 to Mary Minson at [email protected] Or: Mary Minson Chaplains Office Wellington Hospital Private Bag 7902 Wellington Mark 13: 10 “And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations” Some possible options as we can’t attend Mass on Sundays: This link takes you through to four different types of online retreats including a “3-Minute Retreat” and an Audio retreat as well as daily scripture with Sacred Space and Pray as You Go. https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/prayer-online/ Auckland Liturgy Office https://www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz/liturgy/ “Celebration of the Word at home” with links to daily readings and music Reflections from John O’Connor, ‘Food for Faith’ have just started again. https://foodforfaith.org.nz since we are back in level 2 and 3, NZ Catholic is again available free of charge on the link below https://indd.adobe.com/view/3c9e92b5-0dd7-45ad-b33f-286618e52857 ELECTION FORUM The Archdiocesan Ecology, Justice and Peace Commission invites you to an election forum on environmental and climate change issues. Young people of the Archdiocese will put questions to representatives of political parties Cardinal John will give an opening address on Laudato Si’ – care for our common home, and the event will be chaired by Dr Areti Metuamate, CEO of Te Kupenga – Catholic Leadership Institute Where: St Mary’s College Hall, Guildford Tce, Wellington When: Tuesday 1 September, 6-8pm (nibbles from 5.30pm, please bring your own cup) Please register for this free event at Eventbrite https://bit.ly/3kcwlC6 I want to sing to you – Fr Chris Skinner SM With an interlude from Kapiti Senior Singers. At our Lady of Kapiti Church on Sunday 20th September 2-4pm. Tickets $25 from Our Lady of Kapiti Parish Office 04 902-5815 or Mary Cook 027-298-3255 [email protected] CDs for sale at the concert. The pandemic has highlighted how vulnerable and interconnected everyone is. If we do not take care of one another, starting with the least, with those who are most impacted, including creation, we cannot heal the world. Te Kupenga–Catholic Leadership Institute is seeking a Marketing and Business Development Advisor to build the profile of the organisation, which was formed on 1 January by the merger of Good Shepherd College and The Catholic Institute (TCI). The role is Auckland-based and fixed term full-time for two years. Full details: https://www.seek.co.nz/job/50415919 ‘ Is 56, 1, 6-7; Rom 11, 13-15. 29-32; mt 15, 21-28
Dear brothers and sisters, as we grapple with the second wave of Covid-19 and levels of lockdown, it time to increase our self defence of prayer, love and care for one another; so that you and I might be safe from it. Our faith with work will take us across at this time of struggle and suffering. Hold on to God, solution is just round the corner. Yesterday we celebrated the Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven. It is an occasion to recognise God’s mercy to reconcile us to the Father. Through the “yes” of Mother Mary we see Christ like us and obtained full union with God. Mother Mary, the new EVE has become the source of life in Christ. Now let us look into the readings of the day, that God progressively fulfilled his promise of union with Him. Isaiah notes that the exiles have turned to the Promised Land, a sign that the promises mentioned earlier have been fulfilled. This is the opportunity to live faithfully the Covenant. Their deliverance from exile has strongly strengthened their identity as God’s Chosen People and made evident their mission to call others to the Lord. They are the number One or the Insiders, such as the Gentiles, are number two OUTSIDERS. Unfortunately, the foreign Outsiders are not the only ones discriminated against, but also the poor returnees from exile that found themselves victims of the rich and powerful and relegated to the margins of society. Isaiah is confident that God did not intend the Jerusalem community to be oppressive and unjust. The author hopes that life could be set up justly and nobody is “written off”. Practically, it means all must accept new rules and overcome the old order of exclusiveness and welcome everyone to the Holy of Holies, including the foreigners and poor Hebrews. Paul is convinced that the call to be a light to all nations has been irrevocable. The first call was to Israel and the second to others. In the gospel, Jesus went to the far north border of Israel, out of Galilee to the southern cities of Tyre and Sidon. These places were among the affluent regions in ancient times. Jesus, still in the Hebrew border region, meets a pagan woman, who comes from Phoenicia. She starts shouting at him asking for his help. To a Hebrew a Canaanite is like a “dog” which does not distinguish between clean and unclean food ... acknowledging the Davidic ancestry of Jesus, the woman hopes for a miraculous cure of her daughter. We have a conflict between chosen ones and outsiders, Jews and Gentiles. But Jesus brings the conflict to an end by making them both one community. It is common knowledge that everybody builds up our own boundaries that distinguish “us” from “them”. It is but natural to associate and feel at ease with our own group, with those of our community who speak our language, and with those who almost think and behave like us. Carried to extreme, this tendency leads to “discrimination” and violence. Look at the conflict, discrimination, violence we are causing because of our perceived “us” from “them”. Consider also the ethnic and derogatory jokes around us. We look down on those who are not of own kind and persuasion, who do not agree with us. Christ is the light of the World and in the language St Paul has “irrevocably” reconciled us to the Father. God’s love in Jesus has brought us together and we are united with Him. We are brothers and sisters to one another in Christ Jesus. Our love, faith in God, and prayer of perseverance will bear fruit. Our struggle is slight but joy of everlasting life is eternal. Fr Ephrem Let us pray for all those who are unwell especially Hazel Kingston, Nesi Tan, Warren Stevenson, John Cairns-Cowan and Graeme Adams and those recovering at home including Eddie Wilkins. And we pray for the wonderful people who are caring for the everyday needs of the sick in our Community. We also pray for the members of our Parish families who have died recently and those whose anniversaries occur around this time; Anna Zanotto, Margaret Dodds, Mary Jarvis, Patricia Beattie, Christopher Burke and Robyn Adair . All Masses are suspended till Tuesday,18 August; No Holy Communion to the sick and homebound; priests will be available only for emergency call for sick and confession; No exceptions. Faithful are dispensed from Obligation of Mass as long as the restrictions remain. All churches are now closed except Holy Cross Church which will be open for personal prayer between 9am - 2pm each day. Following rules apply
We want to ensure we keep everyone safe Fr Ephrem is offering Mass every day from the prayer room in the presbytery at the following times Saturday 15th Aug - 10am Assumption Mass Saturday 15th Aug - 5.30pm Vigil Sunday 16th Aug - 10.30am Tuesday 18th Aug - 9.30am To join him live go to his Facebook page (Ephrem Tigga) Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: (15/16 August) This will be rescheduled to a later date. Thank you Vinnies Food Bank Appeal Saturday 29 August / 11am – 6pm at Pak n Save Kilbirnie The St Vincent de Paul Society is holding their final Food Bank Appeal, collecting food to support individuals and families seeking food assistance over the coming holiday season. Vinnies provide a choice-based food bank, supporting over 2000 people each year – which is only made possible by the generous donations from our community. If you can afford to drop a few extra items in your trolley on Saturday 29 August, please look out for our Vinnies collection table. St Patrick’s church Liturgy Committee are looking for someone to run the Sacramental Programme for the children in 2021. In this programme the children are prepared for Reconciliation, Confirmation and Holy Communion. Each Sacrament has 3 lessons each which are held in the Parish Centre before or after Sunday Mass. Resources are provided and help and support provided. Are you interested in taking part? Please contact the Chairperson of the Committee Patricia O’Donnell 04 934 3179. Thank you. St Catherine’s College Enrolments Enrolments are now open at St Catherine's College. If you would like to make an interview with our Principal, Steve Bryan or come and look around please phone us on 04 9398988 or email us on [email protected]. We still have preference and non-preference spaces available. We also have limited scholarships for families needing extra financial assistance, to pay $1000 towards your attendance Dues fees to the Archdiocese. St Catherine's College aims to nurture and empower our young women to be active and creative learners. Apply now – The Suzanne Aubert Tertiary Scholarship is open Tertiary students in the Archdiocese of Wellington and the Diocese of Palmerston North who are entering into their third year or more of study are invited to apply for a Suzanne Aubert Tertiary Scholarship. Each student selected receives $3,000 towards their third year of tertiary study. For more details contact Kevin Crighton at [email protected] https://compassion.org.nz/latest-news/suzanne-aubert-tertiary-scholarship/ for application. Closes on 16 October 2020. Hospital Chaplaincy Assistants The Hospital Chaplaincy Department within Wellington Regional Hospital is enhanced by a team of volunteer Chaplaincy Assistants who give around 2 hours a week to visit all patients in a ward. We are currently looking to add to our team, people with good pastoral skills and willing to work within the terms of our contract with the Ministry of Health. A ten-week training programme is planned, running each Tuesday 1-3pm, beginning Tuesday 1st September to 3rd November. Expressions of interest are invited by Tuesday 25 August 2020 to Mary Minson at [email protected] Or: Mary Minson Chaplains Office Wellington Hospital Private Bag 7902 Wellington Healing Service Tawa The proposed Healing Service in Tawa on Tuesday 18 August has been postponed because of the uncertainty of whether we will still be in Level due to Covid transmission. Romans 10: 13-14 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the lord will be saved.” With the uncertainty concerning covid-19 NZ Catholic is once again making available free of charge our latest issue in digital form. https://indd.adobe.com/view/3e987077-7246-44cb-92f0-a55d59017d5c ELECTION FORUM The Archdiocesan Ecology, Justice and Peace Commission invites you to an election forum on environmental and climate change issues. Young people of the Archdiocese will put questions to representatives of political parties Cardinal John will give an opening address on Laudato Si’ – care for our common home, and the event will be chaired by Dr Areti Metuamate, CEO of Te Kupenga – Catholic Leadership Institute Where: St Mary’s College Hall, Guildford Tce, Wellington When: Tuesday 1 September, 6-8pm (nibbles from 5.30pm, please bring your own cup) Please register for this free event at Eventbrite https://bit.ly/3kcwlC6 I want to sing to you – Fr Chris Skinner SM With an interlude from Kapiti Senior Singers. At our Lady of Kapiti Church on Sunday 20th September 2-4pm. Tickets $25 from Our Lady of Kapiti Parish Office 04 902-5815 or Mary Cook 027-298-3255 [email protected] CDs for sale at the concert. Many of you will be grateful that Cardinal John has decided that in the interests of safety in the Wellington Archdiocese Masses and gatherings will be suspended during Alert Level 2 until at least after Tuesday 18th . People are dispensed from the Sunday Obligation and also that for the Feast of the Assumption of Mary . Here are some options for us to reflect and pray at home on the Alert Level 2 days. Saturday 15th Aug - 10am Assumption Mass Saturday 15th Aug - 5.30pm Vigil Sunday 16th Aug - 10.30am Tuesday 18th Aug - 9.30am To join him live go to his Facebook page (Ephrem Tigga) Saturday 15th is the Feast of the Assumption, the patronal feast of the Catholic Church in Aotearoa New Zealand. THE GOSPEL for the Assumption Feastday: Luke 1:39-59 AN ARTICLE by FR JAMES LYONS: https://www.nlo.org.nz/assets/Uploads/ASSUMPTION-by-J-Lyons.pdf SHH …ITS TIME TO WHISPER by DR ELIZABETH JULIAN RSM https://www.wn.catholic.org.nz/adw_welcom/assumption-of-mary-into-heaven/ Joy Cowley’s Magnificat Prayer from her book, Veil Over the Light (p.157) Song of Mary My soul sings in gratitude. I’m dancing in the mystery of God. The life of the Holy One is within me, And I am blessed, so truly blessed. This goes deeper than the human mind. My heart is filled with awe At Love whose only condition Is that it be received. It’s a gift not for the proud For they have no room for it. The strong and self-sufficient Do not have this awareness. But those who know their emptiness Can rejoice in God’s fullness. This is the Love we are made for, The reason for our existence. It fills our inmost heart space And brings to birth in us The Holy child of God. “If we have lived in the joyful service of God, which is expressed also in generous service to our brothers and sisters, our destiny, on the day of the resurrection, will be like that of our heavenly Mother.” Pope Francis 2018 1 Kings 19:9,11-13; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:22-23
Dear sisters and brothers, listen to the sound of silence: In Elijah’s case, things go differently. As before, there is a mighty wind, an earthquake, and 'fire' (lightning). But the Lord is not 'in' any of these. Instead, after the fire comes 'a sound of sheer silence' (so NSRV; the Hebrew original reads literally: 'a voice of thin silence'). Covering his face (lest he look upon the Lord and die), Elijah goes out to the entrance of the cave, where he is addressed by God and given a new mission. This is one of the great moments of revelation in the Old Testament. What lifts Elijah out of his depression and renews his vocation is a totally new sense of God. The Lord once manifest in terrifying upheavals of nature is now known in something as subtle and gentle as 'sheer silence,' a silence that somehow has a 'voice'. The Judaeo-Christian mystical tradition has its foundation here. The Gospel, Matt 14:22-33, follows on directly from the miraculous provision of food for the multitude, as described in last week’s Gospel. Jesus sends his disciples off to cross the lake by boat while he disperses the crowd and goes up the mountain alone to pray. The disciples struggling to make headway in a boat out on the lake are symbolic of the later Church in a situation in which it so often finds itself. In biblical thought wind and water out of control are stock images of chaos and destruction. The scene of the disciples battling a head-wind and heavy seas while Jesus remains apart on the mountain evokes a sense of the Church struggling against forces that threaten to engulf it, keenly sensing all the while the physical absence of its Lord. Eventually, of course, Jesus joins the disciples, walking on the sea – in biblical imagery a prerogative of God (Ps 77:19; Job 9:8; Isa 43:16). The phrase with which he identifies himself, “It is I”, evokes the self-identification of God to Moses at the Burning Bush (Exod 3:13-15). The presence of Jesus ('Emmanuel' [Matt 1:23 and 28:20]) is at one and the same time the saving presence of God. What prompts Peter’s bid to come to Jesus across the sea? Love, boldness, bravado? Perhaps all three – but also a measure of faith. Faith in Jesus enables Peter, for a time at least, to tread underfoot the watery forces of destruction. But his faith, like that of all disciples in Matthew’s Gospel, is prone to doubt. Jesus’ gentle word of remonstrance, after he has rescued Peter, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?', addresses all members of the Church. Peter 'models' the mixture of boldness and fear, strength and weakness, characteristic of us all. We can make our own his cry for rescue ('Lord, save me') and feel as he felt the Lord’s strong hand of rescue reaching out to raise us from the deep. Members of the Church, especially perhaps at the present time, can take great comfort from this scene. The Gospel recognises that there will be times of stress and danger when faith will be sorely tested and sometimes fail. But this does not mean that 'Emmanuel' is not with us, swift and sure to rescue, when, like Peter, we cry 'Lord, save us'. As Jesus and Peter get into the boat, the wind subsides and the disciples 'worship' him saying, 'Truly, you are the Son of God'? Like Elijah at Horeb, they have come to a new awareness of God’s saving presence among them. The Gospel suggests that such new awareness can be the outcome of crises in which the Church experiences weakness, failure, and faltering of faith. Dear brothers and sisters; may God give us grace of silence to hear Him deep within our heart away from the din of the world. May He give us wisdom to encounter him in our struggles and happiness; may His presence comfort us and lead us across the ocean to eternal life. Amen Fr Ephrem Holy Trinity Confirmation – Saturday 8th August 5.30pm St Anthony’s Church Today we pray for the children making their Confirmation: Mia Adams, Tom Adams, Jacob Blades, Anna Fascione, Sophie Flood, Harry Frampton, Liam Frampton, Blythe Lindsay, Thomas Monahan, Alice Mulhern, Maria Revelant, Cobie Smith, Joseph O'Donovan and Rueben Webley. We congratulate these children on taking another step in their faith journey. Let us pray for all those who are unwell especially Hazel Kingston, Nesi Tan, Warren Stevenson, John Cairns-Cowan and Graeme Adams and those recovering at home including Eddie Wilkins. And we pray for the wonderful people who are caring for the everyday needs of the sick in our Community. We also pray for the members of our Parish families who have died recently especially Franco Zanotto and those whose anniversaries occur around this time; Gordon Paterson, Denis Clarke, Umberto Monastra, Catherine (Kay) Maud, Peter Bower, Mary (Molly) Harnett, Eileen Hare, Mary O’Brien, Mary Golding and Elizabeth Curry . The following measures will remain till further notice:
A Memorial Mass for Susan Jaimeson’s mother Marjorie Joan Critchley Rae, who passed away in England last year, will be held at St Patrick’s Church Kilbirnie Church 9.30am Tuesday 11th August. All welcome FEAST of ASSUMPTION of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY 15TH AUGUST This is a HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION 10am St Patrick’s Church Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Father will be meeting the remaining Eucharistic Ministers or those interested in becoming a Eucharistic Minister after Mass in each of the churches next weekend (15/16 August) who did not meet with him in March. Please make sure you attend one of these sessions. Thank you Proclaimers of the Word: Father will be meeting with all proclaimers of the word or anyone interested in becoming a proclaimer of the word after Mass in each of the churches in September (15/16 and 19/20 September). Please make sure you attend one of these sessions. Thank you Altar server training Any child/ren who are keen to train to be altar servers can contact Andrew Greening 380 6052 or 027 438 5393 and arrange a session. A parent or other adult must be willing to be present while the training is taking place. Vinnies Food Bank Appeal Saturday 29 August / 11am – 6pm at Pak n Save Kilbirnie The St Vincent de Paul Society is holding their final Food Bank Appeal, collecting food to support individuals and families seeking food assistance over the coming holiday season. Vinnies provide a choice-based food bank, supporting over 2000 people each year – which is only made possible by the generous donations from our community. If you can afford to drop a few extra items in your trolley on Saturday 29 August, please look out for our Vinnies collection table. ST ANTHONY'S SCHOOL QUIZ NIGHT Friday 21st August, 7pm at Seatoun Bowling Club - mark it in your calendars now! Form a team, or join one on the night. Tickets $20 per person, includes 3 Raffle Tickets. Funds raised will go towards the Senior Playground at St Anthony's School. Tickets available from the School Office, & will also be available after 5.30pm Mass at St Anthony's on Saturday 15th August. Donations for the raffles gratefully accepted at the school office. St Catherine’s College Enrolments Enrolments are now open at St Catherine's College. If you would like to make an interview with our Principal, Steve Bryan or come and look around please phone us on 04 9398988 or email us on [email protected]. We still have preference and non-preference spaces available. We also have limited scholarships for families needing extra financial assistance, to pay $1000 towards your attendance Dues fees to the Archdiocese. St Catherine's College aims to nurture and empower our young women to be active and creative learners. St Catherine’s College will be celebrating Mass for the Assumption at St Patrick’s Church Thursday 13th August 2pm. Publications for sale Tui Motu - $7 NZ Catholic - $4 Put money in the zip lock bag provided and pop in the collection box in the church Apply now – The Suzanne Aubert Tertiary Scholarship is open Tertiary students in the Archdiocese of Wellington and the Diocese of Palmerston North who are entering into their third year or more of study are invited to apply for a Suzanne Aubert Tertiary Scholarship. Each student selected receives $3,000 towards their third year of tertiary study. For more details contact Kevin Crighton at [email protected] https://compassion.org.nz/latest-news/suzanne-aubert-tertiary-scholarship/ for application. Closes on 16 October 2020. The August 9 – 22 issue of NZ Catholic is out now. Some headlines are: Priests shouldn’t promote political parties. Auckland’s Mercy Spirituality Centre closes. Vatican instruction gives guidance on parish reforms. St Paul a model for ecumenical dialogue. The next issue of NZ Catholic will be published on August 23. Selected pages from this paper in digital form will be sent to parishes next week. Coast to Coast Rosary On the 15 August the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady into heaven, our patronal feast, there is to be a Coast to Coast Rosary throughout New Zealand. The main intention is to pray for the honouring of the gift of life. So many lives are lost in abortion and euthanasia. We will pray in reparation and intercession for a culture of life to prevail in our society. We will host an event on Saturday, the 15th August in the Blessed Sacrament chapel in the Cathedral at 3 pm followed by afternoon tea. Everyone is invited. Miramar Christian School open evening 20th August 6-7pm. 41 Camperdown Rd, Miramar, Wellington. http://www.christian.school.nz/ Tawa Healing Service On Tuesday 18 August Fr John Rea will conduct a Healing Service in Our Lady of Fatima Church , Tawa beginning at 7.30 pm. All are invited and especially those who need Jesus` healing. Jesus still heals today. Matthew 28:9 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” JOSHUA FELLOWSHIP Come and join other men on Thursday 20th August 2020. A cuppa available from 7:00pm for a 7:30pm start in CONNOLLY HALL, Guildford Terrace, Thorndon (behind the closed Sacred Heart Cathedral). Speaker: Gerard Wickrema, a Joshua leader on “Many are called; few are chosen” Want to know more? Ring Steve Ready 027-356-9555 or email: [email protected] Pax Christi Aotearoa New Zealand invites you to remember the tragedy that is war, on this the 75th anniversary of the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima (August 6th) and Nagasaki (August 9th) in Japan 1945. We ask you to pray for the prohibition of all nuclear weapons and to pray for peace in the world. Human Love in the Divine Plan (Theology of the Body) - First intake in Wellington! Courses for Young Adults (ages 18-35 years) on September 5 & 6, and for Adults on September 19 & 20. Venue: Challenge 2000, 1 Wanaka St, Johnsonville, Wellington. Early Registration: $40.00 (closes: 29 August). General Registration: $50.00. Contact 0220289737 or email [email protected]. For information, visit: www.marriageandfamily.org.nz The storm exposes our vulnerability and uncovers those false and superfluous certainties around which we have constructed our daily schedules, our projects, our habits and priorities. It shows us how we have allowed to become dull and feeble the very things that nourish, sustain and strengthen our lives and our communities… We deprive ourselves of the antibodies we need to confront adversity. Pope Francis: Extraordinary Moment of Prayer and Urbi et Orbi blessing, 27 March 2020 |
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