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Is 2, 1-5; Rom 13, 11-14; Mt 24, 37-44
“keep awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming” Advent is a time of heightened awareness that invites us to see ourselves as God sees us – insofar as that is possible. Both liturgy and life are pointing us towards the future coming of Messiah. Isaiah calls us to confess our sins and hope for better days ahead. Saint Paul’s message in Roman is confident and upbeat of God’s forgiveness, leading us from darkness to light. Matthew warns us against complacency, since the end is coming sooner than we expect. Advent is a season of hope, expectancy and, particularly in the last nine days, preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of the Lord. The violet c colour, music and floral decorations are marked by a moderation that reflects this time of waiting and avoids anticipating he full joy of Christmas. Specific music, such as “Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus, O Come, O Come Emmanuel” with symbols of Jesse Tree and Candles make the messiah’s coming meaningful. Let’s look forward the coming of Emmanuel with great anticipation and joy while there is time. Fr Ephrem 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. Christmas Mass Times 2019 St Patrick’s Church, Kilbirnie Christmas Eve 5.30pm Childrens Mass 11.30pm Carols followed by Midnight Mass Christmas Day 10am Mass Holy Cross Church, Miramar Christmas Eve 6pm Childrens Mass at Holy Cross School Hall Christmas Day 9am Mass at Holy Cross Church St Anthony’s Church, Seatoun Christmas Day 10.30am Mass with Children Holy Cross Happy Hour Christmas Lunch Seniors are reminded that we will be meeting on Wednesday December 11th, at 11am, in the parish hall at Holy Cross Church. Please bring a festive plate for lunch, and also a small gift (maximum $5) to exchange. Hope to see you all there. Can you help? Do you or anyone you know have a wheelchair they no longer need? One of our parishioners is recovering from a stroke and mobility is an issue. Please contact the Parish office 388 6953 or [email protected] Christmas Food Box Appeal 2019 - St Vincent de Paul Society, Seatoun & Miramar Conference This is week 2 of our annual three week appeal to parishioners for donated food items, toiletries, treats and gifts to be placed in or beside signposted bins in the Church foyer any time of the week when the Church is open. You might even like to make up a whole hamper. On Friday 20 December 2019 our team of drivers and helpers will deliver the boxes of food and items to over 50 households in the district. A brief note for you suggesting ideas for donating items or making up hampers is available on the pews and in the foyer. This collection is a practical way we can reach out to bring Christ’s love to the homes of our neighbours who are really struggling and for whom this extra help will alleviate their burden. Please note: Last collection day will be Sunday 15 December (Contacts: Tina Quidilla 021 159 2412; Brendan Quirk ph 388 9708) 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 and Bernadette Hyland). Wellington Compassion Soup Kitchen sponsored meal – 20th December 2019 Holy Trinity Parish is once again sponsorinig a meal for the soup kitchen on the 20th December as part of the world day of the poor. We will have 2 volunteers from the parish to help with this meal. Thank you to those who contacted the office to offer to help. Sending Love Christmas cards for people alone at Christmas. Many elderly people in rest homes do not get visitors or cards at Christmas. Please write a card for someone who might feel loney during the holidays. See details on the noticeboard Cards can be handmade or bought. FINAL COLLECTION will be FRIDAY 29 NOV 2019 drop box for cards at all libraries and community centres. contact Margaret Davis 021 655 011 [email protected] or visit www.sendingloveco.nz Parish Midnight Mass is at St Patrick’s Church this year. If you would like to be a reader, take up the offertory, be a Eucharistic Minister Please ring Patricia 434 3179 or email [email protected]. By December 10th Volunteers from our three churches would be wonderful! The Missionary Sisters of St. Peter Claver will visit our Parish on 15th December 2019 and will offer their Echo after all Masses. There is no fixed charge or any obligation but A donation for the missions would be most welcome” Women, Children and Families in Need! All funds raised through this year’s Cardinal’s Care Appeal will be directed to Catholic Social Services and used to support outreach, facilitation and capacity building within communities across the Archdiocese. Grassroots initiatives result in sustainable programmes run by, with and for the communities they serve. They are the best approach to reach and to benefit those on the peripheries of our society, those in greatest need of God’s love and our unconditional support. 2019 Care Appeal packages are being distributed throughout the Archdiocese during Advent. Every little bit counts and every gift matters. The work of Catholic Social Services does and will continue to make a difference in the lives of countless children, women and families in need; but, it is your support that makes this work possible! Please join us by making even a small gift today. If everyone gives a little, together we can make a big difference! Thank you! Home of Compassion Island Bay. Carols around the Crib Sunday 1 December 1.15pm to 3pm. Bring the children to enjoy a time setting up the crib, singing carols and joining in family friendly activities to begin the advent season. Feel free to join us for Miha at 11am and potluck lunch before the scheduled event. Enquiries ph (04) 383-7769 or spirituality@ compassion.org.nz ADVENT ONLINE. Sign up at www.foodforfaith.org.nz to receive daily email reflections every morning until Christmas. St Vincent de Paul Society. Do you or someone you know need help with presents for the kids this year? The SVDP Vinnies Welfare & Services Hub transforms into a toy shop over December. Make a booking to pick and wrap the gifts you would like for your children. How can I access the shop? We ask that people pre-book a ‘shopping slot’. Each slot allows 15 minutes to browse and choose the gifts. Access Criteria - be able to show a Community Services Card or benefit breakdown, and live within the Wellington City area (excl. Porirua & Hutt Valley), and be the parent or primary caregiver, and picking for children aged 0 - 16 years. (Vinnies contact: bookings can be made by: call 04 389 7122 or email [email protected], or drop into level 1, 207 Riddiford Street Newtown) An evening of Advent Reflections with Fr James Lyons Come along to Connolly Hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday 3 December to reflect on 14 meditations with scritures in a new way of preparing for Christmas. Fr James Lyons will lead the Advent Reflections based on his writings – Bringing Advent to Life – Stations on the Way to Christmas which is available from Pleroma Christian Supplies. Participants will be invited to read one of the reflectios during the evening, and a handout will be available for people to take away at the end of the night. Tea and coffee will be available. Please RSVP to Frank Doherty at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish Office [email protected] by Friday 29 November. The Future is Accessible: Celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities Tuesday, 3 December 2019 Join us to celebrate the gift of disability in our lives and society. 12pm-1pm, including light refreshments Connolly Hall, 10 Guildford Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington 6011 Kapiti (Limited accessible parking available on the grounds of Sacred Heart Cathedral School) KEYNOTE PARTICIPANTS: Robyn Hunt ONZM, Members of the L’Arche Community and Mike Gourley An accredited New Zealand Sign Language Interpreter will be interpreting this event. Enquiries: Zachariah Duke, [email protected] Christmas A time to remember When you have lost someone dear to you, anniversaries and the times you were happiest are often the times you are at your saddest. Come and join us at our service of remembrance and gather strength from others. This Christmas let us support one another. ST ANDREW’S ON THE TERRACE FRIDAY 6th DECEMBER 2019 AT 6.30PM Everyone is welcome Mass for Life. You’re invited to pray for babies, mums, dads and families at a Mass for Life on Friday 6 December, 7pm at St Mary of the Angels, 17 Boulcott Street, Wellington. Cardinal Dew will be the principal celebrant. Eucharistic Adoration will follow for one hour after Mass to pray in readiness for the National March for Life. For more information please visit fli.org.nz/prolifeevents or phone Clare 021 231 7954. National March for Life. You’re invited to love them both by attending the third annual National March for Life in Wellington on Saturday 7 December. Join Kiwis from all over NZ in a family-friendly celebration of life which also peacefully protests the practice and legality of abortion. Gather at Civic Square from 12pm for family-friendly entertainment, sausage sizzle and stalls. March to Parliament Grounds begins at 2pm. Concludes at 4pm. Learn more about this important event at a critical moment in NZ’s history: marchforlife.nz The 2019 Rosary for Life and Faith is on Sat. 7th Dec. at 3 pm. This Pro-Life Rosary supports the March for Life in Wellington on the same day. Please try and go on the March. If you can't, please organise or join a Rosary group in your parish. For more info www.coasttocoastrosary.co.nz or ph Clare 022 1912886 Home of Compassion Island Bay Prayer of the Heart Mondays 4, 11 & 18 December 7pm - 8pm With Father Jeff Drane. Prayer of the heart series to foster a sense of mystery and joyful expectation as we approach Christmas. The mystics of our tradition pave the way to the contemplative place within. The Chapel of Our Lady of Compassion. Go you are sent to accompany one another (10) More paid youth group leaders. 2020 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 will also have them available for sale at St Patrick’s Church. In this season of Advent, we are called to expand the horizons of our hearts, to be amazed by the life which presents itself each day with newness. In order to do this, we must learn to not depend on our own certainties, on our own established strategies, because the Lord comes at a time that we do not imagine. Pope Francis: Angelus November 2016 The Dec. 1-14 issue of NZ Catholic is out now. Some headlines are: Church fronts at royal commission. Dame Kiri visits old school. People have say on Chch plan. Details awaited on Tomorrow’s Schools reset. The next issue of NZ Catholic will be published on December 15. WelCom is out this week for Sunday 1 December. Contents include:
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