10 march 2019

Dt. 26:4-10; Rm.10:8-13; Lk. 4:1-13
We are in the first Sunday of lent, a beautiful season set aside by the Holy Mother Church for purification of ourselves by prayer, fasting and abstinence. In Luke’s Gospel today we find Jesus freshly baptized, called, named, claimed and set apart for his very unique ministry in the world, is tempted by the Devil in the desert.  Why was Jesus tempted by the Devil? Why should Jesus have to struggle with the ways of the evil ones?  Well, Jesus was tempted by the Devil for the same reason that he was baptized by John because he was a human being.  Every human being has experienced the lure of evil.  One would not be really human if one had never any contact whatsoever with the attractiveness of sin.  That’s why Jesus went off to the desert to give the Devil his chance to experience the appeal of evil that infects every human being.  The Devil tempts Jesus with easy bread, easy success and with easy power.  
During lent we are supposed to do the same thing Jesus did, that is we are supposed to go apart from our ordinary life and face up to the evil that threatens us.  The temptations that threaten us don’t come in the same lurid forms with which Jesus was threatened but Jesus’ temptations and ours are basically the same.  We are all tempted to comfort, to success, and to power no matter the way we achieve. These are inclinations that we need to be aware of.  Inclinations need to be confronted by giving us the narrative of Jesus’ temptations at the beginning of each lent.  Unlike Jesus we are sinners.  We have given in to the self-destructive attractions that the Devil presented to Jesus. We are constantly in spiritual warfare with Devil in our heart’s desert.  During lent the Church invites us to live with Jesus in his desert experience to undergo trial with him and to come out of the desert with victory.  At the end ready to share a time of fulfilment with him in the kingdom of God.                                                      Fr Paul
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.

Lenten Mass – 6 March – 13 April 2019
6.30am Mass at Holy Cross Parish Centre
Monday – Saturday during Lent
Stations of the Cross followed by Lectio Divina
Thursdays during Lent
Every Thursday at 7pm at St Patrick’s Church
7th March – 11th April 2019 (except 21 March)
Parish Reconciliation – Thursday 11 April
7pm followed by Stations of the Cross
Please note: 21st March Stations of the Cross and Lectio Divina will be at 6pm to accommodate our Holy Trinity Changing Parish workshop in the Parish Centre at 7pm. 

Stations of the Cross Roster
Thursday   7th March 7pm   Liturgy Committee  (Leona Foster)
Thursday 14th March 7pm   St Joseph’s Family Group  (David Hyland)
Thursday 21st March 6pm   Tongan Community  (Langi Paasi)
Thursday 28th March 7pm   Samoan Community  (Malia Falanai-Andrews)
Thursday   4th April   7pm   The Book Club  (Julian Knap)
Thursday 11th April after Reconciliation   Friars  (Fr Ephrem)

RCIA -  Today at St. Patrick’s we have the First Scrutiny for Finn Stallman.   This rite asks members of the Elect, like Finn, and all of us, to reflect on the story of the Samaritan woman who meets Jesus at the well. It then challenges us to ask where it is that we find ‘living water’ to ease out thirst?

Annointing Mass St Patrick’s Church 11am Wednesday 13th March.

Holy Cross Happy Hour Weds 13th March from 11am  in the Parish Centre. Come join us for bingo. Please bring a small plate of finger food to enjoy with our tea/coffee. All welcome

Fr Gregory’s farewell Mass Sunday 24 March 10am St Patrick’s Church. Most parishioners will be aware that Fr Gregory has been unwell for many months but has battled on in the hope of improving health. Unfortunately it has been decided that he should return home to India on a permanent basis and he will depart from Wellington on Monday 1 April 2019.
It will be a really sad occasion as Fr Gregory has been a central part of our spiritual growth for several years. It is most unlikely that a replacement priest will be available.
Fr Gregory will celebrate his farewell Mass 10am in St Patrick's Church on Sunday 24 March. Parishioners attending this farewell Mass are asked to bring a plate of finger food to share after this Mass. Please take to the hall before Mass starts. If anyone is available to help with the morning tea please contact the office.
An opportunity to contribute to a farewell gift will be made at Masses on Sundays 10 and 17 March. Put an envelope in the collection basket with Fr Gregory on it or drop your donation into the office.
Please note: There will be only 3 Masses in the Parish that weekend: Sat night Vigil 5.30pm St Patrick’s Church, 10am Sunday St Patrick’s Church and 5pm Sunday Holy Cross Church.This will allow the priests to all be in attendance for Fr Gregory’s farewell and maximumum number of parishioners to attend while providing options for those unable to attend.
 
A farewell card will be at the back of each church for the next two Sunday’s if you would like to sign
or drop into the office during the week.
 
 
24 March updated Mass roster St Patrick’s Church, Kilbirnie

Time
Host / Welcomers
Altar Servers
Proclaimers of the Word
Offertory
Special Ministers
Commentary
 

10am
E & I MacDonald
S Vaka
A Vaka
V Vaka
R Wielgolawski
S Lavea
Va’Aua Family
I Fitu
G Passi-Schmidt
I Robinson
 

Holy Trinity Workshop: Our Changing Parish “we all have a migration story” Come and explore the similarities and the treasures everyone’s culture brings. When Thurs. 21st March 7pm-8.45pm. Where St Patrick’s Parish Centre. Registrations by Mon.18th March with Chris Walkerdine  c.walkerdine@wn.catholic.org.nz

We are extremely pleased to announce that $30,014.70 was raised for our amazing 2019 School/Parish Bazaar! A big shout out to everyone who helped to make our Community event such a huge success! We couldn't have done it without you!

St Patrick’s Parish/Church Centennial     
In November 2019 St Patrick’s parish/church Kilbirnie will celebrate its centennial. This is a huge milestone for the catholic community now within the parish of Holy Trinity. It is important that we recognise this important event with a centennial Mass and an invitation has been sent to check on the availability of Cardinal John to participate in this Mass.
A number of events need to be organised around this time and we need to establish a small committee of interested parishioners to facilitate these centennial events.
If you are able to assist in any way by providing your background knowledge of names, events, photographs, or published articles or just have an interest in helping co-ordinate these centennial events then please email your name and contact details to holytrinity.wgtn@xtra.co.nz  This is a great opportunity for you to become involved in a fun but hugely important parish activity.


Legion of Mary Wellington cordially invites YOU  to a ceremony of Consecration to Our Lady “Acies” Venue:  St Anne’s Church, Newtown Sunday 24        th  March 2019, 2pm “I am all yours, my Queen, My Mother, and all that  I have is yours” www.legionofmary.org.nz

Lenten Prayer for Life: From Ash Wednesday to Good Friday join us in daily prayer, fasting and reparation for the cause of life. Register your prayer commitment for the campaign's four prayer intentions at fli.org.nz/lentenprayerforlife and receive a free pro-life prayer book. If possible, please also join the prayerful witness to life outside Wellington Hospital on all or any of these Weds March 13, 20, 27 and April 3 and 10. To sign up for an hour txt 021 2317954 or email clare.fli@xtra.co.nz  For info see the poster in the church porch.

XLT (eXaLT) Youth Worship Night Friday 15th March @ St Anne’s Hall, Emmett Street, Newtown
7pm to 9pm.  Relevant Worship, Adoration, fellowship.  Come with your friends! Open to Year 9 – 13 students and young adults. 

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION COMMUNITY DAY The Wellington Region of the NZ Community for Christian Meditation is holding a Community Day of Reflection about SUZANNE AUBERT, on Saturday 23rd March at the Island Bay Home of Compassion, led by Sr Sue Cosgrove, from 9.30am to 1.30pm. A Contemplative Mass will be celebrated by Fr John Pettit at 2pm in the Chapel. Enquiries please contact  Elspeth Preddey 04 472 3369, 0274 723 369 (elspeth.preddey@xtra.co.nz)

Go you are sent to care for creation … (8) Initiate or take part in community projects such as “Clean Beach Day”, community gardens.

Voices to MP's Rally: Everyone is invited to join and support Pacific People say NO to the End of Life Choice Bill. The Select Committee is due to report back to Parliament at the end of the month so it is time to gather together and urge Member's of Parliament to vote against this Bill. All are welcome. Tuesday 19th March 2019 from 11 am to 2 pm at Parliament Grounds.

Pope Francis reminds us that the three temptations Jesus experienced are also common for us: the temptation to play God, the false security of economic well-being, and giving in to evil as a short-cut to power. A temptation is an empty fantasy, always powerless to deliver what it promises. When we give into temptation we are left feeling even more unsatisfied than before. It is helpful to know when we are most vulnerable to sin. Think H.A.L.T! When we are hungry, angry, lonely or tired we are likely to grasp at anything or anyone promising even a moment of satisfaction. Maturity of self-awareness (knowing our
vulnerabilities) prepares us for growth in relationship with Jesus and therefore with each other. A healthy and positive discipline is required for this growth, like the athlete in training for competition or the musician rehearsing for performance. The greatest achievement of the devil in our world today is that so many people think he doesn’t exist. This means the he can operate without being noticed and in
ways that are devious and destructive. An Invitation:            Take a few moments every day to notice Jesus present and active in the events and encounters of your life in the last few hours. Now become aware of
where you have experienced the presence and action of the devil in your life today. Conclude these moments by remembering that in a conflict between Jesus and Satan, Jesus always wins.
      Fr. John O’Connor            www.foodforfaith.org.nz        Pope Francis: Message for Lent 2019

About to get Married? Could you successfully run a marathon without preparing for it? Of course not! So too marriage. Engaged Encounter Weekends this year are heavily booked. Weekends are 30 - 31 March 2019 (one vacancy and then waiting list);  3 - 4 August 2019; 9 - 10 November 2019, all at St Teresa's Presbytery, 301 Karori Road, Karori, Wellington  For more information phone Kate and Simon  on 801 6192 or visit our website at   www.cee-wellington.co.nz

Let us not allow this season of grace to pass in vain. Let us ask God to help us set out on a path of true conversion. Let us leave behind our selfishness and self-absorption, and turn to Jesus’ Pasch.  Let us stand beside our brothers and sisters in need, sharing our spiritual and material resources with them.

UK Pilgrimage - join Msgr David Tonks on a spiritual journey to Ireland, Scotland & England: 25-days departing Sunday 23 June 2019. For further details, please contact Laura on phone +64-9-921 5106 or 0800-277 477 or email: laura@skytrain.co.nz.

The Mar. 10 – 23 issue of NZ Catholic is out now. Some headlines are: Radical Reforms and Catholic Schools. Abuse summit tough but needed says Cardinal Dew. Healthcare Mass in Christchurch. Two Catholics react to Jordan Peterson.   The next issue of NZ Catholic will be published on March 24.

​We pray for the members of our Parish families who have died especially Dora Zoet and those whose anniversaries occur around this time including Sieki Halafihi, Lauris O’Callaghan and Fr Patrick McCullough. Our prayers are also with those who are unwell especially John Rogers, John Cairns-Cowan and Graeme Adams and for the wonderful people who are caring for the everyday needs of the sick in our Community.