10th december 2017

In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist announces to the people the “Good News” the long-awaited day of salvation is about to dawn upon them. He urges the people to ‘prepare a way for the Lord’. Does the Lord’s coming depend upon us? It is very clear that the Lord’s coming does not depend on our efforts. The Lord comes not because we love him but because of his great love for us sinners. So, the coming of Christ is a purification of life. And the World (we) need that purification. John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin, is also the part of our purification. People of Judea and Jerusalem flock to him and confessed their sins. Our Mother Church too calls us all for the purification (confession) of our sins. The sacrament of reconciliation is available at St Patrick’s Church at 7-8pm every day from 15th – 23rd December. Let us confess our sins and prepare the way of the Lord so that when he comes he may find us all worthy of his love.                                                                                                                                          Fr Gregory
Holy Cross Christmas Eve Children’s Mass 6.30pm                 
The parish finance committee and parish pastoral council have made a decision to hold the Miramar Children’s Christmas Mass on 24 December at the Holy Cross School hall.   This decision has been made after much prayerful reflection and consideration.  The reasons for the decision are:

• The overall earthquake rating of the Holy Cross church remains at 22% of the New Building Standards (NBS).  Although a large number of building elements are considerably better than previously thought (as the result of a review of the previous seismic assessment by an independent Engineer), the column foundations continue to have a low rating.
• The direction from the Archdiocese office is for minimal use of the Holy Cross Church, while it remains at this low rating.  The use of the church for a service of up 300 people, including children, does not come within minimal use.
• Although the Holy Cross Church has been used for the children’s mass in recent years, the November 2016 earthquake has brought the issue into focus.  Earthquake safety was also a focus of discussion at the recent Synod.
• We have both legal and moral responsibilities in the use of the Church which fall back on our parish priest and chair of the finance committee.
• The Holy Cross school hall has been selected as most appropriate due to its closeness and connection to the both our parish and school communities and also it has recently been re-assessed at 100% NBS.

The pastoral council and finance committees are currently investigating costings to strengthen and upgrade Holy Cross Church to 67% NBS or higher. Once these estimated costs are known this will allow for informed decisions to be made as to the future of this Church.
It is appreciated that moving the Children’s Christmas Mass is a break from past traditions but we ask for your prayerful support.
We are also aware that this change in venue increases the workload for those volunteers organising this Mass at the Holy Cross school hall. It would be much appreciated if some other parishioners could assist with these tasks as appropriate.
Parish Pastoral Council and Finance Committee (4 December 2017)

Holy Cross Childrens Mass at Holy Cross School Hall – Musicians needed.  If anyone is able to help out with the music for this Mass, if you could contact the Parish Office or David Sullivan on 388 9001.

HOLY TRINITY PARISH SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME 2018
Children in year 4 or older who have been baptised in a Catholic Church and would like to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Holy Communion, are eligible to enrol. Enrolment forms are available in the church foyers, School Offices, the Parish Office or on the website www.holytrinity.parish.nz
All enrolment forms need to be completed and returned including a copy of your baptism certificate by the 18th February, 2018 to the School Offices, the Parish Office in Miramar or by email [email protected] 

Christmas Appeal - St Vincent de Paul Society Seatoun & Miramar Conference
Please note: Last collection is Sunday 10th December
Boxes for your donation of food items, toiletries, treats and gifts in the foyer of the churches.  You might even like to make up a hamper.  On Friday 15 December 2017 our team of drivers and helpers will deliver the boxes of food and items to over 50 families in the district. 
If you wish to provide a gift could you please wrap it and place a note as to the age and gender the gift would suit.
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. Clare Maddock: 388 8548

St Patrick’s Church Christmas working bee Saturday 16th December between 9 – 12pm. Parishioners are welcome to come and help us spurce up inside and outside the church in preparation for Christmas. Just turn up - many hands make light work.

For parishioners of St Patricks Church.  Roster for Christmas Masses
If you would like to volunteer to be a Minister of the Eucharist at the Children's Mass, Readers, Offertory , Collectors and Ministers of the Eucharist at the 11.30pm Mass or at 10am Christmas morning please contact Patricia O'Donnell at [email protected] or 934 3179.  Please contact me by 12 December.
 

Christmas Novena 15 – 23rd December - St Patrick’s Church 7pm

• All are welcome to come join us praying a novena for the nine days leading up to Christmas Eve
• Volunteers needed to run the cup of tea each night. Contact Leona 9733958 if you can help.

• There will be a priest available for reconciliation each night during the Novena.

St Patrick’s Children’s Christmas Eve Mass
If you have children that would like to be part of the Christmas Play, please contact Clare Lundon 021 227 8363.

News and Views  The last news and views for 2017 is ready to be delivered. A big thank you to all those who have been delivering during the year. Next issue out Feb

Assistance Needed for Craft Project I have available some peggy squares knitted by a special-needs lady. These need to be joined up into a blanket, which will be donated to charity. If this appeals to you, please contact Margaret Mansell, 3882 840. Wool is available, and project can be delivered.

Flowers for Christmas – St Patrick’s Church. If someone would like to volunteer to do the flowers for Christmas please contact Andrew 0274385393

St Catherine’s College is looking for additional Directors to serve on the Board of Proprietors.  We are responsible for the major maintenance, capital works of the property and supervising, preserving and safeguarding the special character of the school.  We are looking for Directors with strong property, development, legal, marking/brand or accounting skills.  Please email Catherine Fyfe, the Chairperson, on [email protected]

Fr Paul Martin SM has been appointed the new Catholic Bishop of Christchurch. 

A Double Bill of Music for the Season of Christmas at St Mary of the Angels. Sunday December 17th La Nativité Olivier Messiaen Performed by Bruce Cash  Pre-concert talk 1:30pm  Performance 2:30pm  Koha
Wednesday Dec 20th 7:30pm Gaudete  Verse anthems by Tomkins, Byrd & Gibbons with a world premier of Gaudete Ross Harris Especially written for this concert Palliser Viols Baroque Voices $30/$15

10 copies of Len Fifield playing the Southward Car Museum Wurlizer Organ have been generously donated to sell with all proceeds going to the Parish. CD’s - $20 each. Contact Andrew Greening at St Patrick’s Church if you would like to purchase a copy. 

Accommodation request: Three bedroom rental accommodation for myself and two daughters. We would be long term, exceptionally careful tenants with financial dependability. We are committed Catholics, active in many areas of Church life, which includes my role as a full-time teacher and Assistant Director of Religious Studies at St. Mary's College. Please contact 021 060 8650    [email protected]

Sunday 17 December. Family Day at Our Lady’s Home of Compassion. Join us to put up the crib in the Chapel at 12.30pm. Nativity activities for children will follow in the Heritage Centre.12noon - 3pm. Contact: [email protected] or (04) 282 1953 for more information.

Each Monday evening Christian Meditation Group.  Join us each Monday evening for an hour of Christian meditation in the ancient form of contemplative prayer.  All are welcome. 7pm, Crombie Chapel, Our Lady’s Home of Compassion, 2 Rhine Street, Island Bay, Wellington. Ph. 04 383 7134 or 04 383 7769.

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.