11 November

St Francis taught the world the following prayer: “It is in giving that we receive. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.” The centre of attraction for this weekend’s Gospel is the poor widow. She has shown us the wonderful example of Christian generosity. It is said that she gave everything for the love of God. Money, in one form or another, is a very popular topic with Jesus. He mentions wealth many times in his talks and in his reference to life and people’s values. While I have been touched by the generosity of the poor widow, I have grown to admire the other people who were putting large amount into the collection box.  I think that as we have grown older and started to have a few dollars, we have learned a few things about money and ourselves.
        When we have little or nothing, giving away everything means nothing. But when we began to accumulate something, all of a sudden, we become possessive. The nothingness becomes something very precious. Things like retirement and security starts bothering me. Now that I have become something, I should become be generous and share what I have with those who have nothing. But what is happening here is that the more I am getting, the more I want to hang on to it because I may need it for a rainy day. Having gone through the hurricanes and tornados of life and come out of  them successfully, why should I ever think the Lord will not take care of me on the rainy day?  It is said in the first reading that the widow who shared her nothingness with Elijah, her meal never got exhausted. Maybe it is a good time to ask ourselves a basic question: “Does our increased prosperity  help the poor as much as it should?” Are we as generous as we were when we had nothing? It is in giving that we receive.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Fr Gregory
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.
 

Please pray for our children as they prepare for First Holy Communion.
 
We congratulate our children from Holy Cross for their First Holy Communion today: Rhian Dane Patena, Isabelle Hunt, Faris Khayyat and Maria Pato.
First Holy Communion dates in our Parish - St Patrick’s 18th November 10am
 

NOVEMBER PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD:  As November is the traditional month for special prayers for our loved ones, parishioners are asked to write the names and place them in the box in the Church or give them to the priest.  Envelopes are available in the foyer. Because of the large number of names, we will only print anniversaries or recent.   All names will be remembered in Masses offered during November.
 

A health and safety reminder to those attending Mass at St Patrick’s Church
Please do not park on the grass, in front of the emergency exits, garage or in the porch area in the front of the church. These areas are to be kept clear at all times for safety reasons and we would appreciate your co-operation. If you see someone parking in these areas, please remind them to park elsewhere and if you are approached and asked to move, please do not take offence and become abusive but moved as you are asked.  Thank you.
 


Fr Gregory celebrated his birthday on the 9th November
Please remember him in your prayers
 

We congratulate Andrew Greening on receiving the Pride of Workmanship Award 2018 from the Rotary Club of Wellington South. Andrew was nominated by the Home of Compassion in Island Bay and received the award on Wednesday 7th November. Well done.
 


2 Columban Calendars to give away!
Two Columban Calendars have been very kindly donated by a parishioner. If you would like one of these please contact the Parish Office 3886 953.
First two responses will receive the calendars.

Holy Cross Happy Hour – Weds 14TH November 11am in the Parish Centre. Seniors are reminded of our next happy hour. Come join us for bingo. Please bring a small plate of finger food to enjoy with our tea/coffee. All welcome

2019 Columban Calendars available through the office $12 each
or from Bernadette at St Patrick’s Church.
 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, or 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:  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. 

First Holy Communion at St Patrick’s Church
18th November 10am
Parishioners are welcome to come and join in our celebration in the Parish Centre after Mass. Please bring a plate of food to share and leave in the Centre. Thank you

Are you a child who would like to take part in the Children’s Mass on Christmas Eve??   Would you like to do a reading, read a prayer of the Faithful, carry the offertory, take part in a play?  We need your help to make this Mass happen.  If you volunteer, you will be given help to do your best.  Please phone Clare Lundon the Mass Organiser 0212278363  or Patricia O’Donnell Liturgy Chairperson  934 3179.

Looking for  musicians for the Children’s Mass on Christmas Eve at 5.30pm.   We are looking for a guitar player and a piano player or keyboard player and other instrument players to make music for the children to sing Christmas carols.  If you would like to make joyful music for the children, please contact Clare Lundon the Mass organiser 0212278363  or Patricia O’Donnell Liturgy Chair  934 3179  for further information.

Finance Committee Meeting: Tue 13th Nov 7.30pm  Holy Cross Parish Centre.

Mass rosters Holy Cross and St Patrick’s for December have either been emailed out to you or are at the back of the Church. Next rosters will be available in February.

"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).

Sunday 18 November 2018. Pope Frances' 2nd World Day of the Poor.  “let us love, not with words but with deeds” 2017 World Day of the Poor theme. Pope Francis calls on Christians around the world to serve people on the margins with practical assistance and to deepen our connection with people living in all forms of poverty.  As a parish, we will be offering your donations on the day to the  annual Christmas Emergency Food Appeal of the Seatoun & Miramar Conference of the St Vincent de Paul Society.  
Please bring along a non-perishable food item on Sunday 18 November 2018 such as dry pasta and rice; canned fish, canned veges and fruit; beans and chickpeas; cereal; canned and packet soup; toothpaste and toothbrushes; sanitary items; soap and deodorant.  There will be a signposted box in the foyer of each of our Churches where you can leave your donation.  May God bless you for what you do.

St Vincent de Paul Society “Vinnies” is also hosting a Free Shop and Lunch on Saturday 17 Nov at the old Caltex space on Riddiford Street, Newtown, as a vibrant outdoor shop and community (food court style) lunch.
Vinnies is encouraging the most vulnerable people in the community to come along and access the free clothing and food.  Parishioners of Holy Trinity Parish and people of many other groups in Wellington are warmly invited to also come along to prepare food and serve the lunch, under the message – Better off Together / He Waka Eke Noa.
This is another practical way that parishioners of Holy Trinity Parish can put their faith into action with St Vincent de Paul to serve those in need at the Free Shop and Lunch, Kilbirnie.  Please just turn up to help or contact the following if you need further information:-  Millie Lambess,.  Ph 04-389-7122 | 021 029 18575

WORLD DAY OF THE POOR:  The Archdiocese of Wellington is one of 12 Dioceses throughout the world who have been asked to lead activities for Pope Francis’s World Day of the Poor.  Details are available on the notice displayed on the parish newsletter and on the Archdiocese of Wellington website. Some highlights include:
· Archdiocesan Mass for the World Day of the Poor: St Michael’s Taita, Sun 18 Nov, 10.30am, if possible please bring a non-perishable item for the foodbank collection.
·  Better off together-He waka eke noa Gathering: Bishop Viard College, Porirua, Sat 17 Nov, 10am-5pm, speakers, workshops, liturgy led by Challenge 2000
· St Vincent de Paul free pop-up stores: Newtown, Hutt Valley, Porirua, Wairarapa and Levin, Sat 17 Nov
· Wellington JPD Commission social analysis workshop: St Joseph’s church foyer, Upper Hutt, Wed 14 Nov (please register with [email protected])

FRUITCAKES AND FESTIVE FARE FOR KAIKŌURA: North Island parishes of the Archdiocese are invited to express love and solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Kaikōura by supplying wrapped fruitcakes or other festive fare, which will be delivered to Kaikōura in time for the 2nd anniversary of the 2016 earthquake on 14 November. These can be dropped off at the Compassion Soup Kitchen (132 Tory St, Wgtn), Challenge 2000 (1 Wanaka St, Jvlle) or Catholic Centre (22-30 Hill St, Wgtn) up until midday 12 November.  They will be delivered to Kaikōura by the Society of St Vincent de Paul as part of the World Day of the Poor activities of the Archdiocese of Wellington.  For more information please contact Lisa Beech [email protected]

St Anthony’s School - The date for the Bazaar has been set - Sunday 17 February with a Vigil Mass the night before - Saturday 16 February at 5pm replacing the normal Sunday 10.30am Mass on the 17th. 
Storage space needed: If anyone has any space they can spare so we can store items as they come in up to the Bazaar in February, could you please contact the school. 380 6971 or [email protected] 
We are kindly asking for donations – tinned plums and chopped tomatoes and baking ingredients (flour, sugar, condensed milk, cocoa, block chocolate and chocolate chips, coconut, butter, etc). Please drop off in St Anthony’s church foyer. We are also asking if anyone could help us bake cakes, slices and biscuits to sell at the cake stall. Drop off of cakes at school office or church from Friday 15th Feb. is much appreciated.
If you would like to receive some of the donated ingredients or a couple of cake boxes, please leave your details on sign in sheet at St Anthony’s Church foyer or contact Simone Meech: 9775021 or 021992424 or [email protected]

Joshua Catholic Men’s Fellowship Wellington invites men to come along and join us on Thursday 15th of November at 7:30pm (Note: fellowship from 7:00pm for 7:30pm start) in The Loaves and Fishes Hall next to the Anglican Cathedral of St Paul, corner Hill and Molesworth streets Thorndon. Topic: "Becoming a New Man"
Want to know more? Ring Steve Ready 027-356-9555 or email: [email protected]

Dove Catholic Fellowship for Women. Our meeting is on Saturday 17th November at 1.30pm, St Joseph's church 42 Ellice St, Mt Victoria Wgtn.  Our speaker will be Sarah Pinto on "In my Father's eyes". Is 43:4  'you are precious in my eyes and honoured and I love you'.  Enquiries Shura 3899938

HELP US TO HELP THOSE ON THE PERIPHERIES  The World Day of the Poor is Saturday 17th November 2018. The Archdiocese calls for each of us to make a serious examination of our conscience, to see if we are truly capable of hearing the cry of the poor. Here is an opportunity to challenge yourself and help those that are in poverty.
How?   o Donate your time or money    o Email your friends/business colleagues/family pleading with them to support our work   o Pray for the poor and the struggling and those who journey with them. Please help: Call Megan Ratuki on 04 477 6827 or email [email protected]  www.challenge2000.org.nz
 

Go you are sent to manage your assets wisely - 4(b) The review and decisions are the result of a prayerful discernment process based on the following principles; 1) people are the Church’s primary asset.

Seatoun Arts & Crafts celebrates its Annual Exhibition and Sale at the Village Hall, Forres Street, Seatoun this year on:  Saturday 17th  November 10am – 4pm  and Sunday  18th   November 10am – 4pm

The poor evangelize us and help us each day to discover the beauty of the Gospel. Let us not squander this grace-filled opportunity. On this day, may all of us feel that we are in debt to the poor, because, in hands outstretched to one another, a salvific encounter can take place to strengthen our faith, inspire our charity and enable our hope to advance securely on our path towards the Lord who is to come. Pope Francis, Message for the 2nd World Day of the Poor, 2018

Au Pair-style job available in Kilbirnie - We are a family of 3 (plus pets), offering accommodation PLUS some paid hours! See noticeboard for the full advertisement and all the details. Starting 22nd November  Please email Laurian on [email protected] or call 027 5847170 if you are interested in learning more about this opportunity.

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON - POSTION OPEN YOUNG CHURCH MINISTRY COORDINATOR
20-30 HOURS PER WEEK (NEGOTIABLE) We are looking to employ a dedicated person to join a passionate, creative and qualified pastoral ministry team working to support and grow ministry with young people in the Archdiocese of Wellington. For more information about the role and to apply head to seek.co.nz and search for 'Young Church' or contact [email protected] Applications close 15th November 2018.

​We pray for the members of our Parish families who have died and those whose anniversaries occur around this time.  Our prayers are also with those who are unwell especially Judy Chote, John Rogers and Graeme Adams and for the wonderful people who are caring for the everyday needs of the sick in our Community.