12 april 2020

Let us pray for all those who are unwell especially Nesi Tan, Warren Stevenson, Eddie Wilkins, John Cairns-Cowan and Graeme Adams and 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; Ola Lis, Daphne Hatchwell and Henry Martin.
We also remember our leaders and all those involved in providing essential services.
 
Easter Services:
Holy Thursday: 9th April                                         7pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper
 
Good Friday:   10th April     3pm Solemn Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion
Holy Places Collection has been transferred to Sept 13th 2020 – the date closest to the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.
 
Saturday Easter Vigil: 11th April                           7pm
 
Easter Sunday:   12th April                                    10.30am
 
All Masses will be streamed live by Fr Ephrem via his facebook page (Ephrem Tigga)
 

Fr Ephrem is offering Mass every day from the prayer room in the presbytery
at the following times
Mon, Tues, Weds, Fri, Sat 9.30am        Thurs 7pm            Sunday 10.30am
To join him live go to his Facebook page (Ephrem Tigga)
If you would like Fr to offer Mass for yourself or a loved one, please contact the office by either phone or email

Other Wellington-based Easter Triduum services follow this custom YouTube URL. https://www.youtube.com/c/MCSHWellington  curtesy of  the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
Here is the schedule they are working towards having the videos ready by:
* Holy Thursday 7.30pm              
* Good Friday 3.00pm
* Easter Vigil 7.30pm
* There will be no Easter Day Mass
 
Masses available on Television: Free to air telecast Shine TV Freeview channel 25
Sundays from 4 April – 1.35pm
Good Friday 10 April – 8.30am
 
https://www.wn.catholic.org.nz/adw_community/resources-for-an-unusual-time/
 

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.

Acts 10, 34. 37-43; Col 3, 1-4; Jn 20, 1-9
Hey, do you know, Jesus is RISEN!
Dear sisters and brothers, the whole world is hush hush s s s ... everyone is in shockingly aware of the rising of Christ from death. Yes, Jesus Christ is Risen has from the dead and lives forever. We have partaken in the banquet of Resurrection, Let us sing the song of Alleluia.
This Holy Week is witnessed as never before. COVID-19 seems to be threatening to wipe humanity from the earth. Fear has gripped the world in a manner never experienced before. We are driven to lockdown from all public events and face to face engagements even with our loved ones.  We are led to prayer in unison and engage ourselves to be still, paying attention to the event unfolding with silence in our private homes, and making space for God into our heart. Families have once again become the domestic church, society and to the world.
Holy Week shows us God loves us infinitely and unconditionally and calls us to love Him and live in that love with faith and practice. The emptiness and darkness of Good Friday, Jesus brings light; in our fears, Jesus brings us hope; in our hatred, he brings us love; and these transform us to a new way of living and acting in faith. It teaches us the important of life hereafter.
It is time to grow in love, patience and tolerance, comforting those who are distressed. Because, God the Father in Jesus Christ holds us gently in his embrace. Given us new life in His Son’s resurrection.  When we pray, God holds space for you and me, and we in turn offer ‘a silence in which another voice may speak.’ We also offer that space to others, as individuals or as a community; by ensuring we have a place of welcome and hope, ‘imbued with the gentle presence of the risen Jesus. Christ has won for us eternal life, obtaining forgiveness from our sins. The ultimate winner is Christ and a new day has dawned for us. World has no power over us. Let us rejoice and be glad, Christ is Risen. Alleluia!      
I wish you all a blessed and holy Easter. Keep safe in your bubble and be kind to one another. God bless you all                                                                              Fr Ephrem
 
Pray for people who are infected with COVID-19 or facing quarantine.
Jesus, during Your ministry on Earth You showed Your power and caring by healing people of all ages and stations of life from physical, mental, and spiritual ailments. Be present now to people who need Your loving touch because of COVID-19. May they feel Your power of healing through the care of doctors and nurses.
Take away the fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation from people receiving treatment or under quarantine. Give them a sense of purpose in pursuing health and protecting others from exposure to the disease. Protect their families and friends and bring peace to all who love them. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

Covid 19 - St Vincent de Paul Holy Trinity Parish.   Our SVDP members and helpers continue to do weekly check-in / social calls but should you know of any other isolated people who would appreciate a check-in / social phone call or are in need of emergency food or winter bedding support, then we can still include them in our phone list.  Take Care & God bless. (Contact: Tina Quidilla SVDP ph 021 159 2412, email:  cquidilla@xtra.co.nz).


HOLY WEEK is an important time in our Faith life.    
 While we often think about Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil or Easter Sunday as separate days or liturgies – they are really part of the one whole story.  The rituals that we usually experience in our Churches involve strong symbols and messages:   a  cross – our  weakness and  failures, saved by God’s love, a shared meal, washing of feet – a call to love and service,  a cross – suffering and death – our weakness and failures,  darkness and light, water – life – Christ with us, in and among us.  Alleluia!
Dan Schutte, an American composer, has created a virtual Holy Week celebration – including music and song, scripture and comment.  You  may like to  view it in a way that suits your situation at home. Here is the link: https://www.danschuttemusic.com/wordpressstore/easter-triduum/
 

In these days of lockdown, the internet is for many people an important way to stay in touch.    We need to be aware of our internet safety and not fall for scams or get tricked into giving away private information.   For online safety tips & advice, or report concern: https://www.netsafe.org.nz/stayconnectedstaysafe/
 
Fr Ephrem celebrates the anniversary of his ordination on the 14th April.
We congratulate him and wish him well.

Need Help – Offer Help’ – A COVID-19 Response: Contact details for groups within the Archdiocese of Wellington who are meeting needs and offering social services to support wellbeing during the lockdown is available on the Archdiocese of Wellington website page "Need help, offer help":  https://www.wn.catholic.org.nz/adw_community/need-help-offer-help/ This webpage also includes details of how people can contribute, which is primarily through financial donations at this time, when goods are unable to be offered. Catholic social services (04-385-8642) social workers can also assist in connecting people to appropriate services. The page is regularly updated - please email l.beech@wn.catholic.org.nz  with any updates.

Planned Giving Receipts. Your receipts will be processed over the coming weeks. I will update you when these are ready and will email a copy to those I have an email address for. If you do not have an email  address and require a paper copy, your reciepts will be available once the lock down is over.
 
If you have envelopes and would like to continue making contributions to planned giving during the lockdown, our bank account is Holy Trinity Parish BNZ Bank account number 02-0536-0185031-000. Use your planned giving number as your reference so the payment can be allocated correctly. Thank you

The tragedy we are experiencing summons us to take seriously the things that are serious, and not to be caught up in those that matter less; to rediscover that life is of no use if not used to serve others. For life is measured by love.                                                                                                 Pope Francis tweet 7 April 2020

Let's kill this virus!
1. Wet hands with running water 🤲
2. Apply soap all over 🧼
3. Scrub, scrub, scrub
4. Rinse thoroughly 🚿
5. Dry

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is launching a Pandemic Appeal in response to the global spread of COVID-19. The funds raised from this appeal will help vulnerable communities across the Pacific and around the world as they work to prevent, prepare for and respond to the effects of the disease. Please visit caritas.org.nz/covid-19-pandemic-appeal to learn how your support helps to save the lives of people most in need. You can also call 04 496 1742 or 0800 22 10 22 and leave your name and phone number and a Caritas staff member will be in touch.