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Wis 6, 12-16; 1 Thes 4, 13-18; Matt 25, 1-13
Dear sisters and brothers, In this world where good and evil can occupy the same space, we must be wise and vigilant; stately roses and disruptive weeds can share the same garden, we must be wise and vigilant; the foolish and the wise can sit together at the same table, we must be the wise and prudent ones. The question is: how often are we prepared to be the wise one? The idea of being unprepared is strange; we need to be one step ahead. We come meetings with every document already in hand along with additional research, just in case. We have our shoulders high and ready for whatever comes my way that day. Having said that, I don’t think we can sincerely brag about our spiritual preparedness. Growing up, my grandmother would tell us stories to explain why it wasn’t right to tell a lie, or why it was wrong to steal, and so on. I used to hear her stories and say to myself, “why can’t grandma just say what she means? Why does she have to tell us these stories?” As I got older, it occurred to me that not only did she just enjoy using stories to convey life lessons, but the life lessons made more sense once digested, and became nourishment for my soul. Today’s Gospel reminds me of my grandmother’s stories — a little esoteric, thought-provoking, with moments that make you want to ask a question, but hold back, and in a way, open to interpretation. Like any parable, the reader is invited to do more than just read it. The reader is invited to eat slowly, let the words digest, and relish the total mind and soul effect at the moment when we realize that we have being enriched, and awakened by the words; by the parable of ten virgins; by the story. This Gospel prompts us to stay spiritually awake, and to be prepared to bring light to the darkness. 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. Please pray for our children as they prepare for First Holy Communion. We congratulate our children from St Anthony’s for their First Holy Communion today: Billy Proudfoot, Liam Balogh, Cassara Balogh, Dannielle Trangmar, Joseph Thurston, Coco Giera, Luca Giera, Riley Smith, Sophia Meech, Chloe Blades, Maggie Taylor, Shyla Prasad and Ricco Raymond First Holy Communion dates in our Parish –St Patrick’s 19th November 10am Christ the King Feast is celebrated on 26th November. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will be held in St Patrick’s Church from the end of 7.30am Mass till the beginning of the 10am Mass. 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. 19th November 2017 - First 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 the poor with concrete actions that address their daily needs, writing that ‘service to them is an imperative that no Christian may disregard’. As a Parish, we will be supporting the work of St Vincent de Paul as this coinsides with their foodbank drive on the 18th November at Pak n Save Kilbirnie 11am - 6pm and ask that on the 19th November, parishioners bring a non perishable food item 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 box at the back of each church where you can leave your donation. Fr Gregory celebrated his 60th birthday on the 9th November Please remember him in your prayers Holy Cross Happy Hour Seniors are reminded of our next meeting in the Holy Cross Parish Centre at 11 am, Wednesday 6th December. NO FOOD REQUIRED. All welcome. Could you also bring a small gift under $5 to exchange 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. Knitting for babies and children. Many thanks to all parishioners and friends for your continued support. Since beginning in 2011, we have created 3850 items for children in need - keep up the great work! Donations of double-knitting wool/yarn, or cash donations for same, greatly received. Contact Margaret 3882-840 2018 Columban Calendars available through the office $12 each. 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 holytrinity.wgtn@xtra.co.nz 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. See Andrew or Bernadette if you would like to purchase a copy from St Patrick’s Church St Patrick’s Primary School Ethnic Food Fair 5.30 – 7.30 Friday 17th November Food Fair Posters - If you are able to display a/some posters for the Ethnic Food Fair please ask at the office for some. To make sure we make the most possible profit we need as many people to come to the fair as possible. Last year we even had people displaying posters in their cars windows. Hoopla Jars - Room 2 is preparing a Hoopla Jar Activity for the Ethnic Food Fair. We would love anyone who is able, to fill a jar with goodies. A Hoopla Jar is a jar that you fill with surprises. Ideas for things to put in the jar; stickers, little toys, Lego, balloons, lollies, stationery, jewellery, fudges, sewing equipment, beauty products … use your imagination. Joshua Catholic Men’s Fellowship Wellington Our last meeting for the year on Thursday 16th of November 2017 at 7:30pm. Come and join us at CONNOLLY HALL, (behind Sacred Heart Cathedral). Speaker: Pauline Griffiths, a clinical psychologist on “How have I responded to influences received from my parents” Want to know more? Ring John Taylor (04) 389-8915 or 021-107-8538 or email: jnjtaylor132@gmail.com Elastic Man: religion and gender – 15 November, 7pm Salvation Army Citadel, Vivian St Entry by koha, Speakers: Jewish: Sue Esterman, Temple Sinai, Christian: Diane Gilliam-Weeks, Presbyterian Church, Muslim: Rehanna Ali, Islamic Women’s Council. In this ever-changing world, as Women's role(s) have been and are constantly re-defined, they impact and revise the role of Men. What do our religions (continue to) make of gender? Dove fellowship. To all women, please come and join us for our end of year mass with Fr Ron Bennett, Saturday 18th November at 1.15pm in the Blessed Sascrament Chapel, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hill St and afterwards at an afternoon tea party in Connolly hall. For further details, contact Shura 3899938, shuraprice1@gmail.com Health and Safety at Holy Trinity Parish There have been a few incidents at St Patrick’s Church recently. While these are being dealt with, there are some points to remember for all of us when praying or working at any of our three Churches or around Parish property:
The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. Further Security After two recent incidents at St Patricks Church, a former parishioner donated some security cameras to help deter intruders and also for monitoring the building entrances. These cameras are mounted at the entrances to the chapel and main body of the Church. (Please be assured that these cameras are NOT monitoring people’s prayer activity inside the Church; if there is an incident the camera footage will be viewed by the Parish Priest and the Finance Chairperson or the Parish Priest and the Parish Pastoral Council Chairperson) If you have a query, please email the parish office and someone from the Finance Committee will get back to you. Challenge 2000 Street Day Appeal Thursday 23rd November 2017 HELP US TO HELP THOSE ON THE PERIPHERIES One of the outcomes from the Synod was to challenge ourselves to change, to go, be sent to help those on the peripheries of our society. Here is an opportunity to challenge yourself and make that change. How? Our Annual Street Day Appeal is Thursday 23rd November 2017.
Please help: Call Megan Ratuki on 04 477 6827 or email challenge2000@xtra.co.nz For more information on our work or how you can help, view our website www.challenge2000.org.nz Thank you to all the Parishioners of Holy Trinity Parish Without your generous support, in time, financially and especially your prayers, we, your local conference, could not carry out this work. “People helping people’ in God’s name. The Department of Theology and Religion at the University of Otago. We are also holding a Digital Drop-In session about our Distance Learning Programme Wed Nov 15, 7-8pm. You can join us via an easy-to-use, free computer programme called Zoom, talk to lecturers, and find out more about our courses. For more information www.otago.ac.nz/theology/news if you would like to join in please email Paul Trebilco (paul.trebilco@otago.ac.nz) The urgent challenge to protect our common home includes a concern to bring the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change. The Creator does not abandon us; he never forsakes his loving plan or repents of having created us. Humanity still has the ability to work together in building our common home. Pope Francis, Laudato Si’, 2015 Compassion calendar events November/December 2017 – see noticeboard for details Lent Processor work at Caritas in 2018 Caritas is hiring up to 3 short-term, fulltime, staff to help process donations arising from the Bishops’ Lenten Appeal 2018. The work will be at the Wellington office of Caritas from Wednesday, 21 February to Friday, 13 April 2018 inclusive. Training will be provided. The pay rate will be $20.20 per hour plus 8% holiday pay. Attention to detail, speed, accuracy and good communication skills will be important for the success of applications. Understanding of and commitment to the values of Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand are essential. Applications can be made to rogere@caritas.org.nz and must be received by 5pm, Wednesday, 15 November. Expressions of interest - Director, National Liturgy Office The New Zealand Catholic Bishops’ Conference (NZCBC) is seeking expressions of interest in the role of Director of the National Liturgy Office. In addition to a background in liturgical studies/ministry, the successful applicant will have excellent interpersonal skills, strong administrative and managerial experience. While currently based in Auckland there is flexibility on the location of the role. For enquiries or a job description contact James van Schie, Executive Officer, NZCBC – jvanschie@nzcbc.org.nz - including a current CV and an outline of your motivation for the role. Final date for acceptance of applications is Monday, 20 November 2017 We pray for the members of our Parish families who have died recently especially Mariana Lealamanua and those whose anniversaries occur at this time including Russell Murray. Our prayers are also with those who are unwell especially Graeme Adams and Steve Kuzmicich and for the wonderful people who are caring for the everyday needs of the sick in our Community
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