14 june 2020

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.

The following measures will remain in till further notice:

•  Commuion only in the hand - NOT on the tongue
• No handshake during sign of the peace – instead speak, bow, nod or smile
• All holy water has been removed from the church
• Please use hand sanisiter before entering the church
• Collection boxes to remain
• No morning tea after Mass
• If you are sick, stay home and contact your doctor or healthline

We appreciate your co-operation

Deu 8, 2-3. 14-16; 1 Cor 10, 16-17; Jn 6, 51-58
 
My flesh is real food and my blood is real drink
 
Dear sisters and brothers, today we gather in the house of the Lord with trust and confidence. Today we celebrate the wonderful Sacrament, the sacred mystery of the Body and Blood of Christ, the means of our salvation.
Dear friends, I would like to congratulate all of you for being so patient and obedient to all the directions from government and church authorities given to you in the present time. It is never an easy thing to do for each one of us, but we did it together. This is a new chapter in our life. Let us continue to grow in our new spiritual adventures we have acquired. Surf the parish web pages and you will find some more adventures, the celebration of Mid-Winter-Christmas produced by Eastern Suburbs pastors association.
1st Reading recalls God’s infinitive love and care for Israelites, leading them through desert to the Promised Land. He fed them ‘bread from heaven’, and that has become the model for the Eucharistic bread. The manna became the symbol and reminder of God’s unfailing care for his people throughout their journey, just as the Eucharist is the expression of God’s care for his people today. St Paul, in writing to that difficult and divided community at Corinth, chides them for their disunity and selfishness. In the strongest terms Paul insists that the Eucharist must be the symbol and expression of unity, and that those who prevent it being so are making themselves ‘answerable for the body and blood of the Lord’.
This passage from John’s gospel is the last of the Bread of life discourse. It moves on from seeing Christ as the wisdom of God, who must be accepted and believed, to the sacrament of eating the bread of life. These correspond to the two halves of the Mass, first the service of the Word, then the Eucharistic banquet. We are all so diet-conscious nowadays that it is quite obvious that the food we eat affects us. By eating Christ we are assimilated into him. But here is a catch, ‘just as, if I am sick, food does me no good and can even harm me, so if I eat Christ Sacramentally without wanting to be moulded into him, is does me no good at all. Blood is the sign of life and if there is no blood there is no life.
So dear sisters and brothers, reception of the sacrament of body and blood of Christ is accepting God’s divine life, the divine gift within us. We all live with the same life’s blood. Do I really share my life, my talents, my goods with others knowing that I share the same bloodstream?
                                                                                      Fr Ephrem
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; Hilikia Lefao, Marcella (Colleen) O’Donovan and Patricia Galvin.

Vinnie’s Shop Miramar needs more volunteers!! Have you got some time to spare? Why not volunteer at the Miramar Vinnie’s shop. Contact  Cathie on 0278412268

2020 Open Day at St Patrick’s College WELLINGTON Open Day is a chance for parents of Year 8 students to visit our College and learn about the opportunities and experiences that we offer across Years 9-13.  Due to the 100 person gathering limit we have changed our Open Day format this year from one large gathering to a number of smaller groups who will meet our Rector and receive a tour of the College.  To attend an Open Day1 hour tour of the College, bookings are essential.  For COVID-19 contract tracing purposes we will require your contact details when you make your booking.
How to Book a College Tour: Please make a booking by phoning the College on 939 3070 and advising which of the six tour options you would prefer:
Tuesday 16 June        11.30am–12.30pm OR 12.30pm–1.30pm
Thursday 18 June       11.30am–12.30pm OR 12.30pm–1.30pm
Friday 19 June            11.30am–12.30pm OR 12.30pm–1.30pm

St Catherine’s College Open Night Thursday 25th June. Tours start at 6pm.
BOOK A TOUR: https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/ CODE: tqnwc
 
This year, St Mary's College  is holding open day tours for prospective families on  Tuesday 30 June.  There will be three time slots offered 11.30 am, 2pm, 4pm.  The tours will be one hour with a maximum of 100.  Whānau will be divided into small tour groups of 10 people each, with a maximum of three per whānau.  Whānau will be required to register using schoolinterviews.co.nz. the booking code is 3te25
 
If your space is limited please ask them to visit our website stmw.school.nz  
 
Mid winter Christmas – 12 days of light in the darkness. 21 June – 2 July Light up your neighbourhood with love. This is an iniative by the combined churches of the Miramar Peninsula.
During the 12 days we are encouraging our neighbours on the Peninsula to place a Christmas tree in their street-facing windows, and to light them up for the 12 days from Sunday 21 June (the shortest day) to Thursday July 2nd. Each day we will provide ideas for family fun, ways to bless your neighbours, and a range of opportunities to engage in conversation and contemplation.
Our hope is to bring community spirit to our neighbourhoods, to produce an outpouring of practical support and love to those who are struggling in the midst of the covid-19 pandemic, and to engage our neighbours in meaningful conversations based on the traditional christmas themes.
Why a mid-winter Christmas? Well firstly, it’s fun! We love that! But also, Christmas is the time we remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus. We believe that in Jesus, God is revealed to us, not as one who is distant from us in our sorrows and pain, but as one who comes to us, entering into our suffering, to redeem it through his. He is the “light that enters the darkness”. This was good news 2000 years ago and we believe it’s good news today as we contemplate deeper questions of life in the midst of a global pandemic. 
Whatever your faith, we hope these 12 days will create joyful memories for your family, a greater connection with your neighbours, and rich and meaningful conversations. 
Website:  https://www.midwinterchristmas.nz/  facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/midwinterchristmas.nz
instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/midwinterchristmas.nz/
 
Joshua is on again. Come and enjoy fellowship with other men and share your Lockdown stories on Thursday 18th June 2020 at 7:30pm (Note: fellowship from 7:00pm for 7:30pm start) In CONNOLLY HALL, Guildford Terrace, Thorndon (behind the closed Sacred Heart Cathedral). Want to know more? Ring Steve Ready 027-356-9555 or email: joshua.wgtn@gmail.com
 
The Eucharist is not a sacrament “for me”; it is the sacrament of the many, who form one body, God’s holy and faithful people… The Eucharist is the sacrament of unity.  Whoever receives it cannot fail to be a builder of unity, because building unity has become part of his or her “spiritual DNA”.
Pope Francis, Feast of Corpus Christi 2017 
 
NZ Catholic available online at the following link
https://indd.adobe.com/view/b3afc3f1-9e7a-4f50-bdf9-d5783300bd46
 
Dean sought for newly formed Te Kupenga             Catholic Theological College
The newly formed Te Kupenga Catholic Theological College is seeking a highly qualified Dean to be its  Auckland- based  academic face and voice. Te Kupenga is casting its net locally and internationally for the dean, who will lead the college, established            on 1 January by a merger between the two Catholic tertiary education providers – Good Shepherd College in Auckland and The Catholic Insitute of Aotearoa New Zealand (TCI).   The college itself is part of the new umbrella organisation Te Kupenga Catholic Leadership Institute, also formed on 1 January.Te Kupenga (The Net)  has three operating units – Te Kupenga Catholic Theological College (for tertiary courses and qualifications),the  National Centre for Religious Studies, and the Nathaniel Centre for Catholic Bioethics. Te Kupenga Chief Executive Dr Areti Metuamate said the new dean would build on past work to ensure there was an integrated, academically sound and high - performing community of scholars.“ This academic community will be central to achieving the Bishops’ vision for skilled and collaborative education, leadership, ministry, witness and voice in and from the New Zealand Catholic Church,” said Dr Metuamate.“ The Dean will be the academic face and voice for the Catholic Theological College and will need a high level of personal credibility and academic reputation.” Interested applicants can look at the position description
and  find contact details for Dr Metuamate at this link:
www.catholic.org.nz/assets/Uploads/Dean-CTC-role- description-01062020.pdf

     Prison Chaplain for Rimutaka and Arohata prisons We are seeking to employ a suitably qualified person to work as a member of the Prison Chaplaincy   Services   Aotearoa   New   Zealand   Chaplaincy   Team,   which   delivers Ecumenical Chaplaincy services to persons in prison at Rimutaka and Arohata. The Position is a permanent position of 37.5 hours per week. The Catholic Prison Chaplaincy service is a separate but integrated ministry which promotes and shares the Gospel message, provides for the celebration of the Sacraments, pastoral care, counsel and support. The person we are looking for will come from a committed Catholic ministry background, have undertaken ongoing formation and had at least two years of pastoral ministry. For a copy of the role description and application forms for this vacancy, please email:  reception@wn.catholic.org.nz   .   Please send your completed application forms, cover letter and CV to Karen Holland at: reception@wn.catholic.org.nz
 
Yes - we are back to our new normal for now! But each of us needs to be responsible and thoughtful, not just for ourselves, our families and friends, but also for those who may be at risk health-wise. 
 
 
Alert Level 1 - this means the risk of COVID-19 has been managed.While there are no restrictions at Alert Level 1, Public Health advice is:

• Stay vigilant when out and about  
• Maintain physical distance from others if you can
• Keep up good hygiene practices 

Things you can continue to do to help stay safe:

• Wash your hands and dry thoroughly before you leave home and when you return
• Keep a 1- 2 metre distance from people you don’t know in public places and take extra care with hygiene practices
• Use the hand sanitiser on entering the Church and other places if available
• Avoid touching surfaces unnecessarily
• Wipe keys, handrails and regularly touched surfaces at home and in your car

Holy Trinity Parish, to help you stay safe, guided by the Bishops’ advice and Public Health, inform you that:

• Hand sanitiser is available at the entry to all our churches and Parish Office
• The Covid tracing app QR code is displaced in all our Churches and buildings
• Holy Communion – is to be received  in the hand only
• Sign of Peace - can be by spoken word, by a gesture such as bowing, do not feel obliged to shake hands
• Holy Water Fonts - are to remain without Holy Water
• Offering boxes are in each church replacing the collection
• There are still options for social distancing
• Our Church cleaners have been provided with equipment and advice on cleaning after Masses

• People’s wellbeing continues to be important – as well as spending time with those in your now probably  “well extended bubbles,” do keep on with the support and care shown over the past months to those who may be stressed, lonely or less fortunate.  It is the Christian and kind thing to do.

• The dispensation from Sunday Mass still remains in place for this weekend.

 
Advice for at-risk people - Ministry of Health advice for at-risk people(external link)
People with underlying medical conditions, especially if not well-controlled, and some older people are at higher-risk of severe illness from COVID-19.                               At all Alert Levels, when you leave the house you should maintain physical distancing and good hygiene practices.                                                                Keep in touch with your GP or specialist if you need advice regarding your level of risk.  Continue to access care for your condition.

The Golden Rules for everyone at Alert Level 1

1. If you’re sick, stay home. Don’t go out. Don’t socialise.
2. If you have cold or flu symptoms call your doctor or Healthline and make sure you get tested.
3. If you are told by health authorities to self-isolate you must do so immediately.
4. Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands.
5. Sneeze and cough into your elbow.
6. Regularly disinfect shared surfaces.
7. If you’re concerned about your wellbeing or have underlying health conditions, work with your GP to understand how best to stay healthy.
8. Keep track of where you’ve been and who you’ve seen to help contact tracing if needed. Use the NZ COVID Tracer app as a handy way of doing this.
9. Holy Trinity Parish Churches and other buildings are displaying the Ministry of Health QR Code for contact tracing.to help you keep track of your movements.
10. Stay vigilant. There is still a global pandemic going on.
11. People will have had different experiences over the last couple of months. Whatever you’re feeling — it’s okay. Be kind to others. Be kind to yourself.

 
PRAYING WITH GRATITUDE    One of the forms of personal or family prayer is gratitude or thankfulness.  Sometimes the simple or mundane things in our lives are not appreciated - an example, the everyday meals we consume or care given.
In an article Table Grace in a World Struggling with Climate Change by Willard Metzger, are some ideas for what we used to call, grace before meals and a reminder of the interrelatedness of things in our lives.

Without you, oh Lord, there is no fullness of life. You have created the earth and all its fullness.  By it we are fed and nourished.
Forgive us when we see
ourselves as the centre of all life, and neglect our responsibility to care for the rest of life.
 In gratitude for this food, help us care for all the earth, that we may bring you fullness of joy.  AMEN
 
This food does not come to us without cost. It comes to us through human effort – and we are thankful.  
But even more so, this food comes to us as a gift of the earth.
Creation has given itself so that our lives can be sustained – and we are thankful.
In our gratitude, oh God, we acknowledge the true cost of this food.  In our worship of you, help us renew our commitment to care for the earth.  AMEN
 
All we have is what you have given us, Lord.  Life is a gift.  Food is a gift.  This earth is a gift. Help us live lives that express our gratitude for all your gifts – life, food, and the beauty of this earth.   AMEN
 
Loving God, in your wisdom, you have made us dependent on our environment.   Our well-being is linked to the health of the earth. Without
you, oh God, we have no hope.  And without a healthy environment, we have no future here.
In humble recognition of our need, we receive this meal with thanksgiving, and respect our environment in praise. Keep our bodies strong and our environment healthy, so both will bring you praise.  Amen.