12 August 2018

A supernatural Gift
 
Dear brothers and sister,
 
in times of apostles God continued to speak by his own word, Jesus Christ. He proclaimed by his word and action; beginning with proclamation of repentance and curing sick and possessed by evil. But now he speaks with person.
 
To know Jesus speaks by his person: we need to understand the 1st Testament, the journey of Israelites from slavery to freedom. At first, they were provided food from heaven, Manna, water from the rock. But in today’s 1st reading we are told that prophet Isaiah was provide food by an angel twice.  And with that strength, Isaiah walked forty days and nights. But today we hear Jesus becoming bread for us not for momentary satisfaction but satisfaction for eternal life. It is indeed a supernatural food made available to those who believe and accept him as Christ.
 
A small gesture of kindness could be lifegiving for someone who is in need of word, deed or an example. Will you become a life-giving bread to someone, who is in need? Jesus is expecting you to be one. Yes, you.
                                                                                                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.
 

FEAST of ASSUMPTION of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY  -
15TH AUGUST
This is a HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION  MASS TIMES ARE:
St Patrick's - 11.30am led by St Catherine College,   and 7pm
                             St Anthony - 9.00am
                             Holy Cross - 9.30am 

Over 100 people in the parish have attended Alpha over the past couple of years.  Alpha is a series of interactive video sessions exploring the basics of our faith.  Each session looks at a different question, and is designed to create conversation.  There’s no pressure, no follow-up and no charge; it’s just an open, informal, and honest time to explore and discuss our faith as we live it each day. The parish-wide Alpha sessions this year will begin at St Anthony’s at 7.00pm on Tuesday 14 August.  To enrol please call or text Dave Monastra 0274477280 or Kim von Lanthen 0222426288.  Feel free to bring family or friends who may not be a member of the school or parish.

St Patrick’s Church is looking for people for ALL roster duties for the 5.30pm Vigil Mass and the 7.30am Mass, this is an opportunity to share your talents with our parish community.  Please contact Tricia O’Donnell 934 3179 or Leona Foster 973 3958 from the Liturgy Committee if you are interested.

St. Tarcisius  -  Feast Day for the Patron Saint of Altar Servers.
At all Masses on the weekend of 18-19 August we will pray for all our Altar Servers and we acknowledge the gift they bring to our parish. We invite new Altar Servers to be part of this important ministry, the  requirement is to have completed the Sacrament of Initiation (Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Holy Communion).
 

On Sunday 26th August an additional Mass will be celebrated at 4.30pm at St Anthony’s. The school would be delighted if those parishioners who wished to fulfil their Sunday obligation, would join the children and their families for this celebration.
 

An Afternoon of Sacred Songs and Broadway Tunes
On 19 August, from 2pm - 4pm, Joe Moorman will be singing at a concert at St. Patrick’s Church, Wainuiomata, to help them raise money for a church hall they’re building.  The first half will be Sacred music, and the second half will be Broadway showtunes.  Anyone wanting tickets or detailed information can call Alan at 564-6904.

Pa Maria Marist Spirituality Centre.  Winter Film series:  Mondays 13, 20, 27 August and 3 & 10 September  OR Thursdays 16, 23, 30 August and 6 & 13 September Contact Fr Brian Cummings SM (021 703 580 or email bgcummings@xtra.co.nz)

Go you are sent to manage your assets wisely 4(c) Listening to the people and their full participation is the key element in the review of property.

Parishioner home help, St Patrick's Church community. The St Vincent de Paul Society seeks two parish women in the St Patrick's Church community Kilbirnie area to volunteer a few hours over a few weeks to gently and patiently help a Catholic woman get on top of the clutter in her house.  This would be a compassionate service reaching out to someone on the peripheries of our community (Contact: Brendan Quirk, Seatoun & Miramar Conference, SVDP, ph 04 388 9708). 

Charity knitting for babies and toddlers Many thanks to all parishioners and friends for continuing to knit jerseys, beanies, and blankets for donation to orphanages. It is very much appreciated. We have plenty of wool, and instructions for easy-to-knit garments, if any others would like to join us. Phone Margaret 3882-840.

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, Chapel, Our Lady’s Home of Compassion, 2 Rhine Street, Island Bay, Wellington. Ph. 04 383 7134 or 04 383 7769.

The Aug. 12 – 25 issue of NZ Catholic is out now. Some headlines are: Booties memorial sends strong message. Two young priests ordained. Reflecting on WYD 2008 ten years on. Forums tackle ‘elephant’ issues.

The Chelsea Day Care Trust in Lyall Bay, for those with memory loss/Dementia.  Chelsea Trust is a NON PROFIT organisation, open every day from 9am – 4pm. They are always looking for volunteer drivers to assist with picking up members and/or maybe take out for 30 minute drive. Also volunteers for the odd cooking of lunch or just general assistance at the Club. For more information contact Angela Gittings, Care Manager, 3877207.

‘Living the Splendour of Truth’ International pro-life, pro-family conference: This amazing weekend conference will help you, your family and our entire culture rediscover the newness of the faith and its power to enlighten and transform our communities. This is also once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the daughter of St Gianna Beretta Molla – the daughter she gave her life for. Experience beautiful liturgies, pray and learn how we can live of Christ and allow Him to encounter our culture– a culture that is in desperate need of His Love and Mercy. 5-7th October. Epsom Girl’s Grammar School. Early bird rates apply only for a short time. Register now at www.fli.org.nz/prolifeconference2018 or phone 09 629 4361.

WelCom August 2018 is out this week: Contents include:
Wellington’s Sacred Heart Cathedral closure, Tavita Fakaosi of Hastings –  newly ordained Deacon, National Vocations Awareness Week 5-12 August, Assumption of Mary into Heaven–  Elizabeth Julian rsm, Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Martin Krebs – farewells New Zealand and the Pacific region, Maori Pastoral Care Appeal – 25/26 August 2018, Hikoi of Faith – Holy Family Parish of Nelson and Stoke, St John’s College Hastings community engagement through social enterprise, Tribute to WWI Chaplain Fr Dore, Foxton – Fr Brian Fennessy, International and local news, stories and events from dioceses, parishes, youth and schools.

Bible Brings Hope: Hear about the impact the Bible is having on many migrant communities in the Gulf States. Presentation at The Street Church, 9 Hania St, Mt Victoria. 5.30-7pm Wednesday 15th August. Pizza provided. Guest speaker Hrayr Jebejian (Head of the Bible Society in the Gulf). Please RSVP by visiting www.biblesociety.org.nz/gulfstates or by phoning Michaela on 0800 424 253.

Society of Mary Priests and Brothers: Communities of men committed to lives of prayer and service, disciples of Jesus inspired by the example of His mother Mary, sharing the mission of the Church locally and internationally. If you know someone who might consider life as a Marist priest or brother there is an information and prayer weekend 24-26 August. Information at www.maristseminary.org.nz or facebook.com/marists. Email Fr Pat Breeze SM at vocations@smnz.org.nz

The Catholic Foundation Scholarships close on 31 August 2018. Catholic Foundation Scholarships are available to Catholic students residing in the Wellington Archdiocese who are in their final year of secondary education. If you are a student attending a State or Private secondary school or The Correspondence School or are home-schooled and are interested in this scholarship contact Father Ephrem or the Parish Secretary for details.

Dove Catholic Fellowship for Women:  Our August meeting is a Restoring Families seminar 9.30am-5pm on Saturday 18th at St Gerard's Hawker St Mt Victoria.  Our speaker is Emma Kim.  Prayer ministry will be offered.  All women welcome.  Enquiries Shura 3899938.

The July 29 – Aug. 11 issue of NZ Catholic is out now. Some headlines are: Quake safety risk sees Wellington cathedral closed. Number of marriages declared null in NZ doubles. What is Western Civilisation anyway? Vocations feature.

Enabling Communities: Social Justice Week workshops
Enabling Communities: A Social Justice Week workshop hosted by Caritas and the Wellington Archdiocese JPD Commission. An interactive workshop on disability and participation. Saturday 18 August, 10am – 3pm, St Francis Xavier school hall, 69 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington. Free entry, koha is welcomed and lunch provided. Register by emailing joannav@caritas.org.nz or call 04 496 1782. NZSL interpreters are available.

SOCIAL JUSTICE WEEK 2018 is 9-15 September: Enabling Communities:  “Each of us has a part to play, a gift to share, a service to offer, for building up the Body of Christ in Love.” Pope Francis, 2013.  What can you do during this week, maybe get a group together in your community and use the Resources sent out by Caritas.

The Christ, who nourishes us under the consecrated species of bread and wine, is the same One who comes to us in the everyday happenings; He is in the poor person who holds out his hand, in the suffering one who begs for help, in the brother or sister who asks for our availability and awaits our welcome… He is in every human being, even the smallest and the defenceless.  Pope Francis: Angelus, June 2015
 
Bishop Viard College Jubilee  Registrations are now open Labour Weekend 2018
A weekend of celebration is planned for October 19-21 and all past pupils, staff and friends of the College are invited to register now to avoid disappointment for some events. Programme information and registration are available following this link -  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe-JTyJksNlwbb2LY5K13JIVENlmsDs-Vwniyj-4FXDXqMbTA/viewform  or email us viard50th@gmail.com or phone Phil (04)237 9902 or mobile 027 786 5542. You can also like our Bishop Viard College 50th Jubilee Facebook page for Jubilee year news and maybe make contact with old friends https://www.facebook.com/BVCJubilee/  Truth is light-Pass it on!

NZ Joshua Catholic Men’s Fellowship and menALIVE have organised MAX18NZ which will be held over the weekend of September 28 – 30 at Kings College Auckland. The event is intended to reach out to the broad cross-section of ordinary men in our parishes. Its purpose is to encourage them to encounter Jesus in their lives, to grown in their faith and become better husbands, fathers, friends and workmates. The calibre of speakers from both New Zealand and Australia is impressive and the event promises to be very enriching for those men who can attend. Any men who find themselves unable to attend the event because of cost can be subsidized. To attend consider registering for MAX18NZ. All details are available on the event website www.max18nz.info or by phoning Jim Gribble on 027 249 5378.

The next Holy Trinity Parish Finance Committee meeting is on Tuesday 14th August. Both will be at 7.30pm in the Holy Cross Meeting Room.

Vigil for the Unborn: Saturday 18th August 2018. St Anne's Catholic Church, Emmett Street, Newtown. 10 am Mass. Followed by Exposition & Rosary Procession to front of Hospital. Ends at Noon with a shared lunch. Join in this persevering prayer effort for our most vulnerable -  unborn children - and those suffering from the tragedy of abortion. For more information contact Family Life International NZ PH: 237 8343

Joshua Wellington invites you to come along and join us on
Thursday 16th of August 2018 from 7:30pm for fellowship and prayer in The LOAVES and FISHES hall, next to St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral (corner Hill and Molesworth Streets, Thorndon) Speaker: Joe Green, Lay Pastoral Leader on "How Joe stays connected to Christ"