15 september 2019

Ex. 32:7-11, 13-14; 1Tim. 1:12-17; Lk. 15:1-32
The central theme of today’s readings is that we believe in a loving, patient, merciful, and forgiving God especially the lost ones. He is always in search for His lost and straying children as Jesus explains using three parables in today’s gospel.   Our God has always been a God of mercy and patience, a God who seeks out the lost as shown in the experience of Israel in the desert (the first reading) and through the amazing mercy shown to Paul the former persecutor of the Church (the second reading). Today’s gospel is the parable of the lost and found, illustrated through the story of the lost sheep, the story of the lost coin and the story of the lost son. These parables remind us that we have a God who welcomes sinners and forgives their sins when they return to him with genuine contrition and resolution.
The word ‘lost’ can be understood differently. When you shed a few grams or kilos or litres of fat, you joyfully proclaim that you have lost weight. Sometimes people say that they have lost track of something. They may say they have lost heart, when they give up hope. And yes, today youngsters love to say someone has ‘lost it’ which connotes someone is losing one’s mind or going crazy.
God’s lost and found department works round the clock. How do we find God and how does God find us? We find God in our reading of scripture, in our prayer as individuals and as a community, in our relationships where love and forgiveness abides in the home and in the community, and in the service, we render to the Church and society.  We can also lose God when we replace him with other priorities, when we fail to make time for prayer and worship, when we ignore Him in the needy and the less fortunate of society and when we try to find him in the conveniences of the material world.                                                                                       Fr Paul
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.
 

We congratulate our children from Holy Cross for their First Holy Communion today: Valentina Rasho, Mikey Tolova’a, Finn Olsen, Astyn Meredith-Turuwhenua and Jenson Crook
First Holy Communion dates in our Parish
 St Patrick’s 3rd November 10am & St Anthony’s 10th November 10.30am

Tongan Mass with Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi 12pm St Patrick’s Church 21 September 2019.
All parishioners are invited to come celebrate Mass and join the community for a cup of tea afterwards in the hall.

Holy Trinity Parish Property Proposal
Parishioners will have till 10am Monday 23rd September to think about their responses and email those to [email protected]. or post them Holy Trinity Parish PO Box 15-256 Miramar Wellington 6243. These responses will be taken into account in preparing the parish’s recommendation to Cardinal John.

​If there are parishioners who do not have access to email, the PPC and FC will consider alternative arrangements to ensure their feedback is captured. Simply phone the parish office, 388-6953.

Cardinal John will celebrate the Feast Day of St Vincent de Paul, Mass 7pm, Thursday 26 September 2019, at St. Joseph's Church, Basin Reserve, Mt. Vic.  This Mass on 26 September 2019 will celebrate the legacy of St Vincent de Paul and the mission today of the St Vincent de Paul Society assisting the poor, sick, lonely and marginalised.  All are warmly welcomed to join Cardinal John, SVDP members and parishioners from the Wellington region, and the wider community in praying for those in most need and that we can be a Church that goes forth. 

Gascoigne Educational Scholarship.  This scholarship is open to all ages groups who are present members of Holy Trinity Parish and are planning to study for 2020 and beyond at a tertiary level and who meet the qualifying criteria which are included in the terms and conditions. For an application form (including terms and conditions) email the parish office [email protected] download a copy from the website  http://www.holytrinity.parish.nz/  or copies available from the back of each Church.  Closing date: 31 October 2019

2020 Columban Calendars available through the office $12 each.
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, 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: your name, 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. 
Bernadette Hyland will also have them available for sale at St Patrick’s Church.


Meet the Candidates  (Eastern Ward, Wellington City Council)
7.30pm Tuesday 17th September 2019 Gateway Baptist Church, Park Rd Miramar.

In the leadup to the St Patrick’s centenary Mass on the 17th November, we will include an interesting fact about the former Parish each week.
FACT  Mass was first said in Kilbirnie in the hall opposite the Aquatic Centre. The Hall was called O’Donnell’s and in 1908 Mass was said every Sunday there.

ABORTION LAW REFORM in NEW ZEALAND: ‘Have Your Say by 19 September’. Please take an information sheet from the back of the church.
Make Your Submission by Letter or Online (Please note that email submissions are not accepted)
Letter: On a covering sheet, write: “Submission on Abortion Legislation Bill” + “This submission is from [full name]
and/or [organisation] + contact details: contact address, contact phone, & signature.
On a separate piece of paper write your submission. Enclose TWO copies of your submission. Post to:
Committee Secretariat, Abortion Legislation Committee, Parliament Buildings, Wellington - stamp required
Online: https://www.parliament.nz/en/ECommitteeSubmission/52SCAL_SCF_BILL_89814/CreateSubmission
(or search for “Abortion Legislation Bill New Zealand Parliament” and follow the steps)
Tips: Begin by stating clearly your position; give your reasons; use your own words; be respectful & constructive.
Please state in your submission if you wish to make an oral submission
Material prepared by The Nathaniel Centre – the New Zealand Catholic Bioethics Centre – www.nathaniel.org.nz

Joshua Catholic Fellowship Wellington invites men to come along and join us on Thursday 19th September 2019 at 7:30pm(Note: fellowship from 7:00pm for a 7:30pm start) In CONNOLLY HALL, Guildford Terrace, Thorndon (behind the closed Sacred Heart Cathedral).  Talk: Brendan Malone on video "Pornography: harms and safeguards" Want to know more? Ring Steve Ready 027-356-9555 or email: [email protected]

Pease join us for the Stewardship Network Meeting at Sacred Heart School Hall, Petone. 1-4pm on Saturday 21st September. Three dynamic speakers including Cardinal John Dew, Afternoon Tea followed by small group discussion. Please register by September 18th with Ann Williams at [email protected] or telephone 04-496 5182.

PILGRIMAGE FOR LIFE 1-18 September NZ wide On 1 September, a group left with the Immaculate Heart of Mary statue, from Cape Reinga, and another group with the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue, from Bluff. The two statues will travel through the country and meet in Wellington on 18 Sept, the day before the Abortion Legislation Bill submissions close. Our Lady of Hope Parish Tawa-Titahi Bay will host the North Island pilgrims on: Tuesday 17 Sept. Mass will be celebrated at 7pm at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Tawa followed by a time of silent prayer until 9 pm.  On Wednesday 18 Sept Rosary will be recited at 8.30 am, followed by 9 am Mass. The pilgrims will then move to St Francis de Sales Church, Island Bay for a final Mass at 7pm that evening. VIGIL FOR THE UNBORN: Sat 21st Sept. St Anne's Catholic Church, Newtown. 10 am with Mass. Ends at 12pm For more information contact Family Life International NZ PH: 021 231 7954

Greenstone Doors is holding a Brand New Shoe Sale at St Peter and Paul Church Hall, Knights Rd, Lower Hutt on Sat Sept 21st 10am-1pm Branded kids shoes, quality women's shoes and a few men's shoes priced from $5-$50 Payment by cash or eftpos

We are delighted to share with you and your community details of the inaugural New Zealand International Organ Festival - Spring Edition The 4 Wellington concerts are all being held weekly each Sunday afternoon in St Mary of the Angels and commence on Sunday 22nd September at 2.00pm, and entry is free.  We are delighted that the first concert will feature Italian Organist, Sergioa Orabona, who will be performing works by Guilmant, Bossi, Debussy and more.

Mass for those affected by Divorce or Separation Cardinal John extends a warm welcome to any and all who are affected by separation and divorce to join him in the celebration of Mass at Ss Peter and Paul Church, 60 Knights Road, Lower Hutt, 7pm, Wednesday 25 September 2019, followed by a glass of wine and light refreshments. For more information or if you would like to help in any way with the Mass, please contact Felicity at the Marriage, Family and Young Church Ministries Office (04) 496 1719 or email [email protected]

Calling all book lovers - Volunteer at the Vinnies Book Fair! The St Vincent de Paul book fair is back again this month. All books are $2 or less with the proceeds going towards the Vinnies welfare and support services.
We’re looking for volunteers to help set-up the Book Fair on Friday 27 September, as well as support and pack-down crew over the weekend of the 28th and 29th September.
 Event details: When:  Saturday 28 Sept/ 8am – 4pm and Sunday 29 Sept/ 9am – 3pm at St Anne’s Church Hall Newtown Interested in joining the team? Call Millie on 04 389 7122 or email [email protected].

Safeguarding training. For those who weren’t able to make the training session in May on Safeguarding there are four more sessions at the Catholic Centre (Level 1, room 2)
•           Tuesday 8 October   12pm                     •               Wednesday 9 October   12pm         
This training is compulsory if you are involved in any of the following ministries.  Please make sure you attend one of these if you are involved in the following ministries and have not attended.
- Parish Council   - Children’s Liturgy  - Trainer Altar Servers Roles  - Extraordinary Ministers of Communion to the Sick  - Sacramental Programme Leaders
If you are not able to travel into town, you are welcome to join the meeting by ZOOM Conference from your computer at the above time and date. To do this they need to send Brendy your email address and parish you belong to and you will be sent the login details. Contact Brendy Weir Safeguarding Adviser, Archdiocese of Wellington (04) 496 1768 or 021 1958 307 [email protected]
 

Pope Francis has designated October as the Extraordinary Missionary month. The Parish Leadership Team is hoping to offer a 6 session programme Developing a Spirituality of Service in every parish in October. We need to gauge the interest level so please register with Chris Walkerdine at  [email protected] or telephone on 04 496-1706.

Kiwi Athletic Club opening and enrolment night 1st Wednesday in October 5pm Newtown Stadium. For College age to Veteran adults. Ideal for winter coders, newcomers Contact Peter Jack 388 6224 from 7PM

What would Jesus do? Mission for a Fractured World.    Did Jesus really mean “love your enemies,
pray for those who persecute you”? Presented by Sr Laurie Brink OP, Professor of New Testament
Studies at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.  15 Oct, 7-8.30pm at St Bernadette’s School
Hall, Lower Hutt.  Please register by 9 Oct with Ann Williams on
[email protected]             A koha would be appreciated.

The final workshop for 2019 is on “ Liturgy of the Word with Communion” with Fr Patrick Bridgman, Archdiocesan Liturgy Advisor. 7-9pm,Thursday 24th October at Ss Peter and Pauls Church, Knights Rd. Lower Hutt. Everyone welcome. Please register with Ann Williams before Friday 18th October at [email protected]

SACRED HEART SCHOOL, DUNEDIN - 125th CELEBRATIONS, 2020 All Ex-pupils and former Teachers are advised that at Labour Weekend 2020, the School will celebrate the 125th anniversary of its opening in North East Valley, Dunedin. Everyone interested in attending these celebrations should
email: [email protected]

Go you are sent to accompany one another (10) Encourage youth to attend XLT, Taize, Lifeteen, YAFA and other fellowship programmes

Join us for a FREE Seniors’ Week event to talk about the symptoms of a heart attack and stroke, so you know what to do if you see or experience them. There will be a CPR demonstration
Everyone welcome – free afternoon tea provided. Come along for a chance to hear from others and ask questions.
Dates and times  Kilbirnie-Lyall Bay Community Centre      Wednesday 16 October   1.30pm – 3.00pm
                             Wellington City Mission                              Thursday 17 October        1.30pm – 3.00pm
                             Strathmore Park Community Centre        Friday 1 November           11.00am – 12.30pm

We should not simply remain in our own secure world, that of the 99 sheep who never strayed from the fold, but we should go out, with Christ, in search of the one lost sheep, however far it may have wandered.
                                                                                           Pope Francis: First General Audience, March 2013
Each Christian man and woman, every member of the human family, can act as a thin yet unique and indispensable thread in weaving a network of life that embraces everyone. May we feel challenged to assume, with prayer and commitment, our responsibility for the care of creation. May God, “the lover of life”, grant us the courage to do good without waiting for someone else to begin, or until it is too late. Pope Francis: Message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, 1 September 2019

​Our prayers are with those who are unwell especially John Rogers, 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 including Mary Dysart, Beverly Thurlow and  Fr Brendan Kenny.