16TH OCTOBER

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the role that perseverance plays in our spiritual life. Persistent here means pray unceasingly or persistent in prayer means to stick with it even if it is difficult. We all know that pray unceasingly is one of the hardest jobs to do. It is okay to pray for some time but to pray unceasingly is difficult. But if we want to be the followers of Jesus then that is the way. Jesus says, “If you want to be my disciple take up your cross and follow me.” Isralites win the battle at Rephidim because of the persistent prayers of Moses, Aaron and Hur. The widow wins the justice because of her perseverance in asking for the justice. Jesus himself spent lot of times in prayer, and obviously, any man or woman who does not spend time in prayer cannot be called a disciple of Jesus.
Jesus has promised salvation for everybody. This salvation will be achieved only if we are able to persevere in following him with our daily cross on our shoulders.  We need Jesus Christ! Therefore, to obtain our salvation, we must persevere in our living faith.  The question is, will Jesus upon His return on earth find perseverance among His people? This Sunday let us ask God to bless us with all the perseverance that we need to live our faith in Christ.                                                       Fr Gregory
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.
 

Refugee Response Update
It is truly inspirational to be able to provide you with an update on our Parish response to the recent request to provide household items and donations for the next Refugee settlement in Wellington. 
In just 7 days we:
- collected the vast majority of items needed to set up a couple in a new home.  Many items were new, all were of high quality, and carefully presented. We even collected more than we needed for some items (such as pillows) and we've stored these for next time.
- gave the huge amount of $1,003.00 in cash donations.  With this money we were able to purchase the few items that were missing from our donations of goods: a brand new red microwave oven, a large floor-mat, double blanket, mattress protector, clock, radio and an extra set of stainless steel pots.  Remaining funds will be used for the greatest needs in the next intake, expected to be in December.
Finally, we have a team of 5 volunteers who will have set up a home for a family of six in Miramar by the time you are reading this notice. 
We will provide a further update on that in a future newsletter to give you an appreciation of just how your generosity put to use. All that remains is to say again, sincerely -  thank you.  What an incredibly tangible expression of kindness you have given so willingly and quickly.

Formation of Parish Council workshop will be held in the Parish Centre at Holy Cross
Wednesday 19th October at 7.30pm. All new and existing Parish Council members are expected to attend.

Please pray for our children  as they prepare for First Holy Communion.
 
First Holy Communion dates in our Parish– Holy Cross 6th November 9am
St Anthony’s 13th November 10.30am & St Patrick’s 13th November 10am

Gascoigne Educational Scholarship 2016.  This scholarship is open to all ages groups who are present members of Holy Trinity Parish and are planning to study for 2017 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] or copies available from the back of each Church.  Closing date: 31 October 2016

St Anthony’s School invite our community to join with us to celebrate Grandparents at our school mass on Friday, October 21, 9 a.m.  We hope you can come along on this special day.

Mass Schedule for Holy Trinity Parish 
Wednesday 2nd November
 
7.30am  St Patrick’s Church
 
9am       St Anthony’s Church
 
9.30am  Holy Cross Church
 
11am     St Patrick’s Church
 
7.30pm  St Patrick’s Church
 
Anointing Mass at St Patrick’s will now be 11am on the 9th November
 
Happy Hour at Holy Cross will now be 11am on 9th November
Alpha is designed to engage and inspire conversation. It is based on talks around thirty minutes long.  The talks explore the big issues around faith and unpack the basics of Christianity, addressing
questions from Who is Jesus? and How can we have faith? to Why and how do I pray? and How does God guide us?  Join the Alpha course to explore our faith, starting at Holy Cross School 7.30pm Tuesday 18 October.  Come and invite others, everyone is welcome.  Call or txt Dave 027 4477280 to enrol.
Columban Calendars
available through the office $12 each.
 If you would like a calendar for next year, 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:  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. 

St Patrick’s Church Mix and Mingle Luncheon  
20th October
11.30 – 1.30pm in the St Patrick’s Parish Centre 3rd Thurs of each month. Couple $15 and Single $7
All age groups welcome.
Ring Andrew 386 1233 by Tues 18th Octoberfor catering purposes

NEXT WEEKEND OUR PARISH WILL BE CELEBRATING
WORLD MISSION SUNDAY
It is the day when we celebrate who we are as Christians: missionary-disciples. It is a day of prayer. It is also a day when we are invited to look beyond our local Church in New Zealand and assist through financial gift the missionary work needed in the young dioceses in many developing countries. An example of this work is the pastoral reach out of Sr Eulie and the Daughters of Charity in Cambodia. They help provide the country’s most vulnerable children with emotional and spiritual support, as well as an opportunity to break the cycle of poverty and gain a future through education.
 
COME AND LEND YOUR SUPPORT TO THIS APPEAL,
“THAT ALL MAY HAVE LIFE.”
 
 


Holy Cross School - Friday 28th October,
 
Holy Cross School will be holding an International Food Fair
 4-8pm Friday 28th October - rain or shine
There will be loads of food stalls to enjoy. All stalls will be held in the school hall area. Please come along and support this wonderful event with all proceeds going towards the development of the senior play area. 
  We are also holding a silent auction to support our International Food fair. Just follow the link, log-on and bid. There are also "buy now" prices. The link: www.32auctions.com/holycross

 Volunteers needed
We are looking for parishioners who would be available to sell Columban Calendars at the back of the Churches on three Sunday’s in November.
Dates for Holy Cross 13, 20 & 27th November
Dates for St Anthony’s and St Patrick’s 6, 20 & 27 November
 
If you would be available for any of these, please contact the Parish Office 388 6953 or [email protected]

We have sold out of Laudato Si  Only 19 copies left of Amoris Laetitia for $5
If you would like to a copy contact the Parish Office, phone 388 6953  or email [email protected].

The Lazarus Experience - a healing weekend for separated and divorced Catholics.
When:      Friday Oct 28 (7.00pm) to Sunday Oct 30, 2016 (no later than 4.30pm) Lower Hutt
Where:     Lower Hutt   Contacts: Katrin  : (evenings): 04-9709385 or 021-02425570                                    Eustie : (any time): 04-5509240 or 022-3878435

Joshua Catholic Men’s Fellowship Wellington
Come along and join us on Thursday 20th of October 2016 at 7:30pm in for prayer & praise and to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Joshua in CONNOLLY HALL, Guildford Terrace, Thorndon (behind Sacred Heart Cathedral).
Guest speaker: Gordon Copeland  (Former politician; well-known in Catholic & ecumenical circles)
Want to know more? Ring John Taylor (04) 389-8915 or 021-107-8538 or e-mail:[email protected]
 

Study with the Catholic Institute of Aotearoa New Zealand
Seeking qualifications in Religious Education, Theology, Scripture, or Pastoral Ministry?
Enrol now in a New Zealand Certificate in Christian Studies (NZCCS) or a New Zealand Diploma in Christian Studies (NZDCS). These courses are level 5 and level 6 on the national qualification framework. The 2017 Prospectus will be out soon. Visit the website for more information www.tci.ac.nz   Or contact the Wellington site coordinator, Catherine Gibbs [email protected] (04) 4965184
 

 
Life Teen Summer Camp Aotearoa will take place again in 2017
from Tuesday 17th – Saturday 21st January at Forest Lakes, Otaki, Kapiti Coast.
Registrations are open – see the website for more details. http://wellington.lifeteen.org.nz/
 

 St Anthony’s School Golf Day - Thursday 24 November 2016, Miramar Golf Course
Interested in a fun day out??  Maybe as a Christmas work function or just a mid-week day of fun before the silly season?  Consider entering yourself, or a team in the St Anthony’s School Golf Day!!  Information and registration forms can be found on our website: www.stants.school.nz or grab a copy from the school office.
You don’t have to be a golfer to enjoy this day out but if you would like to support us in other ways please consider donating quality items that we could use for raffles, teams prizes or as auction items. Or if you have a business, maybe consider sponsoring a hole? If you can help or have any questions, please phone Sonya on 027 4805 004 or talk to the Principal, Jennifer Ioannou.

Stewardship month  “Be persistent, whether it is convenient or inconvenient”     2 Timothy 4:2
It is not always convenient to be a good steward, especially when all the temptations of our busy and materialstic world get in the way. Living a stewardship lifestyle may be downright uncomfortable. Remember God didn’t call us to be comfortable. God called us to be faithful and to work to bring about the Kingdom on earth.

2016 ADW Young Catholic Leader programme will again be held at Forest Lakes Camp Otaki and will run between Saturday Dec 10 – Wedsnesday Dec 14.
The cost is $180 per student (incl GST) which includes accommodation, meals sessions, required materials and session manual. Registrations close Friday 18th November 2016. And is for students who are currently Year 12 but will be entering Year 13 in 2017. If you are interested in attending contact the Parish Office holytrinity.wgtn @xtra.co.nz for a registration form.

​18th October 9am wherever you are
1 million children praying the rosary
When a million children pray the Rosary, the world will change (St Pio of Pietrelcina)
 
The Rosary intentions for 2016 - We will offer this prayer action for the children of Syria, innocent victims of an endless war.