17 november 2019

Mal. 3:19-20, 2Thess. 3:7-12, Lk. 21:5-19.
As the Church year comes to an end, the Sunday readings reflect on the final days of the world, our own death and the final judgment.  Today's theme is “The Day of the Lord” or the “second coming” of Jesus in glory as judge at the end of the world. Malachi in the first reading foretells this Day, giving the warning that the future, known to God alone, will bring healing and reward for the just who forearm themselves with words and works  such as peace, justice, mercy and truth, and retribution for the “proud and all evil doers.” Although Paul expected to be alive at the return of Jesus, he cautions the Thessalonians in the second reading against the idleness with which some of them were anticipating the end and encourages them not to be weary of doing good. He suggests that the best preparation for the future is to devote the attention to present duties, to maintain a holy and wholesome balance between prayer and service and to develop enduring family ties and values.  Today’s Gospel passage warns that the date of the end of the world is uncertain.  Signs and portents will precede the end, and the faithful will be called upon to testify before kings and governors.  The good news, however, is that those who persevere in faithfulness to the Lord will save their souls and enter God's eternal kingdom. 
The readings invite us to be keen observers of the signs of the times happening every day in the world.  They also warn us to be alert and prepared to face any circumstance of the unknown future. Whatever Jesus told about his body and the temple was fulfilled.  So also, he foretold about the persecution of his followers and is taking place in various parts of the world. Only the perseverance will secure our lives with his assurance of our final victory. Thus, the message of the day is:  don't give up; God is always with us.                                                                                                                                                  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.
 

In November we Remember
November is the month dedicated to the rememberance of and prayer for all the faithful departed.
Let us pray the good Lord may grant them eternal bliss forever with Him.
 
Please be aware that names recored in the book of rememberance at St Patrick’s Church are only of those whose funeral was held in Holy Trinity Parish

St Patrick’s Church Parish History booklet.
This is a work in progress. If you have any information please contact Trisha O’Donnell 934 3179

St Vincent de Paul Society Foodbank Collection.   Warm thanks to our Holy Trinity parishioners and helpers who responded by donating to the 60 boxes of food and house items we collected at PAK'nSAVE Supermarket Kilbirnie last Saturday 9 November 2019 to boost the foodbank stocks at the SVDP Welfare Centre Newtown.  Your generous compassion will reach out to help most needy people in the eastern suburbs with emergency food at their difficult times over the next few months. God bless you (Contact: Brendan Quirk, Seatoun & Miramar Conference, ph 388 9708).

Sunday 17 November 2019. Pope Frances'  3rd World Day of the Poor.  The hope of the poor shall not perish for ever Pope Francis calls on Christians around the world to serve people on the margins with practical assistance and to deepen our connection with people living in all forms of poverty.  As a parish, we will be offering your donations to the  annual Christmas Emergency Food Appeal of the Seatoun & Miramar Conference of the St Vincent de Paul Society on Sunday 24 November 2019.  
 
Please bring along a non-perishable food item on Sunday 24 November 2019 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 signposted box in the foyer of each of our Churches where you can leave your donation.  May God bless you for what you do.

REAL CHRISTMAS CARDS  St Vincent de Paul Society Christmas cards will be on sale soon in our Church foyers  after Sunday Masses at Holy Cross, St Anthony's and St Patrick's churches, same price as last year's.    Religious-theme cards "Keeping Christ in Christmas",  $2.50 per pack of 5 cards with envelopes. Proceeds to our local St Vincent de Paul Conference activities in the eastern suburbs.   Contacts:  Holy Cross Church  (Julian Knap, ph 970 3905),  St Anthony's Church  (Andrew Monahan, ph 021 772 350), and  St Patrick's Church  (Frank Quirke, ph 387 4977 and Bernadette Hyland).

St Pats Old Boys Association Mix & Mingle : WWW.SPCOB.ORG.NZ & find us on facebook.
Calling all 'Town' and 'Stream' Old Boys, please attend our Mix and Mingle. To be held ; Friday 22nd November 2019, 6.00PM @ The Kanteen, NZ Post Building 7-11 Waterloo Quay, Wellington. Cash bar, Continuous food, $40 Entry by ticket only. Go to our facebook page for details. Guest Speaker:  Thomas Waldrom  Ex Hurricane & England International .  We will also be announcing our 2019 Old Boy of the Year.

Wellington Art Club members will be holding their annual art exhibition on the weekend 23rd and 24th November at Rita Angus Retirement Home in Kilbirnie, 10am – 4pm. You are all welcome to come along and view the wonderful diverse talents of our Club members.  All art is available for purchase and we welcome enquiries for new members.

Holy Hour You are invited to a Holy Hour on Tuesday 19 November beginning at 7.30 pm in the Cathedral chapel to pray for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.  This Holy Hour will include prayers, Scripture, singing, times of silence and conclude with Benediction followed by supper.

Dove Catholic Fellowship for Women Our meeting will be on Saturday 10th November at Connolly hall  Thorndon at 1.30pm. Our speaker will be Maureen Wilmshurst on "How to journey through Advent".  All women are welcome.  A preparation guided by the Holy Spirit.  Contact :   Shura   ph  or text 021 0724042

Seatoun Arts & Crafts celebrates its Annual Exhibition and Sale (2019) at the Village Hall, Forres Street, Seatoun Saturday 16th  November 10.00am – 4.00pm and Sunday   17th  November 10.00am – 4.00pm

Men, come to Joshua's last meeting before Christmas on Thursday 21st November 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).  Not to be missed - Silvana Abela, woman of faith from St Gerard's community on "Fundamental Truth about God and me" Want to know more? Ring Steve Ready 027-356-9555 or email: joshua.wgtn@gmail.com

The Future is Accessible: Celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities Tuesday, 3 December 2019  Join us to celebrate the gift of disability in our lives and society. 12pm-1pm, including light refreshments Connolly Hall, 10 Guildford Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington 6011 Kapiti (Limited accessible parking available on the grounds of Sacred Heart Cathedral School) KEYNOTE PARTICIPANTS: Robyn Hunt ONZM, Members of the L’Arche Community and Mike Gourley An accredited New Zealand Sign Language Interpreter will be interpreting this event. Enquiries: Zachariah Duke, z.duke@tci.ac.nz

Christmas A time to remember When you have lost someone dear to you, anniversaries and the times
you were happiest are often the times you are at your saddest. Come and join us at our service of remembrance and gather strength from others. This Christmas let us support one another.
ST ANDREW’S ON THE TERRACE  FRIDAY 6th DECEMBER 2019 AT 6.30PM    Everyone is welcome

Mass for Life.  You’re invited to pray for babies, mums, dads and families at a Mass for Life on Friday 6 December, 7pm at St Mary of the Angels, 17 Boulcott Street, Wellington.  Cardinal Dew will be the principal celebrant.  Eucharistic Adoration will follow for one hour after Mass to pray in readiness for the National March for Life.  For more information please visit fli.org.nz/prolifeevents or phone Clare 021 231 7954.

National March for Life.  You’re invited to love them both by attending the third annual National March for Life in Wellington on Saturday 7 December.  Join Kiwis from all over NZ in a family-friendly celebration of life which also peacefully protests the practice and legality of abortion.  Gather at Civic Square from 12pm for family-friendly entertainment, sausage sizzle and stalls.  March to Parliament Grounds begins at 2pm.  Concludes at 4pm.  Learn more about this important event at a critical moment in NZ’s history: marchforlife.nz

The 2019 Rosary for Life and Faith is on Sat. 7th Dec. at 3 pm. This Pro-Life Rosary supports the March for Life in Wellington on the same day. Please try and go on the March. If you can't, please organise or join a Rosary group in your parish. For more info    www.coasttocoastrosary.co.nz or ph Clare 022 1912886

Go you are sent to care for creation(8) be aware of where things come from/how they are made, and unintended consequences of what we do(effects on poor countries)

The poor are not statistics to cite when boasting of our works and projects. The poor are persons to be encountered; they are lonely, young and old, to be invited to our homes to share a meal; men women and children who look for a friendly word. The poor save us because they enable us to encounter the face of Jesus Christ.                          Pope Francis: Message for the Third World Day of the Poor, 17 November 2019

Wellington Night Shelter street day appeal Friday 13th December – collectors needed
We're in desperate need of street collectors for our Annual Street Appeal on Friday, 13 December 2019. 
Christmas is a time for whānau, sharing and giving. For some, it can be a time of loneliness and sadness. The Wellington Night Shelter does all that it can to create a sense of home and community during this time. If you're able to street collect for us this year, we'd really appreciate it.
You can give us a couple of hours of your day or the whole day, it's up to you. email us on fundraiser@wellingtonnightshelter.org.nz   Together, let's end homelessness.

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 holytrinity.wgtn@xtra.co.nz 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.

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.