17th september 2017

​Sir. 27:30-28:7; Rom. 14: 7-9; Mt. 18:21-35
Forgiveness is liberating
Jesus proposes a forgiveness which brings about wholeness, covering totality of our self. He is totally free because he is totally forgiving. He teaches us to ask God to “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us.” He wants us to see that forgiveness is liberating, and it is the most liberating for the one doing the forgiving. Forgiveness allows us to walk in the freedom of the sons and daughters of God. 
Merciless servant in the parable has misunderstood his master’s act of forgiveness. Jesus immediately applies the parable to his disciples, to us. His Father has forgiven us any debt we have incurred with Him by our wrongdoing, even the most evil of our sins. Today we may compare ourselves to the merciless servant described in the parable. Every time we have sinned mortally we have incurred an unpayable debt to God. Each time we have received absolution we have come out of God's courtroom as free men/women.
We benefit immensely when we choose to forgive and so does everyone around us. Every aspect of our life will change for the better as we learn to forgive; whether in our family, our work life or our social life. With improved relationships when we forgive; we become a better husband or wife, we become a better student or teacher, we become a better employer or employee and we become a better parent or child. In the Gospels, a good many physical healings are preceded by the forgiveness of sins.  This total healing makes the forgiver happier, healthier, most agreeable, more serene and empathetic, more spiritual and religious, and capable of establishing good relationship etc. which is liberating and so refreshing. Jesus practiced what he taught. “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” (Lk. 23:34). As his disciples, we are invited to do the same.  By embracing forgiveness, we can also embrace peace, hope, gratitude and joy which can lead us down the path of physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.                                                                                                                                                           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.

Father Des Moosman, a former Parish Priest of St Patrick’s Parish, passed away peacefully this week. Recently, Fr Des very generously gave to Holy Trinity Parish a complete set of Mass vestments (for each liturgical season) and two copes. He has also gifted to Andrew his Mass kit and chalices to take care of and to display in our archival cabinet at St Patrick’s. His request was that while the vessels may be used for special occasions, Andrew was to be responsible for them. It was a lovely gesture to his former parishioners and is much appreciated by us all. RIP Fr Des Moosman.
A memorial Mass will be held at St Patrick’s Church at a later date. Details tbc

Fr Ephrem and Fr Paul will be attending the Synod this weekend and Fr Matthew and Fr Boniface are coming down from Auckland to celebrate Mass for us. We thank them.

St Vincent de Paul Memorial Mass, 7pm, Thurs 21 September 2017, Holy Trinity Parish. 
Parishioners in St Anthony's, Holy Cross and St Patrick's Church communities are warmly welcomed to join your St Vincent de Paul Society members from the Wellington Area
and our colleges for the annual memorial Mass at
7pm, Thursday 21 September 2017, in St Anthony's Church, Seatoun.  
The Mass celebrates our patron saint and prays for all Vincentians, our clients, and our supporters. Supper after.  

Urgent: A big set of keys has gone missing during the 10am Mass at St Patrick’s last Sunday 10th September. Leather key ring with the words WETA on it. These are very important so if you or your child saw them or picked them up please get in touch with the Parish office so they can be returned to their owner asap. Thankyou!

The Gateway Baptist Church in Miramar is organising a time of prayer and intercession for our nation as we go to the polls on Sat 23 Sept from 8-9am. The venue will be at the carpark (and hill) at the top of Wexford St overlooking the Peninsula, airport & Eastern Suburbs. We would love people from all our churches to come together to pray for our nation and to bless the outcome of the election. It’s not about praying for any political party, but for the whole city & nation at this time in our history. This is part of a nation-wide call to pray on Election Day, and we will be joining people from other cities and towns across the country to pray (at dawn) together for our nation.

St Patrick’s Church - A refresher course is offered to our Readers and Ministers of the Eucharist.
These will be held directly after Mass on Saturday 23rd September after the 5.30 Vigil Mass; on Sunday 24th September after 7.30 Mass and after 10am Mass.   These sessions will be 15 to 20 minutes long with a handout and are designed to ensure that all readers and all Ministers of the Eucharist know exactly what to do at all times and what is expected of them.  

Catholicism – journey around the world and deep into the faith All parishioners are invited to watch a ten-part documentary series by Rev Robert E Barron to be screened after the 5pm Mass starting on the 24th September in the Parish Centre at Holy Cross Church Miramar over 10 weeks.  The Catholic faith as you’ve never experienced it before – witness the most significant story ever told. Journey with acclaimed author, speaker and theologian Fr Robert Barron to more than 50 locations throughout 15 countries. 

Refugees - Help required one last time, please.
Our two-year commitment to the settlement of former refugees in Wellington is nearing its end - there is just one last collection of goods required (October), and one house to physically set-up in December.  So, we are asking for you, our Parish, to please once again show your generosity and stamina as we pull together to fit-out the first home in NZ for a Mother, Father and their 9 year old daughter, in early October.  What we need, please:
(1) Cash donations are wonderful to allow us to purchase larger items such as a microwave and rice cooker and also cover any other items we don't collect; financial donations, including cheques to "Holy Trinity refugee collection", can be placed in a clearly marked envelop in any collection up to 1 October.
(2) We also need specific items to ensure the home is functional and pleasant from day one.  In particular we need: KITCHEN: pots and stock pot, cutlery and crockery, glasses, cups, rubbish bin, electric jug, rice cooker, serving spoons, electric blender/beater. BATHROOM/LAUNDRY: ironing Board, iron, washing basket and pegs; vacuum cleaner; broom, dust pan and brush and three new hot water bottles with covers.  TOYS, BOOKS, PUZZLES suitable to a 9 year old girl (but no soft toys, please). NO LINEN OR BEDDING is required a we collected surplus items last time.  Please leave any clearly labelled "refugee" donations in the Church foyer no later than Sunday 8 October, mid-day.

Evening Prayer, Adoration and Prayer for vocations every Wed 6-7pm at St. Patrick’s Church.
Adoration Saturday at Holy Cross Church after 9am Mass surgery

Gascoigne Educational Scholarship 2017.  This scholarship is open to all ages groups who are present members of Holy Trinity Parish and are planning to study for 2018 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 2017

Bishop’s statement on 2017 General Election. Our bishops have provided a statement which outlines principles and topics to consider when you are deciding how to vote in the upcoming election available online at www.catholic.org.nz under ‘Bishops Statement’

This week’s reflection from the Catholic Bishops’ statement on the General Election:   
We are deeply disturbed by the growing prison population in New Zealand. It is a national disgrace. Crime rates have in fact fallen in New Zealand. What is driving the increase in prison numbers is changes to bail law, sentencing and parole. We want our communities to be safe. We want deterrents to be positive. Pathways of care and guidance, of participation and belonging, of work and purpose are what our at-risk young need, not corridors of bars and negative mentors.    

The Bach Choir and guest conductor Maaike Christie-Beekman will present a concert of music at St Andrews on the Terrace on Sunday 17th Sept at 3pm.  The programme includes works by Mozart, Brahms, Rheinberger and Bruckner, with piano accompaniment by Douglas Mews and Emma Sayers. Tickets $30 general, $25 concession, available on Eventfinda, from Marsden Books, choir members, and door sales on the day.

Joshua Catholic Men’s Fellowship Wellington Come along and join us on Thurs 21st of Sept at 7:30pm for fellowship and prayer in CONNOLLY HALL, Thorndon (behind Sacred Heart Cathedral). Speaker: Fr Peter Ewart sm, the Joshua Wellington chaplain on “The Holy Spirit” Want to know more? Ring John Taylor (04) 389-8915 or 021-107-8538 or email: [email protected]

“Current of Grace’ Conference “Celebrating the diverse fruits and family of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in New Zealand” Friday 22 – Sunday 24 September  Distinction Hotel and the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Palmerston North Guest presenters include Bishop Denis Browne, Fr John Rea, Diana Ingle CCRNZ Chairperson.  Ann Brereton from ICCRS will share on 2017 Vatican report Pope Francis’s exciting new plans for us all! For information and to register visit www.ccrnz.org/register2017 or contact Val Morrison Tel: 07 542 5537

  Grace Anointing Retreat 2017 A Catholic spiritual healing retreat led by Fr Dominic Valanmanal- International Catholic preacher. From Wed 27th - Thurs 28th    September from 9:30 am – 1:00 pm. at St Teresa’s Catholic Church, Karori. Only street parking available on 27th Sept - Cardinal John Dew will be celebrating Holy mass at 9:30 am.  For further information contact Ted Jordan  [email protected].

A time to explore a possible calling from God  to become a Sister of Mercy. Single women are invited to attend an event at Te Wāhanga Atawhai Mercy Conference Centre, Guildford Tce, Thorndon, Wellington  on Saturday 30 September from 1.30pm – 5pm. For enquiries, please contact Sister Stephanie on 04-8198312 or [email protected]. Come along and bring a friend!

Sat 30 Sept Retreat: ‘Writing the Soul Home’, New Zealand poetry meditation, reading, and writing. Facilitator, Anne Powell,  10am‒4pm, Our Lady’s Home of Compassion, 2 Rhine St, Island Bay, Wellington. Register at [email protected] or Ph. 04 383 7769.

KIWI ATHLETIC CLUB, Opening and Enrolment for 91st Season ,4th October 5pm, Newtown Stadium. For college age to adults. Ideal for newcomers, winter coders, and returnees. Contact Peter Jack, 3886224.

Advent and Christmas Liturgy Workshop – An interactive workshop with Fr Patrick Bridgman, looking at liturgies for the seasons of Advent and Christmas, including symbols and resources.  Registrations to[email protected] before 2nd October.  Workshop, repeated on Thursday 5th October 7-9pm, Lecture Room 1, Catholic Centre, 22 Hill Street, Wellington.  Saturday 7th October 10-12noon, St Theresa’s Parish Hall, 210 St Andrews Road, Plimmerton.

David Haas Workshops – David, a musician and composer of contemporary liturgical music, will present three workshops on 13th and 14th October in Wellington.  Please see flyer on the church noticeboard for more information.  Enquiries and registrations by 11 October to [email protected]

Sat 7 Oct Pilgrimage within Wellington: Srs Jo Gorman and Sue Cosgrove will lead a pilgrimage around Wellington to the places special to Suzanne Aubert. This will begin at Island Bay and will include following in the footsteps of the remarkable Suzanne Aubert. 9am-4pm, starting from Our Lady’s Home of Compassion, 2 Rhine St, Island Bay, Wellington. More information: [email protected]

Sat 14 Oct Invitation: You are invited to gather for the Karakia Whakatūwheratanga the Rededication of Our Lady’s Home of Compassion and the Blessing of the Final Resting Place of Ko te Kaurangi nei a Meri Hōhepa the Miha to celebrate the 125th founding of the Sisters of Compassion by the Venerable Suzanne Aubert.  6am-3pm, 6am-6.15am gather for the Karakia Whakatūwheratanga (Dawn ceremony) to commence at 6.30am, 11am Miha (Mass), breakfast and lunch provided, rsvp by 30 Sept: [email protected] or 383 7769.

Last Marriage Encounter Opportunity for 2017  Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend Fri 6th Oct – Sun 8th Oct being held for the first time at Silverstream Retreat, Lower Hutt. Book your place now 0800 362 686

The Sisters of St. Peter Claver are holding a " MULTICULTURAL MISSION CONCERT " on Sun 15 October at 2pm to 4pm at St. Patrick's Parish Hall, Kilbirnie: $5.00 Enquiries: Sisters of St. Peter Claver, 383 8401.

EXALT MUSIC CONFERENCE 2017 EXALT is for all musicians, lovers of music, art, dance, film and photography to meet people who share the same passions and grow in their gifts given intentionally to them by God to be used for His glory, organised by the Diocese of Christchurch. 5.00pm Fri 20 October – Sun 22 October St Bede’s College, Main North Road, Christchurch $159 per person, group discount available.
Please contact Jessica Bond if you require financial assistance for your registration cost. Online registration and information:www.exalt.cyt.org.nz or Jessica Bond: [email protected] (Registration closes 15 Sept)

Engagement Manager, Catholic Enquiry Centre (CEC) We are looking for a creative and innovative person to help take the message and mission of the Catholic Church into the digital continent!
The Catholic Enquiry Centre (CEC) connects people to the message and mission of the Catholic Church and has been helping people for nearly 60 years! We're moving from a reliance on print and television advertising to a focus on digital and social forms of media and we need someone to lead us through the implementation of a new strategy. The Engagement Manager will work closely with the NZCBC Communications Adviser and will require expertise in digital media and communications, project management skills, and the ability to build relationships, influence others and champion change.  For more details on the role or to apply contact Amanda Gregan at [email protected] or on 021 611 052 Applications close on Monday, 18 September.
 

Every life is precious!  40 years since the passing of the Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion Act almost 500,000 preborn New Zealanders have been aborted and countless women have been wounded physically, emotionally and spiritually.  There is an increasing call for abortion laws to be liberalised for social reasons right up to birth.   Join pro-life New Zealanders in Wellington Saturday 9th December 2017 at 2pm for a National March for Life.  Be a voice for the voiceless and let New Zealand know that we love them both!  Limited cost effective accommodation available.  The March starts at the Civic Square and will end in the Parliament Grounds. More information at marchforlifenz.org.nz and Facebook or phone/text Michael Loretz 021 825 955

Faith has a vital role in the public forum. Stand up, uphold the common good, choose wisely, and your vote will be a blessing for our nation.        New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference: Step out and vote, 2017