18th march 2018

I tell you solemnly, unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest. Anyone who loves his life loses it; anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it for the eternal life.” This weekend we have so many themes to reflect upon. I am not going to reflect everyone. I would like to reflect upon Jn:12: 24-25. What is this amazing paradox which Jesus is teaching us here? He is basically saying three things here which are all variations of one centre truth and all at the heart of Christian faith and life. Firstly:  He is saying that only by death comes life.  We all know that any seed or grain remains single and is ineffective and unfruitful as long as it is not sown in the ground. But when it is put in the soil it dies there and then there comes up a new life and yields a rich harvest. Some months back I had put some seeds of bean and zucchini. When they died there came up new plants and they are yielding lots of beans and zucchinis which I am enjoying and sharing with others also. Similarly, we must die spiritually in order to bear good fruits. Secondly:  He is saying that only by spending life do we retain it. We who love our life are moved by two aims: By selfishness and by desire for security. Not once or twice but many times Jesus said that those who hoard their life will lose it; but those who spent their life must in the end gain it. It is therefore better to burn out than to rust out. Thirdly: He is saying that only by service comes greatness. If we remember someone with great love and respect today are the people who served others honestly. eg St.Teresa of Kolkotta. Jesus taught the world that only by death come new life; that only by spending life do we retain it; and that only by serving comes greatness                                
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.
 

Candles for Holy Saturday.
Please bring your own candle to the Vigil Mass and ensure that it has a protector to prevent wax falling on your hands, clothing or the floor.

St Patrick’s Morning MassTuesday 27th March. Please note: Mass will be at 9am to give our priests time to get to the clergy prayer day at 10am.
 

Good Friday Holy Places Collection – This collection will be taken up on during the 3pm Solemn Commemoration of the Lords Passion at the three churches.


Donation of Food for Holy Thursday  
Holy Thursday is the day appointed by the Holy Father to give gifts to the poor. So, at the offertory procession, we will take up doanted non perishable food items Please leave your donations in the basket in the porch as you enter St Patrick’s Church.
The goods will be passed to our St Vincent de Paul Parish group.
 

Holy Thursday and Easter Saturday Singing Practice
St Patrick's Church Monday 19th and 26th March 7-8pm
All Welcome
 

St Anthony’s Church A new roster for Readers, Eucharist ministers and ministers to the sick is being drawn up for the St. Anthony’s 10.30am mass. This will begin after Easter. We hope as many as possible of those currently rostered will continue and that those on Good Shepherd Hall roster will join in with the 10.30am roster. Could all those currently rostered at both St. Anthony’s and GSH please confirm with that they are happy to continue if they have not already done so, and if anyone new would like to join please also let us know.
Please contact [email protected]

Lenten Mass – 14 Feb – 24 March 2018
There will be 6.30am Mass at Holy Cross Parish Centre from Monday – Saturday during Lent
Stations of the Cross – Thursdays during Lent
Every Thursday at 7pm at St Patrick’s Church starting on 15th Feb – 22nd March 2018
Lenten Appeal envelopes are available at the back of each Church
 
Easter Services:
Parish Lenten Reconciliation: Wednesday 28th March
St Patrick’s:               7pm         
 
Holy Thursday:         29th March  (no morning Mass at any Church)
St Patrick’s:               7pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper
 
Good Friday:           30th March 
St Patrick’s:            10am Stations of the Cross from St Patrick’s Church to All Saints, Hataitai
St Anthony’s:         10am Way of the Cross starts and finishes at St Anthony’s
Holy Cross:              2.30pm (weather permitting) Way of the Cross from Wexford Hill to Holy Cross Church
3pm Solemn Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion at all 3 churches
 
Saturday Easter Vigil: 31st March
St Patrick’s:               8.30pm Please bring your own candle to the Vigil Mass and ensure that it has a protector to prevent wax falling on your hands, clothing or the floor
Easter Sunday:          1st April
Holy Cross:               9am
St Patrick’s:               10am
St Anthony’s:          10.30am
 

St Patrick’s Church – Good Friday. Volunteers needed. I am looking for both children and adults to read a station for the “Way of the Cross” procession from St Patrick’s Church to All Saints Church on Good Friday morning at 10am.     Contact me Clare on 021 227 8363
 

Archdiocesan North Island Chrism Mass – the Mass of the oils, Tuesday 27th March 7.30pm, Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Hill St, Thorndon.
 

Poppy Day Street Appeal - Volunteers needed for Kilbirnie/Rongotai - Poppy Day Street Appeal will be held on Friday 20th April, raising funds to assist military veterans and their families. If you can spare an hour, volunteers are needed for the Kilbirnie and Rongotai shopping areas, beginning at 7 am and ending at 2 pm.  If you can help, please call Glenda Ramsay, 3885 686 or 021 292 4094.
 

Publications for purchase: Tui Motu $7  NZ Catholic $4

If, at times, the flame of charity seems to die in our own hearts, know that this is never the case in the heart of God! He constantly gives us a chance to begin loving anew.   Pope Francis: Message for Lent 2018

Keys left in St Patrick's Church after the 5.30pm Mass. If found, please return to the parish office
Wellington Council of Churches annual Sonrise Service – Mt Victoria Lookout 6.30am Easter Sunday. Hosted by Wesley wellington Methodist Parish. For more information 027 2018766 or [email protected]

FOUND BIBLE A Catholic bible was left in the letterbox of someone living in Hobart St by mistake and it has been passed to us to see if we know or can locate who it may have been left for. If you know who this should have gone to, please contact the office [email protected] or 38886953
Dove Catholic Fellowship for Women Saturday 24th March 1:15pm at Connolly Hall, Guilford Tce, Thorndon.  Speaker:  Fr John Rea on Lam 3:22-24, our theme of hope, with ministry.  All women welcome.  Contact Shura 021 072 4042, 3899938, or email:  [email protected].

40 Days for Life is under way: Please keep the prayers up for the abortion vulnerable, the abortion wounded and those promoting and providing abortions in our city. Vigil Hours outside Wellington Hospital: Tuesday to Friday 8am to 4pm; Mondays and Saturdays 8 am to Noon and Sundays 1 to 4 pm. Please come out and show your support for life. Sign up for an hour at www.fli.org.nz/40daysforlife or Txt: 0275112205

Holy Hour You are invited to a Holy Hour on Tuesday 20 March 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, hymns, Scripture, times of silence and conclude with Benediction followed by supper.  All are welcome.

Teaching Night @ St Francis de Sales Hall, 173 Clyde Street, Island Bay Hosted by Catholic Charismatic Renewal Wednesday 21st March, at 7:30pm. Speaker: Fr John Rea Theme: The gift of Faith. Evening includes Praise & Worship, group discussion and fellowship. Everyone is welcome!

Engaged Encounter - weekend experience for couples intending to be married 17 - 18 March, 14 - 15 July, 3 - 4 November. Registrations close 2 weeks prior. Karori Presbytery, Karori. More details www.cee-wellington.co.nz  or phone Kate & Simon Olsen 801 6192, or email Simon and Kate at  [email protected]

Pentecost Liturgical Workshop, Thursday April 19th 6.45pm-9.00pm at the Catholic Centre. This will be an interactive workshop, with Fr Patrick Bridgman, Archdiocesan Liturgy Advisor. Fr Patrick will help us unpack Pentecost seeking ways to be truly culturally inclusive within our liturgies and gatherings. Workshops are open to all, being particularly relevant to members of Liturgy teams, Children’s Liturgists, Parish Pastoral Leaders and Directors of Religious Education. Please register with Ann Williams before Friday 13th April at [email protected]

The Prison Chaplaincy Service of Aotearoa New Zealand is seeking a fulltime Office Manager. See their website  http://www.pcsanz.org/vacancies.php

Piano lesson book sponsorship – St Patrick’s School A very generous piano teacher is providing free piano lessons to a couple of our students. We would like sponsorship for the books the students require/d.
The total amount for last year and this year for the two students is $136. If any parishioner would like to cover or contribute to this cost we would be very grateful.
For the purpose of practising at home someone has loaned an electric keyboard for one student and we’d like to have one for the other student. Music Works have a special on for $199 so we’d love contributions towards the purchase of this. Please contact the school office Ph 3873370.The school bank account 12 3174 0298867 00

Divine Mercy Sunday You are all invited to join the Divine Mercy Celebration to be hled on Sunday 8th April, after the 10.30am Mass at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Tawa. Taking place during the celebration are the Blessing of relivious articles, the Veneration of the Divine Mercy Image and the Chaplet of Divinge Mercy. Reconciliation will be available from 9.45am to the start of Mass at 10.30am. Refreshments will be served afte the service.

Centre For Divine Mercy According to the Diary of St Faustina 88: Jesus told St Faustina I am King of Mercy. I desire that this image be displayed in public on the first Sunday after Easter. That Sunday is the Feast of Mercy. Through the Word Incarnate, I make known the bottomless depth of My mercy. The centre for Divine Mercy is organizing the celebration of FDMS at Sacred Heart Cathedral on 8 April 2018. (2:00 - 5:00 PM)

Pregnancy Assistance… St Vincent de Paul Society Wellington provides a free, supportive service for new and expectant mothers. Pregnancy Assistance provides material support in the way of baby clothing (0 – 6months), maternity clothing, reusable cloth nappies, bedding, bassinet loans, referral advice and simply a listening ear. Located within the Newtown hub (207 Riddiford Street), it’s open Wednesday – Friday, 10am – 2pm. Walk-ins are welcome, or you can contact Wendy on 04 389 7122 or [email protected]. If you or someone you may know could benefit from a little help through this important and beautiful stage of life, please do not hesitate to contact St Vincent de Paul Society Wellington, Pregnancy Assistance.
 

Inner Peace in Divine Love An Ignatian First Spiritual Exercise retreat in daily life based on a programme
developed by Australian, Michael Hanson SJ Participants meet weekly, under the guidance of trained guides, to pray and share in small groups their experience of prayer. The retreat is open to all and   will be held at the church of St Peter and Paul, 37 Dr Taylor Terrace, Johnsonville over five Thursday evenings - 12, 19, 26 April and
3 and 10 May, 7:30 - 9:30 pm To book or for further information contact Sarah Dench     04 389 1038  or  021 0814 4424       [email protected]

​We pray for the members of our Parish families who have died recently especially Pat Henahan and Margaret Handscomb and those whose anniversaries occur around this time including Marueen Scully and Deirdre Sweeney.  Our prayers are also with those who are unwell especially John Rogers, Graeme Adams and Steve Kuzmicich and for the wonderful people who are caring for the everyday needs of the sick in our Community.