19 May 2019

Acts 14:21-27; Apoc.21:1-5; Jn. 13:31-35
Today’s readings are about new things: The New Jerusalem, a new heaven and earth, and a new commandment. In the reading from the Book of Apocalypse, God promises that his saving and healing work in the world is ongoing: "See, I am making all things new" (Apoc. 21:5).  The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes how the small Christian communities helped the renewal of its members by their agape love, imitating the agape love of Paul and Barnabas.  They were fully dedicated to the missionary work of preaching, appointing the elders as local collaborators to expand the missionary activities. The second reading from the Book of Apocalypse explains how God renews His Church by being present in her members as Immanuel and their parish communities and liturgical celebrations. Today’s Gospel passage gives us the secret of Christian renewal as the faithful practice of Jesus’ new commandment: “Love others as I have loved you” (John 13: 35). Jesus has added a new element to the Old Testament command of love by telling us that the true test of discipleship is to love other people in the same way that he has loved us.
Hence, the renewal of Christian life means a radical change of vision, of our priorities in life, with new attitudes, new values and new standards of relating to God, to other people and, indeed, to our whole environment. For most of us, “renewal" is something that comes at different stages in our lives, each time bringing us to a deeper understanding, insight and commitment. Good many of us are in leadership teams such as Parish council members, liturgical committee, St. Vincent de Paul, Legion of Mary, Secular Franciscan groups etc. who have ample opportunities to avail ourselves for the self-renewal so as to work more vibrantly as missionary disciples.  In all our missionary activities let the love of Jesus be translated into concrete action through which we will be recognized as Jesus’ true disciples.
                                                                                                                                     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.

Invitation to presentation of a Papal Honour.  Parishioners are invited to 10.30am Mass on Sunday 26 May 2019 at St Anthony’s Church, Seatoun, when a papal honour, the Benemerenti Medal, recently granted by The Holy Father will be presented to Mrs Julie Marshall.  This honour is in grateful recognition by the Church of Julie Marshall’s compassionate service sustained in God’s name for over 36 years to the spiritual, physical and social wellbeing of many elder parishioners and their families and to her life-long leadership of liturgy and faith practice in our Holy Trinity and other parishes.

Fr Matthew’s final Mass – St Patrick’s Church 1 June 5.30pm Vigil.  Fr Matthew will be returning to Ireland permanently in July and we are grateful he is able to celebrate a  final Mass at St Patrick’s with us. There will be a light supper in the Parish Centre directly after Mass.
Everyone is asked to please bring a plate of food to share. 
If you would like to make a donation to Fr Matthew, please put an envelope in the collection. Thank you.

Holy Trinity Parish Pastoral Council Nominations
Your pastoral council is seeking nominations for the council.
The Archdiocese requires our parish to have a pastoral council in order for the parish to develop and to meet the spiritual, liturgical, pastoral and social needs of the parish. The parish council is responsible for the “big picture” of the parish by ensuring that the parish plan is up to date and that it is followed and evaluated on a regular basis. The parish council should be representative of all of our parishioners and we warmly invite especially younger people and the various ethnic communities to join the council and help us to be more inclusive. We seek parishioners who can attend a monthly meeting and carry out assigned tasks; who have access to email (as most communications between meetings are by email), and most of all have a willingness to represent the needs of fellow parishioners.
We ask you to prayerfully give consideration to helping your catholic community at Holy Trinity parish. Come join us for a commitment of 3 years on the council with a possibility of a nomination for a further 3 years.
If you are prepared to consider a position on the pastoral council please advise Marianne in the parish office. Email holytrinity.wgtn.xtra.co.nz or phone 388-6953 and a no obligation meeting will be arranged to further discuss the role and duties of a council member.

If God exists, it changes everything!  A final reminder that the Alpha faith course starts again this week.  There  are two sessions one starting at 4pm and the other starting at 7pm in the Holy Cross School Staffroom from Wednesday 22 May.   To enrol please call or email the parish office or text Dave Monastra on 0274477280.  Feel free to bring family members and friends.

People in Need? St Vincent de Paul Society Seatoun & Miramar Conference welcomes parishioners   to   let   us   know   confidentially   if   you   or   someone   needs   assistance   in   the Miramar/Seatoun/Strathmore area.   Our group visits people who are in hardship, sickness, loneliness or housebound, in order to share God’s love and compassion and see if we can assist in any way, even as simple as having a coffee and chat (Contacts: any of our members listed in the Church foyers).


Note: expenses include painting St Patrick’s hall exterior and painting St Anthony’s Church ceiling
HOLY CROSS SCHOOL 2019 Board of Trustees’ Election Nominations are invited for the election of 5 parent representatives to the board of trustees. A nomination form and a notice calling for nominations has been posted to all eligible voters. You can nominate another person to stand as a candidate, or you can nominate yourself. Both parts of the form must be signed. Additional nomination forms can be obtained from the school office. Nominations close at noon on Friday 24  May 2019 and may be accompanied by a signed candidate statement and photograph. The voting roll is open for inspection at the school and can be viewed during normal school hours. There will also be a list of candidates’ names, as they come to hand, for inspection at the school. Voting closes at noon on Friday June 2019

St Anthony's School are looking for volunteers to join our Board of Trustees. The election will be at the start of June, with nominations opened from 10 May, so please come and talk to us if you are interested. You don't need to have any particular skills or knowledge, just a passion for teaching and learning and a love of our wonderful school community. You can find out more about us at http://www.stants.school.nz/bot or email us at [email protected]

Vinnies Food Bank Appeal. 
The St Vincent de Paul Society is holding its six-monthly appeal for food and household donations at Pak ‘n Save Supermarket, Kilbirnie, 11am-6pm, Saturday 25 May 2019. Members and supporters of your local Seatoun & Miramar Conference of the Society will as usual be collecting in the foyer of the Supermarket.  If you would like to donate items, please consider shopping at Pak ‘n Save Supermarket during these times (Contact: Brendan Quirk, ph 021 236 5695 / 388 9708).

Do you have any memories/photographs/information from the early days of our 3 churches? Trisha would love to hear from you. She is compiling a history of the churches in the Eastern Suburbs in relation to the upcoming centenary for St Patrick’s Church .  lease contact her 04 934 3179 to share any information you have. Thank you in advance .

66B Falkirk Avenue, Seatoun. $390.00pw. 1 bedroom unit with 1 bathroom. LPG hot water, electric hob/oven and heater. Very sunny, freshly painted and carpeted. Underfloor/ceiling insulation. Semi detached. Partially furnished.­...Fridge, Microwave, Washing machine, Cl­othes dryer.  Suitable for up to 2 tenants. Street parking. No pets or smokers. Trademe listing ref #GGX844

Celebrating 100 years since the first school building on St Catherine’s College site. High Tea 22 June 2019 from 1.00pm – 4.45pm Mercy Hall, SCC. $15. Registration required. Contact Sister Stephanie [email protected] or 0272458859

St Mary's College Open Day. June 13th 2019, 9am.
 

Missionary Sisters of St Peter Claver Ethnic Dinner with Entertainment. Saturday 25 May 6.30pm at Polish House 257 Riddiford St, Newtown. Bring your favourite dish to share. Admission: Adults $10, 5 to 10yrs $5 and under 5yrs free. All donation money sent to overseas missions. For tickets ring 383 8401

Go you are sent to support marriage and families (11) Have a dedicated liaison person between the parish and school to welcome and support families.

Candlelight Mass for people in Sri Lanka Please join Cardinal John and the Otari community in a candlelight Vigil Mass offered in memory of all the lives lost and badly injured during the Sri Lankan Easter tragedy. Saturday 5.30pm, 1 June St. Teresa’s Pro-Cathedral, 301 Karori Road, Karori.

Pa Maria Winter Film Series:   The Life Which Beats in Things: - A Spirituality for Living in Today’s World.  Mondays 10, 17, 24 June & 1, 8 July OR Thursdays 15, 22, 29 August & 5, 12 September.  7.00pm - 9.30pm each evening.  For further information and/or to register contact Brian Cummings SM ( 021 703 580; email  [email protected])

​We pray for the members of our Parish families who have died recently Robert (Bob) Spray and Pua Magasiva and those whose anniversaries occur around this time including Agnes Ashby, Margaret Walsh and Michael Lavan. Our prayers are also 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.