22 april 2018

Acts 4: 8-12; 1 Jn 3: 1-2; and Jn 10: 11-18
Dear brothers and sisters, today we celebrate the Good Shepherd Sunday, and it is also called Vocation Sunday. In today’s First Reading from Acts, Peter draws attention of the assembled leaders and the elders not on himself, but that it was done in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean.
What do we do when someone singles us out and praises us for a job well done? Do we deflect the honour and recognition to our mentors, to our teammates at work?  Now the question is: Do we take all the credit for ourselves, or give praise and glory to our Lord and Saviour?  The best course of action is the latter one, to not to let pride come between us and God. We need to humble ourselves and give praise and glory to God. Besides being right, it helps reinforce his constant presence in our lives and that his guiding hand is always on our shoulder, and that the good we are trying to do each and every day in this world is not for our personal gain, but for the greater glory of his kingdom. 
Truth is told, Jesus has the power to lay down his life for you and me and the whole of creation and take it up again. we may just be the stones that were rejected by the builders; but, by our unselfish actions we can become the cornerstones of God’s Church here on earth.
Blessed be God forever.                                                                                                        Fr Ephrem
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.

 ANZAC DAY SERVICE 25th April    ST PATRICK’S CHURCH 11AM
Followed by a cup of coffee and biscuits in the meeting room. On the day, bring a photo of your military family members to place under the altar during Mass. A Collection will be taken up for the RSA. PLEASE NOTE: This will be the only Mass in the Parish on this day

The Missionary Sisters of St Peter Claver Raffle tickets will be available for sale after the 9am and 5pm Masses at Holy Cross Church 22nd April. Please bring some money and support the Sisters.  

St Vincent de Paul, Seatoun & Miramar Conference invites a lady driver from our parish to give a few hours over the next few weeks to help the mother in a local hard-working refugee family practice her parking skills for her Restricted Licence.  She has passed her Learner Licence, and will use their small family car.  Lady driver preferred as the mother is muslim.  Will greatly empower the mother to assist her kids and engage outside the house. Please contact Brendan Quirk, SVDP, ph 388 9708.

Planned Giving Receipts and new envelopes are available from this weekend at the back of the churches.  To collect from another Church, please contact the office.

Day of Prayer for Vocations: Sunday 22 April The 4th Sunday of Easter is a special Day of Prayer for Vocations. Please pray for our seminarians Jovanie and Alfred and those discerning the call to priesthood. Could someone you know become tomorrow's priest? Pray for this person. Invite him to consider priesthood. Affirm his gifts and qualities. Encourage him to be open to the possibility of priesthood. 
Pope Francis: "Today the Lord continues to call others to follow him. We should not wait to be perfect in order to respond with our generous “yes”, nor be fearful of our limitations and sins, but instead open our hearts to the voice of the Lord.  To listen to that voice, to discern our personal mission in the Church and the world, and at last to live it in the today that God gives us."  Fr David Dowling, Vocations Director - email: [email protected]

Events at Pā Maria Marist Spirituality Centre, 78 Hobson Street, Thorndon:  Non-Residential Guided Retreat:  “The Pilgrim” · Winter Film Series:  “Called to Be Blessed”· Spiritual Theology Courses:   “Evil, Sin and the Seven Deadly Sins” and  “Befriending the Painful Emotions”· Reflection Day (November):  “Happy are The Poor in Spirit”   For further information (dates/costs) and/or to register please contact Fr Brian Cummings SM:  phone (04) 212 4691 or  021 703 580 or email [email protected]

Living in Colour: An 8-week programme which offers gentle support and help to women hurting after an abortion experience. Even if the abortion happened years ago there are benefits from taking this journey with others who understand the burden. Starts in early May Txt or call Lurene to register your interest or for more information on 022 193 0546. (sponsored by Family Life International NZ)

Wanted – Flat to Rent: Pensioner seeks a 1 bedroom flat to rent on the flat in Miramar or Strathmore. Ring Bev 388 5821

Mary Potter Hospice street day appeal. Friday 18 & 19 May. Just an hour or two of your time will help us to keep Hospice care free in our community. We need volunteers in Wellington to help collect during our 2018 Annual Appeal. Will you help? Learn more and sign up http://marypotter.org.nz/volunteer-for-our-street-appeal-2018/ or contact Phillip Harris – Street Appeal Coordinator 021 210 7276 or 04 381 0191 or [email protected]

The Heart Foundation is hosting FREE information sessions to discuss living with heart failure. Your local Clinical Nurse Specialists in heart failure will present on understanding and managing heart failure, medical treatments and how to keep well. You will have the opportunity to share your own experiences or to ask questions about your heart condition. Whānau are also encouraged to come along and share with the group. Light refreshments will be provided. Tues 8 May 5.30pm – 7pm  St Patricks Church Hall

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

Go, you are sent…to the peripheries of society.   Outcome 1(k) Parishes are encouraged to develop a project approach to service and justice needs.

We pray for the members of our Parish families who have died recently including Tony Jack and Trish Coleman and those whose anniversaries occur around this time including Naureen Colgate, Deirdre Sweeney and Mary Dykes.  Our prayers are also with those who are unwell especially Graeme Adams and Steve Kuzmicich and for the wonderful people who are caring for the everyday needs of the sick in our Community.