22 september 2019

Amos 8:4-7; 1Tim. 2:1-8; Lk. 16:1-13
All three selections for today’s liturgy pertain to the subject of faithful stewardship. Condemning the crooked business practices of the eighth century (BC) Jewish merchants of Judea, the prophet Amos in the first reading reminds the Israelites to be faithful to their Covenant with Yahweh by practicing justice and mercy as God’s faithful stewards; he warns us against making money by any means as the goal of our life. In the second reading the author of I Timothy instructs the first century Judeo-Christians to become true stewards of the gospel of Jesus the only mediator by preaching the “good news” to the pagans and including them in intercessory prayers. Today’s gospel challenges us to use our blessings -- time, talents, health and wealth -- wisely and shrewdly so that they will count for our good in eternity.  We are on the right road only if we use our earthly wealth to attain our heavenly goal.
We all of us are stewards in the church in various degrees according to one’s status with certain amount of responsibility and accountability.  As we are going through consultation process on property and Church issues, we have an ample opportunity to be fair and practical in offering our viable suggestions that will ultimately help us to be praying and missionary disciples. The parable of today is not about money. It is about roots, the roots of our hearts. Where do they reach? What nourishes them best? Are our roots linked to earthly treasure? Or are roots connecting us to God our Creator? Saint Paul tells us that the love of money is the root of all evil (1Tim 6:10). The amount we possess is not the issue. Our character is the issue. Our commitment is the issue. Our Faithfulness is the issue. Our love for Heaven is the issue. Hence, let us ask ourselves: will the possessions, friends and resources that we have gained here on earth lead us to God and his kingdom? May God help us to remain focused on Him!                                                                                                                 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.
 

PARISH PROPERTY UPDATE
Holy Trinity Parish Pastoral Council and Finance Committee thank all those people who were able to come along to the two Parish Consultation meetings regarding the possible future of our parish property.   
The meetings were facilitated by Mary- Anne Greaney, the director of the Parish Leadership Ministry Vicariate for the Wellington Archdiocese.  
There was much valuable discussion of the proposed possible options and some sound questions too.
We are now collating and looking at the responses from the two meetings and also the submissions that are being sent to the Parish Office. 
If you are wanting to make a submission please remember it needs to be in by 10am Monday 23 SEPTEMBER.
We plan to report back to the Parish on the final recommendations for Cardinal John by Sunday 27 October.
In the meantime let us all pray for guidance in our decision making and for faith- filled acceptance for possible new ways forward for Holy Trinity Parish.

Frs Ephrem and Paul will be away at the clergy formation day Tuesday 24th September.
Liturgy of the word with communion will be celebrated on this day
St Anthony’s 9am – led by Tony Sutcliffe
St Patrick’s 9.30am – led by Patricia O’Donnell
Thank you     

The Parish wishes Father Paul every blessing and all best wishes for his birthday Friday 20th September

Holy Trinity Parish Catholic Book Club – Sunday 29th September:  Explore the Truth, Beauty, and Goodness of the Catholic faith through its great books! At Holy Cross Church Parish Centre, 6-7pm. Light supper will be provided. Connect with fellow passionate Catholics for like-minded discussion. For enquiries, contact 3882-840 or htpCatholicBookClub@gmail.com

Cardinal John will celebrate the Feast Day of St Vincent de Paul, Mass 7pm, Thursday 26 September 2019, at St. Joseph's Church, Basin Reserve, Mt. Vic.  This Mass on 26 September 2019 will celebrate the legacy of St Vincent de Paul and the mission today of the St Vincent de Paul Society assisting the poor, sick, lonely and marginalised.  All are warmly welcomed to join Cardinal John, SVDP members and parishioners from the Wellington region, and the wider community in praying for those in most need and that we can be a Church that goes forth. 

Feast of St Francis of Assisi
Our Capuchin Fathers and the Lay Franciscans are celebrating the Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi, their founder, on the 4th of October.
There will be the Transitus of St Francis (passing away) on the 3rd of October 6pm at
St Patrick’s Church Kilbirnie followed by a light supper in the church meeting room.
The Solemn Holy Mass will be on Thursday 4th October 9am at
St Patrick’s Church Kilbirnie followed by the blessing of the animals (please bring your pets) and a cup of tea/coffee in the church meeting room.  
We welcome you all to come and celebrate with us the Feast day of our Founder.
Please note: this will be the only Mass in the Parish on Friday 4th October

Daily Mass Calendar 2020 The parish will be putting the order through soon for the 2020 daily mass calendars. If you would like to order a copy for yourself, please contact the office before 30th September.  holytrinity.wgtn@xtra.co.nz or 388-6953

Gascoigne Educational Scholarship.  This scholarship is open to all ages groups who are present members of Holy Trinity Parish and are planning to study for 2020 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 holytrinity.wgtn@xtra.co.nz download a copy from the website  http://www.holytrinity.parish.nz/  or copies available from the back of each Church.  Closing date: 31 October 2019

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.

In the leadup to the St Patrick’s centenary Mass on the 17th November at 10am, we will include an interesting fact about the former Parish each week.
FACT  The first church in Childers Tce was a chapel/ school.  The Sisters of Mercy taught in the Wing section and on Fridays the big boys from St Anne’s would walk over the hill to stack the desks at the back and put out chairs and forms for Sunday Mass.  On Monday mornings they reversed it

Holy Hour You are invited to a Holy Hour on Tuesday 24 Seoptember 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.

Mass for those affected by Divorce or Separation Cardinal John extends a warm welcome to any and all who are affected by separation and divorce to join him in the celebration of Mass at Ss Peter and Paul Church, 60 Knights Road, Lower Hutt, 7pm, Wednesday 25 September 2019, followed by a glass of wine and light refreshments. For more information or if you would like to help in any way with the Mass, please contact Felicity at the Marriage, Family and Young Church Ministries Office (04) 496 1719 or email f.giltrap@wn.catholic.org.nz

Calling all book lovers - Volunteer at the Vinnies Book Fair! The St Vincent de Paul book fair is back again this month. All books are $2 or less with the proceeds going towards the Vinnies welfare and support services.
 When:  Sat 28 Sept/ 8am – 4pm and Sun 29 Sept/ 9am – 3pm at St Anne’s Church Hall Newtown.

Safeguarding training. For those who weren’t able to make the training session in May on Safeguarding there are four more sessions at the Catholic Centre (Level 1, room 2)
•           Tuesday 8 October   12pm                     •               Wednesday 9 October   12pm         
This training is compulsory if you are involved in any of the following ministries.  Please make sure you attend one of these if you are involved in the following ministries and have not attended.
- Parish Council   - Children’s Liturgy  - Trainer Altar Servers Roles  - Extraordinary Ministers of Communion to the Sick  - Sacramental Programme Leaders
If you are not able to travel into town, you are welcome to join the meeting by ZOOM Conference from your computer at the above time and date. To do this they need to send Brendy your email address and parish you belong to and you will be sent the login details. Contact Brendy Weir Safeguarding Adviser, Archdiocese of Wellington (04) 496 1768 or 021 1958 307 b.weir@wn.catholic.org.nz
 

Pope Francis has designated October as the Extraordinary Missionary month. The Parish Leadership Team is hoping to offer a 6 session programme Developing a Spirituality of Service in every parish in October. We need to gauge the interest level so please register with Chris Walkerdine at  c.walkerdine@wn.catholic.org.nz or telephone on 04 496-1706.

Kiwi Athletic Club opening and enrolment night 1st Wednesday in October 5pm Newtown Stadium. For College age to Veteran adults. Ideal for winter coders, newcomers Contact Peter Jack 388 6224 from 7PM

Ethical Considerations of Climate Change
6.00pm-7.30pm Wednesday 2nd October at St Joseph’s Mt Victoria.  John Howell will present a comparison of two approaches to the moral basis for the climate change challenge, using the work of:
•“Economics for the Common Good” by Jean Tirole (Winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics) Princeton 2017
•“The Righteous Mind – why good people are divided by politics and religion” by Jonathan Haidt.  Allen Lane 2012
This will be followed by a discussion of climate change as a wicked problem. All welcome.

What would Jesus do? Mission for a Fractured World.    Did Jesus really mean “love your enemies,
pray for those who persecute you”? Presented by Sr Laurie Brink OP, Professor of New Testament
Studies at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.  15 Oct, 7-8.30pm at St Bernadette’s School Hall, Lower Hutt.  Please register by 9 Oct with Ann Williams on  a.williams@wn.catholic.org.nz. koha would be appreciated.

UnPlanned the movie will be screened at The Penthouse Cinema, Brooklyn on Wednesday 16th October at 6.00 p.m. The movie starts at 6.00 p.m. sharp.  It is a story of hope and redemption. Movie maker Jason Jones believes  Unplanned will do for abortion what the book Uncle Tom's Cabin did to end slavery. To purchase a ticket got to https://fan-force.com/screenings/unplanned-penthouse-cinema-cafe/   To find other venues and times visit the Fan Force website.

The final workshop for 2019 is on “ Liturgy of the Word with Communion” with Fr Patrick Bridgman, Archdiocesan Liturgy Advisor. 7-9pm,Thursday 24th October at Ss Peter and Pauls Church, Knights Rd. Lower Hutt. Everyone welcome. Please register with Ann Williams before Friday 18th October at a.williams@wn.catholic.org.nz

Go you are sent to build community (12) Come together for fellowship with parish events, meals.

Join us for a FREE Seniors’ Week event to talk about the symptoms of a heart attack and stroke, so you know what to do if you see or experience them. There will be a CPR demonstration
Everyone welcome – free afternoon tea provided. Come along for a chance to hear from others and ask questions.
Dates and times  Kilbirnie-Lyall Bay Community Centre      Wednesday 16 October   1.30pm – 3.00pm
                             Wellington City Mission                              Thursday 17 October        1.30pm – 3.00pm
                             Strathmore Park Community Centre        Friday 1 November           11.00am – 12.30pm

ST MARY’S COLLEGE HOMESTAY FAMILIES NEEDED We are  keen to hear from families who would like to  host  the students who come from around the world to study at St.Mary’s. The girls are here to improve their English language skills and to experience life in New Zealand.
The host family need to offer a warm comfortable room, lots of chat, and outings to showcase our beautiful city and surrounds, the beaches, rivers, hills and mountains, Te Papa, Wellington Museum, Zealandia etc, our wonderful food options as well as sports events We need short and long term options for hosting. It can be a  rewarding , educational and  fun experience  for all the family.
If you think your household would like to be a part of our schools  international family please get in touch with Philly Smyth,Homestay  Coordinator, and she will send out the Guide to Homestay booklet for you to see if your family and lifestyle would be a good fit for our international students.

The Sept. 22 – Oct 5 issue of NZ Catholic is out now. Some headlines are: St Bede’s College opens $3.5m chapel. School community unites against corrections facility. Cardinal Dew says church still a place of hope. NZ Catholic praised at press awards.

[This is] a season to reflect on our lifestyles, and how our daily decisions about food, consumption, transportation, use of water, energy and many other material goods, can often be thoughtless and harmful. Too many of us act like tyrants with regard to creation. Let us make an effort to change and to adopt more simple and respectful lifestyles!  Pope Francis: Message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, 1 September 2019

​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 including Lucas Cochrane, Michael Kerr, Brigid Lyon, Noeline Cosgrave and Maria Garden.