22nd october 2017

​Most of the time we have seen Jesus, as it were, on the attack. He had spoken three parables like the parables of the two sons (Mt 21:28-32), the parable of the tenants in the Vineyard(Mt21:33-46) and the parable of the wedding feast(Lk14:15-24) in all these parables he plainly accused the orthodox Jewish leaders. But here in this gospel passage we see the Jewish leaders launching their counter attack and they do so by directing at Jesus carefully formulated question. The question was: It is or it is not lawful to pay tribute to Rome? Paying any types of taxes was never appreciated among the Jews. No one was comfortable in paying the taxes, especially any kind of religious taxes.
     There were three regular taxes which the Roman Government exacted from the Jewish people. There was a ground tax, then there was an income tax and there was also a poll tax. The tax in question here is the poll. This tax had to be paid by every male person from the age of fourteen to the age of sixty five, and every female person from the age of twelve to sixty five. These are the question which the Pharisees asked set Jesus a very real dilemma. But Jesus as a divine son was very wise and clever. He asked to see a coin which was stamped with the Emperor’s head. Jesus asked whose image was on the Coin.  It is Caesar’s,  they said And He said give to Caesar.  What belongs to Caesar.  But more importantly, Jesus reminded his audience that they are also God’s people. We are made in the image and likeness of God.(Gen 1:27) So he said give to god what belongs to God. Ball was in their court now. Every Christian has a double citizenship. They are a citizen of a country in which they happen to live. Therefore they are bound to pay the taxes. They are also a citizen of heaven and therefore they are bound to obey God. How sincere and honest we are when the question of priority of obeying God comes?
                                                                                                                                                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.

Last year at the end of the Year of Mercy,
Pope Francis wrote a document for the Universal Church called Misericordia et Misera. In it he wrote:
“It would be beneficial if every Christian community, on one Sunday of the liturgical year,
could renew its efforts to make Sacred Scriptures better known and more widely diffused.”
Over the weekend Masses of the 28 and 29 October,
each parish has been asked to read the Gospel using Lectio Divina.
This practice helps us to read, meditate and live the Word of God.
There are four phases:
1. Reading of God’s word;
2. Meditating on what we have heard;
3. Prayer which is when we enter in dialogue with God;
4. Contemplation where we get ready to listen to God’s voice, who speaks within us.
Finally, we think about a concrete action arising from the scripture.
You may like to sit with a scripture passage at home and follow these phases
in preparation for experiencing this at the Mass.
Please feel free to bring along a Bible in your own language on this weekend.

Dear Parishioners of Holy Trinity
Diocesan rules allow for our priest to say a maximum of three masses each on a Sunday (see Canon 905 §2)
Sunday includes the vigil mass on Saturday night. Though we currently have 3 priests, we are required to arrange Masses for two priests.
From early December, the current Mass timetable must be changed, and our Sunday morning mass schedule must allow at least 30 minutes travel time for our Priest to attend the liturgies.
The parish liturgy committee and pastoral council have worked hard for a solution based on the following 2 principles:
1.    That the mass time changes will cause the least disruption over the entire Parish
2.    That the communities most affected by proposals will be consulted and views taken into account.
We are proposing the following two changes from Sunday 3rd December:
·         The Strathmore Hall mass at 8.30am discontinue.  This proposal will not change plans for monthly masses by the Samoan chaplaincy and their social gatherings
·         The St Anthony’s Sunday Mass change from 10.30am to 8.30am
All other Sunday masses times remain unchanged at Holy Cross and St Patricks. 
The St Anthony and Strathmore communities are currently being consulted and we encourage you to provide feedback and suggestions.
The change reflects one-time change (for St Anthony’s) in the Parish and one location change for the Strathmore community.
Can I stress two points:
1.     the changes are required by December.
2.    We are one Parish.
The pastoral council would encourage your support and worship at any church in the Parish at a time that may suit you.
Please provide Va’a or Andrew feedback on this proposal.
 
Va’a Lotevale                                                              Andrew Gunn  021 684 355
 [email protected]                                       Parish Pastoral Chair
                                                                                    [email protected]

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 continuing to the 26th November in the Parish Centre at Holy Cross Church Miramar.  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.
Details for 29th October – Episode 6
A Body Both Suffering and Glorious: The Mystical Union of Christ and the Church Father Barron explores the Catholic Faith’s unique understanding of the relationship of Jesus Christ and the Church. Witness how the Mystcial Body or Christ is a living organism that stretches fro Rome to New York, Sao Paolo, Manila, and Namugongo, embracing humanity in all of its joys and sorrows.  
Details for 5th November – Episode 7
Word made Flesh, True Bread of Heaven: The Mystery of the Liturgy and the Eucharist.  Father Barron explains  the words, gestures, and eanings of the Church’s Eucharist. 

Attention St. Anthony’s Altar Linen Ministers: We are very short of Altar Linen. For the last few weeks we have had insufficient linen for Mass. Please - when your turn comes, would you collect Thursday or Friday and return in time for setting up for Sunday Holy Mass.

MEMORIAL MASS FOR FR DES MOOSMAN
 ST PATRICK’S CHURCH SAT 28st OCTOBER 10.30AM
A memorial Mass for Fr Moosman, former parish priest at St Patrick’s in the 1990s and who is well known to many parishioners, will be held at St Patrick’s Church Saturday 28st October at 10.30am. Please join us

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

MASS SCHEDULE
FOR HOLY TRINITY PARISH
Thursday 2nd November
 
7am                     St Patrick’s Church
 
9.30am                St Patrick’s Church
 
9.30am                Holy Cross Church
 
11.30am             St Anthony’s Church
 
7pm                     Holy Cross Church
Holy Cross School Thank You Morning Tea - Thank you for supporting our school community during the 2017 School Year. We invite you to attend our ‘Thank You Morning Tea’ at Holy Cross School. Thursday 2nd November 10.15am – 11:45am
Please RSVP by Tues 24th October to: Kathee Hughes: 3887189 or [email protected]

Seatoun Arts & Crafts celebrates its Annual Exhibition and Sale
at the Village Hall, Saturday 28th October 10am – 5pm Sunday   29th October 10am – 4pm

A reminder to all deliverers of the news and views to collect your copies from the back of the the Churches. Thank you to those who have collected theirs for distribution but there are still many waited to be collected. The next edition will be ready in a couple of weeks, so if you could please collect them prior to that if you haven’t already. If you are unable to deliver your copies, or would like to help deliver the news and views,  then email the office  [email protected] and your details will be forwarded to the co-ordinator. Thank you.

THANK YOU: REQUEST FOR TOOLS MET - Catholic Social Services would like to thank all those who have responded to the request for tools to support a former refugee working as a builder.  We are delighted to report that this need has now been met through donations from the Catholic community, and we don’t need any further donations of tools.  Thanks so much for your generous responses.

Engaged Encounter is a weekend experience for couples intending to be married.  The next weekend is 11-12 November. Registrations close 2 weeks before. Venue: Presbytery, 301 Karori Road. For more details go to the website at http://www.ceewellington.org.nz Kate & Simon Olsen 801 6192 or  [email protected]

2018 Columban Calendars available through the office $12 each.
 Calendars will be available for sale 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, or 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 [email protected] with the following details:  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. 

History of NZ Catholic Charismatic Renewal:  a history of Catholic Charismatic Renewal in New Zealand has been compiled to commemorate the 50th anniversary Jubilee and is now available for purchase.  $20 per copy plus $6.50 p&p.  Contact "ccrnz.org" or Margaret Paton  [email protected] or  (09).298.4409

St Gerard’s Monastry Open Day – Mt Victoria Saturday   Oct   28th 10am – 4pm.   Do   take   this opportunity   to   come   and   visit   this   iconic   landmark   on   Mount   Victoria, overseeing Wellington Harbour. You’ll get a chance to satisfy your taste buds  with  an array of international cuisine on sale; be part of a guided tour around this Category 1A historic site. Have fun time for kids & the young at heart with face painting and games. Bring your family and friends to have a memorable day (10am – 4pm).

St Patrick’s Primary School Ethnic Food Fair 5.30 – 7.30 Friday 17th November
We are about to launch into preparations for our annual Food Fair. We’d love as much help as possible and to include the Holy Trinity parishioners in any way possible. The next fair meeting at 6.30pm on Tuesday 7th November for people who are able to help us organise different aspects of the fair. If you have any suggestions or can help in any way please email [email protected] On the night we’re always short of people to man the stalls (it’s very easy as we have tickets so money handling is not necessary). Otherwise, please come along and support us by buying our delicious food and tell your friends and family they’re welcome, too.

Holy Hour You are invited to a Holy Hour on Tuesday 24 October beginning at 7.30 pm in the Cathedral chapel to pray for vocations to priesthood and consecrated life.  This Holy Hour will include prayers, Scripture, times of silence, hymns and conclude with Benediction followed by supper.

Healing Service There will be a Healing Service conducted by Fr John Rea SM at St Anne`s Church, Newtown on Monday 30 October beginning at 7.30 pm.  Everyone is welcome.  Please bring those who need Jesus` healing and invite others to come.

Teaching Night with Fr John Rea @ St Anne’s Hall, Emmett Street, Newtown  Wednesday 25th October, at 7:30pm.  Theme: The gift of prophecy  Evening includes Praise & Worship, group discussion and fellowship.  Everyone is welcome!

Christian Meditation day of reflection on Saturday 4th November at Home of Compassion ,Island Bay.
from 10 am to 3.00 pm Fr Alan Roberts will lead the reflection on "Our deepest desire is not something we create ; it is someting we desire "Bring a lunch and a koha for expenses of the day.Tea and coffee provided.
enquiries : Hugh McLaughlin tel:042989370 or e-mail:[email protected]

Volunteers needed for Street Appeal Can you Help?
Parkinson’s New Zealand are needing volunteers to collect at the Wellington Railway Station (early morning), Wellington Airport and in the Wellington CBD (anytime) at their Annual Street appeal on Friday 3rdNovember 2017.
If you can help please call Nicola on 04 801 8850 or email [email protected]

Let us not forget that the Our Father is the prayer of the poor  … The Our Father is a prayer said in the plural: the bread for which we ask is “ours”, and that entails sharing, participation and joint responsibility. Pope Francis, Message for the World Day of the Poor 2017

JOB VACANCY - The Catholic Discipleship College is looking for a faithful and energetic person to join our staff team in February/March 2018. They will be responsible for both administration and fundraising. Good written and administration skills are essential and we would prefer someone who wants to be an active member of the CDC community. Please send enquiries to [email protected]'