23rd april 2017

​Acts 2, 42-47; 1 Pt 1, 3-9; Jn 20, 19-31
In the compilation of lent and Easter: “When Thomas is invited to touch Jesus’ wounds, those wounds draw out of him the disruptions below the surface of his own life.  His trust has been shaken, his faith in Jesus as the messenger of God’s reign has been called into question.  Touching the wounds of Jesus connects his inner wounds to those very visible ones of Jesus.  The wounds of Jesus’ heart can be placed in the larger and deeper wounds of Jesus, hands and side.  In this way, Thomas is healed and can move from doubt to his confession of faith.”   What a powerful way for us to navigate our own sufferings that we carry each day.
I also have been inspired by Pope Francis’ homily several years ago on this Gospel passage when he spoke about we encounter the living God through Jesus’ wounds.  Pope Francis says that we meet the living God as we tenderly kiss the wounds of Jesus in our hungry, poor, sick, imprisoned brothers and sisters. Like St. Thomas, our life will only be changed when we touch the Risen Christ's wounds present in the poor, sick and needy. The wounds of poverty, geographic isolation, lack of economic opportunities, tragic deaths, domestic violence, substance abuse and transition were very real for many of our family members.  
By walking with them, learning with them and learning to love more deeply than we ever thought that we could, enable us to know Jesus more intimately.  And, from there, we could see the beauty of the resurrection in the hopes and dreams of our families, the beauty of the land, the strengths of relationships and the depth of faith in the people we work with and know there.
I pray that we are able to learn from Thomas in whatever way we need to, to become closer to Christ during this Easter season.                                                                                                     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.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING CHANGE TO WEEKDAY MASS TIMES  
Monday -         no Mass in the Parish
Tuesdays -      9am St Anthony’s and 9.30am St Patrick’s
Wednesdays - 9am St Anthony’s and 9.30am Holy Cross
Thursdays -     9am St Anthony’s preceded by Rosary (except during the school term Mass will be at 11.30am)
                         9.30am St Patrick’s
Fridays -          9am St Patrick’s and 9.30am Holy Cross
Saturdays –    9.00am Holy Cross

 ANZAC DAY SERVICE 25th April  ST PATRICK’S CHURCH 9.30AM
Followed by a cup of coffee and biscuits in the meeting room.
On the day, bring a photo of loved ones to place under the altar during Mass.
PLEASE NOTE: There will be no Mass at St Anthony’s Church on this day

Liturgy of the Word with Communion. In the near future, we will be introducing Liturgies of the Word with Communion on Mondays in our Parish. To this end we are looking for leaders to be on a roster to take these Liturgies. If you are available on a Monday morning and would be capable of leading a liturgy please contact Fr Ephrem 388 6953 or [email protected] so training sessions and commissioning can be organised.

Right of Blessing for Expectant Parents and the Child in the Womb
There wil be a Mass and blessing for all expectant parents and their child in the womb at St Patrick’s Church Kilbirnie Saturday 13th May at 11am.
There will be no confession at St Patrick’s on this day.

Some our wonderful volunteers have, for various reasons, been unable to continue. We need more volunteers to fill the gaps. At the back of the newsletter is a volunteer form to fill in. If you are not currently involved, please fill in the form and tick which roster you would like to be included in.  Thank you.

102 people attended the parish property forums, plus 33 written submissions were received; a wide variety of views were expressed. Minutes of the forum are now available on the parish website.  www.holytrinity.parish.nz/property you can read the initial needs assessment, early development of options and subsequent comment from the forum plus a summary of written submissions.
The property committee is now developing its recommendations to the parish.

ALPHA PARENTING CHILDREN COURSE The course went really well last year so we are offering it again.  It is a series of five videos on building strong relationships, meeting our kid’s needs, setting boundaries, teaching healthy relationships and long term aims.  The course is over five weeks.  Each week it starts with afternoon tea and a video, which are followed by short discussion. No matter where you are at with your kids it is a helpful, practical course.  Hope you can join us.  The first session will be in the Gascoigne Room at 3.15pm on Tuesday 16 May.  There is no charge.  Bring your children along as both play and homework supervision is provided.  For more details, see the following video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BY8thZ_W2gY or text Kim on 0222426288 or Ruth on 0276700365

If God exists, it changes everything!  Alpha discussion allows people to share their thoughts and questions about video talks on faith without being corrected or judged. The trained hosts and helpers are there to facilitate this discussion time and keep it a positive and comfortable experience for guests.  The discussions are available again this year starting at 7.00pm in the Gascoigne Room on Tuesday 2 May.  To enrol please call or text Dave Monastra on 0274477280 or Ruth O’Brien on 0276700365.  Feel free to bring a friend who may not be a member of the parish.

Volunteers required by Mary Potter Hospice for their annual street collection on Friday or Saturday 19 and 20 May 2017. If you are able to give 1 or 2 hours to help this most worthy cause in Miramar/Kilbirnie please contact Ray Whelan on 3883667 or email [email protected].

St Catherine’s College Open Days and Evening Wed 31 May 1.15 – 3.15pm Sun 11 June 1.00 – 3.00pm Tues 8 August Evening 5.45 - 7.00pm, Kilbirnie, Wellington, 939 8988

Assistance needed
At the request of the Red Cross, St Catherine’s College has recently enrolled several refugee students. Red Cross is providing some assistance but the College needs to provide basic equipment and help with Attendance Dues. We have very limited available funding and it will not fully meet this need. If you are able to help with a donation or on-going sponsorship of a student, even in a small way, the College, the students and their families would be most grateful. Please contact the Principal, Mrs Mary Curran 9398988  [email protected]  Thank you so much.
St Patrick’s College is holding a “Taste of St Pat’s Day” on Tuesday 9 May for Year 8 Catholic boys interested in attending St Pat’s in 2018.  This day will provide a good insight into life at St Patrick’s College and what we can offer the boys next year.  It will run from 10am to 2pm.  Parents would need to transport their son to and from St Pat’s on the day.  If parents would like to register their son please email [email protected] or phone Gerardine Parkinson on 939 5417.   Our official Open Day is on Sun 11 June 1.30 – 4pm.

 
JIMMY MITCHELL - An evening of stories & songs Monday 24th April @ 7pm - 8:30pm at St Anne's Church, Emmett Street, Newtown. A one-night Parish Mission for young and old alike.

Life in the Spirit Seminar 2017 You are invited to attend a 7-week seminar on Wednesday evenings beginning on 26 April at St Anne`s Hall in Newtown.  The seminar is designed to bring you into a closer relationship with Jesus.  Each evening will include praise and worship, a talk and small group sharing.  Further details will be found on your notice board as well as on fliers located near the notice board. 

ORGAN RECITAL: Sunday April 30th 2:30pm welcomes Johann Vexo, Organist Nancy Cathedral and Choir Organist Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris and Damien Rivière Tenor, Notre-Dame Cathedral Choir, Paris as they present a concert of music by Bach, Alain, Vierne, Durufle and Langlais in support of our organ fundraising campaign. Please do come along to listen to some fantastic music performed by leading French artists in support of our organ fundraising campaign. Tickets $20+GST available at the door (cash or eftpos), or from the Cathedral Director of Music - Michael Fletcher 04 496 1700.

Marriage Encounter is running an enrichment weekend for all couples that believe their marriage is important. Without constantly working on improving your relationship complacency can creep in and wreak havoc, sometimes destroying the beautiful relationship you currently have. Join us on the next weekend. Weekend Date: 12th – 14th May. To be held at Masters Hall SH2 Pahiatua. Ph. 0800 362 686 for information and to book a place on the weekend.

Holy Hour You are invited to a Holy Hour on Tuesday 25 April beginning at 7.30 pm in the Cathedral chapel to pray for vocations to priesthood and religious life.  This Holy Hour will will include prayers, Scripture, times of silence, praise and worship and concluding with Benediction followed by supper.  All are welcome.

Healing Service There is to be a Healing Service with Fr John Rea at St Teresa`s Church Karori on Monday 24 April beginning at 7.30 pm.  Everyone is welcome.  Please bring those who need Jesus` healing.

Events at Pā Maria Marist Spirituality Centre, 78 Hobson Street, Thorndon:
• Non-Residential Guided Retreat:  “Companions on the Journey”. July 10-14, 9.30am-4.00pm each day.  $200.
• Winter Film Series:  “Called Beyond Ourselves”.  5 Evenings, 7.00pm-9.30pm.  Two seasons available: 7, 14, 21, 28 August & 4 September OR 10, 17, 24, 31 August and 7 September.  Kōha.
For information and/or to register please contact Fr Brian Cummings SM:  ph 212 4691 or 021 703 580  [email protected]