23rd july 2017

​This weekend we are invited to reflect upon good and evil things that exist in us and in the world. We may not agree on the origin of the evil, but we definitely can’t dispute its reality. Today we are more conscious than ever before of the evil in the world. It gets the headlines in all the papers and radio and television. Evil is absolutely real. In our daily life we see evil everywhere. Our Holy Scriptures too speak about the reality of evil. For example: the story of the Serpent in the Garden of Eden, the murder of Habil by his brother Cain.
In the Gospel of today, in the parable of the Wheat and Weeds, it is clarly affirmed the reality of evil. The question is being asked by everybody today: why God doesn’t intervene and finish off (destroy) evil. Yeah! God could do that but if he does that none of us will be alive, because the world, and indeed each of us, is a mixture of good and evil. God therefore, has given us freedom to choose between good or evil. God will judge us on the last day and then he will destroy the evil ones and save the righteous ones. But first he has given us time for repentance and change of heart. We should make use of the time and become good.                         
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.

Adoration every Saturday at Holy Cross Church after 9am Mass

Mass of Obligation – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Tuesday 15th August
9am – St Anthony’s Church                        9.30am – St Patrick’s Church
9.30am – Holy Cross School Hall                     6pm – St Patrick’s Church

If God exists, it changes everything!  A final reminder that the Alpha faith course starts again this week.  We will be starting at 7.00pm in the Holy Cross School Staffroom on Tuesday 25 July.  You are very welcome, come along and or for more details or to enrol please call or text Dave Monastra on 0274477280 or Celeste Hastings on 3887189.  Feel free to bring a friend who may not be a member of the school or parish.
 We are showing a 20-minute intro video at 10am this Sunday 23 July at Holy Cross Church
 so you can see a glimpse of Alpha and stay for a cuppa afterwards - All are welcome.

Please continue to pray for our children as they prepare to receive
the sacrament of Confirmation.
 
Confirmation this year will be at St Patrick’s Church 10am on the 6th August.

Catholic and Anglican Housing Forum – 9 August Cardinal John Dew and Bishop Justin Duckworth are hosting a housing forum at the Anglican Cathedral on Wednesday 9 August at 6.30pm Please come and hear: Christian perspectives on our current housing crisis - Stories from people in the community. Responses from political parties, Music and light refreshments available from 5.45 pm.

Bishop’s statement on 2017 General Election  Our bishops have provided a statement which outlines principles and topics to consider when you are deciding how to vote in the upcoming election. You are encouraged to take one with you after Mass today. It is also available online at www.catholic.org.nz under ‘Bishops Statement’

This week’s reflection from the Catholic Bishops’ statement on the 2017 General Election: We Embrace the bicultural nature of Aotearoa New Zealand. We ourselves are growing in our understanding that this is much more than questions of language. Bicultural parnerships and participation enrich any group because they anticipae an expansion of understanding of the fundamental elements of human society including land, people and purpose. Every absence of bicultural partnership is an impoverishment of our society. We welcome thecompletion of iwi treaty claims and rejoice in the renewed mana that these agreements unleash.  

What is it like to be a Prophet in Today’s World?  Mons. Gerard Burns will address this on Thursday, August 3 2017 at 7.00—8.30pm at St. Anne’s Church Hall, Emmett St. Newtown.   Mons. Gerard is committed to living and preaching the Gospel message of social Justice.

Seasons for Growth is an education programme which explores the effects of change, loss and grief.  Using the imagery of the four seasons, the programme is a safe and proven way to help people process and adjust to changing experiences.  Bridgett Parkin will run a programme of six weekly sessions, starting on Sunday 30 July, 2.00 – 4.30pm, at KAC Church Offices, 8 Fancourt Street Karori.  Cost $25 for the workbook.  For more information or to register please contact Bridgett on 934-1811 or email: [email protected].

St Catherine's College 2018 Scholarships Educating Young Women since 1950 
Apply now to [email protected] or phone 04 939 8988  Applications close 25 August 2017

The Southern Stroke Club welcomes members of the public to its meeting this Tuesday (25 July) 2-3 pm, in the Trinity Church Hall (Hall Street, Newtown).    Our guest will speak about  Alzheimer’s -  Symptoms and treatment.   A $2 entry charge covers the afternoon tea provided at the conclusion of the talk.

Welcoming Strangers in a World of Global Migration Thursday 27 July 7pm Lecture. 6.30pm refreshments. Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Thorndon. Hear Julianne Hickey, Director of Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand speak on global migration, Kiwi immigration policies, as well as the biblical obligation to welcome the stranger.
This lecture is part of the Keeping Faith in Politics 2017 election series.

Wanted – Flat to Rent: Pensioners seeks a 1 bedroom flat to rent with small outdoor area if possible, on the flat in Miramar or Strathmore. Will consider Kilbirnie or Seatoun. Ring Bev 388 3821

Keeping Faith in Politics 2017 Election series: Welcoming Strangers in a World of Global Migration
Join Julianne Hickey (Director of Caritas Aoteara New Zealand) as she reflects on global migration, Kiwi immigration policies, and the biblical obligation to welcome the stranger. Metropolitan Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (40 Hill Street, Thorndon, Wellington) on Thursday, 27 July - 6:30pm Refreshments/ 7:00pm Lecture starts. Organised by The Catholic Institute - TCI on behalf of the Centre for Theology and Public Issues.

The Friends of Sacred Heart Cathedral School has teamed up with Jenny Hale from The Parenting Place to present Raising Happy, Confident and Resilient Children. This seminar is on Tuesday 1 August at 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm), in the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Thorndon. This is a fundraising event, with all proceeds going towards the new school playground. Tickets are $25 and are available online at:
https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/raising-happy-confident-and-resilient-children-tickets-35336832417

Thursday 10 August - eConference on Gospel leadership in times of chaos: the hope of Pope Francis. Streamed live free over the internet. Group participation will be facilitated at the Catholic Centre, Thorndon, Wellington, 12 noon‒4.30pm (NZ). Email [email protected] to register.
More at tinyurl.com/BBI-eConference-2017

Become a volunteer at Our Lady’s Home of Compassion, Island Bay: information session Saturday 5 August
We are seeking volunteers who would like to share the story of Suzanne Aubert and the Sisters of Compassion, and the charism of Compassion. A range of roles are available from greeting to guiding tours to providing a presence in the Chapel. Our next Compassion Volunteering information session is on the morning of Saturday 5 August. To register your interest in volunteering, contact Deirdre Hanlon, Visitor Experience Manager, at [email protected] or phone 282 1953.

Housing Forum: Cardinal John Dew and Bishop Justin Duckworth invite you to a housing forum at the Anglican Cathedral of St Paul, Wednesday 9 August at 6.30pm (snacks and drinks available from 5.45pm). Come and hear stories from the community, Christian perspectives on housing, and responses from political parties.

Family and home go together. It is very difficult to bring up a family without living in a house. I invite everyone — persons, social institutions, authorities — to do everything possible so that every family might have a home.
Pope Francis, 2013

Saturday 12‒Sunday 13 August - Retreat: ‘Coming Home To Who We Are’, storytelling, deep listening, silent prayer and meditation, personal reflection, ritual, rest, silence and refreshment. Facilitators Joy Cowley and Pip Nicholls. Our Lady’s Home of Compassion, 2 Rhine Street, Island Bay, Wellington. To register email  [email protected] or ph (04) 383-7769.

A CARING SPACE An invitation for those who care for a loved one, to spend a few hours creatively exploring with God, what scripture says about their role as carer.  The view is through a Christian lens but the material would suit any seeker of God. Led by Gill Schaap and Veronica Parton Thursday 3rd August at the Home of Compassion, 2 Rhine Street, Island Bay, Wellington  OR Monday 14th August at St Andrew’s, 11 Steyn Avenue, Plimmerton Time:  11am – 2pm - Hot drinks provided, please bring you own lunch Cost: $10 For more details and to register contact Veronica Parton [email protected] or 021 238 6675

Tindall Fund Applications for 2017 are now open. The priority is to fund groups committed to social, pastoral, charitable and educational needs in our region. Applications are judged on the basis of need, resource availability and the fulfilment of set Tindall criteria. Applications due Friday, 25th August 2017.
To apply for funding, and to see the criteria for applications please go the Archiocese website http://www.wn.catholic.org.nz/quicklinks/support/tindall-funding/

Friday 28 July - ICPE Worship Night, St Gerard’s Monastery, 7.30pm.

St Dominic’s Catholic College at Henderson are celebrating their 50th Jubilee on September 15th and 16th. Registrations are now open on their Facebook page: St Dominic’s College at Henderson - 50th Jubilee OR on their website, www.stdoms.ac.nz OR contact the Principal’s PA Tina Allingham at [email protected]