24 march 2019

Ex. 3:1-8, 13-15; 1Cor.10:1-6,10-12; Lk. 13:1-9
All three of today's readings speak of God’s mercy and compassion in disciplining His children and giving them a second chance in spite of their repeated sins.  Although God’s love for us is constant and consistent, He will not save us without our co-operation. That is why He invites us during Lent to repent of our sins and to renew our lives by producing fruits of love, compassion, forgiveness, and faithful service.  The first reading presents the call of Moses, who was to become the greatest Jewish liberator and lawgiver. The God reveals Himself to Moses from the burning bush and assures Moses of His divine presence with His people and of His awareness of their sufferings in Egypt. He declares His intention of using Moses as the leader who will rescue His enslaved people.  Then He renews the promise to give them a “land flowing with milk and honey” which He had made to the patriarchs. In the second reading Paul warns the Christians of Corinth to learn from the sad experience of the Israelites who were punished for their sins by a merciful but just God. Today’s Gospel explains how God disciplines His people, invites them to repent of their sins, renew their lives and produce the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Citing two tragic events, Jesus exhorts the Jews to repent and reform their lives. With the parable of the barren fig tree, he also warns them that the merciful God may not put up with them indefinitely. Although God patiently waits for sinners to repent, giving them grace to do so, He will not wait forever.
Time may run out; therefore, timely repentance is necessary. Hence “a Lent missed is a year lost from the spiritual life.” The Church has given us a grace filled appropriate time for our spiritual renewal. God is pleased in our repentance and returning to him with contrite heart.          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.

Lenten Mass – 6 March – 13 April 2019
6.30am Mass at Holy Cross Parish Centre
Monday – Saturday during Lent
Stations of the Cross followed by Lectio Divina
Thursdays during Lent
Every Thursday at 7pm at St Patrick’s Church
7th March – 11th April 2019 (except 21 March)
Parish Reconciliation – Wednesday 10 April (date change)
7pm at St Patrick’s Church

Stations of the Cross Roster
Thursday 28th March 7pm   Samoan Community  (Malia Falanai-Andrews)
Thursday   4th April   7pm   The Book Club  (Julian Knap)
Thursday 11th April   7pm    Filipino Community (Thess Ama)

RCIA - At St. Patrick’s 5.30pm Mass we have the First Scrutiny for Finn Stallman.   This rite asks members of the Elect, like Finn, and all of us, to reflect on the story of the Samaritan woman who meets Jesus at the well. It then challenges us to ask where it is that we find ‘living water’ to ease out thirst?

Thank you for all those who donated their old Columban calendars.   If anyone would still like to donate, they would be greatly accepted. Please leave at the back of the church. Thank you.

Thank you to all the parishioners who has helped me over the trying period.
I am now on the way to full recovery but still taking my recovery slowly.
Peter Jack

Does anyone have a spare bible? We have had a request from a parishioner. If you do, could you let the office know [email protected] or 388 6953.  

St Patrick’s Parish/Church Centennial      In November 2019 St Patrick’s parish/church Kilbirnie will celebrate its centennial. This is a huge milestone for the catholic community now within the parish of Holy Trinity. It is important that we recognise this important event with a centennial Mass and an invitation has been sent to check on the availability of Cardinal John to participate in this Mass.
A number of events need to be organised around this time and we need to establish a small committee of interested parishioners to facilitate these centennial events.
If you are able to assist in any way by providing your background knowledge of names, events, photographs, or published articles or just have an interest in helping co-ordinate these centennial events then please email your name and contact details to [email protected]  This is a great opportunity for you to become involved in a fun but hugely important parish activity.

Cleaning HOLY CROSS Church:  We desperately need more people to clean our Church.This involves vacuuming the main part of the church approximately once a month. The more people we have the less often you will be needed. If you would like to help us please contact Ann Nota on 380 9332. Your time and help will be most appreciated. Thank you.

In these days, to the pain of wars and conflicts that do not cease to afflict all humanity, there has been added that for the victims of the horrible attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. I pray for the dead and wounded, and for their relatives. I am close to our Muslim friends and to all the community. I renew my invitation to unite with prayer and gestures of peace to counter hatred and violence. Let us pray together for our Muslim friends who were killed.                                                                       Pope Francis: Angelus 17 March 2019

Celebrating 100 years since the first school building on St Catherine’s College site. High Tea 22 June 2019 from 1.00pm – 4.45pm Mercy Hall, SCC. $15. Registration required. Contact Sister Stephanie [email protected] or 0272458859
"HUMANITY OF THE UNBORN
Upcoming legislation intends to allow ABORTION UP TO BIRTH -
If you're willing for your Name and Area (only) to accompany a letter against this to all MPs
please email: [email protected] URGENTLY"

Lenten Prayer for Life to Good Friday join us in daily prayer, fasting and reparation for the cause of life. Register your prayer commitment for the campaign's four prayer intentions at fli.org.nz/lentenprayerforlife and receive a free pro-life prayer book. If possible, please also join the prayerful witness to life outside Wellington Hospital on all or any of these Weds March 27 and April 3 and 10. To sign up for an hour txt 021 2317954 email [email protected]  For info see the poster in the church porch.

How to Think about Ageing: Insights from Disability Theology. You are invited to a lecture given by Dr Michael Mawson, University of Aberdeen which will reflect upon the relationship between ageing and disability. In particular, it will explore how insights from disability theology can contribute to richer and more concrete accounts of ageing and its associated complexities. Wed 17 April 7:30—9:00 (GBLT1) Government Building Law School Wellington.

Home of Compassion events. Sunday Miha (Māori Mass). All are welcome. The first and fifth Sunday of the month will be a Liturgy of the Eucharist, all other Sundays will be a Māori Mass. 11am, Chapel, Our Lady’s Home of Compassion, 2 Rhine Street, Island Bay, Wellington. Ph. 04 383 7769.

The Mar. 24 – Apr. 6 issue of NZ Catholic is out now. Some headlines are: Faiths come together after terror attacks. Tears at Christchurch Mass for Peace. Reactions to terror attacks from other nations. March for Life in Hamilton.
The next issue of NZ Catholic will be published on April 7.

St Pats Old Boys AGM : WWW.SPCOB.ORG.NZ  & find us on facebook. Calling all 'Town' and 'Stream' Old Boys, I would like to invite you to attend our Annual General Meeting which will be in the staff room of St Patrick's College, Wellington, Evans Bay Parade on Tuesday 26th March 2019 at 6pm. Mass in the Chapel will commence at 5.30pm. The AGM will be followed by refreshments and a chance for attendees to catch up with other Old Boys.

 Go you are sent to the peripheries of society (1) Share the joy in our actions to serve others and work to develop fairness in our communities.

Cardinal John and the Archdiocesan Stewardship Committee (A.S.C.) invite you to attend a Stewardship Network Meeting at St Anne’s Church, Newtown. Sat 30th March, from 1.30 – 4pm.  The purpose of the meeting is to share the great things that are happening in parishes as a result of Parish Stewardship Days, and to discern ways in which the A.S.C. might help resource parishes on their Stewardship journey into the future. Please register by Wednesday 27th  at [email protected].

In a Catholic funeral liturgy we often pray “life is changed, not ended.” In Aotearoa New Zealand our lives have been changed with an act of terrorism bringing trauma, grief and pain to our city, our country and our world.The response of the Muslim community has been faith-filled and generous .As they prepare to bury their dead they express confident hope in God’s eternal welcome for their loved ones. Muslim leaders have been generous in receiving the support and love of the people of the land they know to be their new home.
Christianity and Islam are two of the three (with Judaism) great monotheistic (one God) faiths. Together we are the descendants of Abraham who was the first to speak of one  loving God in an environment heavy with cult rituals to please and appease temperamental gods. The belief in one God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, is the greatest unifying conviction in human history.
As Bishop Paul Martin reflected in his homily less than twenty-four hours after the tragedy “we  know that our loving God has not caused this pain, but the freedom God gives us as a mark of his great love has been tragically misused and abused.”
Our basic human thirst is for God. God shows his love for us by giving us adult freedom, a freedom that we can use for good or for evil. When we live in harmony with God’s desire for us we are living on holy ground. On this sacred soil strangers become friends and we are awakened to the fact that those we had feared as foreigners are, in the light of divine love, our sisters and brothers.
An Invitation: Take time each day this week to pray the Prayer of St. Francis for peace. You might like to save it to your phone or print it to carry in your pocket. Pray especially with your children and grandchildren so teaching them that prayer is the best immediate response to suffering and evil.
Fr. John O’Connor    www.foodforfaith.org.nz

Cardinal John and the Archdiocesan Stewardship Committee (A.S.C.) invite you to attend a Stewardship Network Meeting at St Anne’s Church, Newtown. Sat 30th March, from 1.30 – 4pm.  The purpose of the meeting is to share the great things that are happening in parishes as a result of Parish Stewardship Days, and to discern ways in which the A.S.C. might help resource parishes on their Stewardship journey into the future. Please register by Wednesday 27th  at [email protected].

Healing Service Fr John Rea will conduct a Healing Service at St Pius X Church 63 Te Pene Avenue, Titahi Bay this Wednesday 20 March beginning at 7.30 pm.  Everyone is invited.  Please bring those who need Jesus` healing.

Abrahamic Meditation Day. Sunday April 7 2019, 9.45am-2.30pm, Pa Maria, 78 Hobson Street, Thorndon. Come join us for a time of meditative prayer together, sharing the practice in the Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions. Please bring a vegetarian plate for a shared lunch.

About to get Married? Could you successfully run a marathon without preparing for it? Of course not! So too marriage. Engaged Encounter Weekends this year are heavily booked. Weekends are 30 - 31 March 2019 (one vacancy and then waiting list);  3 - 4 August 2019; 9 - 10 November 2019, all at St Teresa's Presbytery, 301 Karori Road, Karori, Wellington  For more information phone Kate and Simon  on 801 6192 or visit our website at   www.cee-wellington.co.nz

Mary Potter Hospice street appeal day – 17th & 18th May. Collectors needed. Can you spare an hour or two of your time? Find out more or register at www.marypotter.org.nz or contact Phillip at [email protected]

UK Pilgrimage - join Msgr David Tonks on a spiritual journey to Ireland, Scotland & England: 25-days departing Sunday 23 June 2019. For further details, please contact Laura on phone +64-9-921 5106 or 0800-277 477 or email: [email protected].

Volunteers Wanted! Do you have a heart for women and children? Greenstone Doors is looking for volunteers who can help us with duties such as reception, sorting baby clothing, pregnancy testing and overseeing our playgroups. If this is something you would like to do please contact Wendy at [email protected] or 027 254 9222

Greenstone Doors 5th Birthday Celebration
Celebrate Greenstone Doors 5th birthday Saturday 13th April 11:30am-1:30pm
Join us for lunch, drinks and a special guest speaker (Founder of Greenstone Doors, Wendy Hill)
Tickets $25 at eventbrite.co.nz or email [email protected]

The rally Pacific People Say NO to the End of Life Choice Bill that was scheduled to take place outside Parliament this Tuesday has been postponed due to the Christchurch massacre. It will now hopefully take place on the 2nd April. This date is to be confirmed.

Euthanasia in Canada – a cautionary tale An honest discussion of the impact on palliative care. Date: Wednesday 27 March Time: 7-8.30pm Venue: Rutherford Room LT1 Victoria University of Wellington, Pipitea Campus Cost: Koha is appreciated and can be made at the door. See the notice at the back of the church.

OPEN LETTER TO M.P.s RE ABORTION
Upcoming legislation intends to allow ABORTION UP TO BIRTH. Overseas experience indicates that will be the forerunner to debate on even worse atrocities for the unborn child including “partial-birth abortions” “after-birth abortions”, and infanticide. Christians cannot just stand by. If you wish to add your name to an inter-denominational “Open letter to all Members of Parliament” email [email protected]  You will receive a copy of the Letter by return. May God Bless our mutual efforts.
 
​We pray for the members of our Parish families who have died and those whose anniversaries occur around this time including. Our prayers are also 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.