24 may 2020

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.

Preparation for re-start of Sunday Masses:
The Parish Pastoral Council and Father Ephrem are continuing to work on plans to manage the health and safety of parishioners under the government requirements for Level 2 of the COVID-19 pandemic. Management of hygiene protocols and the ability to contact-trace are key to meeting the health and safety requirements. Therefore, the Parish Pastoral Council has decided on the following measures:

• None of Holy Trinity Parish's church buildings will be opened for private prayer while the 10-person cap remains in force, as this restriction does not make it feasible to re-open. The best way to stay safe is to pray at home.
• An on-line Register is available via this link https://forms.gle/WosKdsfghKwSSU2t6   for when Sunday Masses are allowed to recommence. The sole purpose of the Register is to manage contact-tracing and any limit on the number allowed to attend Mass. Therefore, everyone wishing to attend Sunday Mass will have to be registered before Masses re-start. We will all need to take responsibility to ensure that parishioners not connected to internet or email have the opportunity to go on the Register.
• PLEASE NOTE: you only need to register once. Thank you to all those of you who have already
• Please volunteer your help with ushering and sanitising roles to make Mass attendance safe for everyone. Full instructions will be provided prior to Mass restarting.  The on-line Register includes a Volunteering section, so you could give your details there or please email or phone the Parish Office with your details so we can set up the rosters (holytrinity.wgtn@xtra.co.nz ; 04 388 6953).
• Father Ephrem remains available by appointment for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Thank you  

Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:17-23; Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20
Salvation of the world in your hand
Dear sisters and brothers today is a special day, the celebration of the Ascension of Jesus our Lord Jesus Christ into heaven. I’m sure you all remember that after Jesus died on the cross, he was buried in the tomb of a friend. And everybody who loved him went into mourning and were in shock. Of course, the rest of the story you know well. This year Jesus’ Passion week has a profound effect on the whole world due to Corona Virus Pandemic followed by lockdown. It is one those moment in my life that profoundly confirms God’s reign on us and His unconditional love.
After his resurrection, the Risen Lord appears a number of times to his disciples under a variety of circumstances. His final appearance is his leading them back to Galilee where, in happier days, he had preached the Gospel and formed his little company of disciples to continue his work. This is the place where he first called his disciples to follow him. Their life has come full circle.
Now he brings them to a mountain top to say goodbye. But, of course, to a mountain top! Are not the mountain tops the places where vows are taken, sacred covenants exchanged, holy promises made and where people reach out to touch God? This is the experience of God-with-us, mission towards God and his creation.
Dear sisters and brothers remember in the days long past, when Moses led the Children of Israel to Mt. Sinai where the sacred Covenant with God was carved in stone. And it was on the hill-top of Calvary where Jesus, the Messiah, offered himself on the cross, to gain for us all eternal life. Paid the price for our disobedience and reconciled with the Father. He won for us victory over death and sin. His mission accomplished, the Son returns today to his Father in triumphant glory and a warm embrace. And the whole world changes.
Fr. Hanley notes a charming story often told about Jesus when he returns home to heaven’s gates.
The Archangel Gabriel greets him at the door and welcomes him saying: “Back so soon?”
Jesus replies, “Yes, I wanted to stay longer, but they crucified me.”
Gabriel’s reply: “Ah, then your mission was a failure!”
“Well, not exactly,” Jesus says. “Before I left, I trained a whole group of followers to carry on my work.”
“Oh?” says Gabriel, “And what if they fail, too?”
Jesus ponders for a moment, then shrugs his shoulders and replies: “But I have no other plans.”
Dear sisters and brothers, the story is plain and simple and directed at us here today: Jesus says to us, “It’s your turn now. It’s all in your hands now. I have no other plans.”
Today as Jesus ascends into heaven, Jesus says this: “My little children, don’t be afraid. You are not alone. I am with you all days even to the end of the world” and has promised to send us the Holy Spirit who will make us know what he has taught. In this assurance we assume our mission in full knowledge that Jesus has not left us but remains with us as a constant presence to direct and to guide us until his work is done.
Without his presence, the mission would be folly; with his presence, all things are possible, even the salvation and healing of the whole world.
Christ has done His work, now it is for you and me to continue His mission to the end of this earth.
                                                                                          Fr Ephrem
 
Pray Rosary: Month of May: within the cycle of a year, the Church unfolds the whole of the mystery of Christ, from his incarnation and birth until his ascension, the day of Pentecost, and the expectation of blessed hope and of the Lord’s return …
In celebrating this annual cycle of Christ’s mysteries, the Church honours with special love Mary, the Blessed Mother of God, who is joined by an inseparable bond to the saving work of her Son. In her the Church holds up and admires the most excellent effect of the redemption and joyfully contemplates, as in a flawless image, that which the Church itself desires and hopes wholly to be (SC 102 & 103). May I call you to reflect our redemption through Rosary with Mother Mary in this holy month of May.

Fr Ephrem is offering Mass every day from the prayer room in the presbytery
at the following times
Mon, Tues, Weds, Fri, Sat 9.30am        Thurs 7pm            Sunday 10.30am
To join him live go to his Facebook page (Ephrem Tigga)
If you would like Fr to offer Mass for yourself or a loved one, please contact the office by either phone or email

Let us pray for all those who are unwell especially Nesi Tan, Warren Stevenson, Eddie Wilkins, 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 especially Fr Micheal O’Dea and those whose anniversaries occur around this time; Agnes Ashby, Wyn Kean, Faileaso Tuilaepa and Francisco Sevilla.
We also remember our leaders and all those involved in providing essential services.

Covid 19 - St Vincent de Paul Holy Trinity Parish.  our Holy Trinity SVDP Conference continues to reach out to many local people, within and outside our parish in the eastern suburbs, who may be isolated or vulnerable at this difficult time.  180 homes have been phoned or attempted to phone over the lockdown, following Jesus present amongst those who suffer or may be excluded from society.
Should you know of any others who would appreciate a phone call or are in need of emergency food or winter bedding support, please contact: Tina Quidilla SVDP, ph 021 159 2412, email: cquidilla@xtra.co.nz   Do please continue to keep the sick, lonely, poor and marginalised in your prayers. Blessings to all callers, carers and helpers.  Brendan Quirk, St Vincent de Paul Conference, Holy Trinity Parish.

FINANCES:    Even though our church buildings are closed, we have ongoing financial matters to deal with including: power, insurance, rates, ongoing maintenance costs, support of our Parish Priest, wages for parish staff, and funds to the Archdiocese.
We are very grateful for those of you who are still gift-giving via your automatic payments, or by internet banking.  This is appreciated because we know that some of you may well be facing additional financial pressure at this time.
 
However, a reminder:
• If you usually put cash in the collection if you can, please change to online payments.
Our details: HOLY TRINITY PARISH BNZ BANK ACC 02-0536-0185031-000
Use your surname and/or envelope number as a reference.
• Put your cash in your gift-giving envelope each week as normal but hold on to your envelopes until the Church reopens or a secure collection place is available.
 
Your ongoing support of Holy Trinity Parish in whatever form is what keeps us alive and viable. 
 
Planned Giving Your receipts and envelopes have either been emailed, posted or delivered. Thank you to Colleen Restieaux, Leona Foster and Francie Dwyer for helping to distribute these. If you haven’t received yours, please contact the parish office holytrinity.wgtn@xtra.co.nz  
 
Peter’s Pence Collection A reminder this annual collection, usually taken up on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul on 29 June, will be transferred throughout the world to Sun 4 October.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
25-31 May 2020
 
Dear friends
 
During this week between Ascension and Pentecost Sundays the Christian churches make a special effort
to pray for Christian unity.
The theme for this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian unity is “They showed us unusual kindness” (Acts
28.2), which refers to the reception given to Paul and companions when they were shipwrecked on the
island of Malta.
There is much to reflect upon in this theme in the light of our experience of the last few weeks with
COVID-19. We have been urged to “Be kind” and to “Stay united”. The pandemic has been the equivalent
of a shipwreck for many people, and “unusual kindness” is needed as never before.
Over centuries the Christian churches have moved from hostility and aggression towards one another to
working together on the many things we have in common, especially our assistance for those who are
most vulnerable. Kindness can unite us as Christians. We have already seen how it can unite us as Kiwis.
Please take part in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in some way. If gathering is not possible or
risky, then use the Eight Days of Prayer for Christian Unity leaflet which is available on
www.catholic.org.nz  or your diocesan website.
 
Everything you do towards Christian unity counts.
 
 John A Cardinal Dew
Archbishop of Wellington
 
See the 8 day prayer attachment sent out with the newsletter
 
Masses available on Television: Free to air telecast Shine TV Freeview channel 25, Sky Channel 201  Sundays – 2pm The Sunday Mass on Shine TV Channel 25 from Auckland Diocese has been warmly received around New Zealand by Catholics who don't have an internet connection to watch an Online Mass, and by many others, including people who were unable to go to Mass for health and other reasons even before Covid-19 stopped public Mass celebrations. Bishop Pat says: "Shine TV is now offering us a 45-minute slot (rather than 30 minutes) and have been impressed by the number of viewers which the broadcast Masses have been attracting. Perhaps this is one of the unexpected fruits of the pandemic experience?" Check the website: https://www.shinetv.co.nz/

The Creator does not abandon us; he never forsakes his loving plan or repents of having created us. Humanity still has the ability to work together in building our common home. Pope Francis, Laudato Si’ (paragraph 12), 2015

COVID ALERT LEVEL 2
Level 2 is seeing some changes for us but the constant throughout is the call from the MoH and Government to Play it Safe.
 
 Guidance for at-risk people at Alert Level 2 [PDF, 64 KB]  
 
LAUDATO SI’ WEEK 2020  https://laudatosiweek.org/
A reminder of Laudato Si’ Week, Pope Francis’ challenge to us:  “care for our common home”.    

As mentioned last week, there is a wealth of support resources to encourage thought, action and the change of heart that Pope Francis is asking of us.  
 
https://www.wn.catholic.org.nz/adw_communit y/laudato-si-anniversary/   
Here you will find some short reflections from the Wellington Ecology, Justice and Peace Commission’s Integral Ecology Committee on how the encyclical inspires change and action for them.
 
This Mercyworld site https://www.mercyworld.org/library/resources-for-engaging-withlaudato-si323/ has a series of summaries, articles, videos, reflections and more.
 
One of them is a summary article by James Martin, S.J.  the Top Ten Takeaways from
‘Laudato Si’.  His 10 points are below.  If you’re interested in his thoughts on one or more of them (to maybe choose for some action of your own) here’s the link:
https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2015/06/18/top-ten-takeaways-laudato-si 1. The spiritual perspective is now part of the discussion on the environment.

1. The poor are disproportionately affected by climate change.
2. Less is more.
3. Catholic social teaching now includes teaching on the environment.
4. Discussions about ecology can be grounded in the Bible and church tradition.
5. Everything is connected—including the economy.
6. Scientific research on the environment is to be praised and used.
7. Widespread indifference and selfishness worsen environmental problems.
8. Global dialogue and solidarity are needed.
9. A change of heart is required.

 
 
Common prayer for the fifth anniversary of Laudato Si’
 
Loving God, Creator of heaven and earth and all that is in them,  You created us in your image and made us stewards of all your creation, of our common home. 
You blessed us with the sun, water and bountiful land so that all might be nourished. 
Open our minds and touch our hearts, so that we may attend to your gift of creation. 
Help us to be conscious that our common home belongs not only to us, but to all future generations, and that it is our responsibility to preserve it. 
May we help each person secure the food and resources that they need. 
Be present to those in need in these trying times, especially the poorest and those most at risk of being left behind. 
Transform our fear, anxiety and feelings of isolation into hope so that we may experience a true conversion of the heart.  Help us to show creative solidarity in addressing the consequences of this global pandemic, Make us courageous to embrace the changes that are needed in search of the common good, 
Now more than ever may we feel that we are all interconnected, in our efforts to lift up the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.
We make our prayer through Christ our Lord.  AMEN

See too: https://catholicclimatemov ement.global/wpcontent/uploads/2015/08/
Aprayerforourearth.pdf
 
http://livelaudatosi.org/ A meditative rosary:
https://drive.google.com/fi le/d/1X53spMlbd7pasdkwxIALTPoPKPKSk8p/view
In some places people have chosen to read this special prayer at noon each day.  Across the world on Sunday 24th at noon (our time) is the formal International Global Prayer.
An ongoing challenge to each of us now is – what else to do personally and in our communities?