24th April 2016

​Today’s gospel from John brings out the essence of life in its simplicity.  Jesus gives us one commandment:  love one another.  There is a need for a certain kind of strategy which is to be ever aware of God’s love for us so we can love one another.  Such a simple one at the same time such a demanding commandment.
The strategy to love is to listen, persevere, obey and become his disciples.  Paul and Barnabas supported the disciples by reminding them to persevere in faith which can be very challenging at times.  We all as disciples need to be reminded of the Lord’s commandment:  love one another as I have loved you.  Listening for and appreciating the love of God allows us to live the commandment to love others.
Today I am called to appreciate God’s love for me and in that appreciation show love to others in simple and meaningful ways.  A challenge I continually face is to stay in the present and meet others where they are.  How can I really hear what someone is trying to say?  How can I show patience for someone who is getting in the way of my goal?  How can I help someone feel the ever present love of God?  Sometimes showing love for another is so easy to do neglecting oneself the love of God. God’s love is equal to you and to others.  So support one another and live in the love of God.
Father Ephrem
SURVEY ON MASS TIMES FOR HOLY TRINITY PARISH - extension
The survey deadline has been extended and is now Sunday 1st May 2016. Thank you to those who have already returned their surveys but it is important we receive as many responses as possible. Your views will provide information which will enable the Parish Council to make informed decisions. Please take care to only identify ONE preferred Mass time on the weekend and other weekdays you wish to attend Mass.
Available in Church, on the website or via email.
Deadline for returning form: 1st May 2016
 

As part of the Year of Mercy, Sr Elizabeth Julian will be giving a presentation
 at St Patrick’s Church, Kilbirnie 7pm Thursday 26th May 2016

The topic is: The Works of Mercy: Biblically Speaking
 
Pope Francis has asked us to practise the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy
 during the Year of Mercy.
This presentation will look at biblical examples of these works and what they might say to us today.

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.
St Patrick’s Church Altar Server Training
If you have completed the sacramental programme and would like the opportunity to be an altar server at St Patrick’s Church, the training session is Thursday 28th April at 10am in Church. This session is for new and current servers. Contact Senior Altar Server Andrew Greening 3861233 for more details

Ever wanted to ask challenging questions about our faith? 
Alpha is a fun and relaxed course that has been attended by over 25 million people around the world.  We start with dessert and follow-up with a video.  The video leads into small group discussion.  Each night looks at a different aspect of the Christian faith.  Join us for the first of seven nights at 7.30pm on Tuesday 10 May in the Gascoigne Room.  To enrol text or call Ruth 0276700365 or Kim 0222426288.  Everyone is welcome. 

Planned Giving Receipts
Planned giving receipts will be available at the back of each Church next weekend unless you have stipulated otherwise.
Thank you for your patience while the Archdiocese has been organising the new charities number for our Parish. Confirmation of our new number has now been received so your receipts can be issued.
If you have not done so already, please contact the office if you would your receipt emailed or collected from either the office or another Church. 

Holy Hour
You are invited to a Holy Hour on Tuesday 26 April beginning at 7.30 pm in the Cathedral chapel to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.  The Holy Hour will include prayers, Scripture, times of silence and concluding with Benediction followed by supper.  This is a wonderful opportunity to spend some quiet time at the end of a busy day.
St Vincent de Paul Society Book Fair
We have thousands of books for sale and all our books are just $2 or less! We have a huge range of fiction and non-fiction books for you to peruse. You can find a great bargain while
directly giving back to your local community. All the proceeds go towards funding our welfare programs.
vinnies-wellington.org.nz  Sunday 24th April 9AM-3PM St Anne’s Hall Emmett Street Newtown

Calling all Young Adults
A Life Changing Seminar at St Thomas More Church, 1 Worcester St Wilton. 4 May – 8 June, 6 consecutive Wednesday nights from 7.30 pm – 9 pm.Enquiries and registration webstermerrin@gmail.com  Ph. 9386655
Quiet Days with Suzanne Aubert:
10.30am-2.30pm, 5 May
Join the Sisters of Compassion for a day of prayer and reflection on the life of Suzanne Aubert at Our Lady’s Home of Compassion, Island Bay.
Suggested offering including lunch: $30.  To register contact islandbay@compassion.org.nz or phone 383-7769 Quiet Days for 2016 are: 5 May, 2 June, 7 July, 4 August, 1 September, 6 October

Mary Potter Hospice –   Volunteer Street Collectors needed for 20th & 21st May
See notice at back of the church or sign up at street.appeal@marypotter.org.nz  

Catholic Lawyers-The St Thomas More Society
is holding its annual Mass at St Thomas More Church 36 Worcester St Wilton at 6pm on 2 June 2016 with its annual Dinner to follow at the Wellington Club afterwards. All Catholic lawyers and law students are invited to attend. Anyone interested please email secretary@barristerscomm.com or phone Pam on 914 1050 for further details by 27 May.
Young Adults – Life in the Spirit Seminar
A Life in the spirit Seminar will be held in St Thomas More Church, 1 Worcester St Wilton from 4 May till 8 June, 6 consecutive Wednesday evenings from 7.30 pm till 9 pm.
The Sacred Heart Cathedral Prayer Group in collaboration with the ICPE team from St Gerard`s Monastery will host this seminar.  See notice board for more details.
Enquiries and registration contact Merrin Webster at webstermerrin@gmail.com or Ph. 9386655.

An Abrahamic Celebration of the Year of Mercy will be held over two days in May:
Wednesday 18 May – an Abrahamic Panel (Jewish, Christian and Muslim speakers) on Mercy in our Sacred Scriptures, 6.30pm at St Joseph’s, Mt Victoria;
and a multi-faith service day, putting the Works of Mercy into Practice, on Saturday 21 May from 9.30am, with lunch generously provided by the Wellington Islamic Centre.
For further information, please see the poster on the church noticeboard, or contact  Sister Catherine Jones  c.jones@wn.catholic.org.nz  or Sharron Cole   colefam@ihug.co.nz

What are we doing on earth for Christ’s sake?
Come along and hear Australian Jesuit, Richard Leonard, share through stories what it means to be Catholic in our time. Richard is an excellent communicator. His talk will pay particular attention to the challenges facing young Catholics today. This lecture is promoted by the Catholic Institute and Good Shepherd College.
Sunday 15 May at 4pm. Loaves and Fishes hall, cnr Molesworth and Hill sts, Thorndon.
Soup and rolls served. Entry $10.
Contact Catherine Gibbs for more information   c.gibbs@tci.ac.nz
 

Are you (or someone you know) a migrant working in New Zealand?
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand wants to talk with migrant workers who have faced unfair treatment at work in the past or currently AND people who have supported migrant workers facing issues around unfair treatment at work.
We are doing a small qualitative research project aimed at helping us to know how community groups can better support migrant workers and how we can advocate for the protection of migrant workers in New Zealand.
The interview will be completely confidential and should take about one hour. Participants will be given a $30 supermarket voucher as a thank you. We can arrange a place that suits you for the interview.
Please txt Cathy at 022 659 8942, free call 0800 22 10 22, or email at cathyb@caritas.org.nz if you are interested or if you have any questions by the 20th of June 2016.