28 june 2020

2 Kings 4, 8-11. 13-16; Rom 6, 3-4. 8-11; Mt 10, 37-42
Hospitality
Each one of us feel happy and comfortable in a place people are friendly, cheerful, welcoming and look after our needs and comfort. We love to visit those places again and again and cherish those moments. We have wonderful example of hospitality in the gospel. “anyone who welcomes you welcomes me; and those who welcome me welcome the one who sent me” and gives even a cup of water will be rewarded.
In the 2nd book of the kings, Shunamite woman who welcomed and gave hospitality to the prophet Elisha foreshadows the promise contains in the gospel for those who ‘welcome a prophet because he is a prophet’. A small room on the roof of the house, containing not only a bed, but also a table, a chair, and even a lamp. These basic gestures of hospitality offered simply out of respect for a man of God and with no thought of a reward receive in fact a wonderful reward. The following year they hold a son in their arms with her husband; author of life notices every little act we do and rewards them accordingly.
Dear sisters and brothers, today as we earnestly pray for God’s mercy at the time of Corona Virus Pandemic, every little kind gesture means life giving. As I write this message there are 9,296,202 confirmed cases globally, 479,133 deaths (who 25 June, 2,25pm). Every one of you walking in the path of mercy and compassion and putting them into action has a great sense of comfort on the other end of a phone, call or gesture; especially, St Vincent de Paul in our parish rose to the occasion and were in a war footing to reach out to the needy. Day in and day out, it did not matter whether it was night or day adhering to the protocol given by govt and relevant served without hope of any return. Their leadership is praiseworthy and surly God will reward their generosity. I have my prayerful support unconditionally. Equally, In the parish, the parish leadership team and all of you, the parishioners walking extra miles and continue to do so to reach out one another in this time of pandemic; I believe, no help is small or great but equally important.
Challenges are nothing comparing to the love that we have for Christ and his creation. But then have a glance at our newspapers or television screens makes clear that this was not simply a challenge for the first generations of today. Even many Christian communities where inter community divisions with a religious basis are intense has deeper relevance in today’s gospel of loving our own. The word of God challenges us to move out of our comfort zone and limitedness and calls to walk in the path of unconditional love of service without return. God knows we are comfortable in our skin.
God is with us and welcomes us into play. One of the truly striking features of Matthew’s gospel is the sense of ‘Emmanuel – God with us’ which attends the presentation of Jesus from beginning to end. It comes to climax, of course, in the parable of the great Judgment in chapter 25, 31-46 where, over and over again, we hear the refrain, ‘as often as your did it (failed to do it) to the least of my brothers and sisters, you did it (or failed to do it) to me. Challenge before us is enormous: the stranger who stands before us comes not simply as an emissary and representative of Christ but the Father who sent Christ into the world.
Dear sisters and brothers, St Paul stresses the radicality of the change effected in baptism: it is really a ‘death’ to an old existence dominated by selfishness and sin and an entrance into the world of the new creation inaugurated by the resurrection of Christ. There, in union with him, on ‘lives for God’ caught up in the rhythm of his self-sacrificial love.
Today the whole creation stands as penitent and seeks God’s forgiveness and mercy at this time of Pandemic, Corona Virus, COVID-19.                                                                           Fr Ephrem

Let us pray for all those who are unwell especially Hazel Kingston, 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 Henk Hofsteenge and those whose anniversaries occur around this time; Patrick Sweeney, Dorothy Dunn and Mary Hannan.

The following measures will remain till further notice:

• Commuion only in the hand - NOT on the tongue
• No handshake during sign of the peace – instead speak, bow, nod or smile
• All holy water has been removed from the church
• Please use hand sanisiter before entering the church
• Collection boxes to remain
• No morning tea after Mass
• If you are sick, stay home and contact your doctor or healthline

We appreciate your co-operation

Silence before the Mass: GIRM 45 (2010)
The parish Liturgy committee at its last meeting on 2nd of June 2020 recommends silence before Mass.  The committee has put a slide on the powerpoint before Mass from Saturday 13th June.
“Even before the celebration itself, it is a praiseworthy practice for silence to be observed in the Church, in the Sacristy, in the vesting room, and in adjacent areas, so that all may dispose themselves to carry out the sacred celebration in a devout and fitting manner.”                                    Thank you      Fr. Ephrem

We would like to thank St Vincent de Paul Holy Trinity Parish in their response to COVID-19 by checking in with those who were isolated, vulnerable or in need of food support or essential items throughout the lockdown.  We appreciate how they continue to “share God’s love” to those who are experiencing ongoing hardship and we encourage you to support them in any way you can.

 Covid 19 - St Vincent de Paul Holy Trinity Parish .  In our local eastern suburbs communities, many families are now experiencing ongoing hardship from COVID-19, such as going short of food, losing their job, cut backs in hours of work, digging into savings, debt, and difficulty clothing and equipping kids back at school.  Do please continue to keep the sick, lonely, poor and marginalised in your prayers. 
Your SVDP Conference in Holy Trinity Parish is helping people in strict confidence if we hear who needs help, " following Jesus present amongst those who suffer or may be excluded from society" .    Should you know of any households in need of emergency food, winter bedding, clothing items or simple friendly support, do please arrange contact with Tina Quidilla, local SVDP Conference, ph 021 159 2412, email: [email protected]
 
Also, if you wish to donate to your local Holy Trinity St Vincent de Paul group to purchase groceries, living essentials and student uniforms and items for families suffering hardship in the Eastern Suburbs, please pay online to:   " St Vincent de Paul Society, Seatoun & Miramar Conference,  BNZ Kilbirnie,    Account No. 02 - 0576 - 0017817 - 06", or contact Maria Pene, our local SVDP Treasurer, ph 022 428 0427, email: [email protected]

Vinnie’s Shop Miramar needs more volunteers!! Have you got some time to spare? Do you want something worthwhile to get involved in? Why not volunteer at the Miramar Vinnie’s shop. Contact  Cathie on 0278412268

This year, St Mary's College  is holding open day tours for prospective families on  Tuesday 30 June.  There will be three time slots offered 11.30 am, 2pm, 4pm.  The tours will be one hour with a maximum of 100.  Whānau will be divided into small tour groups of 10 people each, with a maximum of three per whānau.  Whānau will be required to register using schoolinterviews.co.nz. the booking code is 3te25
 
If your space is limited please ask them to visit our website stmw.school.nz  
 
A memorial Mass will be celebrated for Father Michael O’Dea in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel of Sacred Heart Cathedral on Tuesday 7 July at 5.30pm with a time of remembering after in the foyer of the Cathedral. Michael died in the early hours of the morning on Sunday 17 May. A requiem Mass was celebrated on 20 May (Level 2 of lockdown) and he was buried at the Hawera Cemetery on Thursday 21 May.
All are welcome to attend this Mass.
Please RSVP to Tania Halliday [email protected] your attendance for catering purposes.
 
Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
 
Engaged Encounter is a weekend experience for couples intending to be married. Remaining weekends for 2020 are  18 & 19 July and 14 & 15 November. Venue is Otari Parish presbytery, 301 Karori Road, Karori, Wellington. Registrations close 2 weeks before. For more details go to the website http://www.cee-wellington.co.nz/            
Phone  Kate and Simon Olson. 04 801 6192 or email  [email protected]
 
Healing Service Fr John Rea sm will conduct a Healing Service at St Bernadette`s Church, 194 Naenae Rd, Naenae on Wednesday 8 July beginning at 7.30 pm.  Please invite all who need Jesus` healing.  All are welcome.  Enquiries Ph 8198323.
 
The Coast to Coast Rosary for Life and Faith will be held this year on Saturday 15th August at 3 pm. Please help lead or join a group in your parish or community.  For more information, please go to www.coasttocoastrosary.co.nz  or phone Clare 022 1912 886 
 
SACRED HEART SCHOOL 125th CELEBRATIONS Sacred Heart School opened 125 years in North East Valley in October this year. A variety of functions have been put together to encourage past pupils, teachers and friends of the school to attend and celebrate this milestone at Labour Weekend 2020.If you’ve been associated with Sacred Heart School, you are invited to email your committee at [email protected] or phone the school on 03 473 8362.  A Registration Form will be available for you to download soon.
 
Sunday Coordinator. Working for the Catholic Parish of Christchurch West We need leaders who  have energy, vision and creativity that want to work as a member of our Parish Senior Leadership Team to help all to live with and in the Spirit, for the Father. To apply, one  must have an education in Catholic Theology, ability to plan or vision, desire to Evangelise, experience with a parish and/or diocese. It is a full  time position. To apply for one of the vacancies (contact Christchurch West parish for further details), please send us your: • CV • a response to the Job Description (three – page limit) • a statement about your personal approach to ministry Applications can be sent to [email protected] Please turn in all applications before July 11th, 2020
 
The June 28 – July 11 issue of NZ Catholic is out now. Some headlines are: Bishop Basil Meeking laid to rest. Principal joins coalition against legalising cannabis. Theological college considers new Auckland home. This planet, our home, after Covid-19.
 
By loving humbly, serving freely and joyfully, we will offer to the world the true image of God. Pope Francis: Homily for Pentecost 2020
 
Parish Council Meeting: Wednesday 1st July 7.30pm     Gascoigne Room      St Anthony’s Church