28 october 2018

Jer 31, 7-9; Heb 5, 1-6; Mk 10, 46-52
 
Dear brothers and sisters, it is spring time, the flowers, new shoots from the trees proclaiming the glory of God and giving us hope that the good days are ahead.  Readings too bring us message of vibrant hope of seeing Christ and encountering him. As Jesus and the huge crow following him began to leave Jericho, Bartimaeus, a blind man, sat by the side of the road begging.  In a moment that would change his life, by calling “Son of David, have pity on me.”
The crowd was probably uncomfortable by the loudness of the blind beggar’s request, seeing him as an embarrassment and a distraction.  They tried to hush him.  But Bartimaeus, who now had hope burning in his heart, would not be silenced.  “Son of David!” he yelled again loudly.  “Have pity on me!” Jesus asked disciples to call Bartimaeus over to him.  And rest of them is a history.
I pause as I face my own daily blindness and wonder if I really want to ask Jesus to see.  Do I want to be healed?  I see families in division, government policies that hurt the poor, refugees that beg an unwilling world for help and people betrayed by their own church.  If I see all this clearly, then what will I have to do? If I see where I can make a difference, what new challenges does that put in my life? 
Jesus standing in front of me, loving me and asking, “What do you want me to do for you?”
And then I know that I want Jesus to give me sight and take my hand and lead me.  I have the words now: “Lord, I want to see.”                                                                                                   Fr Ephrem
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.
 

October is the month of the Rosary.
All parishioners are invited to pray the rosary till the end of the month.
 

November is a special month in which we are encouraged to pray for the dead

• A plenary indulgence may be gained for the dead, once only, by visiting a church on 2 November and praying the Lord’s prayer and the Creed.

 
Three conditions are required for the gaining of the indulgence:

• Sacramental confession
• Holy Communion
• Prayer for the Pope’s intentions

 

NOVEMBER PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD:  As November is the traditional month for special prayers for our loved ones, parishioners are asked to write the names and place them in the box in the Church or give them to the priest.  Envelopes are available in the foyer. Because of the large number of names, we will only print anniversaries or recent.   All names will be remembered in Masses offered during November.
 

St Patrick’s Church Carpark Many of you will have noticed that work has started again on the carpark area.  Thank you for your patience in allowing this to be completed properly and safely before we start to use it.  It shouldn’t be too much longer now !!  
 

Holy Trinity Parish Catholic Book Club – meeting this Sunday 28th October:  Explore the Truth, Beauty, and Goodness of the Catholic faith through its great books! At Holy Cross Church Parish Centre, 6-7pm. Light supper will be provided. Connect with fellow passionate Catholics for like-minded discussion. For enquiries, contact 3882-840 or htpCatholicBookClub@gmail.com
 

Gascoigne Educational Scholarship 2018.  This scholarship is open to all ages groups who are present members of Holy Trinity Parish and are planning to study for 2018 and beyond at a tertiary level and who meet the qualifying criteria which are included in the terms and conditions. For an application form (including terms and conditions) email the parish office holytrinity.wgtn@xtra.co.nz download a copy from the website  http://www.holytrinity.parish.nz/  or copies available from the back of each Church.  Closing date: 31 October 2018
 
2019 Columban Calendars available through the office $12 each
or from Bernadette at St Patrick’s Church.
 You can either put your money or cheq (made out to Holy Trinity Parish) in an envelope with your details and pop in the collection basket, or email, phone or drop into the Parish Office.
Alternatively pay by internet banking to Holy Trinity Parish 02-0536-0185031-00 and use CALENDAR as the reference. When you have paid, email the office holytrinity.wgtn@xtra.co.nz  with the following details:  the amount paid, the number of calendars ordered, which Church you will collect your calendars from or if you would like to collect them from the office. Once payment has cleared, the Calendars will be left for you in the back of your chosen Church or in the office for you to collect. 

MASS SCHEDULE
FOR HOLY TRINITY PARISH
Thursday 1st November
 
9am  Holy Cross Parish Centre
 
9.30am  St Patrick’s Church
 
11.30am  St Anthony’s Church
 

MASS SCHEDULE
FOR HOLY TRINITY PARISH
Friday 2nd November
 
7am         St Patrick’s Church
 
9am         St Anthony’s Church
 
9.30am    Holy Cross School Hall
 
11am       St Patrick’s Church
 
7pm         Holy Cross Church

MISSIO-NZ accepts Mass Intentions to pray for the living and the deceased.
The custom of requesting a priest to offer Mass for a specific intention, even when one cannot be present at Mass, is a longstanding tradition in the Church.
Together with the Mass Intention Request, the faithful generally make an offering, called a stipend, to
the priest in order to apply the Mass to a specific intention, such as an anniversary or a birthday or for a deceased beloved one. By making this offering   the   faithful, by parting with something that is their own, associate themselves more intimately with Christ. The offering of a stipend is also a means whereby Catholics may contribute to the upkeep of the clergy.
Many priests in Africa and Asia depend entirely on Mass stipends for their income. Many Dioceses do not have any priest-funds for their clergy. A Mass Stipend of $10.00 is suggested. Please help them by sending your Mass intentions to MISSIO-NZ and our office will pass them on to a priest in a mission territory overseas. Our office sends these Mass Intentions to the National Director of MISSIO (Pontifical Mission Societies) of the country who in turn distributes it to priests who need most the help.

Parish Council Meeting: Weds  7th Nov 7.30pm Holy Cross Parish Centre.
Finance Committee Meeting: Tue 13th Nov 7.30pm  Holy Cross Parish Centre.

Annointing Mass
St Patrick’s Church
 
11am Wednesday 7th November.
Crutches – There have been crutches left at the back of St Patrick’s Church for a couple of months. If you know anything about these or who they may belong to, please contact with the parish office holytrinity.wgtn@xtra.co.nz or 388 6953

St Anthony’s School - Bazaar meeting – 7pm 29th October in the Gascoigne Room.
The date for the Bazaar has been set - Sunday 17 February with a Vigil Mass the night before - Saturday 16 February at 5pm replacing the normal Sunday 10.30am Mass. 
Storage space needed: If anyone has any space they can spare so we can store items as they come in up to the Bazaar in February, could you please contact the school. 380 6971 or office@stants.school.nz 

St Patrick’s Primary School Ethnic Food Fair 5.30 – 7.30 Friday 9th November
We were thrilled with the involvement of Holy Trinity parishioners last year. We had people helping, donating and coming to support us by buying the delicious food.
If you would like to help we need;

• donations from businesses for our auction / quick fire raffle – it’s great advertising for businesses and a good way for them to give to the community.
• people to serve on the stalls (it’s easy as we have tickets so money handling is not necessary).
• deep Fryers – If anyone has any deep fryers we can borrow on the day.
• hoopla Jars – we were given a number of these by parishioners last year – jars filled with goodies. Ideas for things to put in the jar; stickers, little toys, Lego, balloons, lollies, stationery, jewellery, fudges.

Please come along and support us by having your dinner that night. Invite your friends and family, too. Thank you so much for your support

Sunday 18 November 2018. Pope Frances' 2nd World Day of the Poor.
“let us love, not with words but with deeds” 2017 World Day of the Poor theme.
Pope Francis calls on Christians around the world to serve people on the margins with practical assistance and to deepen our connection with people living in all forms of poverty.  As a parish, we will be offering your donations on the day to the  annual Christmas Emergency Food Appeal of the Seatoun & Miramar Conference of the St Vincent de Paul Society.  
Please bring along a non-perishable food item on Sunday 18 November 2018 such as dry pasta and rice; canned fish, canned veges and fruit; beans and chickpeas; cereal; canned and packet soup; toothpaste and toothbrushes; sanitary items; soap and deodorant.  There will be a signposted box in the foyer of each of our Churches where you can leave your donation.  May God bless you for what you do.

WORLD DAY OF THE POOR:  The Archdiocese of Wellington is one of 12 Dioceses throughout the world who have been asked to lead activities for Pope Francis’s World Day of the Poor.  Details are available on the notice displayed on the parish newsletter and on the Archdiocese of Wellington website. Some highlights include:
· Archdiocesan Mass for the World Day of the Poor: St Michael’s Taita, Sun 18 Nov, 10.30am, if possible please bring a non-perishable item for the foodbank collection.
·  Better off together-He waka eke noa Gathering: Bishop Viard College, Porirua, Sat 17 Nov, 10am-5pm, speakers, workshops, liturgy led by Challenge 2000
· St Vincent de Paul free pop-up stores: Newtown, Hutt Valley, Porirua, Wairarapa and Levin, Sat 17 Nov
· Wellington JPD Commission social analysis workshop: St Joseph’s church foyer, Upper Hutt, Wed 14 Nov (please register with l.beech@wn.catholic.org.nz)

FRUITCAKES AND FESTIVE FARE FOR KAIKŌURA: North Island parishes of the Archdiocese are invited to express love and solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Kaikōura by supplying wrapped fruitcakes or other festive fare, which will be delivered to Kaikōura in time for the 2nd anniversary of the 2016 earthquake on 14 November. These can be dropped off at the Compassion Soup Kitchen (132 Tory St, Wgtn), Challenge 2000 (1 Wanaka St, Jvlle) or Catholic Centre (22-30 Hill St, Wgtn) up until midday 12 November.  They will be delivered to Kaikōura by the Society of St Vincent de Paul as part of the World Day of the Poor activities of the Archdiocese of Wellington.  For more information please contact Lisa Beech l.beech@wn.catholic.org.nz

Child-friendly Liturgies within the Mass Fr Patrick Bridgman will help us explore ways to make our Masses more  inclusive for children. Everyone Welcome. It is particularly relevant to members of Liturgy teams, Children’s Liturgists, Musicians, Pastoral Council members and Directors of Religious Education. Please register with Ann Williams before 30th October at a.williams@wn.catholic.org.nz Where: Ss Peter & Paul Church Lower Hutt When: Sunday 4th November  2.00pm-4.00pm. Cup of tea/coffee from 1.30pm.

2nd Nov. The Cardinal’s Lunch provides networking opportunities for business and community leaders both active and retired to gather and connect with Church leadership and to hear from dynamic speakers, including local, national and international leaders. BOOK NOW Tickets $89 + GST Book:  Cardinal-s-lunch-Nov.Lilregie.com more information or to book,  please e-mail event@wn.catholic.org.nz or  Robyn 027 2018766

St Pats Old Boys Association Mix & Mingle : WWW.SPCOB.ORG.NZ  Calling all 'Town' and 'Stream' Old Boys, please attend our Mix and Mingle. To be held ; Friday 2nd Nov, 6PM The Boatshed, Wellington. Cash bar, Continuous food, $60 Entry by ticket only. Go to our facebook page for details. Guest Speakers: Jamie Williams & Will Williams of the Wellington Hospitality Group.   We will also be announcing our 2018 Old Boy of the Year.

A Caring Space  We offer this breathing space for all who care for a loved one, a chance to gently explore, together with God, the way this role is changing your life, hopes, dreams...and your relationships with the one you care for and others.  Led by Gill Schaap and Veronica Parton at the Home of Compassion, Island Bay, on Saturday 3rd November; 11am – 2pm.  Cost $10. Hot drinks provided, bring your own lunch.  Any enquires and to register contact Veronica Parton 021 238 6675 or email vjpdap@gmail.com

Billings Ovulation Method™ Teacher training and upskilling Seminars 2018 Sat 3rd - Sun 4th November, Mercy Conference Centre, Thorndon, Wellington. Please contact: Alicia Reeves info@billingslife.org.nz  or phone: 0800 693 378 The Full registration fee is $350, this covers catering and educational material. A limited number of part scholarships are available for those unable to meet the full registration fee.

Supporting released prisoners and homeless people – Cana Communities talk Come and have a conversation with Julie Sneddon CEO of Cana Communities, NSW and Sr Anne Jordan pbvm, Spiritual Director   These two people belong to a group called Cana, NSW and are members of a volunteer group that support people on the peripheries in a special way in particular the homeless and released prisoners. Tuesday 6th November: 7.30 to 9pm: St Thomas Moore, 30 Worcester Street, Wilton. Hosted by Otari JPD group in conjunction with the Archdiocesan Justice, Peace and Development Commission.

Breakfast with the Cardinal John. Saturday 10th Nov. 7.15am for 7.30(start) to 9.00am.Venue: Angus Inn  5 Cornwall St. Lower Hutt. Cost $22.50. Cash Please. Registrations a.williams@wn.catholic.org.nz  by Tues. 6th Nov. Please specify any dietary requirements.

The Family Banquet. Sat Nov 10 – 10am – 5pm. A Conference for the whole family to strengthen your faith and family. Our Lady of Fatima Church, Tawa. Speakers include Fr Leo Patalinghug and Martin Bosley. See poster on the noticeboard for details.

The next Marriage Encounter Weekend is 9-11 November at the Home of Compassion, Island Bay.  For more information phone  0800 362 686 or go to the website http://www.marriageencounter.org.nz         

Mass on Armistice Day at St Joseph’s, Mt Victoria. Presiders: Fr. J Wagg & Fr. F Whitaker. 11am Sun 11th November. To remember all those who lost their lives in WW1. Descendants of veterans are warmly invited and encouraged to bring any memorabilia they may have and a hand bell if you can. A cup of tea and sharing to follow. 

We are excited to announce that we have a position vacant in our Family and Young Church Ministries team for the Archdiocese of Wellington. The role is for a Young Church Ministry Coordinator (20-30 hours per week negotiable). More information available - https://www.seek.co.nz/job/37463803?type=standard

​We pray for the members of our Parish families who have died recently and those whose anniversaries occur around this time.  Our prayers are also with those who are unwell especially Mary Greening, Judy Chote, John Rogers and Graeme Adams and for the wonderful people who are caring for the everyday needs of the sick in our Community.