28th august 2016

​Dear sisters and brothers,
The spirit of today’s readings flows from the continuation of Luke’s Gospel and how Jesus continues offering reversals. The book of Sirach echoes traditional Jewish teachings concerning right conduct. Basically these verses say, “Remember who you are and who you are not.”
Remember you are gifted by a Divine Giver and when you remain peacefully grateful you will experience being loved by God and others.
A wise person listens deeply with both the outer and inner ears. The wise person searches and allows mystery to be a friend rather than a humiliating enemy which must be defeated or ignored. As water can subdue flames, generosity to the poor extinguishes the fire of past sins.
These are instructive and practical. Keeping them remains a work in progress. Humility is gratitude which allows us to stay at home in our own shoes. Covering up or withdrawal is not being humble or shy, it is a prideful expression that we really should have been created with more gifts and until they appear, we will not.
During the meal Jesus notices the pharisaical practices of these religious rigorists. They have been jockeying for places of honour and recognition. Jesus heightens their interest in him by relating a little parable intended to indicate their hypocrisy. The guest remarks that the blest will eat in the Kingdom of God. Jesus turns to him and what he says is in next-week’s Gospel, stay tuned                       
 Fr Ephraim
Caritas Social Justice Week – 11 – 17th September 2016
As part of Social Justice Week, there will be a cup of coffee at the back of Holy Cross Church after 9am Mass on the 11th September.

Wednesday 14th September 9.30am
9.30am Morning Mass will be celebrated at Holy Cross Church by Fr Kevin.
Come and join us as we celebrate the feast day for the church.
Please note: this will be the only Mass on this day in the Parish.

HOLY TRINITY PARISH MASS - 10AM SUNDAY 18th September
AT ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE HALL
Mark the date in your diary as we come together to celebrate Sunday Mass together
at St Patrick’s College Hall.  For those unable to be at this Mass, there will be the 5.30pm Vigil at St Patrick’s Church. We will be having morning tea afterwards at the back of the hall, so please bring a plate of food to share.

YOUTH COORDIATION TEAM
The parish is in the process of establishing a Youth Ministry and is seeking to identify a small group of volunteers to assist in both the establishment and organisation of this most important function. We are currently in the process of identifying and employing a Youth Pastoral Worker in a 20 hour paid role to lead youth activities within our Parish. The role of volunteers in the Youth Coordination Team is to set guidelines, tasks and scope to both the Youth Pastoral Worker and the members of the Youth Ministry. Responsibility for the employment function lives with the Parish Priest and the accountability is through the Parish Pastoral Council.
Ideally we are looking for parishioners or other like-minded Christian members for this Youth Coordination Team. Youth is the future of our parish and if you can help or if you know of someone suitable who may be able to help the parish run a successful Youth Ministry then please contact Fr Ephrem or a member of the Parish Council for further details.

  Ministry and Service Volunteers Mass – 11 September
Cardinal John warmly invites volunteers in ministry and service around the Archdiocese to join him for a special celebration of Sunday Mass. Light lunch to follow. 10.30am Sunday 11th September 2016 - Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.

Available for purchase from the Parish Office 
Amoris Laetitia and Laudato Si
We have copies of each of these available in the office for $5 each.
If you would like to a copy of either or both of these, either pop in to the Parish Office, phone 388 6953 or email holytrinity.wgtn@xtra.co.nz.
 


Volunteer needed as minute taker
for the Parish Council Monthly  Meetings
Meetings are held on the 1st Wednesday of each Month in the Holy Cross Parish Centre at 7.30pm. If you would like more information or to register your interest please contact Fr Ephrem 387 2012
or the Chairperson, Barry Brook 388 8099

St Vincent de Paul Society Annual Feast Day Mass.  
Parishioners in our Kilbirnie, Miramar, Seatoun and Strathmore communities of Holy Trinity Parish are warmly invited to join your local St Vincent de Paul Society members and Vincentians from the Wellington Area and our colleges, for the annual Feast Day Mass in St. Anthony's Church, Seatoun, at 7pm on Thursday, 22 September 2016.   The Mass to be celebrated by Fr Ephrem honours our Patron Saint and prays for all Vincentians, our clients, and you our kind supporters.  Supper after.  Contact persons are Brendan Quirk ph 3889708, and Margaret Bearsley ph 977 2759 .

Holy Cross Happy Hour – Weds 7th September 11am in the Parish Centre.
Seniors are reminded of our next meeting. Come join us for bingo. Please bring a small plate of finger food to enjoy with our tea/coffee.    All welcome.

From the Archdiocesan Justice Peace and Development Commission.
Interdependence is the key to caring about others, because our own self-interest becomes equal to the interests of others. Compassion becomes unconditional and universal in its reach. (David Richo, from his book ‘Mary Within us’.
Ngā mihi nui

• A Super Gold card was left at Holy Cross Church
• A plate was left at St Patrick’s Hall after Confirmation.
• Woman’s watch was left in St Anthony’s Church

If any of these items are yours, please contact the Parish Office
 

"Where love and loving-kindness are together, God is in their midst."
 
St. Catherine’s College Service Initiative students would like to remind all parishioners of their willingness to undertake any tasks such as housework, gardening, window-cleaning, or grocery-shopping for those presently house-bound...for free, and cheerfully.  We would like to help anyone in need.  Please contact Fr.Ephrem or SCC Office, with your name and phone number.  We would be grateful for the prayers of our parish.   God bless.  
 

Interfaith (Catholic/LDS) Youth Event: Social Awareness and Political Responsibility Wellington  31st August -  September 2016. Starting at St Patrick’s Church Mass on the 31st August, over the two days together, the youth will have time for social interaction, shared devotional time, and noho marae at Takapuwahia. Their time together will also include a service project, educational tour of Parliament and an opportunity to meet with members and present youth concerns to them, and grow in social awareness and political responsibility in a collaborative project of LDS and Catholic Youth.

The 5 Love Languages:
“For love, we will climb mountains, cross seas, traverse desert sands, and endure untold hardships. 
Without love, mountains become unclimbable, seas uncross able, deserts unbearable, and hardships our lot in life.”  It will be presented by 5 couples on Sunday 28th August 11.30am – 4.30pm at St Thomas More Church, 30 Worchester Street, Wilton.  It is important to come for the whole day.  A light lunch will be provided. For catering purposes please RSVP  james.glenis@hotmail.co.nz  by 19 August.

2016 ADW Young Catholic Leader programme will again be held at Forest Lakes Camp Otaki and will run between Saturday Dec 10 – Wedsnesday Dec 14.
The cost is $180 per student (incl GST) which includes accommodation, meals sessions, required materials and session manual. Registrations close Friday 18th November 2016. And is for students who are currently Year 12 but will be entering Year 13 in 2017. If you are interested in attending contact the Parish Office holytrinity.wgtn @xtra.co.nz for a registration form.

Caritas Social Justice Week – 11 – 17th September 2016
We all have a migration story: Fostering a Culture of Encounter
At a time when the number of international migrants is growing faster than the world’s population (according to the UN), the theme of migration for the New Zealand Catholic Bishops’ annual Social Justice Week is very pertinent. “We are also encouraging people to think about how we can all be more open to one another by listening to how we came to live in Aotearoa New Zealand. These might be very recent journeys or over generations. It helps us to know the story of our nation.” (Bishop of Auckland, Patrick Dunn)

Catholic Foundation’s Scholarships are now open.
Application forms, conditions, and all the details are available on the website below.
Applications close 19 September 2016.
http://www.catholicfoundation.org.nz/scholarships.php

MORNING TEA FUNDRAISER FOR DR SWEE TAN OF GILLES MCINDOE RESEARCH INSTITUE
On Tuesday 6th September at 10am there will be a morning tea the Seatoun Bowliing Club, Dundas St, Seatoun. Dr Tan and his researchers at the institute have achieved remarkable success in advancing knowledge relating to strawberry birthmarks and other tumours. Dr Tan will give a short presentation prior to morning tea being served.  $30 per ticket (includes lucky prize draws)
Tickets available from Francie Dwyer 388 5281

WELCOMING REFUGEES TO WELLINGTON AUGUST 2016
Thank you to everyone who donated household items for the families who arrived in Wellington on 19th August. We set up 18 houses for the families and also provided a pantry pack full of basic food items.  It is inspiring what we can do together when the call goes out. The call went out again and the response was beyond our expectation.
Last Thursday, a team of 4 from Holy Trinity set up two Homes for two refugee couples arriving the next day.  It just took 2 hours due to the super efficiency of these guys!  

Wellington Father’s Breakfast –
Encouragement for Dad’s
Mon 5th September 7 – 8.30am Shed 6, Queen’s Wharf
You can book tickets or a table of 10 online at  http://www.theparentingplace.com/fathers-breakfast/
We place great value on the role fathers play in family and relish the opportunity we have to remind them of how important they are in the lives of their little people.
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand and The Catholic Institute seminar
Unfair treatment of migrant workers – what can we do?”
Catholic Centre lecture room, Catholic Centre, 22-30 Hill St, Wellington Thursday, 8 September, 5.30pm 
The seminar will include the launch of a Caritas report on migrant worker experiences in the Archdiocese of Wellington by Cathy Bi. There will also be a panel of speakers, including Dennis Maga, Danae Anderson, Mark Richards and Anne Tuohy.For more information, please email to caritas@caritas.org.nz

Thanksgiving Mass for the Canonisation of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta,
9am, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Wellington Saturday 10 September.
Veneration of the relic of Blessed Teresa will follow the Mass. 
Following this all are welcome to stay for light refreshments in Connolly Hall.  Mass will be celebrated by Cardinal John Dew.  All are welcome to attend. 
For more information please contact Sr Stephanius (04) 235 5373.

Challenge 2000 has been working with children, young people and their families in our Archdiocese since 1988. We work with hundreds of families and thousands of children and young people every year. We strive to transform lives so that all our brothers and sisters can have life and have it to the full.  As you know life is very difficult for many people in our communities. More than ever we need your commitment and help. PLEASE put your hand up and do something about the poverty and desperation in our society. Say YES to doing your bit wherever and whenever you can. How?  Our Annual Street Day Appeal is Friday 2nd September 2016.
o          Can you collect - stand in the cold and ask your fellow citizens for money for an hour or so?
o          Put some money in a bucket when you see our collectors
o          Email your friends/business colleagues/family pleading with them to support our work
o          Pray for the poor and the struggling and those who journey with them
Please help: Call Megan Ratuki on 04 477 6827 or email challenge2000@xtra.co.nz
For more information on our work or how you can help, view our website www.challenge2000.org.nz