February 28th

​“Unless you repent, you will all perish”.
 
When the priest imposed the ashes on our forehead on Ash Wednesday, he reminded us saying, “Repent and believe in the Gospel” or “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel”. We have already spent two weeks of Lent. How did the last two weeks go? Have you done anything concrete in those two weeks?
In today’s gospel reading Jesus once again reminds us saying, “unless you repent, you will perish”. The season of Lent is the season of grace. It is a time for our spiritual growth. It is a time for repentance and conversation. It is a time for believing and surrendering our lives to God. To be committed to Christ, we must make Christ’s words the centre of our lives. I once watched a little baby learning to walk. As long as it kept its eyes on its mother, it was relaxed and in perfect balance but as soon as it looked down at its wobbly legs, it stumbled and fell. If we want to live as committed Christians, we must focus our attention during Lent on Christ and his demands. 
                                                                                                                 Father Gregory
 
 
POPE FRANCIS CALLS FOR PRAYER
Responding to the initiative of Pope Francis, Dioceses around the world will hold a time of prayer for the blessing of God in the Year of Mercy.
In our own Archdiocese the Cathedral will play a major part in this action and will be open for prayer from 5.30pm on Friday 4 March, through till the 5.30 Vigil Mass on Saturday 5th.
 
Holy Trinity Parish will be responsible for 11am – 1pm on Saturday 5th
 
It will be necessary to ensure the presence of at least two people throughout this time. Fr Gregory will be there for our two hours, but we need your help. Sign up on the sheet at the back of the Church, Email the office [email protected] or phone 388 6953 with when you are available.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will be in the chapel throughout the 24 hours and the main church will be open for private devotions such as the Stations of the Cross.
Of course you are welcome at any time during the 24 hours. 
Come with a group of friends, bring the family; see this as an action for Lent. Pray with Pope Francis who assures us that God forgives everyone, he offers new possibilities to everyone, he showers his mercy on everyone who asks for it. 
Let the Year of Mercy echo its joyful welcome throughout the world.

There will be no morning Mass across the three churches
on Wednesday 2nd March.
Frs Ephrem and Gregory will be in Auckland attending the Capuchin Assembly.
Wednesday Evening there will be Adoration and reconciliation from 6-7pm followed by Mass at St Patrick’s Church.

HOLY CROSS CHURCH
CONTINUATION OF 9AM MASS TIME SUNDAY 6TH & 13TH MARCH
Mass times at Holy Cross Church will continue at 9am for the first two Sunday’s in March. This will allow time to collate the responses and consult with the Cardinal.
 The result will be announced at Mass on the 13th March. 

Holy Cross Church
Sunday Mass Survey    
VOTING CLOSES Monday 29 February. 
 Voting forms for those who attend Sunday Mass at Holy Cross are available in the church foyers of Holy Cross Church and St Patrick’s Church, or from the parish office at [email protected]      
Holy Cross Happy Hour – Weds 2nd March 11am in the Parish Centre – seniors are reminded of our next meeting. Please bring a small plate of finger food to enjoy with our tea/coffee. All welcome.

The Sisters of St. Peter Claver are holding ‘RARE and  BEAUTIFUL’  on Sat 5th March at their  Convent  grounds 1 Mersey  Street, Island Bay from  9am  to  12pm.  All are most welcome.

Lent timetable Holy Trinity:
Stations of the Cross
St Patricks and Holy Cross – Friday 7pm
St Anthony’s – Friday 5.30pm
 
St Patrick’s - Weds 6 – 7pm Adoration and reconciliation followed by Mass
Flat urgently wanted:  responsible pensioner seeks 1 or 2 bedroom flat with small outdoor area, keen gardener.  Miramar/Broadway area. Ring Bev 388 5821.

Lenten envelopes and calendars
available in the church foyers.

  St. Anthony’s Preschool Playgroup: Come and join us…we meet every second Friday during term time from 1pm until 2.55pm in the Gascoigne Room, St Anthony’s Church. Bring your preschooler/s along for a play and class visits to St Anthony’s Kiwi class for our four year olds. Contact the School office 380 6971
Holy Cross Little Angels Playgroup.
Holy Cross warmly invites Parents and caregivers to come and join in the fun in Room 12 on the last Friday of the month. Contact Susie Sumner for more details 388 7189

Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat 18-20 March
A retreat weekend for those whose lives have been touched by abortion.  An opportunity for healing to any woman or man who has struggled with the emotional or spiritual pain of abortion. All enquiries are strictly confidential.   Contact Wendy Hill [email protected]  or 027 2549222 www.rachelsvineyard.org.nz
 
Futuna Chapel Open Day – 20th March
See noticeboard for details.

The Sisters of Compassion are offering Taize Prayer at the Island Bay Home of Compassion Chapel on Friday 4th March. The evening prayer is from 7.00 - 8.00 p.m. There is plenty of parking and it is the No. 1 bus route. You are most welcome.

A 140th celebration of the Christian Brothers to Rattray Street Dunedin in 1879 will take place on the weekend of 9-11 July 2016.  Ex-pupils, partners, staff and wives of Old Boys from CBHS, St Paul’s and St Edmund’s are cordially invited to this reunion.  Registrations to Secretary G Morris [email protected] or Br G Donaldson 20A Grove St, St Kilda, Dunedin 9012, phone 03 456 5040.
  Copyright Workshop for those involved in liturgical ministry and finance. 
Archdiocesan representatives are offering a workshop for musicians, liturgy teams, PowerPoint editors and those administering payment for copyright licensing.   The presentation will explore issues associated with copyright and present an initiative that may offer all involved with parish liturgy ministry a positive option that solves the copyright nightmare and provides opportunity to access a range of resources for musicians. 
Join the team at either venue:
7:30 – 9pm Wednesday 9th March (Connolly Hall)
10 – 11:30am Saturday 9 April (Plimmerton Parish Hall). 

Our baptism grafts us onto the Body of Christ, making us all share in His Person. If Christ is priest, prophet, and king, then so are we. In order to learn more about this do join us on the Sundays of Lent to watch Bishop Robert Barron’s teaching:  Priest, Prophet, King
 Sundays of Lent (from Feb 14 to Mar 20) Time: 12:30pm - 1:30pm Venue: St. Gerard’s Monastery, 75, Hawker St. Mt. Victoria

TODAY! "Be A Sign of Hope - an Hour of Mercy for the Unborn". 3pm-4 pm 28th Feb.  The 40 days for Life campaign is halfway, join vigil prayers for an hour of prayer, praise, scripture and reflection on the footpath outside Wellington Hospital. Come be a beacon of hope for the vulnerable unborn, their parents and all involved in abortion.
Engaged Encounter is a weekend experience for couples intending to be marriedat Pa Maria, Thorndon, Wellington.   Weekends in 2016 are 5 - 6 March, 
16 - 17 July, & 12 - 13 November Registrations close 2 weeks before. For more details www.ceewellington.org.nz   or phone Kate & Simon Olsen Telephone 801 6192, or [email protected] 

 
WANTED: VOLUNTEERS St Patrick’s College, Kilbirnie Reader/Writers are needed for our senior students sitting internal NCEA examinations throughout the year. During the year students on our Special Assessment Registry require assistance to either read or help them with writing their exams.  If you are interested in volunteering your time for a few hours every now and then please contact [email protected] The Job of the reader:  As a reader you are the eyes of the candidate. The Job of the Writer: You are the hands of the candidate and it is your responsibility to write the answers given by candidate
 

Calling all St Pats Town & Stream Old Boys
St Pats College Old Boys Association AGM (for both Town & Stream Old Boys)
I would like to invite you to attend our Annual General Meeting which will be held in the staff room of St Patrick's College Wellington, Evans Bay Parade, Wellington on Thursday 17th March 2016 at 6pm. 
Mass in the Chapel will commence at 5.30pm.
The AGM will be followed by refreshments and a chance for attendees to catch up with other Old Boys. 
George Collins- President SPCOBA
 

 
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Our Parish website is up and running.
Check it out at www.holytrinity.parish.nz
 and tell us what you think

The season of Lent is a favorable time to listen to God’s word and to practice the works of mercy. Let us not waste this season of Lent!    
(Pope Francis Message for Lent 2016)