29 september 2019

6:1,4-7; 1Tim 6:11-16; Lk. 16: 19-31
The main theme of this Sunday is the warning that selfish and extravagant use of God’s blessings like wealth without sharing with the poor and the needy is a serious offence deserving eternal punishment. Today’s readings stress the truth that wealth without active mercy for the poor is great wickedness. Amos in the first reading issues a powerful warning to those who seek wealth at the expense of the poor and who spend their time and their money on themselves. If they have enjoyed being "first" in the enjoyment of luxury, they will also be "first" in exile! In the second reading, Paul admonishes us to "pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience and gentleness" – noble goals in an age of disillusionment – rather than riches. In today’s Gospel Jesus warns us pointing to the destiny of the rich man who neglected his duty to show mercy to poor Lazarus. The rich man's punishment was not for having riches, but for neglecting the Scriptures and what they teach.
The rich man was not condemned for being rich but because he was not afraid of God whom he excluded from his life, and he selfishly refused to share his material resources with the poor dying in front of his door.  The poor too will not be saved just because he is poor but because he opens himself to God and hopes in His salvation that renders justice to the oppressed.  The parable warns the dangers of riches which easily tends to forget God, makes the person turn deaf ears and closes himself from the needy neighbor.  Daily we encounter Lazarus with different identity- as persons sad, without job, sick, old abandoned, alcohol and drug addicted, marginalized and all those in periphery towards whom we need the sense of sensitivity. Neglecting them is nothing but our sins of omission that we accept at the beginning of the Holy Mass.  It is each one’s choice to side with the rich man without name or poor Lazarus who totally depended on God’s mercy.             Fr Paul
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.
 

UPDATE regarding PARISH PROPERTY  
Holy Trinity Parish Pastoral Council and Finance Committee thank those who have made submissions regarding the future of our parish property.  Around 80 submissions were received at the parish by the end of Mon 23rd. We are now in the process of reading and collating the information which will inform Holy Trinity Parish recommendation to Cardinal John at the end of October. This recommendation will be reported back to the parish by Sunday 27 October. We ask that you continue to pray for guidance in our decision making and for faith- filled acceptance for possible new ways forward for Holy Trinity Parish.

Feast of St Francis of Assisi
Our Capuchin Fathers and the Lay Franciscans are celebrating the Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi, their founder, on the 4th of October.
There will be the Transitus of St Francis (passing away) on the 3rd of October 6pm at
St Patrick’s Church Kilbirnie followed by a light supper in the church meeting room.
The Solemn Holy Mass will be on Thursday 4th October 9am at
St Patrick’s Church Kilbirnie followed by the blessing of the animals (please bring your pets) and a cup of tea/coffee in the church meeting room.  
We welcome you all to come and celebrate with us the Feast day of our Founder.
Please note: this will be the only Mass in the Parish on Friday 4th October

2 Columban Calendars to give away!
Two Columban Calendars have been very kindly donated by a parishioner.
If you would like one of these please contact the Parish Office [email protected] or 04 388 6953

Memorial service for Vera Dyson – Saturday 5th October 11am at St Anthony’s Church
Vera was a long time parishioner of St Anthony’s until she moved to Auckland to be closer to family. Her funeral was in Auckland on the 28th September, but the family will have a memorial mass for her at St Anthony’s.

Our 4 new Parish Council members; Margaret Bearsley, Chrissy Saw, Patricia Lynch and Kristina Savali, will be commissioned by Fr Ephrem at the 5.30pm Vigil Mass on the 5th October.

Holy Cross Happy Hour Weds 9th October from 11am  in the Parish Centre. Come join us for bingo. Please bring a small plate of finger food to enjoy with our tea/coffee. All welcome

Holy Trinity Parish Catholic Book Club – Sunday 29th September:  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 [email protected]

St Patrick’s Church centenary Mass is on 17th November at 10 am.  Would you like to take an active role as part of the Mass?  Would you like to usher people at the beginning and / or at Communion ?  Would you like to read?  To read a Prayer of the Faithful?  To take part in the Offertory procession?  To be a collector?  We are planning now so if you are interested please contact Patricia O’Donnell at 934 3179 or [email protected]  by 8th October.

Does anyone do calligraphy?  I have 9 certificates to prepare for First Holy Communion children and need someone to do the lettering as my printing is awful  If you can help please email [email protected]

St Patrick’s Church desperately needs musicians.  Do you play the piano?  Is your child learning to play?  Would you be prepared to play one song at Mass on one Sunday or Vigil Mass on Saturday night? Help will be given before you play.  if you are interested please contact Patricia O’Donnell at 934 3179 or [email protected]

In the leadup to the St Patrick’s centenary Mass on the 17th November at 10am, we will include an interesting fact about the former Parish each week.
FACT  St Catherine’s was a primary school which opened with 6 pupils in the community room of the St Catherine’s Convent in 1917. The only boy, Bernard, went to the Basin Reserve to be taught sports while the girls were taught ‘housewifery’ skills. It must have helped Bernard because he represented Wellington in cricket for 12 years

Daily Mass Calendar 2020 The parish will be putting the order through soon for the 2020 daily mass calendars. If you would like to order a copy for yourself, please contact the office before 30th September.  [email protected] or 388-6953

Gascoigne Educational Scholarship.  This scholarship is open to all ages groups who are present members of Holy Trinity Parish and are planning to study for 2020 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 [email protected] download a copy from the website  http://www.holytrinity.parish.nz/  or copies available from the back of each Church.  Closing date: 31 October 2019

2020 Columban Calendars available through the office $12 each.
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, 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 [email protected] with the following details: your name, 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. 
Bernadette Hyland will also have them available for sale at St Patrick’s Church.

Safeguarding training. For those who weren’t able to make the training session in May on Safeguarding there are 2 more sessions at the Catholic Centre (Level 1, room 2)
•           Tuesday 8 October   12pm                     •               Wednesday 9 October   12pm         
This training is compulsory if you are involved in any of the following ministries.  Please make sure you attend one of these if you are involved in the following ministries and have not attended.
- Parish Council   - Children’s Liturgy  - Trainer Altar Servers Roles  - Extraordinary Ministers of Communion to the Sick  - Sacramental Programme Leaders
If you are not able to travel into town, you are welcome to join the meeting by ZOOM Conference from your computer at the above time and date. To do this they need to send Brendy your email address and parish you belong to and you will be sent the login details. Contact Brendy Weir Safeguarding Adviser, Archdiocese of Wellington (04) 496 1768 or 021 1958 307 [email protected]

St Mary's College is finalising enrolments for Y9 students 2020 - limited preference places are available. If you would like more information please contact our enrolment team at [email protected]. or (04) 473 5554.

Pope Francis has designated October as the Extraordinary Missionary month. The Parish Leadership Team is hoping to offer a 6 session programme Developing a Spirituality of Service in every parish in October. We need to gauge the interest level so please register with Chris Walkerdine at  [email protected] or telephone on 04 496-1706.

Kiwi Athletic Club opening and enrolment night 1st Wednesday in October 5pm Newtown Stadium. For College age to Veteran adults. Ideal for winter coders, newcomers Contact Peter Jack 388 6224 from 7PM

Taizé Prayer. Lecto divina in music, reading and spoken prayer along with silence. Next Taizé evening at the Chapel of our Lady of Compassion is 7pm, Friday 4 October. All welcome as we prepare for Br Matthew’s visit to Wellington in November. The Chapel of Our Lady of Compassion, 2 Rhine Street, Island Bay, Wellington.  

Join us for a FREE Seniors’ Week event to talk about the symptoms of a heart attack and stroke, so you know what to do if you see or experience them. There will be a CPR demonstration Everyone welcome – free afternoon tea provided. Come along for a chance to hear from others and ask questions.    
Kilbirnie-Lyall Bay Community Centre      Wednesday 16 October   1.30pm – 3.00pm                                        Strathmore Park Community Centre        Friday 1 November           11.00am – 12.30pm

Lazarus teaches us that other persons are a gift. A right relationship with people consists in gratefully recognizing their value. Even the poor person at the door of the rich is not a nuisance, but a summons to conversion and to change. The parable first invites us to open the doors of our heart to others because each person is a gift, whether it be our neighbour or an anonymous pauper.                 Pope Francis: Message for Lent 2017

ST MARY’S COLLEGE HOMESTAY FAMILIES NEEDED We are  keen to hear from families who would like to  host  the students who come from around the world to study at St.Mary’s. The girls are here to improve their English language skills and to experience life in New Zealand. The host family need to offer a warm comfortable room, lots of chat, and outings to showcase our beautiful city and surrounds, the beaches, rivers, hills and mountains, Te Papa, Wellington Museum, Zealandia etc, our wonderful food options as well as sports events We need short and long term options for hosting. please get in touch with Philly Smyth, Homestay  Coordinator.

While the situation is not good and the planet is suffering, the window of opportunity is still open. We are still in time. Let us not let it close.                                      Pope Francis: Message to the UN Climate Action Summit 2019

Go you are sent to communicate effectively (13) Revolutionize our communications including online presence and use of social media-possibly youth led?

Our prayers are with those who are unwell especially John Rogers, 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 Vera Dyson and those whose anniversaries occur around this time including Kathryn Dobbs, Audrey Gavan, Gilbert Raymond, Francis Shaw, Diane Crowhurst and Brian Bell. 

The St Vincent de Paul Society Seatoun & Miramar Conference is most grateful for the kind support from parishioners to our activities over the past year.  So that you know how your donations have been used, attached is a summary of the income, expenditure and activities made possible by your compassion and love for people in most need in our eastern suburbs area.  A fuller summary of our activities can be read in the parish's upcoming annual report.  May God bless you for what you give.  (Contact: Brendan Quirk, phone 04 388 9708)