2nd april 2017

​Readings: Ezekiel 37, 12-14; Rom 8, 8-11; Jn 11, 1-45
Introduction: That we might have Life
New life is more than just life; life that will never end; life that can accrue even from death... This is today’s good news.
Today first reading from Ezekiel oozes with hope.  God desires and has the power to bring life even out of death, to make us rise from our tombs, and make us settle in our land.  But God’s vision and promise ought to be our desire, too.  He needs a little help from us, and it starts with our own desire for life, not death. It starts with our won efforts at doing what St. Paul counsels us – to leave behind life “in the flesh” and pursue one “in the Spirit.”
After the Lord has walked Mary through her ignorance, tears, sorrow and grief, Martha knew much, much more.  But by then, it was not just a matter of knowing.  It becomes a matter of faith: “Yes, Lord, I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the son of God, the one who is coming into the world.” No one does it better than He who died and gave Himself “that we might have life – life in its fullness.” Who is your life and resurrection?
Fr Ephrem
The last Friday of Lent is a day of fasting and abstinence
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.

Lenten Mass – 1st March – 8th April
There will be 6.30am Mass at Holy Cross Church from Monday – Saturday during Lent.
Stations of the Cross – Thursdays during Lent
Every Thursday at 7pm at St Patrick’s Church through to 6th April

Congratulations to our children from St Anthony’s who received reconciliation this week and from Holy Cross and St Patrick’s for Thursday 6th April at Holy Cross Church
Please continue to pray for them as they complete the sacramental programme this year.
St Anthony’s -  JosephThurston, Cassara Balogh,Liam Balogh,Luca Giera,Coco Giera,Sophia Meech, Ricco Raymond, Riley Smith,  Billy Proudfoot, Dannielle Trangmar, Chloe Blades,  Shyla Prasad, James Pink, Maggie Taylor
Holy Cross  - Chimereuchem Kelech, Chiemesia Kelech, Chidumnoro Kelechi, Sean Evans, Rociana Ropat, Lupe Ropat, Joshua Angelo, Laura Blair, Anastasia Graham, Lauseana Kerschbaumer, Andry Bourke,  Liaiina Lefale, Xanthe Dickie, Adam Burns, Laionosi Taumoe'anga, Robin Taumoe'anga, Joseph Finau, Benjamin Finefeuiaki, Mounga Finefeuiaki,  Liaiina Leafale, Zerlinde Tutuila, Sulia Tutuila,  Tyla Walmsley
St Patrick’s – Ioane Aukustino, Keira Delaney, Liam Delaney, Roman Hammington, Ella Hansen, Elijoh Higgins, Aaron Mathew, Beatrice Noriega, Aryan Prasad, Angela Robert, Gerard Sera Jose, Mairan Sullivan.  

Fr Gregory thanks you all for your prayers and good wishes. He is still not well enough to celebrate Masses as he is suffering a re-occurrence of the trigeminal neuralgia which affected him a few years ago. He is resting at home.

Archdiocesan North Island Chrism Mass – the Mass of the oils, 7.30pm, Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Hill St, Thorndon.

Holy Cross Happy Hour – Weds 5th April 11am in the Parish Centre.
Seniors are reminded of our next happy hour. A friendly game of bingo and a shared lunch.
 All welcome.

Easter Music Practice There will be a music practice for all musicians and singers who would like to be involved in the Music for Holy Thursday and Easter Saturday Night. The practice will be at 7-8pm at Holy Cross Church on Monday Night All are welcome and needed. If you would like any information contact David Sullivan  [email protected] or 388 9001

Palm Sunday
To help us with the giving side of our Lenten devolution, food donations will be collected on Palm Sunday and donated to St Vincent de Paul. If you could please bring a non-perishable food item and place in the collection boxes at the back of each Church next Sunday. Thank you.  

The pastoral council ask all parishioners to consider their participation in the diocesan-wide Synod in September.  The synod is a process of discernment and listening to determine the future direction for the whole diocese.  The pastoral council wish to have nominations from all age groups and communities within our parish. However, Participants are NOT there to represent holy trinity parish but be part of the wider diocesan family.
WE ARE CALLING FOR NOMINATIONS by Easter Monday.  Please provide your own name and contact details to [email protected], put in the collection basket at Mass or drop your nomination into the office  
If you wish to nominate another person please talk to them about this first. 

ALPHA PARENTING CHILDREN COURSE The course went really well last year so we are offering it again.  It is a series of five videos on building strong relationships, meeting our kid’s needs, setting boundaries, teaching healthy relationships and long term aims.  The course is over five weeks.  Each week it starts with afternoon tea and a video, which are followed by short discussion.
No matter where you are at with your kids it is a helpful, practical course.  Hope you can join us.  The first session will be in the Gascoigne Room at 3.15pm on Tuesday 16 May.  There is no charge.  Bring your children along as both play and homework supervision is provided.  For more details, see the following video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BY8thZ_W2gY or text Kim on 0222426288 or Ruth on 0276700365

Last year 95 people across the parish attended Alpha faith and parenting courses.  The Alpha faith course is a really terrific refresher course on the fundamentals of what we believe and how these beliefs equip us to be loving people in our families and community.  Each of the courses included an away day at the Home of Compassion in  Island Bay.  The Home of Compassion is a neat place where it is easy to be prayerful.  It seems that part of the success of the course has been the good atmosphere for people to be able to share and discuss their thoughts.  The courses are available again this year starting at 7.00pm in the Gascoigne Room on Tuesday 2 May.  To enrol please call or text Dave Monastra on 0274477280 or Ruth O’Brien on 0276700365.  Feel free to bring a friend who may not be a member of the parish.

There are still envelopes at the back of the churches waiting to be collected. This includes those who are on automatic payment - don’t forget to collect your set of specials envelopes.
If you would like to join planned giving or would like to change from envelopes to automatic payments, please contact the office [email protected] or 388-6953 to arrange.

Knitting for babies and young children. Many thanks to all those who have continued knitting for these children. There is still a great need for these garments and are very much appreciated. Also, any donations of double knitting wool would be appreciated. Leave at the back of the church or ring Margaret 388 2840. Many thanks.

Free Relationship Insurance! Marriage Encounter is running an enrichment weekend for all couples that believe their marriage is important. Without constantly working on improving your relationship complacency can creep in and wreak havoc, sometimes destroying the beautiful relationship you currently have. It’s not worth the risk! Book on the Marriage Encounter weekend now and protect your relationship. You insure your house so why not your marriage?  Join us on the next weekend.
Weekend Date: 12th – 14th May. To be held at Masters Hall SH2 Pahiatua. Ph. 0800 362 686 for more information and to book a place on the weekend

40 Days for Life - More than 13,000 preborn children are aborted every year in New Zealand. That is 36 Children every single day. Women are hurt – physically, mentally and spiritually. Men regret their lost fatherhood. 40 Days of Life is a local solution where people unite in prayer, fasting, and peaceful vigil outside abortion facilities in order to end abortion. Please join your local 40 Days for Life prayer vigil March 1st to April 9th. Together, with God’s grace, we will bring about an end to abortion in New Zealand. Visit fli.org.nz/40daysforlife or ph 04 237-8343.

Assistance needed
At the request of the Red Cross, St Catherine’s College has recently enrolled several refugee students. Red Cross is providing some assistance but the College needs to provide basic equipment and help with Attendance Dues. We have very limited available funding and it will not fully meet this need. If you are able to help with a donation or on-going sponsorship of a student, even in a small way, the College, the students and their families would be most grateful. Please contact the Principal, Mrs Mary Curran on 4-939-8988 or [email protected] . Thank you so much.
St Catherine’s College
Open Days and Evening
Wednesday 31 May 2017 1.15 – 3.15pm Sunday 11 June 2017 1.00 – 3.00pm
Tuesday 8 August 2017 Evening 5.45 - 7.00pm 14 Upper Bourke Street, Kilbirnie, Wellington, 939 8988
 

Volunteers needed to collect for the Stroke Foundation for 1 or 2 hours at either New World in Miramar or Newtown Friday 7th April.
If you can help, contact Robin Boldarin 027 209 7044 or 388 2647

Free Relationship Insurance! Marriage Encounter is running an enrichment weekend for all couples that believe their marriage is important. Without constantly working on improving your relationship complacency can creep in and wreak havoc, sometimes destroying the beautiful relationship you currently have. It’s not worth the risk! Book on the Marriage Encounter weekend now and protect your relationship. You insure your house so why not your marriage?  Join us on the next weekend.
Weekend Date: 12th – 14th May. To be held at Masters Hall SH2 Pahiatua. Ph. 0800 362 686 for more information and to book a place on the weekend.

If you would like to receive the newsletter by email contact the parish office [email protected] with newsletter in the subject line and you will be added to the list.

Accommodation Needed For Refugee Family Lovely refugee family (mother with son and daughter) searching for 3 bedroom home to rent in our parish area.
 Excellent reference available from St Joseph’s parish. Please contact Amanda Calder on 4757994 or Francis Fanning on 3810900 if you can help.

Please remember, if you move or change any of your details, please contact the parish office so your record can be updated Thank you.

St Mary’s College Sevens team started an amazing journey less than two years ago when the team was first formed. In 2016 the girls won every tournament that they entered and are the current National Secondary School Champions. The win has earned the team the right to represent New Zealand at the Sanix World Youth Cup to be held in Fukuoka, Japan in April 2017.
The team needs to raise $30,000 before Easter and are working extremely hard to fundraise and for some families the amount needed to travel is a big challenge.
The team has set up a givealittle page so that you can be a part of our journey and help us to bring home an international title! Any amount no matter how small or big will be gratefully accepted.
https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/stmaryswellington
 
 

The next Little Angels Playgroup at Holy Cross School will be Friday 7th April 1.45 – 3pm in room 11 & 12 at the School. Parents and caregivers are warmly invited to come and join in the fun. All welcome. Please contact Holy Cross School for more informaiton 388 7189 or [email protected]

Weekday Mass timetable for Easter Week
 
Mon 10th –     9am morning Mass at St Patrick’s
 
Tues 11th –    9am morning Mass at St Anthony’s
 
Weds 12th –   9.30am morning Mass at Holy Cross
No evening adoration or Mass at St Patrick’s Church
 
Thurs 13th – no morning Mass at the 3 Churches
 
 
 

On the Sunday Programme on TVNZ 1 this week is a story “Sr Aroha”.  The story looks at the work of a Canterbury raised Missionary of Charity working in Sri Lanka.  The promo for the section can be viewed below.
 
http://tvnz.co.nz/sunday-news/preview-next-week-video-6519390
 

Sonrise Service – Easter Sunday 16th April 6.30am at Mt Victoria Lookout
Hosted by the Salvation Army and orgaisend by the Council of Wellington Churches.