3 june 2018

Last Sunday we celebrated the feat of the most Holy Trinity, we thanked and praised our Triune God.  Among the many saving deeds of the Trinitarian God that lead us to salvation, there is one which is called God’s wisdom, power and love namely: Eucharist. It was this display of God’s love that moved the Church to establish the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ.  This weekend the Catholic Church all over the World celebrates the feast of that Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. It is also commonly known as the feast of Corpus Christi. This feast is established as a memorial of God’s everlasting presence in the Church. The night before he died, as he sat at table with his disciples, he took bread and said, ‘this is my body given for you.’ Then he took the cup filled with wine and said, ‘take this is the cup of my blood and drink. Do this in memory of me.’ In this way in his love for them he left them a special way of remembering him, namely the Eucharist. Since then it is believed and still we believe with great strength, that Jesus is truly present in the form of consecrated bread and wine. When we remember him in this way, he becomes present to us.
        Here there is another aspect of reality of this feast, which we are often not aware of it. When we receive the Holy Communion, we usually say ‘Amen’ that means we are affirming the reality of the body and blood of Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Another reality we affirm is that we, the gathered followers of Jesus Christ are the body of Christ. That is why St. Paul in his letters to the 1st Cor.12 versus 28 says; “Now you are Christ’s body and individually parts of it.” Let our prayer today be Lord strengthen the bonds that unite us with you and one another, so that we may enjoy the peace and unity of your kingdom where you live forever and ever.
Fr Gregory
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.
 

A big thank you to all those involved in our Parish celebration and Fr Ephrem’s anniversary shared lunch.  It was a wonderful celebration and we appreaciate all your hard work.

Annointing Mass at St Patrick’s Church - 11am Wednesday 6 June

Feast of St Anthony  St Anthony’s Church will be celebrating their feast day on the 10th June. All welcome  
 

Holy Cross Happy Hour Weds 6th June 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

St Patrick's Update  As many of you will have noticed,  work on the former presbytery site steadily continues with groundworks well underway and the WCC permitted exit taking shape onto Childers Tce.  Progress is now a little slower than anticipated, mainly due to the very wet weather.  Hopefully next week we'll have a bit of wind and no rain!

Archdiocese of Wellington 2018 Priest Jubilee Mass of Thanksgiving
This will be held at St Patrick’s Church, Kilbirnie Wednesday 27th June 2018 at 11am.
All are welcome to join the priests of the Archdiocese at the Mass of Thanksgiving.
Please note: This will be the only Mass in the Parish on this day.

Thank you. St Vincent de Paul Society Foodbank Collection.   Warm thanks to those Holy Trinity Parish parishioners who shopped and donated at Countdown Supermarket Kilbirnie last Saturday 26 May 2018 to boost our foodbank stocks at the SVDP Centre Newtown and Conferences around Wellington.  Your compassion will reach out to help most needy people with emergency food and toiletries at their difficult times over the next few months. God bless you (Contact: Brendan Quirk, Seatoun & Miramar Conference, ph 388 9708).

A reminder to all our parishioners, who are so generous of their time and resources.
St Vincent de Paul’s Street Day collection, is Friday, 15th June.
This is the major “fund raiser” for the year.

We congratulate the following St Catherine’s College girls for being commissioned as ministers of the Eucharist. Niamh Cartysquires, Gabrielle Barnett-Bates, Isabella Chait, Frances Holmes, Magdalena Allen, Maryanne Sola, Veronika Foliaki, Joyce Zhang, Jordyn Tuffery and also a member of staff, Mandy Page.
 

Prayer of the Faithful led by  Fr James Lyons.  An interactive workshop on how to write and present general intercessions for the section of the Mass known as the Prayer of the Faithful. Tuesday 12 June  at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hill St, Wgtn. Workshop 7pm - 8.30pm. EVERYONE welcome.  Please register by June 6th  at [email protected]

Hospi Pyjamas for winter appeal. Please donate a pair of new flannelette pyjamas or make a monetary donation. Warm kids are healthy kids. Help Hospi keep our kids warm this winter! Wellington Hospitals Foundation is calling for brand new pyjamas for sick children both in Wellington Regional Children’s Hospital, and out in our community.
Why? Wellington Regional Children’s Hospital sees a significant increase in the number of children who are admitted to hospital over the winter months, and many of them come without a pair of pyjamas. For many Wellington families in need, the simple act of having warm pyjamas and heating their home is more than they can afford. A warm pair of pyjamas, to keep our children warm at night, can help prevent them from being admitted to hospital this winter.
How? All donated pyjamas must be brand new. Size 2-10, flannelette 2 piece pyjamas preferred. Pyjamas can be dropped off to the Receptions at: Wellington Hospital, or posted to: Wellington Hospitals Foundation, Wellington Hospital Private Bag 7902, Wellington 6242, New Zealand. To make an online donation whf.org.nz/donate and Hospi will buy a pair on your behalf!

In the Eucharist the Lord makes us walk on his road, that of service, of sharing, of giving; and if it is shared, that little we have, that little we are, becomes riches, for the power of God — which is the power of love — comes down into our poverty to transform it.  So let us ask ourselves, in adoring Christ who is really present in the Eucharist: do I let myself be transformed by him? Do I let the Lord who gives himself to me, guide me to going out ever more from my little enclosure, in order to give, to share, to love him and others?
Pope Francis: Homily on the Feast of Corpus Christi 2013

About to get Married? Could you successfully run a marathon without preparing for it? Of course not! So too marriage. The next opportunity to prepare for your lifetime of marriage on an Engaged Encounter Marriage Preparation course is July 14th and 15th. For more information phone Kate and Simon on 801 6192 or visit our websitewww.cee-wellington.co.nz 

Parish Council Meeting – 6th June 7.30pm Holy Cross Parish Centre
Finance Committee Meeting – 12th June 7.30pm  Holy Cross Parish Centre

Coats for the Homeless – 2018 Appeal. The Order of Malta is now running its 2018 appeal.  The coats are a good weight for Wellington’s cold and windy winter, suitable for both men and women and practical with deep pockets and Velcro fastenings.  The showerproof coats are hooded and open out well and can also double as a small blanket.  The coats will be distributed by the Compassion Centre in Tory Street and by Members of the Order of Malta. We are asking you for cash donations so we can buy the coats. We can now get two coats for $70. All donations to this appeal are tax deductible. Flyers with details on how to donate are in the church foyer.  Further information can be obtained from [email protected] or phone 021 325 884. Thank you.

Vigil for the Unborn: Saturday 16th June. St Anne's Catholic Church, Emmett Street, Newtown. Starts at 10 am with Mass. Ends at 12.00 p.m. Come-Pray-Sacrifice for the Unborn and a Culture of Life in NZ. For more information contact Family Life International NZ PH: 2378343

Life in the Spirit Seminar This seminar will be conducted at the Church of Sts Peter and Paul, Lower Hutt on seven consecutive Tues evenings 5 June - 17 July except for the 4th week which will be on Mon 25 June. Do you want to encounter Jesus on a deeper level? Come and be blessed.  information on the poster on the notice board.

Fr Ephrem would like to formalise a prayer chain in our Parish. If you would like to be involved in this ministry, please contact the parish office with your contact details and Fr Ephrem will be in contact with you. This prayer chain will pray for the needs of our parish including those who are unwell and in most need of our prayers. The best way we can offer our service is in prayer, so this ministry is suited to all parishioners including those who are home bound and wondering in what ways they can be of service to our parish as this will be individuals and family groups praying in their own homes. We have many requests that come to our priests and it would be good to have a group to help with this.

Go, you are sent… to your peripheries.   Outcome (7f) Parishes and schools work closely together to: identify barriers to accessing Catholic Schools

Parish Registration forms are available at the back of the churches. If any of your details change or you haven’t yet registered with the parish, please fill in a form and put in the collection basket or email to the parish office. The form is also available to download on the parish website www.holytrinity.parish.nz

This Joshua meeting is open to both men and women. Come along and hear Chris Olsen speak about the “Open Home Foundation International as the hands and feet of Jesus in Africa and beyond” at CONNOLLY HALL, Guildford Terrace, Thorndon (behind Sacred Heart Cathedral) on Thursday 21st of June 2018 at 8:00pm (Cuppa available from 7:30pm) Want to know more? Ring Steve Ready 027-356-9555 or email: [email protected]

A Caring Space We offer this breathing space for all who care for a loved one, a chance to step away for a few hours. An opportunity to gently explore, together with God, the way this role is changing your life, hopes, dreams and perspectives and above all the relationship with the one you care for.  Led by Gill Schaap and Veronica Parton at Challenge House, 1 Wanaka St., Johnsonville on Friday 22nd June; 11am – 2pm.  Cost $10. Please register with Veronica Parton 021 238 6675 or email [email protected]

St Patrick’s College Art Exhibition  21st Sept 2018. Save the date - more details to follow.

The June 3 – 16 issue of NZ Catholic is out now. Some headlines are: Leaky building issues for NZ seminary. Catholic academic shortage a worry. Chaplaincy bulwark against campus cults. Harbour bridge bungy raises funds for Mercy Hospice. The next issue of NZ Catholic will be published on June 17.

Red Cross refugee support volunteer training. Thanks to everyone who assists with the preparation of homes for former refugees settling in the wider Wellington area. If you are interested in taking your involvement further to assist former refugee families directly, the next Red Cross refugee support volunteer training begins in July. Group interviews are on 25- 27 June, with six weeks of training beginning on 4 July.
For more information please phone the Red Cross 048050304 or see their website: https://www.redcross.org.nz/what-we-do/in-new-zealand/refugee-programmes/volunteer-help-former-refugees/
 

WelCom edition for June 2018 is out this week, for Sunday 3 June.  Contents include:
·         O’Shea Shield 2018 - Te Hira O’Shea 2018.
·         NZ Bishops Conference and Nathaniel Centre joint submission to Law Commission on Abortion Law review.
·         Cardinal John Dew – how ADW parishes operate.
·         Sir Br Patrick Lynch KNZM QSO – A Life in Education and New Zealand’s Integrated Schools 1976‒2016’ memoirs launched.
·         Te Rūnanga website refreshed.
·         Our Lady of Kapiti – new parish church and centre concept drawing released.
·         Prayer Day for Refugees and Migrants Sunday 17 June; World Refugee Day 20 June; and Seafarers’ Day 25 June.
·         ‘Map and Journeys’ – Joy Cowley.
·         Inculturation – Jim Davis.
·         Becoming an Easter People Together – by Dr Bernard Teo CSsR, a Catholic response to End of Life Choice Bill.
·         Stories and events from dioceses, parishes, youth and schools.
 

Matariki Stories. Speaking of Hope. Everyone is invited to this afternoon to consider what it means in our lives for the days to become lighter and brighter. Saturday 16th June 1pm - 3.30pm. Speakers Doug Avery author of the resilient farmer and Glen Colquhoun, celebrated NZ poet. You are welcome to remain for a time of reflection in the afternoon. 5.30pm the day closes with Evening Prayer. Email: [email protected]
 

Suzanne Aubert Birthday Commemorative Mass. The Sisters of Compassion and the Catholic Parish of Wellington South invite you to celebrate Suzanne Aubert’s birthday at the annual Mass, celebrated by Cardinal John Dew. Please join us 6pm on 19th June, St Anne’s church, Newtown. For more details: Email: [email protected] or Ph. 04 282 1953.

​We pray for the members of our Parish families who have died recently especially Helen Reston, Francisco Sevilla and Catherine (Wyn) Kean and those whose anniversaries occur around this time including Ricky Popple, Matthew Manion and Margot Chrustowski.  Our prayers are also with those who are unwell especially John Rogers, Graeme Adams and Steve Kuzmicich and for the wonderful people who are caring for the everyday needs of the sick in our Community.