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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. Acts 2, 14. 36-41; 1 Pet 2, 20-25; Jn 10, 1-10 Why do I do what I do? Importance of Good Shepherd Dear sisters and brothers, today we celebrate vocation Sunday: the Good Shepherd Sunday. I must tell you that we are familiar with the image of Jesus as the good shepherd, the Son of Man to take to himself is amazing. For me the only time I saw the shepherds in my native place is when from North India shepherds brought hundreds of sheep to our place in winter leading to summer after the monsoon, for green pastures. I had hardly any chance even to see in the movies, having no television or cinema halls in my place. But now after growing up in a Christian family, worshipping with parish community, it feels like I have grown with it and feel completely at home. I would like to focus on the Shepherd rather than the gate. So, let’s have a look in this saying of Jesus, “I am the shepherd. My sheep know me and I know my sheep, and I give my life, life itself.” Why do we need something like that kind of help? Tolstoy tells this story about a group of Russians, sitting in an inn, drinking. A friend asked, “Ivan, do you love me?” “of course, I love you,” replied Ivan. The friend said, “Ivan, why are you saying you love me when you don’t even know me? You do not know what I need, what I hunger for, all the things that are important to me and you can’t give me one thing.” So, Ivan says, “you’re drunk, that’s why you’re sad.” But the friend says, “No, I’m sad because I’m sober and all alone.” Remember, God is with us. These few things I bring to your attention as we reflect on Good Shepherd, our own vocation. The Son of Man is a Shepherd who gives life, his own life and be with us always. This realisation comes not through knowledge or understanding but through encounter with reality in the person of Jesus Christ. Corona Virus and all other sicknesses show us the grave importance of in the words of Prime Minister gave a call to all of us to grow in, “Empathy, kindness and care for all.” Just one person’s word or action can derail all the gain of control we have on this pandemic; and so too can happen in our spiritual life. My words have the power to change you; my actions have the power to inspire you. When I say these, I mean in incredibly positive way which brings and enhances our life of happiness. All that shepherd does is to lead us to green pasture, quenches us with clean water, keeps us protected in secured gate. To these to happen we have to listen to his voice and follow it. When Peter is talking in the first and second readings: he is calling to listen to the words of Jesus as he proclaims with a repentant heart. Repentance leads us to conversion and promise to life of happiness and truth in baptism. So, Baptism is to acknowledge Jesus as your shepherd for eternity; to grow in empathy, kindness and care for all. On 25th April we stood at the driveway paying respect to the armed forces who fought to protect us to establish external peace in the world and internal peace for our country. We called it, “we are connected through ANZAC Day.” The day the good shepherd sacrificed His life on the cross won for you and me grace of God and eternal life in Him. Dear sisters and brothers, in this sense it is paramount importance to recognise your vocation and be brave to persevere in it. you are not alone; Jesus is walking with you. If you wish to have life, real life, do remember what the disciples at Emmaus did when they offered Him hospitality. No one in this life is a stranger but sent by God for you and me. Offer greatest of hospitality, the vocation you have come to know, you are capable of as we are journeying together. He restores our life by giving himself in every Mass at the breaking of Bread. Allow God to be with you, at the hour of evening, he will restore your faith. Do not run away if you are called and never underestimate God’s grace working within you, He will make you his disciple. For He goes ahead of us, and we follow hearing his voice. Fr Ephrem Pray Rosary: Month of May: within the cycle of a year, the Church unfolds the whole of the mystery of Christ, from his incarnation and birth until his ascension, the day of Pentecost, and the expectation of blessed hope and of the Lord’s return … In celebrating this annual cycle of Christ’s mysteries, the Church honours with special love Mary, the Blessed Mother of God, who is joined by an inseparable bond to the saving work of her Son. In her the Church holds up and admires the most excellent effect of the redemption and joyfully contemplates, as in a flawless image, that which the Church itself desires and hopes wholly to be (SC 102 & 103). May I call you to reflect our redemption through Rosary with Mother Mary in this holy month of May. Vocation Sunday - 3rd May In speaking of the Gospel passage that recounts the remarkable experience of Jesus and Peter during a stormy night on the Sea of Galilee (cf. Mt 14:22-33) Pope Francis says, "Every vocation is born of that gaze of love with which the Lord came to meet us, perhaps even at a time when our boat was being battered by the storm. We will succeed in discovering and embracing our vocation once we open our hearts in gratitude and perceive the passage of God in our lives." Good Shepherd Sunday is a special day of prayer for vocations to the priesthood. Please pray for our seminarians Alfred, Matthew, Kinh and Emilio, for Gerson who is preparing to enter the seminary and for all those discerning the call to priesthood. Could someone you know become tomorrow’s priest? Pray for this person. Invite him to consider priesthood. Affirm his gifts and qualities. Encourage him to be open to the possibility of priesthood. Contact Fr David Dowling, Vocations Director: frdavidd@gmail.com or 021 174 4248. Visit www.wellingtonpriests.org Follow us on Facebook: Wellington Priests Fr Ephrem is offering Mass every day from the prayer room in the presbytery at the following times Mon, Tues, Weds, Fri, Sat 9.30am Thurs 7pm Sunday 10.30am To join him live go to his Facebook page (Ephrem Tigga) If you would like Fr to offer Mass for yourself or a loved one, please contact the office by either phone or email Masses available on Television: Free to air telecast Shine TV Freeview channel 25 (please note change of time) Sundays – 2pm https://www.wn.catholic.org.nz/adw_community/resources-for-an-unusual-time/ Let us pray for all those who are unwell especially Rae Dawson, Nesi Tan, Warren Stevenson, Eddie Wilkins, 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 Raymond (Bob) Becker and those whose anniversaries occur around this time; Zofia Czochanska. We also remember our leaders and all those involved in providing essential services. Covid 19 - St Vincent de Paul Holy Trinity Parish. On behalf of our Holy Trinity SVDP Conference I want to express our prayerful appreciation of parishioners and others who are sharing the love and compassion of Christ, within and outside the parish, with a many local people who may be isolated or vulnerable at this difficult time. Reaching out in this way is practical evidence of a caring parish living out the Church’s teachings. Pope Frances in his Gaudete et Exsultate (2018) reminds us that "the ultimate criterion on which our lives will be judged is what we have done for others". Should you know of any other isolated people who would appreciate a phone call or are in need of emergency food or winter bedding support, please contact: Tina Quidilla SVDP ph 021 159 2412, email: cquidilla@xtra.co.nz. Do please continue to keep the sick, lonely, poor and marginalised in your prayers. Blessings to all callers, carers and helpers. Brendan Quirk, St Vincent de Paul Conference, Holy Trinity Parish. WelCom May 2020, is out this week for Good Shepherd Sunday, 3 May. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, WelCom is not currently being printed and distributed to parishes and schools. The May 2020 WelCom for online reading as a double-page version is at this link: https://issuu.com/dartworks/docs/welcom_382_may_2020 The May 2020 issue is also available for online reading as a single-page pdf option at this link: https://archdiocese-of-wellington.s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/WelCom_382_May_2020.pdf Content for May WelCom includes:
https://indd.adobe.com/view/1d34fad4-d929-4c6c-aaab-b84fdaeb7459 Yes, we are now at Alert Level 3.However, at every Alert Level people should still take measures to stay safe and well. Stay home or work from home if you can Regularly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water then dry them well Regularly disinfect well used surfaces Stay in your local area Don’t cough or sneeze on people Look after yourself Stay home if you are sick Get tested for COVID-19 if you have flu like symptoms call your Medical Centre or GP OR the Healthline Continue to seek primary medical care At Alert Level 3 - people at risk of severe illness because of age and/or existing and underlying health conditions still need to be extra careful If unsure check with your GP / Medical Centre If you’re anxious , stressed or in danger it's OK to ask for help. Help is still available. Go to: https://safebubble.org.nz/ for the essential services who may help. They’re there for you. X Keep Safe XPray XRead Scripture XReflect XMeditate XKeep in contact with others XDo something creative XBe Grateful XExercise XBe Thankful XBe Kind XPray Check these out: https://www.ltp.org/resources-during-crisis https://gratefulness.org/ https://www.loyolapress.com/3-minute-retreats-daily-online-prayer/ https://www.sacredspace.ie/ COMMUNITY SUPPORT Many people are showing kindness and Christ’s love in action – keeping in touch with others, offering practical help, holding virtual meetings and gatherings, facilitating prayer and more. But reports in the media the past few days indicate that Foodbanks and some Charities around the country are under pressure to keep up with current needs. A reminder that our St Vincent de Paul people are very active in our Parish and wider area. Anyone wishing to make a donation:
Bank – BNZ Account Number - 02-0576-0017817-00 Reference - COVID19 Particular – e.g. your Surname to link to tax receipt. Email Vinnies (info@vinnieswgtn.org.nz ), with your full name and contact details if you want a tax receipt. Some other donation possibilities:
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES ONGOING THANKS TO ESSENTIAL SERVICE WORKERS (& now some others too) Many of you are part of Holy Trinity Parish and all your efforts, time and sacrifice are much appreciated by so many. We couldn’t have done it without you! For the next 6 weeks Pacific communities around Aotearoa can tune in weekly to Pacific language COVID-19 updates. The updates will be available in English, Cook Islands, Fijian, Kiribati, Niue, Rotuman, Samoan, Tongan, Tokelau and Tuvalu. Available on: ➡️ Wednesday - on the Ministry for Pacific Peoples Facebook page. 8am - English 9am - Cook Islands Maori 10am - Fijian 11am - Kiribati 12pm - Niue 1pm - Rotuman 2pm - Samoan 3pm - Tongan 4pm - Tokelau 5pm - Tuvalu ➡️ Thursday - on Pacific radio stations across the country. ➡️ Friday - broadcast on television at 4pm – 4.30pm on Three. People First NZ COVID-19 helpline We know that things are hard right now for many people with learning disability and their families / whānau. People First New Zealand is working together with Personal Advocacy and Safeguarding Adults Trust and IHC Advocacy to assist people during COVID-19. Do you need some help? Ring the People First New Zealand helpline on 0800 20 60 70.
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