31 March 2019

Josh. 5:9-12; 2Cor. 5:17-21; Lk.15:1-3;11-32
The fourth Sunday of Lent marks the midpoint in the Lenten preparation for Easter.  Traditionally it is called Laetare Sunday (Rejoice Sunday). This Sunday is set aside for us to recall God’s graciousness and to rejoice because of it.  In many ways we have been dead, but through God’s grace we have come to life again; we have been lost but have now been found.  We have every reason to rejoice.  Hence, each of the three readings characterizes one of the many facets of Easter joy. 
In the first reading, the Chosen People of God are portrayed as celebrating, for the first time, the feast of their freedom in their own land.  Their joy is one of promises fulfilled.  The second reading joyfully proclaims the effect of Jesus’ saving act as the reconciliation of all peoples to the Father. In the Gospel, the joy is that of a young son’s “coming home” and rediscovering a father’s forgiving and gratuitous love.  It is also the story of a loving and forgiving father who celebrates the return of his prodigal son by throwing a big party in his honor, a banquet of reconciliation of the son with his father, his family, his community and with his God.  It is the Parable of the Forgiving Father, the story of divine love and mercy for us sinners. We can either identify ourselves with Father who lost his son because of the prodigality of his love or with the prodigal son who because of his foolishness rejected Father’s love and got lost. With either of them losing we feeling something missing in ourselves. We have either lost someone in faith or are lost in God’s sight. The common theme of joy resulting from reconciliation with God and other human beings is announced to all of us present in this church – an assembly of sinful people, ready to receive God's forgiveness, and His Personal Presence as a forgiving God in the Holy Eucharist.
.                                                                                                                                   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.

We congratulation all our children who will receive the sacrament of reconciliation this coming Tuesday and Saturday.
Isobel Mulhern,  Isobelle St. Just,  Alina Meech,  Abby Johnson,  Anneke Handscomb,  Tommy Smith,  Charlotte Kempton,   Michael Bustamante,       Mary-lia Leota-Johnson,   Charlie Madar-Leuluia,   Jessica D'Souza,   Ceanne Tolentino,  Luisa Basile,   Alex Reyes,   Francis Tu'uga,  Lucas Fernando and Marvyl  Gaspe.
Please continue to pray for them as they complete the sacramental programme this year.

Lenten Mass – 6 March – 13 April 2019
6.30am Mass at Holy Cross Parish Centre
Monday – Saturday during Lent
Stations of the Cross followed by Lectio Divina
Thursdays during Lent
Every Thursday at 7pm at St Patrick’s Church
7th March – 11th April 2019 (except 21 March)
Parish Reconciliation – Wednesday 10 April (date change)
7pm at St Patrick’s Church

UPDATE ON CARDINAL’S PASTORAL LETTER
Cardinal John in his letter of 15 February, directed us to make recommendations for the future of Holy Trinity Parish, particularly with regard to the number of our churches and associated buildings.
Our Parish Pastoral Council and Finance committee have established a plan to prepare a full response by the Cardinal’s deadline of 31 October 2019.
There are two fundamental facts calling for this review; first the number of priests available will continue to fall: and second our buildings are increasingly expensive to maintain and insure and earthquake standards remain a problem.
The first phase of our plan is to gather the information necessary for objective recommendations to be made—Mass counts, church capacities, population trends by suburb, the size and condition of our buildings and any other factors that ought to be taken into account.
The Finance Committee has already completed significant work with property planning and this review will build on that with updated information. The Cardinal’s memorandum directs us to focus on the number and location of churches and buildings required, rather than just continuing the existing review.
Once we have completed information gathering, we will develop a preferred proposal backed up by facts, research and common sense, although alternatives will be reflected. We expect to consult parishioners about this proposal sometime in June. We will also consult with other parishes as instructed by the Cardinal, to learn as much as we can about their plans as well.
 The projected availability of priests, the financial impact and long-term viability and acknowledgement of the cultural diversity in our parish community will be key factors in what is decided to be the preferred option.
You will have noted that Cardinal John has given each parish a DIRECTIVE, not an option, to
carry out this review so as to enable each parish to create a sustainable and mission- oriented future.
A prayer for the success of this review will be included in the weekly prayers of the faithful.
We ask all parishioners to include this intention in your daily prayers.
 
                        Fr Ephrem                   Finance Committee                  Parish Council               

Annointing Mass St Patrick’s Church 11am Wednesday 3d April.

Stations of the Cross Roster
Thursday   4th April   7pm   The Book Club  (Julian Knap)
Thursday 11th April   7pm    Filipino Community (Thess Ama)

St Catherine's Convent School Kilbirnie  1917-1951 Were you a pupil?  Do you know someone who was?  A book "The School On The Hill" has been written recording pupils' memories.  It details with photos the social history of the time, the Flu Epidemic, the pupils' operettas and concerts, what it was like being at school in WW2 and lots more.  The Book Launch is on Saturday 13 April at 3pm at St Patrick's Church Parish Centre, Childers Tce, Kilbirnie.  
You are welcome to attend.  Books will available for sale $25 each.  
For further information email the author  Patricia O'Donnell   [email protected]

Last year we had a very successful Spring Mass on a Sunday afternoon, we would like to invite all families to join us again on Sunday 7 April at 4pm at St Anthony's Church. As it is a children's led mass, we are involving as many of our students as possible. After mass join us for a picnic BYO dinner in the school playground. Bring a blanket and your family to enjoy time together as a parish/school community. 

The International Centennial Pilgram Image of Our Lady of Fatima  Theme: “the urgent call for Prayer and Reparation: The Appeal of Our Lady of Fatima” St Patrick’ Church April 8-9. See noticeboard for more details.

St Patrick’s Parish/Church Centennial      In November 2019 St Patrick’s parish/church Kilbirnie will celebrate its centennial. This is a huge milestone for the catholic community now within the parish of Holy Trinity. It is important that we recognise this important event with a centennial Mass and an invitation has been sent to check on the availability of Cardinal John to participate in this Mass.
A number of events need to be organised around this time and we need to establish a small committee of interested parishioners to facilitate these centennial events.
If you are able to assist in any way by providing your background knowledge of names, events, photographs, or published articles or just have an interest in helping co-ordinate these centennial events then please email your name and contact details to [email protected]  This is a great opportunity for you to become involved in a fun but hugely important parish activity.

A big thank you to you Holy Trinity Parish for your love and care for the last 10 years. Wishing you all Gods Blessings.                                              Fr Gregory

Cleaning HOLY CROSS Church:  We desperately need more people to clean our Church.This involves vacuuming the main part of the church approximately once a month. The more people we have the less often you will be needed. If you would like to help us please contact Ann Nota on 380 9332. Your time and help will be most appreciated. Thank you.

Altar servers at St Patrick’s.  Please contact the office with your phone number and email as the records are not right and we cant talk to you about your turns. [email protected] or 388 6953

Wanted to rent. Young mother with 3 children looking for 3 bedroom house in the Eastern Suburbs up to $600 per week. Every care taken. Refs available. Contact Bev 388 5821

Euthanasia in Canada – a cautionary tale An honest discussion of the impact on palliative care. Tuesday, 2nd April 2019, Rutherford House – Room RHLT2, Victoria University of Wellington, Pipitea Campus. Cost: Koha is appreciated and can be made at the door. See the notice at the back of the church.

Lenten Prayer for Life to Good Friday join us in daily prayer, fasting and reparation for the cause of life. Register your prayer commitment for the campaign's four prayer intentions at fli.org.nz/lentenprayerforlife and receive a free pro-life prayer book. If possible, please also join the prayerful witness to life outside Wellington Hospital on all or any of these Weds April 3 and 10. To sign up for an hour txt 021 2317954 email [email protected]  For info see the poster in the church porch.

The Pacific People Campaign rally – End of Life Choice bill onto parliament has been postponed to Tuesday, 9th April 2019.  We meet on parliament grounds at 11am, the MPs will come out at 12pm- 1pm.  For those who can only make it lunch time please come around 12pm.  Or click here for more information Pacific People say NO to End of Life Choice Bill

Joshua Catholic Men’s Fellowship Wellington invites men to come along and join us on Thursday 11th April 2019 at 7:30pm (Note: fellowship from 7:00pm for 7:30pm start) In CONNOLLY HALL, Guildford Terrace, Thorndon (behind the closed Sacred Heart Cathedral).  Speaker: Fr Kevin Connors on “You are called to be...”  Want to know more? Ring Steve Ready 027-356-9555 or [email protected]

Celebrating 100 years since the first school building on St Catherine’s College site. High Tea 22 June 2019 from 1.00pm – 4.45pm Mercy Hall, SCC. $15. Registration required. Contact Sister Stephanie [email protected] or 0272458859
"HUMANITY OF THE UNBORN
Upcoming legislation intends to allow ABORTION UP TO BIRTH -
If you're willing for your Name and Area (only) to accompany a letter against this to all MPs
please email: [email protected] URGENTLY"

Archdiocesan North Island Chrism Mass – the Mass of the oils, Tuesday 16th April 7pm, St Teresa’s Pro-Cathedral, Karori.

How to Think about Ageing: Insights from Disability Theology. You are invited to a lecture given by Dr Michael Mawson, University of Aberdeen which will reflect upon the relationship between ageing and disability. In particular, it will explore how insights from disability theology can contribute to richer and more concrete accounts of ageing and its associated complexities. Wed 17 April 7:30—9:00 (GBLT1) Government Building Law School Wellington.

While the given gospel this weekend is the parable of the Prodigal Son, parishes in which catechumens are preparing for the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter will use the account of Jesus giving sight to the man born blind. In both gospel accounts Jesus is giving new vision. This is clearly evident when a man who is blind receives physical sight, but the greater miracle is when a lost son realises that he is lost and chooses to return home to his loving father. Both sons lacked maturity and were bound by their fears and compulsions. The prodigal saw his home life and his father as obstacles to his freedom. He runs from this soon falling victim to every superficial attraction waking up to realise that such an existence is not freedom but imprisonment. The home-bound son might initially appear to be virtuous, but on the return of his wayward brother his repressed anger and childish fragility erupts and he is unable to delight in the return of his brother. Both sons are immature, one a fearful child, the other a reactionary teenager. Both are sinners, but we see only the prodigal reaching the great turning point of faith and accepting the loving embrace of the father. Such a life-giving conversion comes to us only when we are brought to our knees as the prodigal son was when he realised that life in the pig-pen was no life at all.
An Invitation:   This Lent our nation has suffered a great tragedy which can be for us a turning point if we realise that an us-and-them mentality can only lead us to division, hate and violence. Let us pray for new vision, inviting Jesus to give us new sight continuing to work in us to transform our hatred into love, our doubt into faith, our despair into hope our sadness into joy, and our darkness into light.  Fr. John O’Connor   www.foodforfaith.org.nz
 

 Stewardship enhances our relationships with God and each other.

Mary Potter Hospice street appeal day – 17th & 18th May. Collectors needed. Can you spare an hour or two of your time? Find out more or register at www.marypotter.org.nz or contact Phillip at [email protected]

UK Pilgrimage - join Msgr David Tonks on a spiritual journey to Ireland, Scotland & England: 25-days departing Sunday 23 June 2019. For further details, please contact Laura on phone +64-9-921 5106 or 0800-277 477 or email: [email protected].

HUMANITY OF THE UNBORN CHILD  Upcoming leglislation intends to allow ABORTION UP TO BIRTH - If you're willing to come against this please email Name and postal area to: [email protected] 

Receptionist Catholic Centre An exciting opportunity has arisen for the right person to take up a client focussed role at the Archdiocese of Wellington as a Receptionist for the Catholic Centre. We’re looking for a warm, energetic and approachable problem solver who is very customer focused. Has attention to detail, with a calm demeanour and a mature outlook on life. If you are interested in this 20 - 30 hour a week role, please send your resume and covering letter to  [email protected]  to receive a job description and application form. 
Applications close on 9th  April 2019.

We pray for the members of our Parish families who have died recently especially Mary Smith and those whose anniversaries occur around this time including Frank Mansell, Frederick Sparke, Mary Dillon and Francis Galvin. Our prayers are also 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.