31st july

What is the goal of a Christian?
Have you asked this question to yourself? What is your answer? This emphasis on the vanity and meaninglessness of things in or first reading sounds harsh, but it really reminds us of the real truth. Our life here on earth is just temporary. We should not treat the things of this world as wonderful as they are, as if they were ends in themselves. They are not! They are means to an end, instruments to help us fulfil a much higher purpose, namely that of loving and knowing God.
Yes, it is true that we need money to live a dignified life and enjoy it, but if striving after them makes us neglect a healthy relationship with God, we will come to a tragic end. Just like the rich man in the parable. God makes this lesson clear; “take care to guard against all greed”. So if we want a truly fulfilling life, we should strive to be “rich in what matters to God”.
Let us remember what Mother Theresa once said, “God does not expect us to be successful but to be faithful”.                                                                                                                                                                          Fr Mario
Congratulations to our Confirmation children.
On behalf of Holy Trinity Parish, we would like to thank Cardinal John Dew for confirming our children and we ask that parishioners continue to pray for them.
 
St Patrick’s: Lucy Attard, Nathaniel Bautisa, Rachel D’Souza, Joshua Gates, Samuel Gates, Leilani Garnons-Williams, Tyla Gray, Caleb Hope, Ryan Johnson, Juanta Ethan, Kim Rave, Mariana Lealamanua, Thais Meirelles, Tawanda Muteto, Archie Tyra Nou Tuiavii
Holy Cross: Jessica Breen-McCallum, Ihaia Masun-Ryan, Asopesio Telefoni, Tommy Saba, Elijah          McKeown, Gem Bouzai, Maya Rush-Dunn, Lia Rush-Dunn, Leah Pine, Kahurangi Burkitt,
St Anthony’s: Ari Geor, Bella Small, Brianna Smith, Elise McArley, Fleur Kingston, Fraser Lindsay, Lola McCartney, Ruby McCartney, Seamus Óg Flood, Siobhán Bolger and Thomas Waddington.

NEW MASS TIMES START MONDAY 1ST AUGUST
St Patrick’s Church, Kilbirnie:
Weekday: Monday and Friday 9am, Tues, Weds, Thurs 9.30am
Sunday: 5.30pm Vigil Mass, 7.30 am and 10.00 am, Life Teen 5.30 pm Sunday
Holy Cross Church, Miramar:
Weekday: Weds & Fri 9am, Sat 9.30am
Sunday: 9am & 5pm
St Anthony’s Church Seatoun and Good Shepherd Hall, Strathmore:
Weekday: Tues, Weds, Thurs 9am preceded by Rosary, except during the school term Thurs will be at 11.30am
Sunday: Good Shepherd - 8.30 am, St Anthony's 10.30 am

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL NOMINATIONS
Dear Parishioners
Nominations close Sunday 31st July for Parish Council Members. It is now nearly 14 months since the inaugural Mass for the formation of Holy Trinity parish took place and the combined members of the PPC took office. Some of these members have expressed a desire to stand down from this committee and we are seeking to recruit some replacement members.
The parish pastoral council is a team of parishioners who are focused on meeting the spiritual, liturgical, pastoral and social needs of its people and are responsible for developing the “big picture” for the parish.
Some areas of pastoral concern are: faith formation and spirituality; liturgy and worship; proclamation and outreach; social justice and charity; work with our parish catholic schools and young people; pastoral care for groups with special needs; parish operations and communications.
Every PPC member brings his or her specific gifts and it is this variety that makes for a strong team. An ideal PPC member is a person of prayer, who likes to be adequately informed before making decisions, who is willing to listen to other views with goodwill and willing to be concerned with the full mission of the parish rather than just specific issues.
Monthly meetings are of about 2 hours duration and require consistent and punctual attendance with some background work required between these meetings.
We ask for your prayerful discernment in your decision to share your skills and time with your fellow parishioners to help our parish continue the mission of Jesus Christ. If you or someone you know may be willing to offer their skills to our parish then please complete a nomination form and hand it to a priest or to the parish office.
A fully functional parish pastoral council is critical to the efficient operation of our parish and your skills could help this team achieve its objectives.   God Bless           
Nomination form at the back of this newsletter. Closing date 31st July 2016

Dates to remember: St Patrick’s  
3rd August – 9.30am Mass for the sick and anointing.
3rd August – 7pm St Joseph Apostolate
4th August – 7pm St Patrick’s liturgy meeting
 
Parish Council Meeting – Wednesday 3rd August 7.30pm in the Holy Cross Parish Centre
Finance Committee Meeting – Tuesday 9th August 8pm in the Holy Cross Parish Centre..

  Proclaimers of the Word and Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
There will be a workshop for all those involved in the above ministries on Sun 14th August
in Holy Cross Church.
This is a wonderful opportunity for those of you wanting to begin ministering as well as a refresher for those of you already ministering in these areas.
The workshop for the Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist will commence at 2.30pm followed at 3.30pm for the Proclaimers of the Word. Both sessions will be approximately one hour in duration.

Welcome to our Parish Year of Mercy pilgrimage to Ataturk Memorial, Tarakena Bay, on Monday 8 August. 
This will be a pilgrimage of peace and reconciliation; of prayer for all those who died in war, and for families today who live in countries torn apart by war. We will take part in the civic ceremony at the memorial at 2.30pm.  Please meet to car pool at St Anthony’s Church Seatoun at 1.30pm. A moderate level of fitness is required for the short climb up the hill, via the access road.  The event will conclude with afternoon tea at Seatoun RSA at 3.00pm. 
For further information and registration, please contact Marianne at the parish office.

St. Tarcisius  - Feast Day for the Patron Saint of Altar Servers
St Patrick’s Church will celebrate this feast day with the 10am Mass on Sunday 7th August, followed by a morning tea downstairs in the parish centre.
Everybody is welcome. Please bring a plate of food for morning tea. Thank you.

 
The first St Anthony’s Bazaar meeting is at 6.30pm 1st August in the Gascoigne Room. Come along and be on the ground floor as we build up another great event.  The Bazaar is scheduled for 18 February next year and the theme is LOVE!".
Alpha is designed to engage and inspire conversation. It is based on talks around thirty minutes long.  The talks explore the big issues around faith and unpack the basics of Christianity, addressing questions from Who is Jesus? and How can we have faith? to Why and how do I pray? and How does God guide us?  Join the Alpha course to explore our faith, starting at St Patrick’s Church 7.30pm Tuesday 2 August.  Everyone is welcome.  Call or txt John 0272328488 or Kim 0222426288 to enrol.
 
Fr Mario’s birthday is on the 29th July and Fr Ephrem’s on the 1st August.
Please remember them in your prayers and wish them a Happy Birthday.
 The St Patrick’s College production – Grease
 Showing each night at 7pm from Monday 1 August to Thursday 4 August in the St Patrick’s College Hall. Tickets: $25 for adults, $20 for students/children and are available for purchase from the College office (which is open during the school holidays) or online through the College website:  www.stpats.school.nz. Please note that online bookings will incur a credit card fee.

Sacred Heart Cathedral Pastoral Council Invites you to…
Two Seminars for this Year of Mercy. Venue: Connolly Hall – Guildford Terrace, Thorndon.
Next to the Cathedral.  8th Aug 7-9PM - Mercy an Act of Love for our Neighbour Speaker: Sr Sue Cosgrove and 12 Sept, 7-9PM - Jesus is the Face of God‛s Mercy Speaker: Sr Alice Sinnott. Koha is gratefully appreciated.

"Mountain of Mercy" – Thank you
The passing of the shortest day heralds our journey back to light and summer, but it also moves us into the depths of winter where the cold is most bitter.  Warm, dry feet are something that most of us take from granted, but for the innocent victims of child poverty, this far too often isn’t the case” Cardinal John.
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Big thank you for Mountain of Mercy shoes and socks appeal.  Warm thanks to the compassionate parishioners of Holy Trinity Parish who kindly donated over 50 pairs of shoes and socks last Sunday 24 July 2016 to be distributed to the most needy students in our primary and secondary schools throughout the Wellington region.  Our parish generosity to those cold feet in need of warmth added to the hundreds of shoes and socks collected at the Sacred Heart Cathedral for distribution.  God bless you.