3rd July 2016

​Dear sisters and brothers, "Are we there yet?" The journey, the pilgrimage, the desire to get there, are such a large part of human life. Roadside parks and various comfort stations along the way offer temporary relief, but the road constantly beckons the traveller.
Israel has had a long journey from prosperity through infidelity and back again. The people of Israel had been longing for the consolation of their holy home during their exile. In their own national history, they had stopped at various wayside altars in the false hope that they could worship that god and end the searching. The Book of Isaiah pictures that of a mother nursing her whimpering baby.
Jerusalem, as the city of God, is the terminus for God's people and, like a loving mother, God has been waiting to embrace all those who have kept faithful to the long road back. Acceptance, welcome, nourishment and a sense of being back home are promised and all within the experience of great joy for God and for God's children. Insecurity is the end of the journey and the beginning of God's being our securing Mother.
Jesus sends us with the promise that if we trust God's promises and care, we might not quarrel, question and quit as we make our journey to proclaim that God is mothering us towards which we move through the "here and now" that seems rather insecure at times.
Today is the time to trust Jesus and get going bringing joy and happiness in the lives of people.  You can do it. Let the peace of Christ control your hearts; let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.                                  Fr Ephrem
New Parish Mass times from 1 August 2016
Thank you to all who took part in the Mass survey, your engagement with this process has been vital and the Parish Council is grateful for the effort made by all. One of the major reasons to go through this process has been to ensure that there is a working Mass roster that two priests can realistically cover travelling between Seatoun, Strathmore, Miramar and Kilbirnie.
 
Firstly a few key points -

• Changes to Parish Mass times within the Archdiocese must be approved by Cardinal John Dew and that approval has now been received;
• Both the Sunday and weekday Mass timetables will come into effect from 1st August 2016. This will provide time for the various rosters to be amended and the website updated;
• The new timetable is included in this newsletter and available on the Parish web site.

 
For Masses at St Patrick’s Church, Kilbirnie:
The Vigil Mass remains at 5.30 pm, Sunday Mass times are now 7.30 am and 10.00 am
The Life Teen 5.30 pm Sunday Mass is still under review and will continue for the time being.
 
For Masses at Holy Cross Church, Miramar:
Sunday Mass times are now 9.00 am and 5.00 pm.
The new Sunday 5pm Mass is to provide the opportunity within the Holy Trinity Parish boundaries for parishioners to attend an evening Mass
 
For Masses at St Anthony’s Church Seatoun and Good Shepherd Hall, Strathmore:
Sunday Mass at Good Shepherd remains at 8.30 am.
St Anthony's church Sunday Mass has a slight adjustment to 10.30 am
 
At the end of this newsletter is a copy of the new Mass times. Mass Roster Volunteer forms are available at the back of each Church.   Please return these by the 10th July   Thank you.

Holy Cross Church – 9.30am Mass on Wednesday 6th of July will be celebrated at Holy Cross School Hall.
 5 students from Holy Cross School are being baptised by Fr Ephrem during Mass. Please join them on this special occasion.
Holy Cross Happy Hour Weds 6th July 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

You are invited to join St Vinnies in Seatoun/Miramar or in Kilbirnie:
The St Vinnies groups meet once a month to pray together and to decide on how to help when people are in need in our community. If you want to join the Kilbirnie Conference, or for more information, contact Peter Woods Ph 3806 390 or pete.cec@clear.net.nz (next meeting Thursday 14 July). If you want to join the Seatoun & Miramar Conference, or for more information, contact Brendan Quirk on Ph 3889 708 or brendan.quirk@hotmail.co.nz (next meeting Monday 11 July).
 
Acknowledging our gratitude for your generous donations: Your St Vinnies Conference in Kilbirnie thanks parishioners for their on-going generous donations in the cash box in the Church foyer.  As a result of your support, we were able to contribute to the needs of two students whose father died suddenly, leaving them facing funeral costs and life on their own. A very BIG thank you to our benefactors!

St Patrick’s Church: dates to remember
6th July – 9.30am Mass for the sick and anointing.
6th July – 7pm St Joseph Apostolate
7th July – 7pm St Patrick’s liturgy meeting
Parish Council Meeting – Wednesday 6th July 7.30pm in the Holy Cross Parish Centre
Finance Committee Meeting – Tuesday 12th July 8pm in the Holy Cross Parish Centre..

Fr Sanele left for his holidays on the 2nd July and will be returning in September.
We wish him a safe and much enjoyable trip back home.

And we welcome back Fr Gregory who returned this week from his holiday back home to India.   

Thank you to everyone that helped with the St Vincent de Paul Society Street Day Appeal! We raised a fantastic $12,728!
 
This money will enable Vinnies Wellington to give out hundreds of food parcels, provide hours of budgeting advice and advocacy with our social worker and give local people a helping hand. Thank you for your support, we couldn’t do it without you.

From the Archdiocesan Justice Peace and Development Commission
 
The archenemy of compassion is pity. Pity puts distance between you and the person you are pitying. Compassion puts the two of you on the same level. Sr Ann Ward, MMM. Missionary Surgeon. 1929-2016. Ngā mihi nui

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News and Views out this Sunday
.Distributors from St Patrick’s, please collect your copies from the back of the church. Please note:  Thanks for all the great work you do.  We are on the cusp of making a few changes to the way we do the distribution as a number of people are interested in receiving theirs by email, we will keep you informed

Homestays required for Chinese students commencing at St Patrick's College in Term Three. The College pays $260 per week. For more information  email maria.elenio@stpats.school.nz  or call 0274187500.
KILBIRNIE MASS, MORNING TEA and FLOWER ROSTERS
available at the back of the Church

Holy Cross Church: dates to remember
5th July – Music group meeting

Watch found at St Anthony’s Church. If you think this may be yours, contact the Parish office 388 6953

Come away to be refreshed and renewed - Dove Retreat 29 - 31 July Dove Catholic Fellowship for Women invites all women to a retreat weekend with guest speakers Phil and Jennie Ryall from Australia.  Jennie a trained counsellor and spiritual companion for many women carries a strong heart for people to find breakthrough into the freedom of God's goodness.  Phil and Jennie are leaders for the Disciples of Jesus Community in Australia. Theme:  "Never Thirst Again" Venue:  Willow Park Christian Camp, Eastern Beach Auckland For registration and further information visit our website www.dove.org.nz or contact Shona Williams on 07 543 0101 email shonawilliams58@gmail.com.  An option of residential or day registrations is available.

Prison Fellowship NZ (PFNZ) is an organisation full of volunteers and we want you!
Our volunteers are enriching lives by assisting with children’s camps, monthly family activities, Christmas meals, Angel Tree Christmas wrapping and delivering and simply journeying with some of the most marginalised families in your area.  Or you may feel a call to prisoner visiting, assisting with practical matters such as budgeting advice, accommodation support, job seeking, or transport. Contact Suzanne Wright at volunteer@pfnz.org.nz or 04 5285419 to find out how you can become part of PFNZ. Check out our website www.pfnz.org.nz
 

First Spiritual Exercises (“Inner Peace in Friendship with Jesus”).
This Ignatian based retreat in daily life starts Thursday 4 August and following Thursday evenings to 1 September at the Home of Compassion, Island Bay, 7-9:00pm.
Commitment: Each of the five Thursday evenings plus directed daily prayer.
Cost: $50 plus $25 for the guide book (for those without it).
Registration: Sarah Dench, Ph 021-081-44424; Email sarah.dench@yahoo.co.nz
Sponsored by Christian Life Community.