4 october 2020

Is 5, 1-7; Phil 4, 6-9; Mt 21, 33-43
“The vineyard of the Lord of Hosts is the House of Israel and the men of Judah that chosen plant.”
I do not have any experience of preparing of a vineyard. A few times I have visited vineyards (even on 26th September I had a wedding celebration) and winepress where
I see a lot of work goes through.  Isaiah puts it very clearly in today’s reading that the hosts is the Lord, you and me are chosen vine. Let us take a walk at the vineyard:
A vineyard needs a lot of devoted care, pruning, manuring, tying back. In the rocky soil of Israel even more special care is needed, such as gathering the stones to form retaining walls to keep the soil from eroding, building a lookout tower against thieves and a vie-press for crushing the grapes. Then right fruiting-vine has to be grafted onto the sturdy stock, as here the vine-dresser grafts on fine grapes. We see disappointment when host gets for his pains is inedible wild grapes! This haunts the owner the vinedresser.
St Francis of Assisi is born at this very point when religious fervour was at lowest ebb in 12th century. God’s call to St Francis was to rebuild his church which was falling into ruins. Today the Franciscan brothers and sisters are working in 153 countries. Dominic V Monti – by 2002 there 31,000 thousand friars and over one Million lay Franciscan following Christ in the spirituality of St Francis. This is how St Francis has taken the rebuilding of the Church. So too we are called to rebuild the church by our very sacrament of baptism, but evangelisation is not easy in todays world. 
This bring us the celebration of diamond jubilee of Holy Cross church, blessed on 2nd October 1960. This church must produce good and juicy fruits in you and me, the living church. Our relationship with God and his creation builds the church and vineyard. Are we ready to build it?
The gospel presents the paradigm of our relationship with the creator. Jesus’ understanding of the sovereignty of God brought him the violent opposition of some of the Jewish leaders. Were they corrupt or just closed to any new way of thinking, so closed that they could not see that Jesus was the promised Messiah? Anyway, Jesus used this story about the tenants of a vineyard to show that they were not leading the people as they should. Everyone would immediately understand the image of the vineyard. The prophet Isaiah -and may others after him – had used this image in a well-known poem eight centuries earlier to show that the vineyard of Israel refused to yield a good harvest to God, whatever care God lavished on it. God expected fairness of judgement and all he found was a shriek of agony. What does it mean for us? Not that we have to follow every new idea. But it does mean that we must be open to the idea that we may be wrong, that our service of the Lord may be faulty that people we find tiresome or unacceptable may have more good in them than we credited. God’s ways are not our ways, and we need to watch out for the bend in the road.
Listen to Paul, how he concludes the letter to the Philippians.
Dear sisters and brothers, it is warm and affectionate little passage Paul concludes his letter. He encourages them in every way to be cheerful in the Lord, but especially to be grateful. If we really appreciate that the Lord is near, we cannot worry, and the peace of God will rest upon us. Then also gratitude and thanksgiving will be our mode of thought, penetrating all our thoughts on every subject. The word Paul uses for ‘thanksgiving’ is the word used for the Eucharist, which is the great prayer of thanksgiving, offered by Christ to the Father in the name of us all. It is the summing up of all prayer, petition, gratitude and admiration. No doubt Paul is thinking of it as the high point of all prayer.
Dear friends, we are called to be grateful for the Lord has chosen us to be his right fruiting vine, grafted onto the sturdy stock; tenants who deliver the produce to him at the when the season arrives.  May God bless us to be rooted in His Son’s teaching of gratitude and thanksgiving in this Eucharistic celebration.
Fr Ephrem

Let us pray for all those who are unwell especially Margaret Mansell, Barney Scully, Hazel Kingston, Nesi Tan, Warren Stevenson, John Cairns-Cowan and Graeme Adams and those recovering at home including Eddie Wilkins. And we pray 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 and those whose anniversaries occur around this time; Angela Panettieri, Frances Shaw, Glynn McArthy, Diane Crowhurst, Norman Paton and Moira Button.

The Parish Office will be closed from the 1st to the 5th of October.
You can still reach Fr for any urgent matters on the office phone number 388 6953 otherwise the office will open again on the 6th October.    Thank you

Farewell to the Capuchin Friars
You are invited to a Farewell and Thanksgiving Mass for the Capuchin Friars who are withdrawing from work in the Wellington Archdiocese at the end of 2020.  The Friars have been involved in Parish and Mission work since 1958.  They will be sadly missed.
The Mass will be celebrated on:
Sunday 18th October 9.30am
at St Patrick’s Church , Childers Tce, Kilbirnie, Wellington
 
To be followed by a cup of tea in St Patrick’s Church Hall.
(Depending on Covid19 Alert Level)

Annointing Mass St Patrick’s Church
11am Wednesday 7th October

VENERABLE SUZANNE AUBERT/ MERI HŌHEPA CELEBRATION  SUNDAY OCT 4
This Sunday we remember and celebrate the spirituality and good works of Venerable Suzanne Aubert known to Maori as Meri Hōhepa. It’s the one day in the year when we can take time to reflect on what
this remarkable woman achieved here in Aotearoa/New Zealand and be inspired and encouraged as we hope and pray that she will soon be formally recognised by the church as New Zealand’s first Saint.
 
Cardinal John Dew received a personal letter last month from the president of the Causes for Saints, confirming the cure attributed to Suzanne’s alleged intercession is right now being closely examined in Rome. If the cure is accepted as miraculous, she will be beatified and known as Blessed.  This will be a very significant stage on her journey to Sainthood.
 
One can only wonder what Suzanne Aubert would say about the COVID-19 pandemic but we know she would be working at the coalface ensuring all were cared for during this time of upheaval and stress. Her
wairua lives on in the work of the Sisters of Compassion and their co-workers today. 
 
To coincide with Celebration Sunday, the Sisters have launched a special video project design for students. Details are on the Suzanne Aubert website. (www.suzanneaubert.co.nz ).
You will also find new resources including a video book on her life and a booklet of 35 reflections.
Please pray for her beatification and eventual canonisation. And, let us remember her constant prayer. “
Thanks be to God for all He has done and is doing for us.”

St Vincent de Paul New Members Commissioning, Holy Trinity Parish
We are delighted to say that our Holy Trinity Eastern Suburbs Conference has welcomed 10 new active members: Mary Blair, Catherine McLauchlan, Leeroy Pinto, Irene Beamish, Alan Robinson, Cecilia Stipkovits, David Williams, Neal Swindell and Andrew and Annette Bridgman.  Several other parishioners have offered assistance.  We are grateful for the support of parishioners, parish council and Fr Ephrem to now fully extending our mission to people in need in the Kilbirnie community and the wider eastern suburbs.
 
To offer prayerful support and allow for dedication of our members to serve humbly and practically, commissioning prayers by Fr Ephrem and these new members will be included after communion in the 10.30am Mass at St Patrick's Church on Sunday 11 October (Contact: Brendan Quirk, SVDP Eastern Suburbs, 021 236 5695).

Parish Council Meeting – 7th October 7pm, Gascoigne Room St Anthony’s
Finance Committee Meeting – 13th October 7pm, St Patrick’s Meeting Room

Gascoigne Educational Scholarship.  This scholarship is open to all ages groups who are present members of Holy Trinity Parish and are planning to study for 2021 and beyond at a tertiary level and who meet the qualifying criteria which are included in the terms and conditions. For an application form (including terms and conditions) email the parish office [email protected] or download a copy from the website  http://www.holytrinity.parish.nz/  Closing date: 31 October 2020

2021 Columban Calendars available through the office $12 each.
 
You can either put your money or cheq (made out to Holy Trinity Parish) in an envelope with your details and pop in the collection basket, email, phone or drop into the Parish Office.
Alternatively pay by internet banking to Holy Trinity Parish 02-0536-0185031-00 and use CALENDAR as the reference. When you have paid, email the office [email protected]  with the following details: your name, the amount paid, the number of calendars ordered, which Church you will collect your calendars from or if you would like to collect them from the office. Once payment has cleared, the Calendars will be left for you in the back of your chosen Church or in the office for you to collect. 
Bernadette Hyland also has them available for sale at St Patrick’s Church

Masses available on Television: Free to air telecast Shine TV Freeview channel 25 Sundays – 2pm

Invitation to a Christian Life Community introductory group The CLC Kohanga community will shortly be running 7 weekly sessions to introduce new people to CLC and Ignatian spirituality.  They welcome anyone interested to join with them.  These are information sessions, there is no obligation to continue at the end of the 7 weeks, and they are free! The introductory evenings will be held at 7:30 pm every Tuesday from 13 October 2020 at a home in Hataitai.  If you know anyone who is interested please ask them to contact: Chris Kelly on  0272942983  or email [email protected] or Andrea Havell  on (04) 9721042 or 022 0925445

DVDs wanted Please donate DVDs to young people living at Remutaka Prison, in the Youth Wing.
I need DVDs to give to the prison to provide film evenings. If you have any: please send them to Steve O'Connor: Challenge 2000 PO Box 13059 Johnsonville. Or drop them at our Centre at 1 Wanaka Street Johnsonville. For more information, please phone Steve 021 192 7328.

Men’s One-Day Retreat at Our Lady’s Home of Compassion, Island Bay on Saturday 31st October 2020, 8:30am – 5:00pm Theme: "Don't Worry. Trust in Jesus" Retreat Leader is Fr James Lyons Also, Joshua meeting on Thursday 15th October 2020 at 7:30pm in the ‘Loaves and Fishes’ next to Anglican Cathedral, corner Hill and Molesworth streets. Want to know more? Ring Steve Ready 027-356-9555  mail: [email protected]

The Bishops’ 2020 Election Statement-Whakapuaki Pōti  has just been published.  Printed copies of the Election Statement are available at the back of the church.
The Statement online here: www.catholic.org.nz/assets/Uploads/Catholic-Bishops-Election-Statement-2020.pdf
A link to it is also on the NZCBC Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicNZ/
And a media statement about it is online here:  www.catholic.org.nz/news/media-releases/bishops-election-statement-2020/

Nau Mai Haere Mai “COME AND SEE” Come and explore a vocation with the Sisters of Mercy Saturday 10th Oct Time:    9.30am – 2.00pm       Venue:  St Anne’s Parish Hall,          22 Emmett Street, Newtown
RSVP for Catering and for more information     Sr Fatima - [email protected] - Ph 021 084 29440    
Sr Linda  -  [email protected]    Ph 021 263 0439

Notices from Titipounamu Study & Joy Ecumenical Day – Presence in Unity with Sarah Hart, Fr Kevin Waldie and Rev Ivica Gregurec. If Auckland is in Level 1, we will have a celebration with biblical, theological, artistic musical input and morning tea at St Columba Centre (Ponsonby, Auckland). If we are in Level 1-4, it will be organised as Zoom event. Saturday, 17 October, 10am-1pm Fee: $10 (if on site at St Columba Centre). Free if by ZOOM. For more information and registration: [email protected] or: https://www.studyjoy.nz/events/ecumenical-day/

KIWI ATHLETIC CLUB (est 1926) opening and enrolment nights 1st two Wednesday in October 5pm, Newtown Stadium. For College age to Veteran adults . Ideal for winter coders, newcomers. Contact Peter Jack 3886224 from 7pm

Jeremiah 29:11 ”For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Online Session (Retreat Day): Who am I ? – Reflecting on our Identity in God with Eamon Butler. Saturday, 24 October, 10.30am-4pm. Fee: $60. For more information and registration: [email protected]
https://www.studyjoy.nz/events/virtual-retreat-day-with-eamon-butler-who-am-i/

October WelCom is being distributed to parishes and schools this week for Sunday, 4 October.
 
 
Content includes:                                       

• NZ Catholic Bishops’ 2020 Election Statement – an article about their statement and their guidance on the two referendums.
• Cardinal John Dew – reflection on ‘the privilege of accompanying the dying’.
• Mission Sunday, 18 October – Fr Bernard Espiritu svd.
• He Hīkoi Whakapono – A Journey of Faith – WelCom visits the parish of Pungarehu and Opunake on coastal Taranaki.
• Creation, the Universe and Ecological Conversion, Pt 2 – Sr Patricia Powell.
• October, Month of the Rosary – Fr James Lyons.
• A tribute to Pope Francis – Bishop Peter Cullinane.
• Local and international news and views.

 As some are still at level 2 with various restrictions applied to gatherings, there will be no deliveries of the current print issue of NZ Catholic to parishes.
However, the latest version of NZ Catholic is being made available free of charge for you to distribute. A cover graphic is also attached to assist in this. The link to the free issue is below.  
 https://indd.adobe.com/view/698d4346-8ba8-465b-9b90-c612e4d57a8c 

If you in your family, in your neighbourhood start out with envy, with fights, there will be “war” in the end. Instead, if you start out with love, sharing love, forgiveness, there will be love and forgiveness for everyone.
Pope Francis: General Audience 9 September 2020
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