4th March 2018

Lent: a call to cleanse our temples
We all want to enjoy pollution free environment of earth, of water and of air.  To achieve this objective we have lot of projects for systematic disposition of unwanted goods either to be recycled or treated as rubbish.  There are agencies to mind the job.  There are individual volunteers who volunteer to pick up rubbish from the roadside and other public places.  Besides, to maintain our environment clean we do not want to put plants which may emit polluted water, air or any substance that are hazardous to our health.  We prefer to import ready made goods from other countries where pollution level is quite high.  It is rightly said cleanliness is next to godliness. 
To achieve this objective we need to clean our interior temple too rather than its surroundings.  We are God’s temple a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit (1Cor 3:16, 6:19).  This temple has been tarnished by pollutions i.e. immorality, hatred, jealousy, violence, anger, ambition, division, faction, envy etc. (Gal. 5:19-21).  These are the sources of pollution to our hearts.  By offering the season of Lent the church has given us an added opportunity to empty all the rubbish into bin which Jesus is ready to carry on his own shoulder (Is. 53:4-5). As rubbish cleaner, Jesus himself offers us various powerful means to cleanse our temple (heart) such as his own powerful words which anoints and purifies, is living and effective, sharper than double edge sword, it pierces the division of the soul and spirit… judges the intentions and thoughts of heart (Heb. 4:12). If you hear God’s voice today, do not be stubborn (Heb.4:7). Sacrament of reconciliation is another but most effective means to put our rubbish (sins) into recycle bin from where Jesus is ever ready to delete forever.  Prayer is yet another powerful weapon to resist the onslaught of satanic forces which invites us to pray constantly so as not to be put to the test (Lk.22:40). The best way of keeping our temple cleansed is vigilance as proposed by St. Peter, “Be calm and vigilance because your enemy the devil is prowling round like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Stand up to him strong in faith” 1Pt. 5:8-9.  Let’s examine ourselves and be honest with ourselves and with God. Let’s cleanse the “temples” of our hearts.                                                                                                                                          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.
 

Candles for Holy Saturday.
Please bring your own candle to the Vigil Mass and ensure that it has a protector to prevent wax falling on your hands, clothing or the floor.

ST PATRICK'S PRESBYTERY KILBIRNIE
As mentioned in the previous bulletin the internal work started this week on the former St Patrick’s presbytery.  As always, relevant information will be posted on the noticeboard at St Patrick’s church. 
 
PLEASE NOTE: the former presbytery property, the driveway between the Church and the area behind the Church are temporarily out of bounds until the work has been completed.
Do not park at the rear of the Church, down the driveway or block the driveway entrance.


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

Lenten Mass – 14 Feb – 24 March 2018
There will be 6.30am Mass at Holy Cross Parish Centre from Monday – Saturday during Lent
Stations of the Cross – Thursdays during Lent
Every Thursday at 7pm at St Patrick’s Church starting on 15th Feb – 22nd March 2018
Lenten Appeal envelopes are available at the back of each Church
 
Easter Services:
Parish Lenten Reconciliation: Wednesday 28th March
St Patrick’s:               7pm         
 
Holy Thursday:         29th March  (no morning Mass at any Church)
St Patrick’s:               7pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper
 
Good Friday:           30th March 
St Patrick’s:            10am Stations of the Cross from St Patrick’s Church to All Saints, Hataitai
St Anthony’s:         10am Way of the Cross starts and finishes at St Anthony’s
Holy Cross:              2.30pm (weather permitting) Way of the Cross from Wexford Hill to Holy Cross Church
3pm Solemn Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion at all 3 churches
 
Saturday Easter Vigil: 31st March
St Patrick’s:               8.30pm
 
Easter Sunday:          1st April
Holy Cross:               9am
St Patrick’s:               10am
St Anthony’s:          10.30am
 

We welcome back Fr Ephrem who returned this week from his holiday back home to India.
Holy Cross Happy Hour Weds 7th March 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

St Patrick’s Church – Good Friday. Volunteers needed. I am looking for both children and adults to read a station for the “Way of the Cross” procession from St Patrick’s Church to All Saints Church on Good Friday morning at 10am.     Contact me Clare on 021 227 8363

Archdiocesan North Island Chrism Mass – the Mass of the oils, Tuesday 27th March 7.30pm, Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Hill St, Thorndon.

Publications for purchase: Tui Motu $7  NZ Catholic $4
 

Anti-Euthanasia submissions - midnight 6 March. If you have not done so already, please send in your submissions to oppose David Seymour’s End of Life Choice Bill. One sentence is enough!  Closing date: midnight 6th March, but please act as soon as possible to help protect Life.https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/make-a-submission/document/52SCJU_SCF_BILL_74307/end-of-life-choice-bill

St Mary's College SECOND HAND UNIFORM SHOP As a service to our school community, St. Mary’s PTFA have set up a second-hand uniform shop. As you may be aware new school uniforms are very expensive. We aim to assist families to meet their costs by providing access to reasonably priced second-hand garments. To do this we need donations of uniform items. We would also be happy to sell old junior maths calculators.
All proceeds of the sales will be used to fund improvements at the school.  If you have any SMC clothing in a reasonable condition, which you no longer require, we would be very keen to hear from you, and we can collect!  Please contact Marie, [email protected] if you can help us out.  Thanks.

FOUND BIBLE A Catholic bible was left in the letterbox of someone living in Hobart St by mistake and it has been passed to us to see if we know or can locate who it may have been left for. If you know who this should have gone to, please contact the office [email protected] or 38886953

NEW DUNEDIN BISHOP APPOINTED BY POPE FRANCIS Pope Francis has appointed Father Michael Dooley as the new Bishop of the Dunedin Diocese. The President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference (NZCBC) Bishop Patrick Dunn said, “Father Michael’s affinity with the people of the Dunedin Diocese and his long service to the region of Southland and Otago make him the ideal successor for this role.” On the announcement, Bishop - Elect Michael said, “I have been blessed to serve in ministry as a priest in the Diocese of Dunedin and I now take on this role as a bishop very aware of my need for God’s help and thankful for the support of so many wonderful people over the years and into the future.”

40 Days for Life is under way: Please keep the prayers up for the abortion vulnerable, the abortion wounded and those promoting and providing abortions in our city. Vigil Hours outside Wellington Hospital: Tuesday to Friday 8am to 4pm; Mondays and Saturdays 8 am to Noon and Sundays 1 to 4 pm. Please come out and show your support for life. Sign up for an hour at www.fli.org.nz/40daysforlife or Txt: 0275112205

Quiet Days with Suzanne Aubert  March 8 @ 10:00 am   - 2:00 pm & April 12 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Insights from Suzanne’s life can be a means of developing our own spiritual tools and wisdom. Suzanne knew very well that life can be difficult and exhausting. Her understanding of human nature led her to offer practical and gentle advice.  Register at  [email protected].  Held at Our Lady’s Home of Compassion, Island Bay, Wellington. Ph. 04      383 7134 or 04 383 7769.
Visit the Heritage Centre The Heritage Centre is open 10am-3pm Monday to Saturday and 12noon-3pm Sunday. There is no charge to visit the Heritage Centre, Chapel, Resting Place and Grounds. Barista- made coffee is available in the refreshment space which is open 10am-3pm Wednesday to Saturday and Chapel, Our Lady’s Home of Compassion,            2 Rhine Street, Island Bay, Wellington. Ph. 04 383 7134 or 04 383 7769.​

Age Concern Wellington in conjunction with the Seatoun Village Hall will be hosting SAYGo classes  (Steady As You Go) This fabulous class is aimed at people 65+ with the aim of fall prevention. The classes are made up of special exercises that help the elderly improve their balance and muscle strength. If you would like to attend please call Ana Frka on 021 955 331 to register. Starts Tues Mar 6, 11am. $2 per session.

Joshua Catholic Men’s Fellowship Wellington Come along and join us on Thursday 15th of March 2018 at 7:30pm for fellowship and prayer in CONNOLLY HALL, Guildford Terrace, Thorndon (behind Sacred Heart Cathedral). Speaker: Fr Kevin Connors, breaking open the Joshua theme for 2018: "Stay Connected to Christ"
Want to know more? Ring Steve Ready (04) 970-7715 or 027-356-9555 or email: [email protected]

Engaged Encounter - weekend experience for couples intending to be married 17 - 18 March, 14 - 15 July, 3 - 4 November. Registrations close 2 weeks prior. Karori Presbytery, Karori. More details www.cee-wellington.co.nz  or phone Kate & Simon Olsen 801 6192, or email Simon and Kate at  [email protected]

24 Hours of Prayer for the Lord “With you is forgiveness,” (Psalm 130:4) This years 24 Hours of Prayer for the Lord will take place at the Church of Sts Peter and Paul, Lower Hutt from 6pm Friday 9th March until 6pm Saturday 10th March. Priests will be available during that time for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. All are invited to participate in this initiative requested by Pope Francis. He refers to this as a “moment of grace”

Memorial Mass, Fr Pat McCullough. On Wednesday 14th March there will be a Memorial Mass for the first
anniversary of Fr Pat McCullough. The Mass will be celebrated at St Michael’s Taita at 7pm.

Learning Support Volunteers – A Gift to St Patrick’s College Some of our students at St Patrick’s College need assistance sitting their NCEA exams and may need a person to read the question to them or handwrite their paper on their behalf.
Learning Support at St Patrick’s College is about giving all students a better chance of achieving equality of educational opportunities. The students we work with have a range of learning difficulties – none of which have anything to do with intelligence. NZQA enable students diagnosed with learning difficulties like Dyslexia to have assistance to sit their internal and external exams – such as needing a person to read the question for them, or a person acting as their scribe. This year we have 30 senior boys needing assistance and we rely on volunteers to help, acting as students eyes to read or hands to write.
We train our Reader/Writers and need their support during school hours in Term time. We hold a morning tea each term so volunteers can catch up with each other.If you wish to sign up to be a volunteer Reader/Writer at St Patrick’s College please email: Michelle Duffy, Head of Learning Support on: [email protected]
 

Piano lesson book sponsorship – St Patrick’s School A very generous piano teacher is providing free piano lessons to a couple of our students. We would like sponsorship for the books the students require/d.
The total amount for last year and this year for the two students is $136. If any parishioner would like to cover or contribute to this cost we would be very grateful.
For the purpose of practising at home someone has loaned an electric keyboard for one student and we’d like to have one for the other student. Music Works have a special on for $199 so we’d love contributions towards the purchase of this. Please contact the school office Ph 3873370.The school bank account 12 3174 0298867 00

Wellington Council of Churches annual Sonrise Service – Mt Victoria Lookout 6.30am Easter Sunday. Hosted by Wesley wellington Methodist Parish. For more information 027 2018766 or [email protected]

Pregnancy Assistance… St Vincent de Paul Society Wellington provides a free, supportive service for new and expectant mothers. Pregnancy Assistance provides material support in the way of baby clothing (0 – 6months), maternity clothing, reusable cloth nappies, bedding, bassinet loans, referral advice and simply a listening ear. Located within the Newtown hub (207 Riddiford Street), it’s open Wednesday – Friday, 10am – 2pm. Walk-ins are welcome, or you can contact Wendy on 04 389 7122 or [email protected]. If you or someone you may know could benefit from a little help through this important and beautiful stage of life, please do not hesitate to contact St Vincent de Paul Society Wellington, Pregnancy Assistance.

Poppy Day Street Appeal - Volunteers needed for Kilbirnie/Rongotai - Poppy Day Street Appeal will be held on Friday 20th April, raising funds to assist military veterans and their families. Volunteers are needed for the Kilbirnie and Rongotai shopping areas, beginning at 7 am and ending at 2 pm.  If you can help, please call Glenda Ramsay, 3885 686 or 021 292 4094.

​We pray for the members of our Parish families who have died recently including Cesar Quidilla and those whose anniversaries occur around this time including Apulu Manatua, Michael Taylor, Gerald Wynne, Teresa Czochanska, and Mary Martin.  Our prayers are also with those who are unwell especially John Rogers, Graeme Adams and Steve Kuzmicich and for the wonderful people who are caring for the everyday needs of the sick in our Community.