6 may 2018

Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48; 1Jn. 4:7-10, Jn.15:9-17
 
God’s unconditional love
Remaining in Jesus’ love becomes unconditional only by keeping his commandments.  This becomes the source of mutual indwelling between Jesus and us.  No doubt Jesus has been restless until he revealed and shared Trinitarian love with his disciples.  That is the completion of his joy.  The emphasis is love. Love begins with the Father and flows through the Son to the disciples. The characteristics and actions of this love are multiple. It prunes, cleanses, moulds, forms, challenges, and supports.  Love commandment surely existed in Deut. 6:5 as loving God above everything.  But Jesus offers us his own model, as loving one another as he loved his disciple and us unconditionally at the level of the Cross, even laying down his life for the sake of friendship. Our friendship with Jesus is confirmed and proved by living his commandments.  No other gods except Jesus the Son of God called his disciples his friends and still calls us his followers friends. Ability to love selflessly has to be acquired from Jesus who is the source of all love. For this, we have first to share his thinking, feeling, attitude and sentiment.  Like disciple we are also called to be his chosen friends sent to bear lasting fruits in abundance.  
As long as we abide in his love and ask, seek and knock, definitely God will fulfil our heart’s desire. God’s unconditional love is revealed impartially as confirmed by Peter in the first reading and to experience the same unconditional love of God we need the openness like Cornelius in whose household Holy Spirit is given lavishly. When pagan Cornelius along with his household becomes so worthy to enjoy God’s unconditional love lavishly, don’t we, the baptized ones deserve all the more?   This unconditional love when practiced in daily life is the true yardstick that helps others recognize us as true followers of Risen Christ. Let’s dare to love, live love unconditionally, gazing upon Jesus as our model and friend.                                                            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.

HOLY TRINITY PARISH MASS - 10AM SUNDAY 27th May
AT ST PATRICK’S CHURCH
We will be celebrating Holy Trinity Sunday Mass together at St Patrick’s Church. 
For those who are unable to be at this Mass,
there will be the 5.30pm Vigil Mass at St Patrick’s Church.
There will be a shared lunch in the hall following Mass to celebrate our Parish feast day and to celebrate 25 years of religious life for Fr Ephrem.
 Please bring a plate of food to share and leave in the meeting room.
Please note: These will be the only 2 Masses in the Parish on the 27th May  

Saturday 12th May: Please note -  There will be no confession with Adoration and Exposition on this Day as the Church will be used for O’Shea Sheild competition. 
 

St Patrick’s Church Children’s Choir – For the children leading the singing at 10am Mass, parents, could you please bring your children to sit in in the area in front of the organ, so they can produce a good body of sound together, and contribute to the Mass in a beautiful way. 
 

St Patricks Update - Fencing and groundwork is progressing steadily. Thanks for your patience. We're hoping completion is not too far away!
 

Due to a funeral at Holy Cross on Wednesday, Holy Cross Happy Hour will now be Weds 9th May 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
 

10am Mass Roster for St Patrick’s 20th May. St Patrick’s Primary School will be leading this Mass, so the only ministry needed for the 10am Mass are Eucharistic Ministers. If you are rostered on as a welcomer, altar server, proclaimer of the word, offertory or commentary, you will no longer be needed for this Mass as the school will be doing these. Thank you.

Police Vetting for the Parish. We are updating our police vetting records. There are a number of groups that we need to complete vetting including; children’s liturgy, sacramental programmes, legion of Mary and communion to the sick. If you are involved in these ministries and have not yet been vetted, please contact with the Parish Office.    

Parish Registration forms are available at the back of the churches. If any of your details change or you haven’t yet registered with the parish, please fill in a form and put in the collection basket or email to the parish office. The form is also available to download on the parish website www.holytrinity.parish.nz

The glass bottle Holy Oil containers are now kept safe at the Holy Cross presbytery in the Friars Prayer Room with the spare holy oil. Each church has Holy Oil in the Sacristy.

Week of prayer for Christian Unity – 13th  - 20th May. Materials are provided. Looking for liturgy groups leadership towards this in each of the local churches – St Patrick’s, Holy Cross and St Anthony’s. Contact Fr Ephrem if you are interested in running this.

Dates for St Patrick’s Sacramental Programme for Reconciliation Preparation
Sunday 6th May    2pm - 3pm               Overview for Parents and Session One for Children
Sunday 13th May   2pm - 3pm              Session Two for Children
Sunday 20th May   2pm - 3pm              Session Three for Children
Sacrament of Reconciliation at St Patrick's Church Saturday 26th May 2pm -3pm

The parish of St Patrick’s Kilbirnie was born in November 1919. From this parish grew the parishes of Holy Cross Miramar and then St Anthony’s Seatoun. It is a hugely significant milestone for this parish/church community to reach serving the catholic community for 100 years. We need to celebrate this important occasion and your parish pastoral council is asking parishioners for their thoughts on how we can best celebrate this centennial. A celebratory Mass followed by some socialising would seem to be a start but your comments and ideas would be most welcome. A small group is needed to coordinate this significant event so if you have some Ideas or can help with this event in any way, please email/contact the parish office.



HOUSING SOUGHT FOR REFUGEE FAMILIES:
Rental housing is needed urgently for two Wellington families: a family of eight and a family of six.  Both are in temporary living situations right now, while a number of agencies are urgently seeking permanent homes for them.  Can you help find an affordable rental home?  Please contact l.beech@wn-catholicsocialservices.org.nz if you can assist.

Wanted – Flat to Rent: Pensioner seeks a 1 bedroom flat to rent on the flat in Miramar or Strathmore. Ring Bev 388 5821

Events at Pā Maria Marist Spirituality Centre, 78 Hobson Street, Thorndon:  Non-Residential Guided Retreat:  “The Pilgrim” · Winter Film Series:  “Called to Be Blessed”· Spiritual Theology Courses:   “Evil, Sin and the Seven Deadly Sins” and  “Befriending the Painful Emotions”· Reflection Day (November):  “Happy are The Poor in Spirit”   For further information (dates/costs) and/or to register please contact Fr Brian Cummings SM:  phone (04) 212 4691 or  021 703 580 or email bgcummings@xtra.co.nz

XLT (eXaLT) Youth Worship Night Friday 11th May @ St Anne’s Hall, 7pm to 9pm.  Relevant Worship, Adoration, fellowship.  Come with your friends! Open to Year 9 – 13 students and young adults. 

We are looking forward to our St Anthony's School Golf Day on Thursday 17 May at Miramar Golf Club. It is a great day and such a worthwhile cause raising money for new classroom furniture. Please promote this fabulous event at your workplaces and among friends and family. For more information, please visit www.stants.school.nz. For queries regarding registration or sponsorship, please contact James on 021 313 112 or Vince on 021 504 083

Michael Mangan - Don’t Miss these Dynamic Workshops!  
Family Friendly Liturgies on Saturday 19th May, 2.15pm-4.30pm at Ss Peter and Paul’s Church Lower Hutt Time   & The Purpose and place of music in the liturgy on Sunday 20th May, 1.45pm-4.00pm at St Theresa’s Church, Plimmerton. Michael is from overseas so a Koha would be appreciated but not compulsory. Michael Mangan, an Australian composer, teacher and music liturgist will be presenting these interactive workshops. Everyone is welcome. They will be of special interest to members of Liturgy teams, Children’s Liturgists, Musicians and Directors of Religious Education. Please register with Ann Williams by Monday 14th May, specifying which workshops you are attending at a.williams@wn.catholic.org.nz

Vigil for the Unborn: Saturday 19th May 2018. St Anne's Catholic Church, Emmett Street, Newtown. 10 am Mass. Followed by Exposition & Rosary Procession to front of Hospital. Ends at Noon with a shared lunch. Join in this persevering prayer effort for our most vulnerable -  unborn children - and those suffering from the tragedy of abortion. Five abortion workers around the world had a change of heart and left their work during the last 40 Days for Life campaign. Peaceful prayer and witness works. For more information contact Family Life International NZ PH: 237 8343

Mary Potter Hospice street day appeal. Friday 18 & 19 May. Just an hour or two of your time will help us to keep Hospice care free in our community. We need volunteers in Wellington to help collect during our 2018 Annual Appeal. Will you help? Learn more and sign up http://marypotter.org.nz/volunteer-for-our-street-appeal-2018/ or contact Phillip Harris – Street Appeal Coordinator 021 210 7276 or 04 381 0191 or street.appeal@marypotter.org.nz

The Heart Foundation is hosting FREE information sessions to discuss living with heart failure. Your local Clinical Nurse Specialists in heart failure will present on understanding and managing heart failure, medical treatments and how to keep well. You will have the opportunity to share your own experiences or to ask questions about your heart condition. Whānau are also encouraged to come along and share with the group. Light refreshments will be provided. Tues 8 May 5.30pm – 7pm  St Patricks Church Hall

Joshua Catholic Men’s Fellowship Wellington Come along and join us on Thursday 17th of May 2018 at 7:30pm for fellowship and prayer in CONNOLLY HALL, Guildford Terrace, Thorndon (behind Sacred Heart Cathedral). Theme: What would you like to see happen at the monthly Joshua meetings? Want to know more? Ring Steve Ready (04) 970-7715 or 027-356-9555 or email: scjready@gmail.com

Dove Catholic Fellowship for Women Our meeting is on Saturday 19th May at 1.15pm in Connolly hall, Guilford Tce. Thorndon. Speaker:  Shura Price, President Dove Wellington - "My journey guided by the Holy Spirit".
All women welcome for fellowship, prayer ministry available.  Enquiries: Shura 04 3899938

Publications for purchase: Tui Motu $7  NZ Catholic $4
Please note: there is no longer a box for this money at the back of St Patrick’s Church. This will now have to be put into the collection basket. There will be zip lock bags next to the publications that you can put your money in and into the collection basket.

The May 6 – 19 issue of NZ Catholic is out now. Some headlines are: Bishop Dooley ordained in Dunedin. Bishop Colin Campbell looks back on his ministry. Youth synod in Auckland. Helping young singles reclaim dating. The next issue of NZ Catholic will be published on May 20.

Go, you are sent… to find leaders.   Outcome 3(f) Formation and mentoring for leadership roles is provided at the parish level and throughout the Archdiocese.

For its major concert to celebrate its 50th year, the Bach Choir of Wellington is performing the mighty Mass in B Minor by JS Bach. The concert will be in the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Sacred Heart at 3pm on Sunday 13 May.
The choir will be joined by soloists Nicola Holt, Maaike Christie-Beekman, Lachlan Craig and Simon Christie, members of The Chiesa Ensemble, led by Rebecca Struthers, with Douglas Mews be playing organ continuo. Peter Walls will be directing from the podium.

The Christian Brothers Past Pupils’ Association, Wellington, is holding its Annual Past Pupils’ Mass on Sunday, 20 May at the 10.30am Mass in the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Hill St, Wellington.  Mass will be followed by lunch at 11.45am in Connolly Hall.  Our guest is Dave Olivier who will speak about his time as Principal of Christian Brothers College at Mount Edmund in Pretoria, South Africa.  Dave’s wife, Jenni, will also be attending.  Those interested in attending please contact Kevin McCormack on 478-6792.

Quiet Days with Suzanne Aubert. An invitation to spend time resting and reflecting on an aspect of the life and vision of Suzanne Aubert.  Join us on 10 May, 10am - 2pm, Chapel, Our Lady’s Home of Compassion, 2 Rhine Street, Island Bay, Wellington. Simple lunch included. Registration is required. Email: retreat@compassion.org or Ph. 04 383 7769

If I encounter a person sleeping outdoors on a cold night, I can view him or her as an annoyance, an idler, an obstacle in my path, a troubling sight, a problem for politicians to sort out, or even a piece of refuse cluttering a public space. Or I can respond with faith and charity, and see in this person a human being with a dignity identical to my own, a creature infinitely loved by the Father, an image of God, a brother or sister redeemed by Jesus Christ. That is what it is to be a Christian!                            Pope Francis: Gaudete et Exsultate #98, 2018
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We pray for the members of our Parish families who have died recently especially Timothy (Ted) O’Donovan, Audrey Wearne and June Avery and those whose anniversaries occur around this time.  Our prayers are also with those who are unwell especially Graeme Adams and Steve Kuzmicich and for the wonderful people who are caring for the everyday needs of the sick in our Community.