7 april 2019

Is 43, 16-21; Phil 3, 4-18; Jn 8, 1-11 (RCIA year A)
“Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
I hid in the bushes so no one in the crowd dragging my friend Miriam to be stoned could see me. I wanted to stop the horror but didn’t know how because I was just a frightened woman up against powerful religious authorities. Miriam and I were neighbours. We had played together, cared for our younger brothers and sisters together and helped our mothers carry water from the well. Miriam was so stunningly beautiful that she couldn’t go anywhere without men staring at her.
On this fateful day, Miriam was missing. I tried to find her. Could our neighbour Jacob, have lured her into his house while his wife was visiting her mother in the next village? I knew that Jacob was unfaithful to his wife but he was charming and Miriam might have thought that his invitation for a cold drink was innocent.
I followed at a distance until the crowd encountered a man they called Jesus. The leaders mockingly asked him whether they should stone Miriam as some sort of test. Then the miracle happened. Jesus said that any of them who had never sinned should throw the first stone. I watched in amazement as they slowly dropped their rocks like guilty children and left Miriam with Jesus.
He was so kind when he told her that he did not condemn her. I could see how relieved she was and also how changed she was. I wanted to embrace both of them but dared not intrude. But I wondered who is this Jesus who defends a powerless woman against our leaders? Had  God sent him to save all of us?
After Jesus left, I emerged from the bush and took Miriam to my home. We thanked God for delivering her and for the gift of Jesus. Neither of us would ever be the same again because we had found a God of mercy and compassion who cares equally for all his children.                                                                Fr Ephrem
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.

Does anyone have a hedge or bush we could trim for Palm Sunday? If you do, could you please contact the parish office 388 5369 or [email protected] by Tuesday.  Thank you

HOLY CROSS PALM SUNDAY CELEBRATION procession of the palms will begin from the back entrance of the Church at 8.45am so Mass can begin at 9am.
No parking at the back of the church please.

RCIA – This evening at St. Patrick’s we have the Third and final Scrutiny for Finn Stallmann. The Gospel tells the story of the raising of Lazarus. The rite focuses on death – and on our  faith that the Resurrection of Christ opens the way for our being raised to eternal life. Let us pray that Finn, and all of us, will always have this faith.

Lenten Mass – 6 March – 13 April 2019
6.30am Mass at Holy Cross Parish Centre  Monday – Saturday during Lent
Stations of the Cross followed by Lectio Divina Thursdays during Lent
Every Thursday at 7pm at St Patrick’s Church
7th March – 11th April 2019
Thursday 11th April   7pm    Filipino Community (Thess Ama)
Easter Services:
Parish Lenten Reconciliation: Wednesday 10th April
St Patrick’s:               7pm         
 
Holy Thursday:         18th April  (no morning Mass at any Church)
St Patrick’s:               7pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper
 
Good Friday:           19th April 
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
3pm Solemn Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion
at St Patrick’s and St Anthony’s Churches
 
 
Saturday Easter Vigil: 20st April
St Patrick’s:               8pm 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
Easter Sunday:          21st  April
Holy Cross:               9am
St Patrick’s:               10am
St Anthony’s:          10.30am

Good Friday 3pm services in the parish. With the parish being reduced to 2 priests following Fr Gregory’s return to India it is now only possible to hold 2 Good Friday 3pm services in the parish. The Archdiocese has a directive that Holy Cross Church is to have minimal use due to the building being considered earthquake prone. Following discussion with the Leadership groups within the parish it has been decided not to hold one of these services in this building. We apologise for any inconvenience. Fr Ephrem.

The International Centennial Pilgram Image of Our Lady of Fatima  Theme: “the urgent call for Prayer and Reparation: The Appeal of Our Lady of Fatima” St Patrick’ Church April 8-9. See noticeboard for more details

Singers and Musicians:   There will be a practice on the next two Mondays 7-8pm, St.Patrick's Church, in preparation for Easter.  All welcome.

Holy Cross Happy Hour Weds 10th April 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 Easter clean. Saturday 13th April from 10am – 12pm. If you have some time to spare, come down and help us give the Church a once over.
Any help greatly appreciated.    

St Catherine's Convent School Kilbirnie  1917-1951 Were you a pupil?  Do you know someone who was?  A book "The School On The Hill" has been written recording pupils' memories.  It details with photos the social history of the time, the Flu Epidemic, the pupils' operettas and concerts, what it was like being at school in WW2 and lots more.  The Book Launch is on Saturday 13 April at 3pm at St Patrick's Church Parish Centre, Childers Tce, Kilbirnie.  
 
You are welcome to attend.  Books will available for sale $25 each.  
For further information email the author  Patricia O'Donnell   [email protected]

St Patrick’s Morning MassTuesday 16th April. Please note: Mass will be at 9am to give our priests time to get to the clergy prayer day at 10am.

Holy Thursday Mass Children who made their First Holy Communion in 2018 are invited to take part in the Holy Thursday Mass at St Patrick’s Church. Please contact Leona 021 165 5289
The children will process up to the altar and scatter petals. We will need petals on the day so could you please drop these off to the office on HOLY THURSDAY BEFORE 12PM.

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.

Good Friday Holy Places Collection – This collection will be taken up on during the 3pm Solemn Commemoration of the Lords Passion .

St Patrick’s Parish/Church Centennial      In Nov 2019 St Patrick’s parish/church Kilbirnie will celebrate its centennial. This is a huge milestone for the catholic community now within the parish of Holy Trinity. It is important that we recognise this important event with a centennial Mass and an invitation has been sent to check on the availability of Cardinal John to participate in this Mass. A number of events need to be organised around this time and we need to establish a small committee of interested parishioners to facilitate these centennial events. If you are able to assist in any way by providing your background knowledge of names, events, photographs, or published articles or just have an interest in helping co-ordinate these centennial events then please email your name and contact details to [email protected]  This is a great opportunity for you to become involved in a fun but hugely important parish activity.

Cleaning HOLY CROSS Church:  SOS from our elderly cleaning crew!!!! We desperately need more young people to clean our Church.This involves vacuuming the main part of the church approximately once a month. The more people we have the less often you will be needed. If you would like to help us please contact Ann Nota on 380 9332. Your time and help will be most appreciated. Thank you.

Altar servers at St Patrick’s.  Please contact the office with your phone number and email as the records are not right and we cant talk to you about your turns. [email protected] or 388 6953

Wanted to rent. Young mother with 3 children looking for 3 bedroom house in the Eastern Suburbs up to $600 per week. Every care taken. Refs available. Contact Bev 388 5821

Pacific People say NO to the Euthanasia Bill  Rally at Parliament Tuesday 9 April 2019  11.00 am – 2.00pm MP’s meeting rally at 12pm. Legalised euthanasia could completely change the face of NZ as we know it. We must do something NOW.  All parishioners are urged to support this important event.

Lenten Prayer for Life to Good Friday join us in daily prayer, fasting and reparation for the cause of life. Register your prayer commitment for the campaign's four prayer intentions at fli.org.nz/lentenprayerforlife and receive a free pro-life prayer book. If possible, please also join the prayerful witness to life outside Wellington Hospital on all or any of these Weds April 10. To sign up for an hour txt 021 2317954 email [email protected]  For info see the poster in the church porch.

Archdiocesan North Island Chrism Mass – the Mass of the oils, Tuesday 16th April 7pm, St Teresa’s Pro-Cathedral, Karori.

Joshua Catholic Men’s Fellowship Wellington invites men to come along and join us on Thursday 11th April 2019 at 7:30pm (Note: fellowship from 7:00pm for 7:30pm start) In CONNOLLY HALL, Guildford Terrace, Thorndon (behind the closed Sacred Heart Cathedral).  Speaker: Fr Kevin Connors on “You are called to be...”  Want to know more? Ring Steve Ready 027-356-9555 or [email protected]

Celebrating 100 years since the first school building on St Catherine’s College site. High Tea 22 June 2019 from 1.00pm – 4.45pm Mercy Hall, SCC. $15. Registration required. Contact Sister Stephanie [email protected] or 0272458859

How to Think about Ageing: Insights from Disability Theology. You are invited to a lecture given by Dr Michael Mawson, University of Aberdeen which will reflect upon the relationship between ageing and disability. In particular, it will explore how insights from disability theology can contribute to richer and more concrete accounts of ageing and its associated complexities. Wed 17 April 7:30—9:00 (GBLT1) Government Building Law School Wellington.

OPEN LETTER TO ALL M.P.s RE ABORTION now urgent. Upcoming Legislation intends to allow ABORTION UP TO BIRTH. Overseas experience indicates that will be the forerunner to debate on even worse atrocities for the unborn child, including “partial-birth” abortions, “after- birth” abortions, and infanticide. If you wish to add your
name to an Inter-Denominational ”Open Letter to all members of Parliament” email  [email protected]  you will receive a copy of the Letter by return. May God Bless our mutual efforts. Thank you, Don Brebner.

Receptionist Catholic Centre An exciting opportunity has arisen for the right person to take up a client focussed role at the ADW as a Receptionist for the Catholic Centre. We’re looking for a warm, energetic and approachable problem solver who is very customer focused. Has attention to detail, with a calm demeanour and a mature outlook on life. 20 - 30 hours per week, please send your resume and covering letter to  [email protected]  to receive a job description and application form.  Applications close on 9th  April 2019.

Help share the heart of the Easter message on mainstream radio CBA has brought together some of NZ’s most respected Christian broadcasters to present the real Easter message on Newstalk ZB and Radio Sport.
Two nationwide networks. Envelopes avail Phone 0900 80 222 to make a $20 donation or visit cba.org.nz/give

A few years ago I was asked to prepare a year 13 group to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I began by asking how many considered themselves to be sinners. A couple of hands went up including my own. I then asked again, explaining that my question was a serious one adding that all my friends were sinners. A few more hands were raised. For the next half hour I explained that we are created by God for abundant life, but we sin when our fears lead us to grasp at what is immediate and unsatisfying. I explained that the Sacrament of Reconciliation enables us to experience divine love and mercy in the part of our lives where we most struggle, and that this was a beautiful thing both in a human relationship and even more-so in our relationship with God. I concluded commenting that we are sinners, much more than we think we are, but this is not aproblem for our loving and merciful God. At the end of the class the teacher approached me, very angry, saying “we do all we can to build up our students’ self-esteem, and you shoot it down in one class by telling these young people that they are sinners.”
The teacher did not understand that self-esteem is not a human achievement. Healthy self-esteem is the fruit of knowing that we are loved even as imperfect, weak and vulnerable sinners. We know Jesus to be “saviour,” and if we think we can sort our lives by our own efforts then we have no need for Jesus.An Invitation: Our sin, when we acknowledge it and confess it, becomes a privileged place of encounter with God. Make plans this week to set time to go to confession. You may not have been for twenty or more years, but this is no problem. Just do it! I guarantee that afterwards you will be delighted that you took the step. Fr. John O’Connor  www.foodforfaith.org.nz

Go you are sent …to deepen your bicultural relationship (5) Enable Māori to help parishioners with Te Reo so that it is appreciated in the parish

​We pray for the members of our Parish families who have died recently especially Barbara Waterreaus and those whose anniversaries occur around this time including Frederick Sparke, Mary Dillon and Francis Galvin. Our prayers are also with those who are unwell especially John Rogers, John Cairns-Cowan and Graeme Adams and for the wonderful people who are caring for the everyday needs of the sick in our Community.