7th August 2016

“Much will be required ... of the person entrusted with more.”
During the time when Jesus lived over 2,000 years ago, popular culture lived by the concept of reciprocal justice, “an eye for an eye.” Jesus taught counter-culturally and turned reciprocal justice upside down. Jesus challenged his followers during the Sermon on the Mount: "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven." The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. once said that "An eye for an eye is a law that makes the whole world blind."
There has been an overwhelming amount of tragic violence these past days and a seemingly ever growing amount of hatred expressed towards those responsible for acts of violence. When we live with hatred and unforgiveness we live with something that is worse than any punishment that could be given to the servant who was beating the other servants. Hatred and unforgiveness eats away at us from the inside. To this Jesus’ response was to ask for forgiveness because they did not know what they were doing. This brings us back to today’s reading found in Luke 12:48: “…more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.” As Christians, we have been entrusted with more and more is demanded from us.
The challenge I have made for myself is the next time I catch myself cursing under my breath towards someone that has irked me (like cut me off in traffic) is to reverse the curse and ask the Holy Spirit to help me pray for the person.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Fr Ephrem
HOLY TRINITY PARISH MASS TIMES
St Patrick’s Church, Kilbirnie:
Weekday: Monday and Friday 9am, Tues, Weds, Thurs 9.30am except the 1st Wednesday of the month when Mass is at 11am for the sick and anointing
Tuesday: Holy Hour from 10 – 11am
Saturday:11.30am – 1pm Exposition and confession
Sunday: 5.30pm Vigil Mass, 7.30 am and 10.00 am
Life Teen 5.30 pm Sunday except first 1st Sunday of the month)
Holy Cross Church, Miramar:
Weekday: Weds & Fri 9.30am, Sat 9am
Sunday: 9am & 5pm
St Anthony’s Church Seatoun and Good Shepherd Hall, Strathmore:
Weekday: Tues, Weds, Thurs 9am preceded by Rosary, except during the school term when Thurs Mass will be at 11.30am
Sunday: Good Shepherd - 8.30 am, St Anthony's 10.30 am

  Proclaimers of the Word and Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
There will be a workshop for all those involved in the above ministries on Sun 14th August
in Holy Cross Church.
This is a wonderful opportunity for those of you wanting to begin ministering as well as a refresher for those of you already ministering in these areas.
The workshop for the Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist will commence at 2.30pm followed at 3.30pm for the Proclaimers of the Word. Both sessions will be approximately one hour in duration.

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.
 
Parish Council Nominations
The response to the call for nominations was disappointing with three valid nominations received from
St Patricks church, one from St Anthonys and none from Holy Cross.
Those people nominated will be interviewed by a sub-committee of the Parish Council in the next few weeks.
 

YOUTH COORDIATION TEAM
The parish is in the process of establishing a Youth Ministry and is seeking to identify a small group of volunteers to assist in both the establishment and organisation of this most important function. We are currently in the process of identifying and employing a Youth Pastoral Worker in a 20 hour paid role to lead youth activities within our Parish. The role of volunteers in the Youth Coordination Team is to set guidelines, tasks and scope to both the Youth Pastoral Worker and the members of the Youth Ministry. Responsibility for the employment function lives with the Parish Priest and the accountability is through the Parish Pastoral Council.
Ideally we are looking for parishioners or other like-minded Christian members for this Youth Coordination Team. Youth is the future of our parish and if you can help or if you know of someone suitable who may be able to help the parish run a successful Youth Ministry then please contact Fr Ephrem or a member of the Parish Council for further details.

Welcome to our Parish Year of Mercy pilgrimage to Ataturk Memorial, Tarakena Bay, on Monday 8 August. 
This will be a pilgrimage of peace and reconciliation; of prayer for all those who died in war, and for families today who live in countries torn apart by war. We will take part in the civic ceremony at the memorial at 2.30pm.  Please meet to car pool at St Anthony’s Church Seatoun at 1.30pm. A moderate level of fitness is required for the short climb up the hill, via the access road.  The event will conclude with afternoon tea at Seatoun RSA at 3.00pm. 
For further information and registration, please contact Marianne at the parish office.

Mass rosters for Holy Cross Church are on the back table. Please take your copy.
Some rosters are available for St Patrick’s but some are still being completed. Until then, keep an eye on the newsletter to see if you are rostered on the following week. If you would like your roster emailed to you, please email the office [email protected]
St Catherine's College Open Day Tuesday 16 August 2016 11.30am - 1.00pm & 6.30pm - 7.30pm
 Come and have a look at our new building.

Finance Committee Meeting – Tuesday 9th August 8pm in the Holy Cross Parish Centre..
​
St. Tarcisius  - Feast Day for the Patron Saint of Altar Servers
St Patrick’s Church will celebrate this feast day with the 10am Mass on Sunday 7th August, followed by a morning tea downstairs in the parish centre.
Everybody is welcome. Please bring a plate of food for morning tea. Thank you.

The 5 Love Languages:
“For love, we will climb mountains, cross seas, traverse desert sands, and endure untold hardships. 
Without love, mountains become unclimbable, seas uncross able, deserts unbearable, and hardships our lot in life.”  It will be presented by 5 couples on Sunday 28th August 11.30am – 4.30pm at St Thomas More Church, 30 Worchester Street, Wilton.  It is important to come for the whole day.  A light lunch will be provided. For catering purposes please RSVP  [email protected]  by 19 August.

Sacred Heart Cathedral Pastoral Council Invites you to…
Two Seminars for this Year of Mercy. Venue: Connolly Hall – Guildford Terrace, Thorndon.
Next to the Cathedral.  8th Aug 7-9PM - Mercy an Act of Love for our Neighbour Speaker: Sr Sue Cosgrove and 12 Sept, 7-9PM - Jesus is the Face of God‛s Mercy Speaker: Sr Alice Sinnott. Koha is gratefully appreciated.

Joshua Catholic Men’s Fellowship Wellington Come along and join us on Thursday 18th of August 2016 at 7:30pm for prayer, praise and social time in CONNOLLY HALL, Guildford Terrace, Thorndon (behind Sacred Heart Cathedral). Theme: "Open the eyes of my heart, Lord" Guest speaker: Fritz Mascarenhas (ICPE) Want to know more? Ring John Taylor 389-8915 or 021-107-8538 [email protected]

Challenge 2000 has been working with children, young people and their families in our Archdiocese since 1988. We work with hundreds of families and thousands of children and young people every year. We strive to transform lives so that all our brothers and sisters can have life and have it to the full.  As you know life is very difficult for many people in our communities. More than ever we need your commitment and help. PLEASE put your hand up and do something about the poverty and desperation in our society. Say YES to doing your bit wherever and whenever you can. How?  Our Annual Street Day Appeal is Friday 2nd September 2016.
o          Can you collect - stand in the cold and ask your fellow citizens for money for an hour or so?
o          Put some money in a bucket when you see our collectors
o          Email your friends/business colleagues/family pleading with them to support our work
o          Pray for the poor and the struggling and those who journey with them
Please help: Call Megan Ratuki on 04 477 6827 or email [email protected]
For more information on our work or how you can help, view our website www.challenge2000.org.nz

“NPH NZ is running a volunteer trip to their Catholic children’s home in Mexico, Feb 2017. [email protected] or 09 216 0635 for more information.”