9th april 2017

​Readings: Is 50, 4-7; Phil 2, 6-11; Mt 24, 14-27. 66
Jesus’ seeming cry of desperation is, in fact, a prayer that expresses deep longing to stay connected with God.  With this cry, Jesus gives voice to the most ardent longing of the human heart to find God and remain with God in the midst of the tribulations and anguish of human existence.  Jesus on the cross represents humanity at its lowest pint, in the mire of despair. Then out of that pit he emerges and draws out humanity with him, as he cries out, “My God ..., “thus claiming again the relationship and connection that make us exist and give us our identity.
Vatican Council Two’s document “Church in the Modern world” helps understand the cry.  The document recalls our Christian belief that Jesus’ divinity did not eclipse the full experience of his humanity. As fully human Jesus on the cross tasted the depths of human suffering on every level – physical, psychological and spiritual. And perhaps most painful of all, Jesus was a failure.  Jesus failed to accomplish the mission given him by his Father – preaching the Good News of the Kingdom of God. And on the cross Jesus felt abandoned – he even felt abandoned by his Father: “My god, my god, why have you abandoned me?”
Like Jesus we may feel abandoned by god but we are not alone; just as Father transformed Jesus’ suffering so too He transforms our sufferings. Paul would say, “He humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross,” the mystery of our salvation fulfilled in resurrection. That is why Holy Week is the holiest week of the year.
Have a blessed Holy Week.
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.

Weekday Mass timetable for Easter Week
 
Mon 10th –     9am morning Mass at St Patrick’s
Tues 11th –    9am morning Mass at St Anthony’s
Weds 12th –   9.30am morning Mass at Holy Cross
No evening adoration or Mass at St Patrick’s Church
Thurs 13th – no morning Mass at the 3 Churches

Easter reconciliation
is still available for those who were not able to make it to Holy Cross on Thursday.
Wednesday 12th April  - 6 – 7pm at St Patrick’s Church
Good Friday 14th April – after the Passion service at Holy Cross

St Anthony’s:
10am Way of the Cross starts at St Anthony’s not St George’s as previously advertised.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING CHANGE TO WEEKDAY MASS TIMES EFFECTIVE MONDAY 17TH APRIL 2017
From Monday 17th April, there will be no morning Mass in the Parish.
The rest of the weekday Masses will continue as normal.  Thanks you.

Tuesday 11th April - Archdiocesan North Island Chrism Mass – the Mass of the oils, 7.30pm, Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Hill St, Thorndon.

During Easter Tide, those parishioners who wish to have a visit from the priest and spend some time in prayer or have their house blessed, please contact the Parish Office 388 6953 or [email protected].

Easter Music Practice There will be a music practice for all musicians and singers who would like to be involved in the Music for Holy Thursday and Easter Saturday Night. The practice will be at 7-8pm at Holy Cross Church on Monday Night All are welcome and needed. If you would like any information contact David Sullivan  [email protected] or 388 9001

For those attending services at Holy Cross Church during Easter Week, please do not park at the Bridge Club on Hobart Street.
Thank you.

Archdiocese Synod Nominations. The pastoral council ask all parishioners to consider their participation in the diocesan-wide Synod in September.  The synod is a process of discernment and listening to determine the future direction for the whole diocese.  The pastoral council wish to have nominations from all age groups and communities within our parish. However, Participants are NOT there to represent holy trinity parish but be part of the wider diocesan family.
WE ARE CALLING FOR NOMINATIONS by Easter Monday.  Please provide your own name and contact details to [email protected], put in the collection basket at Mass or drop your nomination into the office  
If you wish to nominate another person please talk to them about this first. 

TOGETHER WE STAND - Closing Event for 40 Days for Life. Sunday 9th April.
4.00 p.m. Combined Prayer at the Vigil Site
4.30 p.m. Procession to St Paul's Lutheran Hall
5.00 p.m. Brief Address Followed by Food and Fellowship

ALPHA PARENTING CHILDREN COURSE The course went really well last year so we are offering it again.  It is a series of five videos on building strong relationships, meeting our kid’s needs, setting boundaries, teaching healthy relationships and long term aims.  The course is over five weeks.  Each week it starts with afternoon tea and a video, which are followed by short discussion.
No matter where you are at with your kids it is a helpful, practical course.  Hope you can join us.  The first session will be in the Gascoigne Room at 3.15pm on Tuesday 16 May.  There is no charge.  Bring your children along as both play and homework supervision is provided.  For more details, see the following video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BY8thZ_W2gY or text Kim on 0222426288 or Ruth on 0276700365

 If God exists, it changes everything!  Alpha is a series of interactive sessions exploring the basics of our faith.  Each session looks at a different question, and is designed to create conversation. There’s no pressure, no follow-up and no charge; it’s just an open, informal, and honest space to explore and discuss life’s big questions together.  The sessions are available again this year starting at 7.00pm in the Gascoigne Room on Tuesday 2 May.  To enrol please call or text Dave Monastra on 0274477280 or Ruth O’Brien on 0276700365.  Feel free to bring a friend who may not be a member of the parish.

Knitting for babies and young children. Many thanks to all those who have continued knitting for these children. There is still a great need for these garments and are very much appreciated. Also, any donations of double knitting wool would be appreciated. Leave at the back of the church or ring Margaret 388 2840. Many thanks.

 ANZAC DAY SERVICE 25th April    ST PATRICK’S CHURCH 9.30AM
Followed by a cup of coffee and biscuits in the meeting room.
On the day, bring a photo of loved ones to place under the altar during Mass.

Vinnies-Wellington invites you…
Annual Book-Fair (22-23 April) will be hosted at St Anne’s church hall, Emmett Street, Newtown on Saturday 8am-4pm and Sunday 9am-3pm. It is a book hunt worth attending with lots of good reads. All proceeds go towards the Vinnies welfare services.
 
Friend Requests (on-going) is a programme that pairs up members of our community with neighbours who have requested visitations. Frequency and duration of visit is flexible and dependant on the pair. You must be 21+ years to be a visitor. If you are interested in assisting with any of the above or have questions about other initiatives contact Ana Faatoia 021 033 0615 / [email protected] .

Delivers of the news and views please collect your copies form the back of the church. If possible, please have these delivered before Easter as Mass times are included. Thank you

Dove Wellington invites all women to our meeting from 1.15pm to 3pm on Saturday 22 April at Connolly Hall, Guildford Terrace, Wellington.  This meeting, we are blessed to have Jayne Sutherland as our guest speaker.   She will be sharing her testimony with us of her journey of faith.  It will be a wonderful time of sharing, caring and community.  We look forward to seeing you there.   Please contact Rachel Blackaby for any queries on (04) 389 9938

Assistance needed
At the request of the Red Cross, St Catherine’s College has recently enrolled several refugee students. Red Cross is providing some assistance but the College needs to provide basic equipment and help with Attendance Dues. We have very limited available funding and it will not fully meet this need. If you are able to help with a donation or on-going sponsorship of a student, even in a small way, the College, the students and their families would be most grateful. Please contact the Principal, Mrs Mary Curran on 4-939-8988 or [email protected]
Thank you so much.
 


St Catherine’s College  Open Days and Evening
Wednesday 31 May 2017 1.15 – 3.15pm Sunday 11 June 2017 1.00 – 3.00pm
Tuesday 8 August 2017 Evening 5.45 - 7.00pm 14 Upper Bourke Street, Kilbirnie, Wellington, 939 8988

St Patrick’s College is holding a “Taste of St Pat’s Day” on Tuesday 9 May for Year 8 Catholic boys interested in attending St Pat’s in 2018.  This day will provide a good insight into life at St Patrick’s College and what we can offer the boys next year.  It will run from 10am to 2pm.  Parents would need to transport their son to and from St Pat’s on the day.  If parents would like to register their son please email [email protected] or phone Gerardine Parkinson on 939 5417.
 Our official Open Day is on Sunday 11 June from 1.30 – 4pm.

Free Relationship Insurance! Marriage Encounter is running an enrichment weekend for all couples that believe their marriage is important. Without constantly working on improving your relationship complacency can creep in and wreak havoc, sometimes destroying the beautiful relationship you currently have. It’s not worth the risk! Book on the Marriage Encounter weekend now and protect your relationship. You insure your house so why not your marriage?  Join us on the next weekend.
Weekend Date: 12th – 14th May. To be held at Masters Hall SH2 Pahiatua. Ph. 0800 362 686 for information and to book a place on the weekend.

Healing Service There is to be a Healing Service with Fr John Rea at St Teresa`s Church Karori on Monday 24 April beginning at 7.30 pm.  Everyone is welcome.  Please bring those who need Jesus` healing.

Sonrise Service – Easter Sunday 16th April 6.30am at Mt Victoria Lookout
Hosted by the Salvation Army and orgaisend by the Council of Wellington Churches.

Joshua Catholic Men’s Fellowship Wellington
Come along and join us on Thursday 20th of April 2017 at 7:30pm for fellowship and prayer in CONNOLLY HALL, Guildford Terrace, Thorndon (behind Sacred Heart Cathedral).
Speakers: John Taylor & Steve Ready on Joshua-Dove Leaders' Weekend 
Want to know more? Ring John Taylor (04) 389-8915 or 021-107-8538 or email: [email protected]