27 january 2019

Nehemiah 8:2-6. 8-10     1 Corinthians 12:12-30     Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21
The day of relaxation and leisure is over, it is time for action.
Dear sisters and brothers, God is gracious and kind to bring us this day. I take great pleasure to welcome you back to journey together the year 2019 joyfully. We acknowledge that the Lord is our light and our help, and so we come into his presence with gratitude, and confident hope in this year.
Our life’s journey takes us to untrodden path and brings us to the life experience that make us better person in God. Sometime our journey seems to be a lonely one and tediously hopeless. But when we realise God’s assurance, we bounce back and steady the wavering will and put our trust in the Lord. He becomes our light in the darkness to show us the way to the Father. You and me coordinate to enhance human life and nurture each other by our God given graces and blessing.  We are called to encourage, support one another to build a society in the fear of the Lord. This orders our life, enhances our joy and happiness reigns in our heart.
May the gift God given us, find expression in our life. Bless us to grow in gratitude and peace, and May 2019 be a blessed year for our parish.                                                                                Fr Ephrem
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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.

Free piano available. Please contact Fiona at St Patrick’s Primary School for details

Volunteer wanted St Patrick’s Primary School - Do you have some time, energy, creativity, good people skills? You could be perfect to facilitate a Young Vinnies group in our school.
We are looking for a person to work with a small group of eight of our intermediate students guiding them in doing acts of service. We would like the volunteer to facilitate the group in meeting fortnightly to discuss ways they can serve those in need and to take the students out to do acts of service (perhaps four students at a time). 
We’d love someone who could help them think of different ways they could serve and help them approach people to set the service up eg. Gardening for the sick or elderly, looking after young children for families, sorting in a charity op shop. Please, consider taking up this role. We would be very grateful. Email [email protected]

HOLY TRINITY PARISH SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME 2019 Children in year 4 or above who have been baptised in a Catholic Church and would like to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Holy Communion, are eligible to enrol. Enrolment forms are available in the church foyers, School Offices or on the website www.holytrinity.parish.nz  All enrolment forms need to be completed and returned including a copy of your baptism certificate by the 15th Feb to the School Offices, email [email protected]

Annual Raffle: In February and March the Sisters of St Peter Claver will be selling tickets for the Annual Raffle.  This is an important activity raising a significant portion of the funds needed to support the missionary projects.  Please support the raffle through the purchasing of tickets, however we also need people to assist in selling tickets in the parish (after mass) and in the community.  If you can assist please contact either the Sisters or Rob McCullough (0221771007).
Mission Fair: On 16th of Feb (10am to 1pm) at the St Francis de Sales church hall and grounds the Sisters will be holding their Mission Fair.  There will be a variety of stalls, raffles, food and entertainment – come along and support the missionary work of the sisters and have fun at the same time.   Donations of good quality items for sale in the Mission Fair are greatly appreciated and can be delivered to the Sisters at 1 Mersey Street, Island Bay.

A Good Friday Liturgical Workshop on Thurs 14th March 14th  6.45pm-9pm at the Catholic Centre. This will be an interactive workshop, with Fr Patrick Bridgman, Archdiocesan Liturgy Advisor. Fr Patrick will help us unpack the symbolism and rituals associated with Good Friday. Everyone welcome. Please register with Ann Williams before Friday 8th March at [email protected]

Michael Mangan Workshop    : This We Believe: Music for Sacraments of Initiation with Children.    Songs for the preparation & celebration of Baptism, Confirmation & First Communion and Reconciliation for children. Tuesday 26th Feb 7pm-9pm Ss Peter & Pauls Church L. Hutt. Please register before Mon 26th  Feb with Ann Williams  [email protected]  Entry by Koha.

NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE EXECUTIVE OFFICER Applications are  invited for the position of Executive Officer for the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference. The Conference is the assembly of the Catholic Bishops of New Zealand who carry out together functions best done collectively rather than individually by dioceses. The Executive Officer reports to the General Secretary of the Conference and works with the President and other bishops on various  aspects of the Conference’s work. The key tasks of the Executive Office include • Support  for the meetings of Conference and its Finance Committee, and actioning their decisions • Responsibility for the smooth operation of the Secretariat • Relationships with agencies, dioceses and external bodies • Management  of the Conference’s finances and records • Liaison with  ad hoc national advisory groups • Liaison with the Conference Communications Advisor The position is Wellington- based.  The successful applicant will have a sound understanding of the Church, managerial experience, and excellent writing skills. CV and covering letter should be sent by 22 Feb to Cardinal John Dew, PO Box 1937, Wellington [email protected]  The job description is available by emailing [email protected]

ST VALENTINE’S DAY MASS:  Thurs 14th Feb 6pm at St Joseph’s Church, Mt Victoria. All welcome to a celebration of love.  Also, we are looking for couples who are celebrating a significant anniversary. If you, or if you know someone celebrating 25, 30, 40 or 50+ years married, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Felicity Giltrap at the Catholic Centre (04) 496 1719 or mail  [email protected]

We pray for the members of our Parish families who have died and Judy Chote who died recently and those whose anniversaries occur around this time including John O’Brien, Margaret Gilmore, Agnes Dooley, Lynne Yagusch, Malia Lavea, Thomas Grealish, Thomas Blewman, Paul Rossiter, Jozef Wielgolawski and Graham Williams. 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.