|
Reflection and Prayer for CEC Sunday
There is a hidden face of God and a public face of God. Hidden – like the Cistercian monks who were martyred in Tibihirine in Algeria. Their aim was not to convert the local Muslims, yet they shone out as men of faith. We too have a Cistercian monastery in the fields of Southern Hawkes Bay, part of the hidden face of God in our land. Jesus is the public face of God. he radiated the holiness, the compassion of God and a call to conversion of life. Today the Catholic Church is challenged to preserve the hidden and the public faces of God. Without prayer and deep holiness, our message will be blown away on the breezes of the world. Without a challenge and a hope to offer our secular societies, even holiness will wither and grow old. The Catholic Enquiry Centre exists to remind Catholics that we are all called to show forth both the hidden and public faces of God. Hidden – in our prayer and personal relations with each person of the Trinity; public – in that we confront selfishness and sin but with understanding and practical routes towards creating a more just and equal society. Every Catholic is called to reflect the hidden and public faces of Christ. By your support of the CEC you can fulfil the demands of each of these missions. To be prayed together after Communion Loving and just God, you look on this world you have created with love and deep concern. So many men and women still do not know or follow you We ask for the grace to commit ourselves to the mission of the Catholic Enquiry Centre, to spread the knowledge and hope that you still offer to a wounded planet. We make this prayer through Christ our lord and brother. Amen 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 23rd June ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE HALL We will be celebrating Mass together at St Patrick’s College Hall. 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 cup of tea at the back of the hall following Mass - Please bring a plate of food to share. Please note: These will be the only 2 Masses in the Parish on the 23rd June We need volunteers to help with the cup of tea after Mass. If you can help, please contact the office 388-6953 or holytrinity.wgtn@xtra.co.nz 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 skit2@xtra.co.nz or 0272458859 ST VINCENT DE PAUL ANNUAL STREET APPEAL ACROSS WELLINGTON, FRIDAY 28 JUNE 2019 Your St Vincent de Paul Society Seatoun & Miramar group warmly invites parishioners to give an hour or two of their time as collectors for the Annual Street Day Appeal for the St Vincent de Paul Society on Friday 28 June 2019. Your Seatoun & Miramar group will collect at Cable Car Lane on Lambton Quay, and the Featherston St opposite corner, 7am-3pm. If you can assist there do please contact any one of the following SVDP members to agree a time that suits you -
Marian Mothers Group - Tuesday 02 July 2019, 7pm, St. Anthony's Meeting Room, Seatoun You are invited to a Marian Mothers Group which begins on Tuesday 02 July 2019 at 7pm in St. Anthony's Meeting Room, Seatoun. Marian Mothers is a network of women who want to come together for prayer, mutual encouragement, support and faith reflection. A group is starting in Holy Trinity parish. Please email Patricia on lourdes@windowslive.com if you would like any further information. Looking forward to our meeting. Mā te Atua e manaaki, God bless. Archdiocese of Wellington 2019 Priest Jubilee Mass of Thanksgiving This will be held at St Patrick’s Church, Kilbirnie Thursday 4th July 2019 at 11am. All are welcome to join the priests of the Archdiocese at the Mass of Thanksgiving. PRESBYTERIAL ORDINATION ANNIVERSARIES 60 Years: Cardinal Thomas Williams, Fr Michael Stieller, Fr Denis Collins, Fr Peter Conaghan sm, _____ ________ Fr Patrick Dooley sm, Fr Tony Williams sm, Fr Graham Connolly sm 50 Years: Fr Philip Cody sm, Fr Neil Vaney sm, Fr Denis O’Hagen sm, Fr Karaitana Kingi sm 25 Years: Fr Mike Miers, Fr Patrick Bridgman, Fr Barry Scannell sm Please note: This will be the only Mass in the Parish on this day. The young Vinnies group at St Patrick’s Primary will be holding a bring and buy sale at school Thursday lunchtime 4th July. Everything will be sold for $1 - $3. Please drop off any pre-loved toys, books, games, puzzles or clothing in good condition to the school office. The money raised will go towards buying new sports equipment. People in Need? St Vincent de Paul Society Seatoun & Miramar Conference welcomes parishioners to let us know confidentially if you or someone needs assistance in the Miramar/Seatoun/Strathmore area. Our group visits people who are in hardship, sickness, loneliness or housebound, in order to share God’s love and compassion and see if we can assist in any way, even as simple as having a coffee and chat (Contacts: any of our members listed in the Church foyers). Trinity Sunday is a powerful reminder of mission. It helps us remember that Jesus emptied himself. He stepped out of the timeless total joy of the inner intimacy of God to share with us the struggles, doubts and tragedies of our lives. He died like us, shamefully and painfully as some of us do. Our mission as Catholics is to share that remarkable story with others. But our world has changed. The pace and anxiety of modern life, the lure of living through the virtual world of media and social communications hasmade the message of the gospel very distant and seemingly irrelevant for so many among whom we live. CEC strives to touch a new generation by reaching out through our Catholic Discovery Facebook pages. Trinity Sunday and Mission Today Yet nothing reaches out and touches so deeply as personal witness and example. You who read this are now Jesus’ disciples here in New Zealand. CEC wants to help you by providing reflections, prayers, and videos to help spread this message. Our older supporters are diminishing. We need your support. So pray for us, tell others about us and donate to keep our work going. Please open your hearts to our work this Trinity Sunday. Look us up on www.catholicenquiry.nz and on our Catholic Discovery Facebook page. Pray about becoming a sponsor and supporter and keep Christ’s work alive. Neil Vaney SM, pastoral director CEC Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand – 50th anniversary Mass: Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is celebrating its ‘Jubilee Year’ this year, representing 50 years since national bodies were established for justice, peace and development, including the provision of Catholic volunteers overseas. Cardinal John Dew will celebrate a Mass to mark this occasion for the Wellington Archdiocese. All our welcome. Details: Thursday 27 June, 7pm at St Joseph’s Church, 152 Brougham St, Mount Victoria, Wellington. Please RSVP by 11am Thursday 20 June to caritas@caritas.org.nz or phone 0800 22 10 22. Stewardship Breakfast with the Cardinal: Come and enjoy fellowship, hospitality and hear inspiring speakers. Venue: Connolly Hall, Guildford Terrace, Thorndon, Wgtn. Date: Saturday 29th June 2019. Time: 7.00am-9.00am. Speakers: Cardinal John Cost: $20.00 Please deposit your money to the following bank account 02-0536-0003306-000 with Reference: Stwdship Code: B-Fast. Any questions please ring Chris (04) 496-1706 Rā Whānau Suzanne Aubert. 19 June, 6pm. The Sisters of Compassion and the Catholic Parish of Wellington South invite everyone to celebrate Suzanne Aubert's Birthday Mass celebrated by Cardinal John Dew. St Anne's Church, Newtown. For more details email heritagecentre@compassion.org.nz or ph (04) 282-1953. Donate a food item for the Soup Kitchen at the Birthday Mass. At the Birthday Mass we will take up a collection of food items. It you would like to contribute, groceries which are especially useful to the Soup Kitchen include tins of lentils (but not baked beans), vegetables, fruit, soup, coconut milk, fish; dried goods such as coffee (fresh and instant), lentils, split peas, pearl barley. Dove Catholic Fellowship for Women Come help us celebrate the work of the Holy Spirit in Dove and in our lives for the last 35 years in NZ, Connolly hall 10am-3.30pm Sat 22 June. Our speaker is a lay preacher from India with a ministry of healing and deliverance through the Word, Johnson Sequiera. Ph Shura 021 072 4042 Housesitting or rental required anytime during Sept-Dec for parishioner family. Please contact 021521326 Non-Residential Retreat,15-19 July, 9.30am - 4.00pm daily. Pa Maria Marist Spirituality Centre, Thorndon. For further information and/or to register please contact Brian Cummings SM at 021 703 580 or bgcummings@xtra.co.nz Fantastical, majestical Children's Neon Ball - Greenstone Doors Charitable Trust are hosting a special evening for children (and their parents) at the Dowse Art Museum in Laings Road Lower Hutt on Friday 19 July from 5-7pm. There will be a photo booth, facepainting, crafts, dancing, entertainment and food and drinks! Tickets are $15 for one adult and one child, $25 for a family pass. To purchase your tickets for this amazingly awesome night go to https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/childrens-neon-ball-tickets-63318987797 or purchase your tickets at the door on the night. The event on eventbrite is called 'Children's Neon Ball'. You can also purchase tickets by clicking on the event on our Facebook page 'Greenstone Doors'. Attention All Men - keep Saturday 27th July free for a 1-day Retreat: “Up from the Waters” hosted by Joshua Palmerston North and led by Fr Joe Grayland and Fr Robin Kurian at Our Lady of Lourdes, Shamrock St. Koha on the day to cover costs. Lunch and morning/afternoon tea provided. Contact John Hammond jo.mo.hamm@gmail.com or Steve Ready 027 356 9555 for more details. Stewardship is an understanding of a total way of life; a conversion of mind and heart, of living out one’s baptismal call. Part time Adminsitrative Assistant National Liturgy Offce. See noticeboard at the back of the church for details. Applications close Friday 21 June. AFS International is a voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organisation that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world. The older among us might remember the organisation as the American Field Scholar programme. AFS is currently looking for a few short term host families and are hopeful that our Holy Trinity parish community might like to take up this opportunity. AFS is able to offer host families $300 per week to host a student. Students will be here for 3 weeks from 14th July till 4th August 2019. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact AFS's Hosting Coordinator Joanna Holm on 04 903 2276 or email joanna.holm@afs.org Let us ask ourselves what steps we are taking to ensure that faith governs the whole of our existence. We are not Christian “part-time”, only at certain moments, in certain circumstances, in certain decisions; no one can be Christian in this way, we are Christian all the time! Totally! May Christ’s truth, which the Holy Spirit teaches us and gives to us, always and totally affect our daily life. Pope Francis: General Audience, 15 May 2013 The June 16 – 29 issue of NZ Catholic is out now. Some headlines are: Christchurch parish restructure proposed. Refurbished James Liston Hostel re-opens. Cardinal Dew speaks to priests on abuse summit. Catholic reaction to the Budget. The next issue of NZ Catholic will be published on June 30. Pilgrimage to Medjugorje 9-24 October. A pilgrimage to Medjugorje can be life changing. Respond to God’s gift of Our Lady’s presence among us in these times and join us for an unforgettable pilgrimage to the holy valley of Medjugorje. Travel with Mir Pilgrimages who has visited the holy site over 40 times. Email: info@mirpilgrimages.co.nz or phone Patricia on 0274 219 064. We pray for the members of our Parish families who have died recently especially and those whose anniversaries occur around this time including Michalina Bogacki. 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.
0 Comments
Holy Trinity Confirmation - 9th June at 10am St Patrick’s Church
Please continue to pray for our children as they prepare to receive the sacrament of Confirmation We ask that parishioners bring a plate of food to share for the cup of tea after Confirmation in St Patrick’s Church Hall HOLY TRINITY PARISH MASS - 10AM SUNDAY 23rd June ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE HALL We will be celebrating Mass together at St Patrick’s College Hall. 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 cup of tea at the back of the hall following Mass Please bring a plate of food to share. Please note: These will be the only 2 Masses in the Parish on the 23rd June Please help our new refugee family of 7 We are very pleased to say we have a refugee family expected to arrive in their new home on 21 June. Holy Trinity Parish has committed to raising $1500 so that we can help ready their home with the essentials required. Can you help with a donation? At the moment, strict privacy rules are in place – we do know there are 7 in the family, but their names, ages, their religion or where they have come from we don’t know. We know that their journey to New Zealand will have been arduous and long, and they will have spent some months living institutionally in Auckland. Quite likely, the house they are to move into will be the first they will have slept in, alone and as a family, for years – something most of us have always taken for granted. $1500 is what we need to make the house a warm and welcoming home - and your donation, whatever the amount, will help buy the essentials and fill the cupboards. But this is not simply about providing goods for a home - it is, in fact, defining NZ as a place where refugees can come to us and belong. Many have not been able to keep up the commitment, but Holy Trinity has been there since the beginning and continues to respond to each call for help. Refugees rely on it once again. This giving is also about the mission which Pope Francis and Cardinal John have given to us – to reach out to the peripheries, to be missionary, to embrace the disadvantaged as sisters and brothers. This appeal will continue for 4 weeks. We ask you to do what you can to welcome this family into their new home. As usual, every little helps, no matter how small your donation. You can make a donation directly to our bank account: Holy Trinity 02-0536-0185031-00 REF: REFUGEE or you can use one of the envelopes marked “Refugees” at the back of the church, and place in the collection basket, or else into the box marked “Refugees” at the back of the church. St Catherine’s College Open Evening Monday 10th June 6.30pm – 8pm St Mary's College Open Day. Thursday June 13th 9am. 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 skit2@xtra.co.nz or 0272458859 Archdiocese of Wellington 2019 Priest Jubilee Mass of Thanksgiving This will be held at St Patrick’s Church, Kilbirnie Thursday 4th July 2019 at 11am. All are welcome to join the priests of the Archdiocese at the Mass of Thanksgiving. PRESBYTERIAL ORDINATION ANNIVERSARIES 60 Years: Cardinal Thomas Williams, Fr Michael Stieller, Fr Denis Collins, Fr Peter Conaghan sm, _____ ________ Fr Patrick Dooley sm, Fr Tony Williams sm, Fr Graham Connolly sm 50 Years: Fr Philip Cody sm, Fr Neil Vaney sm, Fr Denis O’Hagen sm, Fr Karaitana Kingi sm 25 Years: Fr Mike Miers, Fr Patrick Bridgman, Fr Barry Scannell sm Please note: This will be the only Mass in the Parish on this day. People in Need? St Vincent de Paul Society Seatoun & Miramar Conference welcomes parishioners to let us know confidentially if you or someone needs assistance in the Miramar/Seatoun/Strathmore area. Our group visits people who are in hardship, sickness, loneliness or housebound, in order to share God’s love and compassion and see if we can assist in any way, even as simple as having a coffee and chat (Contacts: any of our members listed in the Church foyers). Catholic Social Services – part time experienced counsellor position available. See noticeboard for details. Applications close 4pm Friday 7th June Pentecost Celebration @ St Joseph's Church, Mt Victoria Hosted by Catholic Charismatic Renewal - Sunday 9th June An invite to all members of prayer groups, communities and ministries to gather together for a celebration of the Holy Spirit. Includes Praise & Worship, testimonies and talk by guest speaker Bishop Colin Campbell (Dunedin). 1pm to 4pm on Sunday 9th June. All are welcome! Vigil for the Unborn: Saturday 15th June. St Anne's Catholic Church, Emmett Street, Newtown. 10 am Mass. Followed by Exposition & Rosary Procession to pray outside of the Hospital. Ends at Noon with a shared lunch. Join in this persevering prayer effort for mothers and their precious unborn to be spared from abortion. For more information contact Family Life International NZ PH: 021 231 7954 Stewardship Breakfast with the Cardinal: Come and enjoy fellowship, hospitality and hear inspiring speakers. Venue: Connolly Hall, Guildford Terrace, Thorndon, Wgtn. Date: Saturday 29th June 2019. Time: 7.00am-9.00am. Speakers: Cardinal John & ? Cost: $20.00 Please deposit your money to the following bank account 02-0536-0003306-000 with Reference: Stwdship Code: B-Fast. Any questions please ring Chris (04) 496-1706 Compassion Soup Kitchen Street Appeal - Street Collectors Needed! Our Annual Street Appeal will be on Friday 14 June 2019 around the Wellington region. We are looking for volunteers! If you can help with being a Street Collector for one to two hours on Friday 14 June, please sign up at soupkitchen.org.nz/streetappeal or call (04) 385 9299. Come and help our biggest fundraiser of the year and increase the awareness of the services we provide to the community. Be a part of the Compassion story! Rā Whānau Suzanne Aubert. 19 June, 6pm. The Sisters of Compassion and the Catholic Parish of Wellington South invite everyone to celebrate Suzanne Aubert's Birthday Mass celebrated by Cardinal John Dew. St Anne's Church, Newtown. For more details email heritagecentre@compassion.org.nz or ph (04) 282-1953. Donate a food item for the Soup Kitchen at the Birthday Mass. At the Birthday Mass we will take up a collection of food items. It you would like to contribute, groceries which are especially useful to the Soup Kitchen include tins of lentils (but not baked beans), vegetables, fruit, soup, coconut milk, fish; dried goods such as coffee (fresh and instant), lentils, split peas, pearl barley. Attention All Men - keep Saturday 27th July free for a 1-day Retreat: “Up from the Waters” hosted by Joshua Palmerston North and led by Fr Joe Grayland and Fr Robin Kurian at Our Lady of Lourdes, Shamrock St. Koha on the day to cover costs. Lunch and morning/afternoon tea provided. Contact John Hammond jo.mo.hamm@gmail.com or Steve Ready 027 356 9555 for more details. If a family uses the internet to be more connected, to then meet at table and look into each other’s eyes, then it is a resource. If a Church community coordinates its activity through the network, and then celebrates the Eucharist together, then it is a resource. If the internet becomes an opportunity to share stories and experiences of beauty or suffering that are physically distant from us, in order to pray together and together seek out the good to rediscover what unites us, then it is a resource…. This is the network we want, a network created not to entrap, but to liberate, to protect a communion of people who are free. The Church herself is a network woven together by Eucharistic communion, where unity is based not on “likes”, but on the truth, on the “Amen”, by which each one clings to the Body of Christ, and welcomes others. Pope Francis: Message for World Communications Day, 2/6/19 Studying Theology at the University of Otago The Theology Programme at the University of Otago offers many opportunities for the study of Theology, Church History, Ministry, Biblical Studies, and Pastoral Theology, both on-campus and to many students across Aotearoa New Zealand through its successful distance study programme. We are committed to serving Christian communities throughout the country. Semester 2 starts on July 8th and new enrolments are due by June 25th. For details of papers go : https://www.otago.ac.nz/theology/study/papers/ or see the attached poster. To enrol go to https://www.otago.ac.nz/study/enrolment/ Go you ae sent to communicate effectively (13) Let people know what’s happening and what’s available, making things visible via newsletters, social media & websites. Parish Council Meeting – Wednesday 5th June 7.30pm Holy Cross Parish Centre Finance Committee Meeting – Tuesday 11th June 7.30pm Holy Cross Parish Centre We pray for the members of our Parish families who have died recently especially Pat Peoples and those whose anniversaries occur around this time including Catherine Dobbs, Sr Regina Dobbs, Nellie Hansen, Ricky Popple, Margot Chrustowski and Matthew Manion. 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. Acts 15:1-2;22-29; Apoc. 21:10-14,22-23; Jn. 14:23-29
Today’s readings are about the effect of the abiding presence of God in His Church and of His indwelling in each one of us in the third person of Trinity Holy Spirit. The first reading, from the Acts of the Apostles, tells us how the Holy Spirit indwelling in the Church helped the apostles to solve a major doctrinal problem of circumcision with newly converted pagans, which shook the very foundation of the early Church. The second reading from the Book of Revelations describes the Church as the Heavenly Jerusalem, a city united in love, with the victorious Jesus residing in it and in each of its members, replacing the holy presence of God in the Holy of Holies in the Temple of Jerusalem. The Gospel passage tells us how the Holy Spirit, abiding within us, is our teacher and the source of all peace. The passage offers a vision of hope. Jesus promises his followers that the Holy Spirit will come and instruct them in everything they need to know. Peace is the second parting gift of Jesus after the Holy Spirit. It is a unique and lasting gift. It is not necessarily the absence of war and violence but the interior peace that every human being long for. Real peace is not won by avoiding or denying conflict. Conflict may be necessary to achieve peace. That's why Jesus Christ fought and defeated the Enemy of our souls, freeing us to live at peace with God. We can, however, rob ourselves of the peace that Christ offers. That's why we are commanded to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. How? By replacing anxiety with prayer and thankfulness. As the recipients of this gift Jesus wants us to be messengers of peace with whom we live or come into contact in our daily lives in our homes, institutions, Churches, and work places. Let the Prince of peace reign in our hearts. 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. Fr Matthew’s final Mass – St Patrick’s Church 1 June 5.30pm Vigil. Fr Matthew will be returning to Ireland permanently in July and we are grateful he is able to celebrate a final Mass at St Patrick’s with us. There will be a light supper in the Parish Centre directly after Mass. Everyone is asked to please bring a plate of food to share. If you would like to make a donation, please put an envelope in the collection. Holy Trinity Parish Pastoral Council Nominations Your pastoral council is seeking nominations for the council. The Archdiocese requires our parish to have a pastoral council in order for the parish to develop and to meet the spiritual, liturgical, pastoral and social needs of the parish. The parish council is responsible for the “big picture” of the parish by ensuring that the parish plan is up to date and that it is followed and evaluated on a regular basis. The parish council should be representative of all of our parishioners and we warmly invite especially younger people and the various ethnic communities to join the council and help us to be more inclusive. We seek parishioners who can attend a monthly meeting and carry out assigned tasks; who have access to email (as most communications between meetings are by email), and most of all have a willingness to represent the needs of fellow parishioners. We ask you to prayerfully give consideration to helping your catholic community at Holy Trinity parish. Come join us for a commitment of 3 years on the council with a possibility of a nomination for a further 3 years. If you are prepared to consider a position on the pastoral council please advise Marianne in the parish office. Email holytrinity.wgtn.xtra.co.nz or phone 388-6953 and a no obligation meeting will be arranged to further discuss the role and duties of a council member. The first milestone is achieved as we move to meet Cardinal John’s directive that Holy Trinity becomes a missionary parish Our Parish Pastoral Council and Finance Committee have reached an important milestone as we move toward providing Cardinal John with a detailed plan for the future of the Holy Trinity parish. This particular milestone is to describe very simply how we see our parish being structured in order to become an active and outgoing missionary church. Taking all known data into account, we see Holy Trinity as ultimately having one priest, one church to accommodate perhaps up to 450 people, and with spaces suitable for the mission given to us as a parish by Pope Francis and Cardinal John. Having said this, it is immediately important to add that NO decisions have been made as to the location of this church and its associated facilities. There are aspects we do see as very important - having a single building as a unifying and focal point for our parish, having spaces that are flexible and which meet the needs of our various groups, communities and cultures, and which enable us to link more closely with our schools. What we have to do to realise this new profile is not going to happen in the immediate future - it will take some time to work through the options, consult the parish and realise the optimum solution. The Council believes we should plan for having 1 priest (to be assisted by lay pastoral leaders). The truth is that our priests are aging, becoming unable to work or are dying at a much faster rate than new priests are becoming available. This situation is accelerating – in 15 years we will have a fraction of those who are available now. Cardinal John has also reminded us that, while we have had assistance from international priests in the past, we cannot rely on this in the future. With regard to buildings, those that we have are becoming more and more burdensome – maintenance and insurance costs are exorbitant and are not repaid by the use they are put to. Neither are these buildings necessarily in configurations that are suitable for use as the missionary church our pope and cardinal are urging us to be. Our Finance Committee will now consider a number of options and develop a preferred proposal so that we can consult together as a parish. This needs to happen before any decisions can be made with regard to selling, upgrading or building anew. Once we have settled on a preferred option, we will confirm our recommendation to Cardinal John by his deadline of 31 October this year. Parishioners will be kept updated as we move ahead. If you have concerns of any kind at this moment (even though so much is as yet undecided), please don’t hesitate to contact Gerard Birss, parish manager, at gerard.birss@gmail.com or on 021 619 610. Holy Trinity Pastoral Council and Finance Committee Holy Trinity Confirmation - 9th June at 10am St Patrick’s Church Please continue to pray for our children as they prepare to receive the sacrament of Confirmation We ask that parishioners bring a plate of food to share for the cup of tea after Confirmation in St Patrick’s Church Hall Please help our new refugee family of 7 We are very pleased to say we have a refugee family expected to arrive in their new home on 21 June. Holy Trinity Parish has committed to raising $1500 so that we can help ready their home with the essentials required. Can you help with a donation? At the moment, strict privacy rules are in place – we do know there are 7 in the family, but their names, ages, their religion or where they have come from we don’t know. We know that their journey to New Zealand will have been arduous and long, and they will have spent some months living institutionally in Auckland. Quite likely, the house they are to move into will be the first they will have slept in, alone and as a family, for years – something most of us have always taken for granted. $1500 is what we need to make the house a warm and welcoming home - and your donation, whatever the amount, will help buy the essentials and fill the cupboards. But this is not simply about providing goods for a home - it is, in fact, defining NZ as a place where refugees can come to us and belong. Many have not been able to keep up the commitment, but Holy Trinity has been there since the beginning and continues to respond to each call for help. Refugees rely on it once again. This giving is also about the mission which Pope Francis and Cardinal John have given to us – to reach out to the peripheries, to be missionary, to embrace the disadvantaged as sisters and brothers. This appeal will continue for 4 weeks. We ask you to do what you can to welcome this family into their new home. As usual, every little helps, no matter how small your donation. You can make a donation directly to our bank account: Holy Trinity 02-0536-0185031-00 REF: REFUGEE or you can use one of the envelopes marked “Refugees” at the back of the church, and place in the collection basket, or else into the box marked “Refugees” at the back of the church. Holy Trinity Parish Catholic Book Club – Sunday 26th May: Explore the Truth, Beauty, and Goodness of the Catholic faith through its great books! At Holy Cross Church Parish Centre, 6-7pm. Light supper will be provided. Connect with fellow passionate Catholics for like-minded discussion. For enquiries, contact 3882-840 or htpCatholicBookClub@gmail.com HOLY CROSS SCHOOL OPEN MORNING. Tuesday 28th May - 9 – 11am. See our school in action. 9am liturgy in the hall, then find out about our authentic learning programmes including: * Garden to Table * Bikes in Schools * Think-Talk-Create (Intensive Oral Language) * Sponsored Music opportunities. All enquiries welcome. Ph 388-7189 or email administration@hcm.school.nz People in Need? St Vincent de Paul Society Seatoun & Miramar Conference welcomes parishioners to let us know confidentially if you or someone needs assistance in the Miramar/Seatoun/Strathmore area. Our group visits people who are in hardship, sickness, loneliness or housebound, in order to share God’s love and compassion and see if we can assist in any way, even as simple as having a coffee and chat (Contacts: any of our members listed in the Church foyers). 66B Falkirk Avenue, Seatoun. $390.00pw. 1 bedroom unit with 1 bathroom. LPG hot water, electric hob/oven and heater. Very sunny, freshly painted and carpeted. Underfloor/ceiling insulation. Semi detached. Partially furnished....Fridge, Microwave, Washing machine, Clothes dryer. Suitable for up to 2 tenants. Street parking. No pets or smokers. Trademe listing ref #GGX844 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 skit2@xtra.co.nz or 0272458859 St Mary's College Open Day. June 13th 2019, 9am. Go you are sent to build community (12) People, people, people-being the face of Christ in our parishes, not just at the end of emails! Candlelight Mass for people in Sri Lanka Please join Cardinal John and the Otari community in a candlelight Vigil Mass offered in memory of all the lives lost and badly injured during the Sri Lankan Easter tragedy. Saturday 5.30pm, 1 June St. Teresa’s Pro-Cathedral, 301 Karori Road, Karori. If you would like to make a donation, please copy this link https://missio.nz/rebuilding-churches-in-sri-lanka-after-easter-bombings/ Stewardship Breakfast with the Cardinal: Sat June 29th. Venue: Connolly Hall in Hill St, Thorndon, Wellington. Time: 7.00am-9.00am. Please mark it on your calendar. More details to follow. Pa Maria Winter Film Series: The Life Which Beats in Things: - A Spirituality for Living in Today’s World. Mondays 10, 17, 24 June & 1, 8 July OR Thursdays 15, 22, 29 August & 5, 12 September. 7.00pm - 9.30pm each evening. For further information and/or to register contact Brian Cummings SM ( 021 703 580; email bgcummings@xtra.co.nz) Peace… is a challenge that demands to be taken up ever anew. It entails a conversion of heart and soul; it is both interior and communal; and it has three inseparable aspects: - peace with oneself, rejecting inflexibility, anger and impatience; in the words of Saint Francis de Sales, showing “a bit of sweetness towards oneself” in order to offer “a bit of sweetness to others”; - peace with others: family members, friends, strangers, the poor and the suffering, being unafraid to encounter them and listen to what they have to say; - peace with all creation, rediscovering the grandeur of God’s gift and our individual and shared responsibility as inhabitants of this world, citizens and builders of the future. Pope Francis: Message for the World Day of Peace 2019 Parish Council Meeting – Wednesday 5th June 7.30pm Holy Cross Parish Centre Finance Committee Meeting – Tuesday 11th June 7.30pm Holy Cross Parish Centre We pray for the members of our Parish families who have died recently Leone Aiono, Yvette Sood and James Leach and those whose anniversaries occur around this time including Gerard Cook, John Richardson, Wyn Kean, Faileaso Tuilaepa and Francsco Sevilla. 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. Acts 14:21-27; Apoc.21:1-5; Jn. 13:31-35
Today’s readings are about new things: The New Jerusalem, a new heaven and earth, and a new commandment. In the reading from the Book of Apocalypse, God promises that his saving and healing work in the world is ongoing: "See, I am making all things new" (Apoc. 21:5). The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes how the small Christian communities helped the renewal of its members by their agape love, imitating the agape love of Paul and Barnabas. They were fully dedicated to the missionary work of preaching, appointing the elders as local collaborators to expand the missionary activities. The second reading from the Book of Apocalypse explains how God renews His Church by being present in her members as Immanuel and their parish communities and liturgical celebrations. Today’s Gospel passage gives us the secret of Christian renewal as the faithful practice of Jesus’ new commandment: “Love others as I have loved you” (John 13: 35). Jesus has added a new element to the Old Testament command of love by telling us that the true test of discipleship is to love other people in the same way that he has loved us. Hence, the renewal of Christian life means a radical change of vision, of our priorities in life, with new attitudes, new values and new standards of relating to God, to other people and, indeed, to our whole environment. For most of us, “renewal" is something that comes at different stages in our lives, each time bringing us to a deeper understanding, insight and commitment. Good many of us are in leadership teams such as Parish council members, liturgical committee, St. Vincent de Paul, Legion of Mary, Secular Franciscan groups etc. who have ample opportunities to avail ourselves for the self-renewal so as to work more vibrantly as missionary disciples. In all our missionary activities let the love of Jesus be translated into concrete action through which we will be recognized as Jesus’ true disciples. 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. Invitation to presentation of a Papal Honour. Parishioners are invited to 10.30am Mass on Sunday 26 May 2019 at St Anthony’s Church, Seatoun, when a papal honour, the Benemerenti Medal, recently granted by The Holy Father will be presented to Mrs Julie Marshall. This honour is in grateful recognition by the Church of Julie Marshall’s compassionate service sustained in God’s name for over 36 years to the spiritual, physical and social wellbeing of many elder parishioners and their families and to her life-long leadership of liturgy and faith practice in our Holy Trinity and other parishes. Fr Matthew’s final Mass – St Patrick’s Church 1 June 5.30pm Vigil. Fr Matthew will be returning to Ireland permanently in July and we are grateful he is able to celebrate a final Mass at St Patrick’s with us. There will be a light supper in the Parish Centre directly after Mass. Everyone is asked to please bring a plate of food to share. If you would like to make a donation to Fr Matthew, please put an envelope in the collection. Thank you. Holy Trinity Parish Pastoral Council Nominations Your pastoral council is seeking nominations for the council. The Archdiocese requires our parish to have a pastoral council in order for the parish to develop and to meet the spiritual, liturgical, pastoral and social needs of the parish. The parish council is responsible for the “big picture” of the parish by ensuring that the parish plan is up to date and that it is followed and evaluated on a regular basis. The parish council should be representative of all of our parishioners and we warmly invite especially younger people and the various ethnic communities to join the council and help us to be more inclusive. We seek parishioners who can attend a monthly meeting and carry out assigned tasks; who have access to email (as most communications between meetings are by email), and most of all have a willingness to represent the needs of fellow parishioners. We ask you to prayerfully give consideration to helping your catholic community at Holy Trinity parish. Come join us for a commitment of 3 years on the council with a possibility of a nomination for a further 3 years. If you are prepared to consider a position on the pastoral council please advise Marianne in the parish office. Email holytrinity.wgtn.xtra.co.nz or phone 388-6953 and a no obligation meeting will be arranged to further discuss the role and duties of a council member. If God exists, it changes everything! A final reminder that the Alpha faith course starts again this week. There are two sessions one starting at 4pm and the other starting at 7pm in the Holy Cross School Staffroom from Wednesday 22 May. To enrol please call or email the parish office or text Dave Monastra on 0274477280. Feel free to bring family members and friends. People in Need? St Vincent de Paul Society Seatoun & Miramar Conference welcomes parishioners to let us know confidentially if you or someone needs assistance in the Miramar/Seatoun/Strathmore area. Our group visits people who are in hardship, sickness, loneliness or housebound, in order to share God’s love and compassion and see if we can assist in any way, even as simple as having a coffee and chat (Contacts: any of our members listed in the Church foyers). Note: expenses include painting St Patrick’s hall exterior and painting St Anthony’s Church ceiling HOLY CROSS SCHOOL 2019 Board of Trustees’ Election Nominations are invited for the election of 5 parent representatives to the board of trustees. A nomination form and a notice calling for nominations has been posted to all eligible voters. You can nominate another person to stand as a candidate, or you can nominate yourself. Both parts of the form must be signed. Additional nomination forms can be obtained from the school office. Nominations close at noon on Friday 24 May 2019 and may be accompanied by a signed candidate statement and photograph. The voting roll is open for inspection at the school and can be viewed during normal school hours. There will also be a list of candidates’ names, as they come to hand, for inspection at the school. Voting closes at noon on Friday June 2019 St Anthony's School are looking for volunteers to join our Board of Trustees. The election will be at the start of June, with nominations opened from 10 May, so please come and talk to us if you are interested. You don't need to have any particular skills or knowledge, just a passion for teaching and learning and a love of our wonderful school community. You can find out more about us at http://www.stants.school.nz/bot or email us at bot@stants.school.nz Vinnies Food Bank Appeal. The St Vincent de Paul Society is holding its six-monthly appeal for food and household donations at Pak ‘n Save Supermarket, Kilbirnie, 11am-6pm, Saturday 25 May 2019. Members and supporters of your local Seatoun & Miramar Conference of the Society will as usual be collecting in the foyer of the Supermarket. If you would like to donate items, please consider shopping at Pak ‘n Save Supermarket during these times (Contact: Brendan Quirk, ph 021 236 5695 / 388 9708). Do you have any memories/photographs/information from the early days of our 3 churches? Trisha would love to hear from you. She is compiling a history of the churches in the Eastern Suburbs in relation to the upcoming centenary for St Patrick’s Church . lease contact her 04 934 3179 to share any information you have. Thank you in advance . 66B Falkirk Avenue, Seatoun. $390.00pw. 1 bedroom unit with 1 bathroom. LPG hot water, electric hob/oven and heater. Very sunny, freshly painted and carpeted. Underfloor/ceiling insulation. Semi detached. Partially furnished....Fridge, Microwave, Washing machine, Clothes dryer. Suitable for up to 2 tenants. Street parking. No pets or smokers. Trademe listing ref #GGX844 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 skit2@xtra.co.nz or 0272458859 St Mary's College Open Day. June 13th 2019, 9am. Missionary Sisters of St Peter Claver Ethnic Dinner with Entertainment. Saturday 25 May 6.30pm at Polish House 257 Riddiford St, Newtown. Bring your favourite dish to share. Admission: Adults $10, 5 to 10yrs $5 and under 5yrs free. All donation money sent to overseas missions. For tickets ring 383 8401 Go you are sent to support marriage and families (11) Have a dedicated liaison person between the parish and school to welcome and support families. Candlelight Mass for people in Sri Lanka Please join Cardinal John and the Otari community in a candlelight Vigil Mass offered in memory of all the lives lost and badly injured during the Sri Lankan Easter tragedy. Saturday 5.30pm, 1 June St. Teresa’s Pro-Cathedral, 301 Karori Road, Karori. Pa Maria Winter Film Series: The Life Which Beats in Things: - A Spirituality for Living in Today’s World. Mondays 10, 17, 24 June & 1, 8 July OR Thursdays 15, 22, 29 August & 5, 12 September. 7.00pm - 9.30pm each evening. For further information and/or to register contact Brian Cummings SM ( 021 703 580; email bgcummings@xtra.co.nz) We pray for the members of our Parish families who have died recently Robert (Bob) Spray and Pua Magasiva and those whose anniversaries occur around this time including Agnes Ashby, Margaret Walsh and Michael Lavan. 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. Acts 13:14,43-52; Apoc. 7:9,14-17; Jn 10:27-30
The fourth Sunday of Easter is known as Good Shepherd Sunday and it is the “World Day of Prayer for Vocations.” The scripture lessons for this Sunday are about the role of the shepherds of God’s flock in the Church. Each year, on this Sunday we reflect on the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd who devotedly and kindly takes care of his flock. The title "pastor," which means shepherd who leads, feeds, nurtures, comforts, corrects, and protects—responsibilities that belong to every church leader. The earliest Christians saw Jesus as the fulfillment of the ancient Jewish dream of a good shepherd. They also wished to include the Gentiles as part of God’s flock. Today's first reading describes how Paul and Barnabas opted to listen to the voice of Jesus the Good Shepherd and follow him and how, like their master, they were rebuffed and rejected when they tried to share the good news of salvation. The second reading, from the book of Revelation, depicts Jesus as both the glorified Lamb and Shepherd. John encourages his readers with the assurance that every person who has ever followed Christ and led others to him, and who has suffered rejection and persecution, will also know the unending joy of victory and a share in everlasting life. The Gospel text also offers us both to comfort and great challenge. The comforting message is that no one can snatch the sheep out of his Father’s hands. The challenge is that pastors and lay people alike should be good shepherds to those entrusted to their care. The need of the hour is not only to pray for the new vocations to come from the domestic church (families) as Jesus himself called for prayer but also to encourage, promote and send prospective priestly candidates from our families to work in the vineyard of the Lord. 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. Frs Ephrem and Paul will be away from the 14th – 16th May. During their absence, the weekday Mass times will be as follows. Tuesday 14th May 9.30am St Patrick’s Church Wednesday 15th May 9.30am St Patrick’s Church Thursday 16th May 9.30am St Patrick’s Church Thank you Fr Matthew’s final Mass – St Patrick’s Church 1 June 5.30pm Vigil. Fr Matthew will be returning to Ireland permanently in July and we are grateful he is able to celebrate a final Mass at St Patrick’s with us. There will be a light supper in the meeting room directly after Mass. Everyone is asked to please bring a plate of food to share. If you are available to organise this, please contact the office 388 6953 or holytrinity.wgtn@xtra.co.nz. If you would like to make a donation to Fr Matthew, please put an envelope in the collection. Thank you. If God exists, it changes everything! A final reminder that the Alpha faith course starts again this week. There are two sessions one starting at 4pm and the other starting at 7pm in the Holy Cross School Staffroom from Wednesday 22 May. To enrol please call or email the parish office or text Dave Monastra on 0274477280. Feel free to bring family members and friends. HOLY CROSS SCHOOL 2019 Board of Trustees’ Election Nominations are invited for the election of 5 parent representatives to the board of trustees. A nomination form and a notice calling for nominations has been posted to all eligible voters. You can nominate another person to stand as a candidate, or you can nominate yourself. Both parts of the form must be signed. Additional nomination forms can be obtained from the school office. Nominations close at noon on Friday 24 May 2019 and may be accompanied by a signed candidate statement and photograph. The voting roll is open for inspection at the school and can be viewed during normal school hours. There will also be a list of candidates’ names, as they come to hand, for inspection at the school. Voting closes at noon on Friday June 2019 St Anthony's School are looking for volunteers to join our Board of Trustees. The election will be at the start of June, with nominations opened from 10 May, so please come and talk to us if you are interested. You don't need to have any particular skills or knowledge, just a passion for teaching and learning and a love of our wonderful school community. You can find out more about us at http://www.stants.school.nz/bot or email us at bot@stants.school.nz At the Anzac Day Mass $236.20 was collected. The money has been delivered to the Wellington RSA office. Thanks to all who contributed. St Patrick’s church Liturgy Group thanks all those who attended our Easter ceremonies. In particular we thank those who carried out ministries such as our Altar servers, Welcomers, readers, musicians, offertory carriers, Ministers of the Eucharist. Special thanks to the children who led the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday. They read clearly and confidently and were a credit to their parents and the Parish. We were delighted that FR Frank Whitaker joined us in the ceremonies. He is a Kilbirnie boy born and bred and it was lovely to have him celebrate with us. Do you have any memories/photographs/information from the early days of our 3 churches? Trisha would love to hear from you. She is compiling a history of the churches in the Eastern Suburbs in relation to the upcoming centenary for St Patrick’s Church . lease contact her 04 934 3179 to share any information you have. Thank you in advance HOLY CROSS CHURCH CARPARK Please only park in the designated parks.The accessway to the presbytery at the back needs to remain clear at all times. This applies to both weekend and weekday Masses. St Vincent de Paul Society Foodbank Appeal, Saturday 25 May 2019, at Pak ‘n Save Supermarket, Kilbirnie. CLEANER REQUIRED - St Catherine's College St Catherine’s College has a vacancy for a part time cleaner from 2 pm – 6 pm each day. Start date is Wednesday 15 May 2019 or by negotiation. If this might suit you please contact Sue Kemp, Executive Officer on 939-8988 ext. 815 orsue.kemp@scc.school.nz 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 skit2@xtra.co.nz or 0272458859 The Catholic Bishops of NZ are urging the laity to oppose Act Leader David Seymour’s End of Life Choice (Euthanasia) Bill which will likely be voted on at its second and critical reading on Wed 22nd May. Unless we take immediate action there is a danger that this dangerous bill will pass. We urge you to immediately contact your local Electorate and List MP’s to ask them to vote against the bill. This can be done very simply using the following web address. This connects to a page on the DefendNZ website. Please visit n2as.nz or phone 0800 42 76 42. Please pray for the defeat of this evil bill. For more information please contact ken@righttolife.org.nz Day of Prayer for Vocations - Sunday 12 May Today is a special day of prayer for vocations to the priesthood. Please pray for our seminarians Alfred, Matthew and Kinh and all those discerning the call to priesthood. Could someone you know become tomorrow's priest? Pray for this person. Invite him to consider priesthood. Affirm his gifts and qualities. Encourage him to be open to the possibility of priesthood. In speaking of the Gospel account of the calling of the first disciples by the sea of Galilee (Mk 1:16-20) Pope Francis says, "Do not be deaf to the Lord’s call. If he calls you to follow this path, do not pull your oars into the boat, but trust him. Do not yield to fear, which paralyzes us before the great heights to which the Lord points us. Always remember that to those who leave their nets and boat behind, and follow him, the Lord promises the joy of a new life that can fill our hearts and enliven our journey." Contact Fr David Dowling, Vocations Director: frdavidd@gmail.com St Mary's College Open Day. June 13th 2019, 9am. Joshua Catholic Men’s Fellowship Wellington invites men to come along and join us on Thursday 16th May 2019 at 7:30pm (Note: fellowship from 7:00pm for a 7:30pm start) In CONNOLLY HALL, Guildford Terrace, (behind the closed Sacred Heart Cathedral). Speaker: Fr John Pettit on “Serving the Aboriginal people of Central Australia” Want to know more? Ring Steve Ready 027-356-9555 or joshua.wgtn@gmail.com Missionary Sisters of St Peter Claver Ethnic Dinner with Entertainment. Saturday 25 May 6.30pm at Polish House 257 Riddiford St, Newtown. Bring your favourite dish to share. Admission: Adults $10, 5 to 10yrs $5 and under 5yrs free. All donation money sent to overseas missions. For tickets ring 383 8401 Nau mai, haere mai, you are invited… by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Committee for Interfaith Relations, to celebrate the launch of its booklet: Promoting interfaith relations in Aotearoa New Zealand Today we are called to encounter and enter into relationship with our sisters and brothers of different faiths. This booklet offers some practical context for doing so. Saturday 19 May 11.30am St Mary of the Angels, Wellington Christ the Compassionate Stranger. Live in Retreat, 14 to 16 June. Post Christchurch, Christ’s encounter with the Woman at the Well invites us to embrace a Spirituality of GIFT, seeing the person of Christ in our neighbours and moving towards truly inclusive communities. Join Anglican priest and theologian Dr Raymond Pelly at the Home of Compassion in reflecting upon the radical generosity of the God of our Christian tradition. Retreat fee $100.00 plus accommodation costs. Day attendance option also available. Enquiries and registration; Ph. 04 3837769 or retreat@compassion.org.nz. Compassion Soup Kitchen Street Appeal will be on Friday 14 June 2019 around the Wellington region. We are looking for volunteers! If you can help with being a Street Collector for one to two hours on Friday 14 June, please sign up at soupkitchen.org.nz/streetappeal or call (04) 385 9299. Day of Prayer for Vocations This Sunday is a special day of prayer for vocations to the priesthood. Please pray for our seminarians Alfred, Matthew and Kinh and all those discerning the call to priesthood. Could someone you know become tomorrow's priest? Pray for this person. Invite him to consider priesthood. Affirm his gifts and qualities. Encourage him to be open to the possibility of becoming a priest. "The Lord’s call is not an intrusion of God in our freedom; it is the loving initiative whereby God encounters us and invites us to be part of a great undertaking. Every vocation is a summons to follow Jesus on the path he has marked out for us, for our own happiness and for the good of those around us." Pope Francis Fr David Dowling, Vocations Director: frdavidd@gmail.com Go you are sent to accompany one another (10) Remember that young people are part of the Mass and the community, they are not separate from it. Protect vulnerable people: Say no to the euthanasia Bill. If you haven’t already signed your name to the petition rejecting David Seymour’s Euthanasia Bill, we ask that you consider visiting this link and providing your details to oppose this. https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/protect-vulnerable-people-say-no-to-the-euthanasia-bill.html The euthanasia Bill is fundamentally flawed and dangerous. There are no effective safeguards that can dequately protect vulnerable people from coercion and wrongful deaths. If more than one person in your household would like to sign the petition this is allowed, but each person needs to use a different device (PC, Mac, tablet, phone, etc). Advance notice......New Zealand Catholic Medical Association - Inaugural Meeting Date: Sat: 25 May 2019 Time: 10am -3pm Place: St Michael’s School Hall, 6 Beatrice Road, Remuera, Auckland - Cost $25 per person. Blessing and Holy Mass from Bishop Patrick Dunn Provides an opportunity for doctors and others involved in healthcare to find pastoral care, support, encouragement and faith development. Registration is required by 20 May 2019. Details newzealandcatholicmedical.co.nz/event Contact email:info@newzealandcatholicmedical.co.nz The Christian Brothers Past Pupils’ Association, Wellington, is holding its Annual Mass on Sunday, 26 May, at the 10.30am Mass in the Chapel at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hill St, Wellington. The celebrant is Fr James Lyons. Mass will be followed by lunch in Connolly Hall at 11.45am. Our guest speaker is Tony Mackle and the title of his address is “From Buckle St to the Waterfront – a brief history of the art collections at Te Papa.” Those interested in attending please contact Kevin McCormack on 478-6792. Compassion Soup Kitchen Street Appeal - Street Collectors Needed! Our Annual Street Appeal will be on Friday 14 June 2019 around the Wellington region. We are looking for volunteers! If you can help with being a Street Collector for one to two hours on Friday 14 June, please sign up at soupkitchen.org.nz/streetappeal or call (04) 385 9299. Come and help our biggest fundraiser of the year and increase the awareness of the services we provide to the community. Be a part of the Compassion story! Suzanne Aubert's Birthday Mass. 19 June, 6pm. The Sisters of Compassion and the Catholic Parish of Wellington South invite everyone to celebrate Suzanne Aubert's Birthday Mass celebrated by Cardinal John Dew. St Anne's Church, Newtown. For more details email heritagecentre@compassion.org.nz or ph (04) 282-1953. The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Committee for Interfaith Relations is launching its booklet “Promoting Interfaith Relations in Aotearoa New Zealand.” Come and get your free copy and learn about the importance of interfaith relations in our church and society today, from two committee members, Daniel Kleinsman and Christopher Longhurst. 11:30am, Saturday 18 May 2019 @ St Mary of the Angels Church, 17 Boulcott St, Wellington, 6011 Welcome to Matariki. Remembrance Miha (Māori mass) 9 June, 11 am. From 1.30pm - 3pm there will be family friendly entertainment to create warmth and celebrate togetherness and new beginnings in Aotearoa. Our Lady’s Home of Compassion, 2 Rhine Street, Island Bay. For more details: Ph: 3837769 email spirituality@compassion.org.nz and ask for Christine. It is not always easy to discern the Good Shepherd’s voice…There is always the risk of being distracted by the din of so many other voices. Today we are invited not to let ourselves be distracted by false wisdom, but to follow Jesus, the Risen One, as the one sure guide who gives meaning to our life. Pope Francis: Angelus, 7 May 2017 We pray for the members of our Parish families who have died recently and those whose anniversaries occur around this time including Zofia Czochanska, Mary McKechnie, Betty-Leah Bolton and Maria Peters. 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. Acts 5:27-32,40-41; Apocal. 5:11-14; Jn. 21:1-19
Today’s Gospel story is about God in search of man, even when man tries to evade Him. This theme prompted Francis Thompson to write his famous mystic poem “The Hound of Heaven." The first reading, from the Acts of the Apostles, tells us how the Spirit of the Risen Lord transformed Peter, whom Jesus appointed head of his Church, from being a coward into a brave witness to the resurrection. The second reading, from the book of Revelation, presents John’s vision of the Risen Lord as the glorified “Lamb of God” enthroned in heaven. The Apocalypse of John is an expression of Christian hope in the Risen Lord. The Gospel tells the post-resurrection story of our merciful Saviour who goes in search of his band of disappointed and dejected disciples. Every dream they cherished shattered, almost all finished. That is the moment Jesus comes into their lives once again as unknown bystander suggesting the expert fishermen to cast the net into other side of the boat in the sea. The moment they carried out Jesus’ command with abundant catch they recognize the master with his unfamiliar face of the risen Lord. And everything changed, a turnabout from being fishermen to being fishers of people and from the labour of fishing to the mission of witnessing to the resurrection. Second part of the Gospel speaks about feeding and shepherding the lamb/sheep. Peter’s three times denial of Jesus is reaffirmed and compensated by his threefold confirmation of love towards his master. The two stories of fishing and shepherding are metaphorically related to the Church’s duties of feeding and shepherding. This duty was entrusted to the apostles and their successors. As forming the part of royal priestly family through our baptism and confirmation, we too share the same responsibility of feeding and shepherding in various degrees in the Church according to one’s status. The question is as united and missionary disciples, are we carrying out these responsibilities with diligence and commitment? If not let us reconfirm our love toward the Risen Lord. 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. Safeguarding in our Parish – Thursday May 9th St Patrick’s Parish Centre 7pm The Archdiocese will be running a workshop on the 9th May regarding the polcies, standards and code of conduct regarding safe practices within the Church. Everyone is invited to attend but this is compulsory for certain groups including Parish Council, employees, sacramental programme, children’s liturgy, SVdP, Legion of Mary, Secular Franciscians, Apostolate of St Joseph, Communion to the Sick, RCIA and anyone who is engaged with children, young people or vulnerable adults. Cup of tea at 6.45pm for a 7pm start. RSVP 388 6953 or holytrinity.wgtn@xtra.co.nz Holy Cross Happy Hour Weds 8th 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 Frs Ephrem and Paul will be away from the 14th – 16th May. During their absence, the weekday Mass times will be as follows. Tuesday 14th May 9.30am St Patrick’s Church Wednesday 15th May 9.30am St Patrick’s Church Thursday 16th May 9.30am St Patrick’s Church Thank you HOLY CROSS CHURCH CARPARK Please only park in the designated parks.The accessway to the presbytery at the back needs to remain clear at all times. This applies to both weekend and weekday Masses. Do you have any memories/photographs/information from the early days of our 3 churches? Trisha would love to hear from you. She is compiling a history of the churches in the Eastern Suburbs in relation to the upcoming centenary for St Patrick’s Church . lease contact her 04 934 3179 to share any information you have. Thank you in advance If God exists, it changes everything! Alpha discussion allows people to share their thoughts and questions about video talks on faith without being corrected or judged. The trained hosts and helpers are there to facilitate this discussion time and keep it a positive and comfortable experience for guests. The sessions are available again this year. There are two sessions one starting at 4pm and the other starting at 7pm in the Holy Cross School Staffroom from Wednesday 22 May. To enrol please call or email the parish office or text Dave Monastra on 0274477280. Feel free to bring family members and friends. St Anthony's School are looking for volunteers to join our Board of Trustees. The election will be at the start of June, with nominations opened from 10 May, so please come and talk to us if you are interested. You don't need to have any particular skills or knowledge, just a passion for teaching and learning and a love of our wonderful school community. You can find out more about us at http://www.stants.school.nz/bot or email us at bot@stants.school.nz CLEANER REQUIRED - St Catherine's College St Catherine’s College has a vacancy for a part time cleaner from 2 pm – 6 pm each day. Start date is Wednesday 15 May 2019 or by negotiation. If this might suit you please contact Sue Kemp, Executive Officer on 939-8988 ext. 815 orsue.kemp@scc.school.nz 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 skit2@xtra.co.nz or 0272458859 Joshua Catholic Men’s Fellowship Wellington invites men to come along and join us on Thursday 16th May 2019 at 7:30pm (Note: fellowship from 7:00pm for a 7:30pm start) In CONNOLLY HALL, Guildford Terrace, Thorndon (behind the closed Sacred Heart Cathedral). Speaker: Fr John Pettit on “Serving the Aboriginal people of Central Australia” Want to know more? Ring Steve Ready 027-356-9555 or email: joshua.wgtn@gmail.com Our God is Too Small - The Pope's Astronomer, Br Guy Consolmagno SJ, will be delivering a free public lecture, 7.30pm, on Tuesday 7 May at the Performing Arts Centre, Sacred Heart College, Lower Hutt. A world leading astronomer, researcher, author, TED Talks and American University circuit speaker, he is visiting New Zealand to discuss his vision of God and our universe. He will be speaking on topics as diverse as: how science and religion work together, why he thinks our God is too small, and what his love of astronomy has taught him. This is a free event, however tickets are required and are available online. See details at https://skies.catholicdiscovery.nz/. How religion (our faith) and science work together. Free Workshop by Br. Guy Consolmagno SJ. Director of the Vatican Observatory. Wed 8th May. St Anne’s Hall, 22 Emmett St, Newtown. 1-4pm. RSVP by May3rd Mary-Ann Greaney m.greaney@wn.catholic.org.nz or 04 496 1784 (Please leave a message.) Missionary Sisters of St Peter Claver Ethnic Dinner with Entertainment. Saturday 25 May 6.30pm at Polish House 257 Riddiford St, Newtown. Bring your favourite dish to share. Admission: Adults $10, 5 to 10yrs $5 and under 5yrs free. All donation money sent to overseas missions. For tickets ring 383 8401 God asks us to view life as he views it, for in each of us he never ceases to see an irrepressible kernel of beauty. In sin, he sees sons and daughters to be restored; in death, brothers and sisters to be reborn; in desolation, hearts to be revived. Pope Francis: Homily for the Easter Vigil, 20 April 2019 Stewardship involves a need to give, rather than merely giving to a need. Nau mai, haere mai, you are invited… by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Committee for Interfaith Relations, to celebrate the launch of its booklet: Promoting interfaith relations in Aotearoa New Zealand Today we are called to encounter and enter into relationship with our sisters and brothers of different faiths. This booklet offers some practical context for doing so. Saturday 19 May 11.30am St Mary of the Angels, Wellington Christ the Compassionate Stranger. Live in Retreat, 14 to 16 June. Post Christchurch, Christ’s encounter with the Woman at the Well invites us to embrace a Spirituality of GIFT, seeing the person of Christ in our neighbours and moving towards truly inclusive communities. Join Anglican priest and theologian Dr Raymond Pelly at the Home of Compassion in reflecting upon the radical generosity of the God of our Christian tradition. Retreat fee $100.00 plus accommodation costs. Day attendance option also available. Enquiries and registration; Ph. 04 3837769 or retreat@compassion.org.nz. Compassion Soup Kitchen Street Appeal will be on Friday 14 June 2019 around the Wellington region. We are looking for volunteers! If you can help with being a Street Collector for one to two hours on Friday 14 June, please sign up at soupkitchen.org.nz/streetappeal or call (04) 385 9299. Day of Prayer for Vocations This Sunday is a special day of prayer for vocations to the priesthood. Please pray for our seminarians Alfred, Matthew and Kinh and all those discerning the call to priesthood. Could someone you know become tomorrow's priest? Pray for this person. Invite him to consider priesthood. Affirm his gifts and qualities. Encourage him to be open to the possibility of becoming a priest. "The Lord’s call is not an intrusion of God in our freedom; it is the loving initiative whereby God encounters us and invites us to be part of a great undertaking. Every vocation is a summons to follow Jesus on the path he has marked out for us, for our own happiness and for the good of those around us." Pope Francis Fr David Dowling, Vocations Director: frdavidd@gmail.com May WelCom is out this week for Sunday 5 May 2019. Contents include:
We pray for the members of our Parish families who have died recently and those whose anniversaries occur around this time including Ioelu Fili, June Avery, Audrey Wearne, Helen Kiely and Ian Murray. 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. Acts 5, 12-16; Apo 1, 9-13. 17-19; Jn 20, 19-31 Doubting comes from being out of communion
Dear sisters and brothers, as you know Thomas, one of the twelve apostles was not with the disciples when Jesus came. Other disciples reported him of the Risen Lord. But he was firm in touching and seeing him himself and would not believe. When Thomas finally witnessed Jesus a week later, responded saying,“ My Lord and my God!” He was reprimanded by Jesus to stop doubting but believing. Greater emphasis is put on those who have not seen yet believe. Perhaps most of us fall in this category. Thomas due to sadness and grief lost hope. Perhaps he was afraid of persecution and decided to move away from the community. I guess, the doubt arose due to separation from his brothers. He separated himself from the believing community that made him week in his faith. Perhaps we too, begin to have doubts and stop going to the church. Out of communion resulting loss of affection, crippling doubt assails us. By His out pouring of Peace, Jesus calms the fear of his decuples and heals the doubt of Thomas in one stoke. Jesus restores us back in communion with him. Jesus invites you and me to look at his wounds and touch him and includes in his communion. His love for us supersede all our fear, doubt and separation. With his gift of peace sends forth the gift of Holy Spirit which help us forgive one another and our own sins through the sacrament of reconciliation. We are called to be communion restorers and bridge builders. Peace be with you. 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. Safeguarding in our Parish – Thursday May 9th St Patrick’s Parish Centre 7pm The Archdiocese will be running a workshop on the 9th May regarding the polcies, standards and code of conduct regarding safe practices within the Church. Everyone is invited to attend but this is compulsory for certain groups including Parish Council, employees, sacramental programme, children’s liturgy, SVdP, Legion of Mary, Secular Franciscians, Apostolate of St Joseph, Communion to the Sick, RCIA and anyone who is engaged with children, young people or vulnerable adults. Cup of tea at 6.45pm for a 7pm start. RSVP 388 6953 or holytrinity.wgtn@xtra.co.nz by 3rd May Holy Trinity Parish Catholic Book Club – Sunday 28th April: Explore the Truth, Beauty, and Goodness of the Catholic faith through its great books! At Holy Cross Church Parish Centre, 6-7pm. Light supper will be provided. Connect with fellow passionate Catholics for like-minded discussion. For enquiries, contact 3882-840 or htpCatholicBookClub@gmail.com If you would like Father to bless your home or your family please send through your contact details to holytrinity.wgtn@xtra.co.nz HOLY CROSS CHURCH CARPARK Please only park in the designated parks. The accessway to the presbytery at the back needs to remain clear at all times. This applies to both weekend and weekday Masses. Do you have any memories/photographs/information from the early days of our 3 churches? Trisha would love to hear from you. She is compiling a history of the churches in the Eastern Suburbs in relation to the upcoming centenary for St Patrick’s Church . lease contact her 04 934 3179 to share any information you have. Thank you in advance If God exists, it changes everything! Alpha talks are designed to engage guests and inspire conversation. They explore the big issues around faith and unpack the basics of Christian faith, addressing questions like “Who is Jesus?”, “Why and how do I pray?” and “How does God guide us?”. The sessions are available again this year. There are two sessions one starting at 4pm and the other starting at 7pm in the Holy Cross School Staffroom from Wednesday 22 May. To enrol please call or email the parish office or text Dave Monastra on 0274477280. Feel free to bring family members and friends. How religion (our faith) and science work together. Free Workshop by Br. Guy Consolmagno SJ. Director of the Vatican Observatory. Wed 8th May. St Anne’s Hall, 22 Emmett St, Newtown. 1-4pm. RSVP by May3rd Mary-Ann Greaney m.greaney@wn.catholic.org.nz or 04 496 1784 (Please leave a message.) Ignatian Retreat Opportunity: Inner Peace in Friendship with Jesus. an Ignatian First Spiritual Exercise retreat in daily life based on a programme developed by Australian, Michael Hanson SJ The retreat is open to all and will be held at the church of St Anne's Church, Newtown, over five Thursday evenings – 2-30 May 7:30 - 9:30 pm The cost (including materials) is $50, but sponsorship is available if the cost would prevent you for attending. To register or information contact Sarah Dench 04 9733 501 or 021 0814 4424 or sarahdench@yahoo.com Healing Service There will be a Healing Service with Fr John Rea at Sacred Heart Church, Petone, 41 Britannia St. on Wednesday 1 May beginning at 7.30 pm. Everyone is welcome. Please bring those who need Jesus` healing. Go you are sent to fellow Christians (9) Have shared events on neutral territory e.g. picnics, BBQ’s We pray for the members of our Parish families who have died recently and those whose anniversaries occur around this time including Ian Murray, Audrey Wearne, I Kapelielu and J Avery. 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. Act 10, 37-43; Col 3, 1-4; Jn 20, 1-9
Alleluia!!! The Lord is Risen!!! Assigning Peter’s speech to our Easter Sunday readings requires a lot of “fast forward”. There is no way Peter could have spoken like that on Easter Sunday. Like the other apostles, Peter was both scared and discouraged after the Good Friday experience and it took not only repeated manifestations of the risen Lord, but most especially the Pentecost experience, for Peter to have the courage to speak like that. It is quite remarkable that Peter’s catechetical summary almost belabours one point: we are witnesses that he is risen. This is in fact the core of the early apostolic preaching, before distortions necessitated pastoral and theological clarifications. Their witnessing needed to be enabled by a twofold support: love and faith. Their love was there, which is why they were grieving, but their faith had been shaken by the Good Friday events. They hid in the upper room and some started to walk away, as the two Emmaus disciples did. The same is clear in the gospel - Love is alive enough for both disciples to run to the tomb, but their faith had been crushed and finding that the tomb was indeed empty meant nothing to Peter. The beloved disciple’s faith had also been shaken, but his love led him to ponder and remember the words of Jesus. It was this love that awaken his faith. We need both love and faith. We know that faith is gift, but loving God and loving others can awaken in us the gift of faith. Dear sisters and brothers, in his love God has redeemed and made us victorious from our sin. Today is the day to rejoice, shout and cry loud the song of Alleluia: Alleluia, Jesus is Risen: Happy Easter 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. A big thank you to all those involved in Easter preparations and services. We appreaciate all your hard work. We wish all Parishioners a happy Easter. Frs Ephrem and Paul If you would like Father to bless your home or your family please send through your contact details to holytrinity.wgtn@xtra.co.nz ANZAC DAY SERVICE 25th April ST PATRICK’S CHURCH 11AM On the day, bring a photo of loved ones to place under the altar during Mass. HOLY CROSS CHURCH Please only park in the designated parks. The accessway to the presbytery at the back needs to remain clear at all times. This applies to both weekend and weekday Masses. Thank you to those who turned up to help clean St Patrick’s Church in preperation for Easter. You did a wonderful job and we are grateful for all your help. Do you have any memories/photographs/information from the early days of our 3 churches? Trisha would love to hear from you. She is compiling a history of the churches in the Eastern Suburbs in relation to the upcoming centenary for St Patrick’s Church Please contact her 04 934 3179 to share any information you have. Thank you in advance Safeguarding in our Parish – Thursday May 9th St Patrick’s Parish Centre 7pm The Archdiocese will be running a workshop on the 9th May regarding the polcies, standards and code of conduct regarding safe pracrices within the Church. Everyone is invited to attend but this is compulsory for certain groups including Parish Council, employees, sacramental programme, children’s liturgy, SVdP, Legion of Mary, and anyone who is engaged with children, young people or vulnerable adults. Cup of tea at 6.45pm for a 7pm start. RSVP 388 6953 or holytrinity.wgtn@xtra.co.nz by 3rd May 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. Vinnies Book & Fabric Fair Saturday 27 April: 8am – 4pm and Sunday 28 April: 9am – 3pm at St Anne’s Church Hall, 22 Emmett Street, Newtown The Vinnies Book & Fabric Fair is back once again. All books are $2 or less alongside fabrics and recycled haberdasheries from our very own Vinnies Re Sew. The proceeds from the Vinnies Book and Fabric Fair go towards our Vinnies Welfare Programs. From providing food parcels and advocacy support to helping people move into their new homes, combating loneliness and upskilling members of our communities. Interested in joining the Book Fair volunteer team? Contact volunteer@vinnieswgtn.org.nz or call 04 389 7122. Holy Hour You are invited to a Holy Hour on Tuesday 23 April beginning at 7.30 pm in the Cathedral chapel to pray for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. This Holy Hour will include prayers, Scripture, singing, times of silence and conclude with Benediction followed by supper. Divine Mercy Sunday Celebrations You are invited to join in the celebration of the Divine Mercy Sunday which is to be held on Sunday 28th of April at St Teresa’s Pro-Cathedral, 301 Karori Road, Karori. The program will take place from 2.00 – 4.15 pm and will include Reconciliation, Holy Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Blessing of religious objects, and the Veneration of the Divine Mercy Image. Refreshments and nibbles will be served after the service. How religion (our faith) and science work together. Free Workshop by Br. Guy Consolmagno SJ. Director of the Vatican Observatory. Wed 8th May. St Anne’s Hall, 22 Emmett St, Newtown. 1-4pm. RSVP by May3rd Mary-Ann Greaney m.greaney@wn.catholic.org.nz or 04 496 1784 (Please leave a message.) Say No to the Euthanasia Bill – Care Alliance Petition The Care Alliance has started a nation-wide petition to all MP’s urging them to vote ‘NO” to the End of Life Choice Euthanasia Bill. Some of you have already taken the opportunity to sign this petition. If you have not yet done so, and you will be eligible to vote in next years election, you can still sign online: This petition has the full backing of the NZ Bishops. Go to www.carealliance.org.nz and simply click on the “Sign the Petition” button. Your support for this 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 Ignatian Retreat Opportunity: Inner Peace in Friendship with Jesus. Christian Life Community Wellington invites you to attend an Ignatian First Spiritual Exercise retreat in daily life based on a programme developed by Australian, Michael Hanson SJ Participants meet weekly, under the guidance of trained guides, to pray and share in small groups their experience of prayer. The retreat is open to all and will be held at the church of St Anne's Church, Emmett St, Newtown, Wellington, over five Thursday evenings - 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 May 2019 7:30 - 9:30 pm The cost (including materials) is $50, but sponsorship is available if the cost would prevent you for attending. To register or for further information contact Sarah Dench 04 9733 501 or 021 0814 4424 or sarahdench@yahoo.com New Zealand Catholic Medical Association DATE SAVER: Inaugural Meeting Saturday: 25 May 2019 10am -3pm at St Michael’s School Hall, 6 Beatrice Road, Remuera, Auckland - Cost $25 per person. Will include Blessing and Holy Mass from Bishop Patrick Dunn and provide an opportunity for doctors and others involved in healthcare to find pastoral care, support, encouragement and faith development. We wish to extend an invitation to doctors, nurses, midwives, physiotherapist, counsellors, social workers, chaplains, pharmacists, dentists, health administrators, lawyers and anyone who works in allied roles. Registration is required for catering purposes by 20 May 2019.Event details: newzealandcatholicmedical.co.nz/event Contact email: info@newzealandcatholicmedical.co.nz Go you are sent to care for creation (8) Have bit sized chunks and reflections on care for creation after communion and in newsletters We pray for the members of our Parish families who have died recently and those whose anniversaries occur around this time including Henry Martin, , Mary Dykes, Ola Lis and Margaret Peters. 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. Is 50, 4-7; Phil 2, 6-11; Lk 22, 14-23, 56
Palm Sunday, with its palms, processions and readings, is one of the special days that can evoke strong emotional connections in our spiritual history, for those who have been in the church most of their lives. For those who are newer to Catholicism and Christianity, I suspect it still makes an impact because of its uniqueness. I remember how unusual the palms seemed when I was a youngster. They were like nothing else I experienced in church or anywhere in my life—long strips of greenery, kind of chartreuse in colour, that we willingly accepted and then carefully protected on the way home, where they would be tacked behind a crucifix or religious picture or at the door way, in a prominent place in our home for the next 12 months. Jesus’ triumphant entry into the village, amid hosannas and palm-waving, doesn’t allow us to reflect long on the admiration and approval the people had for him. In sync with Jesus’ retort that “even the stones will cry out,” it would be nice to bask in the moment for a bit; it would be pleasant to dare to think about how satisfying and rewarding that afternoon must have been—and how well-deserved. But, almost immediately, we are taken beyond that scene into the rest of what Holy Week is about—the seriousness of the Last Supper, the trials, betrayals, torture and death. Some of those who true disciples were so excited must have legitimately been moved by Jesus and his power and his love. We often feel holier than thou and wonder how they could have possibly been so fickle, so easily swayed, so rootless in our spiritual depth. But we also know how we turn our backs to the good and the righteous when we don’t have all the facts, and even sometimes when we do. Let us linger a little longer amid the palm-wavers. Feel their excitement, their enthusiasm for Jesus and his message. Reflect on his miraculous works and his soul-deep love. And to pray that the reality of the joy that comes from worshipping him will sustain us through the dark times until Easter’s rising, each time we see the palms tucked beneath the cross in our living rooms. 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. 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. Easter Services: 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 Singers and Musicians: There will be a practice on the next Monday 7-8pm, St.Patrick's Church, in preparation for Easter. All welcome. 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 . 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. 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 BULLETIN NOTICE: Palm Sunday Candlelight Vigil for the Unborn. Sunday 14 April @ 7pm. Come join caring people from all over Wellington in a peaceful prayer vigil outside Wellington Hospital where more than 1300 babies lose their lives to abortion every year. We mourn their lives and pray for healing for all those impacted by the tragedy of abortion and for the conversion of clinic workers. Riddiford Street, Outside Wellington Hosptial, Newtown Archdiocesan North Island Chrism Mass – the Mass of the oils, Tuesday 16th April 7pm, St Teresa’s Pro-Cathedral, Karori. 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 skit2@xtra.co.nz 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 donbrebs@kinect.co.nz you will receive a copy of the Letter by return. May God Bless our mutual efforts. Thank you, Don Brebner. Vinnies Book & Fabric Fair Saturday 27 April: 8am – 4pm and Sunday 28 April: 9am – 3pm at St Anne’s Church Hall, 22 Emmett Street, Newtown The Vinnies Book & Fabric Fair is back once again. All books are $2 or less alongside fabrics and recycled haberdasheries from our very own Vinnies Re Sew. The proceeds from the Vinnies Book and Fabric Fair go towards our Vinnies Welfare Programs. From providing food parcels and advocacy support to helping people move into their new homes, combating loneliness and upskilling members of our communities. Interested in joining the Book Fair volunteer team? Contact volunteer@vinnieswgtn.org.nz or call 04 389 7122. Divine Mercy Sunday Celebrations You are invited to join in the celebration of the Divine Mercy Sunday which is to be held on Sunday 28th of April at St Teresa’s Pro-Cathedral, 301 Karori Road, Karori. The program will take place from 2.00 – 4.15 pm and will include Reconciliation, Holy Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Blessing of religious objects, and the Veneration of the Divine Mercy Image. Refreshments and nibbles will be served after the service. With today’s celebration of Palm Sunday we enter a week that we call Holy Week. While every week is holy, in this Holy Week we face death. While some will simply look back two thousand years and recall the historic events of Jesus’ suffering and death, we Christians today make a decision to walk this path to the cross with Jesus. Not that we will necessarily die this week, but every one of us will face death in some way: uncertainly in a relationship, work and home worries, financial insecurity, anxiety about those we love. Each of these unwanted experiences is a taste of death and very week is holy when we remember the cross of Jesus. As a child I recall crucifixes hanging prominently in Catholic homes and classrooms. In recent years we seem to have thought it better to focus on the resurrection, egged-on by an emphasis on positive thinking urging us to look on the bright side of life. But our challenge is to recall that resurrection only makes sense for the one who has died, and death (because of the death and resurrection of Jesus) is no longer the problem in life or the obstacle to growth but the pathway to intimacy with God and others now and eternally. And the Sign of the Cross, the best known of all Catholic prayers, even when signed in silence in a moment of need, is the most simple and profound of all prayers. An Invitation: Take this week ahead, the journey to Easter, as a retreat in daily life. While you maintain all necessary family, work and social commitments, take time every day to sit with the crucifix. Feel with Jesus the pain of being betrayed and abandoned by friends and unjustly punished and crucified. Know that the crucifix is the reminder that our own struggles, anxiety and suffering when lived with Jesus, is our path to the abundant life we seek here on earth and for eternity. Fr. John O’Connor www.foodforfaith.org.nz Ignatian Retreat Opportunity: Inner Peace in Friendship with Jesus. Christian Life Community Wellington invites you to attend an Ignatian First Spiritual Exercise retreat in daily life based on a programme developed by Australian, Michael Hanson SJ Participants meet weekly, under the guidance of trained guides, to pray and share in small groups their experience of prayer. The retreat is open to all and will be held at the church of St Anne's Church, Emmett St, Newtown, Wellington, over five Thursday evenings - 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 May 2019 7:30 - 9:30 pm The cost (including materials) is $50, but sponsorship is available if the cost would prevent you for attending. To register or for further information contact Sarah Dench 04 9733 501 or 021 0814 4424 or sarahdench@yahoo.com New Zealand Catholic Medical Association DATE SAVER: Inaugural Meeting Saturday: 25 May 2019 10am -3pm at St Michael’s School Hall, 6 Beatrice Road, Remuera, Auckland - Cost $25 per person. Will include Blessing and Holy Mass from Bishop Patrick Dunn and provide an opportunity for doctors and others involved in healthcare to find pastoral care, support, encouragement and faith development. We wish to extend an invitation to doctors, nurses, midwives, physiotherapist, counsellors, social workers, chaplains, pharmacists, dentists, health administrators, lawyers and anyone who works in allied roles. Registration is required for catering purposes by 20 May 2019.Event details: newzealandcatholicmedical.co.nz/event Contact email: info@newzealandcatholicmedical.co.nz 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 Go you are sent …to your peripheries (7) Promote the work of the Marriage Tribunal. We pray for the members of our Parish families who have died recently and those whose anniversaries occur around this time including Daphne Hatchwell, Maria Arlukiewicz, Leonard Maxim, William Corkery, Peter Hopkins and Patrick Connolly. 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. 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 holytrinity.wgtn@xtra.co.nz 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 triciao2285@gmail.com 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 holytrinity.wgtn@xtra.co.nz 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. holytrinity.wgtn@xtra.co.nz 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 clare.fli@xtra.co.nz 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 joshua.wgtn@gmail.com 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 skit2@xtra.co.nz 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 donbrebs@kinect.co.nz 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 hr@wn.catholic.org.nz 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. |
If you want to find out whats going on Contact the office at: Archives
June 2019
Categories |
RSS Feed