July 10th 2016

​Our gospel of today there is
 mentioned about "Eternal" life. What is this eternal life?
You may have different opinions but according to the Christian terminology, it is a life in the presence of God where we experience perpetual happiness. The question is how do we attain this eternal life then? The scholar of the law in the Gospel too asks the same question to Jesus. And what did Jesus say? He answers the same thing which every Christian is expected to do. Love God and love his or her neighbour. Love is the fulfilment of all the laws.
Whom do we call neighbours? Our neighbours are all those who are in need of our love and help. The ability to see the needs of the neighbour, identification of oneself with the neighbour, generosity to share what one possesses with the neighbour is called the 'love' of neighbour. Will you serve and continue to love God with all your heart, your soul, your strength and mind and your neighbour as yourself? I do not have to say "yes" at once.  I will let my day to day life write my answer clearly.  
                                                                                                                                                             Fr Gregory
New Parish Mass times from 1 August 2016
Thank you to all who took part in the Mass survey, your engagement with this process has been vital and the Parish Council is grateful for the effort made by all. One of the major reasons to go through this process has been to ensure that there is a working Mass roster that two priests can realistically cover travelling between Seatoun, Strathmore, Miramar and Kilbirnie.
 
Firstly a few key points -

• Changes to Parish Mass times within the Archdiocese must be approved by Cardinal John Dew and that approval has now been received;
• Both the Sunday and weekday Mass timetables will come into effect from 1st August 2016. This will provide time for the various rosters to be amended and the website updated;
• The new timetable is included in this newsletter and available on the Parish web site.

 
For Masses at St Patrick’s Church, Kilbirnie:
The Vigil Mass remains at 5.30 pm, Sunday Mass times are now 7.30 am and 10.00 am
The Life Teen 5.30 pm Sunday Mass is still under review and will continue for the time being.
 
For Masses at Holy Cross Church, Miramar:
Sunday Mass times are now 9.00 am and 5.00 pm.
The new Sunday 5pm Mass is to provide the opportunity within the Holy Trinity Parish boundaries for parishioners to attend an evening Mass
 
For Masses at St Anthony’s Church Seatoun and Good Shepherd Hall, Strathmore:
Sunday Mass at Good Shepherd remains at 8.30 am.
St Anthony's church Sunday Mass has a slight adjustment to 10.30 am
 
Please return your Mass volunteer forms by 10th July.

Congratulations to the 5 Children from Holy Cross School
who were baptised by Fr Ephrem on Wednesday.  
Please pray for Luke Carter, Penisimani Finefeuiaki, Jayden Caseley, Georgia Clark, and Kahurangi Burkitt as they take the first step in the faith journey.

We believe that everyone should have the chance to explore the Christian faith, ask questions and share their point of view.  Join the Alpha course to explore our faith, starting at St Patrick’s Church 7.30pm Tuesday 2 August.  Everyone is welcome.
Call or txt John 0272328488 or Kim 0222426288 to enrol.

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

You are invited to join St Vinnies in Seatoun/Miramar or in Kilbirnie:
The St Vinnies groups meet once a month to pray together and to decide on how to help when people are in need in our community. If you want to join the Kilbirnie Conference, or for more information, contact Peter Woods Ph 3806 390 or pete.cec@clear.net.nz (next meeting Thursday 14 July). If you want to join the Seatoun & Miramar Conference, or for more information, contact Brendan Quirk on Ph 3889 708 or brendan.quirk@hotmail.co.nz (next meeting Monday 11 July).

  St Catherine's College Open Day
Tuesday 16 August
11.30am - 1.00pm and 6.30pm - 7.30pm
For more information contact the School Office 939 8988 or office@scc.school.nz  www.stcatherinescollege.school.nz.
Homestays required for Chinese students commencing at St Patrick's College in Term Three. The College pays $260 per week. For more information  email maria.elenio@stpats.school.nz  or call 0274187500.

From the Archdiocesan Justice Peace and Development Commission
 
"Along the path where Jesus shows us to journey, the guiding principle is service. The greatest is the person who serves most, who serves others most, not the person who boasts, who seeks power, money…vanity, pride. No, these people are not the greatest.” Pope Francis May 2016.
                                                                                                  Ngā mihi nui

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Joshua Wellington invites men to
1.    One-Day Retreat on Saturday 30 July between 8:30 to 5pm at Home of Compassion, Island Bay. Theme: “Jesus and me… our journey” Retreat Leader: Fr John Walls s.m. Bring some lunch to share.
2.    Monthly meeting on Thursday 21st July at 7:30pm in Connolly Hall, Guildford Terrace, Thorndon (behind Sacred Heart Cathedral)
Want to know more? Ring John Taylor (04) 389-8915 or 021-107-8538 or e-mail:jnjtaylor@paradise.net.nz

Christian Meditation - a day of reflection will be held at Anam Cara, 150 Rangiuru Road, Otaki on Saturday 23rd July 10am to 230 pm
Bring a packed lunch and a donation to cover expenses. tea and coffee provided. All welcome. Enquiries Hugh 04 2989370 

The July 10 – July 23 issue of NZ Catholic is out now.
Some headlines are: PM says poverty is complex. Pro-life ad stirs hornet’s nest. Where are the young people? Many Catholics don’t know Jesus, says priest.

Come away to be refreshed and renewed - Dove Retreat 29 - 31 July
Dove Catholic Fellowship for Women invites all women to a retreat weekend with guest speakers Phil and Jennie Ryall from Australia.  Jennie a trained counsellor and spiritual companion for many women carries a strong heart for people to find breakthrough into the freedom of God's goodness.  Phil and Jennie are leaders for the Disciples of Jesus Community in Australia.
Theme:  "Never Thirst Again"  Venue:  Willow Park Christian Camp, Eastern Beach Auckland

Prison Fellowship NZ (PFNZ) is an organisation full of volunteers and we want you!  Our volunteers are enriching lives by assisting with children’s camps, monthly family activities, Christmas meals, Angel Tree Christmas wrapping and delivering and simply journeying with some of the most marginalised families in your area.  Or you may feel a call to prisoner visiting, assisting with practical matters such as budgeting advice, accommodation support, job seeking, or transport. Contact Suzanne Wright at volunteer@pfnz.org.nz or 04 5285419 to find out how you can become part of PFNZ. Check out our website www.pfnz.org.nz


First Spiritual Exercises (Inner Peace in Friendship with Jesus) This Ignatian based retreat in daily life starts Thursday 4 August and following Thursday evenings to 1 September at the Home of Compassion, Island Bay, 7-9:00pm. Commitment: Each of the five Thursday evenings plus directed daily prayer. Cost: $50 plus $25 for the guide book (for those without it). Registration: Sarah Dench, Ph 021-081-44424; sarah.dench@yahoo.co.nz