May 29th, 2016

​Dear sisters and brothers,
We used to call this special annual celebration of the gift of the Holy Eucharist by the name Corpus Christi (Latin for “Body of Christ”). The more recent English title puts us back in touch with the vivid concreteness of Jesus’ gift of himself in his humanity, now present to us as our risen Lord, and accessible tangibly in the meal form of bread of wine. Let’s savour his special treatment of this central sacrament of our faith.
The words identifying the bread and wine with his body and blood point both to the death that separated his blood from his body and to the fact that his risen presence to the community at worship would indeed be nurturing and empowering as “bread for the road” in the post-Easter mission.
It is also a repeated proclamation of “the death of the Lord until he comes.” That is a faith claim. What is proclaimed is not simply the death of a Palestinian craftsman; it is the death of the one we know as our risen Lord, present and empowering us in the continuation of his mission for forgiveness and the creation of a community of love and service.
On the special day we are delighted to welcome to our fold Mrs Sarah Blair and Mrs Suzanne Kemp.  Congratulations.  May the good Lord Bless you.
 Father Ephrem
 
 

After many years of dedicated service, we wish to inform you that Leona has decided to leave her role in the Parish Office and we would like to wish her all the best.
We appreciate all her hard work and dedication over the years and although she will no longer be in the office, she will still be an active member of the Parish.
To say thank you for everything she has done, we will be having a cup of tea
after the 5.30pm Vigil Mass next Saturday the 4th June. 
Do join us.

 
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 everyone who came, donated items, organised and took part in our Parish Quiz night. On all accounts, a fun night and over $1100 raised. Thank you to the Seatoun Bowling Club/RSA, John Ashby and Francie Dwyer.
The Sisters of Compassion are offering Taize Prayer at the Island Bay Home of Compassion Chapel on Friday 3rd June. The evening prayer is from 7.00 - 8.00 p.m. There is plenty of parking and it is the No. 1 bus route. You are most welcome.


 We congratulate Fr Sanele on the anniversary of his ordination on the
28th May. We wish him well and please remember him in your prayers.

 
Anointing of the sick and elderly will take place during the 9.30am Mass on Wednesday 1st June at St Patrick’s.
Apostolate of St Joseph of the Eternal Family: This will be held 7pm 1st June (1st Wednesday), at St Patrick’s, we continue to pray for intercession for all families. 
 

St Catherine's College
Open Days
Tuesday 31 May and
Tuesday 16 August
11.30am - 1.00pm and 6.30pm - 7.30pm
 
For more information or queries please contact the School Office by phone, 04 939 8988 or email [email protected].  Website: www.stcatherinescollege.school.nz.
Holy Cross Happy Hour – Weds 1st June 11am in the Parish Centre.  
Seniors are reminded of our next meeting. Come join us for bingo. Please bring a small plate of finger food to enjoy with our tea/coffee.
All welcome.

St Patrick’s College, Wellington Open Day  St Patrick’s College, Wellington, is holding an Open Day on Sunday 12 June from 1.30 to 4 p.m.  Prospective students, parents, and friends are very welcome to tour the College during the afternoon.  If you wish to enrol your son at St Patrick’s College for Year 9 in 2017 please submit his enrolment application by Friday 29 July 2016.  When enrolling you need to complete an Enrolment Application form, and provide the College with either a copy of your son’s birth certificate or passport as well as a signed preference form from your local parish priest. Please contact Mrs Parkinson at St Patrick’s College on 939-3070 ext 231 or email [email protected] if you require further information.

Working Bee – St Patrick’s Church.  We are planning a working bee for 4th June, anyone with a concrete mixer and an ability to lay a concrete slab will be greatly appreciated.  If you can hold a shovel or a duster please make yourself available and let me know – David Hyland 021971792.
 

Archdiocese of Wellington 2016 Jubilee Mass of Thanksgiving
This will be held at St Patrick’s Church, Kilbirnie Tuesday 21st June 2016 11am.
All are welcome to join the priests of the Archdiocese at the Mass of Thanksgiving.
 

Quiet Days with Suzanne Aubert:
10.30am-2.30pm, 2 June
Join the Sisters of Compassion for a day of prayer and reflection with Suzanne Aubert at Our Lady’s Home of Compassion, Island Bay. Suggested offering including lunch: $30. Register at [email protected] or phone 04 383 7769. Quiet Days for 2016 are: 2 June, 7 July, 4 August, 1 September, 6 October
 
Mass to celebrate Suzanne Aubert’s Birthday: 5pm, 19 June
Celebrate the birthday of Suzanne Aubert, New Zealand’s first saint in the making, with the Sisters of Compassion. Mass is at 5pm in the Chapel of Our Lady of Compassion, 2 Rhine Street, Island Bay and Cardinal John Dew will preside. All welcome.
 

 
Soup Kitchen Open Day
To celebrate Suzanne Aubert's birthday the Soup Kitchen is hosting an Open Day on Sunday 19th June between 11am – 2pm. You're invited to sample soup, learn about the history of the 115 year old organisation and find out about opportunities to get involved. Please bring cash. 
Feeding the Soup Kitchen – how can you help?
“You picked me up off the street, fed me, loved me back to health.” This is what one guest said of the Soup Kitchen. On Friday 1st July the Soup Kitchen is hosting its annual Street Appeal between 7am - 5pm at 25 sites throughout the capital. This requires approximately 200 volunteers to collect. If you would like to find out more or volunteer your time, please contact [email protected]
 

“The Compassion Centre Soup Kitchen has been nominated as one of four local charities in the draw to receive a percentage of $4,000 from the Taranaki Street “Z” Petrol Station as part of their “Good in the Hood” appeal. PLEASE support our cause, working with vulnerable communities, by filling up at Z station on Taranaki Street and using a token to vote for us – the more votes we receive, the larger the percentage cut of the $4,000 will go towards the work of the SOUP KITCHEN. You help will prove beneficial for our guests, up-skilling, staying connected with the community and making positive change in their lives.”
 

The Soup Kitchen Sound Bites fundraising concert will be held the evening of Friday 1st July at St Joseph’s Church, 154 - 156 Brougham Street, Mt Victoria, with music from Cantoris, members of the Wellington Youth Choir and students of the New Zealand School of Music. Doors open at 6.30pm for refreshments with the concert starting at 7pm. Tickets are $20 waged and $5 unwaged, door sales only with cash and eftpos available.

"God's mercy endures forever"  -  thank you to all who took part in the Abrahamic Celebration of the Year of Mercy last week, especially those who gardened, visited and baked on Saturday.  We were able to make a donation to the Men's Night Shelter, Compassion Centre, Homeless Women's Trust, Te Hopai  as well as some gardening for the elderly, and at Taputeranga marae.  A very special thanks to Life Teen, who donated so many of the baking ingredients. Through you, God's mercy will endure forever!  Watch for next event coming up late June.   
Nga mihi nui  -  Sister Catherine Jones, smsm
 

LITURGY WORKSHOPS
 Proclaimers of the Word & Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
 
Fr Patrick Bridgman in collaboration with Fr James Lyons is pleased to offer two liturgy workshops.
These workshops are very popular and a wonderful opportunity for those of you wanting to begin ministering as well as a refresher for those of you already ministering in these areas.
 
North Island: Saturday 18 June at St Theresa’s Church, Plimmerton. 9.00am – 11.15am.
09.00 am         Registration and cuppa
09.15 am         Prayer
09.30 – 10.15  Proclaimers of the Word
10.30 – 11.15  Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
 
South Island: Saturday 25th June at St Mary’s, Blenheim. 1.00pm – 3.15pm.
01.00 pm         Registration and cuppa
01.15 pm         Prayer
01.30 – 2.15    Proclaimers of the Word
02.30  - 3.15    Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
 
What you need to do:
·         Set the time aside in your diary
·         Share the good news with others who will be interested
·         Register with Debbie Matheson that you will be attending [email protected] or 496 1706 by Monday 13 June please – do indicate Plimmerton or Blenheim.
 
Please note: Later in the year a workshop on Children’s Liturgy will be offered.
 

Day of Prayer for Refugees and Migrants -  19 June 2016
Migrants and Refugees challenge us. The response of the Gospel of Mercy.

The New Zealand Catholic Bishop’s Conference set the Day of Prayer for Refugees and Migrants (19 June) as close as possible each year to the World Refugee Day (20 June). This year Pope Francis reminds us to be inspired by the Gospel of Mercy. Migrants and Refugees challenge us to ensure that God’s love is felt by every individual, and to welcome them “home”. Let us pray today for all migrants and refugees, that all people may feel accepted and welcomed as part of the one human family
 

Festival of the Stars
  Ave Maris Stella – Matariki A Multicultural Midwinter Festival, Saturday 18th June 2016
St Patrick’s College Hall, Kilbirnie
We need your help to present this event to raise funds for and awareness of the seismic strengthening of
St Mary of the Angels, now a busy building site rather than a place of worship.
 

From the Archdiocesan Justice Peace and Development Commission.
“Compassion is a word lightly used, but a word that has great effects. Compassion is the desire to help together. Compassion is the desire to work together. Compassion is the desire to love together.” George Truebridge, a Year 13 student at St Patrick’s College, Kilbirnie, writing of his experience as a volunteer at the Soup Kitchen, Compassion Centre in Wellington.                                     Ngā mihi nui

The May 29 – June 11 issue of NZ Catholic is out now. Some headlines are: “Kiwis” drift out of Church, Tour spreads good vibes across Dunedin diocese, New initiative will help those on benefits, City council waives diocese’s $150,000 bill.