CALLED, GIFTED, SENT FORTH FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

Transcription

1 CALLED, GIFTED, SENT FORTH We, the people of God, led and inspired by the Holy Spirit, fed by the Word and the Eucharist, strive to share our faith and live our lives daily as disciples of Christ. FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT Lent is a reminder to each of us of the forty days that Jesus spent in the desert praying and fasting in preparation for his move into public life and into the public eye. The Church is telling us prepare now and be ready to celebrate the mystery of Easter. Now is the time to take a serious look at my life before God and pinpoint my greatest weakness/fault/sin and attempt something for Lent to undo its effect on my life. Possibly now is the time to make a good Reconciliation and clear the air with God and God s family. How long since my last Reconciliation? To take the first step in making up for a row or misunderstanding that has been allowed to simmer and continue indefinitely. To deny myself some luxury or pleasure and give the resulting savings to a worthy cause Lenten Caritas Appeal. Pope Francis has reminded us that individuals and nations must share the extra wealth with the poor. He wrote: No one is justified in keeping for his exclusive use, what he does not need when others lack necessities. 1. To reflect and pray on the passion and death of Christ by doing the Stations of the Cross or reading St Luke s chapters To put myself out and go to a week-day Mass and really pray it. 3. To look around our parish, our respective communities, our neighbourhoods and see if there is some disabled person, someone old or lonely whom I could visit and help. Above all else, Lent is a time to impress God not others. Fr Michael FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT 18 FEBRUARY 2018 Readings Genesis 9:8-15; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1: Britannia Street, Petone PO Box 33143, Petone 5046 Website: Telephone: (04) Fax: (04) holyspiritparish41@gmail.com

2 Parish Priest: Fr. Marlon P. Maylon, SVD Office Phone: Assistant Priests: Fr. Michael Stieller Msgr. Charles Cooper Fr. John Quang Phan, SVD (School Chaplain) OFFICE HOURS Sacred Heart, Petone (Central Office) Monday to Friday 10:00am - 2:00pm Phone: St Patrick, Wainuiomata Monday only 10:00am - 12:00pm For office queries please phone: PARISH CONTRIBUTIONS TE WAIRUA TAPU BNZ Bank Account # Please note all cheques paid to any of the four communities must be made payable to The Parish of the Holy Spirit. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT WEEKLY COLLECTION Parish Information 11/02/18 $2, Thank you DAILY READINGS FOR THIS WEEK February 19 Lev 19: 1-2, 11-18, Mt 25: Is 55: 10-11; Mt 6: Jonah 3: 1-10; Lk 11: Pet 5: 1-4; Mt 16: Ezek 18: 21-28; Mt 5: Deut 26: 16-19; Mt 5: Gen 22: 1-2, 9-13, 15-18; Rom 8: 31-34; Mt 9:2-10. Responsorial Psalm Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth, to those who keep your covenant. Readings RCIA Formation: Sr. Therese Couderc DOLC Home: Catherine Gardner (Coordinator) Please note: Our Parish has a new address holyspiritparish41@gmail.com Thursday & Friday 10:00am - 2:00pm Phone: FUNDRAISING Parishioners who would like to contribute towards Stage 2 of our Parish building project at St Patrick Community in Wainuiomata (the community Hall) can do so by using our BNZ bank account # As always your contributions are greatly appreciated and eligible for a tax receipt at the end of the financial year. NEXT SUNDAY S READINGS 2nd Sunday of Lent First Reading: Genesis 22: The sacrifice of Abraham, our father in faith. Second Reading: Romans 8:31-34 God did not spare his own Son. Gospel: Mark 9:2-10 This is my Son, the beloved, listen to him

3 PRAYERS FOR THE SICK Please remember these and other sick people of the Parish in your prayers. Lena Barnao, Janet Carrasco, Brother James, Patrick Hanson, Mary Kerr, Cyril Lambert, Joan McTeggart, Noeleen Marshall, Mona Morrissey, Bernard Su a, Michael & Anne Wheeler, Rosa Marie Santos, Bev Moran, Thomas Harris, Lie Perez, Wally Blazkow, John Mooney, Maria Tasi, Margaret Tinney, Christine Mooney, Lydia Pattison, Telehia Lino, Helapia Teofilo, Mandy Scanlan, Julia Havell, Celia Wright (UK), Maire Ingham If you know of anyone who is confined to their home or who needs a visit with Holy Communion, please advise the Parish Office ( ) In Our Prayers ANNIVERSARIES We remember and pray at all Masses for the following souls whose anniversaries occur about this time. Wendy Wilkinson, Rose Doyle, Mark Jordan, Peter Jan Philipsen, Meredith Kearney, Bryan Anderson, Pauline Cassey. May they rest in God s eternal Peace WISDOM FROM POPE FRANCIS Lent is a time for drawing near to Christ by listening to the word of God and celebrating the Sacraments. HOLY SPIRIT PARISH YOUTH We'd like to invite all young musicians, (Year 9 at school and up) to join us at pm, Friday, 23rd February for the next 'Spirited' (Holy Spirit Youth Jam) session. Please bring your instrument and/or your voice and join us at St. Pauls Anglican Church, Waiwhetu Rd to play music together and get to know other young musicians in your parish. Contact: Lucy Ryan or lucy.nzteacher@gmail.com for more details. Find us on Facebook: Spirited Parish Events SPECIAL DAY OF PRAYER AND FASTING FOR PEACE Faced with the tragic continuation of conflict in several parts of the world, Pope Francis invites all faithful to a special day of prayer and fasting for peace on this coming 23rd February, Friday of the first week of Lent. The National Liturgy Office has suggested that the Holy Fathers intention Be the public Mass intention of that day That all schools be invited to pray the Angelus at midday on Friday 23rd That the Peace Prayer of St Francis be recited or sung for this intention That the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary be prayed for this intention.

4 Parish Events END OF LIFE CHOICE BILL Please keep this very important issue in your prayers. It is vital that our Catholic belief in the sanctity of life be heard! If you have not had the time to complete your submission yet it is not too late. The closing date for submissions is midnight Tuesday 20th February and the following options are still available. Web Go to Parliament s page for submissions on the End of Life Choice Bill: end-of-life-choice-bill ju@parliament.govt.nz Subject line: End of Life Choice Bill Include your name, address and phone number in your submission or on a separate file if you do not wish these details to be made public. Attach your submission in pdf or doc format. Your voice will make a difference PRAYER FOR LIFE Loving God, Inspire in us a deepening respect for life and the human dignity of every person. Guide and strengthen us in caring, especially for the vulnerable, for those with disabilities, for those who are sick lonely or depressed. Help us to value the elderly. Encourage us in enabling people with disabilities to live their lives to the full. Support and empower all those working to protect life, especially against euthanasia and assisted suicide. We make this prayer with full confidence in your guidance, compassion and love. Amen.

5 Parish Events Caritas Aotearoa NZ Is the NZ Catholic Bishop s agency for justice, peace and development. In partnership with communities, dioceses and parishes we undertake human development initiatives that sustains families and communities, emergency relief, education and advocating for change. Gospel values and Catholic social teaching principles underpin our work. We are part of Caritas Internationalis, one of the largest humanitarian networks in the world The Caritas network operates around the world in over 200 countries and territories, supporting poor and vulnerable communities, regardless of ethnicity, religion or nationality. The Lent Appeal is run each year by Caritas on behalf of NZ Catholic Bishops. The Appeal enables the social justice agency to continue working with poor and vulnerable communities for a world free of poverty and injustice. This year s Lenten Appeal, theme Let us go together comes from Venerable Suzanne Aubert s 1885 book, New and Complete Manual of Maori Conversation. The theme reflects on our journey with God and with each other, as we ourselves are transformed and as we transform the world around us - together. Donate throughout the weeks of Lent, or make a one-off donation using the Lent Appeal weekly or single donation envelopes (which have been inserted in this week s newsletter). Put donation envelopes in our parish collection basket or post to Caritas, PO Box 12193, Wellington, You can also donate online or call to donate. Please give generously - Thank you for your support.

6 Parish Events Our Lady of the Rosary - Waiwhetu ST VINCENT DE PAUL will meet this Monday 19 th February at 7.30pm in the Our Lady of the Rosary church foyer. ANOINTING MASS will be celebrated this Wednesday 21 February at 10.30am in the church foyer. A warm welcome to all parishioners and friends. STATIONS OF THE CROSS will be celebrated every Friday evening at 7pm throughout Lent. MARCH MINISTRY ROSTERS will be printed this week. Please the office or write in the sacristy book if you are unavailable. STATIONS OF THE CROSS Every Friday during Lent at 7:00pm. Sacred Heart Petone ST VINCENT DE PAUL MEETING Tuesday 20 February 2018in the Presbytery Meeting Room (back of Church). No news this week. San Antonio Eastbourne St Patrick Wainuiomata FUNDRAISING Jar for Spare Coins Last Sunday the Fundraising Committee launched their new fundraising venture. The idea is you take home (the provided) empty jar, put your spare coins/notes in, all in aid of the stage 2 Building Project. You will then be able to bring your jar with your coins to church (at an arranged date) and the donations will be carried in procession and offered at the altar for the fundraising venture. Afterwards the jars are returned to you and the venture begins again. It s a nice idea and we thank you to all those who have taken jars. This fundraising venture is an idea that our local Sri Lankan Community are anxious to promote. STATIONS OF THE CROSS Every Friday during Lent at 7:00pm. NEW ORGAN Thanks the overwhelming generosity of Gee & Hickton Funeral Directors and Croft Funeral Home we are now the proud owners of the new organ in our church. THANK YOU I would like to thank everyone that has contributed to the Food Bank last year and over Christmas. Your donations have been a great support. Thank you - Frances.

7 HEALTH & SAFETY TIPS No one enjoys talking about safety and security issues, particularly in church. But we are called to be good stewards. That includes protecting our buildings, assets, and most important, people. CHECKLIST Enter without risk (fall prevention) Non slip rugs and mats with tapered edges inside entrances No torn or wrinkled carpets, loose or damaged tiles or flooring. No cords or speaker wires across floors, aisles or doorways. Wet floor signs used, spills mopped immediately. Aisles, steps, exit passageways free of boxes, chairs, musical instruments etc. Interior steps and elevation changes have handrails Handrails secure. Think Safety, Act Safely! As we begin Lent, we are invited to follow Jesus into the silence of the wilderness and join with him in prayer and fasting. Throughout Lent, the Old Testament readings guide us through the history of our salvation. This Sunday we begin with God s Covenant with Noah and his descendants (First Reading). The rainbow in the sky is a reminder of that loving Covenant, which foreshadows the promises God will later make to Abraham. The first letter of St Peter (Second Reading) teaches that just as the waters of the flood in Noah s day led to a new life and Covenant with God, the waters of our baptism lead to new life in Christ. In the Gospel, after Jesus has been baptised and received the Holy Spirit, he is drawn by the Spirit into the desert. After forty days of fasting and testing in the wilderness, he immediately returns to Galilee and begins to spread the Good News, calling people to repent and turn back to God. Lord make me know your ways. Lord teach me your paths. Make me walk in your truth. Let this be our prayer, too, as we begin our Lenten Journey. Archdiocesan Events CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER SERIES Starts Wednesday 21 February - 10am sessions are repeated at 7pm Five weeks of sessions with topics which include; Our image of God, Growth in Prayer, Meditation & Contemplation, Inner Healing, The influence of St Ignatius Loyola. All are welcome to attend any of the sessions. To register your interest please contact: retreat@compassion.org.nz or phone DAYS FOR LIFE Join with 40 Days for Life. If you are able to stand in prayer for just one hour this Lent for the unborn and their mothers, please join the peaceful vigil on the footpath outside Wellington Hospital by signing up your hour at or text 40 Days to If you are not able to do that, please pray and fast where you are for an end to the tragedy of abortion and a new respect for life from conception to natural death. CHRISTIAN MEDITATION GROUP Join us each Monday evening for an hour of Christian meditation in the ancient form of contemplative prayer. All are welcome. 7pm, Chapel, Our Lady s Home of Compassion, 2 Rhine Street, Island Bay, Wellington. Phone or TAIZÉ PRAYER - March 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Taizé is prayer consisting of meditative singing simple songs typically featuring a line or two from the Psalms. A kind of lectio divina in music, reading and spoken prayer along with periods of silence.

8 Sunday 8:00am 10:00am 5:30pm MASS SCHEDULES St Patrick, Wainuiomata Sacred Heart, Petone Sacred Heart, Petone Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 11:00am 10:00am 5:30pm 6:00pm St Patrick, Wainuiomata (Chapel) Sacred Heart, Petone Sacred Heart, Petone (10am every 1st Wed of month) San Antonio, Eastbourne St Patrick, Wainuiomata (Chapel) Sacred Heart, Petone San Antonio, Eastbourne St Patrick, Wainuiomata (Church) San Antonio, Eastbourne St Patrick, Wainuiomata EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Tuesday After Mass St Patrick, Wainuiomata Wednesday 10:00am San Antonio, Eastbourne Thursday After Mass Sacred Heart, Petone ROSARY Wednesday 7:00pm St Patrick, Wainuiomata Friday 9:10am San Antonio, Eastbourne WORD AND COMMUNION SCHEDULES Monday St Patrick, Wainuiomata Tuesday San Antonio, Eastbourne Wednesday St Patrick, Wainuiomata Thursday San Antonio, Eastbourne Friday Sacred Heart, Petone BAPTISM BAPTISM PREPARATION MARRIAGE, FUNERALS RECONCILIATION 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month. Every 1st Thursday of the month By appointment only. Please telephone the Parish Office in Petone on ( ). San Antonio and Sacred Heart churches: By appointment only Our Lady of the Rosary: Saturdays after Mass St Patrick: Saturdays 5:00pm - 5:30pm.