THE CATHOLIC PARISH OF NEW PLYMOUTH
TE PĀRIHI KATORIKA KI NGĀMOTU
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EVERLASTING SWEETNESS:
One of the yummy things about Easter are the chocolate treats. Even more spectacular than a box of favourites arethose crème-filled, fat-laden chocolate eggs. And some people (though not me) claim a love of marshmallow eggs and bunnies.
I think we love these chocolate treats so much, in part, because they only come around once a year. Its rarity makes it special. The same could be said about the Apostle Thomas. He’s the crème egg of the Bible—his story comes around only on the second Sunday of Easter, and it’s usually a favourite of Christians who take heart in believing without seeing. Thomas’ rarity makes him special.
But this Gospel story is about more than Thomas; it also reveals much about the risen Jesus. First, Jesus moves through locked doors and walls to get to his beloved disciples; his love knows no boundaries. Second, even in his resurrected body he still has wounds. He knows what it’s like to be broken and hurt deeply.
Third, he speaks and breathes peace—not an easy, everything’s-going-to-be-fine peace, but a hard-won peace that trusts in God despite suffering and fear.
Jesus does the same for us today. Our risen Lord can move beyond any spiritual walls we’ve built or emotional doors of doubt we’ve triple-locked. He can identify with our wounds and pain. He promises us a deep, hard-won peace. And, fortunately, Jesus comes around much more often than Thomas or chocolate-covered crème eggs. Our risen Lord is with us always.
WE PRAY FOR OUR DECEASED FAMILY AND FRIENDS:Katie Carroll, Kathleen Heffernan, Von Sattler, Dennis Walsh, Judy Scott, Rev Father Campbell, Norma Charteris, Adam Adamski, Ngarie McDonald, Terry McLean and Margaret O’Connell.
EASTER: We have celebrated the Triduum at our churches and Mass centres. Many, many people joined us for these celebrations. We thank all those who worked so hard preparing the liturgies, preparing the church, the music, the flowers, those who served in ministries and all helped with the small but highly important tasks. Without this wonderful commitment we would not have been able to reach out with the message of Easter as we did. Thank you all.
CONFIRMATION: Preparation for Confirmation for those Year 11 and above starts Sunday 15 May. Enrolment forms are in the church foyers and at the colleges.
ST. JOSEPH’S FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE: Our next luncheon is at the Taranaki Club Gill Street Sunday 10 April 12.00noon.Please ring Rae 758-1891or Jo753-9823 with numbers for catering. All parishioners welcome.
KIMI ORA COMMUNITY OF FAITH AND LIGHT: The next gathering will be held at St. Joseph’s Hall New Plymouth, today Sunday 3 April 2.00pm to 4.00 pm.
HOSPITALITY SUNDAY: Please join us for tea/coffee in the foyer after Mass today at Our Lady Help of Christians and at St Joseph’s.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION will be celebrated at Our Lady Help of Christians Church 9.00am 10 April. First Reconciliation will be celebrated at St Joseph’s church 7.00pm 8 April. Please pray for our 123 young children in these sacramental programmes.
DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET: The Divine Mercy Chaplet
is a devotion that was revealed by God to St Faustina in Cracow, Poland. During the pontificate of Pope John Paul II the devotion was given a special place in the life of the church. The Second Sunday of Easter is Divine Mercy Sunday.Divine Mercy brochures are available in the foyers of all the churches.
Divine Mercy devotions will be held at Our Lady Help of Christians 3 April at 2.30pm. There will be Rosary and Exposition followed by the Chaplet at 3.00pm and veneration of the Image, finishing approx. 3.15pm. Please come and learn of this devotion. All are welcome.
OUR LADY HELP OF CHRISTIANSConference of the Society of St Vincent de Paul will hold a meeting in the Our Lady Help of Christians Church House at 5.00pm tomorrow (Monday). Anyone interested in the work of the Conference is most welcome to attend.
NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC: The April 3 – April 8 issue of NZ Catholic is out now. Read: NZ Bishop’s Easter messages; Mothers Teresa’s visit to NZ 1973; How to pray in our darkest times.Only $4 in the church foyers.
TAX RECEIPTS: We are beginning the processing of the tax receipts this week. Receipts will be issued towards the end of April.
DONATIONS COLLECTION: Sunday 27 March 2016
Clergy Trust Fund$2,559 Parish $6,9201
Holy Places $3,959 Easter Collection $5,215
Caritas Week 7 $696 Caritas Total Giving $4,545
COMMUNITY MEALS in St Joseph’s Church Supper Room:Thirteenpeople came to the meeting on Tuesday 14 March to discuss the viability of providing community meals in St Joseph’s Supper Room. Morehave expressed an interest in participating since then.
With the growing number of volunteers, we agreed to start with, an evening meal on the 2ndand 4thThursday of each month starting 14 April between 5 00pm and 7:30 pm – meal served between 5:30pm and 6:30 pm.
If you are interested in participating please contact Bob on 06 929 30 60
Appeal for Volunteers to visit the Sick, Elderly, Disabled or Lonely. If you are interested in joining a parish group visiting the sick, elderly, disabled or lonely please let the Parish Office know. There will be a meeting with the volunteers within the next few weeks.
CATHOLIC INSTITUTE COURSES:The Catholic Institute of Aotearoa New Zealand (TCI) is a centre for Catholic tertiary education and enquiry within the culture of Aotearoa New Zealand and its Catholic heritage, which assists in the education and formation of people in the Catholic faith through the provision of quality courses relevant to their formation as members of the People of God and their roles in the mission of the Church.
We offer qualifications and courses in theology, ministry for youth, hospitals, schools and prison; sacraments, Liturgy, Scripture and Religious Education.
We offer separate formation around spirituality with the Walk by Faith Programme.
We offer short online courses called Faith Updates for folks who want to update their knowledge of the Catholic faith.
Please contact Nick Wilson for prospectus or to have a chat about the possibilities! (06) 3542780 x 830 or
CATHOLIC WOMENS LEAGUE committee meeting Thursday 7th April at 2.00pm in the Supper room.
VISIT our new website Catholicparishnp.nz or follow us on Facebook for up to the minute details, news and information. Search for Catholic Parish of New Plymouth NZ. Also, youth and young adults can join Taranaki Catholic Young Adults Facebook page.
FOODBANK:Parishioners contribute generously to Foodbank each week. The Foodbank Collection basket is in the foyer or in the church during Mass each Sunday. At the moment Foodbank would especially welcome donations of fresh vegetables.
WEL-COM: The April issue of Wel-Con is available in the foyer today: Please take a copy and keep up with the news around the Diocese and Arch-Diocese.
ARCHIVE PHOTOS: We are looking for photos of the churches and church gatherings that we can scan to add to our archive. We are especially keen to have copies of the opening of Our Lady Help of Christians church. If you can help please call the Parish Office 757-3682
50th Jubilee St Peter Chanel (ex) Parish Hastings10-11
September 2016 Registration details will be sent in May.