2 April 2023
Palm Sunday – Year A
Sunday’s Readings
1st Reading – Isaiah 50.4-7
2nd Reading – Philippians 2.6-11
Gospel Reading – Matthew 26.14-27.66
Responsorial Psalm: “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
Memorial Acclamation
Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection, you have set us free.
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We Pray For
Our deceased:
RIP: Leo Frost (ChCh), and Fr John Tollan (Auck).
May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. Like the seed buried in the ground, you have produced the harvest of eternal life for us; make us always dead to sin and alive to God. Amen
Mass Intentions:
Leonard Toomey (A), Beverley Toomey (A), Antony Surnicz (A), Kay Sloan (A), and Hannah Jo Lyon (A)
We pray for those in our community who need our prayers:
Mary Hurley, Dot Bowe, Mary Bennett, Tulita and David Hobbs.
Thank you for all your prayers on behalf of Dawn Casey and family.
Please remember our Special Collections
Good Friday “Holy Places” collection for the care and upkeep of various Holy Places in Jerusalem and those who care for them.
Easter Dues collection for the appreciation for the clergy who serves us.
Happy 100th Birthday Remai!
Sunday, 2 April, Remai celebrates her 100th birthday at Sacred Heart, Rongotea. She has 12 children, 33 grandchildren, 56 great-grandchildren and, 101 direct descendants. She was married to Christie Hehir for 55 years until his death in 2003. Remai has been a parishioner of Rongotea Church since 1944 (79 years) and received a Papal award for services to the Church in 2011. She was a teacher on and off for 50 years. Remai, your family and friends wish you a Blessed and Happy birthday.
Mass, Prayer, & Liturgy Times – Online Link
Morning tea (1st Sunday of the month) at 7.30 am Mass at the Cathedral – all welcome.
Reception for Paschal Candles
Our Lady of Lourdes School will present the Easter Candle for Lourdes Parish during the 10.00 am Mass on Wednesday April 5.
St James School will present the Easter Candle for the Cathedral Parish during the 12.05 pm Mass on Wednesday April 5.
Parishioners are welcome to attend and support the children and schools.
Easter Sunday
If your whanau/family are local this Easter, we would love you to come along to our Holy week and Easter services. If you come to Easter Sunday (9 April) Mass at either the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit or Our Lady of Lourdes at 9.30 am we will be having a shared morning tea afterwards to celebrate so please bring a plate of food to share. See you there!!
Questionnaire Feedback
Members of the leadership groups met on Sunday March 26 in the Cathedral Lounge to look at the results of the two questionnaires.
The Process So Far
Step One- A discussion document was sent to all members of the various parish leadership groups to read.
Step Two- A questionnaire was sent to all members of the leadership groups asking them to respond to the discussion document.
Step Three –A Parishioner Questionnaire was given out. It asked three questions: 1) who makes decisions in the parish?; 2) what committees do we have in the parishes?; “do parishioners feel informed about decision-making processes?”.
Step Four – The two questionnaires were presented to the leadership groups on Sunday, March 26.
Step Five (to come after Easter) –There will be three Feedback Meetings with parishioners hosted by Fr Joe: Cathedral, Thursday, April 13, 7 pm; Our Lady of Lourdes, Thursday, April 20, 7 pm; St Marys Foxton, Thursday, April 27,
Step Six (to come after Easter) –There will be another discussion document for the leadership groups to consider and they will be invited to a meeting in mid-May.
Youth Ministry Information – For all information please click here
Letter from Mons Brian – Family hosts needed for our 3 Vietnam students wanting to enter New Zealand Seminary.
Our Lady of Lourdes Guild
Next meeting Wednesday 12 April 1.30 pm. Oline will talk about handcrafts from 18.50 pm to 19.50 pm. Please bring any examples of older handwork to share. Raffle and sales table as usual.
St Vincent de Paul (The Vinnies)
SVDP Conference Meetings is held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. For more information please phone Rose Semmens 021 153 4810.
Thank you for your continuing support of our food store. The demand for food is constant as rising costs affect the community.
If you prefer to make a monetary donation our account is 03-0718-0047377-000. For a receipt for donations made over $5 please email your details to Maurice Kerr, SVDP Treasurer, bernandmaurice@gmail.com.
St Vinnies Op Shop
Shop hours are: Tuesday- Friday 10 am – 4 pm & Saturday 9 am – 3 pm.
Our need at present is warm winter clothing, especially warm jackets and warm blankets to keep out the cold.
Looking for quality second hand goods at competitive prices? Check out our store.
Volunteers are still needed to assist in the shop. Please phone Toni 06 357 6779 for information.
The Paschal Vigil and Holy Thursday Music Practice
The Paschal Vigil is for both the Cathedral and Our Lady of Lourdes parishes.
Practice at the Our Lady of Lourdes (Hall) on Monday 3 April at 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm is Paschal Vigil and 7.00 pm to 8.00 pm is Holy Thursday practice. This year the Cathedral and Our Lady of Lourdes will combine to celebrate Holy Thursday Mass and the Paschal Vigil.
Musicians and singers are invited from both parishes to join together. For more information on music practice please contact Julie Randall at music@pncathedral.org.nz.
Paschal Vigil for the Cathedral, Our Lady of Lourdes and St Mary’s Foxton, 9 April 5.00 am at the Cathedral.
St Joseph’s Shannon 60 year Jubilee of opening
The Parish of St Mary’s Foxton and the community at St Joseph’s Shannon invite all parishioners to attend the Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday April 23 at 10.00 am. St Joseph’s was opened by Cardinal McKeefry in 1963. There will be no 10.30am Mass in Foxton on this Sunday. The Mass for the Parish will be in Shannon at 10am. All attending are invited to bring a plate to share.
Easter Weekend Special Collections – click here
Passion Meditation based on the Seven Last Words of Christ
Cathedral of the Holy Spirit 5 April at 7.30 pm. Readings from scripture and anthems sung by Camerata (Women’s Chamber Choir) – for more information contact Julie Randall – music@pncathedral.org.nz. Please be advised that there will be no Taize on this Wednesday as they will be joining in the Passion Meditation – for more information contact Br Kevin Dobbyn – kdobbyn@pndiocese.org.nz.
Friends of the Parish Meeting
Our Lady of Lourdes, Thursday April 20 at 5.00 pm in the Church foyer.
All parishioners welcome to attend.
Catholic Focus on Faith and Politics Series 2023
Come along and join the Young Adult community and go deeper on contemporary politics and faith issues. Poster Link. Diocese centre, 33 Amesbury Str, Wednesday 14 June, Wednesday 23 August and Wednesday 18 October. For more information contact Br Kevin Dobbyn, kdobbyn@pndiocese.org.nz or 021 755 270.
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Fixed Events
Ladies Movie Afternoon
Every 3rd Tuesday of the month at 1.30 pm here in the Cathedral Lounge.
Blokes Morning Tea
Every 2nd Tuesday of each month at Manawatu Golf Club Café, Centennial Lagoon (pay your own only).
Every 4th Tuesday of the month at 10.00 am in the Cathedral Lounge (morning tea provided).
Wednesday Mass and Morning Tea at Our Lady of Lourdes Church
Every Wednesday morning, 10 am Mass followed by morning tea in Our Lady of Lourdes Foyer.
Shining Stars (Pre-school Music Group)
Every Thursday morning (during school term time), 9.30am in the Cathedral lounge for a Music Session followed by morning tea. Everyone is most welcome!
Christian Meditation
If you are interested in learning about Christian Meditation or being part of a meditation group, we currently meditate at Te Rau Aroha: The Diocesan Centre (33 Amesbury St) on Monday evenings at 7pm. Young and old, all are welcome. If you need more information, please contact Sean Ryan on 027 449-6506 or sdr4412@gmail.com 😊
Links:
Pastor’s Desk:
Lenten Reflection – The Holy Week and Easter Triduum Tell the Story of Salvation
Weekly Themes:
Parish Decision Making – Part 7 Parish Meetings
More Links:
Mass Times
Pastoral Outreach