Church News 24 November 2024

24 November 2024

34th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Christ the King

–

Sunday’s Readings
1^st Reading –Daniel 7.13-14
2^nd Reading –Revelation 1.5-8
Gospel Reading –   John 18.33b-37
Responsorial Psalm – “The Lord is King: he is robed in majesty.”

Eucharistic Acclamation –“We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection, until you come again.”

 

We Pray For Our recently departed, RIP: 

Maureen McArdle (21/11), Anne Beckett (7/11), Julie McDonald (5/11), Martin Wall( 31/10), David Marriott (29/10), Peter Waldron (20/10), Gerard Fouhy, Terence Brosnahan (6/10, Taupo), Sister Mary Emmanuel (Eileen Frances Brosnahan), Timothy Hood (4/10, Adelaide), Louraine Nilsson, Josefina Serrano (Philippines), Sister Kathleen Fitzsimmons RSM (CHCH)

Mass Intentions/Anniversaries: 

Darren Wright (30/11), John O’Brien (4/11), Dan O’Donoghue (25/11), Bob Bowe (25/10), Ivan Snook (19/10), Margaret Carde (19/10), Alfredo Abayon Sr.(13/10, Philippines), Rosie Frost (26/9), Bert Frost (5/10), Shona Gilligan (11/9), Siemyin Rattanachatree, Raymond Paul Walduogel (31/10)

We Pray For those in our community who need our prayers:

Bishop Owen Dolan, Harvey Gunn, Belinda Blackler, Nicky Burmeister, Ann Toomey, Patricia Lowe, Janet Anderson, Maurice McDonald, Mikulas Oros, Rod and Mary Bennett, Betty Donaldson, Sr Helena Fouhy, Dianne Jordan, Angela Marlow, Michael and Mary O’Connor, Maurice Takarangi, Gye Beehre, Peter Angland, Chloe Young and May Young

 

WHAT’S ON

 

• Priest Retreat is taking place this week – There will be no Masses at either the Cathedral or Our Lady of Lourdes Churches, Monday – Thursday. In the place of Mass, a Service of the Word with Holy Communion will be conducted. If a priest is required please contact Fr Vijoy at St Mary’s or Hospital Chaplain, Kathleen Field. Please pray that our priests will have a successful retreat.
• Wednesday Evening Rosary – Wednesday evenings at 5 pm, you are invited to pray the Rosary. For further information, contact Ian Sutherland 06- 356- 7555
• Shining Stars (Pre-School Music Group) – Thursday mornings (during school terms) starting at 9:30 am in the Cathedral Lounge.  Come along for music fun, followed by morning tea and play.
• Praying the Sunday Gospel is held every Friday in the Parish Office Meeting Room at 11 am.  This is a time for quiet contemplation and reflection on the Gospel.
• Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament of the Cathedral is on Monday-Friday, 7.30 am to 9 am and Friday, 6 pm to 7 pm.
• Anointing Masses: Our Lady of Lourdes Wednesday, 4 December at 10 am followed by hospitality.
• Our Lady of Lourdes Mass Times: Saturday Vigil 5.30 pm Sunday 9.30 am Wednesday-Friday 10 am Friday Rosary, 9.30 am Reconciliation after Mass & Exposition until 12 pm.
• Cathedral of the Holy Spirit Mass Times: Sunday 7.30 am, 9.30 am and 6pm, Tuesday – Friday 12.05 pm, Tuesday 5.30 pm and Saturday 9 am. Reconciliation before Mass on Friday and after Mass on Friday and after Mass on Saturday.

Please keep all those attending the Divine Renovation Open House in New Plymouth

this weekend in your prayers.

 

Jesus Christ, Heart of the Universe

(John 18: 33b – 37)

“My kingdom,” said Jesus, “doesn’t consist of what you see around you. If it did, my followers would fight so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But I’m not that kind of king, not the world’s kind of king.” Then Pilate said, “So, are you a king or not?” Jesus answered, “You tell me. Because I am King, I was born and entered the world so that I could witness to the truth. Everyone who cares for truth, who has any feeling for the truth, recognises my voice.” (John 18: 36 –  37)

The legend of the sword and the stone used to make me shiver when I was young. A poor, helpless child, valued by no one, abused by everyone, could become a king! The selection of the king was made, not by worldly evaluations, but by divine revelation. The choice was made clear by the ability to pull the sword from the stone. Sheer human brawn couldn’t do it. Nor could cleverness. You had to be the one, chosen by an unseen hand, to be able to release the sword.

Pilate looks for signs of kingship in Jesus, but he sees only with worldly eyes. Jesus does not have the dress or swagger of the kings of earth. He’s not accompanied by servants, not protected by armies. If there’s a kingdom belonging to him somewhere, it doesn’t seem to be of much assistance to him now.

Pilate focuses on all the things he can’t see that might make Jesus the kind of king he understands. But he fails to see that Jesus is holding the truth in his hands. Jesus brandishes the truth before him plainly, but Pilate doesn’t recognise it. As he will bluster later in this passage, “What is truth?” Truth is the difference between the kings of earth and the reign of God. The polite fiction that is human authority can be seen with the eye. The kingdom to come is revealed only to those who know the truth when they hear it.

Who are the truth tellers of our generation?

 

Pray

God of ends and beginnings, of timeless circles of forever, we celebrate this day the Reign of Christ: child of David, and of Mary, sovereign of eternity, servant leader, witness of truth, and governor of our lives. Help us renew our commitment and covenant to be disciples and leaders. Help us live with the example and ministry of this same Christ in whose name we both worship and pray. Amen.

Ponder

Tell the truth. Admit who you are, and whom you serve. Confess your sins. Put away the life of pretence, and walk into the light of the reign of God. “Everyone who cares for the truth, who has any feeling for the truth, recognises my voice.”

Kid’s Corner

“Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” (John 18: 37)

“Amy did you eat any chocolates?” Dad asks, opening a box of chocolates. “No,” Amy answers. “I didn’t eat one piece.” But Amy’s older brother Tony knows her tricks. He sees teeth marks in each piece of chocolate. Amy might have said she didn’t swallow any chocolates, but is she telling the whole truth?

When we stay close to Jesus, it’s easier to do what’s right and truthful. Pray every morning to Jesus before you start the day. Ask for his help so that you can listen to his voice whenever you make choices.

Jesus, I need you with me each minute! Amen.

 

 

Cathedral Building Update – as we carried out the repairs following the fire, it was noted that our beautiful rose window had deteriorated and due to aging a number of budges (weight of the lead forces the glass to bulge) had been identified and was in need of urgent repair.  This work commenced this week.    The small windows have been removed, and replacement ‘plastic’ pictures installed for weatherproofing.  These will be taken back to Christchurch to be worked on and returned sometime in the first quarter of 2025.  Date not yet confirmed.  At the front of the Cathedral you will notice more scaffolding.  This is for the roofer to make repairs which will fix the leaking problems around the steeple which has recently impacted the vestry.  We thank you for your patience as we carry out this work.

 

Celebration of the Cathedral – 100 years!  Thank you to those who have signed up to help with the celebrations.  If you would like to help as a volunteer during the Jubilee celebrations, please put your name down on the boards are in the foyer for you to complete.  Sponsorship:   A huge thank you to those who have contributed towards sponsorship for our weekend. You can still support our celebrations – please use the envelopes being held in the foyer or else contribute online. Thank you!