Sunday, 24 November 2024
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE
Questions for the Week:
FIRST READING: DANIEL 7:13-14
Daniel had visions of Jesus (“Son of man”) receiving everlasting dominion, glory, and kingship from God (“the Ancient One”). Why do you think some people receive visions?
SECOND READING: APOCALYPSE 1:5-8
Revelation teaches that Jesus loves us and has made us into a kingdom of priests for God. What do you think Jesus expects from us in return?
GOSPEL: JOHN 18:33-37
In his trial Jesus tells Pilate he was born to testify to the truth. Can you think of a time in your life when you had to tell a difficult truth to someone?
©LPi
A Word from Fr Danny:
In today's Gospel, Christ concludes with the words, "All who are on the side of truth listen to my voice."This presents a challenge for us as followers of Christ: we cannot hear His voice directly. Yes, we can read His words, and we may even think we understand them to some extent. We can hear others proclaim His words at Mass, but we never truly hear His actual voice.
Consider how much is communicated through the tone of a voice—the inflections, the pauses, the silences between phrases. Perhaps it is the Holy Spirit, received in fullness at Confirmation, that transforms the written and spoken Word, making it personal so that we hear the voice of Christ in our hearts. Do we ask the Holy Spirit to do this work in us? Do we take the time in prayer to allow this to happen?
May I invite you to join us for our Advent Retreat over the next two evenings? Robert is an enlightening and entertaining speaker, and I believe you will find his insights inspiring.
- Fr Danny
Confirmation and First Holy Communion at St Jospeh the Worker, Tūrangi.
CELEBRATION OF CONFIRMATION AND FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
Thank you to Bishop Richard Laurenson for such a beautiful celebration of Confirmation and First Holy Communion last weekend in both Tūrangi and Taupō. We are grateful to Maryann Attwood, Lorena Morris and all the staff who set up and provided food for the celebration afterwards. We also thank the PACT team who have shared their love of God with enthusiasm and joy with these families.
Thank you Anali for this feedback:
“I can’t recommend this (PACT journey) enough to everyone I know. The impact it has had has been tremendous!”
Heavenly Father, please continue to bless and guide these children and thier families. Help them to grow closer to your Son, Jesus through the Holy Spirit.
VOLUNTEERS THANK YOU EVENING
To all our wonderful volunteers who help in so many ways - THANK YOU! Every person who gives time to clean, garden, take communion to the sick, serve at Mass, help in the kitchen, serve at community lunch or after Mass helps bring the love of Christ to others.
To acknowledge this and celebrate the wonderful community of volunteers, we would like to invite all the adults to a “Volunteers Thank You” evening on Sunday 8 December at 5pm. If you are able to come please RSVP: click here to complete this form.
We are very grateful to our children and Turangi volunteers too - so we will have separate events for them in the coming weeks!!
PARISH NEWS & EVENTS
Here’s what's happening
Sunday, 24 November: Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
5pm Saturday Vigil Mass, Tūrangi | 9am Mass, Taupō
Divine Mercy
3pm | Taupō
Advent Retreat - Robert Loretz
7.30pm | Taupō
Monday, 25 November
Mass
7pm | Taupō
Advent Retreat - Robert Loretz
7.30pm | Taupō
Tuesday, 26 November
Mass
9am | Chapel | Taupō
Community Lunch
1pm | Café | Taupō (weekly during school term)
Youth Group
6pm - 7.15pm (Year 7&8) | Taupō (weekly during school term)
6.30 pm – 8pm (Years 9–13) | Taupō (weekly during school term)
Wednesday, 27 November
Alpha Day (In Person)
10am | Cafē | Taupō
Depth Charge Connect
10am | Dennis and Catherine Hancock’s place (weekly during school term)
Ave Connect | Rosary
11.30am | Church | Tūrangi
Mass
12noon | Church | Tūrangi
Confessions
12.30pm | Church | Tūrangi
Fair-Weather Gardeners
12pm - 3pm | Taupō
Ave Connect | Rosary
7pm | Church | Taupō
Foundations | RCIA
7.30pm | Chapel | Taupō
Thursday, 28 November
Mass
9am | Chapel | Taupō
Purl Connect | Knitting Group
1pm | Café | Taupō
Endurance Connect | Men’s Group
7pm | Youth Den (location change for this week)
Syro Malabar Holy Qurbana | വിശുദ്ധ കുർബാന
7pm | Church | Taupō
Friday, 29 November
Mass
12pm | Church | Taupō
Divine Mercy
3pm | Church | Taupō
Saturday, 30 November
Mass
9am | Chapel | Taupō
Confessions
9.30am | Chapel | Taupō
Vigil Mass
5pm | Church | Tūrangi
Sunday, 1 December: 1st Sunday of Advent
5pm Saturday Vigil Mass, Tūrangi | 9am Mass, Taupō
Prayer for Life
10am | Chapel | Taupō
Divine Mercy
3pm | Taupō
Monday, 2 December
Mass
7pm | Taupō
Monday Café
7.30pm | Café | Taupō
Tuesday, 3 December
Mass
9am | Chapel | Taupō
Community Lunch
1pm | Café | Taupō (weekly during school term)
Youth Group
6pm - 7.15pm (Year 7&8) | Taupō (weekly during school term)
6 pm – 9pm (Years 9–13) | Bowling Night!!
Wednesday, 4 December
Alpha (In Person)
10am | Cafē | Taupō
Depth Charge Connect
10am | Dennis and Catherine Hancock’s place (weekly during school term)
Ave Connect | Rosary
11.30am | Church | Tūrangi
Mass
12noon | Church | Tūrangi
Confessions
12.30pm | Church | Tūrangi
Fair-Weather Gardeners
12pm - 3pm | Taupō
Mahjong Connect
1pm | Café | Taupō
Ave Connect | Rosary
7pm | Church | Taupō
Thursday, 5 December
Mass
9am | Chapel | Taupō
Purl Connect | Knitting Group
1pm | Café | Taupō
Endurance Connect | Men’s Group
7pm | Youth Den
Friday, 6 December
Mass
12pm | Church | Taupō
Divine Mercy
3pm | Church | Taupō
Parish Movie Night
6.30pm | Taupō
Saturday, 7 December
Mass
9am | Chapel | Taupō
Confessions
9.30am | Chapel | Taupō
Vigil Mass
5pm | Church | Tūrangi
Ministers for Sunday, 24 November
Our Lord Jesus Christ,
King of the Universe
Taupō
Turangi
THIS WEEK….
This year’s advent retreat will be led by Robert Loretz, a renowned sacred music composer from Christchurch, with a background and qualifications in Philosophy, Theology and Music. Through the eyes and heart of Mary he will lead us closer to Jesus this advent.
Every Tuesday at 1pm our fantastic team provide delicious food and outstanding hospitality for anyone in the Taupō community. Come along, invite a friend and enjoy our weekly community lunch. If you are interested in helping with this fantastic intiative contact Margaret Beck margaretbeck7@gmail.com
Alpha isn't just a course to learn about Christiantiy. It's an opportunity to build community and to develop or deepen our relationship with God. Not sure about it? Here's some feedback from our last Alpha Course in July:
"It was a good relaxing way to learn about God and Jesus in a loving space. It was also a lovely experience for making friends and enjoying some laughter and I would like to attend again."
Catherine and Dennis Hancock host this fantastic group who deepen their faith through watching great Catholic video content and exploring it through discussion. Everyone is welcome to come and join them. If you're interested, contact Catherine: 027 662 8996.
Don’t our gardens look beautiful?! If you’re keen to lend a hand on a casual basis, to pull a few weeds, come along on a Wednesday anytime between 12noon and 3pm and join some of our gardening team.
COMING UP…
Join us in December for our last “Women’s Connect” for the year where Joanna Kearney (Pastoral Services Manager from the Catholic Diocese of Hamilton) who will share the people, books, movies and music that have inspired her on her faith journey. In doing so, she will encourage us to consider what has inspired US on our own faith journeys, and challenge us to be “Pilgrims of Hope” to one another by sharing our stories.
RETREATS
Retreats
Tyburn Monastery, Ngakuru &
Cluny Retreat Centre, Tauranga
DIOCESAN NEWS & EVENTS
I THIRST - A VOCATIONS RETREAT FOR MEN
Are you single man who yearns to quench the thirst of the Lord? Might you be open to being one of His priests? Come - follow Bishop Richard Laurenson as he, Fr Adam and Fr Isaac lead a retreat to help you discern your vocation.
Friday 6th December - Sunday 7th December; Cluny Retreat Centre, Tauranga; $50; officectf@cdh.org.nz
PILGRIMAGE TO MEDJUGORJE
Do you feel called to respond to the invitation of Our Lady Queen of Peace to be with her in Medjugorje? Millions of pilgrims have responded and have experienced an extraordinary, grace-filled pilgrimage. Join Mir Pilgrimages and chaplain Fr Joy Thottamkara on a group pilgrimage departing 22 May 2025 for 10 fulfilling days and nights experiencing 'Medjugorje In-Depth'. See your parish noticeboard or call Patricia Parsons on 027 421 9064.
HAMILTON DOVE CATHOLIC FELLOWSHIP FOR WOMEN Thanksgiving Mass
Monday 2nd December, 7:00pm, Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Hamilton.
Bring a plate for fellowship following
INTERNATIONAL NEWS & EVENTS
The Pope’s Intention for November is for anyone grieving the loss of a child.
After a process of long discernment within the Church and in consultation with diacesteries and other various bodies within the Holy See, the monthly intentions for the year are decided. Pope Francis entrusts us, the faithful, his prayer network, with these intentions that express his great concerns for humanity and for the mission of the Church. It is an action plan to send us out each month, through prayer and mission, a proposition that invites us to build a more humane and caring world.
Mary, you who are Mother of all, welcome into your heart those who are going through the pain of the loss of a child. You know the pain of loss, on Good Friday, and the feeling of absence and silence in the waiting for the Sabbath. There are no words to fill the void, it is a goodbye that will always await the resurrection of the Sunday of glory. We believe in that day, as Mary did, and we await the definitive reunion. But while that is still to come, for those who suffer this pain, we ask for the Spirit of consolation, capable of giving life where there is death, and to set on the way those who have fallen. Give us the grace to be communities that shelter and support parents who have lost a child and who are living proclamation of the definitive life that will reach them. Amen.
Ahead of the 2025 Jubilee, Pope Francis has inaugurated a Year of Prayer.
Click the image to explore the Diocese of Hamilton Year of Prayer Resources
Click the image above to go to the Jubilee Year website.