Sunday, 8 December 2024
2nd Sunday of Advent
Questions for the Week:
FIRST READING: BARUCH 5:1-9
The prophet Baruch offers the Israelites in Babylonian exile a vision of hope in which their broken relationship with God will be fully restored. Is there a broken relationship you could help heal this Advent season?
SECOND READING: PHILIPPIANS 1:4-6,8-11
Paul prays with joy over the partnership he experiences with the believers in Phillipi. What relationships in your life bring you joy?
GOSPEL: LUKE 3:1-6
Luke is careful to place the activities of John the Baptist in their proper historical and political context, showing how God acts in human history. Can you think of a time in your personal history when you felt God present?
©LPi
A Word from Fr Danny:
The second and third Sundays of Advent feature John the Baptist. But we might ask: why focus on the signpost when we have the destination? John is completely surpassed by Christ. So, is his role finished? Perhaps not.
Maybe John is not just a prophetic voice but also an example of how we should live. What is John, if not someone deeply rooted in reality and unable to suppress the deep desires of his heart? His heart longs for freedom from sin and for someone who can provide what he cannot achieve through his own strength. When compared to Christ or even Our Lady, perhaps John offers a starting point that is more reflective of our own situation.
- Fr Danny
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.
Our Tūrangi community will gather next weekend - Saturday 14 December after the 5pm Mass to celebrate the fantastic contribution that all our volunteers make in Tūrangi.
Since it’s humble beginnings in 2018, our Community Lunch has grown into a valued weekly event, serving around 30 people every Tuesday. It’s a wonderful opportunity for our parish and the wider Taupō community to connect over delicious food in a welcoming and friendly environment - truly bringing the love of Christ to others.
This success is thanks to Msgr Trevor’s vision and hospitality, Margaret Beck’s organisation, and the dedication of our incredible team of volunteers who set up, cook, bake, serve, and clean up each week. A huge thank-you to everyone involved!
After years of leadership, Margaret is ready to hand over the reins. Do you have a gift for organisation and a passion for community? If so, please contact Margaret Beck to continue this wonderful initiative that nourishes both body and spirit.
I love watching the people enjoying coming together as they make new friends. It is a privilege to be able to serve everyone. I also loved Msgr Trevor’s enthusiasm and the joy we all feel as we servers come together for coffee and sharing afterwards. We get as much as we give! … Leslie
PARISH NEWS & EVENTS
Here’s what's happening
Sunday, 8 December: 2ND Sunday of Advent
5pm Saturday Vigil Mass, Tūrangi | 9am Mass, Taupō
Divine Mercy
3pm | Taupō
Volunteer’s Thank You Celebration
5pm | Taupō
Monday, 9 December
Tim Tam Connect
10am | Café | Taupō
Mass
7pm | Taupō
Tuesday, 10 December
Mass
9am | Chapel | Taupō
Healers Connect
9.30am | Café | Taupō
Community Lunch | Christmas Lunch
1pm | Café | Taupō | Last Community Lunch of the Term
Youth Group
6pm - 7.15pm (Year 7&8) | Taupō
6.30pm – 8pm (Years 9–13) | Taupō | Last Youth Group of the Term
Wednesday, 11 December
Depth Charge Connect
10am | Dennis and Catherine Hancock’s place (weekly during school term)
Ave Connect | Rosary
11.30am | Church | Tūrangi
No Tūrangi Mass
Fair-Weather Gardeners
12pm - 3pm | Taupō
School Leavers Mass
2pm | Church | Taupō
Ave Connect | Rosary
7pm | Church | Taupō
Foundations | RCIA
7.30pm | Chapel | Taupō
Thursday, 12 December
Mass
9am | Chapel | Taupō
Purl Connect | Knitting Group
1pm | Café | Taupō
St Vincent de Paul Meeting
5pm | Café | Taupō
Final Youth Group Year 7&8 BBQ
6pm-7.15pm | Taupō
Endurance Connect | Men’s Group | Last one for the year
7pm | Café | Taupō
Friday, 13 December
School Nativity Play
9.30am | Church | Taupō
Mass | Anointing of the Sick
12pm | Church | Taupō
St Vincent de Paul Lunch
12.30pm | Café | Taupō
Divine Mercy
3pm | Church | Taupō
Praise, Prayer & Adoration
6.15pm | Taupō
Women’s Connect - Pilgrims of Hope
7pm | Taupō
Saturday, 14 December
Mass
9am | Chapel | Taupō
Confessions
9.30am | Chapel | Taupō
Tūrangi Volunteer’s Thank You Celebration
After 5pm Mass | Tūrangi
Sunday, 15 December: 3rd Sunday of Advent
5pm Saturday Vigil Mass, Tūrangi | 9am Mass, Taupō
Divine Mercy
3pm | Taupō
Monday, 16 December
Mass
7pm | Taupō
Tuesday, 17 December
Mass
9am | Chapel | Taupō
Wednesday, 18 December
Ave Connect | Rosary
11.30am | Church | Tūrangi
Mass
12noon | Church | Tūrangi
Confessions
12.30pm | Church | Tūrangi
Fair-Weather Gardeners | Continuing Through School Holidays
12pm - 3pm | Taupō
Ave Connect | Rosary
7pm | Church | Taupō
Advent Reconciliation
7pm | Taupō
Thursday, 19 December
Mass
9am | Chapel | Taupō
Advent Reconciliation
7pm | Taupō
Friday, 20 December
Mass
12pm | Church | Taupō
Divine Mercy
3pm | Church | Taupō
Saturday, 21 December
Mass
9am | Chapel | Taupō
Confessions
9.30am | Chapel | Taupō
Vigil Mass | 4th Sunday of Advent
5pm | Church | Tūrangi
Ministers for Sunday, 8 December
2nd Sunday of Advent
Taupō
Tūrangi
THIS WEEK….
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
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.
Join us 13th 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.
COMING UP…
TURANGI VOLUNTEERS THANK YOU EVENING
To all our wonderful volunteers who help in so many ways - THANK YOU! Every person who gives time to serve our community helps bring the love of Christ to others.
To acknowledge this and celebrate the wonderful community of volunteers, we would like to invite everyone in our Tūrangi community to gather for a “Volunteers Thank You” evening on Saturday 14 December after the 5pm Mass.
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.