Sunday, 6 April 2025
5th Sunday of Lent
Questions for the Week:
FIRST READING: EZEKIEL 37:12-14
God revealed to the prophet Ezekiel his divine plan for the resurrection of the dead: “I (will) open your graves and make you come up out of them, my people!” As a person of faith, how does this promise give you hope?
SECOND READING: ROMANS 8:8-11
Paul insists that for believers, the Spirit dwelling within us gives life to our mortal bodies, raising us from the dead as Christ was raised from the dead. How does this impact your thoughts about death itself?
GOSPEL: JOHN 11:1-45
In her grief and sadness at the death of her brother Lazarus, Martha professes her belief in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God. As the season of Lent draws to a close, in what ways have the last 40 days strengthened your faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior?
©LPi
A Word from Fr Danny:
The fifth Sunday of Lent was formerly called Passion Sunday, and the Gospel concluded: “At this, they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself and left the Temple” (John 8). We now hear this Gospel next Thursday, and from it comes the tradition of veiling church statues from this Sunday. We veil them to highlight a change and to make their unveiling more striking.
Veiling also symbolises our life in the darkness of faith. During Holy Mass, the veil between heaven and earth is drawn back but not completely removed, as we do not yet see God face to face. Incense veils the sanctuary and altar, reminding us that while the Lord is present, He remains hidden in faith’s mystery. It also symbolises our prayers and songs floating to heaven, while its fragrance recalls the odour of sanctity.
- Fr Danny
PARISH NEWS & EVENTS
Here’s what's happening
Sunday, 6 April: 5th Sunday of Lent
5pm Saturday Vigil Mass, Tūrangi | 9am Mass, Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
8.30am | Chapel | Taupō
Prayer For Life
after 9am Mass | Chapel | Taupō
Seek | Baptism Preparation
after 9am Mass | Taupō
Divine Mercy
3pm | Taupō
Monday, 7 April
Mass
7pm | Taupō
Monday Café
7.30pm | Café | Taupō
Tuesday, 8 April
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Healer’s Connect
9.30am | Café | Taupō
Youth Group | LAST ONE FOR THE TERM
6pm-7.15pm (Year 7&8) | Taupō (Weekly during school term)
6.30pm-8pm (Year 9-13) | Taupō (Weekly during school term)
Wednesday, 9 April
Ave Connect | Rosary
11.30am | Church | Tūrangi
Mass | Tūrangi
12pm | Church | Tūrangi
Fair-Weather Gardeners
12pm - 3pm | Taupō
St Patrick’s School | EASTER PLAY
2pm | Church | Taupō
Lenten Reconciliation Service | Tūrangi
7pm | Tūrangi
Ave Connect | Rosary
7.00pm | Chapel | Taupō
Foundations | RCIA Reflection
7.30pm | Café | Taupō
Thursday, 10 April
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Purl Connect | Knitting Group
1pm | Café | Taupō
St Vincent de Paul Meeting | New Members Welcome
5pm | Café | Taupō
Lenten Reconciliation Service | Taupo
7pm | Chuch | Taupō
Friday, 11 April
Mass | Anointing of the Sick
12pm | Church | Taupō
St Vincent de Paul Lunch
12.30pm | Café | Taupō
Divine Mercy
3pm | Church | Taupō
Stations of the Cross
7pm | Church | Taupō
Lenten Reflection
7.30pm | Church | Taupō
Saturday, 12 April
Mass
9am | Chapel | Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
9.30am | Chapel | Taupō
Sunday, 13 April: Palm Sunday
5pm Saturday Vigil Mass, Tūrangi | 9am Mass, Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
8.30am | Chapel | Taupō
Divine Mercy
3pm | Taupō
Monday, 14 April
Mass
7pm | Taupō
Tuesday, 15 April
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Wednesday, 16 April
Ave Connect | Rosary
11.30am | Church | Tūrangi
Mass | Tūrangi
12pm | Church | Tūrangi
Fair-Weather Gardeners
12pm - 3pm | Taupō
Ave Connect | Rosary
7pm | Chapel | Taupō
Foundations | RCIA
7.30pm | Café | Taupō
Thursday, 17 April | Holy Thursday
Mass of the Lord’s Supper | Taupo
7pm | Chuch | Taupō
Friday, 18 April | Good Friday
Stations of the Cross | Tūrangi
11am | Tūrangi
Celebration of the Passion of Our Lord
3pm | Church | Taupō
Saturday, 19 April | Holy Saturday
Easter Vigil
7pm | Church | Taupō
Ministers for Sunday, 6 April
5th Sunday of Lent
Taupō
Tūrangi
THIS WEEK….
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.
This Lent, embark on a journey of Metanoia—a transformative change of heart inspired by the Gospels. We will gather on Fridays at 7.30pm in lent to support our daily reflections with group discussions.
COMING UP…
RETREATS
Retreats
Tyburn Monastery, Ngakuru &
Cluny Retreat Centre, Tauranga
DIOCESAN NEWS & EVENTS
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.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS & EVENTS
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.