Sunday, 10 March 2024
4th Sunday of Lent | 2nd Scrutiny
The Man Born Blind
‘As long as the day lasts I must carry out the work of the one who sent me; the night will soon be here when no one can work.
As long as I am in the world I am the light of the world.’
Gospel of John 9: 3-5
Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass ©2001, 1998, 1970 CCD.
LIVE THE LITURGY
Inspiration of the Week
The blind man showed great bravery by speaking of Christ’s miracle in the face of the Pharisees’ disdain. But then, how could he ignore the truth, once he had seen it? It would be a form of blindness worse than the absence of physical sight. To deny Christ would be a blindness he chose for himself.
Jesus heals the man born blind
I am the Light of the World
Gospel Meditation
Encouraging Deeper Understanding of Scripture
God asks a rhetorical and slightly sarcastic question to Samuel, the prophet: “How long will you grieve for Saul, whom I have rejected as king of Israel?” Like us, Samuel is depressed that the old king failed. It’s painful to admit that the old regime is done. But God won’t let us wallow our pity-party forever. “I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem,”announces the Lord, “for I have chosen my king from among his sons.” Samuel finally goes and anoints the young David as the new king. And his kingdom is glorious; it’s the golden age of Israel’s earthly history.
How discouraging to see that my own selfish ego is no longer in charge! How long will I grieve that money, power, pleasure, and reputation have been rejected as the ruler of my life? How wonderful that God has a new future in store for you and me. He is sending us to Bethlehem to anoint the new David as our king. His kingdom won’t fail us. He’ll slay our goliaths, unite our dispersed energies, and build a Temple where God himself will dwell.
- Father John Muir
© LP1 2024
Questions of the Week
Invite Parishioners to Reflect and Respond to Scripture
First Reading
Much to Samuel’s surprise, the Lord instructed him to anoint the youngest of Jesse’s sons, David, to be the next king of Israel.
When have you been surprised by God?
Second Reading
Paul urges the Ephesians: “Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.”
What do you think pleases the Lord?
Gospel Reading
Jesus’ healing of the blind man created confusion, anger, and fear among some of the people witnessing this event. In a real sense, Jesus’ healing exposed the blindness of others.
How do we prevent ourselves from being blind to God’s presence in this season of Lent?
Recognising God in Your Ordinary Moments
Not As God Sees
I don’t know Fr. Stu (A movie was made about Fr Stu) personally, but I’ve heard a fair number of his homilies. I think it is safe to assume that if he and I were to get into a discussion on any number of things, from church history to liturgical music to stand-up comedy, each of us would cringe at the opinions of the other.
But Fr. Stu happens to offer just about the only confession time within 20 miles of me that consistently works with my schedule. That means that, quite by accident, Fr. Stu is my regular confessor. For years now, he’s sat patiently on the other side of the grille, listening to me pour out the details of my transgressions, from the pathetic to the embarrassing, and he absolves me of my sins.
In the Gospel, Christ links vision with humility and pride with blindness. We see again and again in Scripture how God delights in surprising us, in revealing himself through people, places, and experiences we not only didn’t expect but perhaps had totally written off.
We are right to be proud of the truth, but we are wrong if the truth causes us to be proud of ourselves. The truth no more belongs to the one who believes it than sight belongs to the blind man in the Gospel. A gift does not reflect on the recipient. It reflects on the giver.
After a great deal of thought, I’ve decided to be grateful that God contrived to give me a confessor whom I strongly disagree with on so many things. It’s a powerful reminder of how much I must receive from other people, even those I may think are wrong. In that confessional, Fr. Stu is only a priest, and I am only a sinner.
“Not as man sees does God see.” — 1 Samuel 16:7
Ministers for Sunday, 10 March
Taupō & Tūrangi
Here’s what's happening in March
NEW PLANNED GIVING ENVELOPES ARE AVAILABLE IN THE CHURCH FOYERS
PLEASE COLLECT BEFORE LEAVING CHURCH. THANK YOU.
Sunday, 10 March: 4th Sunday of Lent | 2nd Scrutiny
9am Mass | Let’s pray for our catechumens and candidates preparing for Easter
Sunday, 10 March: Seek (Baptism Course): Session Three
Welcoming new members to the parish: After Mass | Faith Formation Centre.
(See advertisement below)
Monday, 11 March: Tim Tam Connect | Book Club
10.00 am Mass | Cafe
(then 2nd/3rd Monday of the month during school term)
Tuesday, 12 March: Healers’ Connect
9.30 am | Cafe
Tuesday, 12 March: Tuesday Community Lunch
1.00 pm | Taupō
(then weekly during school term)
Tuesday, 12 March: Youth Groups
6.00 pm – 7.00pm (Years 7 & 8) | 7.00 pm – 7.30pm (dinner) | 7.30 pm – 8.45pm (Years 9 & 13) | Taupō
(weekly during school term)
Tuesday, 12 March: Parish Leadership Team (PLT)
6.30pm | Faith Development Centre
Wednesday, 13 March: Depth Charge Connect
10.00 am | Dennis and Catherine Hancock’s place
(weekly during school term)
Wednesday, 13 March: Foundations
6.00 pm | Cafe (then weekly during Lent)
Thursday, 14 March: Endurance Connect | Men’s Group
7.00 pm | Cafe
(then weekly during school term)
Friday, 15 March: Stations of the Cross
Fridays in Lent, 6.45pm (February – March):
Māori community
Friday, 15 March: Women’s Group Pietà Lenten Study
7.30pm: Church
Sunday, 17 March: Feast of St Patrick | School Mass
9am Mass
Sunday, 17 March: Seek (Baptism Course): Session Four
Welcoming new members to the parish: After Mass | Faith Formation Centre.
(See advertisement below)
Tuesday, 19 March: Tuesday Community Lunch
1.00 pm | Taupō (then weekly during school term)
Tuesday, 19 March: Youth Groups
6.00 pm – 7.00pm (Years 7 & 8) | 7.00 pm – 7.30pm (dinner) | 7.30 pm – 8.45pm (Years 9 & 13) | Taupō
(weekly during school term)
Wednesday, 20 March: Depth Charge Connect
10.00 am | Dennis and Catherine Hancock’s place
(weekly during school term)
Wednesday, 20 March: Foundations
6.00 pm | Cafe
(then weekly during Lent)
Wednesday, 20 March: Lenten Reconciliation Service | Tūrangi
7.00 pm
Thursday, 21 March: Lenten Reconciliation Service | Taupō
7.00 pm
Thursday, 21 March: NO Endurance Connect | Men’s Group
Lenten Reconciliation Service instead
Friday, 22 March: Stations of the Cross
Fridays in Lent, 6.45pm (February – March):
School community
Friday, 22 March: Women’s Group Pietà Lenten Study
7.30pm: Church
Sunday, 24 March: Palm Sunday
End of Lent
Sunday, 24 March: Seek (Baptism Course): Session Five
Welcoming new members to the parish: After Mass | Faith Formation Centre.
(See advertisement below)
Monday, 25 March: Beginning of Holy Week
Tuesday, 26 March: Chrism Mass | Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Hamilton
12.15 pm
Tuesday, 26 March: Tuesday Community Lunch
1.00 pm | Taupō
(then weekly during school term)
Tuesday, 26 March: Youth Groups
6.00 pm – 7.00pm (Years 7 & 8) | 7.00 pm – 7.30pm (dinner) | 7.30 pm – 8.45pm (Years 9 & 13) | Taupō
(weekly during school term)
Wednesday, 27 March: Depth Charge Connect
10.00 am | Dennis and Catherine Hancock’s place
(weekly during school term)
Wednesday, 27 March: Foundations
6.00 pm
Practice for Easter Vigil
Thursday, 28 March: NO 9am Mass | Taupō
See below
Thursday, 28 March: NO Endurance Connect | Men’s Group
See below
Thursday, 28 March: Mass of the Last Supper of the Lord | Taupō
7.00 pm
Friday, 29 March: NO 12noon Mass | Taupō
See below
Friday, 29 March: Stations of the Cross | Tūrangi
10.00 am
Friday, 29 March: The Passion of the Our Lord Jesus Christ | Taupō
3.00 pm
Saturday, 30 March: NO 9am Mass
See below
Saturday, 30 March: NO Vigil Mass in Tūrangi
See below
Saturday, 30 March: Holy Saturday Easter Vigil | Taupō
8.00 pm
Sunday, 31 March: Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord | Taupō
9am
Invite someone you know to come and join us for these sacred days.
Invite someone you know to join us for Easter.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
For the last twelve months four people in the parish have been learning about the Church and what it means to be Catholic.
LENT IS A SPECIAL TIME for them as they journey towards Easter.
At the Easter Vigil they will be welcomed into the Church through baptism & the Holy Spirit. They will profess with us the Faith of the Church. Then, they will join us at the Altar of the Lord, so be nourished with the Body and Blood of Christ.
The Scrutinies
On the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of Lent, our newly named “Elect”, Suzy Aislabie, Luke Holder, Cameron Bramble and Seonah Choi, participate in three successive rites called “the Scrutinies.” These rites, with roots dating back to the early Church, take place during the Sunday Mass, each thematically linked to the Gospel reading for that Mass.
The first Gospel (The Samaritan Woman at the Well) tells us that Christ is the Living Water.
The second (The Healing of the Man Born Blind), tells us that Christ is the Light of the World.
The third, (The Raising of Lazarus from the Dead), tells us that that Christ is the Resurrection and the Life.
Let us pray for these elect whom the Church has confidently chosen. May they successfully complete their long preparation and at the paschal feast find Christ in his sacraments.
Celebration of the 1st Scrutiny | 3rd Sunday of Lent 2024 |
The Woman at the Well
Prayer of Exorcism
Lord Jesus, in your merciful wisdom you touched the heart of the sinful woman and taught her to worship the Father in spirit and in truth.
Now, by your power, free these elect from the cunning of Satan, as they draw near to the fountain of living water.
Touch their hearts with the power of the Holy Spirit, that they may come to know the Father in true faith, which expresses itself in love, for you live and reign for ever and ever.
R. Amen.
Have you been considering baptism for your child or infant? Now is your chance for 2024.
SEEK is a fun and interactive 5 week adventure for parents and their children as they explore faith and journey towards baptism. We can’t wait to have you join us for the adventure.
Condolences
To Gillian Trott and family on the death of Barry Trott, a loving husband, father and grandfather.
Eternal Rest grant to him, O Lord.
LENTEN PRACTICES 2024
DIVINE MERCY
Fridays & Sundays during Lent 3pm | Taupō
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Fridays during Lent | 6.45pm | Taupō
Booklet will be printed and available each Friday.
16 Feb: Filipino community
23 Feb: Tokelau community
1 Mar: Indian community
8 Mar: Pākeha community
15 Mar: Māori community
22 Mar: School community
WOMEN’S GROUP
PIETÀ LENTEN PROGRAMME
Fridays during Lent | 7.30pm |
Taupō
CONFESSIONS
During Lent come and celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Confession | Penance
Rite II Reconciliation Service
Celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession | Penance) is perfect way to prepare for Easter
THREE PILLARS OF LENT
The word LENT comes from an old English word meaning “spring,” or “a new birth”. This time of year helps us to renew our lives as Catholics and renew our life in Jesus, his Church, and his Father.
The three traditional pillars of Lent are prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
Through these three pillars we journey to develop a closer relationship to God.
LENTEN APPEAL 2024
The Time Is Now
Lenten Envelopes are available in the church foyers. This is one of the ways we can give alms.
Lenten Reconciliation Service
Pope Francis celebrates the Sacrament of Reconciliation in St Peter’s Square, Rome.
RECONCILIATION (PENANCE | CONFESSION) is such a beautiful Sacrament. Even though sin separates us from God, the gift of Reconciliation reunites us with the one divine God. It was Jesus who gave us this chance by giving his life for us.
Lent is the 40 day season between Ash Wednesday and Easter where we are called to pray, fast, and grow in faith. Lent is much more than just those simple ideas, it’s more than just a cover; it’s an entire book, and it’s worth the read. You can focus on Lent as a time to prepare for the death of Jesus and what that means in your life. This may lead you to take steps to draw near to Jesus and prepare for your own death. Needless to say, there isn’t one way you can live out Lent. There are so many ways you can decide to bring yourself closer to God during this holy and spiritual time. One great fit for Lent is the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Fr. James Mallon, gave a talk a few years ago titled ‘How to Make a Good Confession’. In that talk, Fr James outlines four parts of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (also known as Confession). The first is contrition, the act of being truly sorry. Next is confession, where you get the sins off your heart. Penance is where you show God you are trying to change through your actions and intentions. Lastly, absolution, which Fr. James described as being “like a second baptism.” You are renewed in your faith and your slate is wiped clean.
The act of confessing your sins is not only getting those sins out of the shadows, it’s giving God the chance to forgive them.
Penance during Lent is especially important and meaningful. Lent is a time of prayer and fasting, but it is also a time of penance. An important step before penance is doing an Examination of Conscience. But what is that? An Examination of Conscience is an exercise where you prayerfully consider your sins, with the intent to identify your sins and prepare yourself for a proper confession, leading to a proper penance.
The act of confessing your sins is not only getting those sins out of the shadows, it’s giving God the chance to forgive them.
From BENEDICTUS, March 2024
I encourage you to make time on Wednesday, 20 March, 7pm in Tūrangi and Thursday, 21 March, 7pm in Taupō, to celebrate as our parish community, the SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (PENANCE | CONFESSION).
This is an opportunity to experience the Sacrament of Reconciliation in a meaningful way, to embrace this season of penance, to experience this kind of ‘second baptism’, right in the heart of Lent.
Monsignor Trevor
Diocesan Family Weekend
Family weekend will be held 19 - 21 April 2023, central to Hamilton.
Accommodation is at Narrows Camp.
The theme for this year is based around the domestic church - what can we be doing in our homes.
Our guest speakers are Carrie and Luke McCormack, who have a passion for the domestic Church. They are members of the Emmanuel Community, Brisbane. Luke and Carrie are graduates from Encounter School of Ministry and are teachers at the Encounter School of Ministry Brisbane Campus.
Retreats
Tyburn Monastery, Ngakuru &
Cluny Retreat Centre, Tauranga
Sunday Mass Schedule
Vigil Mass: Saturdays, 5pm | Tūrangi
Sunday Mass: Sunday, 9am | Taupō
Weekday Mass Schedule
Monday: 7pm | Taupō
Tuesday: 9am | Taupō
Wednesday: 12noon | Tūrangi
Thursday: 9am | Taupō
Friday: 12noon | Taupō
Saturday: 9am | Taupō
Public Holidays: 9am | Taupō
Confessions | Reconciliation | Penance
Wednesday: After Mass | Tūrangi
Saturday: 9.30am | Taupō
Adoration
Monday – Saturday: 30 minutes before Mass | Taupō
Regular Events
Prayer for Life
1st Sunday of the month | after Mass | Cafe
Tim Tam Connect | Book Club
2nd Monday of the month | 10am | Cafe
Youth Groups
6.00 pm – 7.00pm (Years 7 & 8) | 7.00 pm – 7.30pm (dinner) | 7.30 pm – 8.45pm (Years 9 & 13) | Taupō
(weekly during school term)
Healers’ Connect | Care for the Sick & Housebound
2nd Tuesday of the month | after 9am Mass | Cafe
Community Lunch
Tuesdays during the school term | 1pm | Cafe
Depth Charge Connect
Wednesdays during the school term | 10am | Dennis & Catherine Hancock’s place
Rosary
Wednesdays 11.30am, Tūrangi | 7pm, Taupō
Purl Connect
Thursdays | 1.00 pm | Lesley Mac’s place
SVDP
2nd Thursday of the month | 5.30pm | Cafe
Endurance Connect
Thursdays during the school term | 7pm | Cafe
Anointing of the Sick Mass
2nd Friday of the month | 12noon | Taupō
SVDP Lunch
2nd Friday of the month | after Mass | Cafe
Divine Mercy
Fridays & Sundays | 3pm | Taupō
Praise & Worship
3rd Friday of the month (except during Lent) | 6pm | Taupō
Film Evening
1st Friday of the month (except during Lent) | 6pm | Taupō