Sunday, 19 May 2024
PENTECOST SUNDAY
Jesus said to his disciples: "When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me."
John 15: 26
Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass ©2001, 1998, 1970 CCD.
The tradition of dedicating the month of May to Mary, came about in the 13th century.
The link between Mary and the month of May became popular among the members of the Jesuit Order — by 1700 it had a firm hold among their students at the Roman College and a short time later it was publicly celebrated in the Gesu Church in Rome. From there it spread to the rest of the Church.
Each week in May, we will highlight one of the many titles of Mary.
Mary, Queen of Heaven
The title "Queen of Heaven", or Regina Coeli, for Mary goes back to at least the 12th century. The subject also drew from the idea of the Virgin as the "throne of Solomon", that is the throne on which a Christ-child sits in a Madonna and Child. It was felt that the throne itself must be royal.
LIVE THE LITURGY
Inspiration of the Week
Like a stool that cannot stand on two legs alone, we need the Holy Spirit. The third Person of the Trinity is the puzzle piece whose testimony completes the beautiful picture of salvation. Let us never fail to say: come, Holy Spirit!
When I was twenty-two years of age in August of 2000, 1 experienced World Youth Day in Rome. As for many of my generation, the event was life-changing for me. Surrounded by joyful, hope-filled young people from seemingly every nation and tongue, we were gathered around the Pope, sharing a common Faith and love. The Pope spoke to us of our shared family bond in the Church and invited us to give our lives in service to others. Now twenty-four years later, my life as a priest, like that of so many others from those special days, continues on that same path of love and unity - despite my many weaknesses. What makes that continuation possible?
This week's feast gives the answer: the Holy Spirit. The gift of God - His very life — the third person of the Trinity, is the Spirit who animates the entire Church and each member of it. He makes us one-in-love in a way that utterly exceeds human capacity. For example, he makes the apostles speak with tongues of fire, and everyone hears them in his own native tongue. The Holy Spirit is the means by which Jesus establishes a new family, one that crosses all possible boundaries of time, space, and culture. The Holy Spirit never tires in enthusing us for mission.
Aren't we longing to experience the Holy Spirit in a fresh way? Today we celebrate this untiring flame, once ignited on earth and burning still. So, we humbly cry out: Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in us the fire of your love!
Fr John Muir
QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK
Invite Parishioners to reflect on & respond to the Scriptures
First Reading
We hear how the Holy Spirit allowed the mighty acts of God to be heard by people of all languages in every nation. Where do you see God at work in the world or in your workplace?
Second Reading
Paul encouraged believers in Galatia to be guided by the fruit of the Spirit (joy, peace, self-control) rather than by the works of the flesh (immorality, lust, idolatry) in order to inherit the kingdom of God.
How might you practice the fruits of the Spirit this week?
Gospel
Jesus taught his disciples he would send the Advocate, the Spirit of truth, to guide them and offer them divine gifts.
What guidance are you seeking from the Lord?
Click on the image to hear Bishop Barron’s homily: Fruits of the Spirit! Works of the Flesh!
Friends, we come to the Feast of Pentecost, the great celebration of the Holy Spirit. I want to focus on our second reading from the fifth chapter of St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, which I’ve used for years in spiritual direction. What you find there are what Paul calls “the fruit of the Spirit,” which he contrasts with “the works of the flesh.” Maybe you’re struggling and wondering, “What should I do? What path do I take?” Whatever is giving rise to the fruits of the Spirit in you is the path you want—and whatever is giving rise to the works of the flesh, stay away from.
PARISH NEWS & EVENTS
Here’s what's happening this week
Sunday, 19 May: Pentecost Sunday
5pm Saturday Vigil Mass, Tūrangi | 9am Mass, Taupō
Sunday, 19 May: Divine Mercy
3pm | Taupō
Tuesday, 21 May: Tuesday Community Lunch
1pm | Taupō (then weekly during school term)
Tuesday, 21 May: Youth Groups
6.30 pm – 8.00pm (Years 9 & 13) | Taupō (weekly during school term)
Tuesday, 21 May: Welcome Evening
7pm | Cafe
Wednesday, 22 May: Depth Charge Connect
10am | Dennis and Catherine Hancock’s place (weekly during school term)
Wednesday, 22 May: Ave Connect | Rosary
11.30am | Church | Tūrangi
7pm | Church | Taupō
Wednesday, 22 May: Alpha
7pm | Cafe & Faith Formation Centre
Thursday, 23 May: Purl Connect
1pm | Lesley McIntosh’s place
Thursday, 23 May: Endurance Connect | Men’s Group
7pm | Cafe (then weekly during school term)
Friday, 24 May: Divine Mercy
3pm | Taupō
Sunday, 26 May: Trinity Sunday
5pm Saturday Vigil Mass, Tūrangi | 9am Mass, Taupō
Ministers for Sunday, 19 May
Taupō & Tūrangi
Well done Good & Faithful Servants
Bishop Steve Lowe (Bishop of the Diocese of Auckland), Fr Wayne Healey (Diocese of Dunedin) Msgr Leonard Danvers, Msgr Joe Stack, Fr Pat Brady (Diocese of Auckland), Bishop Richard Laurenson (Bishop of the Diocese of Hamilton), Bishop Pat Dunn (Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Auckland) Fr Wayne and Fr Pat are classmates of Msgr Leonard and Joe. They also celebrate their 50th Jubilees.
What a wonderful celebration of priesthood in the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Tuesday. It is always such a joyous witness to our faith when the priests gather together, but on this occasion especially: the 50 years of priestly service from Monsignor Leonard Danvers and Monsignor Joe Stack.
Farewell & Thank You
Tabitha and her husband, Phil
Tabitha Pool has decided to resign as the Office Administrator due to other work commitments. Her resignation was effective from Monday, 6 May. Tabitha joined the office team in July 2020 and has been a valued and integral member of staff. She was also an inaugural member of the Parish Leadership Team.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Tabitha for her amazing service to the Parish. She was the welcoming voice on the telephone; the hospitable presence in the office; and the ever efficient administrator.
Tabitha, we will miss you so much. Thank you. Good luck in trying to find a better boss!!
We’re Hiring
With Tabitha’s leaving, we need to fill the position of Office Administrator. Here’s the link to the job description.
Monsignor Trevor
Wednesday | 7pm | Cafe. All are welcome.
Alpha | Wednesdays | 7pm | Cafe
It’s still not too late to join!
Here are some of our Alpha Stats
This is our 10th Alpha.
We have had 225 attendees over those 10 Alphas (including people who did it more than once and those who didn’t complete it).
103 parishioners have done Alpha. Some of them have done it multiple times.
We have had 21 unengaged Catholics attend – 6 of whom became active in the parish after doing Alpha.
50 non-Catholics have done Alpha and 12 of whom have gone on to do RCIA and become Catholic.
These are pretty impressive numbers!
ANNIVERSARIES OF DEATH OF PARISHIONERS WHO DIED DURING THIS WEEK IN MAY
DIOCESAN NEWS & EVENTS
INTERNATIONAL NEWS & EVENTS
Year of Prayer 2024
Ahead of the 2025 Jubilee, Pope Francis has inaugurated a Year of Prayer.
More information to follow.
Click the image above to go to the Jubilee Year website.
RETREATS
Retreats
Tyburn Monastery, Ngakuru &
Cluny Retreat Centre, Tauranga
PARISH SCHEDULE
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
By appointment: Ring 07 378 7440 OR see Msgr Trevor in person
Adoration
Monday – Saturday: 30 minutes before Mass | Taupō
Regular Events
Anointing of the Sick Mass
2nd Wednesday of the month | 12noon | Tūrangi
2nd Friday of the month | 12noon | Taupō
Ave Connect | Rosary
Wednesdays 11.30am, Tūrangi | 7pm, Taupō
Community Lunch
Tuesdays | 1pm | Cafe
(weekly during school term)
Depth Charge Connect
Wednesdays | 10am | Dennis & Catherine Hancock’s place
(weekly during school term)
Divine Mercy
Fridays & Sundays | 3pm | Taupō
Endurance Connect
Thursdays | 7pm | Cafe
(weekly during school term)
Healers’ Connect | Care for the Sick & Housebound
2nd Tuesday of the month | after 9am Mass | Cafe
Movie Night
1st Friday of the month | 6pm | Taupō
(except during Lent)
Praise & Worship
3rd Friday of the month (except during Lent) | 6pm | Taupō
Prayer for Life
1st Sunday of the month | after Mass | Cafe
Purl Connect
Thursdays | 1.00 pm | Lesley Mac’s place
SVDP
2nd Thursday of the month | 5.30pm | Cafe
SVDP Lunch
2nd Friday 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)