PARISH NEWSLETTER

Dear Parishioners,

Last weekend Archbishop John Dew presided at the Masses at St Francis Xavier Parish, Stokes Valley. Archbishop John said that one of his favourite words is "enthusiasm" because its original meaning was to be 'filled with God.' That's worth reflecting on. Am I an enthusiastic person? Am I a person who is filled with God? Sadly, some people only talk to me when they have a complaint. They are anything but enthusiastic! So I encourage you to reflect on the above two questions.

It can be difficult to be enthusiastic, to have a sense of being 'filled with God' when we are suffering. The problem of suffering was a big problem in biblical times and it still is a big problem for us. During times of distress or struggle I find it helpful to pray Thomas Merton's prayer below.

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

As I preside at Sunday Mass today, my prayer for the parishioners of St Francis Xavier and Our Lady of Grace parishes is that despite our struggles and suffering, we will be people who are enthusiastic and therefore filled with God. As Pope John Paul II once wrote: Remember the past with gratitude, live in the present with enthusiasm, and look to the future with confidence.

Sincerely in Christ, Father David

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Men’s Group
The Men’s Group will meet on Tuesday 7 February at the Silverstream Bowling Club at 5:30 pm. All are welcome to attend this social event as it is an opportunity to get to know other men in the parish. Any enquiries please call Roger Wasson on 528-7847.

Mass with Anointing - This week
Please join us at the Pettit Centre on Wednesday 8 February at 11:00 am and stay for a shared lunch (contributions welcomed). If anyone needs transport, please ring Patricia on 972-8043. We would welcome a carload or two from Stokes Valley and look forward to meeting you. There will be no Mass at 9:00 am as this is replaced by the 11:00 am Anointing Mass in the Pettit Centre, next to Our Lady of Grace Church, Heretaunga.

Living Waters Café - Most Sundays after 10:00 am Mass
The café will resume next Sunday, February 12. All parishioners are welcome. The café is held in the Pettit Centre behind the church from 11:00 am until 12:00 noon. Tea coffee and a light snack are served. Children are also catered for. The café is run by volunteers and a gold coin donation is welcome but not essential.

Celebrate St Valentine’s Day by celebrating Marriage
Archbishop John invites you to join him to celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Hill St, Wellington on TUESDAY 14 FEBRUARY AT 7:00 PM, followed by a glass of bubbly. Make up a group of friends and parishioners and go out for dinner afterwards! For further details contact Louise Kelleher 496-1796 or email l.kelleher@wn.catholic.org.nz

Joshua Catholic Men's Fellowship
Thursday 16 February 7:30 pm Connolly Hall Guildford Terrace (off Hill Street), Thorndon. Speaker: Jack Ponting, introducing our national theme for the year, Psalm 100:1 Shout with joy to the Lord all the earth. For transport or enquiries phone Jack 971-5379. Website: www.joshua.org.nz

Dove Catholic Fellowship for Women
Meet Saturday 18 February 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm, Connolly Hall Guildford Terrace (off Hill Street), Thorndon. Speaker: Jan Balcombe from Ruawai, Northland. Jan will share - Her walk on the wild side and God restoring her. Scripture for the year Isaiah 61:1- 4. All Women welcome. Enquiries: Sandra 475-5541

Parish Council Meeting
Thursday 23 February, 7:30 pm in Presbytery Meeting Room.

GENERAL NOTICES

R.I.P. John Robinson
Many parishioners will be aware that parish stalwart John Robinson died suddenly last month. The Maori people have a saying: Kua hinga te totara nui ... A mighty totara has fallen. I thought of this saying when John died. Over many years John served God, his family, church, community and country. John's death will leave a big gap at Our Lady of Grace. We will miss his presence in the parish. John's life was one of faith, service and prayer. May his life remind us of the importance of faith, service and prayer and how we can be transformed to become Christ to others. Please remember John in your prayers and also John's family, that they will find refuge and strength in the unending love and mercy of God. - Fr David

Yearly Rosters for Ministries
These are available for you to collect from the church foyer. We have emailed rosters to those whose email addresses we have. If you would like to receive yours through email please write your name and email address on the list provided in the foyer.

Catholic Social Services Street Day Appeal – Friday 24 February
Collectors are needed in Wellington and Lower Hutt. If you are able to give an hour of your time to help please phone Lesley or Vivien 385-8642. Email: l.hooper@wn-catholicsocialservices.org.nz

Please remember in prayer
All who are sick (Noel Kelly), lonely and worried and all those who have died recently (Norma Huiswaard) and those whose anniversaries occur about this time.

Receiving Communion At Home
Do you know of someone who is unable to attend Mass and would like to receive Communion? If you do please contact Caryl Robinson on 938-0886.

From Bishop John
A letter from Bishop John regarding the parishes in this Pastoral Area Committee.
Download Letter from Bishop John

Lectio Divina
The Catholic Bishops of New Zealand have produced leaflets on Lectio Divina (reading with God) which are available at Mass today. The Bishops wanted to give something to the people of New Zealand which will help all of us to meet Christ, to grow in holiness and to be formed by God's Word. Archbishop John Dew invites each of us into the practice of Lectio Divina, a beautiful and personal way to pray. "It is often in the simple, ordinary things that God is found. The Church's ancient and valid tradition of Lectio Divina is one of those simple customs. It can become for us a life-giving encounter with the word of God. The practice of Lectio Divina brings us into contact with the living word of God which questions, directs and shapes our lives."

Download LECTIO DIVINA - August 2011

Are You New to the Parish?
We warmly welcome you to our Parish and invite you to fill in a new parishioner’s form which is located on the table in the church foyer.