WELCOME TO OUR LITURGY:  When Jesus sat down at the well in Samaria, he was weary with the journey, and thirsty.  His meeting with the Samaritan woman demonstrates his warmth and sympathy.  Jesus breaks down barriers.  Samaritans had betrayed their Jewish heritage, giving rise to bitter enmity, and here was a Jew in conversation with her.  Moreover Jesus, a Rabbi, was speaking to a woman in public, which would normally ruin his reputation.  Here is God loving the world, not in theory, but in action,

First Reading:
Exodus 17: 3-7.

3     But the people thirsted there for water, and the people murmured against Moses, and said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?”
4     So Moses cried to the LORD, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.”
5     And the LORD said to Moses, “Pass on before the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel; and take in your hand the rod with which you struck the Nile, and go.
6     Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, that the people may drink.” And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel.
7     And he called the name of the place Massah and Mer’ibah, because of the faultfinding of the children of Israel, and because they put the LORD to the proof by saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?” Read the rest of this entry

CUP OF TEA:  after Mass next Sunday, served by the Parish Council.

ROSTERS:  for April are now available.  Please check to see if there is one for your family.  Thank you.

LENT 2011:  In response to the Lenten imperative to ‘change your heart’, the communities of the North Taranaki Pastoral area are invited to participate in a series of Social Justice Forum to run throughout Lent.  These forum are a reflective journeying through Taranaki history and how that history informs Maori/Pakeha relationships, in the light of Catholic Social teaching.  Each week a different topic will be unpacked, discussed and reflected on.  We have been blessed with guest speakers of considerable mana in their field.  The invitation to participate is extended to all. You are both welcome and wished for.  Dates:  Wed 30 March and 6, 13 April.  At St Joseph’s Church from  7-9pm.  Contact Cushla Low ph 759 8258 for more information

CARITAS LENT APPEAL:  Welcome to this 3rd Sunday of Lent.  Your support has helped Caritas Internationalis Confederation in Haiti reach more than 1.5 million survivors of the devastating earthquake which struck in Jan 2010.  Their efforts focused on providing food, water, sanitation, medical support and shelter to those in need.  They are also providing ongoing counselling and education to children in the temporary camps set up for those who lost their homes.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS:  Stations will be prayed at St Joseph’s church on Fridays during Lent at 5.30pm.

MASS OF ANOINTING:  will be celebrated on Tuesday 29th March at 2.30pm in St Joseph’s Church.

LENTEN DISCUSSION GROUP: Parishioners are invited to join a Thursday Lenten discussion group based on the previous Sunday’s readings.  April 7 &14.  Copies of each Sunday’s readings will be provided.
Afternoon session:  1.30pm to 2.30pm in the School library at the rear of St Philomena’s .    For further information or enquires phone Ian McGill 75-33 513, or Syd Wells 758 7319

Evening session: 7.30 – 8.30pm  School staff room. For details phone Mrs Betty Carter  752 2778

VOTIVE CANDLE STAND:  Thanks to all who contributed to the Votive Candle Fund.  The Appeal Fund stands as:  Donations Received:  $1570,  Burkett Trust:  $1500 and Offerings Received (to 1/3/11):  $106.  Making a total of $3176.  The Candle Stand cost $5980.  Thanks to Paul Spurdle and McGregor Electrical for the design and installation and to all who have made donations.  If you still wish to contribute, envelopes are available at the back of the church.
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WELCOME TO OUR LITURGY:  A week before this Mt Tabor experience, Jesus had told Peter, James and John that he was going to be put to death.  Now he gives them a taste of why he would endure such suffering.  Through his transfiguration Jesus wants to give them (and us) a glimpse of our won future, where we hope to live with him in glory,  Through our Lenten repentance and self-denial, putting to death our human selfishness, we too need to have our eyes lifted to our heavenly future.

First Reading:
Genesis 12: 1-4.

1     Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.
2     And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
3     I will bless those who bless you, and him who curses you I will curse; and by you all the families of the earth shall bless themselves.”
4     So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.

Read the rest of this entry

LENT 2011:  In response to the Lenten imperative to ‘change your heart’, the communities of the North Taranaki Pastoral area are invited to participate in a series of Social Justice Forum to run throughout Lent.  These forum are a reflective journeying through Taranaki history and how that history informs Maori/Pakeha relationships, in the light of Catholic Social teaching.  Each week a different topic will be unpacked, discussed and reflected on.  We have been blessed with guest speakers of considerable mana in their field.  The invitation to participate is extended to all. You are both welcome and wished for.  Dates:  Wed 16, 23, 30 March and 6, 13 April.  At St Joseph’s Church from  7-9pm.  Contact Cushla Low ph 759 8258 for more information

CARITAS LENT APPEAL:  Thank you to those who have brought their envelopes to Mass today.  If anyone does not have a set of envelopes, there are some available in the church porch.  The theme for this year is “United by our common humanity”.  We are reminded that we all have so much that we share:  the air that we need to breathe; the earth that we live on;  the families we all have and love;  the peace we all long for;  and the hope we must have in our hearts.  So whatever our differences we are all “united by our common humanity”.

CATHOLIC OVERSEAS VOLUNTEERS:  For the list of vacancies for overseas volunteer work please see the poster on the notice board.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS:  Stations will be prayed at St Joseph’s church on Fridays during Lent at 5.30pm.

ST JOHN’S COLLEGE HAMILTON: 50th Reunion. All former students, staff, Brothers, Board of Trustees and PTFA members are invited to this Jubilee celebration on the weekend of  28th – 30th October 2011.  Register now at www.stjohnshamiltonjubilee.co.nz  or contact the College Office on (07) 856 7091

MASS OF ANOINTING:  will be celebrated on Tuesday 29th March at 2.30pm in St Joseph’s Church.

LENTEN DISCUSSION GROUP: Parishioners are invited to join a Thursday Lenten discussion group based on the previous Sunday’s readings.  March 17, 24 & April 7, 14.  Copies of each Sunday’s readings will be provided.

Afternoon session:  1.30pm to 2.30pm in the School library at the rear of St Philomena’s .    For further information or enquires phone Ian McGill 75-33 513, or Syd Wells 758 7319

Evening session: 7.30 – 8.30pm  School staff room. For details phone Mrs Betty Carter  752 2778
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