WELCOME TO OUR LITURGY: Take time to take in all that the Shepherd-Host does for us in the Psalm.  “Nothing shall I want;”  “He revives my drooping spirit….guides me along the right path.”  He guards me so “no evil would I fear.”  He has “prepared a banquet for me.”  Now look to see all that God asks of us—nothing!  However, the Gospel makes two requests:  Let him enter, not the thief and then hear his voice.  With God, we gain so much for so very little!

First Reading:
Acts 2: 14, 36-41,

14     But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.
36     Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
37     Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?”
38     And Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39     For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him.”
40     And he testified with many other words and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”
41     So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. Read the rest of this entry

VOTIVE CANDLE STAND: Thanks to all who contributed to the Votive Candle Fund.  The Appeal Fund stands as:  Donations Received:  $2570,  Burkett Trust:  $1500 and Offerings Received (to 24/4/11):  $179.  Making a total of $4249.  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.

NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC: Some headlines from the May 8-21 issue of NZ Catholic:

Mango- loving pope’s humanity was clear . . . The sky is not falling on the  Church . . . Proud Auckland rugby clubs unite . . . Perfection is not  the measure of sanctity.
The next issue of NZ Catholic will be published on May 22, 2011.

N.T.P.A:  One in Christ: The Sacraments of Initiation. To be held at St Joseph’s Church 19th June 11:30—3:30pm.  Hosted by Bishop Peter Cullinane and Team. It’s a 2 part lecture with a shared lunch in the middle that looks at how we become one in Christ, through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.   All are welcome.

ESPISCOPAL ORDINATION OF Mons CHARLES DRENNAN:  The Ordination will take place at the Cathedral Of The Holy Spirit at 11am on June 11.  All parishioners are most welcome to attend.  The Ordination will be followed by lunch.  If any parishioner wishes to attend please contact Sr Mary.  Numbers are needed for catering purposes.

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP: Novena at St Joseph’s Church every Thursday at 5.30pm.

DOVE WOMEN’S RETREAT DAY: A wonderful opportunity for all women. Come and know how very much you are loved and cherished at a Dove women’s retreat day near you.  Theme; “Come to the Father’s Heart”.  10 Days of Refreshment; each day complete in itself; being hosted around the country by the Dove National team.  The third day; Saturday 25 June St Joseph’s Church Hall Victoria St Hawera.  For more info on all 10 Days of Refreshment, or to register go to www.dove.org.nz or phone
Jo 09 424 4122.

“LET’S PRAY” PRAYER: Contemplation and Liturgy Symposium.
With keynote speakers, Joy Cowley, Abbot Brian Keogh, Donna Orsuto and Stephen Kirk.  Workshop leaders include, Bishop Phillip Richardson, Mark Richards, Fr Alan Roberts, Bronwyn and David Lea (Prayer in Marriage and Family Life) and Mike Delany.    To be held at the Diocesan Centre, 33 Amesbury St, Palmerston North, 11-13 August.  See the brochure in the Church foyer.
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WELCOME TO OUR LITURGY:  On the road to Emmaus, two disciples mistakenly presume that they know a whole lot more than the stranger beside them!  Jesus, nonetheless, listens attentively without interruption hearing them out to the end.  At the right moment, Jesus then integrates the Scriptures with their lost hopes to give them a newfound faith for the future.  Jesus respected them, honoured their journey to date and then enabled them to recognize a future, brightened by faith.  Once again, Jesus gives us an example to follow,

First Reading:
Acts 2: 14, 22-33,

14     But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.
22     “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs which God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know –
23     this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
24     But God raised him up, having loosed the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
25     For David says concerning him, `I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
26     therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will dwell in hope.
27     For thou wilt not abandon my soul to Hades, nor let thy Holy One see corruption.
28     Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou wilt make me full of gladness with thy presence.’
29     “Brethren, I may say to you confidently of the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
30     Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne,
31     he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.
32     This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.
33     Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this which you see and hear.

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VOTIVE CANDLE STAND: Thanks to all who contributed to the Votive Candle Fund. The Appeal Fund stands as: Donations Received: $2570, Burkett Trust: $1500 and Offerings Received (to 24/4/11): $179. Making a total of $4249. 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.

CONFIRMATION: Preparation for Confirmation begins today after 5.30 Mass at St Joseph’s Parish Hall. This preparation is for Yr 11 and above. Enrolment forms are available from the Parish office, the church foyer and the School Colleges.

Retreat week-end is May 20—22. Confirmation will be celebrated Sunday June 26.

NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC: Some headlines from the May 8-21 issue of NZ Catholic:
Mango- loving pope’s humanity was clear . . . The sky is not falling on the  Church . . . Proud Auckland rugby clubs unite . . . Perfection is not  the measure of sanctity.

The next issue of NZ Catholic will be published on May 22, 2011.

N.T.P.A: One in Christ: The Sacraments of Initiation. To be held at St Joseph’s Church 19th June 11:30—3:30pm. Hosted by Bishop Peter Cullinane and Team. It’s a 2 part lecture with a shared lunch in the middle that looks at how we become one in Christ, through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. All are welcome.

CARITAS ANNUAL REPORT 2010: is available in the church porch.

ST BERNARD’S, BROOKLYN, WELLINGTON: is celebrating the Centenary of its Church and the Golden Jubilee of the Parish on the weekend 11-12 June. To register or for more information go to www.stbernards.wellington.nz or ring (04) 389 3492 or email stbernardschurch@clear.net.nz .

ESPISCOPAL ORDINATION OF Mons CHARLES DRENNAN: The Ordination will take place at the Cathedral Of The Holy Spirit at 11am on June 11. All parishioners are most welcome to attend. The Ordination will be followed by lunch. If any parishioner wishes to attend please contact Sr Mary. Numbers are needed for catering purposes.

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP: Novena at St Joseph’s Church every Thursday at 5.30pm.

Read the rest of this entry