WELCOME TO OUR LITURGY: Matthew’s gospel has two multiplications of loaves, and the differences are highly symbolic. In both events Jesus used what food was available without sending the people away. The miracle depended on people making what they had available. How ready am I to make my talents available to the community.

First Reading:
Isaiah 55: 1-3.

1 “Ho, every one who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Hearken diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in fatness.
3 Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.

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

NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC: Some headlines from the July 31-August 13 issue of NZ Catholic: : :  Prudes and libertines have much in common….  Catholic Enquiry Centre art competition winners announced…..  John Key and Phil Goff share their views on family and moral questions……  Irish politicians want to scrap  the secrecy of the confessional….. On sale now

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

ANOINTING MASS: will be celebrated on Wed 10 August at 2.30pm at St Joseph’s Church.

PREPARATION FOR FIRST COMMUNION: begins on Wed 24 August at 6.55pm in St Joseph’s Church Hall. Meetings will be on the following three Wednesdays, celebrating First Communion on Sunday 18 September.

LECTIO DIVINA: is a centuries old form of prayer which can be used by anyone. Our Bishops have provided a leaflet on how to use Lectio Divina. A copy is attached to this liturgy sheet. It is also available online at www.catholic.org.nz click on ‘reflection’.

JOSEPHITE RETREAT CENTRE: The following courses are coming up:
Josephite Eco-Connections – Our Place in the Story: Thursday 4 August 7-9pm – looks at the unique role humans have in caring for the Earth. The first of 4 evenings covering ecological conversion, ecological vocation and the bigger picture. $10 per evening, with the JRC Eco-Education Team – Anne Burke rsj, Catherine Shelton rsj Noelene Landrigan rsj and Michael MacManus. Repeated on Saturday 27 August 9.30am-3pm, $30.

Tending the Soul – Awakening to Creativity: Monday 8 August 10am – 3pm with Catherine Woodcock rsj. Koha.

Holding it all together: Celebrating all stages of Faith with Joy Cowley:   Sunday 21 August 10am – 3pm. Transcendence is always inclusive, never about rejection. As we move to a wider place of growth, we carry all the other stages within us and thank God for what we have learned.  $20.

Josephite Retreat Centre, 14 Hillside Tce, Whanganui. www.ssj.org.nz ph 06 345 5047
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WELCOME TO OUR LITURGY: The scribe who becomes a disciple of the kingdom sums up the whole ideal of Matthew the evangelist, who has all the wealth of the Jewish scriptures as well as its completion in the gospels. Similarly a Christian has all the wisdom of the tradition of the Church and Scriptures as well as the living teaching of the church (magisterium). I thank God for these twin streams of revelation.

First Reading:
1 Kings 3: 5, 7-12.

5 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.”
7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.
8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people whom thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered or counted for multitude.
9 Give thy servant therefore an understanding mind to govern thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to govern this thy great people?”
10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.
11 And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right,
12 behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.

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NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC: Some headlines from the July 17-30 issue of NZ Catholic: : John Key and Phil Goff say they are not atheists….. Court of Appeal uses tired, discredited argument to protect abortion….. Chaldean Catholics celebrate their archbishop’s two jubilees….. NZ Down syndrome families take a case to the International Criminal Court…. On sale now

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

ANOINTING MASS: will be celebrated on Wed 10 August at 2.30pm at St Joseph’s Church.

CARING SUNDAY: Today. Each year all the dioceses throughout NZ collect for a nominated charity on Caring Sunday. This year the charity is our prison chaplains. The Catholic church has chaplains in all our nations’ prisons. Our Catholic Chaplains represent us as channels of Christ’s redemptive and healing love. We can support their work through prayer and financially. Please donate using the envelope attached. Tax receipts will be issued by the Diocese.

JOB VACANCY: The Cathedral Parish of Palmerston North is establishing a new full time position of Parish Pastoral Co-Coordinator. It is possible that this could be a job share position. The parish is seeking applications and CVs from persons interested in this challenging leadership position. A job description is available on request: phone
06-3572891, or email to pjf@stpats.org.nz Applications, which will remain confidential, should be addressed to Fr Peter Fahy, Private Bag 11-012, Palmerston North 4442. and will close on Monday 1st August 2011 at 1pm.

VOICE FOR LIFE: is holding its AGM on Monday 25th July, 2011 at 2 p.m. in the Parish Conference Centre, Miranda Street, Stratford.  There will be the opportunity to hear a compilation of the best of the Voice for Life Nationwide Songwriting contests from 2008 -2010, to be followed by afternoon tea.  Members are invited to attend.

CARITAS LENT APPEAL: Caritas is very pleased with the 2011 Lent Appeal; it was a huge success. The following amounts were collected:
Total amount raised for Lent 2011; $847,453
St Philomena’s Parish; $757.70
25% specified for Christchurch; $211,863
Many thanks to all who contributed.

JOURNENYS OF ST PAUL PILGRIMAGE: May 2012. Holy Land, Turkey, Greece and Italy. Escorted by Fr Chris Friel (03 6862013) from Timaru. Full details on the notice board.
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