WELCOME TO OUR LITURGY: We are called to give ourselves in loving service of God. It’s a big call. Even Jeremiah was reluctant to respond to God’s call for him. Thank God that we have the example of Jesus who showed us by example how to take up our cross. In his humanity he was reluctant and had to struggle in the garden to overcome his reluctance. When we in our turn follow Jesus and take up our cross we have Jesus’ reassurance that our reward will be life eternal.

First Reading:
Jeremiah 20: 7-9.

7 O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived; thou art stronger than I, and thou hast prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all the day; every one mocks me.
8 For whenever I speak, I cry out, I shout, “Violence and destruction!” For the word of the LORD has become for me a reproach and derision all day long.
9 If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.

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WYD PILGRIMS: Dylan and Ashleigh have spent the last few days at a retreat in a small town south of Madrid. The pilgrims spent their time, unwinding, relaxing, catching up on sleep and reflecting on their journey. On Wednesday they set out on the long journey back home, finally arriving back in the country on Friday.

CUP OF TEA: after Mass next Sunday served by the Raisin Family Group

ORDINATION OF BISHOP CHARLES DRENNAN DVD: The Parish has a copy of this DVD. If you would like to borrow it contact the Parish Office.

PARISH HOUSE FOR RENT: The house next to St Pius X School is available for rent, preferably to either a St Pius X school family or a St Philomena’s parish family. It has four bedrooms, plus study, large dining area and kitchen. Reasonable rental rate lawns included. Available now. Inquires to Andy Butler: 027 273 4683 or 753 3717

THE PHILOMENA: Contributions for the next edition of The Philomena are now welcome. Please send articles, photos, reports, comments etc to the Editor Diane Kawana by Sept 4th ph 753 4956 or email dkawana@xtra.co.nz Thank you.

NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC: Some headlines from the August 28, September 10 issue of NZ Catholic: : Young Kiwi lunches with Pope in Spain…. Activist priest doesn’t fear a civil trial…. Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland celebrate World Youth Day at home…. Poor preaching main reason young leave Church. On sale now

FLATMATE REQUIRED: Two flatmates are required to share a tidy three bedroom home with a young man who has Down syndrome. Our son is going flatting in late October and is looking for two young people to share the home. He attends WITT and also works part time during the week. He is into computers, Playstation, basketball, movies, music, watching live sport and enjoys socialising. He has other people who support him during his daily activities but he needs flatmates who can just be there overnight on a rostered basis and they will be reimbursed for this time. It is a 3 bedroom house, close to Merrilands Shopping Centre, fully furnished (apart from bedrooms) with Sky and wireless broadband. $100 per week. If you are interested and would like to find out more, please Phone 7583784. Text 021 589 165. or Email mcrush@xtra.co.nz

SISTERS OF THE MISSIONS MAGAZINE: The Jubilee Magazine of The Sisters of the Missions(RNDM) and 125 years of Catholic Education in Pukekohe is now available. It is full of historical information, anecdotes, and interesting photos of the past, as well as recounts and photos of last year’s 125th Jubilee. If you are a friend or ex-pupil of the Mission Sisters, we know you will enjoy reading it. Please request your copy by sending $20.00 (plus $3.00 postage) to PO Box 267, Pukekohe 2340 or contacting pukejubilee@gmail.com

Cheques can be made out to RNDM 125th Jubilee
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ROSTERS: for September are now available. Please check to see if there is one for your family. Thank you.

WYD PILGRIMS: Dylan and Ashleigh have now met up in Madrid. At the moment they are enduring 40degree days and little sleep. They are meeting many other young people from all over the world and joining them in daily Catechesis, Mass and Reconciliation in the mornings and music, dance and dramatic performances in the evening when it is a little cooler. Pope Benedict XVI arrived on Friday. Overnight (our time) they did the Pilgrimage Walk to WYD Vigil. They are at the moment sleeping under the stars in preparation for World Youth Day and Mass with the Pope the following day. This will be 7pm our time tonight. Your prayers would be very welcome.

Luke 24: Emmaus journey. Imagine walking along a road with a companion, struggling with the events of the day. Suddenly a stranger walks with us and begins speaking of the Scriptures and how Jesus was to die and rise from the dead. As we talk we realise he is familiar. Our footsteps are lighter. As the stranger leaves we ask him to stay and share a meal. We recognize Jesus as he breaks the bread and gives it to us. Let us be nourished by Jesus’ presence and by the bread he gives us. What do I say to Jesus.

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.

ORDINATION OF BISHOP CHARLES DRENNAN?DVD: The Parish has a copy of this DVD. If you would like to borrow it contact the Parish Office.

PARISH HOUSE FOR RENT: The house next to St Pius X School is available for rent, preferably to either a St Pius X school family or a St Philomena?s parish family. It has four bedrooms, plus study, large dining area and kitchen. Reasonable rental rate-lawns included. Available now. Inquires to Andy Butler: 027 273 4683 or 753 3717

THE PHILOMENA: Contributions for the next edition of The Philomena are now welcome. Please send articles, photos, reports, comments etc to the Editor?Diane Kawana by Sept 4th ph 753 4956 or email dkawana@xtra.co.nz Thank you.

NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC: Some headlines from the August 14-27 issue of NZ Catholic: : Bogus bishop scam thwarted…… Maori text of missal close to final approval. ….Priest polishes his French for the Rugby World Cup….. Web users rate priests’ performance on the job. On sale now
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WELCOME TO OUR LITURGY: Today we reflect on Jesus? calling Peter to be the rock on which the fledgling church was to be built. Peter did not let his failings stand in the way of his great love for his Lord and his desire to do his best to follow Jesus. Peter’s sincerity and love was what Jesus recognized in Peter. Let us today pray for our present Pope Benedict XVI and for his intentions.

First Reading:
Isaiah 22: 19 – 23

19 I will thrust you from your office, and you will be cast down from your station.
20 In that day I will call my servant Eli’akim the son of Hilki’ah,
21 and I will clothe him with your robe, and will bind your girdle on him, and will commit your authority to his hand; and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah.
22 And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David; he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.
23 And I will fasten him like a peg in a sure place, and he will become a throne of honor to his father’s house.

Psalms 138: 1 – 3, 6, 8

1 I give thee thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing thy praise;
2 I bow down toward thy holy temple and give thanks to thy name for thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness; for thou hast exalted above everything thy name and thy word.
3 On the day I called, thou didst answer me, my strength of soul thou didst increase.
6 For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly; but the haughty he knows from afar.
8 The LORD will fulfil his purpose for me; thy steadfast love, O LORD, endures for ever. Do not forsake the work of thy hands.

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