WELCOME TO OUR LITURGY: How hard it is to find a balance in life that does justice to all our concerns. When I feel I am robbing Peter to pay Paul it is time to take stock. Tearing myself apart in keeping commitments to my job, family and parish alive is not how life is meant to be. The Kingdom of God is not like a deposit of love that has to be apportioned. Continuing Christ’s mission is not about a balancing act. It is about love that grows, crosses boundaries and feels no limit.

First Reading:
Isaiah 45: 1, 4-6.

1 Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and ungird the loins of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed:
4 For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you by your name, I surname you, though you do not know me.
5 I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I gird you, though you do not know me,
6 that men may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the LORD, and there is no other.

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READINGS FOR NEXT WEEK: For those who wish to view the readings before coming to Mass. Malachi 1: 14-2; 2-10. 1 Thessalonians 2: 7-9, 13 Matthew 23: 1-12

NZ CATHOLIC: Headlines from the October 9-22, issue of NZ Catholic: Dunedin bishop criticises the English of the Mass…..Practising Catholic families can’t get into Catholic schools…..Different faiths to pray together in NZ…..Pope gets a fair hearing in Germany. On sale now.

PRIESTS FOR OUR DIOCESE: Bishop Charles invites any young men who may feel called to serve the people of our parishes, schools and wider community as a priest to the Come And See Weekend, at the Holy Cross Seminary, Auckland. 7pm Friday 28 to 1pm Sunday 30th October. Assistance with travel may be provided. Speak first with your parish priest or contact Bishop Charles directly on cdrennan@pndiocese.org.nz

HOLY SOULS LIST FOR 2011: After today there are only 2 Sundays remaining for placing names of those departed friends and family you wish to be prayed for during November. Please put the names in the box in the foyer.

REFLECTIONS FROM THE POPE: October 2nd was the Feast of the Guardian Angels. Benedict XVI affirmed that guardian angels surround human life with ‘unceasing protection’ from it’s beginning until the hour of death. After a reflection on the readings from that day’s liturgy, the Holy Father said: ‘Dear friends, the Lord is always near and working in human history, and he also accompanies us with the unique presence of his angels, whom the Church venerates today as ‘guardians’, that is ministers of the divine care for every man’. ‘From the beginning until the hour of death, human life Is surrounded by their unceasing protection’ he stated. ‘And the angels are the crown of the august Queen of Victories, the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Rosary.’

MISSION SUNDAY: Next Sunday is Mission Sunday. ‘Share your faith – Give Life’

The international efforts to spread the faith is the focus of Mission Sunday. We are reminded by the lives of missionaries that the task of proclaiming Christ is at the heart of our faith. You are invited to support them by a prayer and a donation on the 23rd October. Not just a day for the Rugby World Cup.

NEW MASS MUSIC SEMINARS: The diocese is running a seminar for musicians and singers to learn two of the Masses recommended by the National Liturgy Office as settings for the new Missal translation. This will also include new settings for Christmas. It will be held on Sat 5th Nov in St Joseph’s Church Hawera. All are welcome. Please RSVP to Mark Richards. mrichards@pndiocese.org.nz A shared finger lunch.
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WELCOME TO OUR LITURGY:  This is a timely reminder of the difficulty of attaining that union with God that allows the Kingdom to come into being.  Am I indifferent to God?s call to be united with him?  Do I think my mission lies in something less frightening?  All are called to union and as we get closer to that union our love deepens and our desire not to displease God in any way at all grows.  It will be important to me to look beautiful as I get closer to God.  I will want the right garment.

First Reading
Isaiah 25: 6-10.

6     On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of fat things, a feast of wine on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wine on the lees well refined.
7     And he will destroy on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations.
8     He will swallow up death for ever, and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth; for the LORD has spoken.
9     It will be said on that day, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”
10     For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain, and Moab shall be trodden down in his place, as straw is trodden down in a dung-pit.

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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.

NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC:  Some headlines from the October 9-22  issue of NZ Catholic: :  Dunedin bishop criticises the English of the Mass……. Practising Catholic families can’t get into Catholic schools……. Different faiths to pray together in NZ….. Pope gets a fair hearing in Germany. On sale now

READINGS FOR NEXT WEEK:  For those who wish to view the readings before coming to Mass.     lsaiah  45: 1, 4-6    1 Thessalonians 1: 1-5, 19   Matthew 22:  15-21.

WORLD YOUTH DAY 2011:  There will be a presentation by all the New Plymouth Interns on their trip to World Youth Day in Madrid.  It will be held at St Joseph?s Hall on tonight at 7pm.  All are welcome.  Come and hear about their experiences.

NEW MASS MUSIC SEMINARS:  The diocese is running a seminar for musicians and singers to learn two of the Masses recommended by the National Liturgy Office as settings for the new Missal translation.  This will also include new settings for Christmas.

It will be held on Sat 5th Nov in St Joseph’s Church Hawera.  All are welcome.  Please RSVP to Mark Richards.  mrichards@pndiocese.org.nz   A shared finger lunch

CARITAS AOTEAROA NZ:  The latest issue of Caritas Update is now available.  Copies are in the church porch.

JOSEPHITE RETREAT CENTRE:  Coming up at the Centre this month:
The Religious Imagination: Saturday 15 October  10am – 3pm.

Come along and join in this workshop to re-imagine several gospel passages from the perspective of sound, silence, story and listening.  Facilitated by Susan Frykberg, Nazareth Rest Home Chaplain, composer, poet, sound artist and theologian. $20.
Liturgy – Blessed are the Meek: Sunday 16 October, 4-5pm
Continuing our reflections on the Beatitudes prepared by Catherine Shelton rsj
To register for either course email, ssjoseph@xtra.co.nz or phone 06 345 5047 extn 3

LITTLE ANGELS CATHOLIC PLAYGROUP:  We meet 1st and 3rd  Monday afternoons from 1-3pm at the Parent?s Centre, Buller St, New Plymouth.  All pre-school children, 0-6 yrs and parents are welcome.  You may bring a plate for a shared afternoon tea.  Includes Catholic/Gospel songs and stories as well as indoor and outdoor free play.  Gold coin koha.  All inquires to Teresa Bowe  769 6466   Read the rest of this entry