WELCOME TO OUR LITURGY: In Matthew’s parable the rabbis taught that a person who at once buried property entrusted to them was not liable for it. From that perspective, the third servant has acted perfectly reasonably. Some of the opponents of Jesus sought to “build a fence around the Law” – to keep matters religious for ever unchanged. Jesus, however, wanted much more than passive preservation of the religious status quo. Am I open to growth and development in my faith?

First Reading:
Proverbs 31: 1-13, 19-20, 30-31.

10 A good wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy.
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

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NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC: Some headlines from the November 6-19 issue of NZ Catholic: : “Occupy Wall St” movement gets Vatican tick…. Farmer stands up for modesty in face of mockery…….New translation on agenda for NZ bishops in Rome…… Church leaders call for just sharing of wealth. On sale now

READINGS FOR NEXT WEEK: For those who wish to view the readings for next week before coming to Mass.

Ezekiel 34: 11-12, 15-17.
1 Corinthians 15: 20-26, 28
Matthew 25: 31-46.

COLUMBAN CALENDARS: for 2012 are now available at $8ea. For this 90th edition, Claire Renkin (an art historian) has prepared an explanation of each work featured in the calendar. For more information on this please see the website columban.org.au

CONGRATULATIONS: to Ashleigh Fromont – Dux of Sacred Heart Girls College 2011

CHRISTMAS CARDS:  Christmas Cards for sale. $2 per pack of 5 cards.

WEL-COM: The headlines from the latest edition which is available now; Church leaders speak out about the widening gap between rich and poor on the eve of the general election…..The first social encyclical has advice on Pike River…..The bishops against euthanasia…..A challenge to church teaching on homosexuality from the father of a gay man…and something for everyone in your copy of Wel-com.

ARS NOVA CHOIR:  40 years of musical memories. NP Methodist Centre ( Whiteley) Liardet St on Sat 19 Nov at 2pm. Admission $10. School Students $5. Tickets from Joe Hignett.

BISHOP PETER: is celebrating his 75th Birthday on Tues 29th Nov. He will celebrate the 12.05 Mass at the Cathedral on that day and all are welcome.

MASS OF ANOINTING: will be celebrated on Tues 22nd Nov at St Joseph’s Church at 2.30pm

COMMUNAL RITE OF RECONCILIATION: will be celebrated at St Joseph’s Church on Monday 5th December at 7pm.

ADVENT WREATH BLESSING: On Wednesday 23rd November we join with the Anglican communities of New Plymouth at Taranaki Cathedral, Church of St Mary at 7.30pm for the blessing of the Advent Wreath.

CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE: invites members to their Christmas Lunch ($15) in St Joseph’s supper room on Thurs 17th November after 12.05 Mass
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WELCOME TO OUR LITURGY: Jesus often pictures full communion with God in God’s coming kingdom in terms of a banquet. A wedding was a classic opportunity for a feast. Some of the young girls who await the bridegroom are foolish. Some are wise. Spiritual wisdom and foolishness, though, are not a matter of high or low IQ. The wise, are those who persist in love, faith and forgiveness. The parable warns that we cannot rely on changing our lives at some future ‘last minute’. We cannot rely on borrowing the spiritual capital of others. Are we involved in spiritual procrastination?

First Reading:
Wisdom 6: 12-16.

12 Wisdom is radiant and unfading, and she is easily discerned by those who love her, and is found by those who seek her.
13 She hastens to make herself known to those who desire her.
14 He who rises early to seek her will have no difficulty, for he will find her sitting at his gates.
15 To fix one’s thought on her is perfect understanding, and he who is vigilant on her account will soon be free from care,
16 because she goes about seeking those worthy of her, and she graciously appears to them in their paths, and meets them in every thought.

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CUP OF TEA: after Mass today. Served by the School.

NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC: Some headlines from the November 6-19 issue of NZ Catholic: : ‘Occupy Wall St’ movement gets Vatican tick…. Farmer stands up for modesty in fac6136e of mockery…….New translation on agenda for NZ bishops in Rome…… Church leaders call for just sharing of wealth. On sale now

READINGS FOR NEXT WEEK: For those who wish to view the readings for next week before coming to Mass. Proverbs 31: 1-13, 19-20, 30-31. 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-6. Matthew 25: 14-30.

LITURGY OF REMEMBERANCE: Sat 12 Nov. 10am at St Joseph’s Church. We remember loved ones who passed away during 2010. If you had any family members who were buried outside the New Plymouth Catholic Churches during 2010, please give their names to the Parish Office and they will be prayed for during the Liturgy. All family members of the deceased are most welcome and if you wish, bring a photo of your loved one. Any queries, contact the Parish Office, 753 4419.

COLUMBAN CALENDARS: for 2012 are now available at $8ea. For this 90th edition, Claire Renkin (an art historian) has prepared an explanation of each work featured in the calendar. For more information on this please see the website columban.org.au

CHRISTMAS CARDS:  Christmas Cards for sale. $2 per pack of 5 cards.

WEL-COM: The headlines from the latest edition which is available now; Church leaders speak out about the widening gap between rich and poor on the eve of the general election…..The first social encyclical has advice on Pike River…..The bishops against euthanasia…..A challenge to church teaching on homosexuality from the father of a gay man…and something for everyone in your copy of Wel-com.

ST PAUL PILGRIMAGE: Journeys of St Paul Pilgrimage. May 2012. Holy Land, Turkey, Greece and Italy. Escorted by Fr Chris Friel (03 6862013) from Timaru. Full details from Pilgrimage tours. Ph 0800 356 728.

ARS NOVA CHOIR:  40 years of musical memories. NP Methodist Centre ( Whiteley) Liardet St on Sat 19 Nov at 2pm. Admission $10. School Students $5. Tickets from Joe Hignett.

BISHOPS’ STATEMENT ON EUTHANASIA: Often we only hear one side of the debate around euthanasia, which omits or downplays the risks it presents to society. Our bishops have released a statement titled ‘The Dangers of Euthanasia’, which outlines many of these risks. It is available online at www.catholic.org.nz under “Bishops’ statements”.
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