WELCOME TO OUR LITURGY: Staring is mandatory: How often do I pause to stare? Not a cursory glance, but a prolonged, meaningful stare? Like at a tui hanging upside down, drinking nectar from a rod hot poker, flitting from floret to floret? Or at clouds drifting across the sky, creating a treasury of images to delight the child within? Staring is mandatory to absorb the wonder of God

First Reading:
Acts 1: 1-11.

1 In the first book, O The-oph’ilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach,
2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
3 To them he presented himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God.
4 And while staying with them he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me,
5 for John baptized with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority.
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Sama’ria and to the end of the earth.”
9 And when he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,
11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

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

Acts 2: 1-11.
1 Corinthians 12: 3-7, 12-13
John 20: 19-23.

WANTED TO RENT: 2 bedroom place. Own a small miniature dog. Phone Maree
758 3576

LINK YOUTH GROUP: 40 hour famine starting at 6pm Friday 25th May and finishing at 10am Sunday in the church hall. This Saturday no items organized for link between 6.30 to 8.30 pm but you are welcome and join in with what we are up to. Please feel free to pop in and visit. Donations welcome but there will be no food only Just Juice and Barley Sugars . Any further information contact, Kieran or Fiona Dolan 7533517 or email kdolan@xtra.co.nz

JOSPEHITE RETREAT CENTRE: Workshops coming up:
Milestones 2 – Ritual making: Create a meaningful ceremony to celebrate a milestone in your life. Saturday 26 May 9.30am – 4.30pm. Facilitated by Lyn Nikoloff. $20

“This I Believe…” An inspirational evening with Marie Roche rsj  followed by questions & supper. Friday 18 May 7 – 9pm. Koha.
Come along and join us at the Josephite Retreat Centre, Whanganui, 06 345 5047 extn 3 or ssjoseph@xtra.co.nz

THE BIBLE TIMELINE: The Story of Salvation.
This a fascinating study that takes you on a journey through the entire Bible. Go deep into each of the 12 periods of salvation history and discover the amazing story woven through 14 ‘narrative’ books of the Scripture. As you explore salvation history—from its beginning in Genesis through the coming of Christ and the establishment of the Catholic Church—you will see how God’s loving plan for humanity has unfolded, resulting in a greater love for God and a deeper appreciation for your faith. Please contact Albert Chow at 758-8682 if you interested and/or require more information about this study which will be held in Our Lady’s parish house commencing 5th June.
 
GOLDEN JUBILEE: Fr Fergus Reeves will be celebrating 50 years of Priesthood on Friday 29th June at St Joseph’s. All parishioners are warmly invited to join with Fr Fergus in the celebration of Mass at 12.05pm on that day followed by a finger food luncheon in the Parish Hall.

FR. PAUL KERRIDGE: is celebrating 50 years of Priesthood on Friday, June 29th 2012, at St. Patrick’s Parish, Napier. Mass will be at 5.30pm in the Church, followed by a Dinner at $55 per head at Ormlie Lodge. If you would like further details please either email Jane Allan at janeallan37@gmail.com with Fr. Kerridge in the Subject line, or write to the Parish at 4 Munroe St, Napier 4110, no later than May 31st.
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WELCOME TO OUR LITURGY: Close your eyes. Breathe in. Breathe out. Drawing on memories, experiences, dreams, hopes, promises, recall the colour of love. Let it surround you, bathe you, caress you. Let it infuse your heart, your soul.

As you open your eyes, let this colour of love tint all you do today.

First REading:
Acts 10: 25-26, 34-35, 44-48

25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.
26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.”
34 And Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality,
35 but in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
44 While Peter was still saying this, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.
45 And the believers from among the circumcised who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.
46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared,
47 “Can any one forbid water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

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

Acts 1: 1-11.
Ephesians 1: 17-23
Matthew 28: 16-20.

WANTED TO RENT: 2 bedroom place. Own a small miniature dog. Phone Maree
758 3576

LINK YOUTH GROUP:
Saturday 19th May; as the confirmation camp is on this weekend we tend to get a very small group. So I am going to take this opportunity to do something different and make a decision on the Friday before. To be included ensure Fiona has your contact details. You can email, call me or txt me on my cell 027 2422 243. Any further information contact, Kieran or Fiona Dolan 7533517 or email kdolan@xtra.co.nz

CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE:
General meeting: on Thurs 17 May in the supper room at St Joseph’s after 12.05 Mass. Bring your lunch. Registration for National Conference, 11-14 July in New Plymouth closes on the 15th May.
National Council Of Women AGM: Thurs 15th May at 1pm at Hatherley Hall, upstairs lounge at St Mary’s Cathedral. Finger food lunch. $5 raffle. The speaker is Barbara Arnold NCWNZ Vice President.

KIDS CAN:
Knit World shops in NZ are supporting this worthy charitable organisation by asking people to knit beanies for the children. CWLNZ is also supporting this organisation and ask parishioners if they would join them in knitting beanies. Patterns are available today in the foyer or contact Pat ‘ 753-4593. Knit World would like to have 10,000 beanies by the end of May!!!

JOSPEHITE RETREAT CENTRE:
Workshops coming up:
Milestones 2 – Ritual making: Create a meaningful ceremony to celebrate a milestone in your life. Saturday 26 May 9.30am – 4.30pm. Facilitated by Lyn Nikoloff. $20

“This I Believe…” An inspirational evening with Marie Roche rsj  followed by questions & supper. Friday 18 May 7 – 9pm. Koha.
Come along and join us at the Josephite Retreat Centre, Whanganui, 06 345 5047 extn 3 or ssjoseph@xtra.co.nz

YOUNG ADULTS GROUP:
A new group for Young Adults, aged 18-35 years. If you are interested in gathering for social events, faith development and outreach with other young Catholic adults come along and share your ideas.  See you there! First meeting at Zanziba Café, Devon St East at 5.30pm on Wednesday 16th May. Any enquiries to Kate 0226493523, or Clare 021 380360
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