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

Acts 10: 34, 37-43
Colossians 3: 1-4
John 20: 1-9.

CARITAS LENT APPEAL: The Lenten Reflection Programme for Week 6 focuses on the Passion of Jesus Christ and challenges us to ask where is Christ suffering today. In his Lenten message, Pope Benedict challenges us when he says “Our hearts should neverbe wrapped up in our own affairs and problems that we fail to hear the cry of the poor”. Christ today suffers in the poor. We are invited to respond by giving generously to the Caritas Lenten appeal.

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

EASTER MASS TIMETABLE:

Holy Thursday, April 5: 7.30pm at St Joseph’s
Good Friday, April 6: 3pm at St Philomena’s
Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil), April 7: 7.30pm at St Joseph’s
Easter Sunday, April 8: 11am at St Philomena’s

ST PIUS X SCHOOL: The school is having an Easter liturgy on Thursday 5th at 11.30am. Parishioners are welcome to attend.

LITURGY ROSTERS: It is time for a review of the liturgy roster. The numbers for the various liturgy jobs are very low. Please consider putting your name down to help. The jobs range from the easy (Greeting & Offertory) to the more challenging (Reading & Prayers of the Faithful). At the moment you would only be rostered on once a month approximately and any training will be given. Please consider helping—it’s this community spirit that enables us to as a Parish to continue. To put your name down, please see Robyn Fromont after Mass in the porch or email fromont@infogen.net.nz or ph 7579953

ROSTERS: for April are now available. Please check to see if there is one for your family. Due to the large number of Sundays next month, the extra Easter services, and the low number of people on the roster, several people are having to serve more than once. Apologies for this and also thank you.

CONFIRMATION 2012: Confirmation 2012 will be beginning soon! We are looking for people who are keen and enthusiastic to join the Confirmation Leadership Team.  This team plans and delivers the Confirmation Programme to our young people.  If you are passionate about your faith and like working with young people please consider this awesome opportunity to be involved. If you are interested in joining the team, please contact Ellen Hall on 021 817 792.
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NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC:  Some headlines from the June 19– July 2 issue of NZ Catholic:  Hibernians rocked by alleged fraud. Bishop objects to anti-Catholic insert in newspaper. Prominent NZ lawyer calls for Vatican III.  Australian Jesuit writes a best-seller. .  On sale now

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP:  Novena at St Joseph’s Church every Thursday at 5.30pm.

DOVE WOMEN’S RETREAT DAY:  Do you know how it feels to be loved by God? Register now for a Day of Refreshment; theme “Come to the Father’s Heart”; and come to know the extraordinary love that God has for you.  Hosted by Dove National team; Saturday 25 June 9.30am-9.30pm St Joseph’s Church Hall 38 Victoria St Hawera.  For more info on all 10 Days of Refreshment, or to register go to www.dove.org.nz or phone Andree 06 343 2439.

KNITTERS:  A group of New Plymouth ladies still knit for the babies at Family Life International, Auckland.  www.fli.org.nz  If you have any unwanted wool to spare we will happily use it;  a little or a lot.  Leave it at the church or with Sr Mary.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL:  Can you help!! Due to a keen demand for winter clothing, the St Vincent de Paul Opportunity Shop at Fitzroy is running low on stock. If you have any surplus articles of winter items the Opportunity Shop would be most grateful to receive them. Please have a good look to see what you can spare and drop them of at the shop between 10am and 3.30pm Monday to Friday

MASS STIPENDS:  Having a Mass offered by a priest for loved ones is a very Catholic tradition. You can help Missionaries by sending us your requests and we will arrange with a needy Missionary Bishop to have Masses offered by his priests for your intentions.    The customary stipend $10-00. See our website for the wonderful story of Fr Michael Useni. www.missionz.co.nz    It is a good way to connect with Missionaries and contribute to their daily needs. Send Mass Stipends to Missionz PO Box 12322, Thorndon Wellington 6144

PROJECT RACHEL:  Do you know someone who is carrying grief and sorrow from past abortions?  Share with them the good news of God’s love.  Call
Project Rachel for a confidential referral to a Project Rachel Support person at  0800 737 733,  or  0272737732.  Confidentiality assured.
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ROSTERS:  for April are now available.  Please check to see if there is one for your family.  Thank you.

LENT 2011:  In response to the Lenten imperative to ‘change your heart’, the communities of the North Taranaki Pastoral area are invited to participate in a series of Social Justice Forum to run throughout Lent.  These forum are a reflective journeying through Taranaki history and how that history informs Maori/Pakeha relationships, in the light of Catholic Social teaching.  Each week a different topic will be unpacked, discussed and reflected on.  We have been blessed with guest speakers of considerable mana in their field.  The invitation to participate is extended to all. You are both welcome and wished for.  Dates:  Wed 13 April.  At St Joseph’s Church from
7-9pm.  Contact Cushla Low ph 759 8258 for more information

CARITAS LENT APPEAL:  Welcome to this 5th Sunday of Lent.  This week we focus on the rebuilding of homes and lives in Samoa following the Pacific Tsunami in September 2009. In emergencies, Caritas supports immediate relief and longer term rebuilding. They also provide counselling to survivors

STATIONS OF THE CROSS:  Stations will be prayed at St Joseph’s church on Fridays during Lent at 5.30pm.

THE PHILOMENA:  Contributions for the next edition of The Philomena are now welcome.  Please sent any articles, photos, reports, comments etc to the Editor, Diane Kawana by April 30.  Ph 7534956 or email dkawana@xtra.co.nz Thank you

COMMUNAL RITE OF RECONCILIATION:  will be celebrated in St Joseph’s Church on Friday 15 April at 7pm.

MASS OF THE OILS:  Tues 19 April.  This will be held at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Palmerston North at 7pm.  During this Mass our priests re-affirm their commitment to priestly ministry and representatives from throughout the diocese collect the holy oils blessed by the Bishop for use during the coming year.  A light meal will be available from 5.30 in the Parish Lounge for those travelling and a cuppa will be served following Mass.  There will be a massed Diocesan Choir and if you would like to be part of this a form is available from our parish office.

VOTIVE CANDLE STAND:  Thanks to all who contributed to the Votive Candle Fund.  The Appeal Fund stands as:  Donations Received:  $1570,  Burkett Trust:  $1500 and Offerings Received (to 1/4/11):  $145.  Making a total of $3215.  The Candle Stand cost $5980.  Thanks to Paul Spurdle and McGregor Electrical for the design and installation and to all who have made donations.  If you still wish to contribute, envelopes are available at the back of the church.
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