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‘You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe’
The Incredulity of Saint Thomas by Caravaggio, c. 1602
19th April 2020 SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR A ISSUE 142
Readings: Act 2:42-47, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31
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Is God really with us right now? The sign of the times.
Dear Parishioners,
What happened in that journey one week after the Resurrection, when “the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were” (John 20:19) to the time when others were in “awe” of the apostles “many signs and miracles” (Acts 2:43)? What were these signs that allowed them to transform others in Christ? John’s Gospel emphasises that those who mistook a miraculous sign as a quick-fix magic potion had not understood it at all. If hydroxychloroquine ‘cured’ coronavirus, all of the world’s problems would be solved, wouldn’t it be? No, the power in the miraculous sign points to conversion – the realisation that we come to know Christ and His eternal Kingdom on an often-times troubled, human journey “plagued by all sorts of trials” (1 Peter 1:6).
I have heard many stories about what it means to be converted to Christ. Parishioners sharing themselves in the little that they can offer for the “common good” (Acts 2:45) – phone calls wishing others a “Peaceful” Easter, emailing liturgies, and reciting ‘arrow prayers’ for others. While it may seem hard to understand how any of these are miraculous signs, it is important to realise that all Jesus said when he first appeared to the disciples was “Peace be with You” (John 20:26). Even then, the sign did not work immediately to the conversion of being Church for them. We can all start out to be unbelieving like Thomas, struggling to understand where the ‘Body of Christ’ in our Church is right now – that is OK. But we too can be like Thomas, finally understanding that we become Church through our profound experience of conversion, to the ultimate discovery of our “Lord and God” (John 20:28). Jesus breaking through our lives is the ultimate magic potion of the Resurrection.
Alfred Tong, Seminarian for the Archdiocese of Wellington
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OUR LADY OF THE BAYS PARISH PARISH GIFTING RECEIPTS Claiming money back from your parish gifting: We appreciate the gifting so many of you make to make our parish financially sustainable. By now you should have received a tax receipts for your gifting to the parish for the year ended 31 March 2020. As a registered charity, the donation you make, (providing you are donating as part of our formal planned giving programme), entitles you to claim a tax credit 33% of the total value of the donations you make throughout the financial year. The IRD has made it easier to claim this tax credit for donations to registered charities. Please see IRD website for an easy to follow way to claim a return: Click here.
PARISH GIFTING – This may be the opportunity to change to internet banking each week if you have been considering it. For those who wish to do so or would like more information please contact the Parish office on either [email protected] or on 03 544 8987.
PASSIONIST FAMILY GROUP We are well over half way through our lockdown and marvellous things have been happening within our groups, Parish and the community. However, with the uncertainty of what will happen at the end of 4 weeks, there is still a lot of anxiety and need out there. So please continue to be kind, to reach out to your
group members, neighbours, your fellow parishioners and friends. We are all going to need each other for some time to come.
SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL remain active to support those in need in our Parish and wider communities. If persons need / or are aware of persons in need please call our shop phone number and leave a message outlining their request and a contact number. The shop phone messaging system is regularly monitored. We will respond appropriately
while recognizining the need to keep our SVDP members safe. We expect the need for assistance will occur a little later on in this crisis. We are not sure of all the logistics associated with any assistance and it may be quite limited. If you are younger ( less than 70 ) members / friends of our Parish and wish to help please email Ray Firth - [email protected], with details"
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FREE DIGITAL EDITION NZ CATHOLIC This link is to a digital edition of the latest NZ Catholic, produced by the paper’s staff from their homes during the lockdown because of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic: Click here. to load.
CELEBRATION If you, someone in your family or a parishioner you know is celebrating something special in the foreseeable future please let us know on [email protected] we would love to put some good news stories into the newsletter and ensure that these special occasions are not missed just because we are not gathering together at this time.
WELCOM Due to Covid-19 restrictions and the Government’s rules to stop delivery of printed ‘community’ newspapers and magazines, WelCom, due out for Palm Sunday, 5 April, has been adapted as an online publication. Printed copies of WelCom will not be available during New Zealand’s lockdown. The link to the WelCom website to read this month’s newspaper, click here. During the Covid-19 lockdown period, we will be producing WelCom online. We will notify you when the
next online edition is ready. Please continue to email your stories and photos to: [email protected]
Little White Easter Books; six minute daily reflections as you journey through the 50 days of the Easter season. If you would like a copy posted to you please contact Graeme at the parish office. The price is $7.50 each and options for payment can be discussed when you order. Only nine available.
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St Peter Chanel Children’s Liturgy
Alleluia, Alleluia!!
On Ester Sunday, there was an online Children’s Liturgy through Zoom. Children
made special objects to represent Easter Happiness and celebrated Jesus’
resurrection as all sang Alleluia.
Special thanks to St Peter Chanel Children’s liturgy team.
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On this Sunday after Easter make time to read today’s Gospel, JOHN 20:19-31.
Think of the disciples locked in the upper room together. I think of them grieving and fearful. Perhaps they argued, questioned and doubted. I picture Mary with them, encouraging them to tell their stories and share their memories of Jesus.
The thing is that the Risen Jesus didn’t say “Come on outside and I will give you peace.” The Risen Jesus is with them all locked in the upper room. This is where he is present with all their grief, questions, doubts, fears, dreams and memories.
Strangely, none of the Resurrection accounts speak of “life after death.” Instead, here is the Risen Jesus within the present world. Like the disciples in today’s Gospel, we will meet the Risen Jesus in our present reality.
As you begin your prayer, take time to re-read today’s Gospel, JOHN 20:19-31. Become aware of your present reality- your experience of lockdown in your bubble. Perhaps you are going out as an essential worker or being the shopper for your bubble.
REFLECTION ON 2ND SUNDAY OF EASTER
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What is this like for you?
Become aware of the reality of our world at this time- all its sorrow and suffering, kindness and hope… your family and friends who may live in other places.
Become aware of the place you are living in now. Who or what things around you bring comfort or peace or stir up hope?
Welcome the Risen Jesus into your reality. Welcome this renewed life of intimacy and companionship.
Let the Risen Jesus be with you as you are today with your feelings, needs and desires.
Listen for what he might invite you to as you try to live this new reality of the Risen Jesus in your everyday life. How might it change the way you understand and live your life?
Like the early disciples, you will live your life in this forever changed world, meeting the Risen Jesus there within it.
Entrust the Earth and all people to the Risen Jesus.
End by noticing your breathing. Give thanks for the gift of this time of prayer.
-Anne Powell, Cenacle Sisters
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Easter
This Easter we weep among trees
at the tomb’s entrance.
Autumn heralds the divesting of leaves
that clutch at our hearts.
Angels might cloud the tomb’s entrance yet.
Everyone has a silver lining.
This is the wisdom of trees. New Day
I know the quiet spaces between
leaves
and which tree yields
its night shade
to the first light.
The early wind
conducting the pines I know
and the enthusiasm of magpies
at a new day.
I know the mist unveiling the
lake
and the morning’s first
confetti of blossom.
Why can’t I hold this
dawning grace in my heart
all the long day?
-by Anne Powell, Cenacle Sisters
Walking the earth
I make the encircling
ripple of water
elegance of dawn
blush of rose
stirring of day
I make the encircling
quiet of earth
glow of candle
rhythm of pulse
stillness of night
I make the encircling
green of Spirit
heart of God
presence of Christ
wellspring of life
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Natalie Ogden-Bell St Peter Chanel, Motueka
Karen Moynagh Judith
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Maureen Phillips Rob O’Grady
Sarah Etchells Jacqueline Cleary
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Philip and Maria
Fr Seph Pijfers Kathy Cavers
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Here is the effort from the Pearce Family. Jesus is the “tree of life” but today he
died, so we have a dead tree with the words hope and new life. When Jesus rises
on Sunday, we are going to replace our tree with a live version.
Happy Easter season all.xxx
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Where is my Easter bone?
HAPPY
EASTER!!!
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PRAYER CARDS FROM GARIN COLLEGE
Hello, my name is Freya Gibbs, I am a year 11 (15-year-old) student at Garin College. My religious education class wrote some prayers for those who might like them at this tough time. This one’s for you baby girl: Lord, our God, We pray that those in isolation stay well and forever have hope. Thank you, Jesus, for loving us and keeping us safe, may everyone have respect for one and others. Father God, we pray that we lift up all those who are facing illness. We ask that you would bring peace, comfort, and healing to those who need it. May we all have gratitude and appreciation when gratitude is a core belief, may everyone make time for it every day. May we all learn how to be more forgiving, by choosing happiness and peace. We pray that everyone listens to each other, consider the words of each one and give them your full attention. Amen
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Hello, my name is Leigh Jones. I am a year 11 (15-year-old)
student from Garin College. My religious class wrote some
prayers for those who may like them at this tough time.
Here is one just for you.
Lord, Please help those at this time who are in need, for
those who have only themselves for comfort. Look over
these people who are isolated, give them courage and
patience. Let us have gratitude and be thankful for the
health and freedom that we have. Have us look in the
right direction of kindness and happiness and look out
for who need support. Lord, grant us your healing and
love. I pray that we bring peace, calmness, tranquility
and say encouraging words to those who may need
them. Amen.
Hi my name is James Bascand, I go to Garin college
and I am 15 years old. My favourite subjects are
Maths, P.E. and history. I pray that you stay healthy
and are surrounded by
friends and family.
Dear God, please give us the strength to carry us
through this time of sickness, and bring us to
prosperity and comfort. Amen
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HELPFUL LINKS
NATIONAL LITUGY OFFICE The National Liturgy Office - Te Tari a Motu Mo Nga Ritenga, assists the bishops of New Zealand in their pastoral, liturgical and teaching ministry. The NLO promotes sound liturgical practice, and ensures the distinctive identity of the Catholic Church in Aotearoa-New Zealand with its Ma ori dimension is present in the liturgy. If you log on to the National Liturgy Office on www.nlo.org.nz you will be given the list and timings of masses to be screened this coming weekend. These are from various parts of the country.
PAYER SUGGESTION DURING COVID-19: The ‘Examen’ or a structured prayerful reflection at the end of the day is a method of prayer that Saint Ignatius of Loyola encouraged people to practice daily. It’s a short, flexible, easy way to reflect on your day and become conscious about where we are experiencing God’s grace and goodness and where we are struggling; here there is room in our actions for change and growth. Especially in these times of uncertainty and rapid change with Covid-19. Taking time to reflect becomes essential! Here is a lovely link to guide you through how to do an ‘Examen’ by Susan Haarman https://ignatiansolidarity.net/blog/2020/03/14/examen-covid-19/
JAMES MARTIN SJ We also invite you to tune into James Martin SJ who has a 7 minute video on the Examen worth watching: Click here
MENTAL HEALTH LINE : 1737 (txt or phone) designed to meet the needs of anyone who 'wants to talk' to a counsellor: Click here
PARENT HELPLINE : 0800 568 856.
CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES : 021 374 373 Karen Holland or 027405546.
CADINAL JOHN’S FACEBOOK PAGE : Click here.
‘NEED HELP - OFFER HELP’ A COVID-19 Response: Contact details for groups within the Archdiocese of Wellington who are meeting needs and offering social services to support wellbeing during the lockdown is available on the Archdiocese
of Wellington website page "Need help, offer help": https://
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www.wn.catholic.org.nz/adw_community/need-help-offer-help/ This webpage also includes details of how people can contribute, which is primarily through financial donations at this time, when goods are unable to be offered. Catholic social services (04-385-8642) social workers can also assist in connecting people to appropriate services. The page is regularly updated - please email [email protected] with any updates.
PASTORAL TEAM
Fr Seph Pijfers (Parish Priest) Phone: 03 544 8987 [email protected]
Fr Andrew Kim (Assistant Priest) Phone: 0221 022 011 [email protected]
PARISH OFFICE
Postal Address
Phone: (Hall Bookings) Richmond: 03 544 8987 Motueka: 03 528 8899
Email: [email protected] Website: OLOB Newsletter:
FOR GIVING - Our bank account number is: 02-0747-0066112-00.
Please use surname & initials as Particulars and /or planned giving
number as Reference
PARISH OFFICE Our parish office is being operated remotely during the Covid-19 shutdown and is contactable via the usual phone numbers and email address
