Reflection

  Death is that most solemn fact of our lives. We and all those whom we love, are going to die. In death the person you love is there one moment, and gone the next. The person is gone, a body remains; in the end death reduces us to things, objects in a world of objects. It is something I have faced myself, contemplating the death of those whom I’ve loved very much. What are we left with? Graves, photographs and memories. Our only connection to the persons we have loved are things, places, thoughts, bits of paper. It isn’t enough.
But at Easter we find ourselves contemplating with joy the Resurrection. The Resurrection of Jesus is God's final word spoken in the face of death and sin. The women go to the tomb early in the morning to anoint the remains of the Jesus they have loved. And they find the tomb empty, with an angel seated where the body of Jesus had been: You seek Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified. He has been raised. He is not here. This Jesus cannot be contained, kept, or even treasured, in the cold stone of our earth. He has risen, and has gone before us.
The Resurrection is God’s declaration that we are someone and never just something. From now on, to be a disciple of Jesus is to be seized by the belief that remains and memories are not all there is; to know in fact that those we love and, in the end, we ourselves, are called to follow Christ where he has gone – to death and then through death to the Resurrection. Then the physical reminders will not be needed, because our tombs too will be empty.
May this hope and joy fill all your hearts in this Easter season.

Fr Chris Denham

Christ is Risen! Easter Egg Hunt!

All children are invited to join in the Easter Egg Hunt today at St Francis Church after 8.30am Mass, organised by the Pilgrim Queen Family Group.
Special thanks to those parishioners who donated towards this fun event.
Thy Kingdom Come!

We pray for:

We pray for all those who are sick or recovering from surgery.
We pray for the recently deceased including Michael Hickey and Djuanne Walker.
We pray too for those whose anniversaries occur around this time.

Blessed Carlo Acutis

“Sadness is when you look at yourself, happiness is when you look at God”.
This was one of Blessed Carlo Acutis’ quotes. 

The HBC parish youth are inviting everyone to share a pizza lunch and celebration of Carlo Acutis’ canonisation after the 10.30am Mass on Sunday 27 April. 

Sacramental Programme:

Parent-only meeting on Monday 28 April, 7.15pm in St John’s Hall.

Joy Healing Ministry

You’re Invited! Joy Healing Public Meetings, held on the first Sunday of every month, after the 10.30 Mass at St Johns, Orewa (Approx. 11.45am)
Next Meeting is on Sunday 4 May.
Please come along if you or your family or friends are in need of healing prayer.
There is opportunity for you to be prayed over individually.
We invite you to stay afterwards and enjoy some hospitality too.
We'd love you to join our team of Prayer Intercessors too.
More details contact Cathy Allen, callen@allens.co.nz

CATHNEWS NEW ZEALAND 

Donation Tax Receipts ...

Were emailed on 8 April to parishioners who confirmed their correct email address with the parish office.
If your receipt doesn’t appear in your inbox please check your spam mail. All other receipts were mailed out.
Thank you for your generous contributions to our parish.

Planned Giving Envelopes...

For the new financial year are in the foyer for collection.
A reminder to those who donate by automatic payment to collect your ‘special collection’ envelopes.

If you are new to the Hibiscus Coast community ....

We would love to welcome you into a family group where you can meet others in the Parish.
Passionist Family Groups (PFG) are a great way to get to know people, make new friends and build a network in the community. Groups meet regularly for social get-togethers, with something for everyone. All welcome.
For further information visit: www.passionistfamily.org.nz.
If you are keen to join, please contact one of the coordinators:
Avinesh - 022 400 4910 avinesh.ucsc@gmail.com or
Marlon - 021 188 999 marlon_rayen@yahoo.com

Parish Ladies Group:

Please note that with Easter Tuesday falling on the fourth week this month, we will meet for a cuppa and social time in St John’s hall on Tuesday, 29 April at 10:15am.
All ladies are welcome.
If you are new to the parish do come along and meet new friends.
$3.00 entry donation.

To help your reflection on the Sunday Gospels

Go to The Center for Liturgy Sunday Web Site
http://liturgy.slu.edu/

Anzac Day, Friday 25 April:

Mass at 10am at St John’s Church
and
at St Francis Church
to enable people to attend the community service at 11am at the RSA or at the War Memorial in Silverdale.

Meditation Groups meet in the parish:

• At St Francis on Mondays at 7pm.
• At St John’s on Thursday at 2.30pm in the Chapel.
• On Zoom on Wednesdays at 5.30pm. at https://zoom.us/j/6444797955 - Meeting ID: 644 479 7955 - Password: 302506

Congratulations:

To those who will receive Sacraments at the Easter Vigil Mass:

• Ash Nolan, Scott Malcon, Taylor Horwood, Raymond Chu,Mariananne Gorter, Taila van Niekerk, Jonathan Readhead and Charlotte Dorrian who will receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.
• Claire Nolan, Richard Toulson, Gareth Ball, Sheena May Lu and Nicola Avian who will receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.
• Bodhi Lu and Indi Readhead who will be baptised

Stay connected!

We encourage you all to join our Hibiscus Coast Parish Facebook Group.

Please note the contact details of our new priests:   

Parish Priest: Fr Chris Denham 021 932 366 / frchris@hibiscuscoastparish.org.nz

Assistant Priest: Fr James Mulligan 021 145 4693 / father.james.mulligan@hibiscuscoastparish.org.nz

Catholic Enquiry Centre:

Visit their website to explore Catholicism, find out about our faith, order booklets or to make a donation: 
https:/www.catholicdiscovery.nz/  

Usual MASS TIMES

GET YOUR NEWSLETTER EMAILED
During the lockdowns our weekly newsletter was still being produced.
Please pass the message on to others that if they would like the newsletter sent to them directly, to visit the parish website www.hbcparish.org.nz and
CLICK HERE

TELEPHONE PRAYER CHAIN
Is anyone sick?
Call upon the church community to pray for you (James5:14).
Please telephone any of the parishioners listed below.
We would love to pray for your intentions in our daily prayers.

Norma McGrath (Coordinator); 424-8460
Maureen Nancarrow; 426 7921
Janet Dimbleby; 427 5850
Raewyn Taylor; 424 1414
Maree Lochead; 428 4648