Reflection

Sunday's gospel (Mt. 5:13-16) brings to mind a tune that a decade or so ago was sung regularly in our parish.
This Little Light of Mine was composed in the 1920s and in the 1960s adopted by the American Civil Rights Movement. Described as both a children's song and a Gospel hymn, it is joyous, upbeat and the perfect way to end mass.

Today's reading is a wonderful example of Jesus' use of metaphor to engage the attention of his listeners. Throughout the gospels we see him take ordinary, tangible items such as light, salt, bread, the vine, even his own body, to open listeners to the deeper meaning of his teachings.

Salt was and remains a common preservative. When Jesus says, "You are the salt of the earth," he is encouraging us to lead lives free from spiritual and moral decay, to influence the world for good, to live God-centred lives, to be like a brightly lit town on a hill "that cannot be hidden."

Yet there are times when the burdens of life deaden our saltiness and send us scurrying into the shadows. This is when Jesus tells us to look to those salt of the earth people whose good deeds glorify God with their light. They may be saints both old and new, people who have kept faith in the face of great struggles, people who are prepared to listen and help us in our time of need. We can be revived by joining charity-focussed groups such Love Soup, Serving Spoons, or the parish Youth Group either as a member or a leader. We can recharge our spiritual batteries by joining the Secular Franciscans, a Christian meditation group, the Bible Study group to name just a few in our parish. There are many, many ways to let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Vincent Maire

Congratulations to ....

Lailah Opiola-Neru who will be baptised at the 8.30am Mass today.
Her parents, David and Jalanta, have provided treats for morning tea and invite all to join them in celebration.

All parishioners are invited
to the HBC PARISH PICNIC

At Wenderholm Regional Park, Sunday 15 February, after 10.30am Mass. Look for the Stella Maris gazebos.
Bring along your picnic rug and picnic lunch. Join in some games, or sit and chat to fellow parishioners.
Any children swimming must be supervised by their parents.
No one to swim alone.

There will be no morning tea in the hall next Sunday, as we hope to see you all at the picnic.

We pray for:

We pray for the sick in the community and for the recently deceased including Dennis Bolland, Judith McArthur, Andy Wafer, Ian Devane and Judith Gooding.
May they rest in eternal peace and their families be comforted in their grief. We pray too for those whose anniversaries occur at this time.

Coordinator Needed:

Most of you will know of the annual ecumenical worldwide Day of Prayer and may have attended these occasions.
Our parish is overdue to host it on Friday 6 March.
Usually daytime, but that is up to the host church. The material is prepared in booklet form and it is simple to follow the format.
If you feel you may be able to take this on, please let Theresa in the office know. In the past we have had several ladies willing to form a team to mount this.
It is a great opportunity to meet people from our local churches.

Praise in the Park:

Join us on Sunday 15 February, 4 - 6pm, at Selwyn Domain, 48-56 Tamaki Drive, Mission Bay.
All are welcome to this a two-hour Catholic event, featuring praise and worship music, personal testimonies, the Gospel message and Eucharistic Adoration. For more details and parking information visit praiseinthepark.nz or email Engelbert at engelbert.dsouza@yahoo.com

Bible study group resumes ....

On Zoom on Monday 9 February at 7.15pm.
A great way to share the Gospel with others in an easy-going and friendly way.
Contact Louis on 027 274 8600.

Meditation Groups meet

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

CATHNEWS NEW ZEALAND

The RCIC Programme (Baptism Preparation Programme for children aged 7+)

Begins on Sunday 8 March at St. John's, Orewa.
This programme runs for 3 Sunday mornings - 8, 15 and 22 March .
The sessions will be from 9-10am with Mass beginning at 10.30am. The children will then be baptised on 28 March at 11.30am. Please note that a parent needs to attend each of the three mornings of this programme with their child to complete the necessary preparation for the Sacrament of Baptism.
Enrolments close on February 28.
If you are interested or would like some additional information, please email Brenda Neville: brendaneville@hibiscuscoastparish.org.nz

The Divine Mercy Prayer Group

Meets on Sunday 15 February, 3pm-4pm at St John's for Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the 3 o'clock prayer, the chaplet of Divine Mercy and veneration of the Divine Mercy image.
Holy hour will be followed by a cup of tea.
Those attending the cuppa please bring a plate.
The group also meets every Friday from 3-4pm for Holy Hour.

Joy Healing Ministry Meeting:

Thursday 12 February, 10.30-11.15am in St Johns Chapel.
All Intercessors, Prayer Partners and interested parties welcome.
To join us or for more information text Cathy Allen 021 943 307.

callen@allens.co.nz | 021 943 307.

Rental needed:

1-2 bedroom unit for single, mature female parishioner with small well trained poodle, in the Orewa, Red Beach or Silverdale area.
If you can assist, please contact Regina on 021 186 7592.

CUPPA:

All are welcome to stay for a cuppa after 10.30am Mass today.

Youth group ....

YOUTH GROUP is starting again for the year on Friday 6 March. We invite all youth in year 6 to year 13 to come along for some fun, food, faith sharing and friendship. 6.30-8pm in the St Johns hall, and will be held every 2nd Friday during term time, starting 6 March.
Any enquires please email Arya or Kathy on hbcpyouth@gmail.com

Our thanks to Nathan Craig and Rob Wood ...

For volunteering to coordinate the Love Soup collections and to promote Love Soup within St John's and the community.

We welcome Carolyn Turnhout

As the new St John's Children's Liturgy Coordinator.
She has taken over this role from Selina Limrick and we thank her for offering her time and talents to this ministry.
Carolyn has been a parishioner for a number of years and involved in children's liturgy as a leader, she has two children, is a nurse and is very committed to her Catholic faith and the faith formation of our parish children.
Our thanks to Selina Limrick for coordinating the children's liturgy for many years, always bringing passion, commitment, energy and dedication to this ministry. Selina will remain on the team as a leader.
We are looking for additional children's liturgy leaders for the junior and senior groups during the 10.30am Mass.
To find out more please email Carolyn at c_turnhout@hotmail.com

Joy Healing Happy 95th Birthday

To Peter Foster for 3 February

Columban Calendars ($15) and
Daily Mass calendars ($4)

Are on sale in the parish office.

Telephone Prayer Chain:

We have a small group of parishioners who pray for your special intentions during their daily prayers.
Call upon the church community to pray for you (James5:14).
If you would like volunteer some time in your day to pray for others, please contact Norma McGrath on (09) 424-8460.

Engaged/Planning a Wedding?

Catholic Diocese of Auckland - Approved Marriage Preparation Course.
Book in for the course 1 year prior to the wedding in NZ and 18 months for overseas weddings.
Register and book here: www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz/discipleship/our-courses/
For more information contact:
Gerry at gerrys@cda.org.nz or phone 021 0224 7442.

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/

Mass Times:

Sunday Mass Times: St John's, Orewa - Saturday Vigil - 5.30pm
Sunday - 10.30am
Sunday - 8.30am

Liturgy of the Word & Holy Communion: St John's, Orewa - Monday and Fridays - 9.30am
St Francis, Manly - Mon, Tues, Thurs, Sat - 9.30am

Morning Mass Times: St John's, Orewa - Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sat - 9.30am
St Francis, Manly - Wed, Fri - 9.30am (No Mass on Wednesday this week)

Rosary St John's, Orewa - Tues, Wed, Thurs and Sat after 9.30am Mass

Reconciliation St John's, Orewa - Saturdays after 9.30am Mass or on request

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