Reflection

The Scripture Readings for this Fifth Sunday in Eastertide help us to grow in God’s love. And out of this love, comes a plan for sharing our Christian faith with other people. May we live in such a way that people will see the hand of God at work in the most ordinary situations in our lives.

Prayer
Lord, we thank you
for the bond you formed in us.
and for the bond that exists between us
because of our union with you.
Thanks for this bond
we have invisible riches
to share with one another.
Grant that we may never
be separated from you,
so that we may produce in the world
the fruits of faith, hope, and love.

SCRIPTURE NOTES for SUNDAY Mass

First Reading (Acts 9:26-31). Three years after his conversion Paul went up to Jerusalem. At first the disciples were afraid of the ex-persecutor. Only when Barnabas introduced him to the apostles did they accept him. However, when he began to preach, the Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews) turned on him and sought to kill him; in their eyes he was a traitor. The result was that he had to be smuggled out of the city. The fact that Paul took all these trials in his stride shows the depth of his faith in Jesus.

Second Reading (I John 3:18 -24). Here John tells us what we have to do in order to be at rights with God. We have to believe in his Son, Jesus, and love one another as he told us. Active charity is what distinguishes true Christians from those who are such in name only. Love is what makes them fruitful branches of Christ, the true vine.

Gospel (John 15:1-8). The allegory of the vine and the branches stresses the unity that exists between Christ and his disciples. Christ is the vine; the disciples are the branches. Vine and branches need each other. The vine cannot bear fruit without the branches. And the branches cannot have life if separated from the vine.
The Father is the vine-dresser. The branches need to be pruned (by trials) in order to become fruitful. (Paul is a good example). By their fruitfulness they will bring glory to the Father, and prove themselves disciples of Christ.

We pray for:

We pray for those who are unwell in the community or recovering from surgery including Michael Taylor, Ian Tucker and Nigel Lloyd.
We pray for the recently deceased, including Colleen Tarr, Margaret McKinney and Patricia Russell-Green.
We pray too for those whose anniversaries occur around this time including Joseph & Joanna McCrory.

Office unattended ...

The parish office will be unattended from 24 April to 30 April (inclusive) as Theresa will be on leave.
Please hold any administration queries until she returns.
Fr Raphael will be contactable on 021 114 6879.

Note, there will be no newsletter handed out at the Masses on 27/28 April.
If you have any important notices to be read out, please hand these to the Mass Coordinator.

Children's Liturgy:

The St. John's children's liturgy team is looking for new leaders/teachers to join the team to teach the junior or senior liturgy group on Sundays during the 10.30am Mass. If you feel called to this ministry and are committed to teaching our parish children by explaining the gospel and helping in their faith formation, we would like to hear from you.
Please email your details to us at stjohnschildren.liturgy@gmail.com and we will contact you.

Seeking married couples.  

Marriage and Family Life Ministry at the Diocese is seeking married couples of 5 years or more who would like to train as Marriage Educators to prepare engaged couples for marriage in the church.
This is a very rewarding and significant role in the church. Enquiries Gerry on 021 02247442 or gerrys@cda.org.nz

Let’s Talk About Mary

8 May 7.30pm. Poynton Room, Pompallier Diocesan Centre and on zoom.
Join Sr Sian for an opportunity to explore Mary, missionary disciple.
Please register pastoraloffice@cda.org.nz

Thinking about the priesthood?

Come and meet with seminarians and priests exploring your vocation in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. This is a great opportunity to connect, share experiences, and support one another on your journey of faith.

4 May at noon – www.aucklandvocations.org.nz for more details.