Reflection

  Breaking bread and sharing the cup is the Church’s most ancient practice. Christ gives us his body so that we may become his body. As the bread and wine are taken, our lives are gathered into God’s hands. As they are blessed, God speaks goodness over us. As they are broken, our hearts are opened in compassion. As they are given, we are called to become gifts for others. As we unite ourselves with these words in the Eucharist the pattern is meant to shape our life. “The Eucharist is an extremely personal encounter with the Lord and yet never simply an act of individual piety”
(Pope Benedict).

Remembering carries profound power. A traumatised person often reexperiences their wounding as if it were happening in the present. It can feel like being stranded in a wilderness of “fiery serpents, scorpions” and unquenchable thirst. How can we let God into our wilderness seasons? In Deuteronomy and in the Eucharist, we are invited to radical holy remembering. Christ gathers our fragile lives into His, transforming them in His mercy. Through communion in His body and blood, we receive hope, faith, courage, and confidence in our Godgiven identity that goes far beyond our feelings.

Bread is a staple food and in today’s Gospel, Jesus reveals Himself as “living bread”. But for Jewish people, consuming flesh with blood was unthinkable — it symbolised the very life of a creature and was strictly forbidden. Many who heard Jesus speak of eating His flesh and drinking His blood walked away appalled. Yet Jesus does not soften His words into a metaphor. He truly invites us to share His very life in communion.

In the encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, Pope Leo says, “The ‘Amen’ we say in the liturgy, the Body we eat, and the Blood we drink shape our whole lives. The Eucharist opens us to justice and sharing, with special concern for those burdened by marginalisation. I invite everyone to cherish places and times where physical presence remains crucial: shared meals, Christian community gatherings, time with the lonely, and service of the poor. These are signs of a humanity that still believes every person’s body is a dwelling place of God and a temple of the Holy Spirit” (MH 234-239). How will you let the Body and Blood of Christ transform you this week?

Bev McDonald

Marriage Preparation Programme:

The Catholic Diocese of Auckland are looking for volunteers to facilitate the Marriage Preparation Programme; the training is starting soon.
 If you have been married for 5 years plus and feel drawn to helping engaged couples, please call Gerry on 021 02247442.

A Liturgy of the Word with Holy Communion ...

Will replace the 9.30am Mass at St John’s and St Francis’ on Wednesday 10 June.

All are welcome

All are welcome to stay for morning tea in the hall after 10.30am Mass today.

We pray for:

We pray for the sick in the community and for the recently deceased including Ken Drum, Malcolm Pickering, Michael O’Neill, Glen Wright, Ursula Taylor and Ken Titford.
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 including Vincent Schischka.

A Requiem Mass for Ken Drum will be celebrated on Wednesday 10 June, 1pm at St John’s.

Holy Communion to the Sick:

Are you or a loved one unable to attend Sunday Mass due to health or travel limitations? Our volunteer Ministers of Communion are available to bring the Eucharist and offer pastoral support directly to your home. 

Requesting a Home Visit:
To schedule a home visit for Holy Communion for yourself, or for a family member or friend who has requested this, please contact Coordinator Jacqueline Dollard on 022 162 3498 or email jacqueline.dollard@gmail.com 

Altar Flowers:

We are urgently needing volunteers to arrange the altar flowers at St Francis Church.
If you have some creativity with flower arranging and would like to assist on a rostered basis, we would love to hear from you!
Please phone Nisha on 021 0827 6027.

Children’s Liturgy - St Francis:

We need more leaders to share the Gospel with our young ones, in an age appropriate way.
It’s a rewarding and important ministry to be part of, since it is our young people that keep our parish alive.
All help will be given, so for more information please call Ann McConachy on 027 771 9515.

Catholic News: Flashes of Insight:

Short-form, theologically grounded commentary on the challenges and questions facing today’s time-pressed Church and wider society. On the website you can sign up for a fortnightly email for the compact form of news to be sent to you: flashes@flashesinsight.com

CATHNEWS NEW ZEALAND

Joy Healing Meeting:

The meeting on Thursday 11 June has been postponed until further notice.

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

The Divine Will Cenacle....

Takes place every Wednesday at St John’s Church, in Our Lady’s Chapel, 7-8.30pm.
We explore this amazing and most Blessed of Gifts that the Lord is now revealing to His Church and desires to give to Her, through the writings of the Servant of God, Luisa Piccarreta. (As approved by The Church Nilhil obstat and Imprimatur.) 
For more information please contact Helen Kehoe, 021 2117380.

Josephite Companions:

Meet in St John's Hall on Saturday 13 June at 2pm.
Anyone interested is welcome.  
For more information ph. Catherine Birt, 027 294 7855.

To help your reflection on the Sunday Gospels go to....
The Center for Liturgy Sunday website.
Another helpful site is Creighton U Daily Reflection.
Creighton University (Jesuits) offers daily reflections, weekly prayer guides, online retreats, prayer & spirituality resources.

Please ....

Please collect your planned giving envelopes from the foyer.

World Youth Day Auckland 2026:

10am-8:30pm Saturday 1 August at Victory Convention Centre. Join over 1,800 young Catholics at Victory Convention Centre for World Youth Day Auckland 2026 - a massive, joy-filled day of faith, community and WITNESS.   
Inspired by the Scripture chosen for the 40th World Youth Day, “You also are my witnesses, because you have been with me” (Jn 15:27).
This year’s event is about fixing our gaze on Jesus and becoming courageous witnesses of Christ in our world. 
For more info and to register go to: https://events.humanitix.com/world-youth-day-auckland-2026

The Divine Mercy Holy Hour ...

Will be held in St John’s Chapel on Fridays 3-4pm with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.

Bible study group meets on....

Zoom on Mondays 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.

Pope Leo XIV proclaimed “The Year of St. Francis”...

 As a special Jubilee Year running from 10 Jan 2026 to 10 Jan 2027.
It commemorates the 800th anniversary of the saint's death (transitus).
Inspired by this St Joseph’s Gift Shop has created a collection of books, statues, crosses, and devotional items which reflect St Francis's message of humility, peace, and love for God and all creation. View these at : https://stjosephscentre.co.nz/collections/st-francis-of-assisi

Safeguarding

Please contact Kathryn Perumal on 021 264 4188 or email kathryn_perumal@yahoo.com for any matters relating to volunteer safeguarding documentation and training or any safeguarding complaints or concerns.

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/

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