Reflection

Easter has passed yet doubt over the reality of the resurrection remains. Thomas, the patron saint of sceptics, wants proof which Jesus gives with these words, ‘Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’ While this post-resurrection account is familiar, the entire gospel passage (John 20:19-31) invites closer reading as it shows how devastating Jesus’ death was to the disciples. The overriding emotion is fear hence the locked doors. There is disbelief, mystification even as Jesus suddenly appears among these troubled and grieving people.

While the story has always been about Thomas, it is Jesus and what he says that matters most. Three times he says ‘peace be with you.’ His presence brings peace and purpose to a bewildered people with doors and minds locked by fear.

John, our gospel writer, gives hope by ending this account with these words, ‘that through believing you may have life in his name.’ Jesus gave life by healing the blind, curing the sick, raising the dead, casting out demons. We all have chapters in our lives when we experience spiritual blindness, are sick or dead in spirit and overwhelmed by dark forces. We feel God’s absence more than God’s presence. Along with Thomas, we doubt, and we wonder, ‘where is God in this un-godly season?’ In such times prayer is often a real struggle. The Apostle Thomas can help. Silently and interiorly repeating his words, ‘My Lord and my God’ as a kind of mantra, could be the very thing we need to unlock the doors of our minds and hearts to the presence and healing of the Risen Christ.

Footnote: Thomas was a twin. According to early Syrian traditions and the Gospel of Thomas, the twin brother was named Judas. The Hebrew word for twin is Thomas and in Greek it is Didymus.

Vincent Maire

Divine Mercy Sunday

In a series of revelations to St. Maria Faustina Kowalska in the 1930s, our Lord called for a special feast day to be celebrated on the Sunday after Easter.  Today, we know that feast as Divine Mercy Sunday, named by Pope St. John Paul II at the canonization of St. Faustina on April 30, 2000. 
The Lord expressed His will with regard to this feast in His very first revelation to St. Faustina.
The most comprehensive revelation can be found in her Diary entry 699:
My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and a shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners.
On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy.

The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.
On that day are opened all the divine floodgates through which graces flow. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity.
Everything that exists has come from the very depths of My most tender mercy.
Every soul in its relation to Me will contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My mercy.

The Divine Mercy Prayer Group:

Meets today Sunday 12 April, 3pm-4pm at St John’s for Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the 3 o’clock prayer, the chaplet of Divine Mercy & veneration of the Divine Mercy image.
Limited availability of confession.
We invite you all to participate.
There will be a cup of tea and something to eat.
Those wishing to stay please bring a plate.

We pray for:

We pray for the sick in the community and for the recently deceased including Karen Bonnici, Richard Donaldson, Richard Murphy, Yvonne Beer and Kay Davies.
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.

NEW! Prayer Ministry after Mass

Calling those experienced, and new to prayer ministry.
Bishop Steve has approved a new training programme designed to help us experience & share the love of Jesus. Orewa is 1 of 4 parishes participating. To be held Sat. 18 April at Sacred Heart Hall, Vermont St, Ponsonby 9.30am-3pm. This is a great opportunity for young adults (18+) & mums & dads, to get involved in praying for family & friends after Mass.
We want to embrace all our cultures and languages. For more info phone Cathy Allen, Joy Healing Ministry 021 943307, callen@allens.co.nz or register here: https://forms.gle/3SAj1wggAntJiBsB6

Donation Tax Receipts:

We expect to email these by 17 April and post to those without email around the same time.
Please check your spam box if it doesn’t appear in your inbox.
Thank you for your generous contributions to our parish.

St Joseph’s Catholic School Centenary Celebration! 
Join us on 23-25 October as we celebrate 100 years of our Mission Sister’s school.
Past students, staff, and families are warmly invited to reconnect and give thanks for shared memories.
Check the Centenary Facebook page for more information.

CATHNEWS NEW ZEALAND

The 2026 Sacramental Programme:

This programme is run through the Hibiscus Coast Parish. Children need to be aged 9 by 1 June to enrol.
The children will be prepared to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and Holy Communion.
The programme has been condensed into 10 Sessions for the children and 4 sessions for the parents.
Attendance and punctuality are essential to complete the programme.
Parental support and involvement are very important as the children will only complete this programme once in their lives.
Applications close on 1 May.
Please note that if your child is not attending a Catholic school, you and your child will firstly need to participate in a foundational programme prior to completing the Sacramental Programme.
Enrolment forms are available in both church foyers and at Stella Maris School office.
For more information or to request an enrolment form email: brendaneville@hibiscuscoastparish.org.nz

All men are invited ....

To the Joshua 40-Year Celebration weekend from Friday evening 14 August to Sunday midday 16 August at Keswick Christian Camp, 5 Cooper Ave, Holden's Bay, Rotorua.
Keynote Speaker is Robert Falzon, Leader of Australia's men ALIVE and Author of "Importance of a Present Dad".
The cost is $247pp including accommodation and meals.

Youth group ....

We invite all youth in year 6 to year 13 to join us on Friday 24 April for some fun, food, faith sharing and friendship. 6.30-8pm in St John’s hall.
This will be held every 2nd Friday during term time.
Any enquires please email Arya or Kathy on hbcpyouth@gmail.com

Charis NZ is pleased to announce that Chevalier Cyril John ...

Will be leading a 1.5 day, hosted by Current of Grace, Auckland (part of Charis NZ).
Cyril John is a well-known speaker and serves on the International Commission for Intercession and has spent more than a decade travelling the world, teaching, and forming intercessors in the ministry of Prophetic Intercession.
Please share and encourage your prayer group and community group members, and wider networks to support this event:
Auckland Diocese: 11 - 12 May 2026:
Training on Prophetic Intercession by Chevalier Cyril John at Christ the King Church, Owairaka.
Please see the poster on the noticeboard for details.

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.

Prayer Retreat for Women:

Prayer and the Interior Life' Friday 17 April 6pm to Sunday 19th April 3pm 2026 - with time for Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, Personal Prayer & Spiritual Direction. Location: Hillsborough, Auckland.
Early bird registration & details here: www.stfrancisretreatcentre.org.nz

Beginning Experience is a worldwide programme...

For separated, divorced & widowed men & women.
The retreats help facilitate the darkness of grief into the light of the new; allowing you to love yourself, others and God again.
For further information visit www.beginningexperience.org.nz

Meditation Groups meet:

• 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
• Ph. Vincent Maire, 027 276 6032.

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