Reflection

Through the forty days of Lent, there is a heightened awareness awareness of sin. At the heart of sin is seeing human beings as things which can be used or made to fit our desires. And the end result of that culture of sin in which we live is the reality of death. It 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. Death removes the person and leaves only a body.

All of us live with this as our ultimate horizon; in the end death will reduce us to things, objects in a world of objects.
It is something I have faced this myself, contemplating the death of those whom I’ve loved very much. What are we left with when our loved ones die? 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, not sin, but 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.”

The Resurrection is the declaration by God that we are someone and never just something. 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 glory. 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.

Blessings, Fr Chris

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.

We pray for:

We pray for the sick in the iiiiiiiiicommunity 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

Food collection for Love Soup:

Thank you for your regular donations of tinned foods & non-perishable food items.
Please continue to donate generously to assist families experiencing hardship.
Items are delivered to Love Soup who pack and distribute parcels to over 120 families locally.
Donations may be placed in the containers in the church foyer.

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

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

Congratulations to ...

Those who will receive Sacraments at the Easter Vigil Mass:

• Stephanie Chandler, Jan Harvey Rebekah Lacy, Amy Zanjan, Paul Kang, Linda Tan, Evan Mitchell-Hermansen, John Mahuru, Alexandra Tucker, Tanja Kabalin, Duncan Ross and Jenny Tolich who will receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.
  
• James Tolich, Colin Christie, Kristine Caune, Caroline Carlin, Karen Bassone and Joanne White who will receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.

Serving Spoons:

Thank you for your generous donations in February and March totalling $2,810 which has allowed us to distribute 56 x $50 Pak’nSave vouchers to those identified as ‘high need’ in the community, enabling them to purchase fresh veggies, fruit and protein for improved nutrition and health.
Your support of our Parish ‘fresh produce’ initiative is gratefully appreciated.
Donations may be made to our Parish bank a/c:
02-0108-0708545-000
using your surname, Serving Spoons and donation as the reference.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...

To Heather Dekker
on Monday 6 April.

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