The
Cathedral
Connection
ASCENSION OF THE LORD
Vol. 4 Issue 14
17 May 2015
D
ear Parishioners,
Today is the Feast of the Ascension. It is part of a sequence of postEaster feast days centred on Pentecost. As these feasts come in
quick succession their significance can get lost a little. The Ascension of the
Lord celebrates the bodily ascension of Jesus into heaven.
The Latin terms used for the feast, ascensio signify that Christ was raised up
by his own powers, and it is from these terms that the holy day gets its
name. Although no independent evidence of this feast exists before the 5th
century, St. Augustine, along with other early Church Fathers speak of it in a
way that shows it was universally observed by the Church long before their
time. Certain customs or rituals were connected with the liturgy of this feast,
such as the blessing of beans and grapes symbolic of the first fruits of
Easter, the extinguishing of the paschal candle anticipating the coming of the
Holy Spirt at Pentecost, and triumphal processions with torches and banners
outside churches to commemorate the entry of Christ into heaven.
In terms of its spiritual significance the Ascension marks the beginning of a
new way of understanding our relationship with Jesus in and through the
Church. In this way the Church is not some "thing", the Church is someOne… The Christian vocation is about learning to live this new relationship in
Christ together, with the Father, through the Holy Spirit, for the sake of a
world that still awaits its full redemption.
When viewed with the eyes of faith the Ascension is capable of transforming
the way we view ourselves and live our daily lives.
God Bless,
Fr. Seph
Sacred Heart Cathedral parish is a partner in the Wellington Central
Pastoral Area with St Mary of the Angels (CBD), and
the Catholic Parish of Otari (Wilton and Karori)
PENTECOST
Next Sunday, 24 May, is Pentecost
and Cardinal John will lead the 7pm
Mass to welcome those received into
the Church at Easter. This annual
celebration brings people from many
parishes in the Archdiocese to the
Cathedral.
The occasion will also mark
Argentina’s National Day. A member
of the ambassador’s family who
regularly attends the 7pm Mass will
proclaim one of the readings in
Spanish.
FRIENDSHIP &
HOSPITALITY
THROUGH
FAMILY
GROUPS
This weekend we
welcome Richard
and Sue Gibbs to
share their experience with the
Passionist Family Group Movement.
An introduction was given through
this newsletter a few weeks ago; now
Richard and Sue, Regional
Coordinators for PFGM in the
Archdiocese, will take us to the next
REGISTER TODAY
level.
Endorsing their visit, our Pastoral
Council, recognizes the strength that
families can bring to parish life.
Developing ourselves to think of the
parish as a family, will greatly assist
our commitment to one of Cardinal
165 YEARS OF CATHOLIC
John’s priorities – STEWARDSHIP –
EDUCATION IN THORNDON
the sharing of our individual gifts for
REGISTER NOW!
the good of everyone.
A celebration of 165 years is planned After reflecting on Richard and Sue’s
for Labour Weekend 2015 (23 – 25
presentation, we will have the
October) and is open to past and
opportunity next weekend of
present teachers, students and
expressing interest by signing up to
parishioners. To find out what’s on & become part of a group of families.
register check out http://
May we all see this initiative as a
mcshwellington.org/165-years-of- blessing for our Parish. Fr James
catholic-education/
A KIWI
CARDINAL’S
TIMOR LESTE – NATIONAL DAY
CHRONICLES
Citizens of Timor Leste, resident in
Copies of Cardinal
Wellington, will join in celebration at
Williams’ Memoires
the 10.30am Mass today for their
are available from:
National Day. We honour the faith
Chronicles, 40
and courage of those who brought
independence to this young nation on Walton Ave,
Waikanae 5036
the borders of the Pacific. May the
Email orders:
many Timorese now studying here
[email protected]
feel welcome and at home.
AGM OF FRIENDS OF SACRED
HEART CATHEDRAL MUSIC Today
Sunday 17 May 2015 at 11.30am in
Connolly Hall."
RETIRING COLLECTION weekend
of 30/31 May after all Masses to
support music in the Cathedral.
Thank you.
OTARI PARISH MULTI-CULTURAL
MASS Otari parish are proud to once
again be celebrating our many
cultures and heritages with our Multi
Cultural Mass on Pentecost Sunday 24th May at St Teresa’s church,
Karori 9:30 a.m.
JOSHUA CATHOLIC MEN’S
FELLOWSHIP WELLINGTON
invites you to come and join us for
our monthly meeting of prayer,
praise and social time on Thursday
21st May at 7:30pm in CONNOLLY
HALL, Guilford Terrace, Thorndon
(behind Sacred Heart Cathedral).
Theme: "Courage. Be one in your
witness to me". Speaker: Michael
Powell . Want to know more? Ring
John Taylor (04) 389-8915 or 021107-8538 or e-mail:
[email protected]
PROLIFE FACTS A paper by Otago
University masters law student Michael Morrison has been published
in the latest edition of the Asian Bioethic Review and reported on in the
NZ Sunday Star Times on 26th April
under the heading “Call for abortion
rules change”. Morrison argues that
the present law should be changed
to allow parents to be involved in the
decision making when young teenagers are pregnant. For more pro-life
information, phone (09)4430995 or
visit www.voiceforlife.org.nz.
ABLAZE WITH THE SPIRIT
A charismatic celebration including
Praise and Worship, testimonies,
talks, fellowship and ministry.
Pentecost Sunday 24 May, Sacred
Heart Cathedral 1:30pm to 5pm.
Speaker: Fritz Mascarenhas.
TRADITIONAL LATIN MASS will be
offered on Sunday, 24 and 31 May
San Antonio Church, 78 Oroua St.,
Eastbourne, at 12.30pm. See us on
Facebook: https://
www.facebook.com/
WellingtonLatinMass
There is Latin Mass on 2nd, 4th, and
5th (if any) Sundays of the Month
12.30nn at San Antonio Church in
Eastbourne. For Enquiries, ring/text
Neil at 021896924
MIR PILGRIMAGE 2015
Register your interest in a pilgrimage
for 2015. A pilgrimage is departing
29 August. See your noticeboard or
visit www.mirpilgrimages.co.nz for
more information. Contact: Patricia
Parsons ph: 027421964
Email: [email protected]
Recently deceased…
Josefina Pantaleon
7 May Philippines
Mother of Geraldine Irinco
Michael Lyons (12 May, Dunedin)
Cousin of Fr James
Anniversary:
John Humphries
Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord and
let perpetual light shin upon them and may
their souls and the souls of all the faithful
departed, through the mercy of God, rest
in peace. Amen.
Sacred Heart Parish
22 - 30 Hill St, Thorndon
Box 1937, Wellington 6140
Ph: 496 1700
e: [email protected]
w: www.mcshwellington.org
Parish Priest: Fr James Lyons
Secretary: Frank Doherty 9am - 3.30pm
Parish office is in Catholic Centre in Hill St
Hall Bookings: Frank Ph: 496 1700
Parish Council Chair: Sonny Pangilinan
Sacred Heart Cathedral School
Guildford Tce, Thorndon
Principal: Bill Turley Ph: 472 4047
DRS: Jane Regan
Mass Times: Saturday 5.30pm
Sunday 10.30am, 7pm
St Mary of the Angels Parish Mass: 9am
Monday to Friday: 8am, 12.10pm
Saturday 8.30am in Cathedral Chapel
If a Requiem is scheduled, the 12.10pm
Mass may not be celebrated on that day.
Reconciliation: 11:50am to 12:05pm
Monday to Friday (Not Public Holidays)
Baptism: By Appointment
Deadline for newsletter material
is Wednesday midday.
Frank ph: 496 1700
[email protected]
Readings
for the
Week
Sacred Heart Parish
Activities
Music Group plays on 2nd and 4th
Saturdays of month at 5.30pm Vigil
Mass
Liturgy Committee meet 1st
Tuesday of every month
Finance Committee meet 2nd
Thursday every 2nd month
Parish Council meet 3rd
Thursday of month
Rosary Mondays 11.30am in
Cathedral Chapel
Bible Study Group
Wellington
Sacred Heart Bible Study Group
Contact: Elisapeci Waqanivalu
ph: 021 207 6978
Divine Mercy Devotions every
Sunday at 6.30pm
Prayer Group Meeting 1st, 3rd and
5th Mondays, Connolly Hall 7.30pm
Holy Hour 4th Tuesday of every
month at 7.30pm
Exposition of Blessed
Sacrament 7.30am prior to 8am
Mass Thursday and Friday
Vespers every Wednesday at
5.30pm (During term time only)
Sunday 17th May: The ASCENSION of the LORD
Acts 1:1-11; Eph 4:1-13; Mk 16:15-20
Monday18th May: Acts 19:1-8; Jn 16:29-33
Tuesday 19th May: Acts 20: 17-27; Jn 17:1-11
Wednesday 20th May: Acts 20:28-38; Jn 17:11-19
Thursday 21st May - Acts 22:30, 23:6-11; Jn 17:20-26
Friday 22nd May: Acts 25:13-21; Jn 21:15-19
Saturday 23rd May: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31; Jn 21:20-25
Sunday 24th May: PENTECOST SUNDAY
Acts 2:1-11; Gal 5:16-25; Jn 15:26-27, 16:12-15