Fourth Sunday in Lent March 2nd 2008

Fourth Sunday  in Lent    March  2nd  2008

My dear Parishioners and all Visitors,

In today's Gospel  the blind  man encounters Jesus who is the Light of the World  It shows this man's journey  from physical and spiritual darkness to the light of truth. On gaining his sight the man took some time to realize the wonder of his experience---he knew only that now he could see, not how the man Jesus had brought this about.  He defended Jesus against the accusations of the unbelieving Pharisees and was abused, insulted and cast out of the temple which was the ultimate disgrace.  It is only then that Jesus reveals Himself as the Son of God and the man in wonder worships Him.
We too can be spiritually blind, not unlike the Pharisees at times, but in our longing to know Jesus more we need to become conscious of our own blindness----we long to see and to know and be lead in wonder to the Truth.

May God Bless each and everyone of you.

Father Joseph.

CONDOLENCES

Our deepest Condolences

to Sharmila & Daniel Caeiro and family

on the loss of Sharmila’s father,

Romeo Pinto who passed away on 23^rd November 2007 in India.

Requiescat in Pace

All are welcome to attend a Memorial Mass at St Matthew’s,

on Thursday 29^th November 2007

immediately after the 6:30 pm Novena.

October - The Month of the Rosary

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S . . . . . . .

To our Seven Young Parishioners

Alana

Darren

Dominic

Lucy

Madison

Olivia

Rebekah

on their Confirmation

and First Holy Communion

Today, Sunday 7^th October 2007

at a Mass celebrated

by Monsignor David Bennett

and concelebrated

by Father Joseph Akkara

Today's Feast day - Our Lady of Sorrows

Saturday 15 September 2007

Our Lady of Sorrows

This is your Mother.

John 19

Icon by Fr. William McNichols

Web link - http://puffin.creighton.edu/jesuit/andre/sorrows.html

Our Lady's Birthday Celebrations.

Come along to
The celebration of the Nativity of Mary
On Sunday 9th September 2007
At 3 pm
At St Matthew's Church

Procession - Rosary - Novena - Benediction

Followed by a shared Afternoon Tea.

Take part in the Spiritual Bouquet
And offer a "Decade A Day" from Now to the End of October 2007.

Requiem Mass for our late Parishioner, Lauris McAdam.

 

Friday, 31st August 2007

St Matthew's Church, Silverdale, Hamilton

7:00 pm  Vigil Prayers and Rosary

 

Saturday, 1st September 2007

St Matthew's Church, Silverdale, Hamilton

10:30 am  Requiem Mass

 

Requiesat in pace 

 

(NB: There will no usual Saturday 9:00 am)

 

Joshua Catholic Men's Fellowship

"JOSHUA CATHOLIC MEN'S FELLOWSHIP (New Zealand) exists to build up and encourage men in their growth and discipleship in the Lord Jesus Christ, to help form men of strength, vision, compassion, hope and joy, to be fully alive as husbands, fathers, work mates and friends to those whose lives they touch. Then as we become better disciples of Jesus and as the Holy Spirit heals, renews and leads us, we will become better men of God and better equipped to take our place in the parish and the community and to live life to the full.

As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.
Joshua 24:15

~ 2007 Retreats ~

South Island
Christchurch 28th to 30th September 2007.

North Island
Lake Taupo Christian Camp
2nd to 4th November 2007
Online Registration...
Mark your calendar and watch this space for details..."

First Reconciliation for Little Saints.

Congratulations to Our 7 Young Parishioners ...

... Who are making their First Reconciliation this weekend 18th August 2007.

Saint Matthew's Life Groups

Life Groups are about to start at Saint Matthew's Parish - Have you joined yet?

Find out more at...

http://www.saintmatthews.orcon.net.nz/Lifegroups/index.html

Happy Birthday, Father Joseph !

Many Happy Returns to our parish Priest, Father Joseph who celebrates his Birthday today ...

Tuesday, 23rd January 2007.

We join Father on this happy occasion with a cup of tea in the Parish Lounge this morning after Mass ...

Death Notice

It is with great sorrow that we announce the death of our dear parishioner, Brian Marquand on Wednesday 27th December 2006. Our deepest condolences to his family.

The Requiem Mass will be held at St Matthew's Catholic Church, Silverdale Road, HAMILTON, New Zealand on Saturday 30th December 2006 at 1:00 pm.

Requiescat in pace

Book of Remembrance

During November we remember the deceased members of St Matthew's Parish . . .

Requietum in pacem

May they rest in peace.

More on the Papal Benemerenti Award . . .

The certificate accompanying this award is in Latin.

The English translation is given here.














It is reckoned that there are 9 receipients of the Benemerenti Award in New Zealand.

Welcome and Goodbye

We bid farewell to St. Matthew's Parish Pastoral Council Chairwoman Kate Baird, who has resigned after 3 years at the helm of the Council. Thank you Kate for your services to our Parish.




We warmly welcome Adrienne Bowe who has been elected as the new Parish Pastoral Council Chairwoman. The other members of the Council are Father Joseph, Ken Weldon, Bruce and Liz Fraser-Jones.





The Council meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Items for discussion at the Council can be submitted in writing and handed to Adrienne or Janice at the Parish Office.

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S !

to Father Bevan Smith who celebrates the Golden Jubilee of his priestly ordination in October 2006.

His sister, Sister Mary of the Angels, also celebrates her golden jubilee this year.

A double celebration was held in the Carmelite Monastery in Christchurch on the 1st of October 2006.







Our special blessings and Congratulations to them both !

Haere Mai

Namasté नमस्ते

A BIG WELCOME to Father Paul Achandy visiting New Zealand and St Matthew's.

Father Paul is the Assistant Provincial of the Carmelite of Mary Immaculate congregation in India, the order to which our Parish priest, Father Joseph belongs.

We wish Father Paul well. May his time spent in New Zealand be a fruitful and joyful experience !

Do you know that . . .

the Benemerenti Medal, bestowed by Pope John Paul II was presented by Bishop Denis Browne on 16th March 2005 to our parishioner, Brian Marquand at St Matthew’s Roman Catholic Church, Silverdale, Hamilton.




What is the Benemerenti Medal?
“Benemerenti” is Latin for “Good Merit” / “To a well-deserving person”

Benemerenti Medals are awarded to individuals who have merited special recognition by the Holy See. This award seldom comes more than once during a pontificate.
The Medals are Pontifical decorations instituted by Gregory XVI in 1832, and awarded as a recognition of distinguished military and civil services. They are worn on the breast, suspended by ribbons of the papal colours.
Source: http://www.catholicforum.com/saints/ncd01203.htm

The civil Benemerenti Medal
This papal honour, the highest civilian award given by the Vatican, is conferred to men and women for exceptional accomplishment and service. It is given for distinguished service to Catholic principles, the Church and society, to people who have shown an active fidelity to and love for the Church

The award is not lightly given and is earned by sustained and outstanding witness. Although the archbishop nominates the candidates, the award is granted by the Holy Father based on merit and represent "his gratitude and esteem." The medal is a papal, not an archdiocesan award.

The award is accompanied by a certificate (in Latin).

October Rosary

CONGRATULATIONS ! Golden Wedding Anniversary

St. Matthew’s Church, Silverdale. Hamilton. New Zealand

Congratulations to our Parishioners
Eileen and John Williams
Celebrating their
Golden Wedding Anniversary
on 6th October 2006.