St Francis of Assisi Ohariu Parish Website: www.stfrancisohariu.nz Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/st.francis.ohariu/ 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time 14 February 2021 Year B Readings: Leviticus 13:1-2,44-46; 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1; Mark 1:40-45 A Sacrament for every day of the year This weekend the focus of our liturgy is on the sacrament of Marriage. If you Google marriage you can be forgiven for thinking everyone is focussed on the one day when a marriage formally starts – the Wedding day. There are magazines, websites and all sorts of information on how you can have the perfect Wedding day. At times you can be forgiven for thinking it is all about one day in a couple’s life. But whether you are married or not, you know it is about much more than one day. St Paul in today’s reading gives us some clues to helps us get the right balance: Whatever you eat, whatever you drink, whatever you do at all, do it for the glory of God. It might seem very odd to think that we can have a glass of wine for the glory of God! But it is not what we do but how we live our lives that counts. In the sacrament of marriage we have the call to a vocation where two people strive to do it all for the glory of God by living out each and every day of their married lives committed to each other. Some days might con- tain extra-ordinary events and extra-ordinary opportunities to do this, but most days the opportunities are far more ordinary, even mundane. Yet in every day God gives a married couple opportunities to live out the commitment to each other which was entered into on their wedding day. And it is not just the commitment made to each other. In the vocation of a sacramental marriage the commitment is a very public one: to our families, the community and to God. The sacrament of marriage is far from one day in our lives – it’s the sacrament those called to married life must live each and every day of the year. Jo-Anne and Michael Carley Waitangi Day Mass Celebrations At Mass on Saturday we had a reflection on the significance of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. I attended this service and said a prayer in Te Reo Maori and it was translated by Jared. Pa Pat shared on equality, partnership and The Treaty of Waitangi. After the mass a few parishioners commented on how engaging the mass was and how it highlighted the representation of the Maori flag and the New Zealand flag on the altar. The mass and celebration ended with a sharing of refreshments which gave everyone an opportunity to get to know each other. E Te Ātua e Aroha mai ana ki a mātou, Ko ōu iwi katoa hei iwi mō mātou. Awhinatia mātou ki Te mārama tetahi ki tetahi Kia whakapaingia tōu hahi. E mahi tahi ana I roto I te kōmunio tuturu. God who loves each one of us, All your people are our people, Help us to under- stand each other. Let your Church be blessed, As we work together in true communion. Caritas Challenge 2021 BACK AT IT AGAIN!!! The Youth Ministry team will be running the Caritas Challenge, which will be taking place on 19th - 20th March at Challenge house, 27 Dr Taylor Terrace. The Theme for the Challenge this year is "A new way for- ward - HE ARA WHAKAMUA, HE ARA HOU". CALLING ALL YOUNG PEOPLE (Year 7 - 13) FAR AND WIDE. Come along and take up the Challenge this year to stand in solidarity with those who go without. For more information, please contact Sio 02108160396 St Brigid’s Feast Day Liturgy Last Friday 1st February was the St Brigid’s feast day celebration at St Peter and Paul’s. St Brigid’s school held a school liturgy to Celebrate. The school community were joined by the Brigidine Sisters, Sr Anne and Sr Cyprian. Sr Anne spoke about the Brigidine Sisters and their history in New Zealand. We are so lucky and grateful to be supported by them in our community. It was lovely to hear all the children singing the school song so proudly. ASH WEDNESDAY 17th February 2021 Ash Wednesday Evening Services All parishioners are warmly invited to join in an Ecumenical Ash Wednesday Service on Wednesday 17 February 2021. This will be a combined Ecumenical Ser- vice with the Johnsonville Uniting Church at 7.00pm at Sts Peter & Paul’s Church, 37 Dr Taylor Tce, Johnsonville. St Benedict’s Church will also be having an Ash Wednesday Ecumenical Service on Wednesday 17 February at 7pm. The service will be followed by tea/coffee and biscuits in the church foyer. Ash Wednesday Daytime Masses Next Wednesday on the 17th February, there is: A 9:30am mass at St Benedict's Church. St Benedict’s school will be in attendance and leading part of the mass there. For some, it will be their First time going to Ash Wednesday with St Benedict's school There is an 11:00am mass at St Peters and Pauls church. St Brigid's School will also be in attendance as it marks the beginning of Lent and for some of the Children, it will be their First Ash Wednesday with St Brigid’s. EXCITING TIMES FOR OUR CHILDREN Sacramental Programme 2021: The Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation. The first of our sacramental programmes , the First Reconciliation Programme begins on Sunday February 28th. This 5 week preparation programme will be offered at two venues each Sunday and there will also be parent night options that accommodate all our parents and caregivers. The sacramental programme is available to all children who have been or wish to be baptised into the Catholic Faith. Children need to be in Year 4 or above. A special programme will be offered for youth and young adults to meet their needs. During the course of 2021 (Covid-19 willing) candidates will work through the sacramental journey, supported by their families, trained leaders and parishioners. The journey is a blend of home based learning, group work sessions, reading, prayer and experiential activities. This is a rewarding experience designed to offer the whole parish, especially our children a rich opportunity to grow closer to God and to strengthen our community. Please contact the Parish Office for an enrolment and information pack that will be emailed to you or you can collect one from the Parish Office in Johnsonville from Tuesday February 16th. Or call Kitty 021491459, Sio 021 08160396 or the office 4787137. Prayer Chain Problem! Early in the New Year, Katharina Dobson lost all email addresses relating to the Prayer Chain, which she coordinates, when the family computer failed disastrously! Many addresses have been restored, but if you are a member of the prayer chain and have not yet heard from her in January, or would like to become a member to pray for parishioners who are in need, please email Katharina at: [email protected] Malvina Major Events Anointing Mass Tuesday 16th February 2.30pm. All Welcome! Ash Wednesday 17th February 2pm Service of the Word with Holy Commun- ion. All Welcome! Lenten Reflection Group Fridays in Lent 19th February 10.45am in the reflec- tion room. Children's Day Mass St Valentine’s Day Mass 2021 In celebration of our Cardinal John Dew welcomes couples of the Tamariki in Aotearoa. We Archdiocese to a celebration of married love on St Val- will be having a Children's entine's Day this year, Sunday 14th February 2021, day mass 10:30am at SS 5pm at St Joseph's Mt Victoria, Wellington. Peters and Pauls. Bring your friends, family and This year the theme of 'Love Heals' and is an kids along!! opportunity for couples to reflect on how their vows of 'in sickness and in health' draw them together in For more information or if tough times. A celebratory glass of bubbles and re- you would like to help, freshments will be served following Mass. See you please contact there! Sio 02108160396 Young Caritas Lenten Reflection programme. Over the next few weeks, the youth ministry team will be running a lenten reflec- tion programme prior to the Caritas Challenge, which will be Held in late March. Our First Young Caritas Lenten reflection programme will be taking place on the 24th February 5:30pm - 7:00pm at Challenge 2000 and SS Peters and Paul Church. If you would to come along and want more information please contact Sio 02108160396 Upcoming Parish Events/Notices Marian Mothers' Monday meeting The first meeting for the year will be held on Monday, 15th February 10.00am- 12noon at 261 Middleton Road, Glenside. Come along for prayers and a chat whilst the kids play. The February reflection is on Catholic Traditions - Feasting and Fast- ing https://maristlaitynz.org/marian-mothers/. Any questions? Contact Andrea on 021 216 0388. St Andrew’s Passionist Family Group is meeting for a Bar-B-Q at Aotea La- goon, Papakowhai on 21st February from 11.30am on. We would be very keen for Johnsonville Passionist Family/ies to join us on the day. We are meeting by the BBQ area halfway along the lagoon and hope the weather keeps fine. Onslow Catholic Women’s League The first meeting of the year will be held on Tuesday the 23rd February 2021 at 7.30pm in St Benedict’s church foyer.