First Sunday of Advent
28 November 2021
Readings for this Weekend:
First Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16
Second Reading: Thessalonians 3:12 - 4:2
Gospel: Luke 21:25-28, 34-36
Welcome to the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary & St Matthew
Masses Beginning Friday 3rd December Traffic Light System Orange
All Sunday Masses will need to be Booked online each week, and are dependent on the availability of a Check in Team and Priest.
If a Check in Team is not available for a Mass, the Mass will be cancelled and the online booking system for that Mass will not be available.
Parishioners will be asked to volunteer for Check in Teams. Check in Teams and availability of Masses will be confirmed each Wednesday in time for the following Sunday.
Mass Schedule for Cathedral
SUNDAYS
Saturday 6:00pm Online Booking required.
Numbers limited to 50 people.
Proof of Vaccine NOT required
Sunday 7:30am Online Booking required.
Numbers limited to 50 people.
Proof of Vaccine NOT required.
9:00am Online Booking required
Numbers limited to 300 people
Proof of Vaccine IS required
10:30am Online Booking required.
Numbers limited to 300 people
Proof of Vaccine IS required.
6:00pm Online Booking required.
Numbers limited to 50 people.
Proof of Vaccine NOT required.
WEEKDAYS
Mon 8am Mass & 12:05 liturgy
Online Booking not required
Numbers limited to 50 people
Proof of Vaccine NOT required.
Tues & Wed 12:05 Mass
Numbers limited to 50 people
Online Booking not required
Proof of Vaccine NOT required.
Thurs & Friday 12:05 Mass
Online Booking not required
Proof of Vaccine IS required.
Mass Schedule for St Matthews Church Hillcrest
SUNDAYS
Sunday 8:30am Online Booking required
Numbers limited to 150 people
Proof of Vaccine IS required.
WEEKDAYS
Mon & Thurs 9:15am Online Booking not required
Proof of Vaccine NOT required
Welcome to the faith community...
Olivia June Moore, daughter of Simon & Julia;
Sophia Jade Wade, daughter of Rachel & Michael;
Gracie Ann Marie & Olivia Elsie Wards, daughters of Hamish & Shayla.
These children will be baptised at the Cathedral on Sunday.
NZ Catholic Bishops Conference
The Catholic bishops of Aotearoa New Zealand will ensure vaccinated and unvaccinated people alike can safely attend Mass when the Government’s “traffic light” Covid-19 system starts, expected to be soon after Monday 29 November.
The bishops have written a Pastoral Letter setting out guidelines on this matter. Each parish will be asked to provide Mass for people with the “My Vaccine Pass” required for unrestricted gatherings under the Orange and Green traffic light settings. They will also be asked to provide the opportunity for people to attend a separate numbers-restricted Mass without providing proof of vaccination.
A media statement outlining the main points of the Pastoral Letter is attached. The statement (with links to the letter) is also online here: https://www.catholic.org.nz/news/media-releases/mass-with-trafficlights/
The Pastoral Letter comes in Condensed and Extended versions. For brevity, a PDF of the Condensed version is attached. Both versions are also online:
Condensed: https://www.catholic.org.nz/assets/Uploads/Bishops-Pastoral-Letter-Covid-19-vaccinations-condensed2.pdf
Donations to the Parish
Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary: 02 0342 0050016 05
St Matthews: 02 0342 0050016 06
Your continued support during this time is very much appreciated.
Edge Youth - Life Retreat
Email: youth@hamcathedral.co.nz for more info.
Pope Francis Monthly Intention: People who suffer from Depression
We pray that people who suffer from depression or burn-out will find support and a light that opens them up to life.
Hamilton Combined Christian Foodbank
Our local churches and groups have not been able to meet and bring along food donations, which usually include Christmas treats. We are therefore asking for your support of a financial donation to enable us to provide these extra treats.
We are extremely grateful and thankful for your support.
Our bank account details are as follows:
Hamilton Combined Christian Foodbank Trust
Account: 12 3122 0122595 01
Reference: Christmas
If you require a receipt for your donation, please email Steph at office@hccfb.org.nz
Aotearoa New Zealand Bible Diaries 2022
The Bible diary consists of daily prayers, readings, short reflections, Saints of the day and short quotes for the whole year. It is available in New Zealand. Please make an order now with the link below… https://www.cognitoforms.com/AlexBailey1/AotearoaNewZealandBibleDiaries2022
it is a greatest gift for you and for your family and friends in New Year 2022.
Christmas Community Dinner
The evening will include dinner, free haircuts and a chance for each of our guests to receive gifts and a care package. If you are able to donate, please send or drop off your donation to the Chanel Centre. If you would like more details about getting involved please email Danielle daniellem@cdh.org.nz
“Sponsor a Family’s and Whanau Christmas Dinner” Through the Catholic Family Support Services
Christmas doesn’t come easy for many families and whanau. You can make a difference today by sponsoring a Christmas Hamper for families, whanau and children going through tough times.
Small Hamper—$50
Larger Hamper—$100
Make a pledge by contacting Catholic Family Support Services (07) 856 3760 or Catholic Family Support Services Account number: 02-0342-0008002-00
Please provide your name and contact details.
St Vincent de Paul - Chartwell
"Vinnies Chartwell (Lynden Court) needs volunteers. Duties can include, but not limited to - retail behind the counter using eftpos and cash register, displaying goods for sale and sorting donations. Shifts include 9am - 1pm or 1pm - 4pm, Monday to Friday, whichever shift or day suits. For more information please call 07 847 4044 during shops hours or come in and get a volunteer form. This is a great way of helping people in need."
Synod on Synodality - Hamilton Diocese
Synod 2023 Update
Thank you to those that have registered to participate in small groups as a part of Synod 2023. We have had over 200 people register to take part in these groups both online and in-person (where possible) which is a great start! There are many more people organising groups locally at parish level, in schools right across the diocese.
Extension of diocesan phase into 2022
The diocesan phase of the synod has been extended. Therefore, it is our hope to hold more small group gatherings in the first part of 2022. We want to involve as many people as possible. This change of dates from the Vatican has come as a result of feedback from local dioceses, particularly here in New Zealand and Australia asking for more time, so already the Church is becoming more synodal.
Online Response Tool
There is now an online response tool available for those unable to gather and who would still like to contribute to the synod. This is available on our website synod.cdh.nz People are welcome to contribute both here and then via a group in 2022 when we are hopefully able to gather again. This response tool will remain open until Easter 2022.
Organising your own group
If you want to organise a group in your home (or outside), you are very welcome to! Contact brigidc@cdh.org.nz so that we can support you in how to lead a group the synodal way.
End of Life Choice Bill
With the End-of-Life Choice Act coming into effect last 07 November and NZCBC issuing guidelines for ministering with people contemplating assisted dying, we are running an online event entitled "Catholic Responses to the End-of-Life Choice Act" on Wednesday 01 December 6:00-7:00pm presented by Dr John Kleinsman (Director of the Nathaniel Centre for Bioethics) and Rev Dr Mervyn Duffy (CTC Degree Programme Head).
We would like to invite you to participate and also request that you invite people especially those who are ministering to the sick. Attached is the event poster. Please do share it far and wide.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUud-mspjMqG9ZusLZTVvsxmoW_xu_3Pt0V
Readings for next Weekend:
First Reading: Baruch 5:1-9
Second Reading: Phillipians 1:4-6,8-11
Gospel: Luke 3:1-6
Contact Us
Assistant Priest: Fr Isaac Fransen frisaac@hamcathedral.co.nz
Email: newsletter@cathedral.cdh.nz
Website: https://churchwebsite.co.nz/hamcathedral/
Location: 494 Grey St, Hamilton East, Hamilton 3216, New Zealand
Phone: +64 7 856 6486