Sunday, 17 August 2025
20TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Questions for the Week:
FIRST READING: JEREMIAH 38:4-6,8-10
One of the court officials, Ebed-Melech, pleaded for Jeremiah to be rescued from a muddy cistern. How might you help a friend or colleague this week?
SECOND READING: HEBREWS 12:1-4
The author of Hebrews encourages his community to focus on Jesus as a way to stay strong and hopeful. Can you think of a time when your faith in Jesus helped you through a challenging circumstance?
GOSPEL: LUKE 12:49-53
Jesus forewarns his disciples that even families will be divided over his words. Growing up, how did your family deal with tension and conflict?
©LPi
A Word from Fr Danny:
How should we receive the words of Christ: “Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division”? A tension-free stability is not necessarily God’s will. Christ makes clear that His coming brings a choice that will divide—globally, between people, and even within our own hearts.
Our Lord also says, “There is a baptism I must still receive.” This is the Cross, which is the source of that division. At first, the opposing sides may seem alike. Both thieves beside Jesus were criminals, yet one turned to Him in faith and entered paradise, while the other rejected Him.
We must not be timid in following Christ. He warns us that loyalty to Him may disrupt comfort and relationships. This is not failure but the cost of discipleship. We are called to choose Him over empty stability, trusting that lasting peace is found only through the Cross.
- Fr Danny
Common Good Foundation CARING SUNDAY 2025 APPEAL
Giving to the Caring Sunday Appeal means that you are making it possible for groups across our Diocese to serve the most vulnerable. The Common Good Foundation [Catholic Care in Action] gives grants to a range of groups and organisations including groups that offer counselling and social work, serve the homeless and in need at foodbanks, deliver powerful parish-based initiatives, and many more different whānau-centered programmes that enable families to thrive. Donate today by grabbing an envelope from your church foyer or contact Caroline at admin@commongood.org.nz or donate online at www.commongood.org.
🔥 Burning Questions 🔥
Wrestling with faith? Confused about Church teachings or traditions? You’re not alone — and no question is too big or too small.
Each week, Fr Danny will tackle the questions people are really asking.
🗓 Starts Wed 13 Aug
🕢 7:30 PM
📍 St Patrick’s Church
❓ Submit your questions in the foyer or online 👈
Come with curiosity. Leave with something to think about.
Teacher to Witness: A Day for Training and Equipping for Formation
🗓 Saturday 23 August
🕙 10:00am – 3:00pm
📍 St Michael’s, Rotorua
Are you a Catechist, RCIA leader, or involved in baptismal or sacramental preparation?
Join us for a day designed to inspire, equip, and encourage all who help form others in the Catholic faith. Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, this day will offer valuable tools, spiritual enrichment, and meaningful connection with others in ministry.
✨ The day includes practical workshops, times of reflection, and the celebration of the Eucharist with Bishop Richard.
Come and be renewed — from teacher of the faith to witness of Christ.
PARISH NEWS & EVENTS
Here’s what's happening
Sunday, 17 August: 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
5pm Saturday Vigil Mass, Tūrangi | 9am Mass, Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
8.30am | Chapel | Taupō
PACT | Preparation - Reconciliation
After Mass | Chapel | Taupō
Divine Mercy
3pm | Taupō
Monday, 18 August
Mass
7pm | Church | Taupō
Tuesday, 19 August
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Community Lunch
1pm | Cafe | Taupō
Interchurch Welfare Society Meeting
5pm | Cafe | Taupō
Youth Group
6pm-7.15pm (Year 7&8) | Taupō (Weekly during school term)
6.30pm-8pm (Year 9-13) | Taupō (Weekly during school term)
Wednesday, 20 August
Depth Charge Connect
10am | Hancock’s Place | Taupō
Ave Connect | Rosary
11.30am | Church | Tūrangi
Mass | Tūrangi
12pm | Church | Tūrangi
Fair-Weather Gardeners
12pm - 3pm | Taupō
Ave Connect | Rosary
7pm | Chapel | Taupō
Burning Questions
7.30pm | Chapel | Taupō
Thursday, 21 August
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Purl Connect | Knitting Group
1pm | MacIntosh’s Place | Taupō
Endurance Connect | Men’s Group
7pm | Cafe | Taupō
Friday, 22 August
Mass
12pm | Church | Taupō
Divine Mercy
3pm | Taupō
NO Holy Hour | Resuming next week
Saturday, 23 August
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
9.30am | Taupō
Sunday, 24 August: 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
5pm Saturday Vigil Mass, Tūrangi | 9am Mass, Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
8.30am | Chapel | Taupō
Divine Mercy
3pm | Taupō
Monday, 25 August
Mass
7pm | Church | Taupō
Tuesday, 26 August
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Community Lunch
1pm | Cafe | Taupō
Youth Group
6pm-7.15pm (Year 7&8) | Taupō (Weekly during school term)
6.30pm-8pm (Year 9-13) | Taupō (Weekly during school term)
Wednesday, 27 August
Depth Charge Connect
10am | Hancock’s Place | Taupō
Ave Connect | Rosary
11.30am | Church | Tūrangi
Mass | Tūrangi
12pm | Church | Tūrangi
Fair-Weather Gardeners
12pm - 3pm | Taupō
Ave Connect | Rosary
7pm | Chapel | Taupō
Burning Questions
7.30pm | Chapel | Taupō
Thursday, 28 August
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Purl Connect | Knitting Group
1pm | MacIntosh’s Place | Taupō
Endurance Connect | Men’s Group
7pm | Cafe | Taupō
Friday, 29 August
Mass
12pm | Church | Taupō
Divine Mercy
3pm | Taupō
Holy Hour | Adoration, Confession & Benediction
6.30pm | Church | Taupō
Saturday, 30 August
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
9.30am | Taupō
Vigil Mass | 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
5pm | Church | Tūrangi
Ministers for Sunday, 17 August
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Taupō
Tūrangi
THIS WEEK….
Don’t our gardens look beautiful?! If you’re keen to lend a hand on a casual basis, to pull a few weeds, come along on a Wednesday anytime between 12noon and 3pm and join some of our gardening team.
COMING UP…
RETREATS
Retreats
Tyburn Monastery, Ngakuru &
Cluny Retreat Centre, Tauranga
DIOCESAN NEWS & EVENTS
Our annual family camp weekend is set to kick off Friday 10 October early evening. Accommodation is being offered at Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park with most of our sessions being held onsite at St Marys, Seddon Street, Rotorua.
Discount codes are available to use thanks to generous donors. FULL will give you 100% off HALF will give you 50% off.
Our theme this year explores fostering and discerning vocations and gifts as part of family life - pilgrims of hope for the future! Price includes - planned activities; lunch, dinner, morning and afternoon tea on Saturday, morning tea and lunch on Sunday; Mothers wine and cheese night and Dads breakfast. Accomodation extra at heavily discounted rates.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS & EVENTS
Ahead of the 2025 Jubilee, Pope Francis has inaugurated a Year of Prayer.
Click the image to explore the Diocese of Hamilton Year of Prayer Resources
Click the image above to go to the Jubilee Year website.