Sunday, 14 December 2025
3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Questions for the Week:
FIRST READING: ISAIAH 35:1-6,10
The prophet Isaiah taught his community to “be strong, fear not!” because God has planned a remarkable future where both the people and the land will be restored. Is there a friend or co-worker who needs your encouragement this week?
SECOND READING: JAMES 5:7-10
James encourages his community to be patient and firm of heart in waiting for the coming of the Lord. What are you waiting for during this Advent season?
GOSPEL: MATTHEW 11:2-11
In prison, John the Baptist seemed uncertain about who Jesus is. Who do you talk to when you have questions about Jesus?
©LPi
A Word from Fr Danny:
During his time on earth, why did Our Lord never release anyone from prison, not even his cousin John the Baptist? He allowed him to die an unjust death, just as he would soon surrender himself to one. Perhaps Christ is showing us the true direction of our lives. Are you the one? This was John’s question, and it is the question every heart must ask. Christ invites us to speak those words and to wait for the answer with our whole being. Maybe John asked with such depth that the fullest answer awaited him beyond death, where all things are clear in the light of God.
Does the intensity of our questions to the Lord deepen over time? Is it possible that Advent, that time of waiting, is when we are called to follow John and ask our questions more earnestly of the Lord? A question offered to God rises from the core of who we are and refuses to rest until grace answers it. Such asking places our lives in his hands.
- Fr Danny
NZCBC in collaboration with Fr Frank Bird presents SCRIPTURE FOCUS THIS ADVENT: You are invited to prepare for Sunday Mass by reading and reflecting on the Scripture we will hear that weekend. Marist priest Fr Frank Bird has for several years been helping people make those preparations through his Living the Word project. As the name suggests, Living the Word is an invitation for Catholics and others to allow the Word of God to shape their lives. You can download the resources, and access other rich content, at www.livingtheword.org.nz/pray
PARISH NEWS & EVENTS
Here’s what's happening
Sunday, 14 December: 3rd Sunday of Advent
5pm Saturday Vigil Mass, Tūrangi | 9am Mass, Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
8.30am | Chapel | Taupō
Divine Mercy
3pm | Chapel | Taupō
Monday, 15 December
Mass
7pm | Church | Taupō
Tuesday, 16 December
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Community Lunch | Christmas Lunch | Last One for the Term | All Welcome
1pm | Cafe | Taupō
Interchurch Welfare Society Meeting
5pm | Cafe | Taupō
Wednesday, 17 December
Fair-Weather Gardeners
12pm - 3pm | Taupō
Holy Hour | Sacrament of Penance & Benediction | Tūrangi
5pm | Church | Tūrangi
Mass | Tūrangi
6pm | Church | Tūrangi
Ave Connect | Rosary
7pm | Chapel | Taupō
Thursday, 18 December
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Advent Reconciliation | Rite II
7pm | Church | Taupō
Friday, 19 December
Mass
12pm | Church | Taupō
Divine Mercy
3pm | Chapel | Taupō
Holy Hour | Adoration, Confession & Benediction
6.30pm | Church | Taupō
Saturday, 20 December
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
9.30am | Taupō
Vigil Mass
5pm | Church | Tūrangi
Sunday, 21 December: 4th Sunday of Advent
5pm Saturday Vigil Mass, Tūrangi | 9am Mass, Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
8.30am | Chapel | Taupō
Divine Mercy
3pm | Chapel | Taupō
Monday, 22 December
Mass
7pm | Church | Taupō
Tuesday, 23 December
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Wednesday, 24 December | Christmas Eve
Fair-Weather Gardeners
12pm - 3pm | Taupō
Ave Connect | Rosary
7pm | Chapel | Taupō
Carols | Taupō
7.30pm | Church | Taupō
Vigil Mass | Taupō
8pm | Church | Taupō
Carols | Tūrangi
11.30pm | Church | Tūrangi
Midnight Mass | Tūrangi
Midnight | Church | Tūrangi
Thursday, 25 December | Christmas Day
Carols
8.30am | Church | Taupō
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Friday, 26 December
Mass
12pm | Church | Taupō
Divine Mercy
3pm | Chapel | Taupō
Holy Hour | Adoration, Confession & Benediction
6.30pm | Church | Taupō
Saturday, 27 December
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
9.30am | Taupō
Ministers for Sunday, 14 December
3rd Sunday of Advent
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
Called by Name is a Catholic Summer Camp for children going into Year 7, up to those who have just completed Year 9.
Run by Catholic parents, this event has been supported by the Bernadette Trust through the Catholic Diocese of Hamilton.
The main purpose is to help children enter their tumultuous teenage years knowing they are seen, known and loved by God, that there is a plan and a purpose for their lives.
The camp will endeavour to encourage our youth to begin the journey of taking ownership of their own prayer life, by giving them the time and space at camp to listen to testimonies of older teens, spend time in personal prayer, Adoration, and be given the opportunity for Confession, while having summer camp-style fun with other Catholic kids.
Jan 18 to Jan 21, 2026. Waitawheta Camp, 439 Waitawheta Road, Waihi
INTERNATIONAL NEWS & EVENTS
Click the image above to go to the Jubilee Year website.