Sunday, 11 January 2026
THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD
Questions for the Week:
FIRST READING: ISAIAH 42:1-4,6-7
Isaiah speaks of God using a servant to deliver justice to the nations of the world. When have you felt God calling you to do His work?
SECOND READING: ACTS 10:34-38
Peter testifies how God and the Holy Spirit were active in the life and public ministry of Jesus. Do you sense the Holy Spirit present in your life?
GOSPEL: MATTHEW 3:13-17
John the Baptist initially hesitates baptizing Jesus. Do you have a friend or co-worker who needs your encouragement?
©LPi
A Word from Fr Danny:
Someone pointed out the other day that it is a strange phrase Our Lord uses when speaking of his being baptised by John. “It is fitting that we should, in this way, do all that righteousness demands.” On the surface, it does not seem either fitting or righteous, since John’s baptism was “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1), and Christ has no sin of which to repent.
This tells us that the righteousness Jesus speaks of is not simply moral goodness or personal repentance. It is something deeper. It is a new righteousness, a divine righteousness, rooted not in sin but in obedience and self-giving.
This is immediately affirmed by the voice from heaven. The Father declares, “This is my beloved Son.” Jesus’ baptism is framed not by a confession of sin, but by a revelation of love. It is love that constitutes this divine righteousness, a righteousness that goes beyond sin and opens the way to communion with God.
Seen in this light, baptism is not only about forgiveness. It is about being drawn into the loving relationship between the Father and the Son. And this reveals that baptism, and indeed all the sacraments, are at their deepest level about divine love.
- Fr Danny
PARISH NEWS & EVENTS
Here’s what's happening
Sunday, 11 January: The Baptism of the Lord
5pm Saturday Vigil Mass, Tūrangi | 9am Mass, Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
8.30am | Chapel | Taupō
Divine Mercy
3pm | Chapel | Taupō
Monday, 12 January
Mass
7pm | Church | Taupō
Tuesday, 13 January
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Healers Connect
9.30am | Cafe | Taupō
Wednesday, 14 January
Ave Connect | Rosary
11.30am | Church | Tūrangi
Mass | Tūrangi
12pm | Church | Tūrangi
Fair-Weather Gardeners
12pm - 3pm | Taupō
Ave Connect | Rosary
7pm | Chapel | Taupō
Thursday, 15 January
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Friday, 16 January
Mass
12pm | Church | Taupō
Divine Mercy
3pm | Chapel | Taupō
Holy Hour | Adoration, Confession & Benediction
6.30pm | Church | Taupō
Saturday, 17 January
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
9.30am | Taupō
Vigil Mass
5pm | Church | Tūrangi
Sunday, 18 January: 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
5pm Saturday Vigil Mass, Tūrangi | 9am Mass, Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
8.30am | Chapel | Taupō
Divine Mercy
3pm | Chapel | Taupō
Monday, 19 January
Mass
7pm | Church | Taupō
Tuesday, 20 January
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Interchurch Welfare Society Meeting
5pm | Cafe | Taupō
Wednesday, 21 January
Ave Connect | Rosary
11.30am | Church | Tūrangi
Mass | Tūrangi
12pm | Church | Tūrangi
Fair-Weather Gardeners
12pm - 3pm | Taupō
Ave Connect | Rosary
7pm | Chapel | Taupō
Thursday, 22 January
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Friday, 23 January
Mass
12pm | Church | Taupō
Divine Mercy
3pm | Chapel | Taupō
Holy Hour | Adoration, Confession & Benediction
6.30pm | Church | Taupō
Saturday, 24 January
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
9.30am | Taupō
Ministers for Sunday, 11 January
The Baptism of the Lord
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.