Sunday, 8 March 2026
3RD SUNDAY OF LENT
REFLECT & PRAY
A Word from Fr Danny:
Twice in the Gospel we hear the phrase “spirit and truth.” This appears in the encounter between Christ and the Samaritan woman at the well. When she admits, “I have no husband,” our Lord responds, “You spoke the truth there.” Notice her courage—she speaks honestly to Christ, even though He already knows her story. He affirms her honesty:
“You are right to say, ‘I have no husband’; for although you have had five, the one you have now is not your husband.”
What follows is a teaching on worship: “True worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth” and “must worship in spirit and truth.”
Here we see that true worship begins with honesty before God. The Samaritan woman had to confess her reality and her life situation before she could receive and live Christ’s words. True worship is impossible without this openness. This applies both corporately and personally: corporately, our confession is reflected in whether we honestly follow what the Church asks of us when we celebrate Holy Mass; personally, we must approach God with a clear, honest heart. Only then can our worship be authentic, in spirit and truth.
- Fr Danny
Questions for the Week:
FIRST READING: EXODUS 17:3-7
God answers Moses’ prayer of petition to give the Israelites water to drink before they die of thirst in the desert. What would you like to ask from the Lord in the upcoming week?
SECOND READING: ROMANS 5:1-2,5-8
Paul tells the Romans to have hope because the Holy Spirit pours the love of God into our hearts. What are you hoping for this Lent?
GOSPEL: JOHN 4:5-42
The Samaritan woman eventually comes to believe in Jesus as the Messiah and savior of the world. What convinces you that Jesus is your Lord and Savior?
©LPi
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
Those whose anniversaries occur this week:
Bryant Todd, Joan Hussey, Annette Rudnicki, Terrence McGeough, Francis O’Donnell, Tracy Bennett, Hiriria Hay, Louise Hoban, Emily Murphy-Anderson, Isobel McQueen, John Walsh, Patricia McMullin.
Our Elect:
Malin, Sophie, John, Beaden and Mary are journeying towards being received into the church at Easter. Please pray for the Holy Spirit to continue to enlighten their hearts and minds, and guide them to a deeper faith and love of Jesus, His church and His mission.
PRAY | FAST | GIVE
“But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing”
Focus on the needs of our brothers and sisters.
GIVE to a charity or a worthy cause.
St Vincent de Paul | Foodbank Request
This Lent, as we pray, fast, and give alms, you’re invited to share Christ’s love in a practical way. We are collecting non-perishable food items and small Easter treats to create Easter baskets for those in need.
Please place your donations in the St Vincent de Paul food bins in the foyer. Thank you for making your Lenten journey one of generosity and hope.
CARITAS AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND | LENT APPEAL
Your gift this Lent transforms lives.
Your compassion helps Caritas deliver life‑changing assistance across the world, creating safety, stability, and hope where it’s needed most.
Donate via the envelope in the parish foyer or online at www.caritas.org.nz
Walk with Jesus on the road to Calvary. This week will be led by the Tokelau community (Taupō).
Compassio is a Lenten programme that supports both personal prayer and group reflection throughout Lent. Join us to reflect on the Sunday Gospel and beautiful sacred art, pray together, and spend time in discussion.
PARISH & SCHOOL NEWS
Anointing of the Sick Mass
Fr Danny will celebrate the Anointing of the Sick Mass Friday 13th March 12noon. Followed by lunch put on by the St Vincent de Paul Society.
JOIN US THIS WEEK
Sunday, 8 March: 3rd Sunday of Lent
5pm Saturday Vigil Mass, Tūrangi | 9am Mass, Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
8.30am | Chapel | Taupō
Divine Mercy Chaplet
3pm | Chapel | Taupō
Monday, 9 March
Mass
7pm | Church | Taupō
Tuesday, 10 March
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Healers Connect
9.30am | Cafe | Taupō
Community Lunch
1pm | Cafe | Taupō
Junior Youth Group
6pm-7.15pm (Year 7-9) | Taupō (Weekly during school term)
Wednesday, 11 March
Depth Charge Connect
10am | Hancock’s Place | Taupō
Stations of the Cross | Tūrangi
11.30am | Church | Tūrangi
Mass | Tūrangi
12pm | Church | Tūrangi
Lenten Reflection | Tūrangi
12.30pm | Church | Tūrangi
Fair-Weather Gardeners
12pm - 3pm | Taupō
Ave Connect | Rosary
7pm | Chapel | Taupō
RCIA
7.30pm | Cafe | Taupō
Thursday, 12 March
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Purl Connect | Knitting Group
1pm | Cafe | Taupō
St Vincent de Paul Meeting
5pm | Cafe | Taupō
Holy Hour | Adoration, Confession & Benediction
5.30pm | Church | Taupō
Endurance Connect | Men’s Group
7pm | Cafe | Taupō
Friday, 13 March
Mass | Anointing of the Sick
12pm | Church | Taupō
St Vincent de Paul Lunch
After 12pm Mass | Cafe | Taupō
Divine Mercy Chaplet
3pm | Chapel | Taupō
Stations of the Cross | Led by our Tokelau community
7pm | Church | Taupō
Lenten Reflection
7.30pm | Chapel | Taupō
Saturday, 14 March
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
9.30am | Taupō
Ministers for Sunday, 8 March
3rd Sunday of Lent
Taupō
Tūrangi
THIS WEEK….
RETREATS
Pilgrimage of Mercy | Women’s Retreat
Date/Time - Fri 29 May - Sun 31 May 5:00pm - 12:00pm
Being led by Grace to the River of Mercy
Come as you are; weary, wondering, or wide open. Journey with us into a sacred space of rest, reflection, and renewal.
Guided by Sr. Kat Stone (MGL Australia) and Retreat leader and coach Jen (Aust. Cert in leadership in Ministry), this Spirit-led retreat is an invitation to step away from the noise of life and walk gently toward the stillness of divine mercy.
Through prayer, silence, sacred conversation, and moments of still waters, you’ll be led – not by striving – but by grace, into the tender current of God’s healing presence.
This is a pilgrimage for the heart – a return to the mercy that was never withheld, only forgotten. You don’t need to earn it. You simply need to follow and allow God to minister to you.
Retreats
Tyburn Monastery, Ngakuru &
Cluny Retreat Centre, Tauranga
DIOCESAN NEWS & EVENTS
SET FREE - Y10-13
7-9 April at St Peter’s School, Cambridge. Registration $130. Some parish sponsorship available. Register: tinyurl.com/SetFree2026
HEAVEN COME - ages 18-35
10-12 April at St Peter’s School, Cambridge. Registration $150. Some parish sponsorship available. Register: tinyurl.com/HC-2026
Join a group pilgrimage to Medjugorje from 05-18 June 2026.
Experience ‘Medjugorje In-Depth’ with a 10-night stay in the Holy Valley.
Expressions of interest are welcome.
Contact Patricia:
info@mirpilgrimages.co.nz | 027 35 25 217
Every member of the Church has a role to play in building up the Body of Christ. This March, join us at Mission Hub as we reflect on Ephesians 4 and the five gifts Christ gives His people: Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, and Teacher.
Together, we’ll explore how to recognise these gifts in ourselves, how they strengthen the Church, and how we can respond with courage and faith.
Monday 9 March, 7:00–8:30pm (NZ time), Online via Zoom. Prayer, inspiring content, discussion
Click here to register: https://bit.ly/march9webinar
Current of Grace Hamilton invite you to come along and bring a friend.
"Behold, I am making all things new”
Thursday 12 March 7pm at St Matthew’s Church, 58 Silverstream Rd, Hamilton
Beginning with tea/coffee. A small plate appreciated but not essential
Contact: Helen 0272941270
Join our Bishops and other people of faith to explore the Gospels of Lent online.
Parishioners are warmly invited to take part in the Lent Webinar Series 2026, a six‑week national online journey with New Zealand’s Catholic Bishops. Through prayer, reflection and sharing, Caritas and the Bishops of Aotearoa invite you to join us for a journey through Lent, in the light of the Gospel and the needs of our world. Hear what the Lord is asking of us in our moment of time. Each session includes guided reflection, insights from Catholic social teaching, and moments for quiet contemplation as we prepare our hearts for Easter.
To register, simply scan the QR code on the poster or visit the Caritas website.
www.caritas.org.nz/lent-webinars
Download dates and poster here.
11 March - Webinar Three: The Women at the Well | I Am He with Bishop Stephen Lowe