Sunday, 15 March 2026
4TH SUNDAY OF LENT (LAETARE SUNDAY)
REFLECT & PRAY
A Word from Fr Danny:
In Taupō this Sunday we celebrate the patronal saint of our church, Saint Patrick. Technically, St Patrick is the titular saint, meaning the saint to whom the church building is officially dedicated. In Catholic usage the title of a church may be either a canonised saint or a mystery of the Holy Trinity or of Christ.
From our Jubilee book we read about our first church in Taupō: “The new Church was blessed and opened on Sunday 12 April 1931 by his Lordship Bishop Liston. Father Langerwerf had asked Mr. and Mrs. Wehringo to name the new church and they chose ‘Sacred Heart’. However, the Bishop changed the name to St Patrick’s.” Perhaps this reflected the Bishop’s Irish heritage.
Perhaps he also had in mind the Entrance Antiphon for the feast of St Patrick: “Leave your country, your family and your father’s house for the land I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name so famous that it will be used as a blessing”
Whether we speak of St Patrick as our patron or our titular, we confidently ask for his intercession today.
- Fr Danny
Questions for the Week:
FIRST READING: 1 SAMUEL 16:1,6-7,10-13
Samuel does not expect the Lord to anoint the young David as Israel’s next king. When have you been surprised by God doing something unexpected in your life?
SECOND READING: EPHESIANS 5:8-14
Paul expects the believers in Ephesus to live as children of light and learn what is pleasing to the Lord. What could you do this week that is pleasing to the Lord?
GOSPEL: JOHN 9:1-41
Jesus’ healing of the blind man causes confusion and even anger to those who do not see him as the Christ. Have you seen or felt God’s presence in this season of Lent?
©LPi
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
Those whose anniversaries occur this week:
Edward Dean, Paul Ancell, Henry Stafford, Hinearia McGreevy, Marie Smith, Antonius Pol, Dai Bowden, Sylvia Angland, Ivan Griffin, Ellen Howell, Cornelia De Bont, Peter Ransley.
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 whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Spend time in prayer - What is God saying to you TODAY?
POPE LEO MONTHLY PRAYER INTENTION: MARCH ‘For disarmament and peace’
Let us pray that nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence.
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.
Walk with Jesus on the road to Calvary. This week will be led by the School community (Taupō)
PARISH NEWS
ST PATRICK’S DAY - WELCOME TO OUR SCHOOL FAMILIES
As we celebrate Saint Patrick, we welcome our school families today to Sunday Mass. St Patrick’s faith changed a nation because he shared Christ with courage and joy. May this celebration be a moment to encounter Christ and deepen the gift of faith together.
QUESTIONS ABOUT FAITH? TRY ALPHA
You’re invited to explore life and faith through Alpha.
Alpha is a relaxed and welcoming series of gatherings where people come together over a meal to explore the meaning of life and the Christian faith. Each session includes a short video and open conversation where every perspective is welcome. It’s a chance to pause, reflect, ask questions, and rediscover the heart of the Christian faith.
CLERGY GATHERING - CHANGE IN MASS TIMES:
All the clergy of the diocese will gather in Hamilton on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Please pray for them as they gather. To enable Fr Danny to attend, Mass will be at 8am Tuesday in Taupō, and there will be no Mass in Tūrangi on Wednesday. Thank you for your flexibility!
JOIN US THIS WEEK
Sunday, 15 March: 4th Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday)
5pm Saturday Vigil Mass, Tūrangi | 9am Mass, Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
8.30am | Chapel | Taupō
Divine Mercy Chaplet
3pm | Chapel | Taupō
Monday, 16 March
Mass
7pm | Church | Taupō
Tuesday, 17 March
Mass | Note time change
8am | Church | Taupō
Community Lunch
1pm | Café | Taupō
Interchurch Welfare Society Meeting
5pm | Café | Taupō
Junior Youth Group
6pm-7.15pm (Year 7-9) | Taupō (Weekly during school term)
Wednesday, 18 March
Depth Charge Connect
10am | Hancock’s Place | Taupō
Stations of the Cross | Tūrangi
11.30am | Church | Tūrangi
No Mass today | Tūrangi
Fair-Weather Gardeners
12pm - 3pm | Taupō
Ave Connect | Rosary
7pm | Chapel | Taupō
RCIA
7.30pm | Café | Taupō
Thursday, 19 March
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Purl Connect | Knitting Group
1pm | Café | Taupō
Holy Hour | Adoration, Confession & Benediction
5.30pm | Church | Taupō
Endurance Connect | Men’s Group
7pm | Café | Taupō
Friday, 20 March
Mass
12pm | Church | Taupō
Divine Mercy Chaplet
3pm | Chapel | Taupō
Stations of the Cross | Led by our School community
7pm | Church | Taupō
Lenten Reflection
7.30pm | Chapel | Taupō
Saturday, 21 March
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
9.30am | Taupō
Ministers for Sunday, 15 March
4th Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday)
Taupō
Tūrangi
THIS WEEK….
UPCOMING
RETREATS
One space left at Cluny Weekday retreat. Join us for a peaceful (silent) Ignatian retreat that includes Mass and personalised spiritual guidance from Fr. Richard Shortall SJ. Sunday, Apr 19, 2026 at 7:00 PM to Friday, Apr 24, 2026 at 8:00 AM, Cluny Retreat Centre, Tauranga.
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
Men's Rosary
Calling all men to gather and pray for the conversion of New Zealand!
Where: Steps of the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary
When: Saturday, 28 March 2026, 12:00 pm
Recurring: Every first Saturday of the month from May
Contact: Bruce 021 556 227
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