Sunday, 26 April 2026
4TH SUNDAY OF EASTER
REFLECT & PRAY
A Word from Fr Danny:
Today we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday, and yet the Gospel stops just short of the famous verse, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd is one who lays down his life for his sheep.” We will have to wait until next year to hear it. Instead, we hear Jesus say, “I am the gate of the sheepfold.”
In some ways, being the gate is even more personal, for if Our Lord is the gate, then we must pass through Him. What does it mean to pass through Christ? It is not optional, and it is not likely to be a one-time thing. Perhaps the gate is the sacraments: first the gate of Baptism, then Confirmation, and then the privilege of even weekly or even daily Holy Communion.
Either way, we need priests for this. Last weekend we had our seminarians here for two days, along with a few men who are exploring whether God might be calling them to the vocation of the priesthood. While we have the opportunity to give to the seminary appeal this weekend, there is also the important work of praying for men who may be being called, and especially praying for the seminary and for those charged with their training.
- Fr Danny
Questions for the Week:
FIRST READING: ACTS 2:14,36-41
The crowds believed Peter’s proclamation that in raising the crucified Jesus from the dead, God made Jesus both Lord and Christ. Why do you believe that Jesus is our Lord and Savior?
SECOND READING: 1 PETER 2:20-25
Peter speaks of Jesus’ wounds healing us. Can you think of a time when you have felt healed by God?
GOSPEL: JOHN 10:1-10
Jesus speaks of himself as the gate through which his followers pass and have abundant life. How has believing in Jesus enriched your life?
©LPi
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
Those whose anniversaries occur this week:
Ella Browne, Alice Quinlivan, Andrew Hunter, Terrence Warman, Peter McLean, Kevin Braithwaite, Ruby Knapp, Stephen Palmer, Sapiana Papali’i, May Braithwaite, Charles Pomeroy.
POPE LEO MONTHLY PRAYER INTENTION: APRIL ‘FOR PRIESTS IN CRISIS’
Let us pray for priests going through moments of crisis in their vocation, that they may find the accompaniment they need and that communities may support them with understanding and prayer.
PARISH NEWS
WELCOME TO GRACE MERWYN - YOUTH MINISTER
We warmly welcome Grace Merwyn as our Parish Youth Minister.
Grace has grown up in our parish and has already been leading our youth group over the past year. This role formalises her ministry and ensures she has the support needed to help our youth flourish.
Please keep Grace in your prayers as she steps into this important ministry, and join us in offering her your encouragement and support.
Seminary Appeal – Good Shepherd Sunday (26 April 2026)
This weekend we take up the Seminary Appeal, supporting the discernment and formation of our future priests. You will find brochures in the parish foyer, please take one home, spend some time with it, and keep those discerning a vocation in your prayers.
If you are able, you are also invited to support the Appeal.
Together, we help ensure the Church continues to grow through vocations in our own communities. www.seminaryappeal.cdh.nz www.cdh.org.nz/vocations
63rd World Day of Prayer for Vocations
“Listen to the voice of the Lord who invites you to a full and fruitful life, calling you to put your talents to use (cf. Mt 25:14-30) and to unite your limitations and weaknesses with the glorious cross of Christ.” - Pope Leo XIV
To find out more about this year’s exciting programme for baptised children aged 8 years and older, designed to prepare them to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation, and Eucharist, or to register visit: www.tongarirocatholic.nz/our-programmes/pact
Questions? office@tongarirocatholic.nz or contact Sue 027 555 3339
CONNECT GROUPS:
We have lots of small groups that you can connect with! Do you like movies, gardening or knitting? Want to deepen your prayer life or learn more about the Catholic Faith? Groups for men, women and youth - we want everyone to experience the joy of belonging to our vibrant community! Check out the Connect Group Display in the church foyer for details.
JOIN US THIS WEEK
Sunday, 26 April: 4th Sunday of Easter
5pm Saturday Vigil Mass, Tūrangi | 9am Mass, Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
8.30am | Chapel | Taupō
Divine Mercy Chaplet
3pm | Chapel | Taupō
Monday, 27 April
Mass
7pm | Church | Taupō
Tuesday, 28 April
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Community Lunch
1pm | Cafe | Taupō
No Youth Group this week
Wednesday, 29 April
Depth Charge Connect
10am | Hancock’s Place | Taupō
Rosary | Tūrangi
11.30am | Church | Tūrangi
Mass
12noon | Church | Tūrangi
Fair-Weather Gardeners
12pm - 3pm | Taupō
Ave Connect | Rosary
7pm | Chapel | Taupō
Thursday, 30 April
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Purl Connect | Knitting Group
1pm | Lesley McIntosh’s Place | Taupō
Holy Hour
5.30pm | Church | Taupō
Endurance Connect | Men’s Group
7pm | Cafe | Taupō
Friday, 1 May
Mass
12noon | Church | Taupō
Divine Mercy
3pm | Chapel | Taupō
Saturday, 2 May
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
9.30am | Chapel | Taupō
Ministers for Sunday, 26 April
4th Sunday of Easter
Taupō
Tūrangi
THIS WEEK….
UPCOMING
Mr. Pip (2012) is a drama set during the 1989 Bougainville Civil War, following Mr. Watts (Hugh Laurie), the last white man on the island, who reopens a school. He reads Dickens' Great Expectations to students, providing a comforting, imaginative escape for a young girl named Matilda. The story explores the power of literature amidst brutal conflict.
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
Mons Frank 80th Birthday Celebration
Mass at the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saturday 9 May, 11.00 am.
All welcome, please bring a plate of food to share in the Cathedral Hall following Mass
If you are able to please email jo.eggleton@gmail.com to RSVP.
If you are unable to attend but would like to send a birthday message please complete this form:
http://www.cdh.org.nz/mons80
We are so excited to be welcoming Mike and Alicia Hernon from the Messy Family Project to our diocese this May. If you’ve ever wondered how to build a strong family life in the middle of the everyday mess… this is for you. Their talk on Growing a Family Culture is all about the reality of family life — how the small, often unseen things in our homes shape our children, our relationships, and the kind of family we become. Not through perfection, but through intention. They’ll be sharing five key elements that help create a family culture that is strong, faith-filled, and lived out day by day.
St Thomas More Catholic School Gathering Space, Mount Maunganui – Thursday 14 May, 7.00pm
Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish Hall, Hamilton – Friday 15 May, 7.00pm
All are welcome - no registration required.
Catechists Day 2026
Supporting Disciples Who Form Disciples
Saturday 16 May 2026 | 9:30am – 3:00pm
St Mary’s School Hall, 61 Kensington St, Putāruru
Catechists from across the diocese are warmly invited to a day of formation, encouragement, and renewal in their ministry.
This year’s focus is the thresholds of conversion — understanding how people grow in faith and how catechists can better accompany children, parents, and adults as they move from curiosity about God to intentional discipleship. At the heart of the day is a simple vision: supporting disciples who form disciples.
The day will be led by Peter Gilmore, Coordinator of Evangelisation and Parish Renewal for the Diocese of Wollongong. Peter brings extensive experience in catechesis and diocesan formation, having previously served as a Faith Education Officer and Coordinator for the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD), where he supported faith formation across 29 parishes. His teaching combines theological depth with practical, pastoral insight that is both encouraging and accessible.
What the Day Will Cover
Together we will explore:
What conversion really means in the life of faith
The “thresholds of conversion” — trust, curiosity, openness, seeking, and intentional discipleship
How catechists can recognise where someone is and respond with confidence
The role of RCIA as the model for Christian initiation
How sacramental preparation can become an opportunity to evangelise families
Practical ways to create real encounters with Christ in parish life
The day will include teaching, breakout discussions, Mass together, and practical workshops. In the afternoon, participants can choose between two focused sessions:
Foundations of RCIA
Family Formation and Sacramental Preparation
Whether you are new to catechetical ministry or have served for many years, this day will offer encouragement, fresh insight, and practical tools to help you continue forming disciples in your parish.
Come and be renewed in your calling as a catechist — and be strengthened in the mission of supporting disciples who form disciples.
About Dr Mary Healy
Dr Mary Healy is Professor of Scripture at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, a bestselling author, and an international speaker. She is a general editor of the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture and author of volumes on The Gospel of Mark and Hebrews. Her other works include The Spiritual Gifts Handbook and Healing.
Dr Healy serves on the Pontifical Biblical Commission and is a consultor to the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. She is also involved in the Pentecostal-Catholic International Dialogue through the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity. She is widely known for helping Catholics encounter the Word of God in a way that is both faithful to the Church and relevant to everyday life.
"ACTIV8 Prolife Youth Camp is back! Join us in Ngāruawāhia from 14–17 July for four action-packed days of engaging teaching, thoughtful discussions, and vibrant community! Learn how to speak up for the voiceless with clarity and confidence, dive deep into pro-life apologetics, build friendships, and discover your unique role in building a culture of life in NZ. Spaces are limited - Register before the end of April at www.activ8nz.org to secure our early bird ticket rate of $150!"
We are delighted to be approaching a special milestone in the life of St Joseph’s Catholic School, New Plymouth and we warmly invite past students, staff, and families to join us in this joyful celebration of this Mission Sister’s school. This will be a meaningful time to come together in fellowship, to reconnect, and to give thanks for the many memories and blessings shared within our school community.
Please mark your calendars for Friday 23 October, Saturday 24 October, and Sunday 25 October.
We kindly ask you to complete the “Register Your Interest” form here: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSeUuzs83RR.../viewform...
As our planning continues and we gain a clearer idea of numbers attending, further details will be shared here. In the spirit of community, please feel free to pass this invitation on to others who have been part of St Joseph’s Catholic School, so we can gather as widely as possible.
In the meantime, we invite you to stay connected by following our Facebook page, where you can see the life and spirit of our school as it continues today.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576850039718
We look forward to welcoming you back, renewing connections, and celebrating together as a faith-filled whānau.
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