Sunday, 12 July 2026
15TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
REFLECT & PRAY
A Word from Fr Danny:
Does it strike us as strange that the Lord says, “The reason I talk to them in parables is that they look without seeing and listen without hearing or understanding”? If nothing else, it tells us that Christ is deliberately saying something that He intends to be understood at different levels by different people. He is not speaking simply. The advantage is that He can communicate a great deal without speaking in a merely univocal way, but it also means that His words can be misunderstood. Clearly, however, Our Lord believes this is a risk worth taking.
Perhaps one reason He speaks like this is so that some people are not forced into a response before they are ready to receive it. Is it possible that His parables are like time bombs, set to go off only when people are ready to receive them? Maybe this is both a mercy of God and a real work of the Holy Spirit, making the meaning known to people when they are ready to receive it.
If this is the case, perhaps we can take the words of Isaiah, which Our Lord places before us in the Gospel, and turn them into our own prayer: “Lord, help me to hear with my ears, understand with my heart, be converted, and be healed by You.”
- Fr Danny
Questions for the Week:
FIRST READING: ISAIAH 55:10-11
Isaiah encourages us to trust in the reliability of God’s word and purposes. When do you find yourself trusting in the Lord?
SECOND READING: ROMANS 8:18-23
Paul places his hope in God’s promised future, when both people and creation itself will be freed from corruption and decay. Is there something you or your family have been hoping for lately?
GOSPEL: MATTHEW 13:1-23
Jesus teaches his disciples to be open (be “rich soil”) to the often mysterious meaning of the parables about the kingdom of Heaven. Are you someone who is open to new or different ideas?
©LPi
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
Those whose anniversaries occur this week:
Jozeph Van den Broek, David Corry, Colleen Mackenzie-Searle, Lesly Webley, Haa (Curtis) Hori, Michael McGreevy, Phillip Cullen, Mihi Retiti, Hine Rameka.
POPE LEO MONTHLY PRAYER INTENTION: JULY ‘FOR RESPECT FOR HUMAN LIFE’’
Let us pray for the respect and protection of human life in all its stages, recognising it as a gift from God.
PARISH NEWS
COMMON GOOD FOUNDATION CARING SUNDAY 2026 APPEAL 11/12 JULY
Giving to the Caring Sunday Appeal means that you are making it possible for groups across our Diocese to serve the most vulnerable. The Common Good Foundation [Catholic Care in Action] gives grants to a range of groups and organisations including groups that offer counselling and social work, serve the homeless and in need at foodbanks, deliver powerful parish-based initiatives, and many more different whānau-focused programmes that enable families to thrive. Donate today by grabbing an envelope from your church foyer or contact Caroline at admin@commongood.org.nz or donate online at www.commongood.org.nz
CONNECT GROUPS TAKING A BREAK FOR THE HOLIDAYS
The following Connect Groups will then take a break for the school holidays and will resume in the week beginning Monday, 20 July:
Youth Group & Young Adults
Community Lunch
Depth Charge Connect
Purl Connect
Endurance Connect
We wish everyone a restful and refreshing holiday break and look forward to reconnecting next term.
JOIN US THIS WEEK
Sunday, 12 July: 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
5pm Saturday Vigil Mass, Tūrangi | 9am Mass, Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
8.30am | Chapel | Taupō
Divine Mercy Chaplet
3pm | Chapel | Taupō
Monday, 13 July
Mass
7pm | Church | Taupō
Tuesday, 14 July
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Healers Connect
9.30am | Cafe | Taupō
Wednesday, 15 July
Rosary | Tūrangi
11.30am | Church | Tūrangi
Mass
12noon | Church | Tūrangi
Fair-Weather Gardeners
12pm - 3pm | Taupō
Ave Connect | Rosary
7pm | Chapel | Taupō
Thursday, 16 July
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Holy Hour | Adoration, Confession & Benediction
5.30pm | Chapel | Taupō
Alpha
7pm | Cafe & Chapel | Taupō
Friday, 17 July
Mass
12noon | Church | Taupō
Divine Mercy
3pm | Chapel | Taupō
Saturday, 18 July
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
9.30am | Chapel | Taupō
Ministers for Sunday, 12 July
15TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Taupō
Tūrangi
THIS WEEK….
UPCOMING
RETREATS
🌿 Women's Retreat – Tyburn Monastery 🌿
14–16 August 2026
Are you longing to slow down, rest, and simply be with Jesus?
Join us for a weekend of prayer, reflection, and renewal as we explore the beautiful practice of Lectio Divina – listening to God's voice through Scripture and learning to rest in His presence.
Our retreat will include talks from Fr Aidan on the theme of Grace, personal prayer time, fellowship, and opportunities to encounter the Lord in the peaceful surroundings of Tyburn Monastery.
✨ "You stop talking. You sit quietly. No analysing. No striving. Just being with Him."
Whether you're feeling weary, spiritually dry, or simply longing for more, this retreat is an invitation to step away from the busyness of life and allow God to meet you where you are.
📍 Tyburn Monastery 📅 14–16 August 2026
💰$160. ($50 deposit secures your place 💰) Balance due by 10 August 2026
Places are limited. Follow the link to register. You won't get charged on that site. I'll email a bank number or if you need to pay by credit card I can do that over the phone. I can also take afterpay.
https://buytickets.at/project10/2274028
Come and discover the grace that is found not in striving, but in resting with Him. ❤️
Retreats
Tyburn Monastery, Ngakuru &
Cluny Retreat Centre, Tauranga
DIOCESAN NEWS & EVENTS
MISSION HUB: FROM WELCOME TO DISCIPLESHIP
What helps people move from simply attending church to becoming missionary disciples?
Join us online as Jacinta Nicholls shares practical insights from St Peter Chanel Parish, Waimakariri on creating communities where people belong, grow in faith, and encounter Christ.
Ideal for parish leaders, hospitality teams, ministry leaders and anyone passionate about parish renewal.
Monday 13 July | 7.00pm–8.30pm (NZT) | Online
Register at: https://missionhubnz.com
SAFEGUARDING
NOPS is offering an online Strengthening our Culture of Safeguarding Workshop over the next few weeks. These are scheduled for the following dates and times:
Wednesday, July-15, 12pm
Thursday, July-29, 7pm
Register here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZaoiP7hJnYgVaW416Be8TIU5YStAi3U6/view
Click on the Training tab at the top of the website, then Upcoming Workshops; it takes you to the information and registration page.
These additional online workshops will complement the good work already being done around the country in meeting the need for online safeguarding workshops.
CALLED AND GIFTED – Discover the gifts God has given you | ONLY 9 PLACES LEFT!
The Holy Spirit has gifted each of us with unique charisms (spiritual gifts) for the service of others and the mission of the Church. Called and Gifted is a prayerful and practical workshop helping participants discern how God may be inviting them to use these gifts in everyday life.
📅 Saturday 25 July
📍 St Mary Immaculate Church, Tauranga
For details and registrations visit: www.cdh.org.nz/events