Sunday, 19 July 2026
16TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
REFLECT & PRAY
A Word from Fr Danny:
Last week, the people were the soil, some rich and some rocky. In this week’s parable, the people are the seed: “The field is the world; the good seed is the subjects of the kingdom; the darnel, the subjects of the evil one.”
One of the real mysteries in this parable is not only why God allows the wheat and the darnel to grow up together, but why He allows the darnel to be planted in the first place. Is this not the great question of evil and its place in the world? Why does God permit it at all?
Perhaps one way to understand it is this: the parable teaches us that our life is not first a fight against evil. Rather, it is first about life and growth in Christ. Evil is real, but it is not primary. It does not define the field. The field belongs to God.
In a mysterious way, even the presence of evil does not frustrate His purpose. Instead, God brings about a greater growth, a deeper rooting, a more fruitful harvest, and a richer life in those who belong to Him.
- Fr Danny
Questions for the Week:
FIRST READING: WISDOM 12:13,16-19
Wisdom speaks of God’s power in terms of kindness, leniency, and mercy. What words would you use to describe God?
SECOND READING: ROMANS 8:26-27
Paul explains that the Spirit intercedes on our behalf, especially when we struggle in our prayer life. How can the Spirit help you in your prayer life?
GOSPEL: MATTHEW 13:24-43
In the parable of the weeds and the wheat, Jesus warns the disciples of the presence of the devil active in the world. How do we stay on guard against the evil one?
©LPi
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
Those whose anniversaries occur this week:
Griffiths, Gary Raharuhi, James Andrews, Eduard Plank, Peter Lewis, Thomas O’Donnell, Percival O’Brien, Leon Kahia, Dorothy Lee, Ernest Holmes, Tetoa Te Fono, Edward Smith, Allan Smith, Aurelia Wehringo, William Linehan, Peter Van Lith.
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
CONNECT GROUPS STARTING BACK THIS WEEK
The following Connect Groups will be back on this week:
Community Lunch
Tuesday’s 1pm | Church Cafe | TaupōYouth Group & Young Adults
Tuesday’s Yr 7-9 6.15pm, Ages 14-20 7.15pmDepth Charge Connect
Wednesday’s 10am | Hancock’s Place | TaupōPurl Connect
Thursday’s 1pm | McIntosh’s Place | TaupōEndurance Connect
Thursday’s 7pm | Old Presbytery Building | Taupō
Everyone is welcome—we'd love to see you there!
JOIN US THIS WEEK
Sunday, 19 July: 16th 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, 20 July
Mass
7pm | Church | Taupō
Tuesday, 21 July
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Community Lunch
1pm | Cafe | Taupō
Interchurch Welfare Society Meeting
5pm | Cafe | Taupō
Youth Group | Yrs 7-9
6pm | Youth Den | Taupō
St Patrick’s Young Adults | Ages 14-20
7.15pm | Old Presbytery Building | Taupō
Wednesday, 22 July
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, 23 July
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Purl Connect | Knitting Group
1pm | Lesley McIntosh’s Place | Taupō
Holy Hour | Adoration, Reconciliation & Benediction
5.30pm | Church | Taupō
Endurance Connect | Men’s Group
7pm | Presbytery Building | Taupō
Friday, 24 July
Mass
12noon | Church | Taupō
Divine Mercy
3pm | Chapel | Taupō
Saturday, 25 July
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
9.30am | Chapel | Taupō
Ministers for Sunday, 19 July
16TH 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
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
Fr Paul Turner Ars Celebrandi Workshop
The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference warmly invites clergy, parish liturgy teams, school staff, deacons, and all involved in the preparation of the sacred liturgy to a special workshop with international liturgist Fr Paul Turner.
Inspired by Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter Desiderio Desideravi, this workshop will explore the ars celebrandi, the art of celebrating the liturgy with reverence, understanding, and fidelity to the mind and heart of the Church. Fr Paul Turner will lead practical and enriching session aimed at deepening our understanding of the Eucharist and strengthening the celebration of Mass in our parishes and schools.Fr Paul Turner is pastor of Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City, Missouri and director of the Office of Divine Worship for the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St Joseph. He holds a doctorate in sacred theology from Sant’ Anselmo in Rome. He is a consultor for the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. His numerous publications include “Guide for….” The Liturgical Ministry series of books and dozens of other titles. As pastor of diverse parishes, he spent many years ministering in a state prison, serving an Hispanic and multi-ethnic community, and providing assistance to the homeless. Date: Saturday 25th July. Venue: Christ the King Church, Owairaka, 260 Richardson Rd, Mt Roskill. Time: Parish Mass @ 9am Sessions start at 10am to 2.30pm. Morning Tea provided. BYO Lunch please. Register at: www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz/paul-turner
World Youth Day 2027 Information Evening
Join us for an information night to hear all about the pilgrimage and what to expect on this incredible journey.
🗓 26 July, 2026
📍 Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Hamilton
⏰ 6:00pm Mass, followed by information session
Registrations are essential for catering purposes - a taste of what is to come!
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:
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.
THEOLOGY OF THE BODY COURSE:
Explore the beauty of what it means to be human through a Theology of the Body course for young adults (18+). This weekend course will unpack questions about our identity, purpose, bodies, relationships, and living out God’s plan for us through engaging talks, discussion, and fellowship. Registration link: https://tinyurl.com/8f68w43w
Robert Falzon - Australian, husband, father, author - had built up a successful business but thought, ’No, this isn’t enough; this isn’t all that I was called for’… His passion is family relationships especially as God’s children
SAVE the DATE
Wednesday 19 & Thursday 20 August 7pm
Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary Hall
The Father’s Love - Healing Wounds
With ROBERT FALZON
Please find attached the 2027 national calendar for New Zealand. It can also be found on the NZCBC website here.