Sunday, 26 July 2026
17TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
REFLECT & PRAY
A Word from Fr Danny:
Christ gives us rapid-fire parables in the Gospel today: hidden treasure, fine pearls, and a large haul of good fish. But then he says, “Have you understood all this?” They said to him, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Well then…”
The implication is that their understanding is still incomplete. They have grasped something of what Christ is saying, but they have not yet entered into the full depth of his words. What then are we to do with the words of Christ? Perhaps the first and best thing is simply to say, “Lord, I do not fully understand what you are saying. Help me to sit with your words, to ponder them, and to allow them to take root in my heart.”
I remember hearing a priest say that we should read the Book of Revelation and, when we have finished it, begin reading it again. Perhaps this is how we should approach all Scripture. This is what Mary did. When the shepherds told her what they had heard about Jesus, “Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19).
Perhaps we are like a sponge placed in water. The longer it remains there, the more completely the water fills it. So too, when we remain close to the Word of God, reading and pondering it, his word slowly penetrates our hearts and transforms our lives.
- Fr Danny
Questions for the Week:
FIRST READING: 1 KINGS 3:5, 7-12
The Lord grants Solomon’s request to give him a wise and discerning heart so he can rule justly over the people of Israel. What is God inviting you to seek?
SECOND READING: ROMANS 8:28-30
Paul speaks of God working with believers according to his purposes. How would you describe your purpose or passion in life?
GOSPEL: MATTHEW 13:44-52
Jesus often speaks in parables about the kingdom of Heaven that invite you to imagine how God works in the world. Where do you see God at work in your family?
©LPi
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
Those whose anniversaries occur this week:
Philip Jones, Glynn Short, Martin (Joe) Bradley, John Williams, Frances Nash, Waclaw (Varchie) Golebiowski, Eileen Kendrick, Francis Limbrick, Louis McCleary, James Hall, Terence O’Connor.
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
SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL | TAUPŌ
St Vincent de Paul helps people but we need your kind generosity. Here are some ways you can help if you can:
Donate Groceries: We are running a grocery drive during the month of August and onwards, any donations can be left in the St Vincent de Paul boxes in the foyer at any time. Suggestions: non perishable foods i.e. cans (beans, tomatoes, pasta sauce, tuna, fruit etc), dried foods (pasta, rice, cereal, noodles etc.) tomato sauce, biscuits, tea, coffee, toiletries and cleaning items but we will make use of anything donated.
Donate Money: Cash can be put into the SVDP box on the back wall of the foyer or Deposits can be made into our Taupō account:
SVDP Bay of Plenty Area Council: 02-0506-0378043-014
(please note this is a new account as of July 2026)Donate Time: Calling for new members! We are a small group extending Catholic Christianity to all people especially here in Taupō. Your talents would be appreciated. The more members we have the more we can do. We have a monthly meeting lasting about an hour and volunteer our time to meet any needs that are requested of us.
And lastly but most importantly:
Let us know: With discretion, let us know of any families or individuals who are in need of a helping hand through a difficult time. We will endeavour to support them in some small way. Contact Joyce Ranger on 022 351 2375
GOD BLESS AND THANK YOU
YOUTH GROUP UPCOMING BOWLING NIGHT | SAVE THE DATE!
Our Youth Group and YA (Young Adult Junior) are excited to be heading to The Landing for an evening of bowling on Tuesday 18th August!
This is a great opportunity for our young people to have fun, build friendships, and enjoy time together in a safe and supportive environment. We will be combining the YA (Young Adult Junior) and Youth Group for the evening. All attendees (including parents, siblings or other family members) must be registered through Youth Group/Young Adults before attending. Forms need to be returned by the 4th August so we can finalise numbers.
For more information please contact Grace at: youth@tongarirocatholic.nz
ALPHA WRAP-UP
Over the last 10 weeks we explored faith, grew in our relationship with God, shared laughter, enjoyed great conversations, and built new friendships.
One of the participants said: “Alpha has encouraged me to reflect on my own life, how I live and my relationship with God.” Another said, “I love all the things we learn from the videos – it definitely impacts my life.” Thank you to everyone who participated and to all who helped make Alpha such a welcoming and life-giving experience.
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!
JOIN US THIS WEEK
Sunday, 26 July: 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
5pm Saturday Vigil Mass, Tūrangi | 9am Mass, Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
8.30am | Chapel | Taupō
PACT | Holy Communion Session 1
Starts with 9am Mass | Youth Den/Chapel | Taupō
Divine Mercy Chaplet
3pm | Chapel | Taupō
Monday, 27 July
Mass
7pm | Church | Taupō
Tuesday, 28 July
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Community Lunch
1pm | 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, 29 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, 30 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, 31 July
Mass
12noon | Church | Taupō
Divine Mercy
3pm | Chapel | Taupō
Saturday, 1 August
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
9.30am | Chapel | Taupō
Ministers for Sunday, 26 July
17TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Taupō
Tūrangi
THIS WEEK….
UPCOMING
Prayer for Life: First Sunday of the month | Taupō
Citizen Kane: When a reporter is assigned to decipher newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane's (Orson Welles) dying words, his investigation gradually reveals the fascinating portrait of a complex man who rose from obscurity to staggering heights. Though Kane's friend and colleague Jedediah Leland (Joseph Cotten), and his mistress, Susan Alexander (Dorothy Comingore), shed fragments of light on Kane's life, the reporter fears he may never penetrate the mystery of the elusive man's final word, "Rosebud."
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
WORLD YOUTH DAY SEOUL 2027 WEBINAR SERIES
“Te Kupenga Catholic Theological College is holding its 4th session for the WYD Seoul 2027 webinar series. Join us for this session, “Witnessing: A Call for Young People to Evangelise” with the Auckland Diocese NET Team. This will be on Tuesday, 1st of September 2026, 5:00-6:00pm on Zoom online platform. Register through www.tekupenga.ac.nz/webinars-2026. Fee discounts apply.”
COMMON GOOD FOUNDATION CARING SUNDAY 2026 APPEAL
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.
It’s not to late to donate, envelopes still available from the church foyer or contact Caroline at admin@commongood.org.nz or donate online at www.commongood.org.nz
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.