22ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

REFLECT & PRAY

A Word from Fr Danny:

Last Sunday, Peter was elevated by Christ, and then this Sunday’s Gospel which follows immediately has Our Lord saying to Peter: “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path.” Instead of being a rock upon which the Church is to be built, Peter becomes a potential stumbling block.

One of the consoling aspects of Peter is his willingness to reveal his failings and lessons to us. Have you ever thought about how we know, for instance, that Peter denied Christ three times? The tradition strongly suggests that this is Peter’s own testimony, since no other disciples were present at the denial. In Peter, the first Pope, we have someone who is more than willing to own up to his weaknesses and sins.

Leadership and closeness to Christ are not opposed to weakness and sin. Rather, holiness is not the absence of weakness, but the willingness to seek and receive Christ’s mercy and forgiveness.

- Fr Danny

Question for the Week:

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 16:21-27

Peter does not want to accept Jesus’ destiny as the Messiah who suffers greatly and dies. How do you process difficult news or information?

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

Those whose anniversaries occur this week:

Stanley Vair-Turnbull, Patricia Moke, Emily Lewis, Helene Laver, Patricia Blair, Eileen Patton, Johannes Paalvast, Raymond Fisher, William Mullins, Isabell Snyder.

POPE LEO MONTHLY PRAYER INTENTION: AUGUST *“FOR EVANGELIZATION IN THE CITY’’*
Let us pray that in large cities often marked by anonymity and loneliness we find new ways to proclaim the Gospel, discovering creative paths to build community.

PARISH NEWS

FRANK RITCHIE | THURSDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER | TAUPŌ

We are excited to welcome Frank Ritchie to St Patrick's, Taupō on 3 September at 7pm to share his remarkable journey—from serving as a Wesleyan Methodist minister to entering the Catholic Church last Easter. He will reflect on the faith, discernment, and courage required to surrender fully to God’s call.

Frank Ritchie is a writer, Lead Chaplain at the Christian Broadcasting Association's Media Chaplaincy NZ, co-host on Newstalk ZB every Sunday from 6pm, and regular weekly guest on Life FM and Rhema.

PLANNED GIVING DRIVE

If you missed out on a Planned Giving brochure and would like a copy, you can find them in the church foyer by the main entrance in Taupō.

Alternatively, you can email office@tongarirocatholic.nz, and we would be happy to print a copy for you or put one aside to collect.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who generously gives their time, talents or financial support. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

NEW SERIES | THEOLOGY OF THE BODY

Discover St. John Paul II's inspiring vision of the human person. Together we'll explore love, identity, relationships, vocation, marriage, human dignity, and God's purpose for our lives.

Young Adults Seniors (Ages 18-35)

Thursday 10th September 6.30pm following holy hour, St Patrick’s Chapel, Taupō.

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

JOIN US THIS WEEK

Sunday, 30 August: 22ND 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, 31 August

Mass
7pm | Church | Taupō

Tuesday, 1 September

Mass
9am | Church | Taupō

Community Lunch
1pm | Cafe | Taupō

Youth Group Yrs 7-9
6pm | Youth Den | Taupō

Young Adults Ages 14-20
7.15pm | Old Presbytery Building | Taupō

Wednesday, 2 September

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

RCIA | Rite of Initiation for Adults
7.30pm | Taupō

Thursday, 3 September

Mass
9am | Church | Taupō

Purl Connect | Knitting Group
1pm | Lesley McIntosh’s Place | Taupō

Holy Hour | Adoration, Reconciliation & Benediction
5.30pm | Church | Taupō

Talk | Frank Ritchie
7pm | Chapel | Taupō

Endurance Connect | Men’s Group
7pm | Old Presbytery Building | Taupō

Friday, 4 September

Mass
12noon | Church | Taupō

Divine Mercy
3pm | Chapel | Taupō

Saturday, 5 September

Mass
9am | Church | Taupō

Sacrament of Penance
9.30am | Chapel | Taupō

Ministers for Sunday, 30 August
22ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME ‍

Taupō

Tūrangi

THIS WEEK….

COMING UP

***A Man for All Seasons*** is an award wining 1966 British historical drama film. It depicts the final years of Sir Thomas More, the 16th-century Lord Chancellor of England who refused both to sign a letter asking Pope Clement VII to annul Henry VIII of England's marriage to Catherine of Aragon and to take an Oath of Supremacy declaring Henry Supreme Head of the Church of England.

RETREATS

DIOCESAN NEWS & EVENTS

LIFE TEEN SUMMER CAMP 2027

Becoming a summer missionary is answering the call of Jesus.

Location: Camp Keswick Rotorua

Mission serving dates

WEEK ONE: 10 - 17 Jan
WEEK TWO: 17 - 24 Jan

More info at: https://lifeteen.nz

**WYD 2027 ONLINE INFORMATION SESSION**
**Who is this for?**
Young people who:
• Will be 18 years old and out of school by April 2027
• Are interested in travelling to Seoul for World Youth Day
• Are considering applying to join the Diocese of Hamilton group
• Were unable to attend the July Information Night in Hamilton
Applications are already open, so we are encouraging anyone who is interested to attend the information session and begin the application process as soon as possible.
**WYD Seoul 2027 Information Zoom**
📅 Wednesday 9 September
⏰ 6:30pm – 7:30pm
💻 Online via Zoom
**Register here:**WYD Seoul Zoom Registration Form

**Applications for our WYD27 Pilgrimage are OPEN NOW!**
Our 19-day pilgrimage will include: visiting key pilgrimage sites across South Korea, Days in the Diocese in the vibrant coastal city of Busan, WYD Week in Seoul with Pope Leo XIV, and a post-WYD retreat in the mountains near the city of Jeonju.
The pilgrimage is open to young adults aged 18–35 (as of 1 April 2027), with both a full 19-day option and a shortened 13-day option.
Find out more and apply: **wyd27.org.nz**

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.”

ST JOSEPH’S MĀORI GIRLS’ COLLEGE (WAIARIKI BRANCH)

Nau mai, haere mai ki te hui mō te 160th Jubilee ō Te Kura ō Hato Hōhepa, Greenmeadows. Napier. Calling all past pupils of St Joseph's Māori Girls' College.

This hui will discuss the 160th Jubilee in 2027 and the SJCMGCOG/PPA AGM on Saturday 10 October 2026.

Date: Saturday 12 September 2026
Venue: Ohinemutu Te Whare Pora, entrance Mataiawhea St, Rotorua
Tea/coffee on arrival: 10.00am (please bring a plate)
Karakia/hui times: 10.30am to 2:00 pm

For more information, please contact Tania Rewi, (027) 641-4085.

DEMYSTIFYING DEATH WITH DIGNITY | WITH FR BOQUET

Demystifying Death with Dignity: Dying is a part of life, but what is true death with dignity? Join Father Shenan Boquet and the Family Life International team for an insightful presentation that casts a vision of what it means to provide authentic compassionate end of life care.

Evening programme: September 15

6.00pm Rosary, followed by Mass with Fr Shenan Boquet
7.00pm Presentation, Q&A and supper
St Thomas More Church and Parish Lounge, Mount Maunganui

(Death with Dignity in a New Zealand context - The End of Life Choice Act came into force in November 2021, making assisted dying legally available to eligible New Zealanders.)

FAMILY INNER HEALING RETREAT | HAMILTON

Join us for an evening of spiritual renewal, healing, and transformation through the power of the Holy Spirit! Organised by Divine Retreat Centre NZ, this retreat will be led by guest speaker Fr. (Dr) Antony Parankimalil VC, Director of the Divine Retreat Centre in Rwanda. This event is open to all with no registration required.

Location: Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Hamilton Date & Time: Friday, 04 September 2026 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Contact: Randel (022 657 5563) Email: drcnz@hotmail.com Come and experience healing and renewal—all are welcome!

CATHNEWS NEW ZEALAND

CathNews New Zealand shares the big news from the Catholic Church and stories of relevance to Catholics every Tuesday and Friday. Sign up for the free digital newsletter and read the latest stories at cathnewsnz.com

HAMILTON PRAYER BREAKFAST

The Diocese has reserved two tables for Catholics wishing to attend this year's Hamilton Prayer Breakfast. Simply register at www.cdh.org.nz/events and you'll be seated with fellow Catholics as we join Christians from across Hamilton to pray for our city, its people, and those in leadership. September 16, doors and coffee open 6.15am with formalities beginning at 6.55am.

CATHOLIC KIWI PODCAST

CATHOLIC KIWI PODCAST: Six episodes of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference’s new podcast series have now been released, sharing stories of faith, ministry and mission of Kiwis and visitors to our shores. Guests in the opening episodes include Carmelite Sister Lauren of the Cross, broadcaster and policy expert Tim Wilson and Wellington Archbishop Paul Martin SM. More episodes will be released before Christmas to complete season 1, with season 2 set for 2026. Search “Catholic Kiwi Podcast” on YouTube or Spotify now.

**"Register Interest"**
Save the ‘date’ for a pilgrimage to **Medjugorje and Rome** in **April 2027**, with **Bishop Richard** intending to join the journey. Travel with Mir Pilgrimages whose founder has visited Medjugorje over 35 times.
We are currently seeking **expressions of interest** from people across our Diocese who may wish to travel with this group. Registering your interest is **not a commitment**, it simply means you'll receive updates as plans, itinerary and pricing are confirmed.
**Register your interest:**
www.cdh.org.nz/pilgrimage2027

Please find attached the 2027 national calendar for New Zealand. It can also be found on the NZCBC website here.

Sunday, 30 August 2026

22ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

REFLECT & PRAY

A Word from Fr Danny:

Question for the Week:

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

Those whose anniversaries occur this week:

PARISH NEWS