Sunday, 20 September 2026
25TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
REFLECT & PRAY
A Word from Fr Danny:
Today’s Gospel is the parable of the workers in the vineyard, who each receive one denarius for the day, whether they have laboured since dawn or for only a single hour. This parable refers to the Kingdom of Heaven, and so ultimately to eternal life. The landowner goes out five times to invite people to work in his vineyard. This repeated action reveals something essential about God: he takes the initiative and he wants everyone to be with him.
We see this dynamic in the call of Matthew, the outcast tax collector and author of the Gospel. “As Jesus was walking on from there he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs house, and he said to him, ‘Follow me’. And he got up and followed him.” Matthew, regarded as one of the least likely, is called and becomes one of the first. The last are made first by the mercy and call of God.
Is this not a message of hope for all of us? Our focus is not comparison or reward in human terms, but the gift-giver himself, Christ. The latecomers are promised only a “fair wage.” They are not given a calculation, but a promise. They must trust in the goodness of the vineyard owner. So too with us, God continually calls us into his vineyard and into the joy of eternal life.
- Fr Danny
Question for the Week:
GOSPEL: MATTHEW 20:1-16
In the parable of the workers in the vineyard, Jesus teaches that in the kingdom of Heaven, God’s generosity is not always easily understood. Where do you see God’s generosity at work among your family or friends?
© LPi
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
Those whose anniversaries occur this week:
Rangiuia Blomfield, Dawn Grimshaw, Myrtle Mischewski, Joseph Pereira, Thomas Livesey, Leonard Karl, Dorothy Gibb, Joseph Maharaj, Sonny Osborne, Eileen Horton, Bernard O’Brien, Alan Ramsay, Maureen Fahey, William Spears, Madeleine Geoghegan, Ivy Redit.
POPE LEO MONTHLY PRAYER INTENTION: SEPTEMBER “FOR THE CARE OF WATER’’
Let us pray for a just and sustainable management of water, a vital resource, so that everyone may have equal access to it.
PARISH NEWS
YEAR 6 YOUTH GROUP INTRODUCTION NIGHT
We’re excited to invite Year 6 students from St Patrick’s School and around Taupō to join us for a special Youth Group Introduction Night on Tuesday 22 September, from 5:45pm–7:15pm in the St Patrick’s Church Den.
Come along for games, a BBQ/sausage sizzle, and a chance to meet our leaders and other young people while discovering what Youth Group is all about. Parents and caregivers are warmly welcome to join us too!
This evening is an opportunity for Year 6 students to get to know the group before joining us for the remainder of Term 4. No experience or prior connections needed — just come along and give it a go!
Pick-up: Parish Café side of the church by 7:15pm.
We look forward to welcoming plenty of new faces!
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, 20 September: 25TH 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, 21 September
Mass
7pm | Church | Taupō
Tuesday, 22 September
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Community Lunch
1pm | Cafe | Taupō
Youth Group Yrs 7-9 | Year 6 Intro Night
6pm | Youth Den | Taupō
Young Adults Ages 14-20
7.15pm | Old Presbytery Building | Taupō
Wednesday, 23 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, 24 September
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Purl Connect | Knitting Group
1pm | Lesley McIntosh’s Place | Taupō
Holy Hour | Adoration, Reconciliation & Benediction
5.30pm | Church | Taupō
Theology of the Body
6.30pm | Chapel | Taupō
Endurance Connect | Men’s Group
7pm | Old Presbytery Building | Taupō
Friday, 25 September
Mass
12noon | Church | Taupō
Divine Mercy
3pm | Chapel | Taupō
Saturday, 26 September
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
9.30am | Chapel | Taupō
Ministers for Sunday, 20 September
25TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Taupō
Tūrangi
THIS WEEK….
COMING UP
RETREATS
Retreats
Tyburn Monastery, Ngakuru &
Cluny Retreat Centre, Tauranga
DIOCESAN NEWS & EVENTS
FINANCE MANAGER VACANCY
The Diocese is seeking an experienced and self motivated accountant to lead the finance and schools office teams located at Chanel Centre, Hamilton East.
Please email jobs@cdh.org.nz for any questions, a position description and application form.
VACANCY: DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES MELVILLE
St Pius X Catholic School, Melville, is seeking a committed and faith-filled educator to join its team as Director of Religious Studies (DRS).
The DRS is responsible to the principal for the Religious Education curriculum, providing guidance and effective leadership in Religious Education and observances throughout the school.
Applications close 3pm, Friday 9 October.
Email principal@stpius.school.nz to be sent the link
A NEW ADVENT RETREAT - PLACES NOW OPEN!
Our Tyburn Advent Retreat is sold out, with a waiting list! So we’ve opened another opportunity to step away and prepare your heart for Advent.
Join Fr Richard Shortall SJ, our Ignatian spirituality specialist, at Cluny in mid-November for a time of prayer, reflection and spiritual renewal.
Get ready for Advent before the busyness begins.
Places are limited – register early: www.cdh.org.nz/cluny
FOOTSTEPS OF POMPALLIER PILGRIMAGE
Footsteps of Pompallier Pilgrimage starts in 6 weeks time!
Walking 100kms from Waitangi to Motuti over Labour Weekend, October 24th to 27th 2026, on the feast of Christ The King. Places still available for pilgrims. For further information and to register go to the official website www.fopp.nz
CATHERINE MCAULEY SYMPOSIUM – WELLINGTON
Registrations are open for the Catherine McAuley Symposium, 13–15 December 2026 at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington.
Hosted by Whānau Mercy Ministries and Te Herenga Waka, the three-day symposium will explore the impact of religion across education, healthcare and social services, and what it means to be a religious organisation in today’s changing world. Speakers from Aotearoa and overseas will explore Catholic and religious life, mission, Indigenous perspectives, bioethics, education and more. All grounded in Catherine McAuley’s own intention: “To serve God faithfully.”
Early bird registrations close 24 September.
Find out more, view the programme and register:
BILLINGS OVULATION METHOD™ – Natural Fertility Seminar
Christchurch: Friday 9th & Saturday 10th October 2026
The Billings Ovulation Method™ is a Fertility Awareness Method that helps couples prevent or achieve pregnancy and track reproductive health and general well-being during the menstrual cycle. When used correctly, it is highly effective.
This seminar is for:
Couples using or interested in using the Method
Health professionals & natural health practitioners interested in women's health & fertility
Those aiming to become accredited Billings Teachers
Woman keen to understand & track their menstrual cycles
Marriage educators, Youth & community workers
Billings Teachers Needed!
Rising demand for our teaching services has increased the need for more accredited educators in the Billings Method. If you are interested, please get in touch!
For information: Contact Billings LIFE NZ National Office
Register here:https://www.billingslife.org.nz/training-seminar
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.
Applications close 30th September be sure to register ASAP
Find out more and apply: wyd27.org.nz
Hope for the World International Conference on Life, Faith and Family
Join us this to hear local and international speakers equip and inspire us to restore a culture that cherishes human life, strengthens families, and proclaims the truth with courage and compassion.
Opening Mass: Friday 25 September | St John Vianney Catholic Church, Hillsborough, Auckland | 7 pm Mass
Conference Talks: Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September
Where? Ellerslie Events Centre (Ellerslie Racecourse), Greenlane, Auckland
For more information and to Register, follow this link: Hope for the World Conference
Or contact Simon Archer | 021 400 729 | simon@fli.org.nz
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
"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.