Sunday, 11 October 2026
28TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
REFLECT & PRAY
A Word from Fr Danny:
The word vocation means “to call,” and in the Christian life, most are called to Matrimony, some to Priesthood, and some to the Religious or Consecrated Life. These are states of life that God calls us to, yet in today's Gospel, Our Lord finishes with the phrase, “For many are called, but few are chosen.”
What does it mean to be chosen by Christ? To be chosen is to be loved personally. To be chosen by God seems to imply a particular love, and when we choose someone else in love, we make ourselves vulnerable to the other. In some ways, we are putting our hearts on the line, giving ourselves over to the possibility that our hearts might be broken by the very person we have chosen.
Do we ever think about the fact that Christ is choosing us in and for love, and that He is making Himself vulnerable to our response? He offers us His love, but He does not force us to love Him in return. We are free to accept or reject that love. Lest we think this is all in our imagination, we only have to look at the Cross to see this vulnerability in action. His love calls for a response…
- Fr Danny
Question for the Week:
GOSPEL: MATTHEW 22:1-14
In the Parable of the Wedding Feast, Jesus teaches that all who are invited to God’s banquet are to be fully open and prepared. What are some spiritual exercises you practice to remain prepared for God’s work in your life?
© LPi
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
Those whose anniversaries occur this week:
Sarah Reti, Turau Te Tomo, Paul Hapeta, Stephen Smith, Ronald Jarrett, John Potts, David Little, Raymond Mullany, Frederick Tritt, Peter Cowper-Smith, Alice O’Brien, Vera White, Lydia Sweeney, Patricia Kirkeby, Raymond Skerten, Peter Vanner, Terence Durkin, Victor Kapua, George Pettit, Ernilda Howes.
POPE LEO MONTHLY PRAYER INTENTION: OCTOBER “FOR MENTAL HEALTH MINISTRY ’’
Let us pray that the mental health ministry be established throughout the Church, helping to overcome the stigma and discrimination of persons with mental illnesses.
PARISH NEWS
FR ALLISTON TALK | WEDNESDAY | 7.30PM | TAUPŌ
St Therese of Lisieux was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1997 by St Pope John Paul II, making her the youngest person to receive that title. On the 150th anniversary of her birth in 2023, Pope Francis wrote an exhortation C'est la confiance ("It is confidence"). As we celebrate the 100th World Mission Sunday later this month, you are invited to come and listen to Fr Alliston as he reflects from the spirituality of a co-Patroness of Missions and her “little way”.
CONNECT GROUPS RESTARTING THIS WEEK:
As the school term starts, the following Connect Groups will resume this week:
Community Lunch
1pm | Tue | Taupō
Youth Group & Young Adults (more info below)
Ages 11-13 | Tue | 6.00pm | Taupō
Age 13-18 | Tue | 7.15pm | Taupō
Depth Charge Connect
10am | Wed | Hancocks Place
Purl Connect
1pm | Thu | MacIntoshs Place
Endurance Connect
7pm | Thu | Taupō
YOUTH GROUP & YOUNG ADULTS JUNIORS
Youth Group and Young Adults Juniors are back this Tuesday!
Saint Patrick’s Youth Group is for ages 11–13 and runs from 6:00–7:15pm in the Church Den. Come along for games, food, faith and plenty of time to hang out. Friends and siblings are always welcome!
Young Adults Juniors is for Years 9–13 (ages 13–18) and runs from 7:00–8:15pm in the Old Presbytery House. It’s a chance to hang out, meet new people, ask questions, have some fun and explore faith together.
Youth Group: Arrive from 5:45pm and collect from the Parish Café at 7:15pm.
Young Adults Juniors: Arrive at the Old Presbytery House from 7:00pm.
Come along Tuesday and bring a friend!
JOIN US THIS WEEK
Sunday, 11 October: 28TH 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, 12 October
Tim Tam Connect | Book Club
10am | Cafe | Taupō
Mah Jong Connect
11.30am | Cafe | Taupō
St Vincent de Paul Meeting
5.30pm | Cafe | Taupō
Mass
7pm | Church | Taupō
Tuesday, 13 October
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Community Lunch
1pm | Cafe | Taupō
Youth Group Ages 11-13
6pm | Youth Den | Taupō
Young Adults Jr Ages 13-18
7.15pm | Old Presbytery Building | Taupō
Wednesday, 14 October
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
Fr Alliston Talk
7.30pm | Chapel | Taupō
Thursday, 15 October
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Purl Connect
1pm | Lesley McIntosh’s Place
Holy Hour | Adoration, Reconciliation & Benediction
5.30pm | Church | Taupō
Theology of the Body
6.30pm | Chapel | Taupō
Friday, 16 October
Mass
12noon | Church | Taupō
Divine Mercy
3pm | Chapel | Taupō
Saturday, 17 October
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
9.30am | Chapel | Taupō
Ministers for Sunday, 11 October
28TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Taupō
Tūrangi
THIS WEEK….
COMING UP
MISSION SUNDAY 100TH CELEBRATION: The Catholic Church around the world will mark the 100th Mission Sunday on October 18. The day is set aside to pray for the Church’s mission and to support those who carry the Gospel to places where hope is fragile, where faith is young and where believers often face hardship or persecution. That support can be financial and through prayer. Find out more at: https://missio.nz/
RETREATS
Retreats
Tyburn Monastery, Ngakuru &
Cluny Retreat Centre, Tauranga
DIOCESAN NEWS & EVENTS
HEARTS AFLAME 2027 SCHOLARSHIP
The Catholic Enquiry Centre is offering one person aged 18–35 a scholarship covering the $675 registration fee and deposit for Hearts Aflame, 1–10 January 2027. Priority goes to those exploring Catholic faith, preparing to become Catholic or recently welcomed into the Church. Full attendance is required; travel and personal expenses are excluded.
Applications close 8pm, Friday 30 October.
OCTOBER MISSION HUB: WORSHIP - MORE THAN MUSIC
Celebrate one year of Mission Hub with Pippa Fletcher and Joe Wells from One Hope Project. Explore how prayer, the Mass and everyday life can deepen our worship of God. All welcome, especially parish leaders and ministry teams.
Monday 12 October
7.00pm–8.30pm online
Optional praise and worship from 6.45pm
To register for online zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/5wUxZvGWR4yzvyNrBd94Rg#/registration
CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF HAMILTON - ATTENDANCE DUES OFFICER
Use your administration and customer relationship skills in a community support role.
Join our values-led finance team in a varied role combining financial administration and customer service. Support Catholic school attendance dues collection, working with schools, families and caregivers to establish manageable payments. Please email jobs@cdh.org.nz for any questions, a position description and application form.
BISHOPS’ ELECTION STATEMENT
The New Zealand bishops have published their statement for the 2026 General Election. Titled Discerning our nation’s future through a Gospel lens, the document encourages Catholics and people of good will to consider voting as a moral and civic responsibility, not just a matter of personal preference. The bishops invite people to consider how they will cast their votes by reviewing candidates' and parties' positions across a range of key issues, and they also encourage people to pray for the country.
Access the election statement at:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17w7CA4PnRJAJe1A245ht-CqRyt6lqUzE/view
FOOTSTEPS OF POMPALLIER PILGRIMAGE
Footsteps of Pompallier Pilgrimage starts in 2 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
NO TIME FOR PRAYER?
Life is busy—but prayer doesn’t have to become another task on the list. Join Sr Katherine Stone MGL and working mum Jenny Merwyn for a relaxed morning of practical encouragement, honest conversation and morning tea, exploring how we can find a rhythm of prayer amid everyday life. Event starts at 8.45 at the Chanel Centre, participants are welcome to join for an 8.00am Mass at the historic St Mary's Chapel.
Friday 30 October
8.45am - 11.00am
To register: www.cdh.org.nz/events
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
Please find attached the 2027 national calendar for New Zealand. It can also be found on the NZCBC website here.