Sunday, 18 October 2026
29TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
WORLD MISSION SUNDAY
REFLECT & PRAY
A Word from Fr Alliston:
With the elections around the corner and political parties putting forth their stance on different tax policies we find taxes are the subject of what Jesus addresses us with this Sunday’s Gospel. “Give to Caesar (an earthly ruler) what is due to him.” If trade and commerce was being carried out with Roman coinage (Image of the Roman ruler inscribed on the coins in Jesus’ time) it would seem appropriate that they be given what is their due. This is what Jesus affirms.
But being created in the image and likeness of God is there then something we owe to God? This is what Jesus seems to allude: “and to God what belongs to God.” As we celebrate 100th World Mission Day, I reflect on my own vocation and wonder what return on investment the Lord might have from being called to serve in His vineyard. This is a question I ask you too to ponder on. Is being a Christian making a difference in the life you lead? I leave you with a quote by Pope Francis to reflect on:
My mission of being in the heart of the people is not just a part of my life or a badge I can take off; it is not an “extra” or just another moment in life. Instead, it is something I cannot uproot from my being without destroying my very self. I am a mission on this earth; that is the reason why I am here in this world. We have to regard ourselves as sealed, even branded, by this mission of bringing light, blessing, enlivening, raising up, healing and freeing. All around us we begin to see nurses with soul, teachers with soul, politicians with soul, people who have chosen deep down to be with others and for others. (Evangelii Gaudium no. 273)
- Fr Alliston
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
Those whose anniversaries occur this week:
Catherine Gray, Voilet Linehan, Ellen Ainsworth, Paul Frencham, Margaret Grammer, Margaret Alden, Cletus Schumacher, Jure (George) Hrstich, Maria Paalvast.
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
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF WORLD MISSION SUNDAY
Pope Leo XIV’s papal motto is In Illo uno unum — “In the One, we are one”. Belonging to the Augustinian Order, it is no surprise that his motto was inspired by St Augustine’s reflections on Psalm 127, which express the truth that although Christians are many, “in the one Christ we are one… We are many, yet one — because we are united to Him.” It is equally fitting that in the centenary year of World Mission Sunday becoming a global
observance, Pope Leo chose a theme that reflects both his motto and his missionary background:
One in Christ, united in Mission.
In his letter for World Mission Sunday 2026 — which falls on 18 October, the penultimate Sunday of October — he writes: “The more united we are in Christ, the better able we will be to carry out together the mission that He entrusts to us.”
Providentially, this Sunday’s Gospel gives us Jesus’ well-known challenge: ‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ Yet even when we take up that challenge, we often keep certain things for ourselves. We may give something to God, and at times even a great deal, but we still hold back parts of our lives. Jesus calls us to something deeper: a total gift of ourselves. To ‘render to God what is
God’s’ means daring to o er back to God what God has given us — our life, our time, our talents, our relationships, our material resources, all that we are and all that we have. It means treating God not merely as one part of our life but as its source, summit, root, and centre. It means living in the image of the Trinity: a loving communion of persons with God and with our brothers and sisters — not only in our homes and parishes, but across
our global family. This is the very heart of the Church’s mission, a mission entrusted to every baptised person.
As we mark the 100th anniversary of World Mission Sunday, Pope Leo reminds us again — through his motto and through this year’s theme — that we are one in Christ, united in mission. He invites us to support his missionary endeavours through The Pontifical Mission Societies (TPMS*). We can give a little, regularly, or leave a bequest as part of responding to Jesus’ challenge to ‘render to God what belongs to God.’ Every act of generosity strengthens the mission we share: to sow the Good News of the Gospel in the heart of every person.
Fr Michael Pui - NZ National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies
WEDNESDAY FAITH FORMATION SESSION | 7.30PM CHAPEL TAUPŌ
Would you like to explore a way to deepen your prayer life? In the Divine Office or the Liturgy of the Hours (different names), we are invited to pray just as Christ prays. The Vatican II Document on the Sacred Liturgy states:
“Christ Jesus, high priest of the new and eternal covenant, taking human nature, introduced into this earthly exile that hymn which is sung throughout all ages in the halls of heaven. He joins the entire community of mankind to Himself, associating it with His own singing of this canticle of divine praise.“ (Sacrosanctum Concilium no. 83).
It is an awesome privilege to join alongside the Lord in prayer. It also helps one in the preparation for the fruitful celebration of the Eucharist because it fosters those dispositions necessary, such as faith, hope and love, devotion and a spirit of sacrifice. (General Instruction on the Liturgy of the Hours no.12)
If interested do come along this Wednesday (7:30pm at the Chapel) and join Fr Alliston as he shares some key aspects of this liturgical prayer. It has been the desire of the Council Fathers that the laity too could benefit from also praying in this manner.
ST PATRICK’S SCHOOL VACANCY | SCHOOL CLEANERS
St Patrick's School Taupō is looking for two reliable, thorough, and energetic cleaners to join our supportive school staff.
Position Details:
Hours: 2 hours per day, Monday to Friday (3:15 pm - 5:15 pm) during school terms
Additional Hours: Extra hours required at the end of each term and end of the school year for deep cleaning tasks
Start Date: 27 January 2027
Requirements:
Previous commercial cleaning experience preferred
Highly reliable with great attention to detail
Willingness to undergo a Police Vetting check (mandatory for school personnel)
Visits to the school are welcomed; please contact Vicki to arrange these.
To Apply:
Please email your application to Vicki Saunders at principal@stpatstaupo.school.nz
Your application is to include:
A cover letter outlining your previous relevant experience
An up-to-date CV
Names and contact details of three referees who can attest to your abilities and character
Applications Close: Friday 30 October at 4.00pm
JOIN US THIS WEEK
Sunday, 18 October: 29TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME | WORLD MISSION SUNDAY
5pm Saturday Vigil Mass, Tūrangi | 9am Mass, Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
8.30am | Chapel | Taupō
Divine Mercy Chaplet
3pm | Chapel | Taupō
Monday, 19 October
Mass
7pm | Church | Taupō
Tuesday, 20 October
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Community Lunch
1pm | Cafe | Taupō
Interchurch Welfare Society Meeting
5pm | Cafe | Taupō
Youth Group Ages 11-13
6pm | Youth Den | Taupō
Young Adults Jr Ages 13-18
7pm | Old Presbytery Building | Taupō
Wednesday, 21 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
Mass | Feast Day of San Pedro Calungsod
6pm | Church | Taupō
Ave Connect | Rosary
7pm | Chapel | Taupō
Faith Formation Session with Fr Alliston | The Divine Office
7.30pm | Chapel | Taupō
Thursday, 22 October
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Purl Connect | Knitting Group
1pm | Lesley McIntosh’s Place
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, 23 October
Mass
12noon | Church | Taupō
Divine Mercy
3pm | Chapel | Taupō
Saturday, 24 October
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
9.30am | Chapel | Taupō
Ministers for Sunday, 18 October
29TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
WORLD MISSION SUNDAY
Taupō
Tūrangi
THIS WEEK….
COMING UP
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.
DIVINE INTIMACY MARRIAGE RETREAT
Led by Dan and Stephanie Burke, the Divine Intimacy Retreat invites married couples to step away from the busyness of everyday life and spend a weekend deepening their relationship with God and with one another.
Held at the Copthorne Hotel in Palmerston North, the retreat offers couples an opportunity to encounter the Lord, renew their love and grow in deeper union with Christ and each other.
22–24 January 2027
To find out more and register: https://divineintimacy2027.netlify.app
FOOTSTEPS OF POMPALLIER PILGRIMAGE
Footsteps of Pompallier Pilgrimage starts in 1 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
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
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.