Sunday, 25 October 2026
30TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
REFLECT & PRAY
A Word from Fr Alliston:
The salvation of man is through love and in love is the realization that Dr Viktor Frankl came to while in the Nazi death camps of World War II as he thought about his wife despite not knowing what had become of her. The memory of those loving interactions of the past sustained him in his ordeal. More of that can be found in his most widely read work Man's Search for Meaning.
We hear on the call to love in this Sunday’s readings: In the Gospel reading a scholar asks Jesus about which commandment is the greatest. Jesus answers with the Shema, a Jewish prayer that teaches that one must love God with everything one has i.e. with one’s full-fledged devotion. Prayer is a key manner in facilitating this desire.
But this translates also into loving those around us as we discover in the first reading from the Book of Exodus. Love takes into consideration the less fortunate people around us. God commands Israel not to oppress the stranger, nor to exploit the widow or the orphan, neither taking advantage of the poor. Love is presented here not as a feeling but as a manner of treating these vulnerable people with the care that is due to them.
In Pope Francis’ 2020 encyclical on Fraternity and Social Action, Fratelli Tutti, he states: Love also impels us towards universal communion. No one can mature or find fulfilment by withdrawing from others. By its very nature, love calls for growth in openness and the ability to accept others as part of a continuing adventure that makes every periphery converge in a greater sense of mutual belonging. As Jesus told us: “You are all brothers” (Mt 23:8) [no. 95].
- Fr Alliston
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
Those whose anniversaries occur this week:
Michael Hyland, Maria Hepi, Bridget Cresswell, Teresa O’Donnell, Aileen Hogg, Mervyn Burbery, Terence Jaques, Phillip Simon.
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
SHARE THE JOY: JOIN OUR CHILDREN’S LITURGY TEAM!
We are warmly inviting new volunteers to consider joining our Children's Liturgy Team!
Helping our young parishioners connect with the Gospel in an engaging, accessible way is a truly rewarding experience. Best of all, no lesson planning is required—all materials and training are provided to help you feel confident and supported! Whether you’d like to lead or simply assist, your friendly presence is all that's needed.
Express Your Interest: Put your details on the form in the church foyer.
Questions? Feel free to reach out to Maryann Attwood to find out more maryanna@stpatstaupo.school.nz
Thank you for considering being part of this wonderful ministry!
NO YOUTH GROUP OR PURL CONNECT THIS WEEK
There will be no Youth Group (ages 11-13) or Purl Connect knitting group this coming week. Both will be back the following week.
OCTOBER | MONTH OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY
The month of October each year is dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary. We would love for you to join us Wed 11.30am in Tūrangi or 7pm in Taupō.
WEDNESDAY FAITH FORMATION SESSION | 7.30PM CHAPEL TAUPŌ
Leon Bloy once wrote, “The only real sadness, the only real failure, the only great tragedy in life, is not to become a saint.” You mean that you too are being called to become a saint? Why not?
We celebrate All Saints Day next weekend (November 1st) and so an occasion to listen to Fr. Alliston as he shares on the hallmarks of being a saint. Reflecting on the document, Gaudete et Exsultate or Call to Holiness of Pope Francis, he will explore what the Pope meant when he stated that the “middle-class” of holiness was something available for all Christians. This in turn takes it cue from the Vatican II document, Lumen Gentium which issued a call to universal holiness to all the Baptized.
If interested do come along this Wednesday 7:30pm at the Chapel, Taupō
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, 25 October: 30TH 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, 26 October | Labour Day
Mass
7pm | Church | Taupō
Tuesday, 27 October
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Community Lunch
1pm | Cafe | Taupō
No Youth Group Ages 11-13 Tonight
Young Adults Jr Ages 13-18
7pm | Old Presbytery Building | Taupō
Wednesday, 28 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
Faith Formation Session with Fr Alliston | Who me a saint?
7.30pm | Chapel | Taupō
Thursday, 29 October
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
No Purl Connect | Knitting Group Today
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, 30 October
Mass
12noon | Church | Taupō
Divine Mercy
3pm | Chapel | Taupō
Saturday, 1 November
Mass
9am | Church | Taupō
Sacrament of Penance
9.30am | Chapel | Taupō
Ministers for Sunday, 25 October
30TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Taupō
Tūrangi
THIS WEEK….
COMING UP
The Keys of the Kingdom: A young priest, Father Chisholm is sent to China to establish a Catholic parish among the non-Christian Chinese. While his boyhood friend, also a priest, flourishes in his calling as a priest in a more Christian area of the world, Father Chisholm struggles. He encounters hostility, isolation, disease, poverty and a variety of set backs which humble him, but make him more determined than ever to succeed. Over the span of many years he gains acceptance and a growing congregation among the Chinese, through his quiet determination, understanding and patience.
Sunday 1st November 6.30pm, Taupō
All Welcome
First Sunday of the month, in the chapel after 9am Mass, Taupō.
RETREATS
Retreats
Tyburn Monastery, Ngakuru &
Cluny Retreat Centre, Tauranga
DIOCESAN NEWS & EVENTS
WORLD MISSION MONTH
There’s still time to donate to the 100th anniversary of World Mission Sunday. Click the button below for more information.
ELECTION WEBINAR | WEDNESDAY 28TH OCTOBER
The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference is hosting a webinar to unpack the bishops' 2026 election statement, Discerning Our Nation’s Future Through a Gospel Lens. Join Wellington Archbishop Paul Martin SM, Catholic Family Support Services Hamilton manager Renee Rewi and Trinity Catholic College principal Kate Nicholson live at 7pm on Wednesday, October 28. The conversation will examine how faith can inform participation in public life and help shape a society that upholds human dignity, promotes justice and serves the common good.
Learn more and register click the button below.
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
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.
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
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
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.