Church Notices
Our parish is Our Lady Star of the Sea. We share in worship with our parish on a fortnightly basis with two classes attending prayer at the church on a Thursday morning. We support the parish with feast day celebrations and we lead our own liturgies and masses as well. Once a term we lead a Sunday Mass service where all families and parish members are welcome to attend to worship together.
Masses for Term 4 2020
Monday November 2nd - All Souls Day 10:00 a.m.
The whole school will attend this mass. Parents very welcome
Friday November 6th 9:10 a.m.- Rooms 4 & 5 will attend mass in the Church Hospitality area
Friday November 20th- 9:10a.m. Rooms 1, 2 & 6 will attend mass in the Church Hospitality Area
Sunday November 22nd 10:00a.m. We would love to have as many families as possible attend this mass. It will be our first Sunday mass since First Communion mass in Term 2.
Friday December 4th - Mrs van Vuuren’s farewell mass. This will be in the morning, but we haven’t confirmed the time yet. We will follow this with a l unch or morning tea back at school. An invitation will come out later in the term.
Father Vui Haong travels down from New Plymouth to lead us in Mass.
All Saints and All Souls Day
On Sunday November 1st we celebrate the Feast of All Saints. We celebrate the lives of the saints, both the canonised Saints of our Church and the ordinary people who have lived good lives and are now with God in heaven. The canonised Saints have a date designated as their Feast Day throughout the year, but on All Saints Day it is a celebration for all saints.
November 2nd is known as All Souls Day. We remember those who have died and pray for them, asking that they are with God in heaven.
These two days begin a month long remembrance of the dead. People are invited to place the names of deceased loved ones into a box, which is placed near the altar. During November masses are offered for the souls of these people.
Each of our local cemeteries will be visited by a priest and parishioners for a blessing ceremony during November. Parishioners can ask for the graves of their deceased family members to be visited and blessed.
Preparation Classes for First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion
Classes to prepare for these two sacraments begin in our parish very soon - November 8th. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated in early December and First Eucharist (Holy Communion) soon after Easter next year. If you would like your child to be included, please email their name and your contact details to Carol Lamain, our parish secretary rcopunake@infogen.net.nz
Alternatively give children’s names to Sharon at our school office or to Clare. Children should be 8 years or older to begin the programme.
If anyone would like to lead this programme or to assist with leadership, please let Carol or Clare know.
2020 First Holy Communion Lessons
These classes are for the children who received the Sacrament of Reconciliation in Term 4 last year. All classes take part in the Hospitality Area of the Church.
Sunday March 15th: 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Sunday March 22nd: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Sunday March 29th: 9:30- 10:30 a.m.
Sunday 5th April: 9:30 - 10:00a.m.
Sunday 3rd May: 9:30 - 10:00a.m.
Sunday 10th May: 9:30 - 10:00a.m.
Sunday 17th May: Practice after mass
Sunday 24th May: First Holy Communion day 10:00a.m. This will be a school mass, so we encourage all school families to attend.
St Joseph's day
Please join us on /Tuesday 19th March at 10am at Our Lady Star of the Sea to celebrate the feast day for St Joseph's.
A Modern look at St Joseph.
The Bible may not mention Joseph much and none of his words may be recorded, but what it does say speaks volumes about his character. The following are 6 signs of a modern-day St. Joseph.
1. Social Media
If Joseph did use social media, it wouldn’t be the center of his life. Being a private person, he would rarely log on and if he did, he wouldn’t post lame selfies and photos of his meal of unleavened bread and fish. He wouldn’t rant and rave, nor would he gossip about anything. Maybe he’d share an inspiring quote here and there and post a few holy hashtags. #holyfamily #proudfosterfather #imnotworthy.
2. Career
I think it’s safe to say Joseph would be working as a carpenter, and probably have his own shop. He would do honest, quality work and his prices would be the fairest around. He would make a modest living, bringing in just enough money to pay the bills and put food on the table. Jesus would be Joseph’s only employee and that would be plenty of manpower for the shop. If I had to guess the name of his business I’d go with “Divine Wood Works”. He’d build the best staircases around.
3. Social Life
Joseph wouldn’t be one for parties and huge gatherings. He’d be more apt to enjoy a nice quiet night at home with his Holy Family. If you did see Joseph out with friends or family, it would probably be at a function for his parish. He’d be the one sitting quietly with his wife Mary, looking content and peaceful. He may say a few quiet words to people passing by, but that’s about it. People would know Joseph as a quiet man, but when he did speak his words would be profound. Joseph would be the go-to-guy for great fatherly advice.
4. Faith
Joseph would have a profound faith life. He would attend daily mass and would be seen in deep prayer. His internal life would be far beyond anything we can imagine, having constant conversations with God in his heart. Joseph’s trust in God would give him strength through the toughest situations and temptations.
5. Personality and appearance
Joseph would be a warm and friendly person. People would want his presence around them always, even if it was silent, because there would be something about him that brings peace and security. Joseph would never gossip or speak ill of anyone, and he would never lose his temper. You would never know that Joseph comes from a royal bloodline because he wouldn’t talk about it. He doesn’t like the spotlight and loves the simple life. Joseph would keep a simple and clean appearance, and sport an EPIC beard.
6. Social Views
What he would stand for and proclaim is the sanctity of human life, chastity, respect for women, and giving to and serving the needy. He wouldn’t “leave it to someone else” to feed the poor. He’d be at the local food bank every other weekend. Bottom line: he would stand for God’s Law and respect the teachings of the Catholic Church. Did I mention he’d have an awesome beard?
St. Joseph is a role model for all ages and generations and we should all have a special devotion to him. Saint Bridget of Sweden once shared the revelation told to her by Our Lady that Joseph would constantly pray out loud, “Heaven grant that I may live so as to accomplish the Will of my God.” Simple yet profound. Classic St. Joseph.
