Reflection

Our country is grieving the loss of life and livelihoods this week. Today we hear Jesus' words, "Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted," and we hold in prayer all who are impacted. In times like these, the steady flow of difficult news can leave us feeling weary, overwhelmed, or unsure how to respond. Today's readings gently invite us to a deeper, more life-giving way of living.

In the Beatitudes, Jesus speaks to the heart. He reveals a way of seeing the world not shaped by power, privilege or success, but by love, mercy, humility, and trust in God. His words offer comfort to those who are afflicted and challenge those who are comfortable. They remind us that God's upside-down kingdom is near, especially in moments of vulnerability, sorrow, and need, and that God's ways are very different from the world's. There is a prophetic, almost revolutionary power to them. The Beatitudes, while complex, lead us beyond mere observance of rules to draw us into conversion of attitudes and values.

In prayer, it can help to notice what we are carrying or paying attention to and talk with God about that. Which Beatitude speaks to you? Where might God be inviting you—to prayer, compassion, or healing? We're not meant to have everything resolved before bringing things to God. We can learn to rest in God's presence and trust that even in mourning or uncertainty, God's comfort is close.
The works of mercy offer simple, everyday ways to live the Beatitudes. Perhaps there is some act of kindness, patience, or care you can offer today. What has your attention at the moment, and how might mercy meet that? Ask for the grace to recognize how God is inviting you to be a sign of blessing for others.

Each of us is called according to unique circumstances and gifts so there are no fixed answers. Yet when we open our hearts to God's quiet promptings, the Gospel comes alive and we can place our worries, griefs, hopes and fears in God’s hands. We then offer ourselves in service as our response to God's love. Walking with Christ peace and joy can grow, even in struggles as we serve God alongside him; - with him, through him, and in him. Perhaps we can notice that prayer in Mass today.

Bev McDonald

A Liturgy of the Word ....

With Holy Communion will replace the Masses at St Francis on Wednesday 4 February, as Fr James is away.

Joy Healing Ministry:

Meets today 1 Feb after 10.30am Mass at St John's (approx.11.45am). We invite you to come along; bring friends and family for healing prayer with our Prayer Partners.
  Thank you for your support.

callen@allens.co.nz | 021 943 307.

Coordinator Needed:

Most of you will know of the annual ecumenical worldwide Day of Prayer and may have attended these occasions.
Our parish is overdue to host it on Friday 6 March.
Usually daytime, but that is up to the host church. The material is prepared in booklet form and it is simple to follow the format. If you feel you may be able to take this on, please let Theresa in the office know. In the past we have had several ladies willing to form a team to mount this. It is a great opportunity to meet people from our local churches.

Children’s liturgy ....

Starts again next Sunday 8 February.

We pray for:

We pray for the sick in the community and for the recently deceased including Ian Devane, Judith Gooding, Theresa Sloan, Brian Skinner, Maureen Rissman and Craig Scott. May they rest in eternal peace and their families be comforted in their grief.
We pray too for those whose anniversaries occur at this time including Richard Anderson.

Theology of the Body

Registration open for 2026:

• Course 1: Fulfilled - The Promise of the Christian Life looks deeply at the 'ache' of human longing and the hope of infinite bliss in Christ.
  Sat 21 and Sun 22 Feb.
• Course 2: New! Beginners TOB course – Called to Holiness. LIVE - 4-talk series.
  Sat 28 March (one day only)

Lift needed:

Lady who lives on Hibiscus Coast Highway, Hatfield Beach is needing a lift to 10.30am Mass.
Please contact Mary on 022 411 0811 /09 426 1489 if you can assist.

The Divine Mercy Prayer Group

Will meet again on Sunday 8 February at 3pm at St John's.

Celebrating Marriage & Family Life:

St Valentine's Vigil Mass Saturday 14 February 5.30pm at the Cathedral of St Patrick & St Joseph 43 Wyndam Street CBD for married, engaged, dating, widowered and families all are welcome to celebrate the joy of families.
Further info contact Gerry 021 02247442

Lost Property:

Flip-top cell phone in a black & white check phone case found in St John's church.
Please contact Theresa in the parish office if this belongs to you.

CUPPA:

All are welcome to stay for a cuppa after 10.30am Mass today.

CATHNEWS NEW ZEALAND

Youth group ....

YOUTH GROUP is starting again for the year on Friday 6 March. We invite all youth in year 6- year 13 to come along for some fun, food, faith sharing and friendship. 6.30-8pm in the St John's hall, and will be held every 2nd Friday during term time, starting 6 March.
Any enquires please email Arya or Kathy on hbcpyouth@gmail.com

Praise in the Park:

Join us on Sunday 15 February, 4 - 6pm, at Selwyn Domain, 48-56 Tamaki Drive, Mission Bay.
All are welcome to this a two-hour Catholic event, featuring praise and worship music, personal testimonies, the Gospel message and Eucharistic Adoration. For more details and parking information visit praiseinthepark.nz or email Engelbert at engelbert.dsouza@yahoo.com

Ordination of Deacon Ryan Sy
Livestream Invitation:

Parishes are warmly invited to share the livestream link for Ryan's Ordination on their social media pages.
Ordination: 11.00am, Saturday (Flatbush).
First Mass: 9.30am, Sunday (Good Shepherd)
Link: Ordination to the Priesthood - Deacon Ryan Sy

PARISH PICNIC

Sunday 15 February 2026 at Wenderholm after the 10.30am Mass.
More details to follow.

Joy Healing Ministry Meeting:

Thursday 12 February, 10.30-11.15am in St Johns Chapel.
All Intercessors, Prayer Partners and interested parties welcome.
To Join us or for more information text Cathy Allen 021 943 307.

Columban Calendars ($15) and
Daily Mass calendars ($4)

Are on sale in the parish office.

Meditation Groups meet

• At St Francis on Mondays at 7pm.
• At St John's on Thursday at 2.30pm in the Chapel.
• On Zoom Wednesdays at 5.30pm at https://zoom.us/j/ 6444797955
  Meeting ID: 644 479 7955
  Password: 302506

Two Volunteers needed:

Each week Love Soup collects and distributes over 2.2 Tonnes of rescue food with all the donated food, including our parish' donations, and makes up 140 food parcels for families up the Coast.
Co-ordinator and Assistant for St Johns Orewa: Role involves:

1. Collect the donated food in the foyer and deliver this to Red Beach on Sunday or Brightside Rd depot Tuesday or Wednesday.
2. Check for food application forms (confidential) in the white box and deliver to Love Soup for processing.
3. Make people aware of the "free" rescue food distributed to the community Pantries around the Coast.
4. Help promote "Love Soup" within St Johns and the community.

Telephone Prayer Chain:

We have a small group of parishioners who pray for your special intentions during their daily prayers.
Call upon the church community to pray for you (James5:14).
If you would like volunteer some time in your day to pray for others, please contact Norma McGrath on (09) 424-8460.

Engaged/Planning a Wedding?

Catholic Diocese of Auckland - Approved Marriage Preparation Course.
Book in for the course 1 year prior to the wedding in NZ and 18 months for overseas weddings.
Register and book here: www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz/discipleship/our-courses/
For more information contact:
Gerry at gerrys@cda.org.nz or phone 021 0224 7442.

Catholic Enquiry Centre:

Visit their website to explore Catholicism, find out about our faith, order booklets or to make a donation:
https:/www.catholicdiscovery.nz/

Mass Times:

Sunday Mass Times: St John's, Orewa - Saturday Vigil - 5.30pm
Sunday - 10.30am
Sunday - 8.30am

Liturgy of the Word & Holy Communion: St John's, Orewa - Monday and Fridays - 9.30am
St Francis, Manly - Mon, Tues, Thurs, Sat - 9.30am

Morning Mass Times: St John's, Orewa - Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sat - 9.30am
St Francis, Manly - Wed, Fri - 9.30am (No Mass on Wednesday this week)

Rosary St John's, Orewa - Tues, Wed, Thurs and Sat after 9.30am Mass

Reconciliation St John's, Orewa - Saturdays after 9.30am Mass or on request

GET YOUR NEWSLETTER EMAILED
During the lockdowns our weekly newsletter was still being produced.
Please pass the message on to others that if they would like the newsletter sent to them directly, to visit the parish website www.hbcparish.org.nz and
CLICK HERE

TELEPHONE PRAYER CHAIN
Is anyone sick?
Call upon the church community to pray for you (James5:14).
Please telephone any of the parishioners listed below.
We would love to pray for your intentions in our daily prayers.

Norma McGrath (Coordinator); 424-8460
Maureen Nancarrow; 426 7921
Janet Dimbleby; 427 5850
Raewyn Taylor; 424 1414
Maree Lochead; 428 4648