‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.’ (Matthew 5:9) Lord, help us to be peacemakers in the Holy Land. 15 ‘I am the light of the world.’ (John 8:12) Lord, help us to be lights to the Holy Land. ‘Peace I leave you with you, My Peace I give to you:…’ (John 14:27) Lord, we thank you for your peace and we accept it in the Holy Land.

Keep it simple for Lent Action Plan

With your families this lent, see how many challenges you can complete to prepare at this time - from the Caritas Action Plan. 

From the Parish: 

The North Parish are running a challenge for Lent. Complete all 12 pieces of the challenge with your family and send a picture of it completed to Maria (our new School's Coordinator) school@christchurchnorth.org.nz

Ash Wednesday Message from Fr Rick: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy3r5n88ljA

St Vincent de Paul Society 

Lent Appeal: This Lent we are collecting items to donate to those in need in our community. Non-perishable foods and hygiene products. Please bring these to the office or classroom. 

Faith Facts

Pray every day. Even when it is hard.

“Pray without ceasing,” the Apostle Paul exhorts us in his letter to the Thessalonians. A worthy goal, to be sure. But maybe this year, you simply want to be able to pray a nightly Examen without falling asleep or pray a rosary without starting to go through your to-do list after one decade.

Pope Francis understands your struggle. “Praying is not something easy, and this is why we flee from it,” he said on May 12. “Every time we want to pray, we are immediately reminded of many other activities, which at that moment seem more important and more urgent. This happens to me too!”

Maybe this year, you simply want to be able to pray a nightly Examen without falling asleep or pray a rosary without starting to go through your to-do list after one decade.

Tweet this

The next week, Pope Francis acknowledged the forces that can stand in the way of prayer: distraction, spiritual barrenness, sloth. All these, the pope said, must be met with perseverance:

True progress in spiritual life does not consist in multiplying ecstasies, but in being able to persevere in difficult times: walk, walk, walk on.... and if you are tired, stop a bit and then start walking again.

If you are feeling discouraged about your progress in prayer, know that Pope Francis is struggling and walking right there with you—and do not give up!

From:

https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2021/12/29/new-years-resolution-pope-francis-242050

To the ends of the earth’ - the second foundation of the Christian mission.

Pope Francis went on to consider a second foundation of the Christian mission: “to the ends of the earth.” He said the early disciples gradually expanded the scope of their mission, and lived an image of the Church “going forth” and guided by divine Providence, not the desire to proselytize. As they faced persecution, early Christians fled their homelands, taking the Gospel with them to new countries, something which happens in our own day.