Grandparents Mass

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at our Grandparents Mass on Friday 25 October. The mass will be followed by a Book Day Costume parade and Morning Tea. 

Rosary Evening

October is the month of the rosary and we have begun praying a decade of the rosary in our houses each morning in preparation for the rosary evening on Tuesday the 29 October at 5.30pm in the church. Each child has a part of the rosary to say on the night and some have started learning it in another language as well. See you then.

Faith Reflection

It’s common practice to use a block of initials in referring to corporations or government departments that have long titles.  DHB (District Health Board), MOW (Ministry of Works) and UNESCO are a few examples. Civic Honours are similarly known by initials: KCMG, QSM, MBE…  

Words themselves are often broken down to their individual letters to give an additional meaning.  For instance, in popular thought, the word POSH which emphasises opulence and elegance, denotes First Class tickets on ships to and from India: Port Out, Starboard Home!

There are also acronyms in church language and symbols, although they are displayed rather than spoken.  Among the most obvious is IHS, printed on vestments or as a stylised design on altar fronts or floors. Sometimes explained as In His Service, it really denotes the first three Greek letters in the name, JESUS.  Another is the CHI-RHO sign – depicted as an X superimposed over an R. This is the first three letters of the Greek spelling of CHRIST.

Look for these symbols next time you visit a church.  Design one to illustrate your own Christian commitment or way of life.