The Pastor's Peace
Fr Craig

Dear Parishioners and Visitors,
Peace be with You!  The advent of the Coronavirus is taking us on a journey which most of us never imagined and our life has changed in ways we couldn't have imagined. It seems to me that the language we use to talk about our situation is important. One word which has been used many time over the past week is Isolation.  It’s true (and vital) that we need to physically isolate ourselves from others and this is hard enough. On the flip side, we need to come closer together emotionally and spiritually.  Yesterday I celebrated a funeral with a family who were suffering at multiple levels.  Not only had they lost their beloved dad, many of their extended family and friends were not able to be with them, they could not hug one another and some were crying and almost everyone felt alone.  Everything was done at a distance.  During this season, without precedent, we need to make a priority of coming close, emotionally, spiritually by talking to our loved ones. Really talking. Some of us are blessed with the means to communicate easily. Others, not so. Eg If you are reading this you have access to the internet.  Some of our elderly don’t.  Please think about how we can creatively include those who are technologically isolated.  One suggestion is phoning someone in this situation and reading them the key points.  I have included the "Prayer for Healing". If you find it helpful, I encourage you to choose a regular time during the day to pray it, together with the Lord’s Prayer (which Pope Francis has reminded us) is the prayer that unites all Christians. In the words of St Julian of Norwich, this too will pass.  Having said this, this time gives us the opportunity to reconnect with our families and friends and to reach out to those who are most in need.  May our good God bless you and your family at this time.  Fr Craig​  
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Masses







​Parish Activities
Unfortunately, all Masses are cancelled until the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.  We will be live streaming Sunday Mass this Sunday 29 March.  Please click on the link below

You can also follow Pope Francis' daily Mass at 7.00pm our time by clicking on the following link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJHI8bI0LWg


All Parish Activities are cancelled until the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted

Parish Activities

Prayer for Healing

   PRAYER FOR HEALING
Loving God,
We come to You in our weakness.
We come to You in our fear.
We come to You with trust.
For You alone are our hope.
We place before You the disease present in our world.
We turn to You in our time of need.
Bring wisdom to doctors.
Give understanding to scientists.
Endow caregivers with compassion and generosity.
Bring healing to those who are ill.
Protect those who are most at risk.
Give comfort to those who have lost a loved one.
Welcome those who have died into Your Eternal Home.
Stabilize our communities.
Unite us in our compassion.
Remove all fear from our hearts.
Fill us with confidence in Your care.
(Prayer for your own personal concerns)
Jesus, I trust in You.
Jesus, I trust in You.
Jesus, I trust in You. Amen

LORD’S PRAYER
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LITANY TO OUR LADY
Our Lady, Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Our Lady, Comforter of the Afflicted, pray for us.
Our Lady, Help of Christians, pray for us.
Our Lady, Health of the Sick, pray for us.
Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom, pray for us.
Our Lady, Queen of Heaven and Earth, pray for us

Parish Council

Chairperson
Pauline Annabell

Council Members
Joe Clough
Joyce Luke
Frances Stockman
Pam Hawken
Sophie Cunningham
Fr Craig Butler
​Fr Joseph Saw Tha Khu

Contact details

​Parish Priest: Fr Craig Butler
Parish Secretary: Patrea Clement

Postal Address: P.O. Box 488, Hawera, 4640
Telephone: 06 278 5656

E-mail: stjoshw@xtra.co.nz
Physical Address:

St Joseph's Hawera: 38 Victoria Street, Hawera
Sacred Heart Manaia: 45 Ngatai St, Manaia

Office hours:
The Parish office is closed during this time but will reopen after the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted