21st SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME  CYCLE C

21st SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME  CYCLE C

Today as we gather for this mass, we are full of joy. We come together to praise God and give him thanks. Yet sometimes we have to read those passages of scripture which are not joyful, but which act as a warning to us. Today Christ warns us to choose the narrow path of truth, for otherwise he will say to us, “I do not know you – away from me.”

GOSPEL – Luke 13: 22 – 30

Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us?’ He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from. And you will say, ‘We ate and drank in your company, and you taught in our streets.’ Then he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!’ And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

FR MAREK SABBATICAL LEAVE

After working in the Diocese of Dundee for 15 years, Fr Marek will be going on a mini sabbatical at the end of August 2025 and will return in mid-January 2026. During this time, he will attend some courses and retreats. Fr Musa will be acting priest-in-charge during the time Fr Marek is away.

This will be the first time in 15 years that he will spend Christmas with his family.

Fr would like to thank all who gave contributions for his leave and will keep everyone in prayers. and will see us in January.

Szczęśliwej Podróży
(Happy Travels)

Please be mindful of the designated parking for persons with disabilities. Even if you are late for Mass, please leave the spaces FREE for persons with genuine disabilities

PRAYER FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE PARISH
MISSION

O Jesus, most holy Redeemer, our Master and our King, it is to
Thy Sacred Heart, that ocean of love and goodness, that we owe the
inestimable blessing of a Mission. Touched with compassion at the
sight of our miseries and the eternal unhappiness that threatens us,
Thou hast resolved to save us. The missionaries who are coming to
us are Thy representatives; in Thy person, they will break for us the
bread of God’s Word and will bring to us the joy of forgiveness.
Grant, O Lord, that we may be faithful to Thy grace and correspond
zealously with the advances of Thy mercy. Let the preaching of Thy
eternal truths enlighten and quicken our minds, and deeply move our
hearts, so that we may realize our shortcomings and sincerely repent
of them. To the poor souls plunged in the darkness of ignorance and
error do Thou grant the life of faith. To those who have saddened
Thee by a wicked life, do Thou give the grace of a sincere
conversion. Bestow fresh fervour upon the lukewarm, and upon the
just true progress in the way of virtue. Send forth Thy Holy Spirit
upon all of us, and the face of this parish shall be renewed. And
thou, O Mary, immaculate Virgin and Mother of Perpetual Help,
thou art the refuge and advocate of poor sinners; the more guilty
they are, the more claim they have upon thy tenderness. It is for this
reason that we make bold to implore thy powerful and motherly
protection with all confidence. Our salvation is in Thy
hands, plead
our cause and intercede for us with thy divine Son. Our Lady of Mt.
Carmel, Patroness of the parish of North Richland Hills, pray for us
during the blessed days of this Mission. Amen.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR AUGUST

For mutual coexistence

Let us pray that societies where coexistence seems more difficult might not succumb to the temptation of confrontation for ethnic, political, religious, or ideological reasons

UPCOMING EVENTS

• 30-31/08: Altar Server’s Retreat @ Besters
• 13/09: Exaltation of the Holy Cross
• 20/09: Golf Day – fundraiser
• 24/09: Heritage Day cultural cuisine
• 24/10 to 02/11: PARISH MISSION

SICK & ELDERLY

Please pray for the sick & elderly of the parish, family & friends especially:

Nokuthula Kubheka, Penny Powell, Jean Smith, Dolly Bimbrish, Alvin Govender, Mavis Makhubo, Norman Browne, Khohli Kunene, Barbara Amod, Sebenzile Molefe, Margarida De Franca, Joyce Chetty, Netta Liebenberg, Mthokozisi Mthembu, Avenel Aarons, Siva Naidoo, and Francesca Poonsamy.

The good news is that Francesca is recovering well, we have received thanks from Freddy and Francesca for the continuous prayers, concern and support.

FUNDRAISING

We will be hosting a Golf Day on 20/09/25 to raise funds. Sponsorship letters are available for anyone who would like to sponsor a hole or make a donation.
We will be selling raffle tickets for R20 each. The prize is an air fryer. Watch this space for more details.