23RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE C

23RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE C

We who are gathered here today are called by
the same name. We are called ‘Christians.’
The word means that we are followers of
Christ. He is the Christ. We are the Christians.
Today we reflect on another similarity we have
with Christ. It is a very important similarity:
Christ carried his cross and we have to carry our cross. We read the
words of Christ: “Anyone who does not carry his cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.”

GOSPEL – Luke 14: 25 – 33

“Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’ Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way, anyone of you who does not renounce all his
possessions cannot be my disciple.”

PRIESTS’ VESTMENTS

Two anonymous donors sponsored 4 new vestments. Fr Marek would like to thank them very much.

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.”

PEACE WITH CREATION

1 September 2025 to 4 October 2025

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.

MARIA RATSCHITZ PILGRIMAGE 14 September 2025

Transport to Maria Ratchitz on the 14th of September. Lloyd’s Transport will be R100 per person.
If you need transport, please contact Nokwazi at RPP or Marge at St. Jude. Please make a payment by
Tuesday the latest.

THERE WILL BE NO MASS AT RPP & ST JUDE ON
SUNDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 2025.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR SEPTEMBER

For our relationship with all of creation:

Let us pray that, inspired by Saint
Francis, we might experience our interdependence with all creatures who are
loved by God and worthy of love and respect.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• 13/09 Exaltation of the Holy Cross (bring your crosses for blessing)
• 14/09 Pilgrimage to Maria Ratchitz
• 16/09 PFC -Executive Committee @RPP 20/09: Golf Day – Fundraising
• 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.

SEPTEMBER IS HERITAGE MONTH

“Future generations will never forgive us if we miss the opportunity to protect our common home. We have inherited a garden; we must not leave a desert for our children.”