Author: Jonathan

30^th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME. YEAR A

INTRODUCTION

When people plant a tree, they generally do so for others. Trees grow slowly. Those who have planted trees do not live to enjoy their fruit. In this way planting a tree is a sign of unselfish love. It would be a great praise if people could say of us one day: this man or women has done great things in life. Love makes the lives of such people meaningful. Today’s message says “love your God with all your heart and your neighbour as yourself” this commandment is not a chain around our neck but a way of making our lives meaningful.

GOSPEL READING
MATTHEW 22: 34 – 40

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a scholar of the law tested him by asking, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

CATECHISM

Classes will resume on 09 and 11 October.

THE PILGRIM STATUE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Will continue visiting homes for as long as there are people who want to take her home, even for a second or third time. A list is in the porch if you would like to still add your name.

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

• Please be mindful of where you park your vehicles.
• Don’t park in front of the main entrance, making it difficult for the elderly and less-abled to get past.
• Don’t park in the driveway at the side of the hall.
• Don’t park in the designated disabled parking if you are able-bodied.
• THERE IS EXTRA PARKING UP NEAR THE PARISH OFFICE. PLEASE ASK ONE OF THE LEADERS TO OPEN THE MOTOR GATE

OCTOBER IS WORLD
MISSION MONTH

The second collection during October is for the Pontifical Mission Society.

BAPTISM CLASSES FOR PARENTS WITH BABIES

Will start in November. If you would like your child to be baptised, please contact Brenda on 0763796891.

FR MAREK IS MOVING TO STS PETER & PAUL IN NEWCASTLE

The Diocese follows a policy that every six (6) or so, years, it is good for priests, and the parish, that the priest to be moved to another parish.
That being said, Fr Marek is moving to Sts Peter & Paul in Newcastle, after the Feast of Christ the King, 22 November.
Fr Simphiwe Kheswa will replace Fr Marek from the first week of Advent 28 November.
We will arrange a farewell for Fr Marek soon.

ONE MILLION CHILDREN PRAYING THE ROSARY

“Teach your children to pray early, so that when their little hearts feel heavy, they will turn to God for comfort, strength and hope instead of turning to the world.”

October is the month dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. This year especially children are invited by Pope Leo to pray the Rosary.

In our parish, we will pray 5 decades of the Rosary daily.

• Monday to Friday at 5pm @ RPP
• Saturday 4:45pm @ RPP
• Sunday 7:15am @ RPP.
• Friday 5:00pm @ St Jude
• Sunday before Mass @ St Jude.

We invite parents & grandparents to join the children. We ask children to lead our prayers of the Rosary with the help Catechism teachers

LAST WEEK OF THE ROSARY

NGOME PILGRIMAGE

A day trip was proposed for the 14th November 2026, if there are enough people interested. Taxi cost is R500. If you would like to go, please put your name in the list in the porch.

ALL SOULS DAY

2/11 Monday – Holy Mass will be at the Garden of remembrance @ 5: 30pm for all the faithful departed. Pious list will be available on the porch.

BURGER DAY

01/11 next Sunday Men of the Parish will have a burger sale after mass at RPP and St Jude. Burgers @ R35 each.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

23/10 Practice for Sacrament of Confession @ 2pm. 24/10 Day of Retreat for children and parents, will start at 11:00am till evening Mass.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR OCTOBER

For mental health ministry

Let us pray that the mental health ministry be established throughout the Church, helping to overcome the stigma and discrimination of persons with mental illnesses.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

• 03/11 Executive Committee Meeting @ RPP
• 06/11 Executive Committee Meeting @ St Jude
• 07/11 First Saturday of the Month Confession followed by Mass
• 07/11 Children of Mary.
• 22/11 First Holy Communion

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, Netta Liebenberg, Mthokozisi Mthembu, Avenel Aarons, Francesca Poonsamy, Dolly Govender, Ingrid Denzin, Margarida de Franca, Gugu Radebe, Vincent van der Byl, & Teresa Hlatshwayo.

ISIVUNO 08 NOVEMBER

SATURDAY-Thanksgiving envelopes will be In the porch.

SUNDAY-contributions according to occupation sector:

29^th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME. YEAR A

INTRODUCTION

In our celebration today we shall hear of two great
Cyrus, the King of Babylon and Caesar the Emperor of
consider the question: what have political leaders to do
Don’t political leaders and God fall into completely
categories? God’s word today will throw light on this
Lord shows his respect for political leaders. We are told that all political leaders should regard themselves as tools in Gods hand. He is the lord. There is no other besides him.

GOSPEL READING
MATTHEW 22: 15 – 21

The Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech. They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. And you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion, for you do not regard a person’s status. Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” Knowing their malice, Jesus said, “Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin that pays the census tax.” Then they handed him the Roman coin. He said to them, “Whose image is this and whose inscription?” They replied, “Caesar’s.” At that he said to them, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”

NGOME PILGRIMAGE

A day trip was proposed for the 14 November 2026. If there are enough people interested. Taxi cost is R500. If you would like to go, please put your name on the list in the porch.

CATECHISM

Classes will resume on 09 and 11 October.

THE PILGRIM STATUE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Will continue visiting homes for as long as there are people who want to take her home, even for a second or third time etc. Please add your name to the list in the porch. Even if you had your name on the first list, please add it AGAIN to the list in the porch.

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

• Please be mindful of where you park your vehicles.
• Don’t park in front of the main entrance, making it difficult for the elderly and less-abled to get past.
• Don’t park in the driveway at the side of the hall.
• Don’t park in the designated disabled parking if you are able-bodied.
• THERE IS EXTRA PARKING UP NEAR THE PARISH OFFICE. PLEASE ASK ONE OF THE LEADERS TO OPEN THE MOTOR GATE

OCTOBER IS WORLD
MISSION MONTH

The second collection during October is for the Pontifical Mission Society.

ONE MILLION CHILDREN PRAYING THE ROSARY

“Teach your children to pray early, so that when their little hearts feel heavy, they will turn to God for comfort, strength and hope instead of turning to the world.”

October is the month dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. This year especially children are invited by Pope Leo to pray the Rosary.

In our parish, we will pray 5 decades of the Rosary daily.

• Monday to Friday at 5pm @ RPP
• Saturday 4:45pm @ RPP
• Sunday 7:15am @ RPP.
• Friday 5:00pm @ St Jude
• Sunday before Mass @ St Jude.

We invite parents & grandparents to join the children. We ask children to lead our prayers of the Rosary with the help Catechism teachers

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

23/10 Practice for Sacrament of Confession @ 2pm. 24/10 Day of Retreat for children and parents, will start at 11:00am till evening Mass.

ALL SOULS DAY

2/11 Holy Mass will be at the Garden of Remembrance @ 5:30pm for all the faithful departed. Pious list will be on the porch.

BURGER DAY

01/11 Men of the Parish will have a burger sale
after Mass both at RPP and St Jude

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR OCTOBER

For mental health ministry

Let us pray that the mental health ministry be established throughout the Church, helping to overcome the stigma and discrimination of persons with mental illnesses.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

03/11 Executive Committee @ RPP
06/11 Executive Committee at St Jude
08/11 Isivuno at RPP and St Jude

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, Netta Liebenberg, Mthokozisi Mthembu, Avenel Aarons, Francesca Poonsamy, Dolly Govender, Ingrid Denzin, Margarida de Franca, Gugu Radebe, Vincent van der Byl, & Teresa Hlatshwayo.

THANK YOU FROM SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL

Thank you, all parishioners, for your donations
towards the School Shoe Project. Cash donations
amounted to R4600. Pairs of shoes purchased – 26.
The balance will be used for further school shoe
needs.

ST ANTONINE’S HOME FOR THE AGED

Thank you for donations and collection for the home
at Amakhasi. The amount collected was R3761.50

27^th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME. YEAR A

INTRODUCTION

The Lord calls us today by a beautiful name. He calls us “my vineyard”, meaning that we are his fields, his orchids, his plantations. God has planted us in his kingdom; God has called us together; God makes us grow and he expects good fruit. We have to ask ourselves: Is it possible that God’s vineyard in our country can disappear, can be uprooted and destroyed? Is it possible that the church in our nation can die out? Jesus’s answer is yes. “You may lose the chance that I have given you and others may get the chance instead.”

GOSPEL READING
MATTHEW 21: 33 – 34

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. Again, he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way. Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’ They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?” They answered him, “He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times.” Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes? Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.”

CATECHISM

Classes will resume on 09 and 11 October.

THE PILGRIM STATUE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Will continue visiting homes for as long as there are people who want to take her home, even for a second or third time.
A list is in the porch if you would like to still add your name.

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

• Please be mindful of where you park your vehicles.
• Don’t park in front of the main entrance, making it difficult for the elderly and less-abled to get past.
• Don’t park in the driveway at the side of the hall.
• Don’t park in the designated disabled parking if you are able-bodied.
• THERE IS EXTRA PARKING UP NEAR THE PARISH OFFICE. PLEASE ASK ONE OF THE LEADERS TO OPEN THE MOTOR GATE

FATHER MUSA IS LEAVING

After two years in our Parish, Fr Musa has been transferred to Embalenhle Parish in the Standerton Deanery.

Please join us in the hall after Mass this Sunday for a farewell celebration

ONE MILLION CHILDREN PRAYING THE ROSARY

“Teach your children to pray early, so that when their little hearts feel heavy, they will turn to God for comfort, strength and hope instead of turning to the world.”

October is the month dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. This year especially children are invited by Pope Leo to pray the Rosary.

In our parish, we will pray 5 decades of the Rosary daily.

• Monday to Friday at 5pm @ RPP
• Saturday 4:45pm @ RPP
• Sunday 7:15am @ RPP.
• Friday 5:00pm @ St Jude
• Sunday before Mass @ St Jude.

We invite parents & grandparents to join the children. We ask children to lead our prayers of the Rosary with the help Catechism teachers

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR OCTOBER

For mental health ministry

Let us pray that the mental health ministry be established throughout the Church, helping to overcome the stigma and discrimination of persons with mental illnesses.

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, Netta Liebenberg, Mthokozisi Mthembu, Avenel Aarons, Francesca Poonsamy, Dolly Govender, Ingrid Denzin, Margarida de Franca, Gugu Radebe, Vincent van der Byl, & Teresa Hlatshwayo.

CHILDREN OF MARY

Inauguration ceremony will be on the 11th of October at Regina Pacis during Mass
There will be finger lunch after Mass. All Parishioners are invited to come and celebrate with them.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Please note that if you are not part of the ministry for a particular mass, you are not allowed on the Sanctuary or in the Sacristy. The Sanctuary is a holy place and should be treated as such. If there is something that is required, please speak with the sacristan on duty.

26th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME. YEAR A

INTRODUCTION

We expect God to console or strengthen us. We do not like it very much when we are challenged and told that something is wrong with us. However, we know that in whatever God says or does, God only wants what is best for us. We talk a lot about God but find it hard to do his will, yet there are others who might not even belong to a church but may do God’s will better than us. Do we say, “Yes father, your will be done?”

GOSPEL READING
MATTHEW 21: 28 – 32

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people:
“What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ He said in reply, ‘I will not, ‘but afterwards changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir, ‘but did not go. Which of the two did his father’s will?” They answered, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him.”

CATECHISM

Classes will close from 19 September and will resume again on 09 October.

THE PILGRIM STATUE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Will continue visiting homes for as long as there are people who want to take her home, even for a second or third time.
A list is in the porch if you would like to still add your name.

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

• Please be mindful of where you park your vehicles.
• Don’t park in front of the main entrance, making it difficult for the elderly and less-abled to get past.
• Don’t park in the driveway at the side of the hall.
• Don’t park in the designated disabled parking if you are able-bodied.
• THERE IS EXTRA PARKING UP NEAR THE PARISH OFFICE. PLEASE ASK ONE OF THE LEADERS TO OPEN THE MOTOR GATE

FATHER MUSA IS LEAVING

After two years in our Parish, Fr Musa has been transferred to Embalenhle Parish in the Standerton Deanery. We will give our thanks and say goodbye to Fr Musa on 04 October as that will be his last Sunday in Ladysmith.
We will have one Mass at RPP @ 8 am and will have a celebration in the hall thereafter.

THE SECOND COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND IS FOR FR MUSA’S FAREWELL

SEASON OF CREATION 01/09/2026 -04/10/2026

• Biblical Inspiration: Based on Ezekiel 47:1–12, symbolising restoration and healing.
• Core Focus: An ecological justice call addressing water’s dual power and the climate crisis a
• For more information: https://seasonofcreation.org/

ONE MILLION CHILDREN PRAYING THE ROSARY

“Teach your children to pray early, so that when their little hearts feel heavy, they will turn to God for comfort, strength and hope instead of turning to the world.”

October is the month dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. This year especially children are invited by Pope Leo to pray the Rosary.
In our parish, we will pray 5 decades of the Rosary daily.
Monday to Friday at 5pm @ RPP
Saturday 4:45pm @ RPP
Sunday 7:15am @ RPP.
Friday 5:00pm @ St Jude
Sunday before Mass @ St Jude.
We invite parents & grandparents to join the children. We ask children to lead our prayers of the Rosary with the help Catechism teachers

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR SEPTEMBER

For the care of water:

Let us pray for a just and sustainable management of water, a vital resource, so that everyone may have equal access to it.

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, Netta Liebenberg, Mthokozisi Mthembu, Avenel Aarons, Francesca Poonsamy, Dolly Govender, Ingrid Denzin, Margarida de Franca, Gugu Radebe, Vincent van der Byl, & Teresa Hlatshwayo

CLOSING OF YEAR OF ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI

03/10/2026 – All in the Ladysmith Deanery are invited to celebrate this feast together, at St Francis Church in WATERSMEET. We will start at 9am with Franciscan Prayers followed by Mass @ 10 am.

On the same afternoon there will be blessing of animals at 4:00pm @ both RPP & St Jude. One priest will be at St Jude, the other at RPP.
Please bring your pets.

25th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME. YEAR A

INTRODUCTION

God’s ways are high above our ways. God’s thoughts are high above our thoughts. We, for example tend to be small-minded and stingy. We want to regulate everything with laws and regulations. But God’s was is different. God is generous and broad-minded; god’s generosity has no limits. Today let us ask God to be broad minded, good and generous.

GOSPEL READING
MATTHEW 20: 1 – 16

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o’clock, the landowner saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’ So they went off. And he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o’clock, the landowner found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’ When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.’ When those who had started about five o’clock came,
each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’ He said to one of them in reply, ‘My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’ Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

CATECHISM

Classes will close from 19 September and will resume again on 16 October.

EXAMS FOR 1ST HOLY COMMUNION CLASS

In the hall after Mass today.

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

• Please be mindful of where you park your vehicles.
• Don’t park in front of the main entrance, making it difficult for the elderly and less-abled to get past.
• Don’t park in the driveway at the side of the hall.
• Don’t park in the designated disabled parking if you are able-bodied.
• THERE IS EXTRA PARKING UP NEAR THE PARISH OFFICE. PLEASE ASK ONE OF THE LEADERS TO OPEN THE MOTOR GATE

THE PILGRIM STATUE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Will continue visiting homes for as long as there are people who want to take her home, even for a second or third time.
A list is in the porch if you would like to still add your name.

ST ANNE SODALITY

Congratulations to the newly enrolled members, Mrs Thulisile Gabela and Mrs Thobile Madondo.
Date: Today @ Regina Pacis
There will be finger lunch after Mass. All sodalities and the congregation are invited to come and celebrate with them.
Ephesians: 6, 13-17 The Apostle Paul commands believers to put on the whole Armor of God to stand firm. This “spiritual uniform” includes the breastplate of righteousness and shield of fait

FATHER MUSA IS LEAVING

After two years in our Parish, Fr Musa has been transferred to Embalenhle Parish in the Standerton Deanery. We will give our thanks and say goodbye to Fr Musa on 04 October as that will be his last Sunday in Ladysmith.
We will have one Mass at RPP @ 8 am and will have a celebration in the hall thereafter.

SECOND COLLECTION FOR FR MUSA’S FAREWELL

Will be on the 26th and 27th of September.

SEASON OF CREATION 01/09/2026 -04/10/2026

• Biblical Inspiration: Based on Ezekiel 47:1–12, symbolising restoration and healing.
• Core Focus: An ecological justice call addressing water’s dual power and the climate crisis a
• For more information: https://seasonofcreation.org/

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR SEPTEMBER

For the care of water:

Let us pray for a just and sustainable management of water, a vital resource, so that everyone may have equal access to it.

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, Netta Liebenberg, Mthokozisi Mthembu, Avenel Aarons, Francesca Poonsamy, Dolly Govender, Ingrid Denzin, Margarida de Franca, Gugu Radebe, Vincent van der Byl, Harald Schirge, Amalia De Franca & Teresa Hlatshwayo.

UPCOMING EVENTS @ RPP

• 27/09 Heritage Day Celebration, ONE MASS @ RPP, please book your tables with the Parish Secretary for the celebration after Mass.
• 29/09 Executive Committee Meeting @ RPP 01/10 Liturgy meeting

CLOSING OF YEAR OF ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI

03/10/2026 All in the Ladysmith Deanery are invited to celebrate this feast together at St Francis Church in Peace Town. We will start at 9 am with Franciscan Prayers followed by Mass @ 10 am
On the same afternoon there will be blessing of animals at 4:00pm @ both RPP & St Jude. One priest will be at St Jude, the other at RPP.
Please bring your pets.