Author: Jonathan

SEVENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR CYCLE C

INTRODUCTION:

For friends, it is easy to come together as we have come together. Friends like to meet. It is not easy however to meet people we dislike. It is an even bigger challenge to meet those we consider enemies. But Jesus goes further to say that we should not only meet them but also love them. Love your enemy is the message to us today.

GOSPEL: LUKE 6: 27 – 38

Jesus said to his disciples: “To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners and get back the same amount. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give, and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.

SHROVE TUESDAY – 04 MARCH 2025

From 5 pm to 8 pm, the Youth of our Parish will be serving pancakes.
There will be some competitions and music.
Please bring some fillings for pancakes, to share.

ASH WEDNESDAY – 05 MARCH 2025

Masses at:
06:00 @ RPP
17:30 @ St Jude and
18:30 @ RPP

CATECHISM REGISTRATION AND CLASSES

Registration is still open. Both Friday and Sunday classes have started.
Registration fees: R180 per child
Please contact Sandra at 079 922 5566 if you have any questions.

2^ND COLLECTION DURING FEBRUARY IS FOR THE DEANERY SEMINARIANS’ COLLECTION

This collection will be handed to the Bishop at the Deanery Mass.

These funds are used for the Diocesan seminary students.  It costs R105 000 per student per year.

Our Diocese is blessed with 5 students in Pretoria at St John Vianney and 3 in Cape Town.

Disability Parking

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

THE HOLY DOOR: A POWERFUL JUBILEE TRADITION

One of the most significant moments of any jubilee year is the opening of the Holy Door.  The most famous and significant Holy Door is the one at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

The Holy Door is opened only during jubilee years to symbolize Christ as the sole gateway to salvation. Pilgrims who pass through the door with the proper disposition can receive a plenary indulgence.

HOLY DOOR IN THE LADYSMITH DEANERY

Our church RPP has been chosen by the Diocese as one of the churches to have a Holy Door for the year of Jubilee. There will be a meeting with the Parish Pastoral Council and Deanery Parish Pastoral Council soon to plan activities for the year.

Ladysmith is officially opening
the Holy Door at RPP on the 1st of March @10:00.
ALL WELCOME.

SOUTHERN CROSS MAGAZINE

For the year 1 March 2025 to February 2026, the magazine will cost R45 per month including courier from Cape Town to Ladysmith. Those wishing to subscribe please put your name on the list on the porch. You will be required to pay a full year’s subscription upfront of R540 before we place the order.

RETREAT DAY FOR PARENTS WITH
THEIR CHILDREN
(WHO ATTEND CATECHISM)

On 08/03/2025 from 10:00 to 13:00 in the
RPP Hall

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR FEBRUARY:

For vocations to the priesthood and religious life:

Let us pray that the ecclesial community might welcome the desires and doubts of those young people who feel a call to serve Christ’s mission in the priesthood and religious life.

UPCOMING EVENTS

01/03: Launch of 2025 Jubilee Year and Opening of
Holy Door at RPP
02/03: Old palms to be burned for Ash Wednesday
04/03: Shrove Tuesday
05/03: Ash Wednesday
08/03: Catechism children & Parent’s Retreat
28/03 & 29/03: Lenten Retreat @ RPP

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

MISSING CHILD

Elvini Fikirini aged 12 has been missing since 06/01/2025. If seen please contact local SAPS, case no 02/01/2025.
Please bombard heaven and cover this child with prayer for her safe return. Her father is a parishioner working in Pta/Tshwane.

“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”

St Teresa of Calcutta

SIXTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR CYCLE 

INTRODUCTION:

At the opening of this service, everyone was greeted. We tried to greet each other in a friendly and prayerful way. But our greeting and welcome can never be as beautiful as the welcome and blessing which Jesus pronounced. He pronounced it over the crowds as they came from all directions to the hill at the lakeside. He looked at his disciples and said “Blessed are you! How happy are you!” Eight times he said this blessing over hem as we will hear in today’s gospel reading.

GOSPEL: LUKE 6: 17, 20 -26

Jesus came down with the twelve and stood on a stretch of level ground with a great crowd of his disciples and a large number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon. And raising his eyes toward his disciples he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours. Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven. For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way. But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.”

SEMINARIANS’ FUND

Called by God – Supported by you

Please support the seminarian’s fund. The collection box is on the pillar at the back of the church.

Quarter 1 – R2400 due on 31 March 2025.

The shortfall for 2024: is R3015.00, let’s try to make it up this year.

CATECHISM REGISTRATION AND CLASSES

Registration is still open. Both Friday and Sunday classes have started.
Registration fees: R180 per child
Please contact Sandra at 079 922 5566 if you have any questions.

2^ND COLLECTION DURING FEBRUARY IS FOR THE DEANERY SEMINARIANS’ COLLECTION

This collection will be handed to the Bishop at the Deanery Mass.

These funds are used for the Diocesan seminary students.  It costs R105 000 per student per year.

Our Diocese is blessed with 5 students in Pretoria at St John Vianney and 3 in Cape Town.

Disability Parking

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

ALTAR SERVERS

Meeting this Sunday after Mass at RPP. All altar servers and those who wish to become altar servers are invited.

THE HOLY DOOR: A POWERFUL JUBILEE TRADITION

One of the most significant moments of any jubilee year is the opening of the Holy Door.  The most famous and significant Holy Door is the one at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

The Holy Door is opened only during jubilee years to symbolize Christ as the sole gateway to salvation. Pilgrims who pass through the door with the proper disposition can receive a plenary indulgence.

HOLY DOOR IN THE LADYSMITH DEANERY

Our church RPP has been chosen by the Diocese as one of the churches to have a Holy Door for the year of Jubilee. There will be a meeting with the Parish Pastoral Council and Deanery Parish Pastoral Council soon to plan activities for the year.

SOUTHERN CROSS MAGAZINE

For the year 1 March 2025 to Feb2026 the magazine will cost R45 per month including courier from Cape Town to Ladysmith. Those wishing to subscribe please put your name on the list in the porch. You will be required to pay a full year’s subscription upfront of R540 before we place the order.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR FEBRUARY:

For vocations to the priesthood and religious life:

Let us pray that the ecclesial community might welcome the desires and doubts of those young people who feel a call to serve Christ’s mission in the priesthood and religious life.

UPCOMING EVENTS

16/02: Liturgy meeting at St Jude
19/02 Fundraising meeting @ RPP
20/02 Liturgy @ RPP
21/02 Executive Committee @ St Jude
23/02: AGM at St Jude after Mass

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.

MISSING CHILD

Elvini Fikirini aged 12 has been missing since 06/01/2025. If seen please contact local SAPS, case no 02/01/2025.
Please bombard heaven and cover this child with prayer for her safe return. Her father is a parishioner working in Pta/Tshwane.

FIFTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR CYCLE C

INTRODUCTION:

When we entered the church today, we bent our knees. Why did we do so? Because we know that this is a holy place. It is a place of God’s presence. By bending our knees, we are lowering ourselves. We acknowledge that God is higher, we are lower. Isn’t it surprising that the greatest friends of God, like Isaiah and Peter, began in the same way? First, they fell to their knees, then they were sent by God. We, too, began this service by bending our knees and at the end we too are sent: Go forth, you’re sent.

GOSPEL: LUKE 5: 1-11

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them.  They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.

SEMINARIANS’ FUND

Called by God – Supported by you

Please support the seminarian’s fund. The collection box is on the pillar at the back of the church.

Quarter 1 – R2400 due on 31 March 2025.

The shortfall for 2024: is R3015.00, let’s try to make it up this year.

2025 BIBLE DIARIES & LITURGICAL CALENDARS

Bible Diaries R130 each

Joy of the Gospel Diary R140 each

Liturgical Calendars R25 each.

Both are available at the repository

CATECHISM REGISTRATION AND CLASSES

Registration is still open. Both Friday and Sunday classes have started.
Registration fees: R180 per child
Please contact Sandra at 079 922 5566 if you have any questions.

Disability Parking

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

REGINA PACIS CATHOLIC CHURCH VALENTINES
Dinner and Dance

DATE: 15 FEBRUARY 2025

VENUE: 4 VICTOIA ROAD LADYSMITH

TIME: 18:30 PM TILL LATE

TICKET PRICE R150PP

BRING YOUR OWN COOLER BOX: R100

DJ IN ATTENDANCE

TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FROM MEN OF THE PARISH

Last chance to get your tickets

Sponsorships of cash are welcome.  Please contact Fr, Marek. An official receipt will be issued.

MEETINGS

16/02: Liturgy meeting at St Jude

23/02: AGM at St Jude after Mass

AGM NEXT SUNDAY

THIS SUNDAY AFTER MASS
We will also celebrate Fr Marek’s birthday after the AGM. Yes, there will be cake.

NO MASS AT ST JUDE

Various ministries please prepare your reports for presentation.

YOUTH

15/02 There will be a meeting at RPP @ 15h00

Everyone from the age 13 -20 years old are all invited.

ALTAR SERVERS

16/02 Meeting at RPP after morning Mass. All candidates and those who wish to become altar servers are invited.

2^ND COLLECTION DURING FEBRUARY IS FOR THE DEANERY SEMINARIANS’ COLLECTION

This collection will be handed to the Bishop at the Deanery Mass.

These funds are used for the Diocesan seminary students.  It costs R105 000 per student per year.

Our Diocese is blessed with 5 students in Pretoria at St John Vianney and 3 in Cape Town.

FR MAREK’S BIRTHDAY 04 FEBRUARY 2025

Happy birthday, Father!
As you celebrate today,
may we give thanks for all that you do.
God bless you

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR FEBRUARY:

For vocations to the priesthood and religious life:

Let us pray that the ecclesial community might welcome the desires and doubts of those young people who feel a call to serve Christ’s mission in the priesthood and religious life.

UPCOMING EVENTS
23/02: AGM @ 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, Audrey Vries, Sebenzile Molefe, Margarida De Franca, Joyce Chetty, Netta Liebenberg & Mthokozisi Mthembu.

THE 2025 YEAR PLANS

All groups & sodalities, please start preparing your year plans for submission to the PPC ASAP. Your plans are to be incorporated into the PPC plans.

TO VOLUNTEER AS A CATECHISM TEACHER

Please contact Fr Marek or
call Sandra at 079 9225 566 for more details

MISSING CHILD

Elvini Fikirini aged 12 has been missing since 06/01/2025. If seen please contact local SAPS, case no 02/01/2025.
Please bombard heaven and cover this child with prayer for her safe return. Her father is a parishioner working in Pta/Tshwane.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR CYCLE C

INTRODUCTION:

It must be a frightening experience if you are sent to people with an important message for them, but they will not allow you to speak. Or they reject what you say. Would we be strong enough to bear such a rejection? He was rejected when Jesus came to preach in Nazareth, his hometown. And yet he continued his work. As we are assembled here, we are also sent to announce the Good News. How do we react when we are rejected?

GOSPEL: LUKE 4: 21-30

Jesus began speaking in the synagogue, saying: “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb, ‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say, ‘Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.'” And he said, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But Jesus passed through the midst of them and went away.

SEMINARIANS’ FUND

Called by God – Supported by you

Please support the seminarian’s fund. Collection box on the pillar at the back of the church.

Quarter 1 – R2400 due on 31 March 2025.

The shortfall for 2024: is R3015.00, let’s try to make it up this year.

2025 BIBLE DIARIES & LITURGICAL CALENDARS

Bible Diaries R130 each

Joy of the Gospel Diary R140 each

Liturgical Calendars R25 each.

Both are available at the repository

Disability Parking

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

REGINA PACIS CATHOLIC CHURCH VALENTINES
Dinner and Dance

DATE: 15 FEBRUARY 2025

VENUE: 4 VICTOIA ROAD LADYSMITH

TIME: 18:30 PM TILL LATE

TICKET PRICE R150PP

BRING YOUR OWN COOLER BOX: R100

DJ IN ATTENDANCE

Tickets are available. Please see fr. Marek or Fabian if you require any tickets

CATECHISM REGISTRATION AND CLASSES

Registration is still open. Both Friday and Sunday classes have started.
Registration fees: R180 per child
Please contact Sandra at 079 922 5566 if you have any questions.

THE SECOND COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND

For St Antonine’s Home of the Aged. Donations in kind (adult nappies) will be appreciated.

AGM NEXT SUNDAY

09 FEBRUARY 2025 @ RPP AFTER MASS all are welcome

NO MASS AT ST JUDE
Various ministries please prepare your reports for presentation.

GREETINGS FROM FR EDDIE HIGHTON

Inky and Penny Powell visited former parish priest, Fr Eddie recently. Fr Eddie remembers and sends his prayers and love to all parishioners that he so fondly remembers. We send you love and blessings Fr Eddie.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR JANUARY:

For the right to an education

Let us pray for migrants, refugees, and those affected by war, that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, might always be respected

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, Audrey Vries, Sebenzile Molefe, Margarida De Franca, Joyce Chetty, Netta Liebenberg & Mthokozisi Mthembu.

THE 2025 YEAR PLANS

All groups & sodalities, please start preparing your year plans for submission to the PPC ASAP. Your plans are to be incorporated into the PPC plans.

TO VOLUNTEER AS A CATECHISM TEACHER

Please contact Fr Marek or
call Sandra at 079 9225 566 for more details

MISSING CHILD

Elvini Fikirini aged 12 has been missing since 06/01/2025. If seen please contact local SAPS, case no 02/01/2025.
Please bombard heaven and cover this child with prayer for her safe return. Her father is a parishioner working in Pta/Tshwane.

THIRD SUNDAY OF THE YEAR CYCLE C

INTRODUCTION:

When people have a truly great leader, they gather around the leader as the plan of action is explained to them. We, Christians, have such a great leader. We gather around Christ this morning as Christ unfolds his plan of action with the words, “I am sent to bring the good news to the poor. I am sent to proclaim liberty to the captives and the blind new sight.” Christ says these words to us because we are sent with him: I am sent and you are sent. We are sent to bring good news to the poor.

GOSPEL: LUKE 1: 1-4, 4: 14-21

Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received. Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all. He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”.

SEMINARIANS’ FUND

Called by God – Supported by you

Please support the seminarian’s fund. Collection box on the pillar at the back of the church.

Quarter 1 – R2400 due on 31 March 2025.

2025 BIBLE DIARIES & LITURGICAL CALENDARS

Bible Diaries R130 each

Joy of the Gospel Diary R140 each

Liturgical Calendars R25 each.

Both are available at the repository

Disability Parking

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

REGINA PACIS CATHOLIC CHURCH VALENTINES
Dinner and Dance

DATE: 15 FEBRUARY 2025

VENUE: 4 VICTOIA ROAD LADYSMITH

TIME: 18:30 PM TILL LATE

TICKET PRICE R150PP

BRING YOUR OWN COOLER BOX: R100

DJ IN ATTENDANCE

Tickets are available. Please see fr. Marek or Fabian if you require any tickets

CATECHISM REGISTRATION AND CLASSES

Registration is still open. Both Friday and Sunday classes have started.
Registration fees: R180 per child
Please contact Sandra at 079 922 5566 if you have any questions.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT –

Every Thursday 9 am to 6 pm

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament has started again on Thursdays. Those who have committed themselves please remember your time slots. Any new people who would like to be added to the roster, please add your names to the list on the porch and indicate the time slot you are available.

NOVENA TO BLESSED BENEDICT DASWA

Commences on 23 January 2025 and finishes on his Feast Day 1 February 2025. The novena will be led by the Catholic Women’s Association (CWA) at 6 pm every day. All are invited.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR JANUARY:

For the right to an education

Let us pray for migrants, refugees, and those affected by war, that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, might always be respected

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, Audrey Vries, Sebenzile Molefe, Margarida De Franca, Joyce Chetty, Netta Liebenberg & Mthokozisi Mthembu.

THE 2025 YEAR PLANS

All groups & sodalities, please start preparing your year plans for submission to the PPC ASAP. Your plans are to be incorporated into the PPC plans.

TO VOLUNTEER AS A CATECHISM TEACHER

Please contact Fr Marek or
call Sandra at 079 9225 566 for more details