Author: Jonathan

SECOND SUNDAY OF THE YEAR CYCLE C

INTRODUCTION:

What are we, standing here before God at the beginning of this mass? We, the church, what are we? With what words or phrases could one explain what we are before God? One could say we are God’s people, his followers, his servants, or his children. But there is one much more beautiful word by which we can be called: we are God’s bride. Today’s reading reminds us that god is like a bridegroom to us, and we, all of us together, are his bride, invited to the wedding feast.

GOSPEL: LUKE 3. 15-16, 21-22

There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told to them, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Draw some out now and take it to the head waiter.” So they took it. And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from — although the servers who had drawn the water knew —, the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.

2025 BIBLE DIARIES & LITURGICAL CALENDARS

Bible Diaries R130 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

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.

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

ADORATION

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will start again this coming Thursday the 16th, after Mass. Those who committed themselves please remember your times. Any new people who would like to be added to the roster, please add your names to the list on the porch.

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

BAPTISM OF OUR LORD

INTRODUCTION:

Today, we celebrate the feast of our Lord’s Baptism in the River Jordan. We could also think of it as the feast of our Lord’s Baptism and Confirmation. Baptism and confirmation belong together. This we can clearly see when Jesus was baptised in the River Jordan. After John had baptised him, the Holy Spirit came down on Jesus and strengthened him. This feast of our Lord’s Baptism reminds us of our own baptism and confirmation.

GOSPEL: LUKE 3. 15-16, 21-22

The people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” After all the people had been baptized
and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying,
heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

2025 BIBLE DIARIES & LITURGICAL CALENDARS

Bible Diaries R130 each

Liturgical Calendars R25 each.

Both are available at the repository

THE NEW LITURGICAL YEAR IS 2025 JUBILEE YEAR

This year’s theme is Pilgrims of Hope, chosen to promote peacebuilding in a world threatened by climate change and ongoing wars.

The official logo of the Jubilee Year 2025 depicts

• humanity coming from the four corners of the Earth,
• in the act of clinging to the Cross.
• The cross is in the shape of a sail, one of the signs of Christian Hope that carries with it the certainty of the victory of good over evil. A sail that imposes itself on the sea moved by the happenings of life.
• The cross ends in the shape of an anchor, another symbol of hope that brings confidence and security in life.

On 24 December 2024, Pope Francis launched this Jubilee. The Jubilee ends on 6 January 2026

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: 18:30PM 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, will take place on

Friday 17/01 from1:30pm to 2:30pm
Sunday 19/01 after Mass
Registration fees: R180 per child
Please contact Sandra 079 9225566 if you have any questions.

SCHOOL BOOKS BLESSING

26 January 2025. Fr will bless the children, their school bags and stationery. Children are requested to wear their school uniform.

ALL CHILDREN & TEACHERS ARE INVITED.

Called by God – Supported by you

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

Quarter 1 – R2400 due on 31 March 2025.

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.

ADORATION

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will start again on this coming Thursday the 16th, after Mass. Those who commited themselves please remember your times. Any new people who would like to be added in the roster, please add your names to the list in the porch.

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.

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH

INTRODUCTION:

We all belong to a family. We grew up in a family and know the people related to us. We also know the difficulties that families face. The misunderstandings, trouble between parents and children and other family members. Jesus also belonged to a family. Joseph the carpenter, Mary and Jesus are all called the Holy Family of Nazareth. Today we remember this Holy family in our celebration. We know that there were difficulties, even in the Holy family, but we can be sure that Mary and Joseph could sort out possible misunderstandings with love. Are we able to do that as well?

GOSPEL: LUKE 2: 41 – 52

“Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them,“ Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favour before
God and man. “

2025 BIBLE DIARIES & LITURGICAL CALENDARS

Bible Diaries R130 each

Liturgical Calendars R25 each.

Both are available at the repository

THE NEW LITURGICAL YEAR IS 2025 JUBILEE YEAR

This year’s theme is Pilgrims of Hope, chosen to promote peacebuilding in a world threatened by climate change and ongoing wars.

The official logo of the Jubilee Year 2025 depicts

• humanity coming from the four corners of the Earth,
• in the act of clinging to the Cross.
• The cross is in the shape of a sail, one of the signs of Christian Hope that carries with it the certainty of the victory of good over evil. A sail that imposes itself on the sea moved by the happenings of life.
• The cross ends in the shape of an anchor, another symbol of hope that brings confidence and security in life.

On 24 December 2024, Pope Francis launched this Jubilee. The Jubilee ends on 6 January 2026

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

CHRISTMAS SEASON MASS TIMES

TUESDAY 31/12

10:00 Mass @ RPP

WEDNESDAY 01/01

10:00 Mass @ RPP.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Let the joy of the Lord be your strength as you face this beautiful new year

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR DECEMBER:

For pilgrims of hope

We pray that this Jubilee Year strengthens our faith, helping us to recognize the Risen Christ in our daily lives and that it may transform us into pilgrims of Christian hope.

UPCOMING EVENTS

05/01 Feast of the Epiphany – Blessing of chalk

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.

PARISH OFFICE CHRISTMAS CLOSURE

The parish office will open again on 14 January 2025. In case of an emergency please contact
Fr Marek on 0721586048 or
Fr Musa on 0761712934.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

There will be no Adoration during the festive season. We will start again on 16 January 2025.

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.

CHRISTMAS CAKE RAFFLE WINNER

No: H7 Ermelinda Moore
Thank you to everyone who purchased raffle tickets.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR C

INTRODUCTION:

Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent, the last Sunday before Christmas. The time of waiting is nearing its end, but we still wish to understand more deeply in what way we should wait and in what spirit we should live our Advent. We find the answer in Mary. She waited by giving help to her relative, Elizabeth. She did not wait passively or in a selfish way. She was not concerned about herself. She hurried to the hill country and for three months helped in Elizabeth’s household. What a model of active waiting.

GOSPEL: LUKE 3: 39 – 45

Mary set out and travelled to the hill country in haste
to the town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leapt in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leapt for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.

2025 BIBLE DIARIES & LITURGICAL CALENDARS

Bible Diaries R130 each

Liturgical Calendars R25 each.

Both are available at the repository

A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIRPERSON

Heavenly Father, thank you for your blessings throughout the year. Thank you for life, protection and good health. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ this festive season, help us not to lose sight of the true spirit of Christmas. Let us remember the less fortunate and help us keep a giving spirit wherever possible. Help us be a blessing to everyone, as we are created in your image. Be our light, be our guide and please continue to protect us in the coming year.
Thank you for your eternal love and life. In Jesus’ name. Amen
Merry Christmas to you and yours from our chairperson.

THE NEW LITURGICAL YEAR IS 2025 JUBILEE YEAR

This year’s theme is Pilgrims of Hope, chosen to promote peacebuilding in a world threatened by climate change and ongoing wars.

The official logo of the Jubilee Year 2025 depicts

• humanity coming from the four corners of the Earth,
• in the act of clinging to the Cross.
• The cross is in the shape of a sail, one of the signs of Christian Hope that carries with it the certainty of the victory of good over evil. A sail that imposes itself on the sea moved by the happenings of life.
• The cross ends in the shape of an anchor, another symbol of hope that brings confidence and security in life.

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 JESSE TREE

(The “Family Tree of Jesus”)
The Jesse tree helps us connect the custom of decorating Christmas trees to the events leading to Jesus’ birth.
The Jesse tree is named from Isaiah 11:1:
“A shoot shall come out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.” Jesse was the father of King David.
We adorn a Jesse tree with illustrated ornaments that represent the people, prophesies, and events leading up to the birth of Jesus. The ornaments of the Jesse tree tell the story of God in the Old Testament, connecting the Advent season with the faithfulness of God across four thousand years of history.
1 Dec – Creation
2 Dec – Adam & Eve
3 Dec – Noah & the flood
4 Dec – The promise to Abraham
5 Dec – Offering of Isaac
6 Dec – Assurance of the promise to Jacob
7 Dec – Joseph & the providence of God
8 Dec – Moses & God’s leadership
9 Dec – Joshua & the Fall of Jericho
10 Dec – Samuel & the beginning of the kingdom
11 Dec – Jesse, the root
12 Dec – David, a shepherd for the people
13 Dec – Solomon, a wise king
14 Dec – Joseph’s trust in God
15 Dec – Mary, hope for the future.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

There will be no Adoration during the festive season. We will start again on 16 January 2025.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR DECEMBER:

For pilgrims of hope

We pray that this Jubilee Year strengthens our faith, helping us to recognize the Risen Christ in our daily lives and that it may transform us into pilgrims of Christian hope.

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.

AFTERNOON PRAYER FOR VICTIMS OF THE FLOODS OF 24/12/2023

Date: 24th December 2024
Venue: Kwa Mbobontantu on Shepstone Road next to Hyundai
Time: 16h00-17h00
Please bring prayers and a candle.
For inquiries contact Mrs Mazibuko 0724602419 or Mrs MJ Msomi 0824771120.

SSVP

Would like to thank the RPP & ST Jude PFCs & individual parishioners, for financially and otherwise sustaining the society all year through. Priests – for your support and advice when needed. Together we made life bearable and happier for 40 families.

PARISH OFFICE CHRISTMAS CLOSURE

The parish office will open again on 14 January 2025. In case of an emergency please contact
Fr Marek on 0721586048 or
Fr Musa on 0761712934.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

There will be no Adoration during the festive season. We will start again on 16 January 2025.

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR C

INTRODUCTION:

Every day we see people waiting. Some are waiting for the arrival of a bus, others are waiting for the opening of a meeting or waiting for the arrival of someone. You can notice a great difference in people who are waiting. Some wait with bored faces, some with happy faces and some with sadness. In which way do we wait during this time of waiting called ADVENT? We should be waiting with joy and happy while we wait for the Lord. Be happy, always be happy in the Lord.

GOSPEL: LUKE 3: 10 – 18

The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?” He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He answered them,
“Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?” He told them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.” Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people

2025 BIBLE DIARIES & LITURGICAL CALENDARS

Bible Diaries R130 each

Liturgical Calendars R25 each.

Both are available at the repository

THE NEW LITURGICAL YEAR IS 2025 JUBILEE YEAR

This year’s theme is Pilgrims of Hope, chosen to promote peacebuilding in a world threatened by climate change and ongoing wars.

The official logo of the Jubilee Year 2025 depicts

• humanity coming from the four corners of the Earth,
• in the act of clinging to the Cross.
• The cross is in the shape of a sail, one of the signs of Christian Hope that carries with it the certainty of the victory of good over evil. A sail that imposes itself on the sea moved by the happenings of life.
• The cross ends in the shape of an anchor, another symbol of hope that brings confidence and security in life.

NEW PPC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

(Parish Pastoral Committee Executive Committee)
Congratulations to the new members:
Chairperson; Sandra De França
Vice Chairperson; Brenda Amod

New members:
Brian Mdlalose
Joanne Reid
Cecilia De Freitas

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 JESSE TREE

(The “Family Tree of Jesus”)
The Jesse tree helps us connect the custom of decorating Christmas trees to the events leading to Jesus’ birth.
The Jesse tree is named from Isaiah 11:1:
“A shoot shall come out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.” Jesse was the father of King David.
We adorn a Jesse tree with illustrated ornaments that represent the people, prophesies, and events leading up to the birth of Jesus. The ornaments of the Jesse tree tell the story of God in the Old Testament, connecting the Advent season with the faithfulness of God across four thousand years of history.
1 Dec – Creation
2 Dec – Adam & Eve
3 Dec – Noah & the flood
4 Dec – The promise to Abraham
5 Dec – Offering of Isaac
6 Dec – Assurance of the promise to Jacob
7 Dec – Joseph & the providence of God
8 Dec – Moses & God’s leadership
9 Dec – Joshua & the Fall of Jericho
10 Dec – Samuel & the beginning of the kingdom
11 Dec – Jesse, the root
12 Dec – David, a shepherd for the people
13 Dec – Solomon, a wise king
14 Dec – Joseph’s trust in God
15 Dec – Mary, hope for the future.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

There will be no Adoration during the festive season. We will start again on 16 January 2025.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR DECEMBER:

For pilgrims of hope

We pray that this Jubilee Year strengthens our faith, helping us to recognize the Risen Christ in our daily lives and that it may transform us into pilgrims of Christian hope.

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.

CHRISTMAS SEASON MASS TIMES

CHRISTMAS EVE 24 DECEMBER
10:00 No Mass but we will decorate the church for Christmas, please come along to help and bring your children.
21:00 Christmas Carols
22:00 Christmas Eve Mass
CHRISTMAS DAY 25 DECEMBER
08:00 Mass @RPP
10:00 Mass @St Jude

DAY OF GOODWILL 26 DECEMBER
09:00 Mass @ RPP

FRIDAY 27 DECEMBER
There will be NO Mass @St Jude

PARISH OFFICE CHRISTMAS CLOSURE

The parish office will close on 20 December 2024 and will open again on 14 January 2025. In case of emergency please contact Fr Marek on 0721586048 or Fr Musa on 0761712934.