Author: Jonathan

17th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

INTRODUCTION:

It is disgraceful that there are many people in the world who have no food to eat. Many even die of hunger. There are plenty of guns but not enough loaves of bread. Let us reflect today on how sad it is that there are people in this world who have to die because of hunger. Are we doing anything to help these people as Jesus did when he fed 5000 people with two fish and 5 loaves of bread?

GOSPEL: JOHN 6: 1 – 25

Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd followed him because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” He said this to test him because he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people recline.” Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” So they collected them and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat. When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, “This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.” Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

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

REMEMBER YOUR OFFERINGS

When was the last time you reviewed the amount you pledge?

Financial results Jan-May 2024:
Shortfall R32 855
R5475 per month

CHILDREN OF MARY

This Sunday after Mass, a 10-minute meeting for all children who still want to be part of Children of Mary. parents are welcome to join. At RPP they’ll meet with Brenda Amod & Lindiwe Ndlamlenze, at St Jude with Mpume Thusi.

SAVE THE DATE

WOMEN’S DAY BREAKFAST 31 August 2024

Tickets for R100 each on sale next weekend.
More details to follow.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR JULY

For the pastoral care of the sick:

We pray that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick confer to those who receive it & their loved ones the power of the Lord & become ever more a visible sign of compassion & hope for all.

SICK & ELDERLY

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

Nokuthula Kubheka, Penny Powell, Jean Smith, Dolly Bimbrish, Alvin Govender, Siva Naidoo, Mavis Makhubo, Norman Browne, Anabela De Pontes, Benvinda Da Costa, Pier Turconi, Khohli Kunene and Barbara Amod.

HAPPY World Day for GRANDPARENTS & the ELDERLY

“Do not cast me off in my old age” Psalm 71.9

16th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

INTRODUCTION:

We need leaders in the church and in public office. We want them to be good leaders. However, what is a good leader? What qualities should they have? We expect good leaders to care for people, to have time for them and to worry about them. Good leaders forget themselves and have only the wellbeing of the people in mind. In our celebration today, we see Jesus as an example of good leadership. He did not even have time to eat. He was always ready to serve his people. We also hear today about a prophet who had the courage to stand up against the bad leaders of the time.

GOSPEL: MARK 6: 30 – 34

The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd,
his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

WELCOME FR MUSA MNCWANGO

We welcome to our community Fr Musa Mncwango who will be a resident priest in our parish and will be helping Fr Marek with pastoral work and he will be doing some work for diocese. The diocese will help finance Fr Musa’s stay.
Fr Musa is from Madadeni and has been a priest for close to 19 years. He studied Moral Theology in Rome so will be helpful in many ways in our parishioners’ lives.
We wish Fr Musa a pleasant stay in Ladysmith.
Please make him feel welcome.

REMOTE CONTROLS

If you have a remote control for church gate, please bring it to the office for reprogramming.

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

REMEMBER YOUR OFFERINGS

When was the last time you reviewed the amount you pledge?

Financial results Jan-May 2024:
Shortfall R27 138

NEXT WEEKEND 28 JULY 2024

• Children’s Mass and Grandparents’ Day @ RPP
• Mass for the Sick @ St Jude @ 10am

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR JULY

For the pastoral care of the sick:

We pray that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick confer to those who receive it & their loved ones the power of the Lord & become ever more a visible sign of compassion & hope for all.

SICK & ELDERLY

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

Nokuthula Kubheka, Penny Powell, Jean Smith, Dolly Bimbrish, Alvin Govender, Siva Naidoo, Mavis Makhubo, Norman Browne, Anabela De Pontes, Benvinda Da Costa, Pier Turconi, Khohli Kunene and Barbara Amod.

15th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

INTRODUCTION:

If the congregation of our church held a meeting today and decided to ask one or two of us to go to ta neighbouring town or village to preach, he gospel, would you be prepared to go? Most of us would say, I am an ordinary worker, an ordinary farmer, an ordinary housewife. I can’t do this. How would I preach? I come to church to listen to God’s word but I cannot go to other people and preach to them. But we have been sent. God is with us. We do not need to be afraid.

GOSPEL: MARK 6: 7-13

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick — no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

CONDOLENCES

To Bernadette and the Govender family on the loss of their mother Marjorie Govender MHSRIP. Funeral will be on Saturday, 20 July @ RPP.

15-19 JULY 2024: RETREAT FOR PRIESTS

From the 15th to the 19th of July Diocesan Priests will be on retreat. Please pray for our priest. We will have Eucharist Services for the week.

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

WELCOME FR MUSA MNCWANGO

We welcome to our community Fr Musa Mncwango who will be a resident priest in our parish and will be helping Fr Marek with pastoral work and he will be doing some work for the diocese. The diocese will help finance Fr Musa’s stay.

Fr Musa is from Madadeni and has been a priest for close to 19 years. He studied Moral Theology in Rome so will be helpful in many ways in our parishioners’ lives.

We wish Fr Musa a pleasant stay in Ladysmith.
Please make him feel welcome.

YOUNG ADULTS GROUP

Growing in Faith Sessions

All young adults are invited to join them on Saturday 20/07/2024 at 7 pm for 1 hour.

Topic: Growing In Faith as A Young Catholic Adult.

Everyone is welcome to join us for some cake and tea thereafter.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR JULY

For the pastoral care of the sick:

We pray that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick confer to those who receive it & their loved ones the power of the Lord & become ever more a visible sign of compassion & hope for all.

SICK & ELDERLY

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

Nokuthula Kubheka, Penny Powell, Jean Smith, Dolly Bimbrish, Alvin Govender, Siva Naidoo, Mavis Makhubo, Norman Browne, Anabela De Pontes, Benvinda Da Costa, Pier Turconi, Khohli Kunene and Barbara Amod.

14th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

INTRODUCTION:

Today in our Parish we are celebrating the feast of the Name of Parish – Regina Pacis (Queen of Peace). Therefore, our readings and prayers during Holy Mass are not taken from the 14th Sunday in Ordinary time but from Common texts of Blessed Vergin Mary. Let us pray together that our Patroness – Mary, Queen of Peace will bring that peace in our country, our community, our families and in our hearts.

GOSPEL: JOHN 2: 1-11

At that time: There was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with his disciples. When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “O Woman, what is that to you or to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now six stone jars were standing there, for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast.” So, they took it. When the steward of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory, and his disciples believed in him.

CONDOLENCES

To the Crouch family, Zulu family, Bozza family and Harilal family on the loss of their loved ones. May their souls rest in peace.

WEDNESDAY 10/07/2024

Funeral of Fernanda Bozza @ 12:00 noon @ RPP.

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

INDULGENCE FOR OUR FEAST DAY

On our Parish’s feast day, we have the privilege of receiving an indulgence if 1) we are without mortal sin or receive the Sacrament of confession (even until a week after the feast) 2) we receive today’s Holy Communion & 3) pray for the pope’s intentions. We can offer the indulgence for our loved ones in purgatory or for ourselves.

What is an indulgence?
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1471:
“An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses & applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ & the saints.”
This means that one has already celebrated the sacrament of Confession & Reconciliation, confessed one’s sins, received absolution, & completed the penance. Thus, an indulgence is not a substitute for the Sacrament. It is extra-sacramental & involves the concept of divine justice.
Even after our sins have been forgiven, justice Is still owed to God – meaning what recompense we may still owe to God for the sins we have committed – is still very much a part of our life. We talk about this often in connection to purgatory, an existence of the soul after death in which temporal punishment (meaning punishment of a particular limited nature) for sins is completed. An indulgence is a gift to us from God through the Church by which we in this life can fulfil any requirement of divine justice that we owe to God by properly engaging in the work that the Church has given us so as to receive the boon of the indulgence.
This is not automatic, something that we receive as a kind of “free pass.” When we engage in any spiritual, devotional, or liturgical act of which one benefit is an indulgence, we are to be properly disposed in hearts & minds to see this as a time of contrition for the sins of our past, a celebration of praise for the gift of God’s forgiveness of those sins, & an opportunity to give thanks for God’s merciful love & the offer of salvation given us through the life, death, & resurrection of Jesus Christ.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR JULY

For the pastoral care of the sick:

We pray that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick confer to those who receive it & their loved ones the power of the Lord & become ever more a visible sign of compassion & hope for all.

FEAST DAY OF OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE

Our lady holding the Prince of Peace and an olive branch.

A Happy And Blessed Feast Day To All Parishioners.

SICK & ELDERLY

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

Nokuthula Kubheka, Penny Powell, Jean Smith, Dolly Bimbrish, Alvin Govender, Siva Naidoo, Mavis Makhubo, Norman Browne, Anabela De Pontes, Benvinda Da Costa, Marjorie Govender, Pier Turconi, Khohli Kunene, Barbara Amod and Fr Andrew Moyo.

13th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

INTRODUCTION:

What is our greatest enemy? It is death. What is our most powerful enemy? It is death. We may have the money to buy the most expensive medicines and call the best doctors but we shall still loose the battle against death. There are even those that say there is no life after death. Death is the end of all. But we know from deep within our hearts that they are wrong. We know we are not created for death but for life. This is the message in our celebration today. Have faith.

GOSPEL: MARK 4: 21-24, 35B-43

When Jesus crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.” He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him. While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that, they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.

CATECHISM CLASSES

Catechism classes will reopen on the12th of July.

THANK YOU

Thank you, Alvin Govender, for nudging us into thinking of others even when our own circumstances are difficult.

FEAST OF OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE
07 JULY 2024 (next Sunday)

She is our Patron Saint

This is the original Our Lady Queen of Peace, depicted with The Prince of Peace in one arm and an olive branch in the other. Later images may include a dove.

Celebrations include:
• Novena to Our Lady Queen of Peace commencing Friday 28 June to Saturday 6 July 2024 (novena was distributed via WhatsApp & email on 27 June 2024)
• Sunday 7 July 2024 Feast Day
o Special liturgy and hymns
o Liturgical dance
o Special talks after Mass
o Refreshments after Mass

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

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR JUNE

For migrants fleeing their homes:

We pray that migrants fleeing from war or hunger, forced to undertake journeys full of danger and violence, find welcome and new opportunities in the countries that receive

SICK & ELDERLY

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

Nokuthula Kubheka, Penny Powell, Jean Smith, Dolly Bimbrish, Alvin Govender, Siva Naidoo, Mavis Makhubo, Norman Browne, Anabela De Pontes, Benvinda Da Costa, Marjorie Govender, Pier Turconi, Khohli Kunene, Barbara Amod and Fr Andrew Moyo.

THANK YOU BR CEBO MAZIBUKO

A huge thank you to Br Cebo for filling in with Eucharistic Services whilst Fr Marek was away.

WELCOME BACK FR MAREK

We trust you have enjoyed your holiday with your family.