Author: Jonathan

12th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

INTRODUCTION:

We are afraid of storms. Lightening might strike our homes and winds might blow the roofs off, we are frightened. There are different kinds of storms present in our world today. Wars, famine, sickness, oppression and persecution can sweep over a country like a fierce storm. We need to remember that Jesus is powerful. It was Jesus who commanded the storms, lightning and waves. This should give us courage in the storms that we face today. Let us ask ourselves: Why are we afraid? Do we not have faith?

GOSPEL: MARK 4: 35-41

On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”

PLEDGE ENVELOPES

Are available on the porch, if you need more envelopes contact the Parish Secretary

CATECHISM CLASSES

Catechism classes will be closed @ RPP during the school holidays & will reopen on the 12th of July. Enjoy your holidays everyone.

THANK YOU

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

REFLECTION BY BR CEBO

Life is full of storms. At times, they can become so strong and strange that our human strength can no longer support us. At such moments fear and complaints, he might take over the central stage of our life. Even in some cases, we might lose our faith in God, thinking that he has abandoned us, or that he does not exist. These storms come in different forms.
The overarching theme of the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, is about placing trust in God’s power and presence, especially during life’s storms and challenges. The readings call the faithful to recognize God’s supreme authority over all creation and to have confidence in His ability to protect and guide us. It encourages believers to move from fear to faith, trusting in God’s love and care even when circumstances seem overwhelming. This theme is encapsulated in Jesus’ calming of the storm, serving as a powerful reminder of His divine power and the peace that comes from trusting in Him.
THANK YOU BR CEBO MAZIBUKO
A huge thank you to Br Cebo for filling in with Eucharistic Services whilst Fr Marek was away. We’ve just heard that Br Cebo is now a deacon & awaiting a date for his ordination.

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.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY…

…while Fr Marek is away, please contact the parish secretary, Nokwazi or the PPC chairperson, Nonhlanhla (083 697 2128).

11th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

INTRODUCTION:

A Small seed is a wonder of nature. It is scarcely visible in your hand and yet it has the potential to grow into a mighty tree, complete with roots, trunk, branches and leaves. What an amazing thought: the power of life hidden in a little seed. The tiny seed of God’s kingdom is Christ himself. We hear today how powerful this seed is. It will grow and grow, penetrating the whole world. It will grow into a mighty tree under which all nations will find a home. Christ’s message today gives us hope that the world will not end in disaster. The seed of the kingdom is too strong and cannot be destroyed.

GOSPEL: MARK 4: 26-34

Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and through it all the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.” He said, “To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” With many such parables, he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables, he did not speak to them, but to his disciples, he explained everything in private.

PLEDGE ENVELOPES

Are available on the porch, please if you need more envelopes contact the Parish Secretary

CATECHISM CLASSES

Catechism classes will be closed @ RPP from this Friday 14/06 & Sunday 16/06 until the schools reopen. Enjoy your holidays everyone.

THANK YOU

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

REFLECTION BY BR CEBO

The Parable of the Growing Seed teaches that the Kingdom of God grows in ways that are often hidden and mysterious, independent of human efforts. It encourages believers to trust that God is at work even when we cannot see it.
The Parable of the Mustard Seed highlights how God’s Kingdom starts from small, seemingly insignificant beginnings but grows into something magnificent and expansive. This teaches that no act of faith or service is too small to be important.
Both parables call for patience and faith in the gradual and sometimes imperceptible growth of God’s work in the world and in our lives. Believers are encouraged to be patient and to trust in the divine process.
Overall, these parables reassure Christians that God’s Kingdom will grow and flourish in His own time and way and that their faith and small contributions are valuable parts of this divine plan.

TONGAAT FLOOD RELIEF

Thank you to all who responded. A bakkie load of goods was delivered to the Ramakrishna Centre on Tuesday, they will sort and deliver the items to Tongaat.
The SVDP were also very generous, thank you, we will continue collections until next Sunday. They need non-perishables, clothing household items (declutter your cupboards).
You may leave items in the church porch.

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.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY…

…while Fr Marek is away, please contact the parish secretary, Nokwazi or the PPC chairperson, Nonhlanhla (083 697 2128).

10TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

INTRODUCTION:

There are many fights and wars among both people and nations. What are they fighting for? Some say it’s because of enmity between the rich and the poor, between different race groups and the strong and the weak. Why can people not live like brothers and sisters? The situation seems to be hopeless. In our celebration today we hear the real reason behind all the troubles in the world. It is our rebellion against God’s plan. It is the evil spirit in us whom we allow to rule our hearts. There is no reason for despair. Jesus has overpowered the evil spirits. He showed us we can live like brothers and sisters.

GOSPEL: MARK3: 20-35

Jesus came home with his disciples. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “By the prince of demons he drives out demons.” Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him. But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder the house. Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.” For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.” His mother and his brothers arrived. Standing outside they sent word to him and called him. A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.” But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

REFLECTION BY BR CEBO

Who are my mother and my brothers?

Jesus challenges the conventional understanding of family, emphasizing that true kinship is based on following God’s will. As Christians, we are all members of Christ’s family which is the Church. Just as our biological families care for us, our Church family supports and loves us, connecting us in a special way to God and one another.
Hence, Jesus speaks the two great commandments of love:

• by quoting Deuteronomy 6:4-5, He says that the first commandment is: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength,” and;
• by quoting Leviticus 19:18, He says that the second commandment is: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself,” [Thanda umakhelwane wakho njengoba uzithanda].

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.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY…

…while Fr Marek is away, please contact the parish secretary, Nokwazi or the PPC chairperson, Nonhlanhla (083 697 2128).

THE FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI

INTRODUCTION:

Today we celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi. Corpus Christi is the Latin word for “body of Christ”. When mass is celebrated, we use a chalice. The chalice is the ‘cup of the covenant’ in which Jesus offers us the ‘Blood of the covenant’. The sign of Christ’s faithfulness to us is the blood of the covenant. Christ says, as it were: I shall remain faithful to you even if you should kill me. My blood is the sign and seal of my faithfulness.

GOSPEL: MARK14: 12-16, 22-26

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city and a man will meet you, carrying a jar of water. Follow him. Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”‘ Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there.” The disciples then went off, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover. While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many. Amen, I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

WELCOME

Welcome to Br Cebolenkosi Mazibuko who will be staying with us while Fr Marek is on holiday. Br Cebolenkosi has just completed his studies as a seminarian and is currently waiting to be ordained as a deacon. He is originally from the eZakheni Parish. Welcome brother and we hope that you will enjoy your stay with us.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY…

…while Fr Marek is away, please contact the parish secretary, Nokwazi or the PPC chairperson, Nonhlanhla (083 697 2128).

What does the Solemnity of Corpus Christi celebrate?

Also known as the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, this feast honours Jesus Christ, Really, Truly and Substantially Present under the appearances of bread and wine. This Presence happens through the change which the Church calls transubstantiation (“change of substance”) when at the Consecration of the Mass, the priest says the words which Christ Himself pronounced over bread and wine, “This is My Body,” “This is the chalice of My Blood,” “Do this in remembrance of Me.”
In 2024, the Solemnity of Corpus Christi is on May 30, but it is transferred to Sunday, June 2 in our diocese.

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

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 and Barbara Amod.

Please also keep Fr Andrew Moyo, who is ill, in your prayers.

HOLY TRINITY SUNDAY

INTRODUCTION:

Today we celebrate the feast of the Blessed Trinity. We rejoice that God is a loving community, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We all need a loving community and a home where we are accepted, and where we find understanding, help and love. Just remember when you felt alone, abandoned by people, rejected by your friends and forgotten by your relatives! The feast of the Blessed Trinity has a great message of hope and joy for us: God himself is a community and he has accepted us into his household. He marked us as his children when we were baptised in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God himself is our promised land, our home and shelter.

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 28: 16-20

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they all saw him, they worshipped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

WELCOME

Welcome to Br Cebolenkosi Mazibuko who will be staying with us while Fr Marek is on holiday. Br Cebolenkosi has just completed his studies as a seminarian and is currently waiting to be ordained as a deacon. He is originally from the eZakheni Parish. Welcome brother and we hope that you will enjoy your stay with us.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY…

…while Fr Marek is away, please contact the parish secretary, Nokwazi or the PPC chairperson, Nonhlanhla (083 697 2128).

A BLESSED TRINITY SUNDAY TO ALL

UNDERSTANDING THE TRINITY

2024 ELECTION PRAYER

The South African Catholic Bishops Council (SACBC) have issued a prayer for the 2024 elections, Catholics are encouraged to pray this daily in the period leading up to the elections.
Copies of the prayer may be found on the pillars of the church.
https://www.scross.co.za/2024/02/sacbc-pastoral-letter-for-2024-elections/

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR MAY

For the role of women: We pray that the
dignity and immense value of women be
recognized in every culture, and for the end
of discrimination that they experience in
different parts of the world.

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 and Barbara Amod.