Author: Jonathan

PENTECOST SUNDAY

INTRODUCTION:

Today we celebrate the great feast of Pentecost. It is the feast of God’s Spirit. The power of evil spirits has come to an end. We know how the evil spirit of envy can poison our hearts. We know of the evil spirits of anger and greed. Today we praise the great deeds of God. He breathes over us with the spirit of power. His breath is like a storm and fire. Today we have come to open ourselves to God. We allow him to breathe on us as he breathed upon the first Christians in Jerusalem.

GOSPEL: MARK 15: 26-27; 16: 12-15

Jesus said to his disciples:
“When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify because you have been with me from the beginning. “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason, I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.”

CONGRATULATIONS

To parents of the children who were baptised last Sunday at St Jude.
Kuzokuhle Buthelezi
Aphelele Vilakazi
Zewande Buthelezi
Phiwokuhle Zwane
Amenathi Sabela

WORLD CHILDREN’S DAY 25-26 May 2024

From Sunday 19 to Sunday, 26 is a week of prayer for children. In our Parish, we will be having daily prayers as follows:

19/05 Sunday after Mass
20-23/05 Mon – Thu @ 5pm
24/05 Friday during Catechism
25/05 Saturday @ 5pm
26/05 Sunday after Mass

Parents, please bring children for this week of prayer and pray with them just for half an hour.

THIS WEEKEND

2nd Collection for Fr Marek’s holiday visiting family in Poland

Fr Marek will be on leave from 23 May 2024 to 28 June 2024.
Two of his nieces are making their first holy communion so it’s a very special occasion for him and his family.
BON VOYAGE Fr Marek!
Wishing you a safe journey and lots of amazing memories.

CONGRATULATIONS TO CWA LADIES

Who have been elevated to full members of the Sodality & have made the promises:
Nokwazi M Nelly
Tracy Nokwazi H
Nomvula

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CATHOLIC CHURCH

Please meet in the hall after Mass for cake to celebrate the birthday of the Church.

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 and Khohli Kunene.

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (YEAR B)

INTRODUCTION:

We want to live and be loved by others. Young people fall in love with each other. A husband and wife make a covenant of love and promise each other to remain in this love. Love makes life beautiful. The good news that Christ gives us today in our celebration is the same: he loves us intensely and invites us to remain in his love. Chris is risen and he is with us. He is willing to share his love with us.

GOSPEL: MARK 16: 15-20

Jesus said to his disciples: “Go into the whole world
and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name, they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.

YOUNG ADULTS

GROWING IN FAITH

The Young Adults group would like to invite all the young adults of the church to join them on
Saturday 18/5/2024 at 7 pm for an hour,
Growing In Faith Session.
TOPIC: WHAT IS FAITH?
Everyone is welcome to join us for a social after that.

12th & 19th of May

2nd Collection for Fr Marek’s holiday visiting family in Poland

Fr Marek will be on leave from 23 May 2024 to 28 June 2024
Two of his nieces are making their first holy communion so it’s a very special occasion for him and his family.

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 and Pier Turconi.

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (YEAR B)

INTRODUCTION:

We want to live and be loved by others. Young people fall in love with each other. A husband and wife make a covenant of love and promise each other to remain in this love. Love makes life beautiful. The good news that Christ gives us today in our celebration is the same: he loves us intensely and invites us to remain in his love. Chris is risen and he is with us. He is willing to share his love with us.

GOSPEL: JOHN 15: 9-17

Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.”

LADYSMITH DEANERY PPC’s WORKSHOP

ALL PPC MEMBERS SHOULD ATTEND
Paid for by the Parish to help you do your duties better

uQeqesho Iwemikhandlu yokwalusa

Venue: Regina Pacis Catholic Church

Date: 11 May 2024

Time: 10H00

Facilitator: Fr. Sifiso Ndlovu
Eshowe Diocese

11/05/2024 10am @ RPP

FUNDRAISING RAFFLE
Crocheted Blanket 188cmx148cm

DEANERY MASS SEMINARIAN’S COLLECTION

From RPP & St Jude was R21,315. Thank you for your contribution towards the education of our Seminarians.
The total collection for seminarians from the Ladysmith Deanery (Besters, Driefontein, Ezakheni, Ladysmith, Matiwane, Steadville & Umhlumayo) was R111,124.20.

UPCOMING EVENTS

10/05
17:00 Start of Novena of the Holy Spirit @ St Jude, lead by CWA. All welcome.
12/05
Mother’s Day, please bring flowers for the Blessed Virgin Mary
14/05
Meeting of Bereavement group after 10 am Mass
19/05
Pentecost Sunday Mass @ 9 am – only ONE Mass (@ RPP)
19/05
Men of the Parish Social @ 12 pm in the parish gardens

SECOND COLLECTION 12th & 19th of May

For Fr Marek’s holiday, he will visit his family in Poland towards the end of May. Please give generously.

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 APRIL

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 and Pier Turconi.

MONEY MATTERS

EASTER 2024 COLLECTIONS

Sacrificium (purple envelopes)– R20 496.50
Holy Land Collection (Good Friday) – R4 499

OTHER COLLECTIONS

Poor Box: Jan R930, Feb R1 100, Mar R1 778, Apr R910 and it is given to SVDP.

INCOME & EXPENSES JAN-MAR 2024

Pledges/tithes & collections: R99 637
Other income: R49 984
Expenses: R153 985
Shortfall: R4 364

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (YEAR B)

INTRODUCTION:

Most of us have brothers and sisters. We belong to a family. The same blood of our ancestors unites us, we talk the same language at home and keep the same customs. It’s wondrous though, we all came from different families and peoples. And yet we have all become brothers and sisters in the church. Christ tells us today why we belong together. He is the vine, he says and we are the branches. His life, his blood and his spirit flow in us all, uniting us as members of one family.

GOSPEL: JOHN 15: 1-8

Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”

LADYSMITH DEANERY PPC’s WORKSHOP
uQeqesho Iwemikhandlu yokwalusa

Venue: Regina Pacis Catholic Church

Date: 11 May 2024

Time: 10H00

Facilitator: Fr. Sifiso Ndlovu
Eshowe Diocese

11/05/2024 10am @ RPP
Contribution is R500 per Parish for transport and stipend.

1 MAY THE FEAST OF ST JOSEPH, THE WORKER

Mass @ RPP @ 06:00 & 10:00

FUNDRAISING RAFFLE
Crocheted Blanket 188cmx148cm

DEANERY MASS SEMINARIAN’S COLLECTION

From RPP & St Jude was R21,315. Thank you for your contribution towards the educaton of our Seminarians.
The total collection for seminarians from the Ladysmith Deanery was R111,124.20.

UPCOMING WEEKl

Next Saturday & Sunday 04 & 05 May, there will be a talk about Isivuno (thanksgiving/ fundraising).

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 APRIL

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, Simon Zulu, Alvin Govender, Siva Naidoo, Mavis Makhubo, Norman Browne, Anabela De Pontes, Benvinda Da Costa, Marjorie Govender and Pier Turconi.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (YEAR B)

INTRODUCTION:

In the past chiefs and kings were called ‘shepherds’ of their people. They expected to keep their people together and even to die for them in battle. Today, Jesus calls himself the ‘Good Shepherd’. We have come here to church because we have heard his call. He wants to gather us around him and keep us together.

GOSPEL: JOHN 10: 11-18

Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.”

REGINA CAELI (O QUEEN OF HEAVEN)

This is an antiphon addressed to the Blessed Virgin Mary that is used during the Easter season (Eastertide) from Easter Sunday until Pentecost. Traditionally said or sung after night prayer, immediately before going to sleep in place of the Angelus. We will recite this after the Blessing, before the final Hymn.

FUNDRAISING RAFFLE
Crocheted Blanket 188cmx148cm

DEANERY MASS SEMINARIAN’S COLLECTION

Each parish is expected to contribute to the Deanery Collection for Seminarians. The target for Regina Pacis & St Jude combined is R15000, so far only R4607 has been collected. This contribution is over and above the quarterly parish contribution of R2400.
Private donations are more than welcome, so we can meet the target.

DEANERY MASS – 21 April 2024

The Deanery Mass at the Indoor Sports Centre;
The programme will be as follows:
08:00 am Healing Service
10:30 am Holy Mass
Noon Fundraising
There will be Mass on Saturday 20/04 at RPP for the elderly & those who won’t be able to attend on Sunday.

UPCOMING EVENTS

30/04 Tuesday Bereavement Group after Mass

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 APRIL

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, Simon Zulu, Alvin Govender, Siva Naidoo, Mavis Makhubo, Noel Hoffman, Norman Browne, Anabela De Pontes, Benvinda Da Costa, Marjorie Govender and Pier Turconi.

RIP FR JOHN-ALLEN GREEN
22/02/1952 – 13/04/2024

Thank you for being a blessing to Regina Pacis.