25th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A

INTRODUCTION:

God’s ways are high above our ways. God’s thoughts are high above our thoughts. We, for example, tend to be small-minded and stingy. We want to regulate everything with laws and regulations. But God’s way is different. God is generous and broad-minded; god’s generosity has no limits. Today let us ask God to be broad-minded, good and generous.

GOSPEL: Mathew 20: 1 – 16

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire labourers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o’clock, the landowner saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’ So they went off. And he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o’clock, the landowner found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’ When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.’ When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’ He said to one of them in reply, ‘My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’ Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

CATECHISM CLASSES

Will be closing this week at RPP and reopen

REGINA PACIS PILGRIMAGE TO NGOME MARIA SHRINE

1^ST TO 3^RD DECEMBER 2023

This is a final call for all those who asked to reserve a space with a promise to pay the deposit. The final date for payment of the full fee is the 30th of September then your name will be removed from the list.
All Parishioners who have paid a deposit please remember to make your final payment, so we can finalize transport.

Last but not least your deposit towards the trip is non-refundable.

UPCOMING EVENTS

28 September Thursday, there will be a recommissioning of all SVDP members during Mass.

07 October 8:00 First Saturday of the Month,  there will be confessions followed by Mass at 09:00.

07 October (Saturday) Day Retreat for ALL (RPP & St Jude) Confirmation candidates @ RPP.

HERITAGE DAY 2023

Happy Heritage Day

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR SEPTEMBER
For people living on the margins.

For people living on the margins.
We pray for those persons living on the margins of society, in inhumane life conditions; may they not be overlooked by institutions and never considered of lesser importance.

SICK & ELDERLY

Please pray for the sick & elderly of the parish, family & friends especially
Fr John–Allen Green OFM, Nokuthula Kubheka, Penny Powell, Jean Smith, Dolly Bimbrish, Simon Zulu, Alvin Govender, Siva Naidoo, Mavis Makhubo and Fidelma Hanlon.

24^th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A

INTRODUCTION:

In our Sunday celebration, we offer each other the sign of peace. This sign can become very meaningful if we really want to make peace with our brothers and sisters. However, sometimes we get tired of making peace with others time after time. So we ask ourselves: How often should we forgive each other? It is a question which worries us. Jesus tells us not to get tired of making peace with us. He does not get tired of forgiving us.

GOSPEL: Mathew 18: 21 – 35

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart”

12 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

To clean 15 (fifteen) altar servers’ albs twice a year. A roster will be drawn up, if we have 12 volunteers, you will only do it twice a year. We only have 5 volunteers at the moment.

Thanks for your Support

The Men of the Parish extend their most sincere gratitude & appreciation to everyone who has helped in cash or kindness to make the spring dance a success. It was enjoyed by all. May God bless you abundantly.

HERITAGE DAY 2023

There will be one Mass at RPP @ 9h00 only. Followed by our Cultural celebration to showcase our diverse cultures.

Please dress in your Cultural clothing, bring your cultural food and let’s share and finally entertain us with your cultural dance or music.

If you need a table, to set up your food please contact Brenda on 0763796891

If you would like to dance or sing contact Nonhlanhla on 0836972128

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR SEPTEMBER
For people living on the margins.

For people living on the margins.
We pray for those persons living on the margins of society, in inhumane life conditions; may they not be overlooked by institutions and never considered of lesser importance.

SICK & ELDERLY

Please pray for the sick & elderly of the parish, family & friends especially
Fr John–Allen Green OFM, Nokuthula Kubheka, Penny Powell, Jean Smith, Dolly Bimbrish, Simon Zulu, Alvin Govender, Siva Naidoo, Mavis Makhubo and Fidelma Hanlon.

SOUTHERN CROSS CATHOLIC MAGAZINE

September edition is available at the Parish Office.

THIS COMING SUNDAY, THE 24TH

The second collection is for the Society of St. Vincent De Paul (SSVP) who help the needy. Please give generously, it’s for a worthy cause.

23^rd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A

INTRODUCTION:

Where people live together, we find trouble and misunderstanding. This can happen even between good friends. We Christians are not better than other people. We have the same problems. However, as Christians, we should be a sign to the world. We should show the world that we can solve our difficulties in a new way. This is the message of our celebration today: As Christians, we are called to solve our problems in the spirit of Christ and in loving fellowship.

GOSPEL: Mathew 18: 15 – 20

Jesus said to his disciples: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that “every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses”. If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

PROCLAIMERS TAKE NOTE

We now have two proclaimers for weekend Masses.
1st Proclaimer:
To do the first reading and Prayers of the faithful.
2nd Proclaimer:
To say the Responsorial Psalm, the second reading and Alleluia.

FEAST OF EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS

14 September – @18h30 adoration of the cross for ONE hour. Everyone is invited to join.

CONFIRMATION CLASS

A meeting for all parents, guardians and candidates preparing for confirmation with the teacher (Coehleen) on 15 September 2023 @ 14h00.

SOUTHERN CROSS CATHOLIC MAGAZINE

September edition is available at the Parish Office.

The Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross

14^th September at 18h 30 Adoration of the Holy Cross for ONE hour at RPP. Everyone is invited.

NOTICES – ST JUDE

First Friday of the month:
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament @ 17h00
Third Friday of the month:
Prayer will be led by CWA at 16h45,
Other Fridays:
Praying of Rosary before Mass
On Sundays:
Rosary at 9h 00 followed by hymns practice.

MARIA RATSCHITZ PLIGRIMAGE NEXT SUNDAY

17^th September. The collection will be for the Priest’s Medical Aid & Pension Fund. RPP & Limit Hill together have been asked to raise R10,000 towards the fund. This weekend we will have a second collection for this purpose.

THANK YOU SO MUCH

You are very much appreciated

The Men of the Parish extend their most sincere gratitude & appreciation to everyone who has helped to make the spring dance a success. May God bless you abundantly.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR SEPTEMBER
For people living on the margins.

For people living on the margins.
We pray for those persons living on the margins of society, in inhumane life conditions; may they not be overlooked by institutions and never considered of lesser importance.

SICK & ELDERLY

Please pray for the sick & elderly of the parish, family & friends especially
Fr John–Allen Green OFM, Nokuthula Kubheka, Penny Powell, Jean Smith, Dolly Bimbrish, Simon Zulu, Alvin Govender, Siva Naidoo, Mavis Makhubo and Fidelma Hanlon.

12 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

To clean 15 (fifteen) altar servers’ albs twice a year. A roster will be drawn up, if we have 12 volunteers, you will only do it twice a year.
We only have 5 volunteers at the moment.

22^nd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A

INTRODUCTION:

We have gathered for worship this Sunday in order to give thanks to God for inviting us to the faith. But there is a question we should ask ourselves: Would we have joined the church if we knew that our membership would bring us joy as well as suffering? If we were told today that we would have to suffer for the sake of our faith, what would we do?

GOSPEL: Mathew 16: 21 – 27

Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay all according to his conduct.”

PROCLAIMERS TAKE NOTE

We now have two proclaimers for weekend Masses.
1st Proclaimer – To do the first reading and Prayers of the faithful.
2nd Proclaimer -To say the Responsorial Psalm, the second reading and Alleluia.

FEAST OF EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS

14 September – @18h30 adoration of the cross for ONE hour. Everyone is invited to join.

CONFIRMATION CLASS

A meeting for all parents, guardians and candidates preparing for confirmation are invited to a meeting with the teacher (Coehleen) on 15 September 2023 @ 14h00.

Spring Dance 2023

Time: 18: 30 for 19:00
Date:09 September 2023
Venue: Regina Pacis Catholic
Church Hall
4 Victoria Road, Ladysmith

DJ IN ATTENDANCE

Ticket Price: R100 PP
Dinner Included
Lucky Ticket Draws
Many Prizes To Be Won
Bring your own Cooler Box @ R50

The Men of the Parish are hosting a Spring Dance. Tickets are available. Any cash donations are appreciated. Please support this fundraiser. Contact Fr Marek, Fabian, or Trevor for more information

NOTICES – ST JUDE

The third Friday of the month prayer will be led by CWA at 16h45.

• Other Fridays: Praying of Rosary before Mass
• On Sundays: Rosary at 9h00 followed by hymns practice.

MARIA RATSCHITZ PLIGRIMAGE

It will take place on the 17th of September. As a Parish, we need to contribute R10,000 towards the Priests’ Pension fund. For the next 2 weekends, we will have a second collection.

PARISH FINANCES JAN 2023 to JUN 2023

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR SEPTEMBER
For people living on the margins.

For people living on the margins.
We pray for those persons living on the margins of society, in inhumane life conditions; may they not be overlooked by institutions and never considered of lesser importance.

SICK & ELDERLY

Please pray for the sick & elderly of the parish, family & friends especially
Fr John–Allen Green OFM, Nokuthula Kubheka, Penny Powell, Jean Smith, Dolly Bimbrish, Simon Zulu, Alvin Govender, Siva Naidoo, Mavis Makhubo and Fidelma Hanlon.

12 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

12 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
To clean 15 (fifteen) altar servers’ albs twice a year. A roster will be drawn up, if we have 12 volunteers, you will only do it twice a year.
We have 4 volunteers so far!

21ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A

INTRODUCTION:

Nobody likes to live in a house built on a shaky foundation. They constantly fear that the house will collapse on top of them at any time. Nobody likes to belong to a family that may dissolve at any moment. And nobody likes to belong to a church community which may disintegrate at any time. Our assembly around this altar is built on a firm foundation. It is built on Peter and the Apostles. Christ said,” You are Peter and on this rock, I will build my church.”

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 16: 13 – 20

Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

CHOIR PRACTICE FOR DEANERY MASS

@ Kwa-Malusi Omuhle in Steadville every Saturday from 9am to 11am until 26/08/2023. Please attend.

PROCLAIMERS TAKE NOTE

As of the 2^nd of September, we will once again have two proclaimers for weekend Masses.
1st Proclaimer- will do the first reading and Prayers of the faithful.
2^nd Proclaimer will say the Responsorial Psalm, the second reading and Alleluia.

UPCOMING MEETINGS @ REGINA PACIS

• 02/09 – First Saturday Devotion to the Reparation to the Heart of Mary @ 8:00 am
  Confession followed by Mass @ 9:00 am
• 02/09 – Children of Mary Committee
  @ 10:30 am
• 05/09 – Bereavement & Widowhood group meets after Mass

Spring Dance 2023

Time: 18: 30 for 19:00
Date:09 September 2023
Venue: Regina Pacis Catholic
Church Hall
4 Victoria Road, Ladysmith

DJ IN ATTENDANCE

Ticket Price: R100 PP
Dinner Included
Lucky Ticket Draws
Many Prizes To Be Won
Bring your own Cooler Box @ R50

The Men of the Parish are hosting a Spring Dance. Tickets are available. Any cash donations are appreciated. Please support this fundraiser. Contact Fr Marek, Fabian, or Trevor for more information

NOTICES – ST JUDE

• 01/09 – 1st Friday of the month – Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament @17h00.
• Other Fridays: Rosary before Mass.
• 17/09: 3rd Sunday of the month prayer lead by CWA @ 16h45,
• On Sundays: Rosary at 9h00 followed by hymns practice.

SHE IS KING

The youth group is hosting an empowerment for girls, ages 14 – 21.
Bring blankets and baskets with refreshments.
It’s a picnic!!!

September
Saturday 02 at 11:00 am
2023
entrance fee: R50
4 Victoria Road Regina Pacis Catholic Church

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR AUGUST
For World Youth Day:

We pray that World Youth Day in Lisbon will help young people to live and witness the Gospel in their own lives.

SICK & ELDERLY

Please pray for the sick & elderly of the parish, family & friends especially
Fr John–Allen Green OFM, Nokuthula Kubheka, Penny Powell, Jean Smith, Dolly Bimbrish, Simon Zulu, Alvin Govender, Siva Naidoo, Mavis Makhubo and Fidelma Hanlon.

SOUTHERN CROSS MAGAZINE

August Southern Cross is now available at the Parish office.

12 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

To clean 15 altar servers albs twice a year. A roster will be drawn up, if we have 12 volunteers, you will only do it twice a year.