FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR C

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.