4TH SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR B

INTRODUCTION:

The Sundays of Lent help us to prepare ourselves for celebrating Easter with deeper understanding. Today for instance we hear the message of God’s boundless generosity. We listen to the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. We hear the words: ‘God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son.’ What we shall experience at Easter is exactly that: God loves the world so much that he gave his only Son. Even if we crucify him. Christ will keep on loving us.

GOSPEL: JOHN 3: 14-21

Jesus said to Nicodemus: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

ALTAR SERVERS’ TRAINING @ RPP

It will continue on Fridays @ 3:00 pm, after Catechism classes.

SEMINARIAN’S FUND

Please support the seminarian’s fund. R10 per parishioner per month will easily reach our target of R2400 per quarter. Collection box on the pillar at the back of the church. Quarter 1 is due on 31 March 2024.

ISIVUNO/FUNDRAISING

Talk which was to take place this Sunday, has been postponed until further notice.

CATECHISM CLASSES

Will close on 15 /03 for Friday classes and 17/03 for Sunday classes. They will open again on 05/04.

LENTEN DIARY

WAY OF THE CROSS

Every Friday during lent
StJude @ 17:00
RPP @ 18:00.
Groups leading:
15/03 Catechism
22/03 Youth/young adults.

LENTEN FAITH FORMATION PROGRAMME

A half-hour session every Friday during Lent, after the Way of the Cross in the hall at RPP.

Topics:

08/03 Confession
15/03 Retreat (see below)
23/03 Why Do Some People Suffer More than
Others?

Retreat master: Fr Msizi Msimango 15 & 16 March

Friday 15 March 2024

18:30 Adoration & Benediction with Taize & Healing Service

Saturday 16 March 2024

09:00 Spiritual talks
11:00 Mass
12:00 Confession

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR MARCH

For the new martyrs: We pray that those who risk their lives for the Gospel in various parts of the world inflame the Church with their courage and missionary enthusiasm.

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, Noel Hoffman, Norman Brown, Anabela De Pontes and Benvinda Da Costa.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sun 17/03 Mental Health Talk after the Children’s Mass.

Tue 19/03 Bereavement Group after Mass in Fr’s office.

3rd SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR B

INTRODUCTION:

Today we celebrate the third Sunday of Lend. In our celebration, we are called to rejoice and be happy at all times because the Lord is near. But often we don’t feel like rejoicing. Our hearts are sad. The lord is far from us. We feel miserable and bad. We look for the Lord but cannot find him. But John the Baptist tells us: Rejoice, your saviour is among you, though you do not recognise him, but look, he is very close to you.

GOSPEL: MARK 1: 29-39

On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them. When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him. Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose, have I come.” So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee

YOUNG ADULTS

Would like to invite parishnores between the ages of 20 and 40 yrs to join the group. Anyone interested in joining can contact Melissa on 076673642.

BAPTISM

Classes for parents who want to baptise their babies have started. RPP – Brenda 0763796891 & St Jude – Bryonni on 0828497844.

YOUTH

At St Jude, there will be a meeting after Mass on 03/03/2024. For more information contact Lusanda 0781400237.

ALTAR SERVERS’ TRAINING @ RPP

Will continue on Fridays @ 3:00 pm, after Catechism classes.

ST ANTONINE HOME OF THE AGED

The collection for January 2024 was R6249.50 in cash and there were several donations in kind also. Thank you for your generosity.

SEMINARIAN’S FUND

Please support the seminarian’s fund. R10 per parishioner per month will easily reach our target of R2400 per quarter. Collection box on the pillar at the back of the church. Quarter 1 is due on 31 March 2024.

LENTEN DIARY

WAY OF THE CROSS

Every Friday during lent
StJude @ 17:00
RPP @ 18:00.
Groups leading:
01/03 Sacred Heart 08/03 Music Ministry
15/03 Catechism 22/03 Youth/young adults.

LENTEN FAITH FORMATION PROGRAMME

A half-hour session every Friday during Lent, after the Way of the Cross in the hall at RPP.

Topics:

01/03 Marriage & the Submissive wife
08/03 Confession
15/03 Retreat (see below)
23/03 Why Do Some People Suffer More than
Others?

LENTEN RETREAT
15-16 March 2024

Retreat master: Fr Msizi Msimango

Friday 15 March 2024
18:30 Adoration & Benediction with Taize & Healing Service
Saturday 16 March 2024
09:00 Spiritual talks
11:00 Mass
12:00 Confession

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR MARCH

For the new martyrs: We pray that those who risk their lives for the Gospel in various parts of the world inflame the Church with their courage and missionary enthusiasm.

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, Noel Hoffman, Norman Brown, Anabela De Pontes and Benvinda Da Costa.

ISIVUNO FUNDRAISING

On 9 & 10 of March, Fr Marek has invited someone to give us more information about Isivuno fundraising.

CATECHISM OUTING TO VICTORY HAVEN

On 9 March 2024, girls of any age and boys up to 10 years old. Meet @ RPP at 9:30am. R20 per child.

2nd SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR B

INTRODUCTION:

Today on the second Sunday of Lent, we are invited by the Lord to climb the mountain of God with him. On this mountain, Jesus’ disciples saw him transfigure. They had never seen Jesus like that before. All of us have experienced God in some form or the other, but, did we ever come close to him? Did we ever experience the joy and power of his presence? Did we ever want to stay with God as did the three disciples on the mountain? During this period of lent, we are invited to make a special effort to find God. Are we ready?

GOSPEL: MARK 9: 2 – 10

Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them. As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant.

YOUNG ADULTS

I would like to invite parishioners between the ages of 20 and 40 years to join the group. Anyone interested in joining can contact Melissa on 076673642.

BAPTISM

Classes for parents who want to baptise their babies have started. RPP – Brenda 0763796891 & St Jude – Bryonni on 0828497844.

REVIVING YOUTH

At RPP, there will be a meeting after Mass on 25/02/2024, for more information contact Asanda at 063 799 4715.
At St Jude, there will be a meeting after Mass on 03/03/2024, for more information contact Lusanda at 078 140 0237.

ALTAR SERVERS’ TRAINING @ RPP

Will continue on Fridays @ 3:00 pm, after Catechism classes.

Called by God
Supported by you

Please support the seminarian’s fund. R10 per parishioner per month will easily reach our target of R2400 per quarter. Collection box on the pillar at the back of the church. Quarter 1 is due on 31 March 2024.

PALM SUNDAY

For preparations for Palm Sunday, we need volunteers to decorate the church.

LENTEN DIARY

WAY OF THE CROSS

Every Friday during lent
StJude @ 17:00
RPP @ 18:00.
Groups leading:
01/03 Sacred Heart 08/03 Music Ministry
15/03 Catechism 22/03 Youth/young adults.

LENTEN FAITH FORMATION PROGRAMME

A half-hour session every Friday during Lent, after the Way of the Cross in the hall at RPP.

LENTEN RETREAT
15-16 March 2024

PALM SUNDAY

Preparations for Palm Sunday: we need volunteers to decorate the church.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR FEBRUARY:

For The Terminally ill: Let us pray that the sick who are in the final stages of life, and their families, receive the necessary medical and human care and accompaniment.

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, Noel Hoffman, Norman Brown, Anabela De Pontes and Benvinda Da Costa.

SINCERE CONDOLENCES to family & friends of Selvan Moodley who passed away on Tuesday morning 18/02/2024. MHSRIP.

1st SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR B

INTRODUCTION:

Ash Wednesday we solemnly began the period of Lent. We blessed the ashes and placed them on our foreheads. The forty days of lent are a time of self-control and training. With Christ, we want to train ourselves in our battle against evil. For forty days Christ remained in the wilderness, doing with food and drink and that which made life comfortable. He prepared himself in the desert for the great task ahead of him.

GOSPEL: MARK 1: 12 – 15

The spirit drove Jesus out into the wilderness and he remained there for forty days and was tempted by Satan. He was with the wild beasts, and the angels looked after him. After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News from God. “The time has come” he said, “and the Kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News.”

YOUNG ADULTS

Would like to invite parishnores between the ages of 20 and 40 yrs to join the group. Anyone interested in joining can contact Melissa on 076673642.

BAPTISM

Classes for parents who want to baptise their babies have started. RPP – Brenda 0763796891 & St Jude – Bryonni on 0828497844.

REVIVING YOUTH STANDUP MEETING
(ie 10 MINUTES ONLY)

At RPP, there will be a stand-up meeting after Mass on 25/02/2024. For more information contact Asanda 0637994715.
At St Jude there will be a stand-up meeting after Mass 03/03/2024. For more information contact Lusanda 0781400237.

Called by God
Supported by you

Please support the seminarian’s fund. Collection box on the pillar at the back of the church.
Quarter 1 – R2400 due on 31 March 2024.

AGM

RPP – Sunday 18 February 
after Mass

PALM SUNDAY

For preparations for Palm Sunday, we need volunteers to decorate the church.

HOLY THURSDAY

We need volunteers to have their feet washed, please put your name on the list on the porch.

LENTEN DIARY
STATIONS/WAY OF THE CROSS

Every Friday during lent
StJude @ 17:00
RPP @ 18:00.
Groups leading:
23/02 Liturgy
01/03 Sacred Heart
08/03 Music Ministry 15/03 Catechism
22/03 Youth & young adults.

LENTEN FAITH FORMATION PROGRAMME

A half-hour session every Friday during Lent, after the Way of the Cross in the hall at RPP.

RPP – THIS SUNDAY 18 February after Mass
St Jude – Sunday 25 February after Mass.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR FEBRUARY:

For The Terminally ill: Let us pray that the sick who are in the final stages of life, and their families, receive the necessary medical and human care and accompaniment.

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, Noel Hoffman, Norman Brown, Anabela De Pontes and Benvinda Da Costa.

SINCERE CONDOLENCES to family & friends of Mike Edwards who passed away on Tuesday morning 13/02/2024. He was 85. MHSRIP.

FANS

We have installed 4 new wall fans.  Please do not adjust them, rather ask the Sacristan on duty for assistance.