30th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A

INTRODUCTION:

When people plant a tree, they generally do so for others. Trees grow slowly. Those who have planted trees do not live to enjoy their fruit. In this way planting a tree is a sign of unselfish love. It would be a great praise if people could say of us one day: this man or woman has done great things in life. Love makes the lives of such people meaningful. Today’s message says “Love your God with all your heart and your neighbour as yourself” This commandment is not a chain around our neck but a way of making our lives meaningful.

GOSPEL: Mathew 22: 34-40

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them,
a scholar of the law tested him by asking, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

BIBLE DIARIES 2024

Those who are interested in buying a Bible diary for 2024, may pre-order, just write your name on the list provided on the porch. Please indicate which version you prefer:
• The Carmelites of Frances OR
• Joy of the Gospel Bible Diary.

SSVP Fundraising

RRP and St. Jude Catholic Church
SSVP Fundraising

BRAND DANCE

Dance & Dinner
25 November 18:30

R200 per ticket
4 Victoria Road Ladysmith
Regina Pacis Hall

B.Y.O.B & Snacks
The dress code is Western

DJ Uncle Sam

LAMB ON THE SPIT | DANCE | KARAOKE

YEAR PLANS

All groups and sodalities are requested to start preparing Year Plans for 2024. These plans are to be handed in before the end of the year.

The Young Adults

Last outdoor movie night for 2023

Saturday 4 November on the church grounds
7 – 10 pm
Adults – R50.00
Children- R30. 00
Picnic basket: R50.00
Limited food stalls are available.
Bring your chairs and blankets.

NURSES GUILD &HEALTH WORKERS DAY RETREAT/IMVUSELO

Diocese of Dundee retreat under the Chaplain, Fr Andrew Moyo
Venue: St Peter and Paul in Newcastle
Date: 11 November 2023 8 am to 3 pm
Theme: See Christ in Every person.
Please contact Lindiwe Mnguni (Chairperson) on 0818093643 or Buyi Mvelase (Vice Chairperson) on 0787243496 for more information

NGOME PILGRIMAGE

Final payment is due at the end of October, for only those who have paid a deposit. So that we can arrange transport.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR OCTOBER:

FOR THE SYNOD

We pray for the Church, that she may adopt listening and dialogue as a lifestyle at every level, and allow herself to be guided by the Holy Spirit towards the peripheries of the world.

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, SivaNaidoo, Mavis Makhubo, Fidelma Hanlon and Noel Hoffman

29th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A

INTRODUCTION:

In our celebration today we shall hear of two great political leaders, Cyrus, the King of Babylon and Caesar the Emperor of Rome. We consider the question: what have political leaders to do with God? Don’t political leaders and God fall into completely different categories? God’s word today will throw light on this question. The Lord shows his respect for political leaders. We are told that all political leaders should regard themselves as tools in Gods hand. He is the lord. There is no other besides him.

GOSPEL: Mathew 22: 15-21

The Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech. They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. And you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion, for you do not regard a person’s status. Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” Knowing their malice, Jesus said, “Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin that pays the census tax.” Then they handed him the Roman coin. He said to them, “Whose image is this and whose inscription?” They replied, “Caesar’s.” At that he said to them, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”

BIBLE DIARIES 2024

Those who are interested in buying a Bible diary for 2024, may pre order, just write you name on the list provided at the porch.

OCTOBER

Month of the Holy Rosary

DEDICATION TO OUR LADY

The month of October is dedicated to our Lady. We honour her & give thanks for her protection of the church in answer to the praying of the Rosary.

We will pray the Rosary EVERYDAY both at RPP and St Jude @ 17:30

2ND COLLECTION DURING OCTOBER

For the Pontifical Misson Society

ST ANTHONY’S CHILD & YOUTH CENTRE

Are celebrating 60 years of providing shelter, ensuring that children receive health care, nutritious meals & proper education. They are requesting for donations in kind or cash, for the event.
If anyone would like to donate:
First National Bank Branch Code:27032
Account Number: 53145434999.

NURSES GUILD

Wishes to thank the Executive Committee for allowing health services to take place in the Parish. Also, Parishioners for availing themselves even for the very scary part such as taking of Pap smears, individual counselling for both male and females. This is encouraging for future plans. If Parishnors can indicate the health services needed. Nurses Guild and health workers will make sure to outsource the qualified specialist in that field. Dr Mbatha was impressed with the attendance and even gave out his contact details for follow up assistance.

NGOME RETREAT

Final payment due at the end of October, for only those who have paid a deposit.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR OCTOBER:

FOR THE SYNOD

We pray for the Church, that she may adopt listening and dialogue as a lifestyle at every level, and allow herself to be guided by the Holy Spirit towards the peripheries of the world.

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.

28th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A

INTRODUCTION:

Life without feasts and celebrations is dull and boring. Feasts are joyful occasions. Friends who have not seen each other for a long time meet again. Food and drink are in good supply and there is singing and dancing. But we no that food and drink are not enough for a feast. Unity, peace and love make a feast a real feast. Disunity, quarrels and tears spoil a feast. God is our eternal feast. Our celebration together is a foretaste of this feast, where tears will be wiped away and where death will be no more.

GOSPEL: Mathew 22: 1 – 14

Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.” ‘Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to meet the guests, he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. The king said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment? ‘But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’ Many are invited, but few are chosen.”

BIBLE DIARIES 2024

Those who are interested in buying a Bible diary for 2024, may pre-order, just write you name on the list provided at the porch.

OCTOBER

Month of the Holy Rosary

DEDICATION TO OUR LADY

The month of October is dedicated to our Lady. We honour her & give thanks for her protection of the church in answer to the praying of the Rosary.
We will pray the Rosary EVERY DAY both at RPP and St Jude @ 17:30.

WORLD MISSION SUNDAY 22/10/2023(next Sunday)

Open-air Mass at the Spar parking lot in Francis Rd.
We will proceed in procession from the RPP parking-lot at 8am. During the procession to Spar we will recite the rosary.
NB: There WILL BE Mass on Saturday evening (21/10) at 5:30pm at RPP for the elderly, all other parishioners are encouraged to attend Mass on Sunday.

NB: PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN DRINKING WATER!!

2ND COLLECTION DURING OCTOBER

For the Pontifical Misson Society

ST ANTHONY’S CHILD & YOUTH CENTRE

Are celebrating 60 years of providing shelter, ensuring that children receive health care, nutritious meals & proper education. They are requesting donations in kind or cash, for the event.
If anyone would like to donate:

First National Bank Branch Code:27032
Account Number: 53145434999

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR OCTOBER:

FOR THE SYNOD

We pray for the Church, that she may adopt listening and dialogue as a lifestyle at every level, and allow herself to be guided by the Holy Spirit towards the peripheries of the world.

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.

YEAR PLANS

All groups and sodalities are requested to start preparing Year Plans for 2024. These plans are to be handed in before the end of the year.

27th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A

INTRODUCTION:

The Lord calls us today by a beautiful name. He calls us “my vineyard”, meaning that we are his fields, his orchids, his plantations. God has planted us in his kingdom; God has called us together; God makes us grow and he expects good fruit. We have to ask ourselves: is it possible that God’s vineyard in our country can disappear, can be uprooted and destroyed? Is it possible that the church in our nation can die out? Jesus’s answer is yes. “You may lose the chance that I have given you and others may get the chance instead.”

GOSPEL: Mathew 21: 33 – 43

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way. Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’ They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?” They answered him, “He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times.” Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes? Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.”

BIBLE DIARIES 2024

Those who are interested in buying a Bible diary for 2024, may pre order, just write you name on the list provided at the porch.

PRIEST’S RETREAT

Fr Marek will be away at a retreat from Monday 10/10 to Friday 13/10. Eucharist Services will replace weekday Masses for the duration. Please pray for our priests.

OCTOBER

Month of the Holy Rosary

DEDICATION TO OUR LADY

The month of October is dedicated to our Lady. We honour her & give thanks for her protection of the church in answer to the praying of the Rosary.
We will pray the Rosary EVERYDAY at both RPP and St. Jude @ 17:30. If any of the groups or Sodalities would like to lead the Rosary Prayer please contact the Parish office, so we can draw up a roster.

WORLD MISSION SUNDAY 22/10/2023

Open-air Mass at the Spar parking lot in Francis Rd.
We will proceed in procession from RPP parking lot at 8 a.m. During the procession to Spar, we will recite the rosary.
NB: There WILL BE Mass on Saturday evening (21/10) at 5:30 pm at RPP for the elderly, all other parishioners are encouraged to attend Mass on Sunday.

NB: PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN DRINKING WATER!!

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR OCTOBER:

FOR THE SYNOD

We pray for the Church, that she may adopt listening and dialogue as a lifestyle at every level, and allow herself to be guided by the Holy Spirit towards the peripheries of the world.

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.

CANCER AWARENESS

15/10 (Sunday) the Nurses Guild has organised health awareness campaign @ RPP. There will be a doctor to speak about cancer issues & a nurse to speak about mental issues surrounding cancer.
After Mass private consultations and a mobile clinic will be available for a health check-up, especially for cancer symptoms.

26th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A

INTRODUCTION:

We expect God to console or strengthen us. We do not like it very much when we are challenged and told that something is wrong with us. However, we know that in whatever God says or does God only wants what is best for us. We talk a lot about God but find it hard to do his will, yet there are others who might not even belong to a church but may do God’s will better than us. Do we say, “Yes Father, your will be done?”

GOSPEL: Mathew 21: 28 – 32

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people:
“What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ He said in reply, ‘I will not, ‘but afterwards changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir, ‘but did not go. Which of the two did father’s will?” They answered, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him.”

CATECHISM CLASSES

No classes this week at RPP. Classes resume on 13 October 2023. St Jude catechism classes continue as normal @ 9h00 on Sunday before Mass.

BAPTISM CLASSES

Classes for Babies and children will be starting soon. If you wish for your child to be baptised.  Contact Brenda Amod on 0763796891 for RPP and Bryonni Martin on 0828497844 for St. Jude.

UPCOMING EVENTS

07 October First Saturday of the Month, 08:00 confessions followed by Mass at 09:00.
07 October Day Retreat for (RPP & St Jude) Confirmation candidates @ RPP @11:00.

13 October @ 14:00 meeting at RPP for PARENTS of 1st Communion candidates with Fr Marek & catechism teacher, Joanne.

DEDICATION TO OUR LADY

The month of October is dedicated to our Lady. We honour her & give thanks for her protection of the church in answer to the praying of the Rosary.
We will pray the Rosary EVERYDAY at both RPP and St. Jude @ 17:30. If any of the groups or Sodalities would like to lead the Rosary Prayer please contact the Parish office, so we can draw up a roster.

WORLD MISSION SUNDAY 22/10/2023

Open-air Mass at the Spar parking lot in Francis Rd.
We will proceed in procession from RPP parking lot at 8 a.m. During the procession to Spar, we will recite the rosary.
NB: There WILL BE Mass on Saturday evening (21/10) at 5:30 pm at RPP for the elderly, all other parishioners are encouraged to attend Mass on Sunday.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR OCTOBER:

FOR THE SYNOD

We pray for the Church, that she may adopt listening and dialogue as a lifestyle at every level, and allow herself to be guided by the Holy Spirit towards the peripheries of the world.

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.

CANCER AWARENESS

15 October (Sunday) The Nurses Guild has organised a health awareness campaign @ RPP. There will be a doctor to speak about cancer issues & a nurse to speak about mental issues surrounding cancer.

After Mass, there will be time for private consultation.
A mobile clinic will also be available for a health check-up, especially for cancer symptoms.