FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

INTRODUCTION:

Today we celebrate the fourth Sunday of Easter. Again, we join those who are newly baptized to learn more about the faith during this time after Easter. With them, we ask the following questions: what happened when we were baptized? Why do we believe in Jesus? Is he the only one why can save us? In our celebration we shall hear the Lord’s answer.

GOSPEL: JOHN 10: 1-10

Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” Although Jesus used this figure of speech, the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them. So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

CATECHISM CLASSES

Normal classes resume this week.

NGOME PILGRIMAGE

Negome Marian Shrine

Date: 1-3 December 2023
Cost: R1300.00 (accommodation and transport)
Bookings: Parish Office
Payments must be made by 1 July 2023

UPCOMING WEEK

06/May First Saturday of the Month @ 08:00 am there will be confession followed by Mass at 09:00 am.
Children of Mary will meet @ 10:00 am in the Parish Hall both at RPP and St Jude
07/May on Sunday St Jude Executive Committee will have a meeting after Mass

SOUTHERN CROSS MAGAZINE

May issue now available at the Parish Office.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR APRIL

A CULTURE OF PEACE & NON-VIOLENCE

We pray for the spread of peace and non-violence, by reducing the use of weapons by States and citizens.

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.

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT – CYCLE A

INTRODUCTION:

When suffering is about to come upon us, we look for friends. Who will be with us in difficult times ahead? It is the second Sunday of Lent. Soon we will remember the time Jesus was rejected by the Jewish leaders, condemned and crucified. Who will be with him at this time? We find the answer in today’s Gospel reading. On the mountain, it became apparent who would be with Christ in his suffering. The Father will be with him at all times. Are we with Christ as he is for us?

GOSPEL: MT 17: 1-9

Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, and then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone. As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

BRINGING OF GIFTS TO THE ALTAR

It’s the duty of the Sacristan to choose who will take offertory gift to the Alter. have mass intention on the day, please speak to the Sacristan on duty if you would like to bring the gifts to the alter

LENTEN APPEAL

The Lenten Season calls us to place our faith and hope in the Lord, since only if we fix our gaze on the Risen Christ will we be able to respond to the bishop’s appeal. Let us never grow tired of doing good. The envelopes are available on the Porch.

YOUNG ADULTS

We will have a meeting this Sunday 05 March at 15:00 at RPP.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS DURING LENT
Every Friday at 17h30

Groups leading the Stations:
10/03 CWA
17/03 Children of Mary
24/03 Liturgy
31/03 SVDP and Nurses Guild
St Jude – every Friday at 17h00 before Mass

BAPTISM CLASSES

Classes have started. If you wish to have your child baptised, please contact:
Brenda: 076 379 6891 for RPP
Bryonni 082 849 7844 for St Jude

PARISH RETREAT

There will be a whole-day retreat on 18 March at RPP. Starting at 9:00 until 18:00. Everyone is encouraged to attend, as Lent is a time for reflection.
There will be time for praying & meditation.
Priests from different parishes will be available for confessions and counselling.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO SEMINARIANS

It has been decided that a collection box is more suitable than envelopes, the box is at the back of the Church, with SEMINARIANS COLLECTION BOX written on it. This is where you will place your contribution. The money will be counted regularly and parishioners are given an update. Please note our contribution is R2400 per quarter, the first is due on 31 March 2023.
If all parishioners contribute R10 each per month, this is easily achievable.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR MARCH

FOR VICTIMS OF ABUSE

We pray for those who have suffered harm from members of the Church; may they find within the Church herself a concrete response to their pain and suffering.

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.

SOUTHERN CROSS MAGAZINE

March issue is now available at the Parish Office

THIRD SUNDAY ORDINARY TIME – CYCLE A

INTRODUCTION:

We have accepted the Word of Christ as Good News. This, however, does not mean that we experience only Joy and happiness. The Good news is given to us as light and joy to strengthen us in our times of darkness and suffering. We hear the message today, “The people that walked in darkness has seen a great light.” “Repent, the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

GOSPEL: MT 4: 12-23

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen. From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, ending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people

ADORATION

Will be starting again soon; we would like to update the names and times that each person is committing him/herself to spend with the blessed sacrament. List will be in the porch, please leave your name and preferred time.

DIARIES FOR 2023 @ R130 each

Available at the parish office & the repository.

ST ANTONINE OLD AGED HOME

28 & 29 January 2023 – Board members from St Antonine Old Aged Home at Amakhasi will be visiting our Parish to tell us about the home and what is needed to maintain the home. The second collection on those days will go towards assisting the home. Further donations will be welcome in cash or kind. A list of groceries they need is the porch.

SOUTHERN CROSS MAGAZINE

January issue now available at the office

If you would like to continue receiving the Southern Cross Magazine, please contact the
Parish Office, so we know how many magazines to order a month.

GROUPS AND SODALITIES

To submit their year plan for 2023 ASAP; also a written report for the last year 2022.
The report must have the following details

1. Number of Members
2. Achievements for 2022
3. Goals for 2023
4. If you need assistance from the Priest or the parish secretary, please contact them.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR JANUARY

FOR EDUCATORS

We pray that educators may be credible witnesses, teaching fraternity rather than competition and helping the youngest and most vulnerable above all.

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.

BRING A DONATION

HEY!! Don’t forget to

Bring a donation for St Antonine’s Old Aged Home
Box in the porch for donations in kind – food, cleaning materials, Savlon, Vaseline, toothpaste etc

MARY, MOTHER OF GOD CYCLE A

INTRODUCTION:

Today we begin a new year. We begin it with the feast of ‘Mary Mother of God’. A week ago, we celebrated the birth of Jesus. Today we remember his mother and say ‘thank you’ to her. We praise her as the ‘Mother of God’. We thank her for giving us, Jesus.

GOSPEL: LUKE 2: 16-21

The shepherds’ hurries away to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

ADORATION

There will be no adoration for the month of January as the second coat of paint will be done inside the Church. Weekday Masses will continue as usual.

SINCERE CONDOLENCES

To the Cocciante family on the loss of their wife and mother. May her Soul Rest in peace.

LITURGICAL CALENDARS FOR 2023 @ R25

Available at the repository & parish office

DIARIES FOR 2023 @ R130 each

Available at the parish office & the repository.

SVDP

Wishes to thank all who donated in cash or in kind, the Society was able to give Christmas hampers to 20 families. May God reward them abundantly.

BLESSED NEW YEAR

To all Parishioners

Do not be afraid to face life.

This New Year has a lot of promises for us. Trust God and everything will be fine,

Happy New Year!

PARISH OFFICE

Closed from 27/12/2002 till 06/01/2023

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR JANUARY

FOR EDUCATORS

We pray that educators may be credible witnesses, teaching fraternity rather than competition and helping the youngest and most vulnerable above all.

SICK & ELDERLY

Please pray for the sick & elderly of the parish, family and friends especially:

Fr John–Allen Green OFM, Nokuthula Kubheka, Penny Powell, Jean Smith, Dolly Bimbrish, Simon Zulu, Alvin Govender, Maria Harris, Siva Naidoo & Mavis Makhubo.

SOUTHERN CROSS MAGAZINE

January issue now available at the Parish Office

NATIVITY OF THE LORD CYCLE A

INTRODUCTION:

Today we have come together to welcome Christ the Lord. We have hurried to the stable at Bethlehem and found Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus lying in a manger. Who is this child of Bethlehem? John tells us the wondrous truth about Jesus, he is the Word of God made flesh. The same Word that created the heavens and the earth.

GOSPEL – JOHN 1: 1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me. ’”From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.

ADORATION

There will be no adoration for the month of January as the second coat of paint will be done inside the Church. Weekday Masses will continue as usual.

LITURGICAL CALENDARS FOR 2023 @ R25

Available at the repository & parish office

DIARIES FOR 2023 @ R130 each

Available at the parish office & the repository.

COLLECTIONS AND PLEDGES

Collection 01/11/2022 RPP R5400 & St Jude R319.20
Pledges for October RPP R9500 & St Jude R2600.

ADORATION

There will be no adoration for the month of December due to renovations being done inside the Church. Weekday Masses will continue as usual.

LITURGICAL CALENDARS FOR 2023 @ R25

Available at the repository & parish office

SVDP

Wishes to thank all who donated in cash or in kind, the Society was able to give Christmas hampers to 20 families. May God reward them abundantly.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Best Wishes to all Parishioners. Have a peaceful and joyous time with your families.
Lots of love Fr MarekPARISH OFFICE

PARISH OFFICE

Closed from 27/12/2002 till 06/01/2023

SOUTHERN CROSS MAGAZINE

December issue is now available at the Parish Office.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR DECEMBER

Volunteer Not-for-Profit Organizations

We pray that volunteer non-profit organizations committed to human development find people dedicated to the common good and ceaselessly seek out new paths to international cooperation.

SICK & ELDERLY

Please pray for the sick & elderly of the parish, family and friends especially:

Fr John–Allen Green OFM, Mrs Cocciante, Nokuthula Kubheka, Penny Powell, Jean Smith, Dolly Bimbrish, Simon Zulu, Alvin Govender, Mary Harris, Siva Naidoo & Mavis Makhubo.

SOUTHERN CROSS MAGAZINE

December issue now available at the Parish Office