ASTER SUNDAY – RESURRECTION OF THE LORD JESUS

INTRODUCTION

With great joy, we have come together to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia! Today, we proclaim eternal life to all who have died in faith. Today, we proclaim Joy for all those who think that their life is a failure or a disaster. Christ is alive in our midst. He has risen from the dead to be with us in body and soul, as man and as God. This is our faith, which we proclaim today.

GOSPEL READING
JOHN 20: 1 – 9

On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb,
and we don’t know where they put him.” So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there,
and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.

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

• Please be mindful of where you park your vehicles.
• Don’t park in front of the main entrance, making it difficult for the elderly and less-abled to get past.
• Don’t park in the driveway at the side of the hall.
• Don’t park in the designated disabled parking if you are able-bodied.
• THERE IS EXTRA PARKING UP NEAR THE PARISH OFFICE. PLEASE ASK ONE OF THE LEADERS TO OPEN THE MOTOR GATE

FAMILY VISIT AND BLESSING OF HOUSES

After Easter, the Priests will be doing home visits and blessing the houses. If you would like a home visit and your home blessed. Please put your name, a contact number, and a preferred date and time on the list on the porch.

HAPPY EASTER

Fr Marek and Fr Musa would like to thank all involved whether it was organizing, decorating, reading or music, that helped create a meaningful, Easter.
Wishing you a joyous and blessed, peaceful Easter season filled with warmth and reflection.
Also, they would like to thank the Music Ministry leading music during Chrism Mass, last Wednesday they made RPP & St Jude proud

THANK YOU

To Clover Leaf Candles for the new votive candle stand in front of Our Lady.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR MARCH

For disarmament and peace.

Let us pray that nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence

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, Sebenzile Molefe, Netta Liebenberg, Mthokozisi Mthembu, Avenel Aarons, Siva Naidoo, Francesca Poonsamy, Dolly Govender, Lorraine Schirge and Ingrid Denzin

THANK-YOU

Bernadette Govender would like to thank you all for your prayers during her illness.

SUNDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION – CYCLE A

INTRODUCTION

Easter is the feast of the Resurrection. This time of Lent is the preparation time for the feast of the Resurrection. In order to prepare ourselves, we fast, we change our ways, and we reflect: what does it mean to rise with Christ? What kind of life should someone lead if they say that they have died with Christ and have risen with him?

GOSPEL READING
At the Procession with Palms: Mt 21:1-11

When Jesus and the disciples drew near Jerusalem
and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tethered, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them here to me. And if anyone should say anything to you, reply, ‘The master has need of them.’ Then he will send them at once.” This happened so that what had been spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled:
Say to daughter Zion, “Behold, your king comes to you,
meek and riding on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.” The disciples went and did as Jesus had ordered them. They brought the ass and the colt and laid their cloaks over them, and he sat upon them.
The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road,
while others cut branches from the trees and strewed them on the road. The crowds preceding him and those following kept crying out and saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.” And when he entered Jerusalem the whole city was shaken and asked, “Who is this?” And the crowds replied, “This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee.”

LENTEN APPEAL

This is the last weekend for the Lenten Appeal collection.

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

• Please be mindful of where you park your vehicles.
• Don’t park in front of the main entrance, making it difficult for the elderly and less-abled to get past.
• Don’t park in the driveway at the side of the hall.
• Don’t park in the designated disabled parking if you are able-bodied.
• THERE IS EXTRA PARKING UP NEAR THE PARISH OFFICE. PLEASE ASK ONE OF THE LEADERS TO OPEN THE MOTOR GATE

FAMILY VISIT AND BLESSING OF HOUSES

After Easter, the Priests will be doing home visits and blessing the houses. If you would like a home visit and your home blessed. Please put your name, a contact number, and a preferred date and time on the list on the porch.

WASHING OF THE FEET

We still need 6 more people to volunteer for their feet to be washed on Holy Thursday. Please put your name on the list on the porch.

CATECHISM CLASSES

@ RPP – closed and will resume again on 10 April 2026
@ St Jude Catechism classes will remain open.

EASTER TRIDUUM @ RPP only

• 02/04 Holy Thursday Lord’s Supper @19:00. Adoration until 21h00. No adoration during the day.
• 03/04 Good Friday:
  • @ 10:30 Way of the Cross
  • @ 14:45. Novena to Divine Mercy
  • @ 15:00 Passion of the Lord. Adoration until 21:00
• 04/04 Easter Saturday Vigil @ 20:00
• 05/04 Easter Sunday Mass at RPP @8:00 am
• Mass @St Jude 10:00 am
• 06/04 Easter Monday Mass at RPP @ 10:00
  
  NOTE: THERE IS EASTER SUNDAY MASS @ST JUDE.

THANK YOU

To Clover Leaf Candles for the new votive candle stand in front of Our Lady.

CHRISM MASS

Diocese of Dundee Wednesday 1 April 9 am Chathedral of the Holy Rosary, Dundee

RPP & St Jude parishioners are leading the singing at the Chrism Mass, so come and join us.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR MARCH

For disarmament and peace.

Let us pray that nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence

UPCOMING MEETINGS

21/03 Young Adults @ 18:30
22/03 Children’s Mass
22/03 Teenagers’ meeting after Mass
24/03 PFC meeting @ RPP

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, Sebenzile Molefe, Netta Liebenberg, Mthokozisi Mthembu, Avenel Aarons, Siva Naidoo, Francesca Poonsamy, Dolly Govender, Lorraine Schirge, Ingrid Denzin and Bernadette Govender.

HAPPY EASTER

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT – CYCLE A

INTRODUCTION

Today is already the fourth Sunday of Lent. There are only three weeks before the Great Easter Vigil, when some will be Baptised and we renew our Baptismal promises. During our Baptism we are anointed with oil, and our eyes are touched. To be anointed means to be sent. This is why Jesus is called the anointed one. We, too, were anointed and sent out when we were baptised, sent to do God’s will.

GOSPEL READING
GOSPEL – John 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38

As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth. He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes, and said to him, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” — which means Sent —. So he went and washed, and came back able to see. His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?” Some said, “It is, “but others said, “No, he just looks like him.” He said, “I am.” They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees. Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a Sabbath. So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.” So some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a sinful man do such signs?” And there was a division among them. So they said to the blind man again, “What do you have to say about him, since he opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.” They answered and said to him, “You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?” Then they threw him out. When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered and said, “Who is he, sir that I may believe in him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.” He said, “I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him.

LENTEN APPEAL

There will be a second collection for the duration of Lent. Lenten Appeal Envelopes are on the porch.

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

• Please be mindful of where you park your vehicles.
• Don’t park in front of the main entrance, making it difficult for the elderly and less-abled to get past.
• Don’t park in the driveway at the side of the hall.
• Don’t park in the designated disabled parking if you are able-bodied.
• THERE IS EXTRA PARKING UP NEAR THE PARISH OFFICE. PLEASE ASK ONE OF THE LEADERS TO OPEN THE MOTOR GATE

FAMILY VISIT AND BLESSING OF HOUSES

After Easter, the Priests will be doing home visits and blessing the houses. If you would like a home visit and your home blessed. Please put your name, a contact number, and a preferred date and time on the list on the porch.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Every Friday during lent
Times: St Jude 17:00 & RPP 18:00

List and dates for groups leading the prayers:

• 20/03 Proclaimers
• 27/03 Children of Mary

After the Stations of the Cross, there will be a Faith Formation Session at the RPP hall for 30 minutes

Topic for the Faith Formation Sessions

• 20/03 From the Ashes of Ash Wednesday to the glory of the resurrection.

WHY IS FATHER WEARING ROSE VESTMENTS THIS SUNDAY?

The fourth Sunday of Lent is sometimes called Laetare Sunday. Laetare is a Latin word that means “rejoice.” Traditionally, this Sunday has been a day of celebration within the austere period of Lent. The brightness of the rose is meant to “encourage” us to persevere unto the happiness of Easter.

PALM SUNDAY

• 28/03 Saturday @ 5:30 pm: Blessing of Palms in front of the Parish office and procession to the church (short path)
• 29/03 Sunday @8:30 am: Blessing of Palms followed by procession, which will start from Stevenson Road to Church, followed by Mass
• No Mass @ St Jude.

WASHING OF THE FEET

If you like to volunteer for your feet to be washed on Holy Thursday. Please put your name on the list on the porch.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR MARCH

For disarmament and peace.

Let us pray that nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence

UPCOMING MEETINGS

21/03 Young Adults @ 18:30
22/03 Children’s Mass
22/03 Teenagers’ meeting after Mass
24/03 PFC meeting @ RPP

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, Sebenzile Molefe, Netta Liebenberg, Mthokozisi Mthembu, Avenel Aarons, Siva Naidoo, Francesca Poonsamy, Dolly Govender and Lorraine Schirge

LAST CALL!

SOUTHERN CROSS MONTHLY CATHOLIC MAGAZINE

For subscriptions, contact the parish secretary.
R540 for 12 months (Mar 26 to Feb 27) payable upfront.

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT – CYCLE A

INTRODUCTION

We cannot live without water. In times of drought, our cattle and our crops die, our gardens wilt. We need rain, we need wells and foundations. We can think of God as a life-giving fountain. In our coming Easter celebration,s we come to this fountain of life. Some of us will be baptised during this Easter Vigil. Those of us who are already baptised will renew our baptismal promises.

GOSPEL READING
GOSPEL – John 4 : 5 – 42

Jesus came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there. Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well. It was about noon. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” His disciples had gone into the town to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, “How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” —For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.— Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink, ‘ you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you do not even have a bucket and the cistern is deep; where then can you get this living water?
Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this cistern and drank from it himself with his children and his flocks?” Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water. “I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain; but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.” Jesus said to her, “Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You people worship what you do not understand; we worship what we understand, because salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him. God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Christ; when he comes, he will tell us everything.” Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one who is speaking with you.” Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him. When the Samaritans came to him, they invited him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. Many more began to believe in him because of his word, and they said to the woman, “We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world.”

LENTEN APPEAL

There will be a second collection for the duration of Lent. Lenten Appeal Envelopes are on the porch.

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

• Please be mindful of where you park your vehicles.
• Don’t park in front of the main entrance, making it difficult for the elderly and less-abled to get past.
• Don’t park in the driveway at the side of the hall.
• Don’t park in the designated disabled parking if you are able-bodied.
• THERE IS EXTRA PARKING UP NEAR THE PARISH OFFICE. PLEASE ASK ONE OF THE LEADERS TO OPEN THE MOTOR GATE

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Every Friday during lent
Times: St Jude 17:00 & RPP 18:00

List and dates for groups leading the prayers:

• 13/03 Sacred Heart
• 20/03 Proclaimers
• 27/03 Children of Mary

After the Stations of the Cross, there will be a Faith Formation Session at the RPP hall for 30 minutes

NEXT WEEKEND

YEAR OF ST FRANCIS PARISH RETREAT

Led by a Franciscan priest
13 -15 March 2026

• 13/03 Fri
  • 18h00 Way of the Cross & introduction session
• 14/03 Sat
  • 14h30 to 16h00 Penitential Service, Divine Mercy Chaplet, & confession
  • 17:30 Retreat Mass & Homily
• 15/03 Sun
  • 08h00 Retreat Mass & Homily @ RPP
  • 10h00 Retreat Mass & homily @ St Jude

SOUTHERN CROSS MONTHLY CATHOLIC MAGAZINE

For subscriptions contact the parish secretary.
R540 for 12 months (Mar 26 to Feb 27) payable upfront.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR MARCH

For disarmament and peace.

Let us pray that nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence

UPCOMING MEETINGS

• 10/03 Executive meeting @ 18:30
• 19/03 Men of the Parish @18;30
• 21/03 Young Adults @ 18:30
• 22/03 Children’s Mass
• 22/03 Teenagers meeting after Mass

MEETINGS AT ST JUDE

• 08/03 St Jude exec meeting & AGM after Mass
• 15/03 St Jude Liturgy meeting after Mass.

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, Sebenzile Molefe, Netta Liebenberg, Mthokozisi Mthembu, Avenel Aarons, Siva Naidoo, Francesca Poonsamy, Dolly Govender and Lorraine Schirge.

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 READING
GOSPEL – Mathew 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, 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.”

LENTEN APPEAL

There will be a second collection for the duration of Lent. Lenten Appeal Envelopes are on the porch.

NGOME PILGRIMAGE

It will be on the weekend of the 20th-22nd of November 2026.
Cost of accommodation including supper the first night, three meals the next day & breakfast the last day R1150 per person.
If you would like to go, please contact the Parish Secretary to register and start paying.

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

• Please be mindful of where you park your vehicles.
• Don’t park in front of the main entrance, making it difficult for the elderly and less-abled to get past.
• Don’t park in the driveway at the side of the hall.
• Don’t park in the designated disabled parking if you are able-bodied.
• THERE IS EXTRA PARKING UP NEAR THE PARISH OFFICE. PLEASE ASK ONE OF THE LEADERS TO OPEN THE MOTOR GATE

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Every Friday during Lent
Times: St Jude 17:00 & RPP 18:00

List and dates for groups leading the prayers:
06/03 SSVP
13/03 Sacred Heart
20/03 Proclaimers
27/03 Children of Mary

After the Stations of the Cross, there will be a Faith Formation Session at the RPP hall for 30 minutes.

Topics for the Faith Formation Sessions:

• 06/03/2026 How to do Catholic fasting
• 13/03/2026  Year of St Francis Parish Retreat

YEAR OF ST FRANCIS PARISH RETREAT

Led by a Franciscan priest

• 13 -15 March 2026
• 13/03 Fri
  • 18h00 Way of the Cross & introduction session
• 14/03 Sat
  • 14h30 to 16h00 Penitential Service, Divine Mercy Chaplet, & confession
  • 17:30 Retreat Mass & Homily
• 15/03 Sun
  • 8h00 Retreat Mass & Homily @ RPP
  • 10h00 Retreat Mass & homily @ St Jude

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR FEBRUARY

For children with incurable diseases:

Let us pray that children suffering from incurable diseases and their families receive the necessary medical care and support, never losing strength and hope.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

• 07/03 Sat 8h00 First Saturday confession, Mass @ 9h00
• 07/03 Sat 10h00 Meeting Children of Mary @ RPP hall

MEETINGS AT ST JUDE

• 08/03 St Jude Exec & AGM after Mass
• 15/03 St Jude Liturgy meeting after Mass.

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, Sebenzile Molefe, Netta Liebenberg, Mthokozisi Mthembu, Avenel Aarons, Siva Naidoo, Francesca Poonsamy, Dolly Govender and Lorraine Schirge.