Message from Father Shibu (Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales(MSFS))

Dear People of God, Greetings!

Every mission is born out of a profound conviction and desire to reach out, develop and serve. Servant of God, Fr. Peter Mary Mermier, the founder of the MSFS or known as the Fransalians had the same desire and vision. Even though his vision was to send his priests to Africa, he was given the responsibility by Rome to send priests to India. The dream of Fr. Mermier to have his priests working in Africa was eventually fulfilled when the Missionaries came to Africa from India and this opened up a new avenue for the MSFS to take root in and minister to the people in many African countries.

On the 22nd of July 1998, three priests from the North-East India Province of the MSFS were sent as pioneers to work in Namibia, and in 1999 the MSFS presence was extended to South Africa.  As the MSFS presence in Namibia and South Africa increased, it evolved into a Region in Southern Africa on the 28th of May 2003. Currently, 19 priests are working in South Africa and Namibia, spread out into six dioceses and 14 parishes. The MSFS Southern Africa has 7 seminarians under formation in Tanzania and Kenya.

The Fransalians had been working in Southern Africa for the last 25 years with great enthusiasm and profound happiness, all due to the welcoming approach of the parishioners, local bishops, religious and clergy and the generosity of the people who share with the msfs. They are indebted to many for their support and encouragement for the last 25 years. On the 24th of January, we celebrate the feast of St. Francis de Sales, the heavenly patron of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales. The missionaries of St. Francis De Sales are appealing to your generosity as they celebrate the feast day and mark the 400th death anniversary of St. Francis de Sales. Your prayers, support, contribution, and generosity will be of great assistance to the Fransalians in the formation of their future priests for Southern Africa, and the update and further study of the priests. The msfs also recently purchased a plot of land in Midrand to begin a Pastoral Centre, (Shalam Centre – Fransalian Institute for Catechesis and Renewal) to offer pastoral care to the Archdiocese of Pretoria and the other neighbouring dioceses. As they are busy developing the Centre and its infrastructure your generosity will go a long way in the materialization of this project.  

We will be having a second collection to support the Missionaries of St. Francis De sales in their Mission work next week Sunday 29th January 2023. Please be generous.

We wish and pray that you will be open to their request and journey together to build a better church and a better faith formation. Thank you and may God bless you and your dear ones. May St. Francis de Sales intercede for you. 

Normal Mass Time Table

Tuesday - Saturday: @ 8:00

1st Friday of the month: @18:30 

Sunday: @ 7:30 and @ 9:00

Sacrament of Reconciliation: 15 Minutes prior to Mass times on appointment

Parish Council 

New PPC will be anounced as soon as finalised 

Mass Intentions

Sun: 7:30  For the Church.

9:00 Thanking God for the life of Brandon Fon as he celebrates his first birthday.

Birthday wishes go to:  

Charlize Van der Colff 01/22,  Matiens Lourens 01/22,  Uzziah Liam Silvano 01/24,  Samkelo Kubehka 01/26,  Maria Reis 01/26, Adelaide Moeng 01/27,  Ronewa Matsila 01/28, Kiana Spinola 01/28

Readings and Readers/Proclaimers

3rd  Sunday  22 Jan 23 Cycle A (Green)

Reading 1    : Is. 9:1-4

Psalm           :Ps 27:1,4,13-14

Reading 2    :1 Cor. 1:10-13, 17

Gospel         : Mt. 4:12-23

7:30:   Tebogo Masenya/Lionete Spinola

9:00:   Letitia Morrison/ Fatima Chadinha

EMC: Eric Zingapeta (L)

Intercessional Prayers

3rd Sunday

Bless the bishops of our church; Archbishop Dabula Mpako and Bishop Masilo  Selemela. Help help them to fulfil the sacred office which Christ has given them. Lord, hear us.

R: Lord, graciously hear us

Help us to love the world you made, to overcome the evil that men do, to look at your creation and to say that it is good. Lord, hear us.

R:  Lord, graciously hear us

Give your love to children who are handicapped for life and may they find new pleasure in the things they learn to do. Lord, hear us.

R: Lord, graciously hear us

When we leave the church this morning, may our lives speak of Christ and his love for others. Lord, hear us.

R: Lord, graciously hear us.

Next Week

4th Sunday  29 Jan 23 Cycle A (Green)

Reading 1    : Zeph. 2:3;3:12-13

Psalm           :Ps 146:7-10

Reading 2    :1 Cor.1:26-31

Gospel         : Mt. 5:1-12

7:30:   Lionete Spinola /Marliese Lourens

9:00:   Yolande Newing/ Dominic Maumbi

EMC: Lorne Newing (R)

* CATECHISM:  Classes are starting today, the 22nd January 2023, after the 09:00 am. Mass. All children should be registered, and all families should fill out a form, to become members of our Parish.

All grade ones should supply a copy of baptism certificate. All children who are transferring from another Parish should furnish a transfer letter, from previous parish and copy of baptism certificate.

Important Dates:

·         Mandatory recollection day for catechists on Saturday, 4th February 2023 from 10:00 am to 13:00 pm.

·         Commissioning of catechists will be at Parish level, the date will be confirmed with Father Shibu.

Thank you to all parents for your cooperation

.

*        SECOND COLLECTION 29 January: Message from F. Shibu. Every mission is born out of a profound conviction and desire to reach out, develop and serve. Servant of God, Fr. Peter Mary Mermier, the founder of the MSFS or known as the Fransalians had the same desire and vision. Even though his vision was to send his priests to Africa his dream was fulfilled when the Missionaries came to Africa from India. The missionaries of St. Francis De Sales are appealing to your generosity, assistance in the formation of their future priests for Southern Africa, and the update and further study of the priests. The internet link to the full message is  bit.ly/3wfEQ6z.

*        ANNUAL RETREAT: Please take note of the annual Retreat and diarise it.

Starting Friday evening, the 24th March to Sunday, the 26th March, so that, we as a family, all, can be part of this important spiritual renewal.

*    PLANNED GIVING: All parishioners who are making use of envelopes, to contribute monthly, can find a envelope, marked with your name, at the entrance of the church.

*     PARISH BUDGET F0R 2023: Please find a copy of the budget for the next year, 2023, at the entrance of the church. Thank you every person who so generously help to keep our parish financially afloat and able to fulfil all our Deanery obligations.

* GROTTO & WALL OF REMEMBERANCE PROJECT 2022: The improvements to this area are almost complete and look amazing.  Please use an envelope, placed at the entrance of the Church, to make a contribution towards this project. We appreciate the continued contributions our parishioners make towards all special projects.

*        REPOSITORY/ROSARIES: Icons are available for purchase. Please ask Margaret or Lionete if you need anything new.

New Pastoral Plan Booklet now available at R20-00 as well as Joy of the Gospel Reflections for 2023 at R100 a copy. The Liturgical Calendar for 2023 is also available at R30-00 each.

•      SHARING IS CARING: We thank you for your generosity in reaching out to the less fortunate members of our parish. Please speak to Father Shibu or Margaret if you need help with food. We urge all parishioners to help by bringing any cleaning material, soap powder, laundry soap, tooth paste, soap, deodorant, shampoo next week. Thank you for your generosity.

*      FOR SAFETY REASONS ALL

PARISHIONERS SHOULD BE ON TIME.  The gates will be locked as soon as Mass starts and will only be opened once all parishioners have exited the church.  Please be vigilant.