SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH Parish Priest: Fr Lubabalo Mguda Tel: 041-360 1240 Assistant Priest: Fr Runaine Radine Kabega Park, Port Elizabeth Parish Office: 041-360 8240 Welcoming, inclusive, united family! NEW EMAIL: [email protected] Office Hours: 08h00 – 13h00 (weekdays)
Website: www.sacredheartkabega.co.za YEAR OF ST JOSEPH (8 December 2020 – 8 December 2021)
THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR B) – SUNDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD – 24 JANUARY 2021 The Third Sunday of Ordinary Time is the Sunday of the Word of God. Established by Pope Francis in 2019, this day is dedicated to the celebration, study and dissemination of the Word of God which forms an integral part of every liturgy. In the gospel for Holy Mass this Sunday, Jesus proclaims: Repent and believe in the Gospel. He then goes on to call the first set of disciples to follow him. For us to become authentic disciples, we must hear and heed this invitation to repent, believe and follow Jesus. Now, more than before, we have to rediscover the importance and value of Sacred Scripture for our lives as Christians and to pray daily with the Lord's Word. 'The Bible,' writes Pope Francis, is 'the book of the Lord’s people, who, in listening to it, move from dispersion and division towards unity.' This celebration, in the context of Sunday Mass, highlights the bond between the Table of the Word and the Table of the Eucharist. The Pope invites us to imitate Our Lady who listened to the word of God and kept it. Moved by the Holy Spirit, we will be able to renounce individualism and practice solidarity and works of mercy. Perhaps this extended lockdown provides the perfect opportunity for us to open our Bibles, read, and be touched by the Lord, whose word is a lamp for our feet. 'Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ' (St Jerome). Attached is a format for a “Celebration of the Word” prepared specially for our parish which families can use in the home to mark this day.
The feast of South Africa’s first martyr, Blessed Benedict Daswa, is on 1 February. He was a 43 year old teacher and family man from Limpopo who was murdered by a mob 31 years ago for refusing to participate in a witch-hunt since it contradicted his Catholic faith. Recognising his heroic virtues, Daswa was beatified by Pope Francis in 2015. Pray a novena for the cause of canonisation, and in preparation for the feast, starting on 23 January, available for download at www.benedictdaswa.org.za
Towards the end of last year, the State President announced, and since extended, the adjusted Level 3 of the nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of the virus following a dramatic rise in infections. During this time, religious gatherings have been suspended (with the exception of funerals limited to 50 persons). As with the previous lockdown, we encourage families and individuals to make time for prayer in the home. Please pray for all those infected with the virus and for families who are mourning the loss of loved ones who have succumbed to the virus. You are welcome to join the priests of the parish, via live- streaming, for Holy Mass and other devotions, at the following times (subject to load-shedding): Time Day Date Liturgical Day Readings Mass Intention 17h00 Saturday 23 Jan Third Sunday in OT (B) Jon 3:1-5, 10; Ps 25:4-9; Tania/Branco Prinsloo 8th W/A 08h00 Sunday 24 Jan Third Sunday in OT (B) 1 Cor 7:29-31; Beth Loftie-Eaton - RIP Mark 1:14-20 David Ghanser - RIP Monday 25 Jan Feast of the Conversion of St Paul Acts 22:3-16; Mk 16:15-18 18h00 Tuesday 26 Jan Memorial of Sts Timothy & Titus 2 Tim 1:1-8/Tit 1:1-5; Lk 10:1-9 Maloy Twins – 2nd Birthday Rosary Prayers 18h00 followed by Mass 08h30 Wednesday 27 Jan Liturgy of the Day (St Angela Merici) Heb 10:11-18; Mk 4:1-20 Warren/Antoinette Edwards 20th W/A 08h30 Thursday 28 Jan Memorial of St Thomas Aquinas Heb 10:19-25; Mk 4:21-25 Ramon Naidoo – 30th Birthday 08h30 Friday 29 Jan Liturgy of the Day Heb 10:32-39; Mk 4:26-34 Deceased SA Clergy (Covid-19) Saturday 30 Jan Saturday Memorial of Our Lady Heb 11: 1-2, 8-19; Mk 4:35-41
“Wednesdays with St Joseph” Catechetical Series: Wednesdays at 18h00. Holy Hour (Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament): Now on Thursdays at 18h00.
PARISH OFFICE: The office is open, as usual, on weekdays. Wearing of masks, sanitising, signing the register is compulsory for any visitors. RCIA: Adults who would like to join the Catholic faith or Catholics who would like to receive the sacraments of Confirmation/Holy Communion are invited to register for and join our RCIA programme before the end of January. Email the parish office for details. BAPTISMS: Due to the restrictions in place, Baptisms for children had to be deferred. To register for Baptism preparation, contact the Office. MARRIAGES: If you are planning to marry during the course of this year then you have to inform the Office as soon as possible. PLEDGE ENVELOPES 2021: Parishioners are encouraged to make use of electronic banking (EFT, etc) for their monthly contributions for the upkeep of the parish. Details are available on request. Alternatively, pledge envelopes are available for collection from the Parish Office. MASS INTENTIONS: Despite the lockdown, Mass is offered every day in our church, in private and via livestreaming, by our priests, on behalf of the church and for the world. You may request a Mass for your intentions for any day of the week, through the Parish Office, be it the on the occasion of your birthday, wedding anniversary, death/death anniversary of a loved one, in thanksgiving or for any special intention. SACRAMENT OF PENANCE AND RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION): by appointment only.
PRAYER CORNER: For the sick and housebound: Leigh Ah Shene, Patrick Altham, Sally Botha, Simone Bowyer, Pat Douglas, Patrick Dwyer, Butch Engelbrecht, Anthony and Mona Francis, Locksley Geldard, Shirleen Grobbelaar, Graham & Thora Hempel, Lydia Hendricks, Eden Kempthorne, Jocelyn Keun, Ann Lentz, Isobel Lloyd, George Low Ah Kee, Belinda Pearton, Leo Smithies, Joe & Thelma Trow, Elsa Wilson, Lisa Wong Fatt. SUNDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD 2021
SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH – PORT ELIZABETH A Celebration of the Word in the Home
The family gathers in the place dedicated to prayer, where the Bible is enthroned, to honour the Word of the Lord.
Opening Hymn: Oh the word of my Lord (by Damian Lundy)
Refrain: Oh the word of my Lord, I know that you are very young, deep within my being, But I will make you strong Oh the word of my Lord, - I’ll fill you with my word; You have filled my mind. And you will travel through the land, Fulfilling my command//which you have heard. Before I formed you in the womb I knew you through and through, And everywhere you are to go I chose you to be mine. My hand will follow you; Before you left your mother’s side You will not be alone. I called to you, In all the danger that you fear my child, You’ll find me very near, to be my sign. Your words my own.
Short Prayer of Invocation:
Lord Jesus, Word of the Father, touch our hearts through the Holy Spirit, as we gather to listen to your word!
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark (1:14-20):
After John had been arrested, Jesus said to them, Jesus came to Galilee “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” proclaiming the Gospel of God: Then they left their nets and followed him. “This is the time of fulfillment. He walked along a little farther The Kingdom of God is at hand. and saw James, the son of Zebedee, Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” and his brother John. As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, They too were in a boat mending their nets. he saw Simon and his brother Andrew Then he called them. casting their nets into the sea; So they left their father Zebedee in the boat they were fishermen. along with the hired men and followed him.
Reflection Questions:
(i) How important is the Word of God in my life...in the life of my family...as disciples of the Lord Jesus? (ii) What can I do to grow in my relationship with the Word of God and be transformed by it daily?
***Reflect in silence for a few moments... ***You may share some of your reflections with one another...
Response in Prayer:
+ Offer prayers and petitions for the church, especially your own parish family now separated due to the lockdown. + The whole world is in turmoil due to Covid-19, and other forms of distress: pray for healing in the world. + Remember families affected by the Pandemic, those who are sick & recovering, and those who mourn their dead. + Think about frontline workers, such as medical professionals, and pray for the protection. + Say a prayer for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. + Make your own needs and intentions known to the Lord. Give thanks!
Closing Prayers:
Our Father Hail Mary Glory be