Parish of Our Lady of Fatima s5

Parish of Our Lady of Fatima 159 Northway, Durban North, 4051 E-Mail [email protected] Website: www.fatima.org.za Tel 0315635554 Fax 0315634684 Parish Priest: Rev Fr Desmond Nair Deacon: Rev Peter Venter Pastoral Assistants: Irene Helsdon and Anne Chatteris 12 January 2014 Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Year A

Missal References Page 75 (W174) Eucharistic Prayer No 2 Memorial Acclamation No 2 Next Sunday’s Scripture Page 313 (W724) Next Sunday Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Feasts of the Week Monday St Hilary, Bishop and Doctor Friday St Anthony, Abbot

Entrance Antiphon After the Lord was baptised, the heavens were opened, and the Spirit descended upon him like a dove, and the voice of the Father thundered: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Responsorial Psalm Psalm 29 The Lord will bless his people with peace. Give to the Lord, you heavenly powers, give to the Lord the glory of his name; bow down before the Lord, majestic in holiness The voice of the Lord upon the waters, the Lord on the immensity of waters; the voice fo the Lord full of power; the voice of the Lord full of splendour. The God of glory thunders; in his temple they all cry, ‘Glory!’ The Lord sat enthroned above the flood; the Lord sits as king forever.. The Lord will bless his people with peace Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia! The heavens opened and the Father’s voice was heard: ”This is my beloved Son, listen to him.” Alleluia! Communion Antiphon Behold the One of whom John said: I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God. This Week’s Diary Monday Mass 9.00am Tuesday Communion Service 6.30am Wednesday Men’s Prayer & Fellowship 5.00am – 6.00am Communion Service 6.00pm Thursday Rosary Team 9.30am Communion Service 6.00pm Choir Practice 7.00pm Friday Divine Office 6.15am Communion Service 6.30am Saturday Communion Service 8.00am Sunday Masses 7.00am; 9.00am & 5.45pm 7. Please pray for the Sick especially: Relatives:

Tris Tillard’s sister; Joy Lees’ Anne Appelgren’s husband sister & Nadine Paul’s mother & cousin; grandniece; May Dormehl’s aunt; Elsa Pearton’s son Michael, sister Warren Walker’s uncle; Charles daughter & brother-in-law; Peter & granddaughter; Zelda Byrne’s Sturgess’ cousin; George & Squires; Gladys Cole’s brother; daughter-in-law; Marjorie Mawbey’s Carol Urquhart’s mothers; Dolores Beardwell’s mother; nieces; Alma Osborn’s grandson; Anna Ancilla Donaldson’s parents; Maryse Bowman’s nieces; Esterhuizen’s mother; Nicole Linda Gorlei’s parents; Fr Charles & Lynn Govender’s son- Blackburn’s daughter; Irene Helsdon’s Egbert O’Dea; Jo James’ in-law; Louise Kin’s sister; niece; Peggy du Plessis’ daughter-in- nephew; Norlie McDonogh’s Renee Armstrong’s sisters; Mary law; Jean & Pauline Leclezio’s son & sister-in-law; Colin Melville’s Kidd’s granddaughter; Josiane & daughter-in-law; Brenda Ogle’s sister; Theresa Hoogewerf’s Marie-Claude Maujean’s granddaughter & sister; Margaret uncle; Gail Rossiter’s daughter; brother; Jessie Naidu’s brother; Beechey’s mother; Denise Irvine’s Lynne Tillard’s brother; Ugo Leanne Hoar’s mother;Nancy daughter; Candice Behrens’ Surian’s sister; Liz Newberry’s Chettiar’s mother; MG D’Ercole; grandfather; Maryse Wardell’s mother; husband; Mary Ann Salvage’s Jan Huiskamp’s mother; Annette Gill Yelland’s daughter-in-law; Josè brother; Roger & Eve Tostee’s Hoyer’s parents; Stuart Martins’ mother: Caron Martins’ father daughter; Michelle Lock’s father; McGregor; Debbie & sister; Lyn Alborough’s brother; Jabu Marescotti’s brother; Fr Macpherson’s sister; Graham Tottie Bremner’s father & nephew; Des’ nephew & brother; Pam Naude’s mother; Hana Toman’s John Bremner’s nephew. Brown father; Esme Hallot’s nieces. Parishioners: Lou Elliott; Sue & Des Bloom; Pat du Trevou; Judith de Marigny; Mary Kidd; Lynne Govender; Cathy Hogg; Isabel Akal; May Dormehl; Virgile Bonhomme; Caron Martins; Mick Armstrong; Sr. Catherina; Irene Gliddon; Stella Barber; Shân de Chalain; Simon Roger Brouard; Deryk Bayman; Luc Pous; Milly van Gogh; Webb; Anthea Jack; Gail Rossiter; Pam Farr; Patricia Melville; Hendrika Brock; Cameron Smith; Randolph Tryon; Olga Newby-Fraser; Pierette Lenferna; Stella Gomes; Jabu Marescotti; Jenny Ducray; Natalie Modari; Dorothy Warburton; Fr Des; John Evans; Sandra Clare Whatmore; Felicity Harrison; Leigh Went; Maryse Bowman; Daphne Teodosio; Joao Farinha. Gordon Urquhart. Rahmer. SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY Isaiah 49: 3. 5-6; 1 Corinthians 1:1-3; John 1:29-34

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE of the soul of the mother of Leanne Hoar. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace, AMEN. MINISTRY OF CARE We need more volunteers for this very special ministry in our parish. If you are interested and/or would like to volunteer please contact Deacon Peter Venter: 031 5635554 during office hours or 031 5638188 after hours, in order for us to assist. MASS INTENTIONS We encourage you in the traditional spiritual practice of requesting a Mass Intention on birthdays, anniversaries and especially anniversaries of death of family members and friends. You will notice from the Mass Intentions in this Bulletin that every parish Mass has an Intention. Some are Pro Populo Masses – these are Masses which the celebrant is obliged to celebrate for all the people. Some are Pro Deo Masses – these are Masses which the celebrant chooses to offer without accepting a stipend. To book your Mass Intentions please contact Theresa at the Parish Office. Please note that when your specific date is not available we will endeavour to allocate the nearest date possible. Stipends for Masses are R40,00 per Mass. COMMUNION FOR THE SICK AND HOUSEBOUND Every Sunday after the 9.00am Mass a dedicated team of Eucharistic Ministers take Holy Communion to all those who are sick and housebound in our parish. We would like to remind you that anybody who is unable to attend Holy Mass on Sunday because of illness is entitled to receive Holy Communion at home. We do ask, however, that wherever possible, you should contact the Parish Office by 4.00pm on a Friday so that the necessary arrangements can me made.

SOME GUIDELINES: DRESS FOR HOLY MASS We understand that in these summer months it gets hot and uncomfortable in church during Holy Mass and that everyone tries to dress as comfortably as possible. It is important to remember, however, that the church is a sacred place and that the entire action of the celebration of Holy Mass is itself sacred. We request, therefore, that everyone dresses in an appropriate manner and that your choice of dress is not a distraction to others during Mass. Ladies should have their shoulders and backs covered and should refrain from wearing tops or dresses with plunging necklines. Shorts should be of an reasonable length. T-shirts with slogans are not appropriate for Mass or any celebration in church. Together let us ensure and preserve the dignity and sacredness of the church and the celebration of Holy Mass.

CATECHISM 2014 We are currently in preparation for our Parish’s Catechetical Programme for 2014. The parish offers Instruction in our Catholic Faith for all those from Grade 1 to Grade 12. Given the vast range of activities that many children participate in, we offer for Grades 1 to 7 as many options of days and times as we can. As there will be only one Catechism class per grade for Grades 8 – 12 these options will not be available. As soon as the days, times and venues have been finalised these will be published and distributed so that parents can plan around other school- related activities. We do ask, however, that parents make instruction in our Catholic Faith a priority. This has not been the case during the past few years. Registration for Catechism 2014 will take place on Monday 27 January from 4.30pm to 6.00pm. ROSARY TEAM The Rosary Team will meet on Thursday 16 January at 9.30am in the Upper Hall. RCIA 2014 Re-commences Monday 20 January at 7.00pm in the Parish Hall.

YOUTH ACTIVITIES FOR 2014 Activities for all three Youth Groups in the parish will commence soon. Watch this space. A reminder that we have groups for Grades 4 to 6 (Y4K – Youth for Kids); Grades 7 to 11 (Y4Y – Youth for Youth) and for young adults – those in the Confirmation Class and those who have been Confirmed (Y2C – Young Confirmed Catholics). mThe Lenten Youth Camp will take place on the weekend 7 – 9 March

MINI CHURCH (CHILDREN’S CHURCH) Our parish offers an opportunity for all pre-schoolers and Grade Ones to experience the Introductory Rites and Liturgy of the Word for Sunday Mass in a specially adaped format for little children. Mini Church is held at the 9.00am Mass in the Upstairs Hall which is open from 8.45am. Please note that Junior Church for Grades 2 – 4 continues as usual from the beginning of the Liturgy of the Word and takes place in the Parish Hall. Both groups join us for the rest of Mass at the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist. WEDNESDAYS’ MEN Men of our Parish are invited to gather together with Christ over a cup of coffee for prayer, sharing and reflection, every Wednesday morning from 5.00am – 6.00am, in the Church Hall. Visitors (men) are most welcome. For further details please contact Dcn Peter Venter during office hours 8.30am – 4.30pm, Tel: 031 5635554 ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY The Fatima SVDP is desperately in need of regular monthly income for their ongoing projects – Ottawa, Wylie House, Missionaries of Charity and St Theresa’s Children’s Home – their currently monthly commitments being approx R20 000 per month. The monthly parish collection, income from sales of second hand goods at Golden Hours and a few debit orders leaves them with a shortfall every month when a donation of R100 per month from 50% of our parishioners would bring in the necessary monthly funds to meet their obligations! We encourage you to make the St Vincent de Paul Society your charity of choice by contributing to the collection for the poor on the First Sunday of every month or by depositing your contribution into their bank account: Bank First National Bank Branch Durban North Branch Code 220426 Account No 62033860786 Account Holder Society of Saint Vincent de Paul An 18A Tax Certificate for all annual/monthly donations or debit orders: exceeding R500 can be supplied on request. Any queries please email : [email protected] Golden Hours Sunday Market SVDP are collecting any second hand items such as toys, games, household utensils, costume jewellery, ornaments, CD’s, DVD’s, etc. in reasonable condition (damaged or broken items are not saleable). These items are to be sold and the proceeds raised will go towards feeding the poor and needy. Donations may be left at the Parish office from Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm. Contact: Josie Giannotti Tel: 031 563 1199 or Cell: 084 332 0690 if items need to be collected. Please note: Collection in the Durban North Area only. ARGUS CYCLE TOUR 2014 A team of cyclists from Emmanuel Cathedral, including Fr. Stephen Tully, and led by Patrick Wilson, will take part in the 109km Argus Cycle Tour in the Cape on 9 March 2014 as a sponsored ride for the Denis Hurley Centre. If you are already registered to ride in the race and would like to join our team, or if you would like to sponsor our team, or to look for sponsors for them – please contact Vanessia Wilson [email protected] Phone: 072 858 7261. Mass Intentions Sunday 12 January to 19 January 2014

Sunday 7.00am Pro Populo 9.00am Special Intention (Theresa Hoogewerf) 5.45pm Molly Beechey RIP (Beechey family) Monday 9.00am Henriette Hallot RIP(Maryse & Esme) Tuesday 6.30am Communion Service Wednesda 6.00pm Communion Service y Thursday 6.00pm Communion Service Friday 6.30am Communion Service Saturday 8.00am Communion Service Sunday 7.00am Pro Populo 9.00am Michael John Ferreira RIP (Michael Jacob & family) 5.45pm Holy Souls RIP (Sandra Teodosio)

Welcome New Parishioners Change of Address And/Or Phone Need dedication information New registration Registered but do not receive mail Moving out of parish Name Address City Code Phone E-Mail Place in the collection basket or hand to Minister of Hospitality Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Year A 12 January 2014 Commentary First Reading (Isaiah 42:1-4. 6-7) This is the first of Isaiah’s famous ‘Servant Songs’. It is chosen for today’s feast because of the parallels between v1 and the Gospel: as God takes delight in his chosen one, and endows him with his spirit, so the Father’s favour rests on his beloved Son, and the Spirit descends on him like a dove. The identity of Isaiah’s servant is very mysterious. There are limitations to the view that the servant personifies Israel, or is a known individual; it seems best to conclude that Isaiah had an ideal figure in mind. He would enjoy a unique closeness to the Lord; he would establish God’s order (‘true justice’) among the peoples, though in a gentle and compassionate manner; he would bring light and freedom to the oppressed. In a particularly striking phrase the servant is said to have been appointed ‘covenant of the people’. A covenant is an agreement made between two parties. An individual may mediate such an agreement, but how can an individual actually be the agreement? This can only properly be understood of the covenant between God and man, made in Jesus Christ. The language of theology speaks of the person of Christ uniting in itself the two natures, divine and human; the poetry of Isaiah speaks of a figure who is both uniquely close to God yet in total solidarity with mankind as he compassionately establishes justice on earth. Moses had mediated the covenant between God and Israel, but Jesus Christ, who is both God and man, actually is the covenant between God and all men. In this, as in all other respects, he fulfils the prophecy of Isaiah. Second Reading (Acts 10:34-38) Cornelius was a Roman centurion who ‘feared God’. His heart was with the Jewish faith, even though his gentile origin excluded him from formal membership of God’s people. His story is intimately bound up with Peter’s vision at Joppa, in which it was revealed to the apostle that physical descent was not a condition for salvation: ‘God does not have favourites.’ Anyone who acknowledges God’s supremacy (‘fears God’) is already qualified to be saved; all that is then necessary is for him to believe in Jesus Christ, and receive Baptism. This is exactly what happens in the case of Cornelius and his household. The feast of the Baptism of the Lord is a celebration of the universal nature of God’s saving outreach to the world. No matter what our natural birth, anyone may be born again of water and the Holy Spirit. Gospel (Mt .3: 13-17) Matthew, alone of the evangelists, records John’s reluctance to baptise Jesus. In the immediately preceding passage John had declared his inferiority to Jesus, who would bring a new baptism ‘in the Holy Spirit and fire’. Surely John needed Jesus’ baptism, not Jesus John’s? Furthermore, John baptised ‘for repentance’, but what need of repentance had Jesus? Jesus, however, insists that he receive John’s baptism, since ‘thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness’ (RSV). What does he mean? We note that Jesus does not ‘need’ baptism; it is ‘fitting’ that he receive it. ‘Righteousness’ means doing what is right, acting in accordance with God’s law. This is a quality which the scribes and Pharisees possess, but which in itself is insufficient and needs to be surpassed (5:20). Jesus is the one who does this, not by abolishing the law, but by ‘fulfilling’ it (5:17). In the Sermon on the Mount he invites his listeners to fulfil the law by living it in a new spirit of humility, generosity and love. Strictly speaking, there is no need for Jesus to be baptised, but he humbly submits himself to this ritual ‘to fulfil all righteousness’. Jesus associates John very closely with himself in this fulfilment: ‘thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.’ John stands for the old dispensation, Jesus brings the new, but again it is not a matter of abolishing the old, but of transforming it. To that end Jesus cooperates with John. By receiving John’s baptism Jesus actually raises Baptism to a new level; it moves beyond a mere ritual of repentance (though it remains that as well) and becomes the gateway to the grace which Jesus will bring by his death and resurrection. John’s baptism celebrated a certain righteousness; but the baptism which Jesus institutes celebrates the fullness of righteousness, a righteousness based on the perfect union with God which he embodies, This is the sacrament which we have received, and which makes us, like Jesus, beloved, favoured children of the Father.