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) FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR B) – 31 JANUARY 2021 We continue our journey through Mark’s Gospel on this Fourth Sunday in Ordinary (Year B) as we reflect on the public ministry of Jesus, carried out with authority, in his teaching, the healing miracles and the deliverance he brings from unclean spirits – a timely message as the whole world is faced with pain and loss, sickness and death due to Covid-19. Jesus, heal us, we pray! The feast of South Africa’s first martyr, Blessed Benedict Daswa, is on Monday, 1 February. It is an important celebration in the life of the local church. February, then, is “Daswa Month”. Tshimangadzo Samuel Daswa, who assumed the name Benedict after his baptism, was a 43 year old teacher and family man from Limpopo when he 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. For more info, visit www.benedictdaswa.org.za. Blessed Benedict Daswa, pray for us! 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 and reading of the Scriptures 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 30 Jan Fourth Sunday in OT (B) Deuteronomy 18: 15-20; Gabriel Olivier (RIP) 08h00 Sunday 31 Jan Fourth Sunday in OT (B) Ps 95; 1 Corinthians 7:32-35; Val Titus – 60th Birthday Mark 1: 21-28 Johny Abrahams (RIP) Monday 1 Feb Memorial of Blessed Benedict Daswa Wis 2: 12-20; Jn 12: 24-26 18h00 Tuesday 2 Feb Presentation of the Lord - Candlemas Mal 3: 1-4; Ps 24: 7-10 Pious List (RIP) Rosary Prayers 18h00 followed by Mass Luke 2: 22-40 08h30 Wednesday 3 Feb Liturgy of the Day (St Blaise) Heb 12: 4-7, 11-15; Mk 6:1-6 Frank & Lizette Scholtz – 25th W/A 08h30 Thursday 4 Feb Liturgy of the Day Heb 12:18-19, 21-24; Mk 6:7-13 Lizette Scholtz - Birthday 08h30 Friday 5 Feb Memorial of St Agatha Heb 13: 1-8; Mk 6: 14-29 First Friday in honour of the Sacred Heart Memorial of St Paul Miki & Companions Heb 13:15-17, 20-21; Mk 6:30-34 First Saturday in honour of Our Lady Saturday 6 Feb “Wednesdays with St Joseph” Catechetical Series: Wednesdays at 18h00 – special invitation to all men of the parish to tune in. Holy Hour (Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament): Now on Thursdays at 18h00 – a time of quiet prayer towards the end of the week. 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. NB: The MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE at Sacred Heart Parish will begin in the middle of February. FROM THE REPOSITORY: There are still a few “Springs of Carmel” (Bible Diaries for 2021) available for purchase. PLEDGE ENVELOPES 2021: Parishioners are encouraged to make use of electronic banking (EFT, etc) for their monthly offerings for the upkeep of parish activities. Banking details available on request. Alternatively, pledge envelopes available for collection from 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. PRAYERS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND YEAR OF SAINT JOSEPH .