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A message from Father Keith
Dear Friends in Christ
O God of justice and love,
bless us the people of Southern Africa.
These words come from the prayer for Peace in Southern Africa. We have used this prayer for many years now, but the need for justice and peace in our land is becoming more and more important. On Monday 1 November 2021, the Municipal Elections take place nationwide. It is a public holiday, so Mass will be celebrated at 9.00am in the church. Pop into the church before or after voting and pray for peaceful and just elections.
The Feast of All Saints falls on 1 November. In South Africa, All Saints is a Solemnity and is transferred to the first Sunday in November. This year, we will celebrate All Saints on Sunday 7 November 2021.
Tuesday, 2 November, is All Souls Day. The official name of this feast is: Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed. Fr Vincent will celebrate Mass at 8.00am in the morning. This is a day specially set apart that we may remember and pray for our dear ones who have gone to their eternal reward, and who are currently in a state of ongoing purification. From time immemorial, people of all religions have believed in the immortality of the soul, and have prayed for the dead.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC #1032) recommends prayer for the dead in conjunction with the offering of the Eucharistic Sacrifice. It also encourages “almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead.” Let us not forget to pray for our dear departed, have Masses offered for them, visit their graves, and make daily sacrifices for them.
PIOUS LISTS: During the month of November, Mass is celebrated each day for the repose of the souls of all whose names are on the altar list of the dead. These lists and envelopes are available in the church foyer. Please take one, fill in the names of your deceased family and friends and return to the Parish Office or place in the collection box in the church. If you are unable to get to the church, you are welcome to use the online Pious List. Just Click the button below.
In our parish we will have a special Mass for All Souls on Sunday 7 November at 11.30am. The families of all those who have passed away in the last 12 months have been invited to this Mass. This year in our parish alone, over 70 families have lost a loved one. We pray for the repose of their souls during the month of November.
Included in the newsletter is a financial report for our parish. These are tough times and I am grateful for all who have so generously enabled our parish to continue the mission of the church. Thank you to all who have supported our parish. Without you, we would not have survived.
On Friday evening Archbishop Buti Tlhagale, Archbishop of Johannesburg, will confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on 54 young people from our parish. Please pray for them.
I will be away from Saturday 30 October until Friday 5 November. A family from the parish kindly gave me a week of their timeshare in the Drakensburg. I am looking forward to this time in the mountains. Frs Thabo Mothiba omi and Russel Pollitt sj will celebrate the masses on Saturday evening and Sunday morning. Fr Vincent Pienaar will celebrate Mass on Monday and Tuesday next week. Please note that there will be Communion Services on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Please check the parish bulletin for details.
Stay safe and encourage the unvaccinated to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
God bless, Fr Keith
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2020 Financial Report
We have great pleasure in presenting our result for the 2020 financial year ended 31 December 2020.
Our income for the year under review decreased by 15.1% year on year. The decrease in our income was attributable to the decline in our weekly collections. The decrease in weekly collection stemmed from the fact that the Church was closed for the majority of the 2020 fiscal year due to the COVID-19 lock down regulations.
Our “other income” (i.e. donations, rental income from MTN and function income) increased by just over 14.3% year on year.
During the 2020 fiscal year, expenses decreased by 19%. The reduction was largely attributable to the reduction in our Parish running costs due to the church being closed, resulting in a decrease in our printing and publications costs as well as the reduction in our Parish function costs.
The saving savings realised from the reduction in our electricity and water consumption were largely neutralised by the increase incurred in our security, insurance, and maintenance costs.
Given the reduction in our incomes but coupled with the reduction of our costs we were fortunate to end the 2020 fiscal year with a small net surplus.
During the 2020 fiscal year, we undertook an extensive maintenance project on the premises of our Parish.
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The projects included the following:
- Additional Wall added to the Garden of Remembrance
- Significant repairs due to a blocked sewerage pipe under the parkade
- Remediation of the damp issues on the external wall
- Maintenance and upgrade to the Emmaus Hall
- Maintenance of the Catechetical Centre
- Waterproofing
- Upgrade to the air conditioning system in the church and parish office.
These projects were funded from a Loan from the Diocese.
The 2020 financial report is available at our Parish office should you wish to view the detailed report.
On behalf of Kr Keith and the Finance Committee we would like to thank you for your support during the 2020 fiscal year and look forward to your continued support for 2021.
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Prayer
Dear Father God
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Your love.
Blow Your spirit upon all young parishioners who are being confirmed or have recently made their first Holy Communions.
Help them to walk with firm steps upon the journey of life.
Kindle them with the power of knowledge and wisdom as they face the challenges of life. Surround them with supportive friends and family members.
Be their guide and confidant.
Father help us to support all your young people who face the challenges of life. Give us the wisdom to choose our words wisely.
Help us to love unconditionally.
Today we ask for a special blessing on the people of the Parish of the Resurrection who have asked for prayer: Angela Sangweni. Besay, Brian, Cheryl Strang, Chipo, Dale Wrightson, Didi Tomsett, Dolores Mashishi, Esmond Myhill, Ferdinanda Ferriera, Gail Solomon, Grant Scrutton, Hans & Marianne Keen, Jill Hunter, K Despard, Lettie Nda, Lindiwe Mabuza, Luzia Bento, Manfred, Marilyn, Mark & Myra Henman, Michelle Morgan, Lara & Pierre O'Driscoll, Nicola, Pierre Kedziersk, Rob Vallance, Tania, Velez & John Steven and Zara.
We ask all this in the blessed name of Jesus.
Amen.
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Divine Mercy Novena
“It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be released from their sins.”
(2 Maccabees 12:46)
To pray for the souls in purgatory, you are invited to join the:
ZOOM DIVINE MERCY NOVENA
11 – 19 November 2021 at 19h00
Click here to join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 846 2680 8510 Passcode: 586938
“I know that my Redeemer lives, and … after my awaking, he will set me close to him, and from my flesh I shall look on God.”
(Job 19:25-26)
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Second Caritas Day in SA
"The poor you will always have with you"
Mark 14:7
This is the theme for Pope Francis message.
Click here to read the Message from Pope Francis for the 5th World Day of the Poor 2021.
The 14 November marks the Second Caritas day in South Africa.
The Covid-19 pandemic and the recent unrest and looting has highlighted that we all need each other. We are not meant to be in isolation, this is not who God made us to be. We are all one, "One Body in Christ"
You are encourage to make 14 November a special, meaningful day where we come together in love. "Where Charity and love are, God is there"
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Christmas is coming
There are just 58 days to Christmas and as time draws near we have so many groups in our church working towards helping those less fortunate.
Thank you to all the people that are working so hard, please consider supporting them as much as possible with prayer, time or money.
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Save the Date
We are so excited to announce that once again our Parish Youth will be hosting Christmas Carols in the Parkade.
We gonna need volunteers... Please watch this space for more details.
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Retreats at the Jesuit Institute
There are 2 wonderful retreats coming up at St Ignatius House Auckland Park, Johannesburg.
9-11 November 2021 Healing your Soul Retreat
13-14 November 2021 Hildegard of Bingen Retreat
Please email retreats@jesuitinstitute.org.za for more information or to book
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Baptisms
This week we welcomed Daniella Govender, daughter of Kumeran and Alayne and
Liam Schreuder, son of Scott and Janine into our family.
Our last Baptism Preparation Course for the year begins on 10 November, please email us if you would like to know more.
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Confirmation
Please pray for the 54 candidates who will be confirmed in our church on Friday evening at 18h30. The service will be live-streamed on our YouTube Channel.
In the Sacrament of Confirmation, Archbishop Buti Tlhagale, along with the praying community and in the name of the Church, calls upon the Holy Spirit. The desires and gifts of the Holy Spirit have been with you since your Baptism. With the laying on of hands, and as you are anointed with the oil of chrism, the Holy Spirit will confirm what has been true for you, and what God is still doing in you.
We pray for God's acceptance and love, that you draw closer to Jesus each time you receive Communion and that you keep God central in your life in all your years to come.
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World Youth Day
The date has been set for the next World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal: 1-6 August 2023!
If you are between the ages 16-35 years old and are interested in attending WYD in Portugal, please sign up via the Google Form below.
If you have any questions, please email Dominique or to know more about WYD, please visit the official website.
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Digital Snapshot
Click on Picture to Link
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Giving
The Church of the Resurrection in Bryanston is a leading parish in the digital realm, taking the message of Christianity and the Catholic faith to Africa. Did you know that we've had guests join us online from countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Malawi and Zimbabwe?
As we grow our online church, the parish is becoming more than a physical place where we can worship our Lord. This means that we are seeking new ways to fund these great initiatives.
It is through your generous donations that the Church of the Resurrection is able to offer a wide array of programmes and facilities to an ever growing community of believers. Thank you for your regular weekly donations; they make all the difference.
If you're not signed up for dedicated giving but would like to continue to support the parish, you can make donations via snap scan or follow the link online.
Every donation counts and is greatly appreciated.
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