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Reflections from Father Keith
Dear Friends in Christ
As we approach the Second Sunday of Lent, this is a good opportunity to place holy things in our homes that help raise our minds and hearts to God. Our world is full of so many images that lure our minds and hearts elsewhere. Here are a few symbols that will carry the ongoing meaning we give them, for us and for our families.
A Crucifix
Lent is a wonderful time to place a Crucifix in a central place in our homes. Even a child's drawing of Jesus' death could be a powerful reminder of God's love.
Water
A simple bowl of water, in a central place, can be transformed into an ongoing reminder of our journey to the font of baptism for the renewal of commitment and life in Christ. Pray over it; "Lord, may this water remind us of our baptism and be a blessing for our home, where our dying and rising in you is lived each day. Bless us, as we sign ourselves with it each day."
Sand
A bowl of sand can help us remember our journey. God led the people on their journey in the desert. Jesus himself re-enacted that journey to face his own temptations. The desert can be a place of retreat, where there is freedom from distractions. It can be a good place to be led and to face our temptations.
A Candle
Imagine praying over a candle together in our home, as we begin Lent. "Lord thank you for the gift of your Light in the midst of all darkness. Let this candle be a symbol of our faith in your presence among us." We can light this candle whenever we feel tempted away from the Light of Jesus; when we are experiencing tensions in our home, or when we need special graces. Imagine how powerful experiencing the lighting of the New Fire will be at the Easter Vigil.
Perhaps we have Baptismal candles that were given to us or our children at Baptism. Lent is a good time to bring them out and lay them near our central candle. We can remember the words that were spoken when we received this candle: "Receive the Light of Christ... Keep this flame burning brightly."
A Bible
The Word is so important for us during Lent. The prominent presence of a Bible in our home represents our desire for God's Word in our lives. Imagine the experience that could be ours if - when we feel a new inspiration or a softening of our heart, or just a sense of God's love - we pick up that Bible and simply, reverently kiss it.
A Symbol for Almsgiving
Many of us grew up with the mite box for the Bishops’ Lenten Appeal. Adults would have their six purple envelopes and children would have their mite boxes. When I was small, the mite box was a tin can. In recent years it has been made out of cardboard. This year we don’t have mite boxes and envelopes to distribute, so we need to make our own box for contributions to the poor around the world. The key is to give a focus to our sacrifices as a family - eating or living more simply during Lent - in a way that directly connects those sacrifices with the needs of others.
I encourage us all to use our creativity so that we can help families in need.
God bless, Fr Keith
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Prayer
Dear Father God,
Help me to make a true Lenten sacrifice.
Show me how to live each day according to Your will.
Help me to guard my tongue so that I will be able to pay attention to my words. Let my words uplift others and draw people closer to You.
Be in my eyes so that I will see the beauty of Your world and Your people. Help me not to be envious of what others have. Help me to look straight ahead as I follow Your call. Show me how to see people for who they are and not for my personal gain.
Be in my hands so that I can serve Your people generously through my daily tasks. Be in my legs so that I will have the energy to walk the miles with the people we love, run errands for the elderly and serve Your community.
Be in my heart so that I can serve Your people with love. Give me compassion for those who annoy me. Teach me to see Your face in our families, friends and all Your people.
We ask that You uplift all the people of The Parish of the Resurrection who have asked for Your help. Lay Your hands on: Barbara & Johnny Miranda, Brian Richardson, Christina Sequira, David van Heerden, Didi Tomsett, Gail Solomon, Gillian Green, Goodwill Ntamehlo, James Riley, Jean, Josphat Pasipanodya, Lesley-Anne & Caitlin Culhane, Marie Wichs, Meryl, Olivia Tanyanyiwa, Pierre Kedziersk, Shaun, Simon van Wyk, Tania Noach & her mother-in-law, Tony Powers, Tracy Damon, Virginia Piggot, Yvonne Mupenda and Yvette, Ian & Ryan.
We ask all this in Your precious name.
Amen
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Hope - the blessing of Consecrated Life
There was a recent article in the UK Guardian newspaper that compared the tone of secular Twitter chatter to the Twitter interactions of committed religious people across all faiths. The following quote from the article sums it up “Sister Theresa Aletheia Noble FSP, from Boston, has some advice we might all be well advised to take heed of: when posting, ask yourself: why? “I always try to ask myself,” she says, “‘Am I called to say this? Is it edifying?’”
The wisdom and self-knowledge that comes through in these words have one source – Charity (Love). This depth of Charity is developed by a deep Faith and a generous commitment to serve. In this time when we all need a new perspective, we would like to direct you to the stories of some of the religious communities that work so hard in our country and around the world, bringing Hope!
Holy Family Sisters of Bordeaux
- Founded in France in 1819 by Fr Pierre Bienvenu Noailles
- Established in South Africa in 1864
- Founded schools, education centres, hospitals (Charlotte Maxeke Hospital, Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre)
The Jesuit Institute produced a documentary on the history of the sisters in South Africa that will give you insight into their religious community.
Radio Veritas is broadcasting interviews with different religious orders every Tuesday evening at 19h00 – “Called to Serve”. You can find previous episodes you may have missed on their podcast list.
The Bryanston Vocations Committee hopes that these and other stories give you a moment to reflect and inspire your faith journey.
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The Garden is a Sacred Space
Live Lent devotions focus on meditation as an opportunity to listen to God. There is no better place for contemplative prayer and to be still, than in the parish garden, where you are in the presence of the saints of the parish and in close proximity to the Real Presence in the tabernacle.
Bryanston Catholic Church is a busy parish. During the day many people come and go, such as those who serve the poor, those who support the work of the parish and its online ministry, people attending morning mass and parishioners visiting Our Lady in the chapel. The hall is still being painted and there are ongoing cleaning and maintenance tasks for the premises and gardens.
But … peace descends at 3 o’clock and by half-past three, quiet reigns. The gracious old olive tree spreads its branches comfortingly over the garden space and the birds have a last drink and snack before settling down for the night. Recently, last light is as late as 7 o’clock.
The grounds are a safe space. There is 24-hour security and there are 7 widely spaced benches in and around the garden of remembrance. You might want to bring a cushion or prayer mat or comfortable folding chair to make yourself comfortable.
From the upper deck of the parkade, you can enjoy spectacular views of the sunset. You can identify landmarks that indicate the position of the Cathedral and the parishes of Florida, Martindale, Rosebank and Bez Valley. Over the horizon to the south-west is Regina Mundi parish. If you stay till dusk on Saturday 27 February, you can watch the full moon rise.
Rejoice in all the works of the Lord’s hands [Ps 92]
The white-rose circle is flourishing. The rose garden is laden with blooms. Cora, the Hadeda, lost both her eggs. Hopefully, she finds a more out-of-the-way place for her next nest. The gardens around the hall are being replanted and the cry-chapel garden will be next. We lost another bough of the olive tree in a storm. More olive crosses.
There is currently plenty of mondo grass, fairy crassula, spur air-cleaner – a type of plectranthus, agapanthus, white daisies, wild garlic, Frangipani cutting (not rooted) and small arum lilies for sharing. Call Judy 083-267-7070 or Dillie 079-093-5417 or drop in on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings if you would like to get some.
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Pensioners & Children's Support
Please accept our most sincere and heartfelt thanks for your incredible generosity last year. We managed to deliver 1000 generous Christmas Hampers to destitute and needy families through our network that includes the nuns in the Winterveldt and Krugersdorp, Orange Farm, Phiri in Soweto and surrounding areas, Protea South Squatter Camp, Kliptown Squatter Camp, Poortjie and Wolmaranstad.
In addition to the very many requests we get from families and individuals throughout the year, this year we continue to look after the following retirement homes on a regular basis:
- Jack Cotton
- Jordan House
- Badirammogo
This year started off with us still in lock-down and our country’s covid cases rising. This was cause for great concern for all of us. As time has moved on, jobs are slowly being filled again and things are settling into a rhythm.
Pick n Pay had Grocery Buckets at Christmas and in January 2021 a generous store manager sold his remaining stock to us at below half price. We were able to add a tin of baked beans, pilchards, a facecloth and soap to each bucket. They were used to assist 500 families who were feeling the pinch after Christmas. These buckets of love helped them get ready for ‘back to school’.
We currently need your help to create 'power packed’ bottles of wholesome dry food ingredients, which makes a satisfying and sustaining meal. Adding a few little extras to your trolley is easy and does not impact your grocery shop too much. We are in need of:
- Rice
- Lentils
- 4 in one soup mix
- Stock cubes
- Packets of soup
Please leave them at the church office with Gail.
These ingredients are measured and placed in a bottle. We then distribute them to the needy. The recipient boils it up and it becomes a tasty, delicious and healthy meal. If you have any coffee, mayonnaise (750g) or similar bottles please leave at the church for us, we are always in need of bottles.
Poverty is constantly with us and with the heavy rains this year we have had many requests for household items as many homes have been flooded or washed away. Basic essentials are desperately needed – kettles, pots & pans, crockery, utensils and two-plate stoves. We also need beds, bedding and clothing.
Your kindness and generosity are so needed and received with grateful thanks.
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Parish Care Group
This group was formed at the start of the pandemic to provide care and fellowship for the well-being of our Senior Parishioners. We connect weekly by phone calls or WhatsApp messages.
We would like to expand our team to reach out to more people. If you have a calling in your heart to help to connect to our parishioners, or if you are feeling isolated and would like someone to reach you.
Please contact Veronique 082-772-5056
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Baptisms
Two baptisms this week:
Kiyan, son of Manu and Pearly Thomas
Noah, son of Neilandren and Nerissa Naidu
Welcome to the church family
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In Memoriam
David Claven (11 May 1948 - 9 Feb 2021)
Colette Cauldwell (3 March 1933 - 9 Feb 2021)
Antoine Vonk (23 Jan 1934 - 25 Jan 2021)
Eva Vonk (6 Feb 1925 - 6 Jan 2021)
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Digital Snapshot
Click on Picture to Link
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Giving
This faith community is making a difference in the world. Our online and in-person ministries touch the lives of many thousand people.
It is through your generous donations that the Church of the Resurrection is able to offer a wide array of programmes and facilities. Thank you for your regular weekly donations; they make all the difference.
Since we are not collecting weekly donations in church, we are 100% reliant on the money that you give us via channels such as EFT or SnapScan. Every donation counts and is greatly appreciated.
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.
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