Newsletter from the Church of the Resurrection

Issue 53 Bryanston Catholic Church of the Resurrection 29 April 2021

CHURCH NEWS

A message from Father Keith

Jesus said, "I am the true vine and my Father is the vine grower.
He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit,
and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.”

These words come from the Gospel for Sunday when we celebrate the 5^th Sunday of Easter. If God has any "pruning" to do so that we can become more fruitful disciples of Jesus, it can happen when we are attentive to the Word at our Eucharist. What we hear may help us realize how often we have missed or ignored God’s gracious outreach to us. Having heard that Word will keep us connected to Jesus the Vine and give us renewed energy and desire to bear fruit as his disciples.

We receive the Word of God when we attend Mass, or watch the celebration of Mass on our YouTube channel, or listen to the podcast or pray with Scripture on our own. We can deepen our understanding of Scripture by joining our online Bible Study (please see our parish website for more details). Each day our parish app has the full text of the readings from the missal for that day.

At the moment we have plenty of space for those who wish to attend Mass in person. We take all the precautions necessary to make sure that you are safe when you come to Mass. Currently it is not necessary to book for mass. Please remember that if you have any symptoms of the covid-19 virus, please stay in isolation and seek medical help.

Saturday 1^st May is the Feast of St Joseph the Worker. It is also a public holiday – Workers Day – and Mass will be at 8.00am as usual. In the Year of St Joseph, this is another opportunity to receive a plenary indulgence. Attend Mass, go to Confession, pray for the intentions of the Pope, and do a corporal or spiritual work of mercy to receive a plenary indulgence.

On Sunday 2^nd May, we will have a special Mass at 11.30am for a group of youngsters to receive their First Holy Communion. They were unable to receive this beautiful Sacrament last year and finally we are able to rejoice with them as they receive Jesus.

On Friday 7^th May at 10am we will have our first Healing Mass for our senior parishioners since lockdown started. If you have not received a WhatsApp message from Veronique, please contact the parish office if you would like to attend.

Family Activities to Celebrate the Easter Season

Here are 15 more ideas for a family to sustain the “Easter spirit” of celebration all the way to Pentecost. But don’t try to do them all! Just pick a few ideas that seem right for you. You’ll be rejoicing long after the last easter egg has been eaten!

Talk about baptism. Tell stories of family members’ baptisms.
Plan a family outing to a river, lake, stream, or ocean.
Drape your crucifixes and crosses with a strip of white cloth.
Make biscuits and cupcakes in the shapes of Easter symbols. Freeze some to serve throughout the season.
Learn how other cultures celebrate Easter. Try out some of their customs and foods.
Use a special container for blessed water from church. Show your kids how to use holy water.
Listen to Handel’s Messiah and other Easter music.
Read about the Emmaus disciples (Luke 24:13-35); take a family walk.
What about a short trip to an interesting shrine or church?
Place a resurrection icon or picture in a place of honour.
Discuss what it means to be Christ’s “witnesses” (Luke 24:48)? Help each family member to see that their witness matters.
Wear more white, or even gold! They’re the season’s special colours.
If your family likes to sing and play instruments, have people over for a musical Easter celebration.
Read about the disciples’ amazing catch of fish (John 21:1-14). Then go fishing together.
Or imitate Peter, and go swimming (John 21:7).

May the joy of the Risen Lord be with you all.
God bless, Fr Keith

First Holy Communion

This weekend 31 of 66 children who were not able to receive their First Holy Communion last year will finally be celebrating this special Sacrament at 11:30 on Sunday 2 May.

We ask everyone to please remember to keep these children in your prayers. Due to COVID19 we have had to change the date for this Sacrament three times and the children have been put through their paces with online zoom lessons and missing their contact classes.

To the Children: Your preparation this past year and a half for this step in your spiritual relationship with Christ is very important. However, your journey is just beginning. What is important is that you grow in your understanding of the importance of your relationship with Jesus in His Catholic Church. After receiving the sacraments we encourage your family to continue to nurture the Catholic faith with regular practice of the sacraments.

A huge thank you to our catechists and parents for their tremendous service to the children in preparing them. For their cooperation in accommodating the constant changes in the schedules brought on by the virus.

Watch this newsletter and the website for photographs from these special ceremonies.

On 16 May the remaining children will get to celebrate their First Holy Communion.

Prayer

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid

John 14:27

Dear Father God

Bring us Your peace today in this fast-paced world.
Help us not to be pulled down by those around us.
Give us the strength to walk in Your peace.
Teach us to open our hearts to You so that we can share our troubles with You.
In Your peace we will find solace and understanding.

Today we ask that You grant peace and healing to the people of Parish of the Resurrection who have asked for your help, especially: Brian Richardson, Chipo, Chris Busschau, Clive Williams, Collette Drewes, Didi Tomsett, Estelle Jacquet, Erica Woxholt, Felix Finch, Gail Solomon, Gillian Green, Goodwill Ntamehlo, Inez Braford, Jean Broens, Julie, Lettie Nda, Luzia Bento, Manfred Sussmann, Marilyn, Mary-Anne Alho, Paula Britten, Penny Dercksen, Pierre Kedziersk, Quinton, Renatus Marol, Rose Kin, Simon van Wyk, Sister Notburga, Tania Noach, Tony Powers, Trevor Fenton, Wayne and Yvonne.

Lord, we ask your special blessing on the Children that are receiving communion for the first time,
We ask that you hold Adriana Fernandes, Bailey Janneker, Brennan Weldon, Cayden Peters, Edwin Soglo, Hannah Johnston, Isabella Gomes-Sebastiao, Jake Robinson, Jaidon Naidoo, Jasmine Johnston, Jose Luyo-Sanchez, Kaelyn Joseph, Katie Smith, Katleho Ntsasa, Kealan Weldon, Kenneth Acquah, Liam Duigan, Litha Mei, Luyanda Mpulo, Melokuhle Kirchhoffer, Mia Robinson, Oswald Soglo, Oto Akpan, Rebekah Keil, Rufaro Mzara, Sanaa Mutua, Sebastian Duigan, Tristan O’Connor, Tumelo Ntsasa,Ty van Heerden, Tyla Dorfling, Tyler Hornsbyin the palm of your hand, on Sunday and every day that they walk the Christian journey with you.

We ask this in Your blessed name
Amen

Request Prayer

PACS

Every weekend a PACS volunteer delivers parcels to the homeless in Randfontein. The first visit they are given food parcels, toiletries and a blanket. Then on the second visit they get clothes that fit them.

May God Bless you for making their lives a little brighter. It means so much to know that their is someone out there who cares.

Baptism

On 24 April we baptised two children:
Harrison, son of Spencer and Paula Samuel
Arianna, daughter of Mario and Chantel Constantinou

Welcome to our church.

In Memoriam

Richard Hugh Saunders (3 April 1936 - 22 April 2021)

Video Live Streaming

There was training for live streaming last Saturday and 8 interested people attended. The live streaming team currently has 8 very capable and trained enthusiasts but they would like to grow their team to 16.

If you are interested in learning more and becoming a part of this team, please contact us.

Digital Snapshot
Click on Picture to Link

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.