Thought for the day: As Christmas approaches, we could ask ourselves: how can we prepare to celebrate the birthday of our Saviour? The proclamation of John the Baptist points to the preparation that really counts, conversion of heart and life. The deeper meaning of metanoia is a change of vision, a radically new outlook, in the light of the Gospel. God is our compassionate father, our Abba, who desires nothing less that our hearts, our whole selves. We are accepted and loved by him, while we are still sinners (Rom 5:8). Receiving his forgiving love means a revolution in values, beliefs and direction in life.
Prayer: Loving God, as we your children prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus our Saviour, help us to prepare our hearts too. May the coming birth of the Son of David encourage us to true repentance and genuine conversion of heart.
PAROCHIAL NOTICES
- THE SECOND COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND is towards the ADVENT APPEAL. A very big thank you for your contributions last weekend.
- LAST WEEKEND’S COLLECTIONS
Collections R 9 263, 80 Planned Giving R 9 060, 00 Southern Cross R 80, 00 Advent Appeal R 2 307, 30
- ADVENT FAITH SHARING – The Nazareth House Faith Sharing Group will meet during the Season of Advent for a period of three weeks. The first gathering was on Thursday 30th November at 10h00. For further information, please contact Greg Landman on 082 598 4095.
- IN THIS WEEK’S SOUTHERN CROSS – Our 4000 new readers at Mini World Youth Day; Fr Emil Blaser’s Fifty Years as a Priest; Meghan Markle’s Catholic School; Why South Africa’s Catholic History matters; Nthabi Maphisa: ‘What fries with that gossip?’
Don’t’s miss next week’s Bumper Christmas Issue
- 2018 LITURGICAL CALENDARS ARE ON SALE AT R20 EACH.
NEW HYMNBOOKS – As a matter of urgency the hymnbooks in the Cathedral need to be replaced. Since the hymnbooks are only printed in England the cost of a hymnal is about R140 each; which means we have to raise R42 000. Thus far we have raised R40 660. Donations towards this fundraising drive, please deposit the monies into the Cathedral Restoration Account with the reference HB followed by either your Planned Giving Number or Surname.
Here are the banking details: Name A/c St Mary’s Cathedral Restoration
Bank Standard Bank
Type A/c Current Account
Branch Nº 02 09 09
Account Nº 070 624 623
UPCOMING EVENTS OF IMPORTANCE
- ADVENT CAROL SERVICE IN THE CATHEDRAL on Sunday 10th December at 19h00. The Choir for the Advent Carol Service is from St Michael and All Angels Anglican Church in Observatory under the direction of Mr Deon Irish.
- PARISH FINANCE COUNCIL MEETING on Tuesday 12th December at 18h30
- THE ITALIAN CONSOLATE CHRISTMAS CONCERT at the Cathedral on Thursday 14th December at 18h00, followed by a reception afterwards in the Leslie Johnson Memorial Centre.
- THE ORDINATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD of Reverend Shaun Addinall on Friday 15th December 2017 at 19h00 in Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church, Lansdowne.
- You are invited to HIGH TEA in aid of funds for Nazareth House – Home for the Elderly and Disabled Children on Saturday 16th December 2017 from 14h00 until 16h00. Contact Nuhaah Solomon on 072 679 5568. Donation R100. Wendy Cheng is looking for donations of cake or savoury food items for the High Tea. Parishioners may contact either Wendy on 021 461 1635 or wendy@nazhousesa.com or Gail Bester on 072 591 8812 or gailgbester@gmail.com
- CHRISTMAS CONCERT AT THE CATHEDRAL – The Encore Chamber Choir will be in concert on Tuesday 19th December at 19h00. Tickets cost R50 per person and will be on sale at the door.
- ADVENT PENITENTIAL SERVICE on Thursday 21st December at 19h00. The venue of the penitential service is Nazareth House Chapel.
THE BANNS OF MARRIAGE
16th December at 14h00 Kirk Fortuin & Caroline Arendse
at 16h00 Glen Marie & Danielle le Roux
at 16h00 Thomas Brennan & Nina Dreyer
23rd December at 14h00 Lanston Foster & Uvathi Siripal
CHRISTMASTIDE 2017 TIMETABLE
Sunday 24th December 00h00 Midnight Mass at the Cathedral
00h00 Midnight Mass at Nazareth House Main Chapel
Monday 25th December 07h30 Holy Mass at Villa Maria Chapel
08h45 Holy Mass at Nazareth House Main Chapel
10h00 Holy Mass at the Cathedral
Saturday 30th December 18h00 Holy Mass at the Cathedral
Sunday 31st December 07h30 Holy Mass at Villa Maria Chapel
08h45 Holy Mass at Nazareth House Main Chapel
10h00 Holy Mass at the Cathedral
17h00 Holy Mass at the Cathedral
00h00 Holy Mass at the Cathedral
Monday 01st January 08h00 Holy Mass at Villa Maria
09h00 Holy Mass at Nazareth House Main Chapel
