FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (30 NOVEMBER 2025)
1st Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5 Resp: Psalm 122:1-2.4-9 R/. We shall go rejoicing to the house of the Lord. 2nd Reading: Romans 13:11-14
Gospel Acclamation: Let us see, O Lord, your mercy, and grant us your salvation. Gospel: Matthew 24:37-44
| Saturday | 29/11 | 08h00 | Nazareth House | Fr Robert | All Souls in Purgatory |
| 17h00 | Cathedral | Fr Christian | Dennis – birthday blessings | ||
| Sunday | 30/11 | 07h30 | Villa Maria | Fr Robert | Annie Ngaya – RIP |
| 08h45 | Nazareth House | Fr Christian | Gerard de la Hogue RIP | ||
| 10h00 | Cathedral | Fr Robert | Missa pro Populo | ||
| 17h00 | Cathedral | Fr Christian | Bernard Nentwig – RIP | ||
| Monday | 01/12 | 07h00 | Villa Maria | Fr Christian | Christina and Eugene |
| 13h10 | Chancery Chapel | Fr Christian | |||
| Tuesday | 02/12 | 07h00 | Nazareth House | Fr Peter | Alex Ziegler – birthday |
| 13h10 | Chancery Chapel | Fr Robert | Michael Sperling – RIP | ||
| Wednesday | 03/12 | 07h00 | Villa Maria | Fr Robert | All Souls in Purgatory |
| 13h10 | Chancery Chapel | Fr Christian | Thanksgiving – Anniversary | ||
| Thursday | 04/12 | 07h00 | Nazareth House | Fr Christian | |
| 13h10 | Chancery Chapel | Fr Robert | Mortuary List | ||
| Friday | 05/12 | 07h00 | Villa Maria | Fr Christian | Mortuary List |
| 13h10 | Chancery Chapel | Fr Robert | Edith Sullivan – RIP | ||
| Saturday | 06/12 | 08h00 | Nazareth House | Fr Robert | Missa pro Populo |
| 17h00 | Cathedral | Fr Christian | |||
| Sunday | 07/12 | 07h30 | Villa Maria | Fr Christian | |
| 08h45 | Nazareth House | Fr Robert | Margaret Bishop – RIP | ||
| 10h00 | Cathedral | Fr Christian | |||
| 17h00 | Cathedral | Fr Robert | Alicia Perumal – Our Lady Comforter and of the Afflicted |
CONGRATULATIONS: We offer our heartfelt congratulations to Fr Christian as he celebrates the 30th anniversary of his Priestly Ordination on Wednesday, 3 December. We also extend our warmest wishes to Fr Pater on the occasion of his 23rd Anniversary of Ordination, which falls on Saturday, 29 November. May God continue to bless and guide them in their ministry.
MORTUARY LIST: We remind parishioners that the Mortuary List for 2026 will be closing this weekend. Envelopes are still available at the back of the churches for your convenience.
BAPTISM: We extend our congratulations to Reginald and Esnath Masango, his parents, and Godparents on the joyful occasion of Fidelis Atipaishe Masango’s Baptism at the 10h00 Mass this weekend.
ADVENT APPEAL: We kindly invite you to participate in the Advent Appeal, which begins this weekend and continues throughout the four Sundays of Advent as a second collection. Envelopes are provided at the entrance of the Churches for your convenience. Your generous contributions help fund the Centre for Pastoral Development and support parishes in need of assistance with maintenance. Thank you for your support.
SHONA MASS: The Zimbabwe Community will be celebrating Mass on Sunday, 07 December at 12h00.
CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES:
| Date | Notes | Time | Location | Presider(s) |
| 10 December | Penitential Service | 19h00 | Cathedral | 4 priests |
| 22 December | 9 Lessons and Carols | 19h00 | Cathedral | Cathedral Choir |
| 24 December | Christmas Eve | 18h00 | Nazareth House | Fr Christian |
| 24 December | Christmas Eve | 20h00 | Cathedral | Bp Sylvester |
| 25 December | Christmas Day | 07h30 | Villa Maria | Fr Robert |
| 25 December | Christmas Day | 08h45 | Nazareth House | Fr Christian |
| 25 December | Christmas Day | 10h00 | Cathedral | Fr Robert |
| 25 December | Christmas Day | NO | EVENING | MASS |
| 31 December | New Year’s Eve | 18h00 | Cathedral | Bp Sylvester |
| 01 January | New Year’s Day | NO | MASS | |
| From Christmas | Until Epiphany | Only one | mass in the Parish | As per public holiday |
ADVENT – FAITH SHARING GROUP: A small faith sharing group will meet at Nazareth House for the weeks of Advent to celebrate this important season. On Mondays, 01, 08 and 15 December from 10h00 to 11h30 at Nazareth House Parish Room. Please contact Greg Landman on 082 598 4095.
CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS MARKET: St Mary’s Cathedral invites you to its Christmas Market on Sunday, 7 December from 10h00 to 16h00, and Sunday, 14 December from 11h00 to 16h00 in the Parish Hall. Shop for festive gifts or book a vendor table (R250/day, limited spots). For details, please contact Thandi Bosman at thandibosman@gmail.com
SVP – NON-PERISHABLE DONATIONS: The SVP kindly requests parishioners to donate non-perishable food items and toiletries to support those in need this Christmas. Suggested donations include rice, canned goods, peanut butter, jam, and similar products. Your continued generosity is greatly appreciated.
THE SCHOENSTATT GIRLS YOUTH cordially invites girls aged 8–13 to a special Advent gathering, “Daughters of the King – Light the Way,” taking place on Saturday, 6 December at Schoenstatt, Constantia, from 10h00 to 15h00. Kindly bring R50, lunch, and an Indemnity Form. To register, please use the Google https://forms.gle/nxiNxGLxWVG1toqE7 or contact Sr. Ann-Marie schoenstattgirls@gmail.com
EUCHARISTIC PROCESSION (JUBILEE YEAR): You are invited to join all parishes in the Archdiocese of Cape Town for a special Eucharistic Procession marking the culmination of the Jubilee Year. This united act of prayer will be held on Sunday, 28 December at 14h00. For further details, please refer to the poster or use the link provided: https://bit.ly/Eucharistic_Procession. If you would like to participate, please contact the Office.
THE SHORTENED JUBILEE PRAYER: (On Screens)
Father in heaven, may the faith you have given us in your Son, Jesus Christ, our brother, and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your kingdom. May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven. May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth. To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever, Amen.
| We are always thankful to all those who contribute financially each week. Please prayerfully consider making a donation as it does benefit our parish in many important ways. You are also welcome to use SnapScan or the YOCO tap machines to make a donation. Banking details: Standard Bank Name: St Marys Cathedral Current Account Branch code: 020 909 Account number: 071 564 780 Swift Code: SBZAZAJJ |
| COMMUNAL ACT OF THANKSGIVINGO Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine! All praise and all thanksgiving, be every moment thine. (X3) |
