SUNDAY MASSENTRANCE ANTIPHON:Proclaim a joyful sound and let it be heard; proclaim to the ends of the earth; the Lord has freed his people, alleluia.FIRST READING: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17.RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Psalm 66.RESPONSE:Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.1. Cry out with joy to God, all the earth; O sing to the glory of his name. O render him glorious praise. Say to God, ‘How awesome your deeds!’ ℟2. ‘Before you all the earth shall bow down, shall sing to you, sing to your name!’ Come and see the works of God; awesome his deeds among the children of

men. ℟3. He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot. Let our joy, then, be in him; he rules forever by his might. ℟4. Come and hear, all who fear God; I will tell what he did for my soul. Blest be God, who did not reject my prayer, nor withhold from me his merciful love. ℟SECOND READING: 1 Peter 3:15-18.GOSPEL ACCLAMATION:Alleluia, alleluia! If a man loves me, he will keep my word, says the Lord, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him. Alleluia.GOSPEL: John 14:15-21.COMMUNION ANTIPHON:If you love me, keep my commandments, says the Lord, and I will ask the Father and he will send you another Paraclete, to abide with you for ever, alleluia.

CCCCatholic ink inkinkinkL Easter Light6th Sunday of Easter Year A Divine Office: Week II 21 May 2017

Copyright. Do not reproduce without permission. © Redemptorist Pastoral Publications, P O Box 341, Merrivale, 3291. Phone 087 808 2369. Fax 086 545 4381. Email: janet@rpp.org.za. Internet: www.rpp.org.za. Printed by Paarl Media.

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“Walk in the Light of the Lord”. Image by Martin Gommel

The Light of the SpiritWE KNOW that the visible presence

of Jesus comes to an end with his Ascension. But his promise to remain

with his disciples till the end of time is fulfilled in his presence through the Spirit. The Easter Light today shines on the way Jesus prepared his followers for his departure and for the coming of another counsellor, the Spirit of Truth.

The ques t ion of ‘ s ight ’ comes into focus aga in . Jesus makes an important distinction between ‘his disciples’ and ‘the world’. To the disciples he says: You will see me but he says that ‘ the world’ cannot rece i ve the Spir i t of Truth because it neither sees him nor knows him.

We have all learned to think of the Spirit in terms of ‘light’. Our traditional hymns associated with the Spirit joyfully use images of light to communicate something of the wonder of the Spirit of God: ‘Come, Holy Ghost, creator, come/ from thy bright heavenly throne’. All the words we use of God are inadequate and have to remain symbolic yet they evoke for us something of the awe and inf inity of God.

In a hymn attributed to Stephen Langton (Archbishop of Canterbury, died 1228) we sing: ‘Holy Spirit, Lord of Light,/ from the clear celestial height,/ thy pure beaming radiance give;/come, thou Father of the poor,/come with treasures

which endure;/ come thou Light of all that live!’. In the light of the Spirit we see the Scriptures as God’s Living Word; we discern the real presence of Christ in the Church, in the sacraments

and in one another. Without the light of the Spirit we would remain spir i tua l l y blind.

A contemporary hymn (by Damien L u n d y ) e n t i t l e d ‘The Spirit lives to set us f ree’ has a memorable chorus w h i ch i s w i d e l y known: ‘Walk in the light (x3), Walk in the Light of the Lord’. The last verse runs: ‘The Spirit lives in you and me,/ walk, walk in the l ight ./ His light will shine for all to see,/ walk, walk in the light. The suggestion in this hymn is that the light

of the Spirit will be so strong in us that others can walk by that light.

As we prepare to celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit this year, it is good to remember that the Spirit is at work all the time – in creation, in the mystery of redemption, in prayer: to those with eyes to see, the outpouring of the Spirit is without limit.

We touch this mystery in every good deed, in every Eucharist, in every sacrament. All is achieved through the power of the Spirit. Even our hymns are shot through with the Spirit. Perhaps from time to time in singing them we can catch a hint of the music of eternity?

Live the Word T H E W E E K A H E A D

(KEY: SOLEMNITY; FEAST; Memorial; (Optional Memorial)Colour = Liturgical colour of the day or feast)

Mon 22 May (St Rita of Cascia, Religious)Acts 16:11-15; Psalm 149; John 15:26–16:4The good news in today’s Gospel is that someone else has given us our destiny. We have not chosen it for ourselves. The One who has chosen and appointed us guarantees that we will be fruitful and blessed.

Sun 28 May ASCENSIONActs 1:1-11; Psalm 47; Matthew 28:16-20We should never kid ourselves that somehow visual evidence puts all doubt to rest. The disciples saw Jesus with their own eyes – yet they doubted! Faith and doubt often exist together.

Sat 27 May (St Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop)Acts 18:23-28; Psalm 47; John 16:23-28Jesus stunned the people of his day by professing to have a personal, unique and intimate relationship with the Father. But he stunned them even further by offering a participation in this personal relationship.

Fri 26 May St Philip Neri, PriestActs 18:9-18; Psalm 47; John 16:20-23In our aloneness, God finds us. In the dawning of a new day, God fills us with delight. Through Jesus’ passion we embrace the passion of our lives. May God stay close to us in the unfolding of our joys and sorrows.

Thu 25 May (St Gregory VII, Pope)Acts 18:1-8; Psalm 98; John 16:16-20God’s glory is self-giving love, the self less love of Jesus. The way to God is not by acquisition, not by building ourselves up, not by understanding, but by letting go. Faith alone unites us to God.

Wed 24 May Our Lady Help of ChristiansActs 17:15.22–18:1; Psalm 148; John 16:12-15Christ reveals to us a new understanding: that the holy comes in search of me; that I am pursued by God; that God is closer than we realize. St Augustine said that ‘God is closer to me than I am to myself ’.

Tue 23 May Liturgy of the DayActs 16:22-34; Psalm 138; John 16:5-11Jesus explains to his disciples that in his leaving God’s divine presence will be manifest in a new way. In moments of darkness or dryness in prayer, perhaps God will come to us in a new way.

HOLY REDEEMER PARISH

Parish Priest: Fr Gerard McCabe C.Ss.R � parishpriest@holyredeemer.co.za

Assistants: Fr Scott Davidson C.Ss.R and Fr Charles Mulenga C.Ss.R

20 / 21 MAY 2017 ~ SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER PAGE: 263 in New Sunday Missal. Year A. THEME: The Promise of the Spirit

WEEKEND SUNDAY MASS TIMES :

SATURDAY: 6.00pm

SUNDAY: 7.00am, 9.00am, 11.00am and 6.00pm

FRENCH MASS: SUNDAYS: 1.30pm

DAILY MASS TIMES:

MON to FRI: 6.15am (or Communion Service)

MON to SAT: 8.30am

MORNING PRAYER: MON to FRI at 8.00am

ROSARY: WEDNESDAY after 8.30am Mass

CONFESSION TIMES:

THURSDAY: 7.00 to 7.30pm

SATURDAY: 9.00 to 10.00am & 5.00 to 5.55pm

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT:

MONDAY to FRIDAY: 9.00am to 9.00pm

except THURSDAY: 9.00am to 7.30pm

NOVENA & BENEDICTION:

TO OUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP

THURSDAY: 7.30pm

NORMAL WORSHIP TIMES

CONTACTS

Bergvliet Road, Bergvliet, 7945

021 712-2210 or712-1181

021 712-4271

9.00am to 3.00pm Monday to Friday

parish@holyredeemer.co.za

www.holyredeemer.co.za

ricardo1duncan@gmail.com

Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Bergvliet

Catholic Counselling

Network Need somewhere to talk that is safe, where there is total confidentiality and where you will not be judged?

Contact one of our trained counsellors

Cynthia Wiese: 021 794-1601

Annette Milner: 021 715-8177

St. Vincent de Paul Society assists the areas poor.

If you need help / assistance / a visit contact the SVDP pres-ident on 083 450-5479. The matter will be dealt with in confidence.

WEEKLY DIARY MASS INTENTIONS

May 22 Mon Scripture circle 7.30pm Parish centre Alpha 7pm in boardroom

6.15am Philippe Souchon - Rip 8.30am Diandra Lombard & Shelley Reagan - Rip

May 23 Tues Care & craft after 8.30am Mass Edna Cottle room SVP 6.30 in Room 2 Charismatic Praise & Worship 7.45pm Room 1

6.15am Imelda Mather & Family - Special Intention 8.30am Betty Wreford - Rip

May 24 Wed Rosary after 8.30am Mass Life Teen 7pm in boardroom

6.15am Special Intention 8.30am David Kennedy for Conversion

and Healing from Addiction

May 25 Thurs Novena 7.30pm in the Church Badminton after Novena in Parish centre

6.15am Special Intention 8.30am Erica & Gillian Fish - Birthday

May 26 Fri 6.15am Redemptorists Priests & Brothers 8.30am Jade Dreyer - Birthday

May 27 Sat. Legion of Mary 9.15am Room 2 8.30am Joan Willmore - Rip 6.00pm Private Intention

May 28 Sun The Ascension of the Lord Theme: The Promise of the Spirit PAGE: 267 in New Sunday Missal. Year A

7.00am Parishioners 9.00am Gerald Jegels - Rip 11.00am Mortuary List 6.00pm Sister Elizabeth Towel - Rip

A WORD FROM YOUR PARISH PRIEST

It is good to be back with my Redemptorist community and with all the parishioners here at Holy Redeemer. So I would like to begin by taking this opportunity to greet each and every one of you. As you know, I was away for two weeks, attending an International Alpha Conference, and also took the opportunity to visit my family in Scotland, it was a great gift to see my sister, whom you know has been in poor health for the last couple of years. Despite her illness, she was in great spirits, and she asked me to thank all of you for your continual prayers for her. She feels a strong spiritual bond with all our parishion-ers at Holy Redeemer, and feels a great spiritual comfort in the knowledge that so many people are praying for her. Thank you all for taking her to your heart. I have always found parting with my family a painful experience, but this time was so much easier than usual, because, God willing, I will be going back to Scotland in 3 weeks’ time, for a month.

It was also a great personal joy for me to meet the new arrivals in the family since I was last at home 3 years ago. They are a bundle of joy; but I also realise how much work is involved in raising a young family. It makes me more than ever thankful that so many parents make the effort to bring their precious young children to Church, despite the fact that it is not always easy.

Regarding the International Alpha Conference, I have to say that it was a wonderful ex-perience for me. It was humbling to gather with 8,000 fellow Christians from all over the world, and to know that we are all called to share in our mutual love for Christ, and to do all that we can to make Our Most Holy Redeemer more loved and treasured throughout the world. Over the next few weeks I would like to share some of the highlights of the Conference with you, and to ponder how best, as a parish, we can become a community that manifests the love and mercy of God to one another, and to all those who most need to hear the Good News of the Gospel.

One of the things that brought great joy to me was in coming to a deeper understanding that, in terms of Christian discipleship, there is so much more that unites us than that which divides us. Indeed, if we were all to take our Christian faith seriously, then our faith itself will lead us to a deeper unity and love for all our fellow disciples.

I would like to briefly touch on two of the experiences of the Conference that touched me most. The first was a keynote address given by Cardinal Tagle from the Philippines. His modesty and humour, and his deep love for the poor and the suffering, was truly inspira-tional. It made me realise that here in our own parish of Holy Redeemer we are called to bear witness to our Love of God by real and humble service to those in our community who feel abandoned or are suffering from material or spiritual poverty. This is something that I believe we need to become much more aware of, so that our parish reflects more truly the redeeming love of God for all those who suffer in our midst.

A second highlight for me was a talk given by a Canadian priest, Fr James Mallon, who has written an important book, entitled Divine Renovation. In his book, he challenges all our Catholic parishes to move from simply maintaining what we already do, to an out-look where we all recognise that we are called to share in the Mission of Jesus, to bring others into the home of the Church. In the weeks and months ahead, I would like to take these ideas further, and to discern together what God may be calling us to, so that our parish becomes more and more a place where all can feel at home, and aware that we are always surrounded by the love and grace of God.

Fr Gerard, CSsR

100CLUB FUNDRAISER

The 100CLUB registration flyer is published below. We trust you will help to grow our number of contributors to 100. Please return your completed registration should you choose to be a part of this fundraiser for our special projects for Holy Redeemer Parish.

2nd COLLECTION This week: None

UNDER PRIVILEGED CHILDREN Chess sets not in use is needed. Contact: Vanessa: 021-7126787 or leave at parish office.

SCRIPTURE CIRCLE MEETING Monday 22 May at 7.30pm Venue - Parish Centre

ALPHA GROUP MEETING Monday 22 May 7.00pm

Venue - Boardroom

ASCENSION OF OUR LORD Sunday 28 May

BACON & EGG ROLLS Sunday 28 May After 9.00am Mass

Alpha Group initiative

FINANCE MEETING Monday 29 May 7.00pm

Venue - Boardroom

RUMMAGE SALE Friday 2 June 1.00pm

Venue - Parish Centre

DOUGHNUTS FOR SALE Sunday 4 June after 7 & 9am Masses

PPC MEETING Monday 5 June 7.30pm

Venue - Boardroom

READERS MEETING Tuesday 6 June 7.30pm

Venue - Boardroom

MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST MEETING

Saturday 10 June 9.30am

Venue - Edna Cottle room

REPOSITORY Available from the Repository

• Faith themed gift items and cards

• Revised - Celebration Hymnal for Everyone R120

1. Radio personality: How I got strength from God

2. Places where Our Lady has appeared

3. Movie star on his deep faith

4. How to engage with secular culture

5. Finding joy in noise and silence

THIS WEEK’S EDITORIAL: Advocates for the Church

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SMS “CATHOLIC” to 31222

Receive a daily reflection from the Redemptorist Community to your mobile phone. Support the Redemptorist Mission in South Africa.

ADORATION CHAPEL

The Adoration Chapel is open from Monday to Friday 9.00am to 9.00pm except on Thursday when the Chapel closes at 7.30pm

Please Note

There is an urgent need for someone to fill the following hours Monday: 2.00 to 3.00pm

Friday: 5.00 to 6.00pm

Warmest thanks to those who have recently joined the group and helped to keep Adora-tion constant throughout the daily 12hours.

If you are interested please contact Carol Cornell on 073 194 7295 or Theresa in the office

NOVENA TO OUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP

Thursday evening at 7.30pm

Place your special Prayer Intentions & Thanksgivings in the box at the back of the Church.

Also at www.holyredeemer.co.za

PLANNED GIVING 2017

SURNAME INITIALS

ADDRESS

POST CODE

MOBILE LANDLINE

E MAIL

FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF THE PARISH (GIFT TO GOD)

PRESENT PLEDGE NUMBER

DO YOU WISH TO JOIN OUR PLANNED GIVING?

YES NO

I / WE WILL TRY TO GIVE

R

PER MONTH

BY MONTHLY ENVELOPES

BY ELECTRONIC TRANSFER

PREFER TO SUPPORT THROUGH PLATE COLLECTION

(TICK APPROPRIATE BOX)

SIGNED ………………………………….…… DATE ……………………….……

COMPLETED FORM MUST BE EITHER:

♦ FAXED TO 021 712-4271,

♦ DROPPED OFF AT THE PARISH OFFICE (Mon to Friday 9am to 2.30pm)

♦ E MAILED TO: parish@holyredeemer.co.za

♦ PLACED IN THE PLATE COLLECTION AT MASS.

PLANNED GIVING REGISTRATION

The cycle for planned giving is from July to June annually. The Parish Secretary captures all personal details as well as your contributions, so planned giving is strictly confidential. Planned giving is vital for budget purposes. Your contributions allow us to project future planning re renovations/maintenance to the parish church/hall/etc. You may either contribute per envelope (a set will be handed to you) or per EFT. Envelopes will only be issued once you have completed your registration form. Envelopes will be ready for collection after each Mass at the weekend of 24th/25th June May we take this opportunity of thanking all parishioners for their continued support, whether you contribute per envelope, EFT or via the plate.

PRAY FOR OUR SICK

Sage Africa

Barbara Alexander Monica Arendse Fr Anderson Lily Ball Dylan Berry Jill Buser Gloriana Cloete

Alvin Cozett Magdalena Cozett Trevor de Beer Mr Doidge

Christian Engelbrecht Mary-Anne Esau

Desmond Fernandez Dawn Forsdyk Jose Santos Gomes Keith Gomez

Fred Harrison Kerry Heideman

Rita Hendricks

Sam Hendricks

Dale Heynes

Dawn Heynes

Russell Heynes

Jean Kennedy

Fr Lunney

Gerald Louw

Geraldine Malander Willi Malherbe

Brian McEvoy

Rosetta Orgill Monty Pasqualie

Patrick Perreira

Ernest Peskin Sylvia Peters

Albert Petersen Carris Pietersen Lindsey Pietersen

Elaine Roode Lionel September Dorothy Slayne Vera Steyn

Renelda Visser Jack Whitwam Margie Wilhelm Claude Woodward

Eileen(Fr Gerard sister)

PRAYER OF POPE FRANCIS AT FATIMA

Hail Holy Queen,

Blessed Virgin of Fatima,

Lady of Immaculate Heart,

our refuge and our way to God!

In this place, a hundred years ago

you made known to all the purposes of God’s mercy,

O Pilgrim Virgin, O Universal Queen!

In the depths of your being,

in your Immaculate Heart,

you keep the joys of men and women

as they journey to the Heavenly Homeland.

In the depths of your being,

in your Immaculate Heart,

you keep the sorrows of the human family,

as they mourn and weep in this valley of tears.

In the depths of your being,

in your Immaculate Heart,

adorn us with the radiance of the jewels of your crown

and make us pilgrims, even as you were a pilgrim.

With your virginal smile,

enliven the joy of Christ’s Church.

With your gaze of sweetness,

strengthen the hope of God’s children.

With your hands lifted in prayer to the Lord,

draw all people together into one human family.