CCCCatholic ink inkinkinkL BAPTISM OF JESUSBaptism of the Lord Year A Divine Office: Week I 12 January 2020

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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SUNDAY MASSENTRANCE ANTIPHON:After the Lord was baptised, the heavens were opened, and the Spirit descended upon him like a dove, and the voice of the Father thundered: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.FIRST READING: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7.RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Psalm 29.RESPONSE:The Lord will bless his people with peace.1. Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly powers, ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; bow down before the Lord, majestic in holiness. ℟2. The voice of the Lord upon the waters, the Lord on the immensity of waters; the voice of the Lord full of power; the voice of the Lord full of splendour. ℟3. The God of glory thunders; in his temple they all cry, ‘Glory!’ The Lord sat enthroned above the fl ood; the Lord sits as king forever. ℟SECOND READING: Acts 10:34-38.GOSPEL ACCLAMATION:Alleluia, alleluia! The heavens opened and the Father’s voice was heard: ‘This is my beloved son, listen to him.’ Alleluia.GOSPEL: Matthew 3:13-17.COMMUNION ANTIPHON:Behold the One of whom John said: I have seen and testifi ed that this is the Son of God.

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THE Australian spiritual writer, Fr Michael Casey, a Cistercian, suggests that we might get some sense of the surprise occasioned

by the Baptism of Jesus if we were to imagine him joining the queue for Confession on a Saturday morning! Casey suggests that the theologians would try to haul him out of the queue; the priest in the confessional would surely say, “I need to go to Confession to you, not you to me!” But Casey suggests that Jesus would insist on going to Confession “to do all that righteousness demands”.

Of course we believe that Jesus was sinless but the impl icat ions of the Incarnation included the fact that Jesus was fully human as well as fully divine; that he shared in the sin of the world: the structural sin which blights all humanity; and that therefore he saw f i t to par ticipate in the purifying ritual of John the Baptist.

Jesus went down into the Jordan River on behalf of all humanity, as the ancient “Adam”. After his Baptism, he came up out of the Jordan as the “New Adam”, opening the door for all humanity to be redeemed.

The Baptism of Jesus had four consequences.“Suddenly the heavens opened”. This is a

symbolic way of saying that the path to heaven was cleared free of any obstacles or roadblocks. Jesus is now the Way to the Father.

“The Spirit of God descended like a dove…coming down on him”. Jesus, the Word made Flesh, who humbled himself and submitted to the

ritual purification, is now anointed in his humanity by the Holy Spirit.

“A voice spoke from heaven, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on him’”. The Father

expresses his delight in Jesus, his Son, and confirms him in his mission.

“ Then Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil”. Immediately af ter his Baptism Jesus is launched on his public m i n i s t r y b e g i n n i n g with the temptations in the wilderness and his subsequent return to Galilee to begin his preaching.

From that time on the total focus of Jesus was on his proclamation of the Kingdom of his Father, the formation of his disciples and a r r angement s to continue his ministry to all peoples in all t imes, whatever the cost.

His ministr y of proc-lamation of the Kingdom of justice, love and peace and his revelation of the plan of the Father would lead him to a f inal and definitive baptism: “There is a baptism I must still receive, and how great is my distress till it is over” (Luke 12:50). This f inal baptism was a baptism of blood on the Cross for the sins of the world.

This feast of the Baptism of the Lord invites us to look back to our baptism or at least to consider its role in our lives now, but also to look forward to the baptism we are still to receive in our pass-over to eternal life. Like Jesus we should not be reluctant to seek forgiveness. In Jesus we set our faces toward the fullness of life in God.

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

(KEY: SOLEMNITY; FEAST; Memorial; (Optional Memorial)B=Bishop; D=Doctor; Ab=Abbot

Mon 13 Jan (St Hilary, BD)1 Samuel 1:1-8; Psalm 116; Mark 1:14-20The Gospels offer no support for us if we fantasize about a sunlit, comfortable holiness that knows no problems. It is often through great pain and suffering that we grow, through grace, to holiness.

Sun 19 Jan 2ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMEIsaiah 49:3.5-6; Psalm 40; John 1:29-34Jesus says (to us) that in order to follow him we must drop everything we think is important in our lives, and he will show us what really counts. Lord, give us the courage to follow you.

Sat 18 Jan Liturgy of the Day1 Samuel 9:1-4.17-19; 10:1; Psalm 21; Mark 2:13-17When asked who he was, Pope Francis described him-self, in reality, as ‘a sinner'. It describes a humble man who lives his life in deep relationship with God, aware of God’s great mercy and forgiveness.

Fri 17 Jan St Anthony, Ab1 Samuel 8:4-7.10-22; Psalm 89; Mark 2:1-12In a day when people speak of life as a ‘rat race,' one who devotes a whole life to solitude and prayer – as St Anthony did – points to an essential of the Christian life in all ages.

Thu 16 Jan Liturgy of the Day 1 Samuel 4:1-11; Psalm 44; Mark 1:40-45Many people blame God when tragedy strikes them, especially at an untimely death or illness. Yet Jesus didn’t blame anyone for his suffering and death! Let us learn from his example and attitude.

Wed 15 Jan Liturgy of the Day1 Samuel 3:1-10.19-20; Psalm 40; Mark 1:29-39It is a good thing to look for Jesus when we are in need. He wants to hear from us. But wouldn’t it be better, at times, to seek out Jesus not because we want something, but because he is a friend.

Tue 14 Jan Liturgy of the Day1 Samuel 1:9-20; 1 Samuel 2:1.4-8; Mark 1:21-28When last were you astonished at Jesus’ teaching? You are invited today to listen closely and to take Jesus seriously, for there is more than enough in his teachings that will astound you.

The Baptism of Jesus

The Baptism of Jesus – 19th C Russian icon

This book on the principles and practices of prayer, meditation and contemplation is written both for the searchers and for those who have discovered the hidden treasure of the eternal kingdom.

Also available from Holy Redeemer Parish, Bergvliet

HOLY REDEEMER PARISH

Tel: 021 712 2210 or 712 1181

Parish Priest: Fr. Anthony Padua CSsR e-mail:parishpriest@holyredeemer.co.za Assistant Priest: Fr. Joseph Udoudo CSsR Secretary: Philippa Cecchini parish@holyredeemer.co.za www.holyredeemer.co.za - Naquita.hendricks@gmail.com

Weekly diary Saturday 11th to Sunday 12th Jan 2020

YEAR A Page. 75 Mass Intentions

11th Sat 6.00pm

Isabel Gorgulho - RIP

12th Sun 7.30am 9.00am 11.00am 6.00pm

BAPTISM OF THE LORD

Mortuary List Mark & Christiana Gilmer & Baby Thomas – Blessing Parishioners Sister Julia OP - RIP

13th Mon 8.30am Deceased Redemptorist - RIP

14th Tues 8.30am Redemptorist Priests & Brothers

15th Wed 8.30am Deon Willoughby – 50th Birthday

16th Thur 8.30am Leon Poleman – Birthday

17th Fri 8.30am Sister Lawrence OP – RIP

18th Sat 8.30am 6.00pm

Mandre – Healing & Conversion Isabel Gorgulho – RIP

19th Sun 7.30am 9.00am 11.00am 6.00pm

Parishioners Dale de Waal – RIP Mortuary List Benefactors of the Redemptorists

Confession times: Thursdays – 7.00pm before Novena Saturdays – 9.00am to 10.00am 5.00pm to 6.00pm Anette Milner is offering her services for family or individual counselling. Contact details: 083 710 0598

ALPHA 2020

All of us explore. We ask questions, we seek answers. Alpha is a series of interactive sessions that explores all the big questions of life with food, a talk and open discussion.

Explore life, faith, meaning and more, #tryAlpha.

Why don’t you join us on Wed, 22 Jan 2020 @ 7pm in the parish

centre?

For further details find an information brochure and registration form at the repository, contact Nathan Less at nathan.less@gmail.com or on 073 858 9589, check us out the Holy Redeemer website or chat to an Alpha Group member.

SNAP TO PAY HERE

Please pray for our sick: Helga Boyles, Pam Cable, Gloriana Cloete, Dulcie Da Silva, Wilf de Hahn, Matthew Ford, Caryn Gorton, Peter Hansen, Dale Heynes, Dawn Heynes, Russell Heynes, Kerry Heideman, Gerald Louw, Fr. Lunny, Dennis Michaels, Di Owens, Monty Pasqualie, Ernest Peskin, Sybil Robbins, Jean Rother, Marion Samuels, Anthony Scott, Elizabeth Scott, Jane September, Lionel September, Margie Wilhelm, Linda Moses, Keith Gomez, Meg Vincentini, Trevor de Beer, Carol-Ann Scholtz, Silvia Peters, Tracy van Wyk, Priscilla Hickey, Fr. Duncan Blackie, Morris Orgill, Dawn vd Horn, Dawn Forsdyke, Joy & George Hitchman, Jelena Kruzic, Lester Jones, Edith Fabing, Royston Bergman, Lisa Foley ,Eileen Toy, Jeremy & Brendan Basson, Lela Fernandes, Imelda Toerien, Marion Samuels and Mark Kotze.

PLEASE NOTE WE WILL CLEARING THE SICK LIST THIS MONTH.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE A NAME ON THE SICK LIST PLEASE LET

THERESA OR PHILIPPA KNOW -021 712 2210

UPCOMING MEETINGS.

JANUARY

TUESDAY 14 Music Ministry - 7.00pm BOARDROOM

WEDNESDAY 15 Alpha Meeting - 7.00pm BOARDROOM

SATURDAY 18 PPC - after 8.30am mass HALL

THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL COLLECTION FOR THE

CATECHETICS ON SATURDAY 25TH JAN. THIS IS TO HELP

WITH THE RUNNING COSTS.

6.15am Mass will resume on Monday 20 January 2020.

Care & Craft Group will resume on Tuesday 21st January.

The Special French Masses are held every second and fourth

Sunday at 2.00pm.

REPOSITORY Many thanks to the small team who so loyally assist with the Repository Sales after Masses on the weekend. Please could you let the office know whether you are still able to and comfortable in the slots you currently cover. At this time if there are any parishioners who are able to assist with the following slots: Saturday 6pm Sunday 7.30am, 9.00am and 11.00am? This would be very helpful and does not have to be every week. Please contact the office on the landline or email admin@holyredeemer.co.za to leave details. Available from the repository:

• Living faith for Jan – March - R25.00

• Upper Room Jan – Feb - R20.00

• Bible Diaries

• Liturgical Calendars

HALL BOOKINGS FOR 2020

THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO HAVE SUBMITTED THEIR BOOKINGS FOR 2020, can those who have not done so yet please send to Philippa as soon as possible.

KICK-OFF SUNDAY

Registration for Catechetics & Life Teen Confirmation will take place

after 11am mass on 19th January 2020 in the parish centre.

Life Teen. The first Life Night for 2020 will be on Sunday, 26th

January 2020. The Life Night will commence with Youth Mass at

18h00 and will be followed by the Life Night in the Parish Centre

until 20h45.

4th Year Confirmation: The first session for the 4th Years will be on

Thursday, 23rd January 2020 at 18h00. This session will be a

meeting for Candidates, Parents and Sponsors. Hereafter, 4th Year

Confirmation sessions will be on Thursdays at 18h15.

Enquiries: Aldina on 083 303 5149 or aldina@mweb.co.za

CATECHISM 2020: Dear parents, grandparents and guardians

Please bring your children and teens to the 11am Kickoff Sunday mass next Sunday

19 January and then register them afterwards for the 2020 catechism year.

Holy Redeemer offers the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) programme to

children from the age of 3. This methodology makes use of the Montessori teaching

principles to help children develop an informed and genuine relationship with God.

CGS responds to the child’s silent plea “Help me to draw close to God by myself”.

CGS also prepares them for the sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion,

which is a 4 year process, so children must be registered at the start of grade 1.

We, however, would prefer children to be registered at 3 years of age as who does

not want their child to develop a deep, lifelong relationship with God as soon as

possible.

This year we will be introducing Edge at Holy Redeemer. Edge is a youth ministry

programme for post First Holy Communion children in junior school and presents

Catholic teaching in a way that young people can understand. It provides a safe, fun

place for youth to find solid Catholic community, to get answers to their questions

about faith and to experience Jesus in a profound and personal way. Edge answers

the needs of this age group in a catechetical, fun and relevant way and provides a

foundation for youth to continue onto Life Teen. Edge will take place in the parish

hall every second Friday from 6pm till 8pm.

Life Teen is the Confirmation programme followed at Holy Redeemer and leads high

school teenagers into a deeper relationship with Jesus and His Church. It takes

place on Sunday evenings.

After successful completion of 3 years in the Life Teen programme, teenagers are

admitted to the fourth year where they complete their final preparation for the

Sacrament of Confirmation. They meet on Thursday evenings. The catechists at

Holy Redeemer look forward to a wonderful year getting to know your children, your

teens and you a little better as we share and grow our Faith together. We also ask

you to consider that just as we cannot expect a child to do well in school without the

active involvement of parents at home after school, so too, parents cannot expect

their children to grow in faith as they should without their concerted effort to

bring them to mass each week and to provide catechesis in the home.

May God bless you and your family, Aldina