🙏 Parish Notices
- St. Francis Society for the Poor: Kindly requests Peanut Butter, Jam, or 1kg Maize.
- ADORATION: Has re-opened. We have placed a roster in the Adoration Chapel and we encourage you to commit yourself to spending time with Jesus.
- CATECHISM: Has resumed.
- Wednesday group: Faith levels 5, 6, 7 and Bridge at 17:30 to 18:30
- Friday group: Good Shepherd Faith levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 at 17:00 to 18:00
🧓 Grandparents Day
Blessed are those who have not lost hope (cf. Sir 14:2)
Dear brothers and sisters,
The Jubilee we are now celebrating helps us to realize that hope is a constant source of joy, whatever our age. When that hope has also been tempered by fire over the course of a long life, it proves a source of deep happiness.
Sacred Scripture offers us many examples of men and women whom the Lord called late in life to play a part in his saving plan. We can think of Abraham and Sarah, who, advanced in years, found it hard to believe when God promised them a child. Their childlessness seemed to prevent them from any hope for the future.
Zechariah’s reaction to the news of John the Baptist’s birth was no different: “How can this be? I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years” (Lk 1:18). Old age, barrenness and physical decline apparently blocked any hope for life and fertility in these men and women.
The question that Nicodemus asked Jesus when the Master spoke to him of being “born again” also seems purely rhetorical: “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” (Jn 3:4). Yet whenever we think that things cannot change, the Lord surprises us with an act of saving power.
[Pope Leo XIV: 5th world day for grandparents and the elderly: 27 July 2025]
🍽️ International Food Fair Donation Drive
Please support the IFF Donation Drive.
The request this week is for: TINNED FOODS
(of any sort including Canned Fruit, Ideal Milk, Jelly, Custard Powder, etc. that can be used to make up Grocery Hampers.)
🛐 Cathedral Tour
Due to parking constraints, in and around the cathedral precincts, we have secured a bus to transport those who have secured their places for the tour. The bus will depart from the Church at 11am.
🕊️ Child Safeguarding Police (CSP) Feedback
We have received feedback from Mr. Michael Baker, the child safeguarding officer for the Archdiocese of Cape Town, pertaining to the CSP audit. Once again, he has commended our parish for the results which we have achieved (98%).
He said in his feedback:
“With a score of 98%, once again Immaculate Conception’s implementation of the CSP ministry is exemplary. Thank you for maintaining your appreciation of this ministry. Your result shows we are still ‘model parish’ for the diocese.”
We would like to extend a huge thanks to Gerard who is both PPC chairperson and CSP coordinator for our parish; he has done great work to keep our parish compliant. We also wish to thank all those in the ministry who have co-operated with keeping our children safe. We encourage everyone—parents, guardians and all who minister and attend our parish; who seek to foster and make our parish and its surrounds safe, to always take special care for our children.
🗳️ PPC Elections
The elections for a new Parish Pastoral Council is coming up in October.
The process is guided by the Archdiocese and the Parish Alive program. Information about the process will be shared on a weekly basis but is also available on the archdiocesan and parish websites.
We encourage you to think carefully of whom you wish to nominate to best serve you in making our parish vision a reality.
🕯️ Mass Intentions
Please notify the office by latest before 10am on Thursday.
Mass stipends are R50.
