🌸 …as ADVENT continues (Gaudete Sunday)
One of the candles surrounding the Christ Candle in the Advent wreath is rose-coloured for Gaudete Sunday, the beginning of the third week of Advent.
The day takes its name from the Latin word Gaudete (“Rejoice”), the first word of the Introit of today’s Mass:
“Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete… Dominus enim prope est.”
*“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice.
Let your forbearance be known to all, for the Lord is near at hand.
Have no anxiety about anything, but in all things, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
(Philippians 4:4–6; Psalm 85)
While Advent focuses on the coming of Jesus in three ways — His first coming, His presence among us now, and His final coming in glory — the readings for Gaudete Sunday emphasise Christian joy, rejoicing in the Lord, and the mission of John the Baptist, who prepares the way for Christ.
🙏 A Christmas Appeal
Dear brothers and sisters,
As the Advent Season draws us closer to Christmas, we prepare ourselves and our families to celebrate with joy the birth of the Saviour and to wish one another a Blessed and Happy Christmas.
However, we are mindful that some people will not be able to celebrate with joy or any form of festivity. We therefore earnestly appeal for donations of items that may bring some sense of celebration to those in need, such as:
- Sweets
- Chips
- Custard
- Jelly
Your help and support are greatly appreciated.
Thanking you in advance,
Fr Dominic
👋 Welcome
On behalf of Fr Dominic, Fr Kees, Rev. James, and all the parishioners, we extend a warm South African welcome to:
Fr Adrian Curran OFM Cap.
Fr Adrian arrived in Cape Town on Saturday and will be joining our Parow community for a while.
We wish him a pleasant and blessed stay with us.
📅 Christmas Liturgical Schedule
Parish Advent Confessions
Thursday, 18 December
⏰ 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
(Confessions during Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament)
Christmas & New Year Liturgies
Wednesday, 24 December – Christmas Eve
- No Morning Mass
- 7:00 pm – Carols
- 8:00 pm – Nativity of the Lord (Vigil Mass)
Thursday, 25 December – Christmas Day
- 8:00 am & 10:00 am
Friday, 26 December – St Stephen’s Day
- 9:00 am
- No evening Rosary & Mass
Wednesday, 31 December – New Year’s Eve
- No Morning Mass
- 6:00 pm – Mass of Thanksgiving
Thursday, 1 January 2026 – Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God
- 9:00 am
📢 Parish Notices
- Second Collection:
Every weekend during Advent (until 20 & 21 December) is for the Advent Appeal.
Blue and pink envelopes are available in the benches. - St Francis Society for the Poor:
Requests Peanut Butter, Jam, or Tea. - Eucharistic Adoration:
The Adoration Chapel is closed for the Holiday Break and will re-open mid-January.
⚱️ Mortuary List
Brown mortuary list envelopes are available in the benches.
Please include the names of loved ones who have gone home to God and place them, together with your contribution, in any of the collection bags.
The names received will be collated and placed on the Altar.
Beginning January 2026, a weekly Mass will be celebrated for those listed.
By the end of 2026, 52 Masses will have been offered for the intentions on the Mortuary List.
🕯️ Mass Intentions
Please notify the office before 10am on the Thursday before.
Mass stipends are R50.
