📢 Parish Notices
- The SECOND COLLECTION this weekend is for PLANNED GIVING.
- The 2027 BENEDICT DASWA Bible Diaries are available in the Repository. They are on sale for R150 each.
CATECHISM WILL RESUME FOR TERM 4 as follows:
Faith Levels 5, 6, 7 & Bridge ….. on Wednesday 7th October.
Good Shepherd, Faith Levels 1, 2, 3 & 4 ….. on Friday 9th October.
Parish Census
Dear Parishioners, our parish will be conducting a Parish Census at all weekend Masses on:
26 & 27 September 2026 and 3 & 4 October 2026.
We kindly ask every family & individual members to complete the census form.
✝️ Celebrating the 800th Anniversary of the Transitus of St. Francis
Pope Leo XIV has declared this year to be a jubilee year, 2026 is the 800th anniversary of the Transitus of St. Francis i.e. the death of St. Francis.
In the Franciscan tradition, every year, in the evening of the 3rd of October (the night before the feast day) – we commemorate the moment St. Francis was called home to the Father. There is a special celebration and liturgy for this.
The word ‘transitus’ is a Latin word which means “crossing over” – the passage through death to eternal life. It is not a funeral, it’s a joyful vigil on the eve of the founder’s death.
“Let us begin, brothers, to serve the Lord God, for up until now we have done nothing”
The biographers of St. Francis tell us that near his death/transitus he called the brothers together and spoke these words.
It is interesting that Francis said this near to the end of his life – Francis was crossing over to the ‘other side’; in the life of Jesus, He too crossed over to the other side many times i.e. the other side of the lake – to the pagans and those who were not Jewish.
St. Francis did the same when he went to meet the Muslim armies and the Sultan in Damietta (Egypt), here he too went to the other side – to encounter those who were different to him.
The Feast of St. Francis therefore becomes an opportunity to ask ourselves:
What “other side” is God calling us to cross over to?
🙏 Central Deanery Rosary Week 2026
Takes place at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Matroosfontein.
Each evening will commence with Rosary at 6:30 pm and be followed by Holy Mass at 7pm.
Monday, 5 October 2026: Fr. Robert Bissell: Mary Always Points to Jesus Christ
Tuesday, 6 October 2026: Fr. Anstey Kay, OFM Cap: Mary the Mother of Mercy
Wednesday, 7 October 2026: Fr. David De Caires Freitas: Lord, Teach Us How to Pray
Thursday, 8 October 2026: Fr. Diego Arias: The Response of Mary to the Message of the Angel
Friday, 9 October 2026 … Youth Night: Fr. Lawrence Mota, CMM: Mary the Model of Discipleship and Discernment for Young People
Sunday, 11 October 2026: Fr. Alfredo Van Der Schyff: Mary, Mother of the Displaced
DEANERY ROSARY WALK – SUNDAY, 11 OCTOBER 2026
Gathering: Elsbury Park Sports Field, Matroosfontein …. 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
🤝 Hospitality Ministry
We are in the process of establishing a Hospitality Ministry to create a welcoming, reverent, safe and inclusive atmosphere, making all visitors and parishioners feel welcome.
If you feel called to assist in this ministry, please contact the parish office.
☕ Attention Seniors
PLEASE note that the Christmas High Tea will be held on Saturday 5th December.
Please book your table space at the office to avoid disappointment.
Limited seating – 0215911911.
🕯️ Mass Intentions for the Week
Please notify the office by latest, before 10am on the Thursday before.
Mass Stipends are R50
