📢 Parish Notices
- The Second Collection this weekend is for PLANNED GIVING.
- BAPTISMS: The Interviews for the last Baptism of this year will be held on Tuesday 17 November between 5 & 7pm at the Presbytery. Baptisms will take place on Saturday 5 December.
UPCOMING PARISH EVENTS
- CONFIRMATIONS: Saturday 14 November ….. 5pm
- FIRST HOLY COMMUNION: Sunday 22 November …. 10am
Parish Census
Dear Parishioners, our parish census continues.
✝️ A Franciscan Jubilee Thanksgiving Mass
We cordially invite you celebrate with us the Capuchin Friars Minor and the whole Franciscan Family, in The Year of Saint Francis (10 January 2026 to 10 January 2027), marking the 800th anniversary of our patron’s death.
A FRANCISCAN JUBILEE THANKSGIVING MASS
Presided over by His Grace,
Archbishop Sithembela Sipuka
Friday, 13 November 2026
18h30
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Parow
Some refreshments available in the parish hall after Holy Mass.
Please note that Sunday, 15th November 2026, is also the 10th Anniversary of the World Day of the Poor.
In the spirit of the Poor man of Assisi, we kindly request your support celebrating this day, and making real our Archbishop’s motto ‘united and sent’.
We so kindly request that you bring to our Thanksgiving Mass ideally some prepared sandwiches or loafs of bread for distribution to the poor on Saturday, 14 November, in collaboration with the Society of the St Vincent de Paul (SSVP).
PAX ET BONUM
Why do Catholics pray for the dead?
Catholics pray for the dead because of our belief in the Communion of Saints and Purgatory. The core idea is that death does not break the bond between Christians:
1. PURGATORY
The Church teaches that most people die still needing purification before entering heaven. Purgatory is not a second chance or a second hell, but a state of final cleansing. Prayers, especially the Mass is often celebrated for souls of the deceased.
2. BIBLICAL AND EARLY ROOTS
- 2 Maccabees 12:44-46 describes Judas Macccabeus praying and making atonement for fallen soldiers.
- Matthew 12:32, 1 Corinthians 3:11-15, are read as implying purification after of death.
- Inscriptions in the Roman catacombs from the 2nd century ask for prayers for departed.
3. CHARITY AND COMMUNION
For Catholics, the Church is one body across heaven, earth and purgatory. Just as you would ask a friend to pray for you, you can pray for someone who has died, and saints in heaven can pray for you. It is an act of love.
This is why Masses, rosaries, novenas and indulgences are often offered for the repose of a soul. The belief that God in His infinite mercy hears these prayers and can apply the graces prayed for to the departed.
🕯️ Remembering Our Deceased Loved Ones
Traditionally during the month of November we remember and pray for our dear ones who have already returned home to God. Those who have gone before us are still part of our families and the Church – and we keep them in our hearts and minds.
The beginning of November marks this time: 1st November is the Feast of All Saints and the 2nd of November the Feast of All Souls.
The ways in which we will do this in our parish are as follows…
- There will be a list at the main entrance of the Church on which we can write ONLY the names of those who have passed away in the past year: 1st November 2025 to 31st October 2026, they will be remembered during the month of November.
- There are mortuary list envelopes available at the entrances to the Church, you are invited to place the names of deceased dear ones in the envelope together with your donation and place them in the collection bags. These names will be gathered and Masses will be offered for them every week as from January 2027, therefore, 52 Masses will be celebrated for them in 2027.
- On Monday the 2nd November 2026, a series of three consecutive commemorative Masses are allowed to be celebrated (granted by Pope Benedict XV in 1915), this will take place from 08:00.
“Requiem eternam dona eis Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis”
🕯️ Mass Intentions for the Week
Please notify the office by latest, before 10am on the Thursday before
