Today, we are celebrating the 13th Sunday in ordinary time (Year C)

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

As it was announced last weekend, the parish of St. Thomas is launching a weekly time of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

It concerns EVERYONE in the community, adults, teenagers and children alike. As we believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, the time we spend near the Blessed Sacrament is pure gift, from Christ himself to us, but also from each one of us to Christ and to the community. It is like a family gathering around the One who makes unity among us. It is an expression of our COMMUNION in Christ.

We have to acknowledge that, at St. Thomas, we are not used to a time of adoration. Yet, throughout the Archdiocese of Johannesburg, many parishes are practicing it since a long time. In Victory Park, for example, the members of the community have “perpetual adoration”, whereby families – or individuals – commit themselves to stay with Christ for one hour during the week in the parish church, following a roster so that the Blessed Sacrament is never left alone.

PRACTICALLY – We are not yet there! We are proposing two times of adoration weekly, in order to accommodate the busy schedules of most of you: On Friday evening, from 7.30pm to 8.30pm (except first Friday where adoration will be at 6.15pm) or/and on Sunday morning, from 9.15am to 10.15am (except first Sunday which will have “Praise and Worship” instead of adoration).

In order to help you spend this “one hour with the Lord”, leaflets will be prepared and meditation will be led throughout the adoration, with times of silence. Children will be accommodated too.

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Parish Pastoral Council

In one of its last meetings, the PPC elected Avryl Murgan as Chairperson and Vicki Basson as Deputy Chairperson, Sheldon Reddiar and Tiffany Pillay as secretaries. It has also established 4 task groups to improve communication and effectiveness in our community. They are:
 1. Liturgy and spirituality, headed by Mandy
 2. Justice & Peace and SVDP, headed by Avryl
 3. Formation and Youth, headed by Vicki
 4. PFC, development, maintenance and fund raising, headed by Brian.

It is very important to understand that the task groups are not taking over the work of the leaders in place. Rather, they are there to liaise with the PPC and foster “conversation”.

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SECOND COLLECTION

This weekend for the Priests’ Education Fund.

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CANDIDATES TO CONFIRMATION

The Archbishop Buti Tlhagale is scheduled to confirm our Youth on Sunday the 26th September. Most of the candidates have been following catechism classes for 11 years and should be ready by now, both spiritually and intellectually, to take their place within the Community as “adults in the faith”. As classes continue, the candidates are invited to attend a “Life in the Spirit Seminar” on the weekend of the 23rd and 24th of July, as well as to have an interview of 20 minutes with Father and two members of the PPC. Both are actually requirements.

For the interview, the candidates are kindly requested to prepare 25 questions that have been released two weeks ago. The candidates who haven’t received the questionnaire yet can obtain it from their catechists or from Father.

Not all the questions have actually been treated in class, so that some research will be needed before the interview. We do not expect a thorough answer to each question, but the candidates should be able to deliver for each question a 3 minute learned answer.

No panic though... except if you have consistently neglected your catechism classes and Sunday masses throughout the years.

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MINISTRIES

Fr. Philippe is calling all the people involved in ministries to order and commitment. Your ministry should enjoy absolute priority in your weekly schedule. When, for extraordinary reason, you cannot honour your commitment, you are asked to notify your coordinator in time.

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FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH Ordinary Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 6.15pm followed by Mass at 7.3Opm. All are warmly invited to attend.

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WEDNESDAY EVENING MASS The Wed evening mass has lost a bit of its popularity. All people are encouraged to make an effort to attend this mid-week celebration.

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ALTAR SERVERS RECRUIT...

If you like to serve Jesus at the altar, then the Altar Servers Ministry is for you. Condition: You have received first communion and you are ready to commit yourself to a roster (check with your parents if they will support you). Soon, registration and formation will start.

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WANTED: Proclaimers

Anybody wanting to join the proclaimers ministry is invited to join formation on Sunday 10am for four weeks.

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Dedication

Please collect your dedication envelopes and if not yet done, fill up your dedication card.

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Altar Servers Roster
 Wed 30th: Janine, Bradley, Jacklyn
 Fri 2nd: Adrian, Sonam, Mitchell
 Sat 3rd: Tiffany, Steven, Sonam, Lincoln, Nicholas, Mitchell
 Sun 4th: Justin, Jacklyn, Bradley, Janine, Bongani, Jason

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Flower List
 Vathukattu & Aleyamma Joseph
 Dawn Jossie
 Denise Kandan
 Franrico & Barbara Keyser

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Mass Intentions
 Sat 26th: Lawrence & Donovan Joseph RIP
 Sun 27th: Palin Anamalay RIP
 Tue 29th: Vacant
 Wed 30th: Vacant