St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Sophiatown

Office ' 011673 5526 Fr Vic Kotze ' 011 726 7880 Rev Dick Augustus ' 011 673 5585

Information Links Parish Life

Mass times                                         Johannesburg Diocese                            Catechetics
Confessions                                      SACBC                                                  Liturgy
Baptisms, marriages, funerals             Holy See                                                Tea Group
Counselling Centre                            The Vatican                                            Hospitality Group
Sick Visiting                                      Catholic Online                                      Garden of Remembrance
Healing Service                                 Index of parishes                                      St Vincent de Paul Society
                                                                                                                       Choir
                                                                                                                       Readers
                                                                                                                        Ministers of the Eucharist

St Francis Xavier, Martindale, is part of the Southern Deanery in the ArchDiocese of Johannesburg

VISION STATEMENT

We proclaim and aspire by the power of the Holy Spirit to live the Good News of Jesus Christ, through promoting justice and love in a way that affirms all people and all of creation.

Justice gives meaning to love, and love gives meaning to justice.

· By justice we mean inclusiveness, respecting diversity, promoting the life of all people (especially the young), promoting the life of our planet and deepening awareness of injustice.

· By love we mean kindness, courtesy, hospitality, reconciliation, acceptance, affirmation, harmony and sensitivity.

By living out this vision, we build faith, peace and hope in our parish community and in the world.

Mass Times

Sunday Mass Weekday Mass

Confessions – Sacrament of Reconciliation

Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals

Baptisms
Attendance at 4 Pre-Baptism Discussion Sessions is required.

Marriages
Three months’ notice is required.
Preparation through a recognized pre-marriage course is also a requirement.
State whether a Nuptial Mass is required.

Funerals
Contact the office before setting a time at undertakers.
State whether a Requiem Mass is desired.

Bereavement Support

Bereavement Support is offered in the parish. Contact: Rev Dick Augustus: ' 084 606 5585

Catechetics

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: Thursdays 19h00

Children’s Liturgy

Every Sunday there is a separate Children’s Liturgy during the Liturgy of the Word. The children rejoin the congregation at the Preparation of the gifts.

Choirs

Decorations Committee

Flower Arrangers

Garden of Remembrance

Those wishing either to commemorate their loved ones or to have their ashes buried in the Garden of Remembrance, should contact the Parish Secretary.

Healing Service

Healing services take place twice a year. Contact the Parish office for details.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

HIV/AIDS Group

Liturgy

At St Francis Xavier, Sophiatown, we recognize the importance of liturgy in our family life. Our parish family, facilitated by the Liturgy Committee, works hard to incarnate sacramentally the sacred mysteries that underpin our desire to be a community serving humanity.

The liturgy on Saturday evening is quiet and reflective. On Sunday the liturgy is not only quiet and reflective, but also is accompanied by singing.

The Liturgy Group meets on the second Sunday of each month. All parishioners are welcome.

Ministers of the Eucharist

Parish Pastoral Council

Readers

Parishioners are encouraged to apply to be readers either on a Saturday evening or on a Sunday Morning.

RCIA

Candidates meet in preparation every Thursday evening for a period of 12 months.

Sick Visiting

Sophiatown Community Psychological Services

Individual, Couple, Children and Adolescents – Trauma and HIV/AIDS Counselling

St Vincent de Paul Society

Meet regularly every month when all problem cases are discussed and decisions are made in accordance with limited resources.

Food is bought, packaged and distributed on a monthly basis, usually on the second Wednesday of the month. Currently food parcels are given to 29 families.

SVDP remain faithful to the spirit of their founders, but have had to adapt to changing circumstances. It is no longer possible to venture out at night to visit the poor – it is unwise and unsafe to do so owing to the rampant and violent crime in our community. Help of any kind is most welcome. The most needed food products are: pilchards, corned beef, jam, condensed milk, sandwich spread, marmite.

The parish community joins for tea and coffee after the Sunday morning Mass. We see this very much as part of our celebration – an opportunity for us to meet with one another as fellow Christians. The Tea Group co-ordinates the schedule for parish families who take turns in making tea and coffee.

Youth

Our Parish family is currently in the process of setting up a special ministry, run by and focused on our youth.

If you would like to be part of this new initiative, please contact: Nicki Booysen: ' 073 233 9217, or Kevin Walter: ' 082 047 44512