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St. Joseph's Church, Ratmalana, 4th Lane, Ratmalana (2026)

03/09/2026

Dear Parishioners,

First Friday, September 04th, 2026

04.30pm Eucharistic Adoration

05.30pm Divine Mercy Chaplet,
Infant Jesus Novena,
Eucharistic Celebration.

Liturgy Committee
St. Joseph's Church
Ratmalana.

03/09/2026

Praise the Lord!

Our meeting for the Youth and YCS children, 13 years and above will be held this Sunday, 6th September at Church.

Theme: Jesus, the center of my life
Time: 4.30pm to 6.00pm

Do encourage your children to join. God bless you!

31/08/2026

🕊️ BEING LATE IN SUNDAY MASS IS A MORTAL SIN 🕊️

"The Mass is the most perfect form of prayer." – St. Padre Pio

Many Catholics may not realize this, but being late for Sunday Mass—especially missing the opening parts of it—is a mortal sin. While being late for weekday Mass (Monday through Saturday) is not sinful because these are not obligatory days of worship, being late for Sunday Mass without a serious reason becomes a grave matter, because Sunday Mass is an obligation of divine law and Church precept.

📖 Why Is It a Mortal Sin?

The Third Commandment teaches us: "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" (Exodus 20:8). The Catholic Church obliges us to attend the full Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. If we intentionally skip or arrive very late without grave cause (like illness or emergency), we are not fulfilling this duty and are guilty of grave sin.

St. Alphonsus Liguori, Doctor of the Church, clearly stated:

"He who neglects Mass on a Sunday without serious reason commits a mortal sin."

The Liturgy of the Word—which includes the readings, Gospel, and homily—is not optional. Missing it is missing part of the Eucharistic celebration, which means you have not fulfilled your Sunday obligation.

⏰ When We Can Be on Time for the World, Why Not for God?

Let us reflect sincerely:

- We can wake up early for school and be in uniform before the bell.
- We can arrive hours before a flight, in fear of missing the plane.
- We can line up at dawn for embassy appointments and government offices.
- We even arrive early for weddings, movies, or concerts.

Then why do we come rushing in late for the most sacred and divine event of the week—the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass? Is God less important than a plane, a visa, or a movie?

St. Josemaría Escrivá warns:

"Don’t say: 'I’m late for Mass because I had so many things to do.' It’s like saying: 'I’m late for the wedding because I had to iron my tie.' It’s disrespectful and shows disordered priorities."

God gives us 168 hours a week and asks only one hour of worship, yet we show up halfway or distracted. That hour is not for Him alone—it’s for your soul.

🙏 Why Should We Arrive 15–30 Minutes Early?

Arriving early is a sign of love and devotion. It allows us to:

- Quiet our hearts from the noise of the world.
- Pray for the priest who will offer the Sacrifice.
- Offer intentions, prepare spiritually, and read the Scriptures.
- Examine our conscience and go to Confession, especially in Traditional Latin Mass communities that offer it before or during Mass.

St. John Chrysostom said:

"You cannot pray at home as you can at church, where there is a great multitude… and where something more is present: the union of minds, the accord of souls, the bond of charity, the prayers of the priests."

⚠️ Dangers of Receiving Communion While in Sin

The Holy Eucharist is Jesus Himself, and to receive Him while in a state of mortal sin is itself a mortal sin. If you habitually come late or skip Confession, you risk receiving unworthily.

St. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29:

"Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord… eats and drinks judgment on himself."

Make a good confession. Prepare with purity and reverence. Confession before Mass is a grace often ignored.

🕯️ Final Reflection

- If you’re late for no serious reason, examine your priorities.
- If you treat God as less important than worldly affairs, it is not love—it is offense.
- If you have developed a habit of arriving late, repent and resolve today to change.

"Blessed is that servant whom his master finds awake when he comes." – Luke 12:37

✝️ Let us give our best, not our leftovers, to God. Let us prepare like saints—with love, punctuality, and reverence—for the Lord who is present on the altar, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.

Be early for Mass ...

23/08/2026

OVERCOMING THE GATES OF HELL
August 23, 2026
Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:13–16

The symbolism associated with Caesarea Philippi is central to today’s Gospel. Located north of Jesus’ home base in Capernaum, it was a predominantly pagan city known for its shrines to false gods. One of the most prominent was Pan, after whom the region was named Panias (later Banias). Pan, a Greek god, was honored at a shrine near a large cave and spring considered the entrance to Hades. Pan was the god of nature, shepherds, flocks, wild places, fertility, and rustic music, and was often depicted as half man, half goat, with horns and hooves. He played the pan flute and was associated with lust, chaos, and sudden fear—from which we get the word panic.

Additionally, the city was the site of a temple dedicated to the late emperor, Caesar Augustus, who was worshiped as a god throughout the Roman Empire. It was into this spiritually dark pagan setting that Jesus led His disciples—on what may have been a two-day journey—for what culminated in a single, monumental question.

Jesus took the Twelve away from the comfort of their familiar fishing village and Jewish neighbors for a reason. He wanted them to answer His question not in the midst of the familiar and safe, but in a place marked by spiritual confusion and idolatry. Why? So that faith could be professed even there, and divine grace could confront the darkness that permeated the region.

At first, He asked who the people said He was. They answered, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” But then He posed the question that reached the heart of His mission: “But who do you say that I am?” This was a moment of divine testing—one which Simon passed with profound faith: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus’ extraordinary and consequential response has enduring significance to this day. He declared:

“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:17–19).

With these sacred words, Jesus founded His Church upon Peter, making him the first pope. In biblical tradition, a change of name signifies a new mission and identity. Simon, son of Jonah, was now to be called Peter—Petros in Greek and Cephas in Aramaic—meaning “rock.” Peter became the solid foundation upon which Christ’s Church would be built. No pagan power, false god, or earthly ruler would ever overcome what Christ established with divine authority.

Reflect today on the significance of the papacy. Even now, in the successor of Saint Peter, the words of Simon continue to echo throughout the world: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This is the pope’s first and most important duty—to bear witness to Christ, the Son of God. Despite the personal weaknesses of some popes and the saintliness of others, it is Jesus who established Peter and his successors as the visible foundation of the Church. Pray for the Holy Father, and trust in the timeless witness of every pope since that first moment in Caesarea Philippi—a witness upheld not by human strength, but by Christ’s own promise. To profess faith in the papacy is to profess faith in the One who instituted it and endowed it with His divine authority.

My Lord, You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God. With Simon, I profess this truth and place my faith in You, who established Simon, son of Jonah, as Peter—the rock and foundation of Your Church. I believe and profess that the gates of hell shall never prevail against the Church, not because of human strength or perfection, but because of Your eternal promise. I pray for our Holy Father, the Pope, and for all his successors. Make them true and faithful witnesses to the confession first spoken by Saint Peter. Jesus, I trust in You.

15/08/2026

Happy 830th Birthday, St. Anthony.

O Holy St. Anthony gentlest of Saints, your love for God and charity for His creatures, made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Encouraged by this thought, I implore you to obtain for me (request).

O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms. The gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Amen.

15/08/2026

SOLEMNITY ~ 𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐏𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐕𝐈𝐑𝐆𝐈𝐍 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐘
August 15

“It was fitting that she, who had kept her Virginity in childbirth, should keep her own body free from all corruption even after death. It was fitting that she, who had Carried the CREATOR as a Child at her breast, should dwell in the divine tabernacles… it was fitting that God’s Mother should possess what belongs to her Son, and that she should be honored by every creature as the Mother and the Handmaid of GOD.” – St. John Damascene

August 15 is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In 1950, Pope Pius XII defined this day as dogma of the church but, the Assumption has been celebrated, under a variety of names, since before 500 AD. As Christ’s mother and in keeping with the closeness she shared with her Son, it is appropriate that she be taken, body and soul, to heaven, just as her Son ascended to heaven after rising from the dead. Also, the Catechism and Genesis teach that one of the consequences of original sin is death; Mary, being conceived without sin, a pure vessel for our Lord, should not suffer the bodily corruption of the grave. Mary’s assumption gives us hope that we, too, will be called to share triumph over death at the end of time. (EWTN)

"The difference between Ascension and Assumption"

• Jesus ASCENDED to heaven by His own power.

• Mary was ASSUMED (taken) into heaven by God's power not by herself.

Prayer:
Almighty ever-living God,
who assumed the Immaculate Virgin Mary, the Mother of your Son,
body and soul into heavenly glory,
grant, we pray,
that, always attentive to the things that are above,
we may merit to be sharers of her glory.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.

O Queen Assumed into Heaven, pray for us! 🙏💙✨

14/08/2026

IS THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION A HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION?

Tomorrow, August 15, Catholics around the world will celebrate one of the greatest feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
But there is a question many Catholics ask:
"Is the Assumption a Holy Day of Obligation, or is it simply another Marian feast?"

The answer is important.

First, The Assumption Is Listed as a Holy Day of Obligation in Universal Canon Law.
The Catholic Church's Code of Canon Law specifically names the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary among the holy days of obligation.
Canon 1246 §1 lists Mary's Assumption alongside Christmas, the Epiphany, the Ascension, Corpus Christi, the Immaculate Conception, and other solemnities.
So, in the universal law of the Latin Church, the Assumption is indeed a holy day of obligation.

Second, What Does "Holy Day of Obligation" Actually Mean?
It means that Catholics are obliged to participate in Holy Mass on that day, just as they are obliged to participate in Mass on Sundays and other holy days of obligation.
Canon 1247 states that the faithful are bound to participate in Mass on Sundays and other holy days of obligation.
So this is not simply:
"Mary's feast is important, so Catholics are encouraged to attend Mass."
Where the obligation applies, Mass participation is an obligation.

Third, The Obligation Can Depend on the Country.
Here is where things become interesting.
The Church allows a national bishops' conference, with the prior approval of the Holy See, to suppress certain holy days of obligation or transfer them to a Sunday.
Therefore, Catholics should not assume that every holy day listed in universal canon law remains a day of obligation in exactly the same way in every country.
The local bishops' conference determines which days are actually obligatory for Catholics in that particular country, according to the Church's law.

Fourth, The Assumption Is Much More Than a "Day to Attend Mass".
The reason the Church gives such importance to August 15 is because the Assumption celebrates a profound mystery of faith:
Mary was assumed into heavenly glory, body and soul.
The Church teaches that Mary, at the completion of her earthly life, was taken into Heaven in the fullness of her human person.
Pope Pius XII solemnly defined this teaching as a dogma in 1950.
Mary's glorification is also a sign of hope for the Church.
She shows us the destiny toward which God's faithful people are called.

Fifth, If It Is a Holy Day of Obligation Where You Live, Treat It Like One.
If August 15 is observed as a holy day of obligation in your country, Catholics should not treat it as an ordinary Saturday.
Make plans to attend Mass.
Don't wait until the last minute.
Check your parish Mass schedule.
And remember that, according to Canon 1248 §1, the obligation can also be fulfilled by attending a Catholic Mass on the evening of the preceding day.

Finally, so, is the Feast of the Assumption a Holy Day of Obligation?
Yes, the Assumption is listed among the universal holy days of obligation in Canon 1246.
But the actual obligation in a particular country depends on whether that country's bishops' conference has modified the list with the approval of the Holy See.
And beyond the obligation, there is something even more beautiful:
The Assumption reminds us where our journey is ultimately leading.
Mary, assumed body and soul into heavenly glory, stands as a sign of Christian hope.
She points beyond this earthly life toward the glory Christ promises to His faithful people.
So tomorrow, don't simply think:
"I have to attend Mass."
Think:
"The Church is inviting me to celebrate the destiny God has prepared for His children."

In simple words, is the Assumption a Holy Day of Obligation in universal Catholic law?
Yes.
Does that automatically mean August 15 is a day of obligation in every country?
Not necessarily.
A bishops' conference can modify the holy days of obligation with the approval of the Holy See.
But wherever the obligation applies, Catholics are required to participate in Mass.
And tomorrow, as we celebrate Mary assumed into Heaven, remember:
She is not only our Mother.
She is also a sign of the glory to which Christ calls His faithful people.

Now you know.

SOURCES

Sacred Scripture (Catholic Translation):
Luke 1:46-55, 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, Revelation 12:1

Code of Canon Law, Canons 1246-1248

Catechism of the Catholic Church §§966, 974

Munificentissimus Deus, Pope Pius XII

Lumen Gentium §68

Marialis Cultus, Pope Paul VI

© Catholic Dailies
Be Prayerful. Be Inspired.

14/08/2026

DO’S AND DON’TS WHEN DISPOSING OF A SACRAMENTAL
How to Treat Blessed Religious Objects with the Reverence They Deserve

What should you do when a blessed rosary breaks, a crucifix becomes damaged, a religious medal is badly worn, or an old palm branch can no longer be kept?

Many Catholics know that blessed objects should not simply be treated like ordinary rubbish. But this can sometimes lead to another problem: confusion and superstition.

Some people believe every blessed object must be buried. Others believe everything must be burned. Some are even afraid that throwing away a damaged blessed object will somehow bring misfortune.

So, what does the Church actually expect?

The basic principle is beautifully simple:
Treat sacred objects with reverence, but do not treat them as magical objects.

The Church’s Code of Canon Law states that sacred objects designated for divine worship by dedication or blessing are to be treated reverently and not used for profane or inappropriate purposes.

Here are some important DO’S and DON’TS.

1. DO TREAT A BLESSED OBJECT WITH REVERENCE
If an object has been blessed and is designated for sacred use, don’t simply treat it as ordinary rubbish when it becomes damaged or unusable.

A blessed object is a sacramental, a sacred sign through which the Church seeks to dispose us toward God’s grace and sanctify aspects of Christian life.
So when it has reached the end of its useful life, its disposal should also be handled respectfully.

DON’T: Throw it casually into the bin without considering its sacred character.

2. DON’T THINK EVERYTHING MUST BE BURNED OR BURIED
This is one of the most common misconceptions.
You may have heard that “Catholics must always burn or bury blessed objects.”
That is too absolute.

There is no single disposal method that applies identically to every sacramental.
The appropriate method depends on the nature and material of the object, as well as legitimate local practice.

A blessed palm branch, a wooden crucifix, a metal medal, a rosary made with synthetic materials and a printed prayer card are obviously not the same thing.
So don’t turn a respectful custom into an absolute universal law.

3. DO USE A RESPECTFUL METHOD APPROPRIATE TO THE OBJECT
When a blessed object can no longer be used, the goal is to remove it from use without treating it disrespectfully.

For some natural or combustible materials, burning may be an appropriate traditional method.
For suitable objects or materials, respectful burial may also be appropriate.
Other objects may require a different solution.

And if the object is made from plastic, treated material, batteries, chemicals or anything that could create danger or environmental harm, do not simply burn it because someone told you that “everything blessed must be burned.”

Reverence does not require unsafe behaviour.

4. DO ASK YOUR PARISH WHEN YOU ARE UNSURE
This is especially important when dealing with something unusual.
Perhaps it is a large crucifix, a statue, an altar object, an old sacred image, a relic, or an object with historical or artistic value.

Don’t guess.
Take it to your parish priest or ask the appropriate diocesan authority.

This is also important because not every sacred object has the same status. The Church has particular norms concerning sacred images, relics and objects specifically dedicated to divine worship. For example, certain precious or highly venerated sacred images require special care before restoration or alteration.

When in doubt:
ASK BEFORE YOU DISPOSE.

5. DON’T TURN SACRAMENTALS INTO SUPERSTITION
This may be the most important “DON’T” of all.
A blessed medal does not protect you because the metal itself has magical power.
Holy water is not a magical substance.
A blessed palm is not a lucky charm.
A rosary does not become a supernatural object that must be feared if it breaks.

The Church teaches that sacramentals are sacred signs which dispose us to receive grace and cooperate with it; they do not confer grace in the same manner as the Sacraments.

So if your rosary breaks, don’t panic.
Pray.

If a blessed medal becomes damaged, don’t become superstitious.
Respectfully replace or dispose of it.

The blessing points us toward God, not toward the object as though the object possessed divine power of its own.

6. DO REMEMBER WHAT A SACRAMENTAL IS REALLY FOR
This is where the whole subject comes together.
A sacramental is meant to help sanctify our lives and direct our hearts toward God.
The Catechism explains that sacramentals sanctify various circumstances of Christian life and prepare the faithful to receive the grace of the Sacraments.

So the reverence we show to a blessed object is ultimately not about protecting the object.
It is about respecting what the object represents and points us toward.

When it can no longer serve that purpose, we dispose of it reverently and continue living the faith it was meant to encourage.

THE SIMPLE RULE TO REMEMBER
When a blessed object can no longer be used, ask three questions:
1. IS IT BLESSED OR SACRED?
If yes, don’t treat it casually.

2. WHAT IS IT MADE OF?
Choose a respectful and safe method appropriate to the material.

3. AM I CONFUSING REVERENCE WITH SUPERSTITION?
Respect the sacramental, but place your faith in God, not in the object.

And when you’re unsure:
ASK YOUR PRIEST.

REVERENCE ≠ SUPERSTITION
This is perhaps the most important lesson.
The Catholic Church teaches us to respect sacred things without treating them as magical things.
We reverence a blessed object because it has been set apart as a sacred sign and because it points our hearts toward God.

But our faith is never in the object itself.
The medal is not God.
The rosary is not God.
The holy water is not God.
The blessed palm is not God.
They are signs that help us remember, pray and live our faith.

And when one of these signs has reached the end of its useful life, we can let it go respectfully, peacefully and without fear.

REFLECTION
Perhaps the next time you find an old, broken or worn-out sacramental in your home, don’t simply ask:
“How do I get rid of this?”

Ask instead:
“How can I dispose of this respectfully?”

That small change in attitude captures the Catholic approach perfectly.
Reverence without superstition.
Faith without fear.
Respect for the sacred, with our hearts always directed toward God.

SOURCES
📜 Code of Canon Law, Can. 1171: sacred objects designated for divine worship by dedication or blessing are to be treated reverently and not used for profane or inappropriate purposes.

📖 Catechism of the Catholic Church, CCC 1667–1672: the nature, purpose and proper understanding of sacramentals.

📜 Code of Canon Law, Can. 1188–1190: norms concerning sacred images and relics.

Be Prayerful. Be Inspired.
©Catholic Dailies

10/08/2026

Dear Parishioners,
Please note the amended Holy Mass timings for Saturday, 15th August and Sunday, 16th August.

09/08/2026

ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH WELLBEING CENTRE
St. Joseph’s Church, Ratmalana is launching a Wellbeing Centre on Sunday, August 23, from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM, offering volunteer services from parishioner professionals.
Event Details
• Date: Sunday, August 23, 2026
• Time: 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
• Frequency: Every 4th Sunday of the month
• Location: St. Joseph’s Church, Ratmalana
• Services: Professional volunteer services as detailed in the flyer given below
Donations are also requested to maintain this centre for the benefit of our parishioners.

St. Joseph's Church, Ratmalana

03/09/2026

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