St Agnes Parish - Ibex Hill

21/05/2026

21/05/2026

🙏🏽🙏🏽

21/05/2026

Rest in the Lord 🙏🏽

21/05/2026

HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTER YEAR A

Readings of the Day

Acts Acts 22:30,23:6-11
Responsorial Psalm 16
John 17:20-26

Theme of the Reflection

Staying Strong with Jesus!

Introduction

Dear brothers and sisters, today we are getting closer to Pentecost. In our readings, we see two very different scenes: a loud, angry fight in the first reading, and a quiet, beautiful prayer from Jesus in the Gospel.

St. Paul shows us how to stay strong when people around us are arguing. At the same time, Jesus prays a special prayer for us. He asks that we may be united as one family in God's love.

From Our First Reading

If you look at the world today, it often feels like everyone is fighting. People argue about almost everything. St. Paul found himself in the middle of a big argument like this. Two groups of religious leaders, the Pharisees and the Sadducees, started shouting and fighting over what they believed. It got so violent that the Roman soldiers had to pull Paul away so he wouldn't get hurt.

It can be exhausting when the people around us—in our families, at work, or online—are always arguing. It is easy to feel alone or worried.

But look at what happened that night. The Bible tells us: "The following night the Lord stood by him and said, 'Take courage.'"

When the room was loud and scary, Jesus did not leave Paul alone. He stood right next to him. Jesus does the same for us. He does not wait for our lives to be perfectly quiet; He meets us right in the middle of our problems and says, "Take courage."

From Our Gospel Reading

Why can we be brave? Because of what Jesus does in today's Gospel.

Before Jesus went to the cross, He prayed for His disciples. But He also looked into the future and prayed for us. He said:

"I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one." (John 17:20-21)

Jesus knows that the world can be full of division. So, He prays that we will be deeply united in love, just like He is united with God the Father. This unity does not mean we always agree on every little thing. It means we choose to love, forgive, and care for one another anyway. When people see Christians loving each other like that, they will see that God’s love is real.

What We Learn Today

Jesus is Always Near: When life gets loud or stressful, remember that Jesus is standing right next to you, telling you to be brave.

Love Brings Us Together: We need to stop focusing on what divides us and focus on the love of God that connects us.

Jesus Prays for You: On days when you feel weak or tired, remember that Jesus has already prayed for you. You are never fighting your battles alone.

Conclusion

As we near the end of the Easter season, let us take comfort in Jesus’ words. The same Jesus who stood by Paul stands by us today. Let us leave here today ready to bring peace and love to the people around us, showing the world that God's love can bring everyone together.

Final Simple Blessing

May the Lord stand by you in every hard time.

May He give you courage through the Holy Spirit.
And may His love make you close to your family and friends.

Go in peace, and may the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with you today and always.

Amen.

Fr Deotacious Chikontwe SMA

16/05/2026

Bring a friend and a friend of your friend 😊

16/05/2026

Very sad news 😢😢
Let’s commit the soul of our father to the Lord.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul rest in peace. Amen.

15/05/2026

🙏🏽

15/05/2026

Last Sunday was a memorable day for the less privileged children at the parish as the Young Adults Movement (YAM) group contributed to a bright school term by donating a few school supplies to the children.

02/05/2026

02/05/2026

Celebration of the Word For Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter Year A.

Memorial of Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.

Readings of the Day

Acts 13:44-52
Responsorial Psalm 98
John 14:7-14

Theme of the Reflection

Seeing the Father in the Son

Opening Prayer

Gracious and Eternal Father, who raised up the Bishop Saint Athanasius as an outstanding champion of your Son’s divinity, grant, we pray, that rejoicing in his teaching and his protection, we may never cease to grow in the knowledge and love of our Lord Jesus Christ. May your Holy Spirit open our hearts to the Truth that sets us free. Amen.

The Life of Saint Athanasius (296–373 AD)

Known as the "Father of Orthodoxy," Saint Athanasius was the Bishop of Alexandria and the greatest champion against the A***n heresy, which falsely claimed that Jesus was not fully God but a created being.

• Defender of the Faith: He played a pivotal role at the Council of Nicaea, where the Church defined that Jesus is consubstantial (of the same substance) with the Father.

• Athanasius contra Mundum: This Latin phrase means "Athanasius against the world." He was exiled five different times by various emperors for refusing to compromise on the divinity of Christ.

• The Incarnation: He famously wrote On the Incarnation, arguing that if Jesus were not truly God, He could not have saved us, for only God can reconcile humanity to Himself.

About the Readings of Today

Today’s readings present a striking contrast between rejection and revelation.

From Our First Reading

In the Acts of the Apostles, we see Paul and Barnabas in Antioch. The Word of God is spreading like wildfire, but it meets a wall of "jealousy" and "violent abuse" from those who refuse to see God’s hand at work in the Gentiles. The Jewish leaders had the scriptures, but they missed the fulfillment. They were looking at the Light but chose to keep their eyes shut.

From Our Gospel Reading

In the Gospel of John, we find Philip making a request that sounds reasonable but betrays a lack of understanding: "Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." Jesus’ response is both a gentle rebuke and a profound mystical truth: "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father."

Philip was looking for a spectacular theophany—perhaps clouds, thunder, or a vision of a throne. Jesus points him back to the Man standing right in front of him. To know Jesus—His mercy, His healing touch, His sacrifice—is to know exactly who God the Father is. There is no "hidden" God behind Jesus who is different from Jesus. God is exactly like the One who washes feet and dies for His friends.

Saint Athanasius spent his entire life defending this single point. If Jesus is just a "good teacher" or a "highly evolved human," then the bridge between Heaven and Earth is broken. But because Jesus is truly God, when He touches us, God touches us. When He forgives us, God forgives us.

What Do We Learn From the Liturgy of Today

1. Divine Identity: We don't have to guess what God is like. If we want to know God's heart, we look at the Gospels.

2. Courage in Truth: Like Athanasius, we are called to stand for the Truth even when it is unpopular. Truth is not determined by a majority vote, but by the person of Christ.

3. The Power of Works: Jesus tells us that those who believe will do "greater works." This isn't about magic; it’s about the Church continuing His mission of love, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to reach the ends of the earth (as Paul did with the Gentiles).

Conclusion

As we move through this Easter season, let us move past Philip’s doubt. We no longer need to ask God to "show Himself" in some distant, abstract way. He has shown Himself in the Word made Flesh. In every Eucharist, we encounter the same Divinity that Athanasius protected and that Paul preached. May we be "filled with joy and the Holy Spirit," even in the face of contradiction.

Closing Prayer

Lord God, you gave Saint Athanasius the strength to witness to the divinity of your Son. By the power of this liturgy, strengthen our own faith. Help us to see your face in the poor, the suffering, and the broken, and to live in the bold joy of the Resurrection. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Lord Be With You !

Fr Deotacious Chikontwe SMA

01/05/2026

Homily For The Feast Of Saint Joseph The Worker.

Readings of the Day

Genesis 1:26—2:3
Res Psalm 90
Mathew 13:54-58

Theme of Reflection : Working with God!

Opening Prayer

Lord God, you created everything and gave us the gift of work. Help us follow the example of Saint Joseph. May we do our daily tasks well and with love, so we can reach the rewards you have promised us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Introduction: Today’s Feast

Today, May 1st, we celebrate the Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker. While we usually think of Saint Joseph as the protector of the Holy Family, today we focus specifically on his life as a carpenter.

This feast reminds us that work is not a "necessary evil" or just a way to pay the bills. Instead, work is a way to use the talents God gave us. By honoring Joseph today, the Church tells us that God is present in our offices, our kitchens, our construction sites, and our schools. We celebrate the fact that the Creator of the universe chose a humble worker to be the foster father of His Son.

Why We Celebrate This Day

This feast started in 1955 because Pope Pius XII wanted to show that work is holy. At that time, many people were fighting about workers' rights. The Church chose May 1st to show that Saint Joseph is the best model for anyone who works. He shows us that working with our hands or our minds is a way to serve God.

Today’s readings show us two important things about work.

1. We are God’s Helpers (Genesis)

In the beginning, God worked for six days to create the world. When He made humans, He made us "in His image." This means when we build, clean, cook, or solve problems, we are acting like God. Work isn't just a way to make money; it’s a way for us to help God take care of the world.

2. Jesus the Carpenter (Matthew)

In the Gospel, the people of Nazareth were surprised by Jesus. They asked, "Isn't this the carpenter’s son?" They thought being a worker was "too simple" for someone special. But Jesus spent most of his life in a workshop with Joseph.

This teaches us that no job is too small. If Jesus could spend years working as a carpenter, then our daily jobs—no matter how boring they might feel—are important to God. Saint Joseph didn't do famous miracles; he just did his job honestly and took care of his family.

What Saint Joseph Teaches Us

• Be Proud of Your Work: Every honest job has dignity. Whether you are a boss or a beginner, your work matters.

• Work for Others: Joseph worked to protect and feed Mary and Jesus. We should work to help our families and our community.

• Don't Forget to Rest: Just like Joseph, we need to stop and pray. Our jobs are important, but we belong to God first.

Conclusion

Saint Joseph the Worker reminds us that our workplace is a place where we can become saints. We don't have to do "big things" to please God; we just have to do our daily work with a kind heart and a steady hand.

Closing Prayer for May

Holy Mary, Mother of Jesus, we give you this month of May. Watch over all who work, and especially those who are looking for a job. Just as you and Joseph made a holy home in Nazareth, help us to make our workplaces and our homes full of peace and love. Amen.

Wishing everyone a blessed Feast of Saint Joseph’s the Worker, and a wonderful month of May 2026!

Fr Deotacious Chikontwe SMA