St. Joseph Mukasa Parish, Makeni Bonaventure

02/08/2026

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31/07/2026

Friday July 31, 2026

Saint Ignatius of Loyola, P. (memorial)

Office: Memorial, Psalter Week 1

Mass and Preface of the Memorial

Vestment: White

Today’s Rosary: Sorrowful Mystery

Entrance Antiphon Cf. Phil 2: 10-11

At the name of Jesus, every knee should bend of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Collect

O God, who raised up Saint Ignatius of Loyola in your Church to further the greater glory of your name, grant that by his help we may imitate him in fighting the good fight on earth and merit to receive with him a crown in heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

-FIRST READING-

“All the people gathered about Jeremiah in the house of the Lord.”

A reading from the Book of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 26:1-9)

In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from the Lord, “Thus says the Lord: Stand in the court of the Lord’s house, and speak to all the cities of Judah which come to worship in the house of the Lord all the words that I command you to speak to them; do not hold back a word. It may be they will listen, and every one turn from his evil way, that I may repent of the evil which I intend to do to them because of their evil doings. You shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord: If you will not listen to me, to walk in my law which I have set before you, and to heed the words of my servants the prophets whom I send to you urgently, though you have not heeded, then I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make this city a curse for all the nations of the earth. ”’ The priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the Lord. And when Jeremiah had finished speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak to all the people, then the priests and the prophets and all the people laid hold of him, saying, “You shall die! Why have you prophesied in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate, without inhabitant’?” And all the people gathered about Jeremiah in the house of the Lord.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 69:5.8- 10. 14 (R. 1 4c)

R/. In your great mercy, answer me, O Lord.

More numerous than the hairs on my head

are those who hate me without cause.

Many are those who attack we, enemies with lies.

What I have never stolen, how can I restore? R/.

It is for you that I suffer taunts,

that shame has covered my face.

To my own kin I have become an outcast,

a stranger to the children of my mother.

Zeal for your house consumes me,

and taunts against you fall on me. R/.

But I pray to you, O Lord, for a time of your favour.

In your great mercy, answer me, O God,

with your salvation that never fails. R/.

ALLELUIA 1 Peter 1:25

Alleluia. The word of the Lord abides for ever; that word is the good news which was preached to you. Alleluia.

-GOSPEL-

“Is not this the carpenter’s son? Where then did this man get all this? ”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 13:54-58)

At that time: Coming to his own country, Jesus taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these, mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brethren James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?” And they took offence at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honour except in his own country and in his own house.” And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Open Order of Mass - The Homily
TODAY’S REFLECTION

The Lord commanded Jeremiah to proclaim his message of conversion to the people of Israel without compromise. God threatened to punish them for their wickedness if they did not repent. This makes repentance a precondition for God’s unrelenting forgiveness of sinners. We are all sinners but if we recognize God’s forgiving love and turn away from our sins, we will certainly be forgiven and be renewed in his love.

TODAY’S SAINT AND QUOTE: St Ignatius of Loyola – July 31st

This Spanish saint began his career as a soldier. After a series of injuries and operations, he focused his efforts on becoming a soldier for Christ. Contemporary of St Francis Xavier, he founded the Jesuits and is known to be the patron saint of soldiers and the Jesuits. Adult students can look to him as well — he finished his degree at 43 (Perfect for home-schooling mothers who are learning right alongside their children!)

-If God causes you to suffer much, it is a sign that He has great designs for you, and that He certainly intends to make you a saint.

-Few souls understand what God would accomplish in them if they were to abandon themselves unreservedly to Him and if they were to allow His grace to mold them accordingly.

-Lord, teach me to be generous.

Teach me to serve you as you deserve;

to give and not to count the cost,

to fight and not to heed the wounds,

to toil and not to seek for rest,

to labour and not to ask for reward,

save that of knowing that I do your will.

-It is not hard to obey when we love the one whom we obey.

PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL

“Teach me, Lord, what you want me to do, and I will obey you faithfully; teach me to serve you with complete devotion” Psalm 86:11

-Lord Jesus make me always mindful of your words: “what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but suffers the loss of his own soul,” in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

-Holy Father be thou, henceforth, my only treasure, make my heart too solicitous for the vain and fleeting things of the earth. Do not allow anything to separate me from you, in the name of Jesus.

-Grant me the grace my Father, to give up all things, to empty myself of all selfishness, so that your love may reign in me in the name of Jesus.

Let Us Pray,

O Father, God of mercy and power, grant me the grace to be a source of joy to the people around me. May my life bring glory to your holy name at all times. Give me the grace, Holy Father, to avoid sin and all occasions of sin. Make me thirst for holiness of life through the study of your word and practice of generosity to the church and the less privileged. Like the deer thirsts for water, so my soul thirsts for you O Lord.

🙏🙏🙏

30/07/2026

"For I consider that the sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." - Romans 8:18

29/07/2026

Happy 19th Episcopal Anniversary Most Rev. Dr. Alick Banda
Today, we give thanks to God for the gift of your faithful and dedicated episcopal ministry. Since your consecration as the Bishop of Solwezi on 29 July 2007, you have shepherded God's people with unwavering faith, humility, courage, and pastoral zeal.
As you celebrate 19 years of episcopal ministry, we pray that the Lord continues to bless you with good health, strength, and abundant grace. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, continue to intercede for you, and may God richly bless your ministry with many more years of fruitful service.

29/07/2026

27/07/2026

26/07/2026

Solomon asked for Wisdom from God.
What of you?

26/07/2026

FIRSTREADING
“You have asked for yourself understanding.”
A reading from the first Book of Kings (1 Kings 3:5.7-12)

In those days: At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” And Solomon said, “O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people that cannot be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.”

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 119:57 and 72.76-77.127-128. 129-130 (R. 97a)
R/. O Lord, how I love your law.

I have said, “O Lord, my portion
is to obey your words.”
The law from your mouth means more to me
than large quantities of silver and gold. R/.

Let your merciful love console me
by your promise to your servant.
Show me compassion, that I may live,
for your law is my delight. R/.

R/. O Lord, how I love your law.

That is why I love your commands
more than finest gold,
why I rule my life by your precepts,
and hate false ways. R/.

Your decrees are wonderful indeed;
therefore my soul obeys them.
The unfolding of your word gives light,
and understanding to the simple. R/.

SECOND READING
“He predestined us to be conformed to the image of his Son.”
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (Romans 8:28-30)

Brethren: We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first—born among many brethren. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.

The word of the Lord.

ALLELUIA Matthew11:25
Alleluia. Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
“He sells all that he has, and buys the field.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 13:44-52)

* Jesus said to the crowds, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. * “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net which was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; when it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into vessels but threw away the bad. So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous, and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and quashing of teeth. “Have you understood all this?” They said to him, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

* The Gospel of the Lord.*

Shorter form: Matthew 13:44-46. Read between *

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

Celebrant:
Our Lord, Jesus Christ, invites us to detach ourselves from the things of this world and keep our minds fixed on our eternal home. Let us ask him for the grace to be able to respond adequately to this call and for our other needs.

FOR THE CHURCH: that she may grow in the wisdom that comes from God, and remain faithful to her mission of seeking the treasures of heaven. Let us pray to the Lord.

FOR THOSE IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS: that they may think less of their gains in this world and focus more on the gains in the world to come as they render services to the people. Let us pray to the Lord.

FOR THOSE WEIGHED DOWN BY AFFLICTIONS: that they may see their difficulties as a share in the suffering of Christ and come to the understanding that all things work together unto good for those who trust in God. Let us pray to the Lord.

FOR YOUTHS IN OUR WORSHIPPING COMMUNITY: that in the choices they make, they may be motivated not by the desire to possess the glories of this passing world but, like Solomon, be driven by the yearning to seek that which is pleasing to God. Let us pray to the Lord.

FOR OTHER INTENTIONS: (the sick, church projects or other activities).
For the dead, especially those of our parish community and family members: that they may find eternal rest with the Lord. Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray in silence for our private intentions.

Celebrant:
Almighty ever-living God, whose love was shown to humanity at the incarnation of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ; teach us to seek the treasures of heaven and the true wisdom that comes from you through Christ our Lord.

R/. Amen.

TODAY’S REFLECTION
In a dream, God appeared to King Solomon and told him to ask for whatever he sought, assuring him that it would be granted him. Curiously King Solomon didn’t ask for anything that is worldly or material but rather for the wisdom of true leadership over his people. Of course, God granted his prayers and gave him even more than he had even bargained for because he had prayed in accordance with God’s will. This shows that God answers all prayers that are well intentioned, prayers that come from a humble, simple and contrite heart. That is why St Paul assures the Romans that “in everything, God works for the good of those who love him.” In the Gospel, Jesus compares the kingdom to a priceless treasure that far exceeds the value of everything that one can possess in life; it is also like a household that accommodates the bad, the good and the ugly. Hence, the values of the kingdom of God transcends times, circumstances and the ever evolving human condition.

PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL
“Teach me, Lord, what you want me to do, and I will obey you faithfully; teach me to serve you with complete devotion” Psalm 86:11

-Lord Jesus make me always mindful of your words: “what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but suffers the loss of his own soul,” in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

-Holy Father be thou, henceforth, my only treasure, make my heart too solicitous for the vain and fleeting things of the earth. Do not allow anything to separate me from you, in the name of Jesus.

-Grant me the grace my Father, to give up all things, to empty myself of all selfishness, so that your love may reign in me in the name of Jesus.

Let Us Pray,
O Father, God of mercy and power, grant me the grace to be a source of joy of people around me. May my life bring glory to your holy name at all times. Give me the grace, Holy Father, to avoid sin and all occasions of sin. Make me thirst for holiness of life through the study of your word and practice of generosity to the church and the less privileged. Like the deer thirsts for water, so my soul thirsts for you O Lord.

21/07/2026

"Eucharistic Adoration will make your soul everlastingly more glorious and beautiful in Heaven. In addition, the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is the best time you will spend on earth!"
— St. Teresa of Calcutta
*Behold The Blessed Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ *