Parish Events

On Thursday 30 April, we were privileged to bless and inaugurate our new pipe organ in a concert of organ, instrumental and choral music. The organ was blessed with a resounding prayer by the Church asking God that He bless “this instrument of the organ, dedicated to Thy worship; and grant that Thy faithful, rejoicing […]

This Tuesday, 12th May, is the feast of Saints Nereus and Achilleus, early martyrs of the Roman Church, marking the 18th anniversary of the canonical erection of the Port Elizabeth Oratory in 2008. Nereus and Achilleus have long been connected to the Oratory as one of St Philip’s early disciples, Baronius, was given oversight of the

Local Elections – How Your Vote Counts   The date for the local elections has now been announced:Wednesday, 4 November 2026. Over the past few weeks, we have reflected on the importance of participating in civic life and ensuring that our registration details are in order. This week we look briefly at how votes are

According to a long and venerable tradition the entire month of May is dedicated to the Mother of God. The practice of honouring Mary in this month especially grew in the nineteenth century, partly encouraged by a renewed Marian devotion stimulated by the visions to St Bernadette in Lourdes in 1858. Among the most widely-known

Local Elections – Does My Vote Really Matter?   Over the past two weeks, we have asked:Am I registered to vote?Am I registered in the right place? This week we consider a common question:If the result in my area seems certain, does my vote really matter? In some wards, the outcome may appear predictable. Yet

As we prepare to start the month of Our Lady in May, our local church invites us to celebrate the feast of Our Lady, Mother of Africa. The origins of this feast are connected with the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa (pictured) in Algiers, Algeria, where from the mid-nineteenth century a statue of Our

Local Elections – Are You Registered in the Right Place?   Last week we asked a simple question: Am I registered to vote?This week we take a step further: Am I registered in the right place? In local elections, you vote in the area where you are registered. If you have moved home in recent years, it

In the latter part of 2025, and continuing through 2026, all parish groups—and indeed all parishioners—have been invited to take part in our Parish Formation Meetings, held four times during the year. These gatherings are an opportunity to deepen our shared understanding of the mission of the Church at St Bernadette’s. In particular, they help us to integrate the Southern

Join us in St Bernadette’s parish church on Thursday 30 April at 17:30 for the blessing and inaugural concert of our new pipe organ. The pipe organ, being “The principal musical instrument for solemn liturgical ceremonies of the Latin Church”, is blessed when it is installed in a new location, allowing it to be dedicated to

Local Elections – Why This Matters   In the months ahead, our country will prepare for local elections, possibly taking place in November. Over the coming weeks, the parish newsletter will include short notices to help parishioners ensure they are registered and able to participate. Why are we raising this? The Church does not direct