[email protected]February 2014 Volume 28 No 10 AD AD 1 A publication of the Catholic Archdiocese of Johannesburg FEBRUARY 2014 news news Telephone (011) 402 6400 • www.catholicjhb.org.za 10 4 Year of Family Matric 2013 results: ‘a commendable and unheard of feat’ – CSO Grade 12 year,” said Catholic Schools Office director Rosa Calaca. Another remarkable result this year is the English home language results, taking into account the fact that English is not the home language of many of our students. “Many of the stars who emerged from the class of 2013 began their schooling careers in Catholic schools and we are proud of what has been achieved in this last year. “We would like to acknowledge the efforts from those who achieved excellence against the national benchmarks, to those who triumphant personally to achieve their full potential despite limited resources,” she said. These results are a testimony of the commitment and dedication of the students, parents, teachers and principals of the schools. “We know that this is not the work of only the matric teachers, but a culmination of the excellent foundation which was cultivated by many teachers across the school phases.” While one cannot measure the quality of education just on the matric results, it nevertheless provides an external assessment that is of a national standard and an important benchmark for schools. The CSO has 24 Catholic high schools in Gauteng that write either the IEB or the GDE exam. “We are proud of the 99% pass rate attained in 2013 and wish them well in whatever career path they may pursue. The outstanding Grade 12 results are in keeping with the Catholic Schools theme – “Catholic Schools Raising Standards” in the Year of Faith, said Calaca. O n 8 December, the Central Deanery for the Sacred Heart Sodality spred some Christ- mas cheer in the local community. A generous donation of toiletry packs from the members of the sodality were distributed. Eleven parishes in the Central region of the Diocese were represented. The packs were distributed to four old age homes in the vicinity – the Mother Theresa Home, Nazareth House, Pioneer House and Queen Alexandra. The gifts were warmly received and brought bright smiles to the residents. The group said it was an honour to bring the true meaning of Christmas to the few that they were able to reach. Lillian Mathe Archdiocesan Prayer Day A rchdiocesan sodalities have requested His Grace Buti Tlhagale to hold a Day of Prayer for all Catholics. The purpose for this prayer day arises from all evils taking place in our communities – rapes, killings, Satanism, drugs and alcohol abuse, abuse of women and children, crimes in our communities and churches, abortions, accidents on the roads and many others that are so rife in our country. Odilon Molapo, head of Evangeli- sation said: “As Christians we feel that we have lost our moral fibre and human values – Ubuntu and we are asking God to intervene and help us. “The idea is to make this a whole day of prayer, not only three hours of prayer. We are encourag- ing all people, young and old, to be present at this event and to understand a need for this prayer, as we are all affected directly and indirectly by these immoral acts. We call upon all Christians to come together to this big event which will be presided over by His Grace, Buti Tlhagale,” he said. The details of the event are: Saturday, 22 February, from 9am to 5pm at the Nike Development and Training Centre, Pimville, Soweto. The number of candidates who attained seven and more distinctions in the matric results has increased, as has the number of pupils who obtained bachelor degree passes. “This is a highly commendable feat which is almost unheard of in the history of the matric results in South Africa. This is phenomenal and indeed indicative of the hard work that our schools put into the N o tears for little Emily Green- Adamson (5) on her first day in Grade R at De La Salle Holy Cross College, Victory Park … she had her big sister Frances (7) on hand, who started Grade 2, to make sure she settled in happily. Big sister will look after me... Sacred Heart spreads cheer Holy Rosary Grade 8s were officially welcomed into the school on the first day back, after spending the previous day getting to know both the school and their matrics. Welcoming the Grade 8s Welcoming the Grade 8s Matric Achievers 2013 Faithful catholics 6-8 9 9
Matric 2013 results: ‘a commendable and unheard of feat’ – CSO Grade 12 year,” said Catholic
Schools Office director Rosa Calaca.
Another remarkable result this year is the English home language results, taking into account the fact that English is not the home language of many of our students.
“Many of the stars who emerged from the class of 2013 began their schooling careers in Catholic schools and we are proud of what has been achieved in this last year.
“We would like to acknowledge the efforts from those who achieved excellence against the national benchmarks, to those who triumphant personally to achieve their full potential despite limited resources,” she said.
These results are a testimony of the commitment and dedication of the students, parents, teachers and principals of the schools.
“We know that this is not the work of only the matric teachers, but a culmination of the excellent foundation which was cultivated by many teachers across the school phases.”
While one cannot measure the
quality of education just on the matric results, it nevertheless provides an external assessment that is of a national standard and an important benchmark for schools.
The CSO has 24 Catholic high schools in Gauteng that write either the IEB or the GDE exam.
“We are proud of the 99% pass rate attained in 2013 and wish them well in whatever career path they may pursue.
The outstanding Grade 12 results are in keeping with the Catholic Schools theme – “Catholic Schools Raising Standards” in the Year of Faith, said Calaca.
On 8 December, the Central Deanery for the Sacred Heart Sodality spred some Christ-
mas cheer in the local community. A generous donation of toiletry packs from the members of the sodality were distributed. Eleven parishes in the Central region of the Diocese were represented. The packs were distributed to four old age homes in the vicinity – the Mother Theresa Home, Nazareth House, Pioneer House and Queen Alexandra. The gifts were
warmly received and brought bright smiles to the residents. The group said it was an honour to bring the true meaning of Christmas to the few that they were able to reach. Lillian Mathe
Archdiocesan Prayer DayArchdiocesan sodalities have
requested His Grace Buti Tlhagale to hold a Day of Prayer for all Catholics.
The purpose for this prayer day arises from all evils taking place in our communities – rapes, killings, Satanism, drugs and alcohol abuse, abuse of women and children, crimes in our communities and churches, abortions, accidents on the roads and many others that are so rife in our country.
Odilon Molapo, head of Evangeli-sation said: “As Christians we feel that we have lost our moral fibre and human values – Ubuntu and we are asking God to intervene and help us.
“The idea is to make this a whole day of prayer, not only three hours of prayer. We are encourag-ing all people, young and old, to be present at this event and to understand a need for this prayer, as we are all affected directly and indirectly by these immoral acts. We call upon all Christians to come together to this big event which will be presided over by His Grace, Buti Tlhagale,” he said.
The details of the event are:Saturday, 22 February, from 9am
to 5pm at the Nike Development and Training Centre, Pimville, Soweto.
The number of candidates who
attained seven and more distinctions in the matric results has increased, as has the number of pupils who obtained bachelor degree passes.
“This is a highly commendable feat which is almost unheard of in the history of the matric results in South Africa. This is phenomenal and indeed indicative of the hard work that our schools put into the
No tears for little Emily Green- Adamson (5) on
her first day in Grade R at De La Salle Holy Cross College, Victory Park … she had her big sister Frances (7) on hand, who started Grade 2, to make sure she settled in happily.
Big sister will look after me...
Sacred Heart spreads cheer
Holy Rosary Grade 8s were officially welcomed into the school on the first day back, after spending the previous day getting to know both the school and their matrics.
ConfirmationsHis Grace, Archbishop Buti Tlhagale will administer the
Sacrament of Confirmation to young people of the below
parish in February.Pray for them.
Sunday 16 February 09:00St Anthony DuduzaSunday 23 February 09:00Our Lady of Dolours Carletonville
Patronal Feasts11 February Our Lady of Lourdes, City Deep (1986) Our Lady of Lourdes, Rivonia (1952)17 February Seven Holy Founders, Ratanda (1932) Servite Friars22 February St Peter, Kagiso I (1926)
Basic GRIEF and LOSS WORKSHOP
Tuesdays and WednesdaysFeb 4 & 5; 11 & 12. 08:30-15:30
Debriefing of untrained counsellors and caregivers/health workers
without basic counselling. Parish funeral ministers also welcome.
Cathedral Place BoardroomBook with the AIDS office
Chancery 011 402-6400For all departments
Cathedral Place186 Nugget St, Berea
2
Community Notice Board
Pope’s Intentions for February
General. That the Church and society may respect the wisdom
and experience of older people.Missionary. That priests, reli-gious, and lay people may work
together with generousity.
Sunday at 14:0023 February
Mass for Zimbabwean Community
at St Francis of Assisi, Yeoville011 339-5954
Our Lady of the Angels ChapelEdenvale, 011 609 72463&4 January and 1&7 FebruaryFirst Friday Mass 10:30; Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament one hour before.First Saturday Devotions 15:00-16:00
Join the Archdiocesan News group and get up-to-date notices.
Sunday 16 March 2014
St Maria Goretti, Riverlea
40 Year AnniversaryAll parishioners and
past-parishioners are invited to the celebrations. Contact
Terry-Lu Barlow at 084-904-6790 or Bernie Cameron at 083-392-8137
for more details.
CATHEDRAL OFCHRIST THE KING
011 023-1501
Sunday 9 February 11:30
Mass for Nigerian Community
Chief Sylvester 083-727-6401
Sunday 23 February 11:30
Mass for Malawian Community
Felix on 0745167705 or 0718289967
Charismatic all-night vigil
Saturday 22 February 20:00 toSunday 23 February 05:00
Saturday 1 March 13:00
Culture of Life campaign
Holy HourAdoration of Blessed Sacrament
21-23 February 2014PARISH FAMILY
MINISTRYWEEKEND TRAINING
COURSEKoinonia, Johannesburg.Contact Toni 0825521275
For information and booking
Thursday 6 March 19:00-21:30Understanding Human Sexuality and God’s plan for Love and Life
St Therese, EdenvaleDr Heinz Wirz
Wendy & Mark d’Hotman
Could you not spend one hour with me?’Holy Hour 15:00 -16:00Every SaturdaySung Chaplet of
RCIA Training CourseSaturday 8 February 11:00-16:00Training by Lumko for all RCIA facilitators and coordinators and interested Catechists.Cathedral PlaceContact Catechetics Department
Saturday 15 February, 18:00 to Sunday 16 February 06:00Prayer Vigil for the
Cause of Servant of God Benedict Daswa
Mater Dei Pastoral Centre, Mokopane, Diocese of Polokwane
Pray the novena from 6-14 February
Sunday 16 February 12:30Mass for Ethiopian and Eritrean Community in
Confirmations of 85 candidates for 2013 took place at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church, in Mulbarton on 17 November. Archbishop Buti Tlhagale conducted the Mass. Next ADNews is due on
Sunday 2 February.
Maronite confirmationsMaronite confirmations
2
Saturday 1 March 14:00-15:00THEOLOGY of the BODY
1st of 8-part seriesTill October on 1st Saturday
Culture of Life ApostolateFelicity Gebashe 073-362-9154Sr Sarah Doherty 076-793-0108
Father Thomas Plastow S.J. Answers Liturgy Questions
January 2013 – Good habits for the
New Year!
This month we have our first ever question from Bryanston Parish.
I don’t feel anything anymore when I go to Sunday Mass. Last week the closest I came to a sense of worship and of being in God’s presence was during the concluding hymn. What am I doing wrong?
Thank you for your very honest and heartfelt question. Many others feel as you do at some point in their lives, but do not have the courage to put their feelings into words. I will try to answer this question as best I can by drawing from my own experi-ence and from that of others.
[1] The need for community.Many people say that they have no need to go to church because they can speak to the Lord in the quiet of their homes without the distraction of the crowd. I think that it’s wonderful that these people find it easy to pray alone, but in rejecting communal worship they deny themselves part of what it means to be a Christian – belonging to the Body of Christ which worships God as a whole. We are taught that we have an obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holydays, not because the church wants to dragoon us into the pews, but because the collective worship of God lacks something each time an individual absents him or herself from the liturgy.
Like with many Catholics in the northern suburbs, I expect you have tried out two or three parishes that are within driving distance of your home and you have settled on the one which appeals to you, either because of the preaching or music, or because you dislike it less that the others! It is important that you respect the clergy in your parish and feel that you can be open to them, and it is important that you find a Mass where you enjoy joining in with the hymns and chants. Nothing, however, can take the place of a sense of community. Until very recent times, geographically-based parishes worked for most people because they knew those they prayed with.
Where is your community at present? For many people it is at work, for others it’s their running partners or book club. Many young people claim to experience community on-line, though they do not necessarily see the real faces of the people they befriend. All need some place where we fell we belong. Because of this I advise people not to move from parish to parish, or even from Mass to Mass within a parish. Make the Eucharist your Sunday priority. Decide that you are going to be a 7.30am, 10am or 6pm
parishioner and stick with that time. Over the weeks you will begin to recognise others as belonging to that congregation. Make friends with them. Get involved in the parish activities, not allowing yourself to be put off by the usual parish busybodies! Feeling that you belong to a community will be the best incentive to keep going to that church. Feeling that it is your church will produce in you the drive to continually improve it.
[2] Be prepared for Mass, and participate in it.I know that it very difficult to get up and get ready for Mass if you have to organise your kids and prevail upon them to be ready in time. Nevertheless, try by all means to be at church on time. It is simply not possible to enter into the spirit of the liturgy if you have not gathered your thoughts. Many Catholics arrive at Mass once the priest has already welcomed the people. The Liturgy of the Word begins and they still have no idea what feast is being celebrated, on even that we have moved into a different liturgical season.
Make sure that you have a Missal or get a calendar that contains the readings for each Sunday so that you can look them up in your Bible. Don’t pretend that you are going to pray over the readings on a Saturday night or early on Sunday morning if you know you cannot. Make it a Tuesday or a Wednesday thing – to read what will be proclaimed on the following Sunday – and then mull over these readings for a few days. Once you get to Mass you will know what it’s going to be all about. You will benefit more from the homily. (If we all did this, the clergy would have to raise the standard of their preaching!)
Participation is another key element. Give yourself to the liturgy: repent, praise, reverence, sing, listen, pray, receive, be blest. Be aware that you won’t have an extended period of silence in which to take stock of your week. This is not what the liturgy is for, so do that at home, or in church before Mass begins. The liturgy is about communal worship, not individual meditation, but if Sunday Mass enables you to go out of yourself through building community and praying in community, the individual meditation in the presence of God should follow.
Join us as a sister and bringhealing and joy to our world
Do you have a question aboutthe Liturgy?You are welcome to send questions directly to Fr Plastow: • PO Box 31087, Braamfontein, 2017 • e-mail [email protected] • fax 011 402-6406
The empowerment of the Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit will take some 90 Catechists
forward in their ministry in 2014 in a special way.Bridgette Maluke of St Peter Claver, Pimville is a
new catechist and this was the first time she had attended a catechists’ retreat. “It was wonderful. Very beautiful and an eye-opener,” she said. She has learnt a whole new way of reading and contemplating the Bible, she said.
The day-long retreat, an annual event, was held at the CIE because, said Mrs Cecilia Koebe, head of Catechetics, Cathedral Place, said she “is so busy and has so much going on.” She made the right choice for a venue. With the muted sounds of the city in the
“We are the beloved of the Lord,” Fr Vincent Pienaar told some 60 faith companions at Mass on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord at the conclusion of a day-long retreat for those active in the SPRED ministry.
Sr Tshifhiwa who conducted the retreat on the theme Salvation, said in her summing up of the day’s prayer and reflection, that Jesus, in presenting Himself for baptism by John, although having no need of baptism Himself, wanted to be baptised as an example to us who come after Him. SPRED volunteers are called to be teachers and healers, an overwhelming task that can only be accomplished with the help of the Holy Spirit and placing ourselves in the presence of God. God who has called us will help us. He has given us the gift of salvation, said Sr Tshifhiwa.
SPRED is a programme of religious education and development for people with learning or other disabilities. The department offers training and resources to people wishing to accompany them on their faith journey. Call Sr TM at the Chancery who heads up SPRED locally and nationally. Telephone 011 402 6400.
‘Dear young friends, we have an appointment in 2016’
– Pope FrancisThese were our Holy Father’s words when he invited youths to the next World Youth Day in Krakow. He said this at the end of the closing Mass, attended by over three million pilgrims on Rio’s Copacabana beach in August 2013. The Holy Father explained on his Facebook page that the choice of Krakow as the host city for the next WYD event is in honour of Blessed John Paul II, who came from there. He started World Youth Day events during his charismatic papacy. The theme for the pilgrimage was taken from the beatitudes, “Blessed are the merciful; they shall have mercy shown to them” Matthew 5:7. Pope Francis emphasised that young people should know the beatitudes and make them an action plan for their lives. World youth days are important meeting places for young people from all over the world, not only for religious experiences but also artistic and cultural ones.
The event in Poland will be a time for getting together, spreading solidarity and engaging in world peace-building. Significant places to visit in Krakow include the Shrine of Blessed John Paul II and the Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy. In our own Archdiocese, an organising committee has been appointed which is planning spiritual activities for the next World Youth Day. The first takes place at the Cathedral of Christ the King’s Small Hall on 2 March.
Details of registration will be given to those who wish to take part in this pilgrimage. Fr Rodney George, the Episcopal Youth Vicar, is the chair-person of the committee.
Lebo WA Majahe
Catechetics kick-start their yearCatechetics kick-start their year
From left: Catechist Bridgette Maluke, with the Catholic Bible Foundation’s
Sandra Ponte and Mediatrix Ms Ndhlovu who led the retreat for Catechists.
background, Mediatrix led the group in reflecting on the prayer of Archbishop Oscar Romero, with birdsong and garden scents wafting into the room on a gentle breeze. “We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs. We are prophets of a future not our own. Amen,” she said.
The Florida SPRED group took charge of the refreshments for the SPRED retreat at St Vincent’s School for the Deaf in Melrose on 12 January. They are Clive and Reena Goodman on the left and right and, in the centre, Jenny Miles and Stephanie Harris.
Gifts from God
The Catholic Institute of Education seeks to appoint an
EDUCATION POLICY SPECIALIST.
The successful candidate based in Johannesburg will:• beknowledgeableabouteducationalpolicyissuesandhavean
ability to analyse and comment on education policy • haveexcellentresearchandEnglishwritingskills• beinpossessionofanappropriateeducationalqualificationand requisiteexperience
In addition the candidate will have a clear understanding of the vision and values of Catholic education in South Africa.
Closing dates for applications 14 February 2014. Sendto:HildaChinyowa•[email protected]•Fax:0116809628CIE reserves the right not to proceed with the filling of the post. Submission of an application will not in itself entitle the applicant to an interview or appoint-ment. Failure to meet the minimum requirements of the post will result in applicants automatically disqualifying themselves from consideration.
The Culture of Life Apostolate (CoLA), a pro-life organisation, under its patron, His Grace, Archbishop Buti Tlhagale, assists pregnant
young girls and women, in pregnancy crisis. CoLA has two pregnancy crisis houses, one on the East Rand in Brakpan (for pregnant girls under the age of 19 years) and one in Ruimsig on the West Rand (for pregnant women over the age of 19 years). The houses provide a realistic alternative to abortion and provide a safe, supportive and caring environment in which the expectant mothers can welcome their babies into this world. They receive counselling and
The family themes for February are built around love as the basis for care.
The feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on 11 February has traditionally been a day of prayer for the sick. Families are encouraged to do this together at home, especially if there are sick family members. If we pray together we can also offer support and comfort to one another.
A second February theme is cleverly linked with Valentine’s Day, a popular celebration of love. Marriage Encounter, already in the 1990s, got approval from Rome for a World Marriage Day celebration on the second Sunday of February, which is most often the nearest to Valentine’s Day. “Love and marriage go together like a horse and carriage,” are the words of a song that, like marriage, seems to have become worn out and forgotten. Marriage should be an important focus during the month and not be restricted to couples, but for the whole community. The recent questionnaire on Pastoral Challenges facing families will no doubt have highlighted that knowledge about the Church’s
teaching and attitude towards marriage and family is limited. Therefore parishes should encourage the PPC to set up a family life desk which will promote the use of what resources are available and encourage the PPC to make family life a priority for the year, and marriage the specific focus for February.
Parishes should include prayers around aspects of marriage in the bidding prayers at Mass. preparation, anniversaries, hurting couples, youth considering future marriage, those who have been married.
They can have a retreat/workshop for couples and/or a reconciliation service for couples as a preparation for a renewal of marriage vows on World Marriage Day, or some other appropriate time. Visit www.wmd.wwme.org for liturgical suggestions.
Other suggesions are:• Include marriage reflections
and discussion in SCC materials for the month.
• Have catechists teach lessons about marriage as appropriate for the class.
• Include marriage as a topic in
Families Together, That’s Us
WAYS INTO PRAYER
Seeking silenceFrances Correia of the Jesuit Institute-South Africa, explores Ignatian Spirituality.
Our lives are full of noise; cell phones and iPods, e-mail and radio, TV and
twitter. I am struck by how easy it is to have a very busy, full and yet superficial life. I am often trapped by my desire to quickly check e-mail, or glance at ‘what’s app’, rather than fully attending to the people I am actually with.
There is an exciting buzz to this connectivity that is energising, yet it is profoundly different to the energy of a deep long conversation. I notice that when I am too connected to this ‘buzzing’ world of tweets and e-mails that I start to loose something.
I miss entering into reflective silence and I miss the depths of my own day dreaming.
I noticed this recently when I was caught having to wait for a friend, and my cell phone battery ran out. Had it not died, I would have spent the time browsing messages, and writing a few- no doubt some about how long I was waiting and ‘where was she?’. As it was I was gifted with a time of silence, of solitude.
In the silent waiting, I had time to move through being bored and frustrated to noticing what was going on around me. I had time to really see the beauty of mid
summer, the play of sun light and shadow. Time to pause and breathe deeply, time to remember how as a teenager I used to love waiting for people to come and collect me because it gave me time alone. Remembering that I need time to dream, time to pray.
These days I rarely have that time. I am obsessed with efficiency, with getting things done. The never ending ‘to do list’ always looms large in my awareness. Some of this is the reality of being an adult, and a working mom. To do lists are necessary for the people I’m responsible for. But some of this busyness is me avoiding silence. It is avoiding the vulnerability of waiting, of being open to sensing the still voice of God.
As I sat waiting, I felt rising within me the yearning for silence, for time, and I saw with clarity how the spare time I do have I often squander on technological highs that offer no true depth. I remembered anew how necessary quiet time to pray and reflect is, I remembered the advice of the psalmist to ‘hold myself in quiet and silence’ (psalm 131 v2). I found myself promising God and me some quiet time. To reflect, notice and pray.
Scripture for Catechists, Teachers, and all lovers of Scripture
VENUE: Cathedral Place, Saratoga Avenue Berea, JohannesburgDATES: 5th April, 28th June, 4th October TIME: 9:00am to 4:30pm (Registration – 8:30am)COST: R110 per session (R330 for the year)
CATHOLIC BIBLE FOUNDATION of SA
presents
Bread for the Journey2014
Gospel of Matthew
CONTACT: Teresa Wilsnagh (011) 435 7488
youth events for the month. • Get speakers, present parish
talks, invite couples to bear witness, offer counselling.
• Make sure that information about different marriage movements is available and invite the groups to present their programme. Marriage Encounter and Retrouvaille offer a programme with follow-up. Schoenstatt, Focolare and Equipes and Couples for Christ run married couple groups that meet for faith sharing.
• Also share and provide information about counselling resources in the parish community. Many parishes have psychologists and social workers or trained volunteers through another programme.
Do they offer their expertise? MARFAM has a number of different publications, and website. Visit www.marfam.org.za/blog.
Offering support for pregnant women
learn basic skills to foster a sense of empowerment. CoLA is also involved in pro-life activities such as
education and formation and holds prayers outside the abortuaries. If you are interested to learn more about the work CoLA does or would like assist financially, or even become a member, visit the website at www.cultureoflife.co.za, or the Facebook Page at: The Culture of Life Apostolate South Africa to post a message of support or email your contact details to: [email protected]. Contact CoLA communications officer, Raphael Lallu, on: 079-779-5596.
The Jesuit Institute and St Augustine’s are now offering a distance learning foundational course: Higher Certificate in Bible Studies. This is now the required first two years of training for potential deacons. For more information: www.jesuitinstitute.org.za Apply by 1 Feb to: [email protected]
Study in your own time, in your own place and
at your own pace!
When choosing sponsors, for RCIA, we tend to choose family or
friends. These are not always the best choice; they would be more inclined to tell you what you want to hear rather than the way it is. So should the RCIA team chose sponsors for the catechumens? Bear in mind that sponsors are only for the period of the catechumenate, unlike a godparent which is for life.
When an adult starts enquiring into the Catholic faith, he normally doesn’t know many people in the parish; he may only know his friend or a family member that is active in the church. It would be a good idea if the RCIA team could have a number of sponsors they can call on. An informal get-together with all catechumens and sponsors, could be held to help a
During the octave of Christmas,
28 December, the church cele-brates the memory of the small children of the neighbourhood of Bethlehem put to death by Herod. Sacrificed by a wicked monarch, these innocent lives bear witness to Christ who was persecuted from the time of His birth by a world which would not receive Him. It is Christ Himself who was at stake in this mass-murder of the children; already the choice, for or against Him, was put clearly before men. The little saints of Our Lady of Victory parish, Doornkop gathered and celebrated together with
Who should be a sponsor for RCIA?
catechumen chose a sponsor. When choosing a sponsor, what
should we be looking for? A person that attends Mass on
Sundays;A person that prays daily and
can share different ways to pray with the catechumen;
A witness of the Catholic faith, someone who isn’t scared to speak about their belief;
Someone who doesn’t interpret the Bible or the Catechism to suit themselves;
While not a catechist, a sponsor must be able to find answers;
It’s a commitment for the
duration of the catechumen and ideally, so the sponsor should attend the catechetical session, as well as attending Mass with the catechumen;
The sponsor should be a joyful person – Jesus came to give us life to the full;
A person that is in a personal relationship with Jesus, after all the aim of all catechesis is to get to know and love God and to have a relationship with him.
These are just a few ideas, which I hope will help when choosing sponsors. The RCIA team should hold a workshop for Catholics that would like to be sponsors. Often we think we would like to get involved, but are not sure that we would be up to the task.
Fr Paul Beukes
*Every month ADNews will be focus-sing on a different aspect of RCIA.
their priest, Fr Xavier Barongo, Fr Francis Kariuki, parish priest
of St Angela, Dobsonville, the parish pastoral council and Sr Nkele, of the companion of the St Angela sisters. Fr Xavier explained that the relevance of the feast was that the little children who suffer persecution and torture, who live in famine, war and great disasters have their hope and safety in the new born Christ. “Children should rejoice in the glory of Christ who conquered
the enemy with a white-robed army of children,” he said. Mass was celebrated in the morning and then talks were given, ended by play and snacking.
Report and photo Lebo WA Majahe
Maronite Communions
The First Holy Communion celebration was held at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church in Mulbarton on 27 October.
Maronite Communions
Sr Nkele C.S.A speaking to children about the in special role in Christ’s mission.
Holy Innocents
5
Once a year, on Holy Satur-day, during the Easter Vigil,
men and women are received into the Catholic Church worldwide as well as in the archdiocese of Johannesburg. Parishes welcome and receive these new members through the RCIA process.
What is RCIA?RCIA stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is the process established by the church for individual persons to become Catholic and being able to receive the sacraments of initiation, namely Baptism, Con-firmation and the Eucharist.
Who is the RCIA for?- Persons interested in finding out more about being a Catholic Christian- Persons baptised in another faith who desire to become Catholic- Persons baptised Catholic in need of First Communion and/or Confirmation
How long is the RCIA process?The RCIA process is not shorter than one year or longer than three years. However keep in mind that becoming a Catholic is an ongo-ing and a life-long commitment.
How does the RCIA work?The RCIA consists of four peri-ods of formation which are no-ticeable by rituals that celebrate what has been completed and call a person into the next phase.
* The Inquiry or Precatechu-menate
* The Catechumenate* The Lenten period of Purifica-
tion and Enlightenment* Mystagogia or a time of deeper
understanding of the mysteries
What is the RCIA Rite of Sending?The Rite of Sending offers the parish community an opportunity to acknowledge the spiritual progress the catechumens and candidates have made, express approval of their election or recognition, and send them forth to meet our archbishop with as-surance of the parish’s care and support.
What is the RCIA Rite of Election?The Rite of Election concludes the Period of Catechumenate. This rite normally coincides with the First Sunday of Lent. For the catechumens, this rite signifies that they have been called by Christ and attest to the real-ity that only those mystically claimed by Christ will enter heaven.
Integrated into the rite, in the archdiocese the candidates are “called to continuing conversion” and thus their intention to be fully initiated and sharing in the Eucharist is recognised.Lastly, it is important to keep in mind that the RCIA process can also serve as a model for ongoing conversion for all members of the Catholic Church. As we witness candidates learning to imitate Christ, we are encouraged to deepen our own faith. And as we participate in the liturgical ceremonies wel-coming new members, we can renew our own commitment to Christ.
Father Paul Beukes OMIEpiscopal Vicar for Liturgy and Divine Worship
Facts about the RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
St Catherine’s Convent FloridaWe are very proud of our matric class of 2013. Congratulations to Dalaine Krige and Shannon McAulay who received 4 distinctions each.
Veritas College52 Distinctions from 41 Candidates!
Patrick Boroughs11 Distinctions
IEB Outstanding Achievement
For the 16th consecutive year, Veritas College is celebrating a 100% pass rate and we are very happy with the results of our learners.
We would like to acknowledge all of our pupils efforts, from those who achieved excellence against the national benchmarks, to those who triumphed personally to achieve their full potential.
Marist Brothers Linmeyer had 109 candidates entered to write the IEB National Examinations at the end of 2013. A 99.1% pass rate was achieved with 87 students
passing with a Bachelor Degree level. (One student who was ill will write one supplementary exam).
2013Matric
ACHIEvERS
2013
The school had a 100% pass rate with 70 candidates, 104 distinctions, a 94% university entrance pass. Anne-Marie Hüster, with 8 distinctions, ranked in top 5% of IEB learners in five subjects.
We congratulate our 45 matriculants who achieved a 100% pass and 94% university exemption. Our top candidates are Kirsten Whitlock who was placed on the IEB outstanding achievement list and in the top 1% in Afrikaans, English, Geography, Life Sciences and Life Orientation.
Sacred Heart College, Faces of the FutureA nervous excitement filled the
Sacred Heart coffee shop as the matriculants of 2013 collected their results.
A fact to be noted is that the Sacred Heart matriculants are a diverse group, not only in gender and in culture. Four out of 10 learners who wrote Physical and Life Science also wrote Visual or Dramatic Arts, giving them a truly rounded education. Remarkably, 90% of the Sacred Heart learners take mathematics compared to 68% in IEB Independent schools, and they still managed to outperform the IEB Mathematics average by 4,3%.
“The 2013 results are outstanding, which is the outcome of the hard work, commitment and passion of the learners and the teachers,” says Heather Blanckensee, Principal of the High School, “it is particularly heartening that the top achievers are well rounded youngsters, who have excelled in sports, culture, academics and leadership. They certainly live up to Madiba’s words of using education as a most powerful weapon for change. We look forward to them making a contribution to our country”.
Andre Pierre de Villiers10 distinctions
IEB Outstanding Achievement
Darren Macdonald9 distinctions
IEB Commendable Achievement
Richard van Rensburg9 distinctions
IEB Commendable Achievement
Mathew Ford9 distinctions
Bradley Latre9 distinctions
Shane Löser8 distinctions
Nathan Haag8 distinctions
Moseli Moseli? distinctions
Lorenzo Grispan? distinctions
Brandon Pickup8 distinctions
Ciaran Burks8 distinctions
Brandon Burger7 distinctions
Adam Macgregor7 distinctions
Jason Fynn? distinctions
Fabio Loreggian7 distinctions
Devon Sham? distinctions
Christopher de Freitas7 distinctions
Byrone Kennedy7 distinctions
Bruce Crossey? distinctions
Dean Myhill? distinctions
Bryce Nichols8 distinctions
The Class of 2013 have produced excellent results. A total of 112 boys sat the NSC examination and all are able to continue with tertiary studies. Highlights:• 100% Matric pass rate for the
39th consecutive year • 96.4% University Entrance
passes and 3.6% Diploma Entrance passes
TOP ACHIEvERS ARE WELL-ROuNDED
Brescia House School rejoices in the exceptional
results of its 2013 matriculants. 65 girls achieved a total of 201 distinctions! Warmest congratulations go to the matriculants and their teachers (both present and past) on these achievements.
With our best year of matric results to date, the school is committed to continued excellence in academic achievement and in growing happy, confident, self-sufficient young adults. This exceptional ethos that has been a part of the school since inception, is what sets a Brescia House School pupil apart from the rest! Michelle Mostert
8 distinctions
Jessica-Leigh Paul5 distinctions
Samantha Corcoran6 distinctions
Jing Ying Luo7 distinctions
Christin Thomas8 distinctions
Caroline Fairon8 distinctions
Kendyl Renzulli8 distinctions
Kirsten Young7 distinctions
Kirsty Mackay6 distinctions
Courtney Farland6 distinctions
ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGE
• a “highest ever” distinction rate: 112 matriculants produced 280 distinctionsWe thank God for the talents
and abilities He has bestowed on our boys and congratulate our boys, their teachers and parents on our superb results. Results of this calibre are a collaborative effort and all can take pleasure in our boys’ accomplishments.
Brescia House
Please join us for our Open Day on 8 February 2014, 09h00 - 12h00. Entrance and Scholarship examinations 15 February 2014, 08h00 - 12h00.
support of their children.This year, our 69 Matrics
achieved a 98.52% overall pass with a 64% Bachelor Degree Pass and a total of 33 subject distinctions.
Makoma Mawasha achieved six distinctions. Special mention must be made of Siqalo Makhoba and Alexandra Ndawonde on their outstanding achievement of 4 and 3 distinctions each.
Although I name our top achievers, I am equally proud of every pupil who has achieved his or her potential.
There is still a lot of scope to improve on our performance and
Matric results 2013 were the best Dominican Convent
School has achieved since joining the IEB in 2008.
The university entrance rate increased from 57% in 2012 to 88% in 2013. This is higher than the IEB overall results.
The overall achievement of the Dominican Convent School pupils is remarkable given the challeng-ing circumstances that many of our pupils, who are orphaned or vulnerable, come from. All pupils, and all staff members, even those who laid the foundation when some of these young adults were in primary school, can be very proud of what has been achieved.
The top candidate was Cameron Rajah, who achieved an average of over 85%, and seven As. Other top candidates were: Celiwe Mtshali 2, Bahle Gushman 2, Bonga Nazo 2; Miriam Ssebunnya 2
Huge increase in university entrance passes at Dominican Convent School
and Naledi Raphesu 2.Result highlights include:DCS achieved a pass rate of
98.65% which is higher than the IEB pass rate of 98.56%.
For tertiary study, all our passing candidates (98.65%) can enter degree or diploma courses.
One-third of the candidates who wrote, achieved at least one A-result, while 80% of the class achieved at least one A or one B symbol, showing not only the energy the entire class put into their work, but also a growing understanding that with hard work
will come better results. Improving academic results in a school is an
incremental process and Dominican Convent School has seen their results improve each year. The goal for 2014 is now a 100% pass rate with uni-versity entrances well into the 90s.
I congratulate our Matric Class of 2013 at Holy Family College Parktown who have
done well. Our results reflect a fair commit-ment to work. I am proud of our pupils and of our teachers, and grateful to our parents and guardians for their
Top learners in matric 2013 at St Martin de
Porres
Holy Rosary School the girls’ God-given talents in the realms of academics, religion, service, sports
and culture – where every girl is acknowledged as unique and special, and encouraged to find her gifts and potential. Whilst at school, the girls learnt the values of honesty, loyalty, determination, and service above self.
The class of 2013 became immersed in the various activities, whether it was helping save a life through being blood donors and first aid givers, giving up their Saturdays to help with the school’s outreach teaching programme, or helping pour tea at functions.
The 2013 matriculants excelled on the
Reach for the stars - Holy Rosary, Edenvale
Above, from left: Thembekile Mnguni: 3 distinctions; Sibongile Charmaine Tshabalala: 5 distinctions; Msizi Hlatshwayo, 4; Ntokozo Mazibuko, 1 and top student Lungi Winnie Sepotokele (also pictured above right) 7 distinctions.
St Matthews Secondary School SOWETO
Tshepo Radebe 8 distinctions
Emma Sham 8 distinctions
Kelly Goosen 8 distinctions
Thembelihle Mkhize 6 distinctions
Sabebo Makhubu7 distinctions
Palesa Mabaso6 distinctions
Thato Selepe6 distinctions
Bongile Mposula5 distinctions
Other achievers: Shaniq Pillay (7); Maxine Duley (7); Page Lotze (6); Phila Bavuma (6); Sarah Harding (6)
Brittany Wallace 5 distinctions
Natash Derrek 6 distinctions
Demi Murray 6 distinctions
Lindsay Kew 8 distinctions
Saralee Curtis IEB Outstanding
Achiever
Jordan Spolander 7 distinctions
sports fields – helping the school win its 11th consecutive inter-schools Catholic Athletics event in 2012; winning the Inter-Catholic Swimming Gala for the 10th time; spurring the U16 hockey teams on at the annual Howell/Pullen tournament; attending school tours like that to Midmar, or Kearsney College for Hockey; and placing third at the SA Schools Rowing Championships.
The Class of 2013 – like those for years before, was a diversely talented one – producing ballerinas, hockey and netball players, gymnasts, athletes, swimmers, academics, pianists, actors and service givers.
we will embark on a series of new measures this year to ensure that we can further improve our results.
It is very sad that Elizabeth Mavuso passed away early in January and was not able to receive her results. Elizabeth was an enthusiastic pupil who was loved by her peers and contributed to the life of the school. Elizabeth was an eloquent speaker who would have gone far in life and would have been a good politician. We will miss Elizabeth. I express our deepest condolences to her mother and her guardians.
Mark Potterton, Principal
Holy Family pupil dies days before the release
of exam results2013Matric
ACHIEvERS
2013
8
Phetogo Mogotsi 8 distinctions
100% Pass100% Bachelor’s Pass /
University Entrance
Cameron Rajah, with his mother, Mrs Priabashni Rajah and right: Mr Mike Thiel, headmaster of Dominican Convent School.
Fr Carl Arico, vice president of Contemplative Outreach International will be coming to SA to
lead a retreat in KwaZulu-Natal and a conference in Cape Town
National ConferenceCape Town
30th April – 4th May 2014Cost: R1 930,00
KZN Retreat Coolock House
25–28th April 2014Cost: R1 350,00
For further information please contact Heather 082 450-1012 or Veronica 084 548-2445 / 011 476-5274
CONTEMPLATIVE OUTREACH
Mary 082 873 3372 | SECURE PARKING AVAILABLE(You are welcome to attend individual topics)
No charge - but a donation/love offering to Family of God community would be appreciated
Family of God Communitypresents
“Hungry for God”profound truth - simply told
by Michael Mahony
4th Feb The Dependent God
11th Feb A battle for survival - The oral Word and the written Word of the Old Testament before Christ
18th Feb From Qumran Caves to the “Wastepaper City” of Egypt - The oldest papyri manuscripts of the Bible
25th Feb God’s Word after Christ - The intersecting journeys of languages, writing, people, places, and times.
4th Mar Codex Sinaiticus and the remarkable journey of Constantin von Tischen-dorf in 1859 AD
11th Mar The 1432 most valuable manuscripts (encompassing 8 languages) under-girding today’s New Testament
18th Mar A Case Study - The historical reliability of the Resurrection of Jesus on the basis of the New Testament
25th Mar The Great Collaboration - The inspiration and authorship of the Bible
1st Apr ‘Soiling the Hands’ - The journey of the canon of scripture
Suggestion: Bring your Bible to the Seminar!
- being an introduction to Mike’s trilogy on the Word withinhis One of Us septet being published by
St Charles’ Parish Hall, Road No.3, Victory ParkDates & Times
Tues 4th Feb – Tue 1st April 2014 | 19h30-21h30
“It belongs to the layperson, without waiting passively for orders and directives, to take the
initiative freely and to infuse a christian spirit into the mentality, customs, laws and structures of the community in which they live” (Pope Paul VI, Populorum Progressio 81).
Faithful Catholics are living in a world that is increasingly becoming secularist. As a result, faithful Catholics are no more faithful citizens of the country. They increasingly also doubt their Christian power to make a difference in their communities. I believe it is time for Catholics in South Africa, and in Africa, to translate the principles of Catholic social teaching into concrete actions by building up the power of civil society to hold decision-makers to account. It is time for faithful Catholics to re-become faithful citizens and put into practice the themes of papal teachings on the common good, subsidiarity, solidarity and justice. In these series of reflections I would like to share with you, a call to action for all Catholics, parishioners and all who work in justice and peace, the Culture of Life Apostolate, refugees and the Migrants’ Desk, to join the adventure of love and unity which is citizen politics.
Peter Maurin (1977) once wrote, “If the Catholic Church is not today the dominant social dynamic force, it is because Catholic scholars have taken the dynamite of the church, have wrapped it up in nice phrase-ology, placed it in a hermetic container and sat on the lid. It is time to blow the lid off so that the Catholic Church may again be the dominant social dynamic force”. I believe it is time for Catholics in South Africa and Africa to blow the lid off the container of Catholic social teaching. If lay Catholics work with people of other faiths, and/or no faiths, for the common good, they can bring about concrete gains for the less well-off in their communities, while at the same time they will build a powerful civil society to hold the state accountable.
Is Catholic social teaching being taught in our parishes and schools? This question needs answered by our priests, catechists and teachers. It is only when Catholic social teaching is taught in our parishes and schools that lay Catholics, that faithful Catholics will translate it into action by strengthening solidarity or civic organisations.
From the moment he was elected Pope, Mario Bergoglio began
to do things his own way.He chose a totally new
name for popes, the name of a saint known and loved by Catholics and non-Catholics alike; he asked the crowd assembled in St Peter’s Square to pray for him before giving his blessing to them; and then, at the end of the proceedings that night. Finally, he picked up his case of his belongings and got on the bus with the cardinals who elected him and who then pledged their obedience to him as Pope Francis. He joined them at the residence assigned to the cardinal-electors, rather taking up residence in the papal apartment in the Apostolic palace.
All this has made an impression on the world and showed that like Francis, his papal patron, he was opting for the simple life. It certainly made an impression on the pastor and community at the New Apostolic Church at the southern end of Gumtree Road: Just when the priest-in-charge was asking himself where we could get a nice photo of Pope Francis for the church, Pastor Donovan Mitchell of the New Apostolics phoned for an appointment and
A new grotto was unveiled at St Theresa Zondi at the
Christmas Mass by the Catholic Women’s League.
within a few minutes he arrived with a parcel. The pastor said he wanted to give his Catholic neighbours a present – the two churches are only couple of hundred meters apart – and presented the priest-in-charge with a beautiful, framed picture of a smiling Pope Francis, inscribed as follows: “St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Please accept our heart-felt congratulations and sincere best wishes for the newly-elected His Holiness Pope Francis to lead the Roman Catholic Church. Wishes of blessings from the New Apostolic Church, Primrose Congregation.”
The priest could not thank the pastor enough and wasted no time in hanging the picture up in the foyer of St. Joseph’s Church, in place of the picture of Pope-emeritus Benedict.
But, that is only the beginning: In August, when the US began to rattle their sabres and threaten to fly into Syria to punish them for the alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians, Pope Francis appealed for prayer and fasting on Saturday, 7 September, for peace in Syria and all places of conflict: He addressed his appeal to all people of goodwill and sure enough, before many days passed, Pastor Donovan was on the phone asking if he could have a joint prayer-service with the people of St Joseph’s. There is no way of declining an invitation like that and so, on Sunday, 22 September, at about 11h00 after Mass and Pastor Donovan’s Service, the two communities met on a piece of council land outside the gate to St Joseph’s, just up the street from the New Apostolic Church, to greet each other, have
Most of our faithful Catholics believe that they have a duty to help the poor, to assist the needy, and once they have done it, they fold their arms and leave politics to the politicians. This is a big mistake. When the popes throughout the history of social teaching called for action, they wanted faithful Catholics to become faithful citizens by forming civil society politics that can militate for social justice. That is why, in his encyclical letter, Caritas Veritate, the emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, wrote that justice and charity need each other. They are part of the same thing. “Charity”, he wrote, “demands justice: recognition and respect for the legitimate rights of individuals and peoples. It strives to build the earthly city according to law and justice” (Caritas Veritate 6). The Pope went on to say that the way to achieve this is to practice a form of politics. He said: “The more we strive to secure a common good corresponding to the real needs of our neighbours, the more effectively we. Love them. Every Christian is called to practise this charity, in a manner corresponding to his vocation and according to the degree of influence he exerts in the polis. This is the institutional path. We might also call it the political path (Caritas Veritate 7).” This kind of politics to which Pope Benedict calls all Catholics is not optional. It is compulsory because it flows from the Christian witness of the love of neighbour. The Pope is not calling us to seek political office (though it is worthu to have one). The Pope is calling us to build primarily a powerful civil society that will imbue the State and the economy with the values and virtues of justice. Austen (2010) writes, “democracy and the market are not machines that run by themselves; and when they are left to themselves, operating in a vacuum of legitimacy, unaccountable, they tend to run amok, detaching themselves from the values and purpose for which they exist”.
Democracy and economy in Africa are not far from this reality. This is a call to faithful South African and African Catholics to become faithful citizens and to form powerful civil societies in the light of Catholic social teaching inspired by faith. This can be done using their reason and mind, rooted in human and political reality of South Africa and Africa, valid for all people, regardless of their religion, race and gender.
Fr Jean Marie Did’ho Kuzituka of Our Lady of Fatima Dube Parish
Faithful Catholics – faithful citizensCatholic social teaching: A call to action
some music provided by the youth of the Apostolics, a scripture reading, some general interces-sions, singing and a blessing. All very simple and proving that it can be done.
On the academic sideThen, too, on the academic side, much has happened to further the cause of genuine Ecumenism:
The November, 2013, issue of Intercom, an Irish Pastoral and Liturgical resource, carries a brief three columns article on a recent document of the Faith and Order Commission of the WCC:
While not being a full member of the WCC, the Catholic Church is a member of the Faith and Order Commission and was very much involved in the production of this “convergent text” on Church entitled The Church: Towards a Common Vision. It took 20 years of meetings and dialogue to produce. (This document is available online under Faith_and _Order and lots of perseverance.) The text is convergent in the sense that it states “how far Christian communities have come in their common understanding of the Church, showing the progress that has been made and indicating work that still needs to be done” (Introduction). Bishop Brendan Leahy of Limerick, the writer of the article in Intercom, states, “The text is not particularly long: it is well-written and makes for a stimulating read for anyone interested in where things stand at present regarding Church identity.” And we should all be interested in these things and everything to do with ecumenism as it is a constant preoccupation of successive Bishops of Rome, including the Pope Francis: He mentions ecumenism in his recent Apostolic Exhortation on the 2012 Synod.
My daily treks over the last five years between wealthy suburbia in Bedforview to
dusty, poverty stricken Vosloorus, where I reside, have informed the lenses through which I see the world. One afternoon after school, I was on my way home after being interviewed as a panellist by Audrey Brown for a radio debate on BBC World Radio entitled: 18 Years on: Is South Africa Still the Rainbow Nation? The robust debate on the current position of South
Africa continued to waged on in my mind during the taxi ride home. In that moment, the polar worlds of extreme advantage and disadvantage were made vivid. I was struck by the gradual disintegration and degradation from luscious suburbia to township matchbox housing that was a result of apartheid policy and how the differences between previously-segregated areas were still clear as though 1994 had not occurred. “Is this what they call freedom and equality?” I mumbled to myself.
The minibus taxi was welcomed with the typical image of teenage boys on a street corner who were supposed to be in school but were too intoxicated on the lethal Nyaope (a drug made from ARV’s, heroin and other chemicals) and big-bellied, pregnant teenage girls who now rely on the grant system. The cycle of poverty has swallowed these young people whole, essentially robbing the country of its future. My story does not differ much from that of the average township teenager: my mother passed away when I was nine-years-old after an arduous battle against cancer, my father and stepmother are both unemployed and we survive on hand-outs we receive from other family members. I have no real home to call my own, but rather move around from house to house staying for short bouts at a time. My experiences of poverty do not differ greatly from those around me as I too, have had to study late into the night by candle light with a
Radio Veritas has announced the Rome and Assisi draw
2014. The prize in this year’s draw is an eight-day pilgrimage for two people to the Canonisa-tion of Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II to be held on 27 April. It includes flights, transfers, accommodation, breakfast and dinner. The winners will join 45 other pilgrims, led by director and founder of Radio Veritas, Fr Emil Blaser. Only 2000 tickets at R350 each will be sold for the draw. Last year, Mrs Daphne Matloa won the prize of a trip to the Holy Land in the draw. Fr Emil says he is very excited about the pilgrimage and is sure Catholics will respond
positively and snap up the tickets for an opportunity to attend this unique event in the Church’s history. The draw is being run by Lydia Orsmond and Julia O’Connor of the Dynamic Organisation team.
The process of buying a ticket is quite simple: Just SMS your name to 35710 and a member of the team will call you back with banking details and further information.
Or go to www.radioveritas.co.za to enter the competition.
For further enquiries call Lydia at 083 601 6177 or Julia at 082 871 8360
Rorisang Moseli has been been offered a full scholar-ship from the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation which aims to promote progress in Southern Africa by developing high-impact responsible entrepeneurs.
“I hope to form part of the African generation that will change the world”
simple meal comprised of mealie pap and morogo (wild spinach) because there was never enough money for more. The poverty trap would have always been enticing if it was not countered by my love of literature from a young age. My small community library allowed me to escape the confines of life into the enchanted world of Harry Potter and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory where the children possessed all the power. Characters such as Oliver Twist made me believe in the power of my dreams and that my situation did not bind me to a way of life. I was given the opportunity of a lifetime when I was awarded a scholarship to St Benedict’s College as I was granted access to an education far beyond my wildest dreams. It is through the books, taxi rides and passion for being a change agent that has allowed me to lead a youth march to our Constitutional Court to demand equal education for schools in impoverished
areas and to represent Africa at the Global Youth Leadership Conference. I made a conscious decision at a young age, not only change my life and that of my family, but to be a catalyst in my community. As a young African, I am driven by the promise that South Africa and the continent possesses. My education will enable me to become an African leader with a global perspective enabling me to become a force for change in an African economic and social revolution. I dream of a nation and continent that has healed from the wounds of apartheid and colonialism, I dare to challenge the social and economic constructs creating a place where people want to belong and I do take action! Whatever lies beyond me, is nothing compared to the passion for change that burns within me, and with this, I hope to form part of the African generation that will change the world.
By Rorisang Moseli
The Diocese of Tzaneen is inviting all Catholics from Southern Africa to a vigil
of Prayer with Holy Mass for the cause of the Servant of God Benedict Daswa whom we believe is a martyr of the church. The prayer vigil and Mass will be held at Mater Dei Pastoral Centre, near Mokopane in the Diocese of Polokwane, starting on Saturday, 15 February at 6 pm and ending on Sunday morning at 6 am.
The programme will include a dramatic representation of the martyrdom of Benedict Daswa, personal testimonies by family members and friends who knew him and highlights of his life with reflections on the importance of his life for our times. Prayers will include the exposition of Blessed Sacrament with Holy Rosary meditations on the mysteries of Light in relation to different aspects of Benedict Daswa’s life. The Eucharist will focus on the prophetic spirit in the life of Benedict Daswa. The collection taken up during the Holy Mass will be for the support of the cause. It is our conviction that God will answer the prayers we raise for the success of the cause.
For this reason we are also encouraging Catholics to pray the special Novena Prayer from Thursday 6 February to Friday 14 February- that is, nine consecutive days of prayer before the Vigil. .The novena prayer booklets are available from Tzaneen Diocese at R5 each. It can also be downloaded from the website http://benedictdaswa.org.za/novena-in-english/
For information:Mater Dei Pastoral Centre,
Secretary of the Bishop of Polokwane, Oupa Koma, is [email protected] Cell: 0721591077; Bishop’s office: 015 2958156 or 015 295 8152.
Contact numbers for the Mater Dei Pastoral Centre: Bro Raul at Mater Dei: 0603855455 or 0769615678; Mater Dei Office: 015 491 5641.
+ Joao RodriguesDiocese of Tzaneen
New developments in ministry to the deafThe plight of deaf people was
highlighted when the sign language interpreter at the Mandela memorial proved to be fake.
The Church is taking this issue seriously. On the 7 December, priests, religious and laity engaged in deaf ministry gathered at Koinoina, Johannesburg to pave way for develop-ment and coordination of deaf ministry in Southern Africa. The keynote address was given by Dr Lucas Magongwa who is a senior lecturer at the Centre for Deaf Studies of the University of Witwatersrand. It was observed that in the majority of parishes, the deaf are marginalised as sign language is almost totally non-existent in liturgies, preaching and catechesis. It was hoped that sign language would be part of the semi-nary and any ministerial curriculum. Frs Mark James OP (072 607 6301 or [email protected]) and Lufeyo Mpaha CMM were given the task to coordinate this ministry.
Would you like to be at the historic Canonisation of two popes?
We celebrate the birthdays and anniversaries of ordination of our clergy. Fr Emil Blaser, Vicar for Communications, Fr Thomas Plastow our columnist and Fr Paul Beukes, vicar for Liturgy also celebrates their birthdays this month. Pray for them!
Liam Mac Dermott 17-02-63Ronny Houreld 13-02-81Rev Martin De Klerk 28-02-81Rev Edward Nyembe 05-02-95Joseph Matsau and Wally Adams 11-02-95Rev Haga Ndhlovu 12-02-95Clement Langa 17-02-96Jonathan Petersen 02-02-02 Lewis Tsuro 18-02-12Kuzituka Did’ho 23-01-10
1st Malesela Dikgale2nd Habib Badaoui5th Rev Michael Harrington6th Melese Shula and Gabriel Kwedho7th Reg Anthony and Bruce Botha
(Fifth Banquet Lk 14: 1 – 24)“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you for your own good, who leads you in the way you should go. (Is 48: 17) “I call heaven and earth today to witness .. I have set before you life and death .. Choose life.” (Deut 30: 19)
Luke takes up this theme in the verses leading up to his “Banquet of Life.” “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing.” (12: 49) “Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?” (12: 57) Look at who is teaching you. “Bear fruit – Set others free” (13: 9, 16) The kingdom of heaven is like “A mustard seed, the word, planted in the garden of our hearts.” (13: 19) We become the large bush where all are welcome. “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast mixed with three measures of wheat, us. The whole batch, us, is leavened.” Each time we choose life we come to resemble our God just a little more.
1 On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the Sabbath, they were watching him closely. 2 Just then, in front of him, there was a man (humanity) who had dropsy. 3 And Jesus asked the lawyers and Pharisees, “Is it lawful to cure people on the Sabbath, or not?” 4 But they were silent. So Jesus took him and healed him, and sent him away. 5 Then he said to them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that has
fallen into a well, will you not immediately pull it out on a Sabbath day?” 6 And they could not reply to this.
The host at this banquet is a Leader of the Pharisees. Perhaps he is a member of the Sanhedran. Tensions are running at an all-time high. It is the Sabbath and there is a man with Oedema (excess water gathers in body tissues causing swelling and pain). In those days it was associated with venereal disease. Will Jesus heal this outcast sinner? Eight chapters earlier the Pharisees pulled the same stunt, planting the man with the withered hand. Once again Jesus takes up the challenge by healing on the Sabbath. “Is it lawful to cure people on the Sabbath, or not?”
In this passage we find God, who gave us the gift of the Sabbath, present. This is a caring God, concerned for wounded humanity, the children and even the animals.
For us: Are we going to choose life or death, silently rejecting our God’s invitation to change. How skewed are our values?
46 And he said, “Woe also to you lawyers! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not lift a finger to ease them. (11: 46)
Ordinations
Birthdays in February
And in early February
Abortion Warning.‘The Pill’ can abort, swiftly and
undetected. It clinically makes the womb inhospitable to, and reject, those early
‘accidental’ conceptions (new lives) which sometimes occur while using it. (Medical facts stated in its pamphlet.)
Culture of Life Association
8th Gerardo Garcia12th Francis Kariuki13th Julian D’ Souza16th Inigo Aluarez de Toledo19th Eugene Hennesy, Mbulelo
Sikotoyi and Zain Reddiah20th Paul Beukes21st Emil Blaser22th Thomas Plastow24th Thabang Nkadimeng25th Ikechukwu Onoyima and Rev John Magata26th Klaus Holzamer and Peter Doherty27th Gabriel Afagbegee28th Rev Isaac Thomas and Lazlo Karpati
1st Didier Lemaire3rd Joseph Nnadi
Fr Thabo Motshegoa, Vicar for Vocations, reports in a
letter appealing for financial support for the education of priests, that there were 18 priests in formation and 4 more will join them this year.
Ten seminarians are at St John Vianney in Pretoria, three are at St Francis Xavier in Cape Town and five are studying overseas through the generosity of the Jesuits and Opus Dei.
At St John Vianney Seminary it costs R52 000 a year per student. Fees cover tuition, board and lodging, medical and miscellaneous expenses.
The Consolata Missionaries ordained four brothers to the order of deacons on
14 December. It was a historic occasion in the sense that this was the first time that the Consolata Missionaries had an ordination since the first Consolata missionaries arrived in South Africa over 40 years ago.
The four form part of the pioneer group of students who were sent to South Africa five years ago to open a new theo-logical seminary at Merrivale. After successfully completing their studies at St Joseph’s Theological Institute in Cedara, two of them, Patrick and Kidane, were sent for their year of service in Newcastle –
Madadeni and Osizweni missions while the other two; Josephat and Francis were sent to the Daveyton parish.
The deacons were ordained at St Martin de Porres Parish in Woodlands, Pietermaritzburg by Bishop Jose Luis Ponce de Leon IMC who is also the bishop of the diocese of Manzini – Swazi-land and the Apostolic Admini-strator of Ingwavuma. A day before their ordination, the four candidates took their final vows at Consolata theological seminary
in Merrivale in the presence of the delegate superior Fr James Mwigani. Also present were Bishop Jose Luis, parishioners from St Martin de Porres parish, friends and Consolata Missionaries who had travelled from their missions to come and witness this
God’s grace since we feel that we are complete in ourselves with no need of God’s grace. The strength of our deaconate lies precisely in the weakness that seems to threaten it. Weakness relates us profoundly with other people. It allows us to feel with them the human condition, the human struggle and darkness and anguish that call out for salvation.
In his sermon, Bishop Jose Luis called on the candidates to embrace the Word of God and the Eucharist in order to give birth to charity. He reminded us that we should not see ordination as a promotion, but rather as a
demotion, because we were being removed from our comfort zones and lowered to the service of the poorest of the poor. As deacons, the bishop reminded us that we are called to prepare food for the people of God at the table of the Lord, and that we can only
prepare good food if we put God at the centre of our lives.
Samuel-Franics IMC
New priest Fr Bernard Tente Sompane celebrated his birthday on 4 January at Our Lady of Mercy, Emndeni parish. Happy Birthday Father from all parishioners.
Matseliso Mokoena
Historic ordination
for Consolata
Missionaries
Fr Francis Kariuki, a member of the Apostles of Jesus Community, is now parish priest of St Angela, Dobsonville succeeding Fr George Njonge Gachaiya. He came into the Archdiocese shortly before Christ-mas, into a parish where everyone is ecstatic to have him. Fr Francis is known to be a great preacher, great administrator and has a remarkable love for the youth.Lebo WA Majahe
Fr Francis loves
the youth
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Father Sompane
22 Diocesan Priests in Training
historic event. It happened that two days before the ordination, bishop Graham Rose – the
bishop of Dundee diocese had visited the seminary and when the superior introduced us to him as the candidates for the diaconate, the bishop asked us a question that left us thinking; ‘are you weak enough to be ordained deacons?’
The bishop explained that there is a common tendency among the people to estimate a person’s aptitude by listing his strengths. This, according to him, is disastrous because when we dwell so much on our strength, we block
NEW STOCk: Assorted types of statues, crosses and medals in various sizes available.
Shop number 002 Tel 011 338 5077Park Central Shopping Centre Cell 078 919 1515Opposite Chicken Licken Cnr Noord & Twist StreetsJohannesburg Reg. No 2003/047906/23
7
parents and divorcees also received special blessings.
In Bethlehem, at the church of Nativity, they had an opportunity of praying at the spot where our Lord was born.
Mass was also celebrated on the shores of Galilee overlooking the sea, after which they sailed on it in a boat.
When they taken to the Paternaster Church, they were amazed to see the Lord’s prayer displayed in 110 languages, including seSotho, isiZulu, seTswana, isiNdebele and tshiVenda.
Visiting on the Dead Sea was another highlight. The pilgrims renewed their faith at the river Jordan where Jesus was baptised.
They followed foot-prints on the Via Dolorosa and, finally, they went to the church of the Holy Sepulchre which covers stations 9 to 14. They saw it all, the place of the cross, the slab where Jesus’ body was put and His tomb. What a magnificent pilgrimage it
was, a once-in-a lifetime experience that will always linger in their minds. A similar tour is being organised for next October. For information contact Vincent Shongwe on 082 423 2511 or email: [email protected]
Dealers in Rosaries, CrucifixesMedals, Statues, Bibles etc
Pope Francis 2014 calendars now on special
NEW STOCk: Assorted types of statues, crosses and medals in various sizes available.
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HEAvEN IS A REALITYCATHOLIC SHOPNo Holiness, No Heaven
(Right) Fr Elijah Otu directs proceedings after Phindile and Gerald Matjee exchanged marriage vows at their wedding in Katlehong’s St Joseph Catholic Church on Saturday 14 December.
Final ProfessionsSr Olivia Mabzvamuse celebrated her final profession to the
religious order of the Companions of St Angela in Pimville, St Peter Claver on 7 December.
Her family and friends from Zimbabwe, and across the Arch-diocese, came to celebrate this important occasion with her. Mass was
celebrated by Fr Duncan Tsoke, the Vicar General, and about 11 other priests concelebrated. Sr Olivia is currently a social worker and has a passion for scripture.
Report and photos: Lebo WA Majahe
These three parishioners of Holy Cross Zola who undertook a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, all
agreed that the 11 days they spent there is tantamount to 11 minutes because they were “overwhelmed by ecstasy of the visit to all the places they only know from the holy Bible.” They were taken through Nazareth and places where Jesus performed miracles, via Dolorosa (Stations of the Cross) and finally to the church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Fr Cecil Dowling from Rustenburg was also there and said Mass at dif-ferent sites like Canaan, where Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding. They were blessed and emotionally touched as they witnessed married couples renewing their vows at the Franciscan chapel. Widows, single
There was joy and fun at the parish of St Francis Xavier
when six new members where welcomed by altar servers from Our Lady of Victory (in brown) to celebrate with them.
Altar boys’ celebrations
Sr Ouma Ntoagae presents Sr Olivia to the people with great happiness
Left: St Joseph parish priest, Fr Elijah Otu, flanked by members of the Legion of Mary, after receiving blessings in Katlehong on Sunday, 1 January. They are, from left: Florance Zwane, Mamolete Motaung, Justina Tshabalala, Magdeline Mofosi, Maria Mantso and Belina Thinane. Fr Otu is the spiritual director of the sodality.
Fr Elijah Otu is pictured with young parishioners who received their First Holy Communion at St Joseph in Katlehong on Sunday 24 November.
St Joseph, Katlehong news
Above: During Communion Frs. Duncan Tsoke and Mohohlo Maselwane administering to her the body and blood.
Left: Pronouncing her vows, while Sr Ouma Ntoagae Mother General and Fr Andrew Thomo look on.
Lying on the floor, signifiying total
submission to God.
Wearing T-shirts and caps written ‘Sailing in the sea of Galilee’ is the trio that took a pilgrimage to the Holy Land from Holy Cross Zola. From left: Thandi Mdakane, Rosina Madonsela and Suzan Msimango.
An amazing pilgrimage to the Holy Land
The canonisation of Blessed John Paul the Great is causing great
excitement in the church. Not only because it is a mere eight years after his death, but also because of his significant popularity with the youth. Being the founder of World Youth Day, he has entered the hearts of the young for many decades. But it is through his writings on the Theology of the Body (TOB) that he has been able to further touch the hearts and lives of millions throughout the world even years after his death.
The ‘Theology of the Body’ is Pope John Paul II’s integrated vision of the human person - body, soul, and spirit. In these writings, Pope JP II seeks to answer three fundamental questions about life: What does it mean to be human as male or female; where am I headed? How do I live out my life in a way that brings true happiness?
George Weigel, author of Witness to Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II, calls this papal study of human sexuality (TOB) “one of the boldest reconfigurations of Catholic theology in centuries” – a “theological time-bomb set to go off with dramatic consequences ...perhaps in the twenty-first century.”
A group of TOB facilitators has been walking a close road with these teachings over five years. Under the guidance of Marie-Anne TeBrake of the Foundation for the Person and the Family, these facilitators have spread the
message of TOB to Johannesburg, Pretoria, Kwa-Zulu Natal and even Zimbabwe, reaching over 3600 young adults and teens. For many young South Africans who have attended a Theology of the Body seminar, not only have their lives been touched and changed, but so too, have their spiritual lives.
The challenge that the team of facilitators has experienced is that the content and resources used are American-based. While this appeals to the entire human race the way in which it is delivered, is not appealing to our linguistically and culturally- diverse nation. As a response to this need, a team of TOB facilitators has been formed to develop a uniquely-South African Theology of the Body program in the form of a DVD series. It is has been entitled Isipho – The Gift. The team consists of TOB facilitators who have skills in the areas of music, writing directing, producing, research, web design, psychology and education.
Isipho – hope for a South African Theology of the Body
The Isipho (The Gift) team that will pioneer the project: from left: Steven Edwards, Dean Spiller, Mila Szczecina, Andrina Moodley, Diana Chigumba and Marie-Anne teBrake.
The DVDs will be distributed to schools, prisons, and hopefully every Catholic Church in South Africa. Cardinal Napier, Archbishop Slattery of Pretoria and Archbishop Thlagale of Johannesburg have all provided written letters of support for this initiative.
To realise the project, a sum of R1 million is needed to fund the research and production. We wish to appeal to South African businessmen/women or any Catholic who is able to make a donation to support this initiative.
For any queries or to make donations to this project, kindly contact Marie-Anne Te Brake on +2711 7935653 or email: [email protected]
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