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December 8 to December 14, 2010

R5,50 (incl vaT Rsa) Reg no. 1920/002058/06

Filling buckets with love

Meet the Parish of the Month

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no 4705

Why was Jesus born in Bethlehem? Page 10

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US president’s fund now in African hands By BRonwen Dachs

MULTI-BILLION dollar programme funded by the US government to fight Aids and HIV is being handed over to African agencies to administer—and at least one nun hopes treatment efforts will not be harmed by the move. As administrators of the President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief, known as PEPFAR, in South Africa are celebrating a successful transfer of administration in 2009, concerns are being raised in Nigeria that the handover planned for March could pose serious problems for patients and other programme participants. The two countries are getting much of the attention because more than a third of the estimated 22 million HIV/Aids cases in subSaharan Africa are in South Africa and Nigeria. UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/Aids, estimated that in 2009, about 5,6 million South Africans and 2,6 million Nigerians had HIV or Aids. Our Lady of Fatima Sister Mary Bulus, health services coordinator in Nigeria’s Lafia diocese, expressed concern that the organisations named by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to take over the programme currently “don’t have the capacity to take on this enormous task”. Among the organisations named by CRS to run the programmes is the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, the administrative office of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria. “I have worked with [the secretariat] and know their weaknesses,” Sr Bulus said in a telephone interview from Akwanga, adding that it is likely that “a priest who is not a doctor or a manager” will be put in charge. “Project management is very different from pastoral care,” she said. She would like to “see serious recruitment of professionals for this work”. Funded since 2004 under PEPFAR, many of the programmes throughout Africa have been administered by CRS and have encompassed treatment for people with HIV and Aids as well as support programmes for family members and children orphaned by the disease. PEPFAR funds support numerous services such as providing free antiretroviral medicines for eligible patients, support for families devastated by Aids, after-school programmes for children whose parents died from the dis-

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ease and their caregivers, transportation for health services and counselling. CRS’s administration of Aids-related programmes across Africa has been held up as a model because of its focus on meeting local needs. However, PEPFAR guidelines require that all funded programmes be run by local organisations by 2012. “CRS’s intention has always been to hand over” to local ownership, said Karen Moul, communications officer for CRS. “[This is] not a dumping and getting out. We have known for a long time that this has to happen by 2012 and we have been gradually working toward it,” she said. Under the transfer arrangements, CRS remains available to offer local organisations assistance and advice. The PEPFAR funds on which these programmes rely are unlikely to expire “anytime soon”, Ms Moul said, noting that in 2008 the US Congress reauthorised the programme with up to $48 billion in funds through 2013. In South Africa, where the transfer of PEPFAR-funded programmes to local partners took place in 2009, the hand-over went smoothly, said Dominican Sister Alison Munro, director of the AIDS Office of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC). Recipients of the Church’s HIV services “wouldn’t have noticed there’s been any change in ownership”, Sr Munro said. The bishops’ conference and St Mary’s Hospital in Mariannhill, KwaZulu-Natal, now receive the US grants directly. The SACBC runs 33 after-school programmes for orphans in South Africa. The programmes provide for the general care of the youngsters, including meals, school fees and transportation to a doctor for treatment of illnesses. Sr Munro said most of the children live with a surviving, though often HIV-positive, parent, foster parents or relatives or in child-headed homes. “Orphanages are unsustainable financially, and we think it’s healthiest for children to live in normal circumstances in their communities as far as possible,” she said. The conference also operates 14 primary Aids treatment sites around the country, with outreach centers in remote areas, many of which are at local parishes.—CNS

The children of Leratong Pre-primary school in Bethlehem, Free state, performed the school’s annual nativity Play at Khotsong church. Lerato Mokoena and Tshepiso hlongoane played Mary and Joseph (left), while Themba Mphuthi was one of the shepherds. (Photo from Rosemary orpen)

Pope: Catholic newspapers are ‘irreplacable’ By John Thavis

OPE Benedict has said the Catholic press has an irreplaceable role in forming Christian consciences and reflecting the Church’s viewpoint on contemporary issues. Despite the crisis in print media today, the Catholic newspaper still has a vital role to play in diocesan communications, the pope told members of the Italian Federation of Italian Weeklies, which represents 188 Catholic newspapers in the country. The pope said that while secular media often reflect a sceptical and relativistic attitude towards truth, the Church knows that people need the full truth brought by Christ. “The mission of the Church consists in creating the conditions so that this meeting with Christ can be realised. Cooperating in this task, the communications media are called to serve the truth with courage, to help public opinion see and read reality from an evangelical viewpoint,” he said.

A primary task of the Catholic newspaper, he said, is to “give voice to a point of view that reflects Catholic thinking on all ethical and social questions”. The pope said the printed newspaper, because of its simplicity and widespread distribution, remains an effective way of spreading news about local diocesan events and developments, including charity initiatives. As “newspapers of the people”, he said, Catholic papers can also favour real dialogue between different social sectors and debate among people of different opinions. “By doing this, Catholic newspapers not only fulfil the important task of providing information, but also perform an irreplaceable formative function” in the education of “critical and Christian consciences”, he said. The pope said Catholic journalists should give witness to their faith in their work. Their success as Catholic communicators will depend above all on their personal relationship with Christ, he said.— CNS

Pope Benedict says no to nukes By John Thavis

OPE Benedict has said that nuclear weapons remain a threat to humanity, and he urged steps to curb their proliferation. Addressing Japan’s new ambassador to the Vatican, the pope recalled that this year marks the 65th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

He said the “horror” of the bombings becomes more poignant every year. “This tragedy strongly reminds us how necessary it is to persevere in the efforts toward non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and toward disarmament,” he said. “Nuclear weapons remain a source of great worry. Their possession and the risk of their

eventual use generate tension and mistrust in numerous regions of the world.” He said the experience in Japan should remind the world of the need to find political solutions to international problems, and of the need to halt the spread of nuclear weapons. That’s something the international community should promote by patiently establishing

economic and political sanctions against the use of force. The pope also suggested that nations reallocate a part of their normal military spending toward projects of economic and social development, education and health care. “That would undoubtedly contribute to stability inside countries and between peoples.”—CNS

The southern cross, December 8 to December 14, 2010

LOCAL

Dowling: I’m loyal Springfield’s rose retires to magisterium S By cLaiRe MaThieson

ISHOP Kevin Dowling of Rustenburg has said that a talk given by him to some Catholic laity in Cape Town on June 1, which was reproduced in a paid advertisement in The Southern Cross of November 17 might have caused confusion, and has reiterated his acceptance of the magisterium. He said that he issued the statement to clarify controversy that has resulted from his talk. “I was requested to give this talk by a select group of Catholic laity, and in view of the list of participants and the content of the talk which was provided to me by the organisers, I prepared my reflections with a view of enabling debate and discussion by this group. It was meant to be a private gathering of Catholics interested in that particular topic, and therefore I responded accordingly,” Bishop Dowling’s statement said. “Unfortunately, a journalist who was present did not respect my clearly stated request at the beginning that this talk was for this group only and was not to be brought outside the gathering. From there it reached the public domain and spread around the world on various websites and blogs. “I have had many and varied responses from around the world. However, what has become clear to me is that I may have caused confusion and hurt to some, or even to a significant number of people—it is hard to estimate how many. “But confusion and hurt caused to even a few people concerns me deeply, and I wish to respond to this especially in the light of the recent publication of the talk in The Southern Cross which once again brings it into the public domain. “Firstly, if I have offended anyone or caused confusion and pain as a result of what I said, I apologise unreservedly. It was never my intention that this could or

should have happened, hence my concern to keep the content and discussion within that small group in Cape Town. “I completely accept the teaching authority of the magisterium, ie, the authority to teach Catholic faith and doctrine to the whole Church. In my talk, there were two issues raised which I used merely as an example, namely that the question of celibacy and the ordination of women had been ‘withdrawn from discussion’ in the Church. “I did not state any personal viewpoint on those issues and I did not question the teaching of the magisterium on those two issues. However, if by raising those two issues the impression given was that I was publicly questioning the Church’s teaching on the non-admissibility of women to holy orders, and the Church’s discipline of clerical celibacy, I wish to state clearly that I was not questioning the teaching authority of the magisterium to pronounce on those issues, nor was I questioning the teaching itself on those two issues. In a word, as a bishop I affirm the Church’s teaching on the non-admissibility of women to holy orders, and my support for Church’s discipline of clerical celibacy. “Another impression which I have become aware of in the resulting controversy is that I was criticising the person of the Holy Father and that this caused offence, scandal and hurt. I regard this as most unfortunate, because it was never my intention to personally criticise the Holy Father but rather to debate issues, policies and praxis in the Church. I wish to reiterate, therefore, my personal allegiance to the Holy Father. “I trust that these clarifications will in some way heal any confusion and hurt which were caused by this talk reaching the public domain. I apologise unreservedly to anyone who has been offended by what I said,” Bishop Dowling said.

OME 27 years after first entering Springfield Convent School for Girls in Cape Town, principal Melanie Bruce will retire—and had a rose named in her honour. Mrs Bruce first arrived at Springfield in 1983, where she started teaching English and Religious Education. A former Dominican pupil, Mrs Bruce was first appointed as vice-principal and within 18 months of her appointment to the position became the first lay woman to lead the senior school. Since 2003, Mrs Bruce has been headmistress of both the junior and senior schools. Speaking about Mrs Bruce’s tenure at the school, its public relations officer, Sue Anderson, said that Mrs Bruce “has been a strong, positive influence” making sure “the school takes its place as a leading independent girls’ school rich in academic, cultural, sporting and deeply-etched Christian values”. Ms Anderson attributed the growth and success of the school as a testament to Mrs Bruce’s “exceptional leadership qualities that inspire both her staff and pupils”. Staff and pupils spoke of the high standards Mrs Bruce has set as foundational within the school.

Melanie Bruce retires as headmistress of springfield convent school for Girls after 27 years of teaching. Ms Anderson said Mrs Bruce is respected by all for her wisdom, faith and calming influence which will “remain a legacy with the school always and especially with the many pupils that she has taught”. In recognition of Mrs Bruce’s contribution, the school has had a rose named in her honour. Ms Anderson said the flower is a Ludwig hybrid tea rose and has been

dedicated to Mrs Bruce in celebration of her “wise and inspired leadership and of the legacy that she leaves behind at Springfield”. The rose is described by Ludwig horticulturists as a “fragrant hybrid tea rose in a delicate pale peach colour, which will, from now on, forever be known by the name Melanie Bruce”. The roses have been made available to staff, pupils and friends. Ms Anderson says a number of the roses will also be planted in the Springfield garden—in a place chosen by Mrs Bruce which will be “specially blessed at the end of the year after the roses have been planted; and as part of our final carol service, she will be given her own rose to plant in her garden”. Mrs Bruce described her role at the school as one of stewardship. She said teachers are only given a short period of time in their schools but one could have an impact for far longer. She said her duty to the school had been an integral part of her life and her role was just to keep what she called “the keys”. “The time has come for me to say farewell, to hand over the keys,” she said.

a Mass celebrating the 90th anniversary of the founding of the apostleship of the sea stella Maris and the involvement of the scalabrini Priests in this ministry was held recently. The Mass was celebrated in the ecumenical chapel of the Mission to seafarers in the cape Town harbour. at the Mass were Deacon Dick croucher, Fr Gerardo Garcia cs, Deacon Gerald sobotker and Fr ivaldo Bettin cs. The apostleship of the sea would like to welcome more visitors to its weekly Mass which is celebrated on saturday evenings at the harbour chapel at 19:30. Meetings are held on the first saturday of each month at 17:30 in the mission centre boardroom. contact Deacon sobotker on 021 419 3117 for more information.

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LOCAL

The southern cross, December 8 to December 14, 2010

Renewable energy a must for SA By cLaiRe MaThieson

LECTRICITY and renewable energy came under the spotlight in a briefing paper issued by the Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office, a body of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference. In the paper, researcher Dadisai Taderera said the “true” cost of electricity is currently not being considered, and the only way forward is for the government to invest in sustainable and renewable energy sources. Ms Taderera said the country’s energy is mostly derived from coal which contributes 70% of the country’s primary energy and generates 93% of electricity production. Smaller amounts of electricity come from pumped storage and nuclear energy. The most significant issue is that coal is the cheapest source of electricity currently available, which has helped keep South African rates low by international standards. However, coal also causes long-term environmental damage. “[C]oal-fired power-stations are heavy polluters, especially because of the poor quality of coal mined here; the method used to extract the coal from the ground is predominantly open-cast mining, which leads to serious land degradation; and, according to a recent study, our long-term

supplies of coal are less than a third of what was previously estimated”, Ms Taderera said. She added that South Africa cannot continue indefinitely “to rely on coal for most of its power supply and other sources will have to be developed”. Ms Taderera said the country needs to evaluate the true cost of electricity which includes production, mining and environmental costs. “South Africa’s low energy price, mainly because of coal-generated electricity, is problematic, because the prices are too low for alternative energy suppliers to compete in the market.” Shortly after 1994 there was a need to make electricity available to the near two thirds of the population who were previously denied. More than five million households have since received access to electricity. Ms Taderera said this was significant as electricity plays a key role in delivering support infrastructure that ensures access to services such as clean water, adequate food, and safety. “Electrification is particularly important in informal settlements where fire is a constant problem, and where the burning of coal and wood for cooking and heating in the winter months poses a pollution hazard.”

Other benefits of electrification include job creation, increased education and productivity levels, a decrease in deforestation with resultant biodiversity implications, and a reduction in the level of air pollution and related respiratory diseases. All these factors lead to improved quality of life at both individual and communal levels. She said government must invest in renewable energy as it is, in most cases, far less harmful to the environment. Renewable energy sources include the sun (through solar energy), wind, hydroelectric power from dams, wave energy captured in off-shore turbines, and biomass (the use of plant material to generate methane or other fuels that can be burnt). Nuclear energy is another option. Its reserves are different compared to fossil fuels because their energy is so concentrated that transport and storage costs are relatively negligible. Furthermore, South Africa has one of the world’s best potential solar energy sites, near Upington in the Northern Cape. The Cape West Coast provides the possibility of wave and wind energy. The potential is small but it would make a contribution nonetheless, Ms Taderera noted, adding that government is working towards developing new energy programmes.

Bucketing all the love this festive season By cLaiRe MaThieson

CATHOLIC welfare organisation has launched its annual Buckets of Love project which aims to feed underprivileged families over the festive season. The campaign of Cape Town’s Catholic Welfare and Development (CWD), which started some 20 years ago as a small Christmas outreach, has grown to become one of the biggest projects on the charity’s calendar. The buckets, which are distributed from CWD’s nine community development centres located around the Cape peninsula, contain basic food items including rice, samp and mealie meal, tea, biscuits and sweets. According to head of fundraising Pauline Ford, this year’s target is 8 000 buckets. “The buckets are designed for families. On average four family members will benefit from one bucket, meaning up to 32 000 people will enjoy nutritious meals, eats and treats.” Each bucket costs R120, and buckets are sponsored by individual donors and organisations. The 2010 campaign received a kick start with the fundraising efforts of Michele Selmeyer and her fundraising group from St Michael’s parish in Rondebosch, who

raised R74 000. At the campaign’s launch, Archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town said people have become accustomed to seeing poverty. “Society is not meant to be comfortable with seeing poverty. In a sense, we have lost what it is to be human—experiencing humanity, compassion and sympathy.” The archbishop said campaigns such as Buckets of Love are committed to finding solutions to poverty by reducing the gap between the rich and poor, and encourage people to uplift and empower each other. “People have good hearts and want to help. It is projects like this that encourage them to get involved and become important parts of society once again,” Archbishop Brislin said. Ms Ford said the project brings joy to all those involved. She said the Christmas season is a time when people are able to do more by giving and sharing. “There’s great sense of community as people come forward to provide financial support or want to give of their time.” Ms Ford said it was a combination of the love shown by others and the overwhelming gratefulness of the recipients that make this the “best campaign” of the year.

What’s new with you? Send your news and photographs to: The Southern Cross, PO Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000 You can also email pics@scross.co.za

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Do you feel called to the Franciscan way of life?

archbishop stephen Brislin of cape Town holds balloons representing the love that goes into each of the Buckets of Love that will be distributed over the christmas season to underprivileged families. (Photo: claire Mathieson)

Servants of the Holy Childhood of Jesus

The Vocations Director PO Box 914-1192, Wingate Park, 0153 082 409-1457 / 012 345-1172 Email: ofmvocations@rocketmail.com

Contact:

MISSIONARY SISTERS OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD

...There was once a woman with a great love and longing in her heart, a strong faith and a sure hope. antonia werr. ...The straying she would lead along the right way to the one who is The way. her charism. ...‘if you learn to walk in the presence of God at all times and fulfil his will, then God will give you the light of his grace.’ her invitation. if this is your way of serving God, then write, phone or visit us. Promoter of vocations Private Bag 553 eshowie 3815

Tel 076 349 2752 Fax 035 44 2661

Our name identifies us and gives us our mission work in response to Jesus who shed His Blood out of love for all people. Why don’t you come to share with us in this redeeming love of Christ. Please Contact: Provincialate Eastern Cape P.O. Box 261 MTHATHA 5099 E.C. Tel: 047 535 0701

Provincialate Mariannhill P.O. Box 10487 Ashwood 3605 KZN Tel: 031 700 3767

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Cardinal: Let’s learn from pope’s condom comment By anThony BaRich

HE public debate on Church teaching on condoms triggered by Pope Benedict’s comments in a new book is an ideal opportunity for parish priests to clarify it for the faithful from the pulpit, said the president of Caritas Internationalis. Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, told The Record, Catholic newspaper of the archdiocese of Perth, Australia, that many Catholics do not know what the Church teaches in this regard. “This could be a good opportunity for us in the parishes to clarify and to teach,” said the cardinal. In the book, Light of the World: The Pope, the Church and

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the Signs of the Times, Pope Benedict said: “There may be a basis in the case of some individuals, as perhaps when a male prostitute uses a condom, where this can be a first step in the direction of a moralisation, a first assumption of responsibility, on the way toward discovering an awareness that not everything is allowed and that one cannot do whatever one wants.” Cardinal Rodriguez laughed off claims made in secular media globally that the pope had changed the Church’s teaching on the use of condoms. “It has been the doctrine of the Church all the time that when there are emergency cases, the principle of double effect [applies]. The pope was only quoting the extreme cases,

so I believe it is coherent [with existing Catholic teaching],” Cardinal Rodriguez told The Record during a four-day trip to Australia. The Church teaches that the principle of double effect may be employed when one is considering an action that is morally good, yet the action involves one or more unintended bad consequences. Because these consequences are side effects and not directly willed, the choice that brings them about is morally acceptable. “We, as disciples of Christ, have a lot to learn; we cannot pretend that in special matters all the baptised know everything, as we are always learning and trying to implement what the mother Church is teaching us,” the cardinal said.—CNS

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People walk past statues of cuban ss Lazarus and Barbara placed outside a home in havana. The upcoming December 17 annual pilgrimage to one of cuba’s most sacred icons draws thousands of catholics from all over the island to the shrine of st Lazarus in the town of Rincon, near havana. (Photo: Desmond Boylan, Reuters/cns)

Outrage over Pakistan rape acquittal By RiTa FiTch

HE Christian community in Pakistan is outraged by the acquittal of a rich Muslim man accused of raping and murdering a young Christian girl, reported Fides, the news agency of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples. Chaudhry Naeem was found not guilty of raping and murdering Shazia Bashir, a 12-year-old Christian girl. Naeem’s wife and son, who were accused with him of having forced Shazia to work as a maid in their home and physically mistreating her, also were let off on all charges, Fides reported. The district court in Lahore

let the family off, citing lack of evidence. Bashir died in January. According to Fides, medical tests were manipulated to show that Shazia died of natural causes, a “skin disease”, and testimonial evidence from Shazia’s family was deemed insufficient by the court. “For the family of Shazia, justice has not been done. It is not the first time that, in cases like this, the outcome of the process leaves influential Muslim citizens unpunished, despite the atrocities committed on poor and helpless Christians,” said Nasir Saeed, head of the Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement. The centre, which

offers free legal assistance to Pakistani Christians, has offices in London and Lahore. With verdicts such as the one issued in Shazia’s case, “violence against women will continue to flourish”, said Peter Jacob, executive secretary of the Justice and Peace Commission for the bishops of Pakistan. “It is disgusting,” said Mr Jacob. “The verdict further demonstrates the inefficiency and lack of independence of the courts and is proof of how you can drive justice.” Fides said lawyers representing the Bashir family and Christian organisations involved in the case plan to appeal.—CNS

Philippine Church gets papal praise By caRoL GLaTz

OPE Benedict has applauded the Church’s role in abolishing the death penalty in the Philippines and encouraged the country’s bishops to continue to support all human life. Meeting with bishops from the Philippines, the pope encouraged Church leaders and the laity to be a “public witness” in promoting justice and charity as well as the integral development of all people.

The Church must be free “to preach the faith, to teach her social doctrine” and to make moral judgments on public issues when human rights and “the salvation of souls requires it”, the pope said. “I also note with appreciation the Church’s work to abolish the death penalty in your country,” he told the bishops. The Philippines abolished capital punishment for the second time in 2006 after it was reinstated in 1993. Pope Benedict encouraged the

Church to present “a unified and positive voice” to the public in its communications programmes and initiatives as well as to proclaim the Gospel “with love” and in “a convincing and attractive way”. The Church’s work in caring for the poor and fighting corruption must continue, he said. “The growth of a just and sustainable economy will only come about when there is a clear and consistent application of the rule of law throughout the land.”

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The southern cross, December 8 to December 14, 2010

Nuns, lay woman murdered 30 years ago remembered By LauRa DoDson

ECEMBER 2 marked the 30th anniversary of the martyrdom of Ursuline Sister Dorothy Kazel, lay missionary Jean Donovan and Maryknoll Sisters Maura Clarke and Ita Ford, the four churchwomen of El Salvador who were savagely brutalised and killed for spreading the Good News and teaching people to read and pray. El Salvador was experiencing civil unrest, repeated military coups and finally civil war. Amid the death squads and countless disappearances, the four Churchwomen attempted to bring life to the communities they served. “Dorothy had a true and genuine concern for people,” Sr Owen said. “She was always open to both sides of an issue—trying to bring light, not heat, to the issue. The preferential option for the poor was in her heart even before we went. She felt the needs of the poor so deeply within herself that she identified with them. She was willing to sacrifice anything. She offered herself for the violence to stop.” Sr Owen had shared a one-room hut with Ms Donovan. “Jean had a call there and tried to follow that,” she said. “She was easy to be around. She was involved with the young people and totally committed to the kids. Jean was everybody’s sister and daughter and maybe God had exactly that in mind.”

Fr Gregory Chisholm, a Canadian missionary serving in Pucallpa, Peru, was a member of a delegation of six who flew into the San Salvador airport that fateful December day and was greeted by Sr Kazel and Ms Donovan, who were awaiting the arrival of Srs Clark and Ford. “They were very nervous,” Fr Chisholm said. “They told me to go with the Canadians because the situation was ‘very tense’. Dorothy said: ‘Pray for us.’ We got into a minibus—the same vehicle in every detail as the sisters. Out of a ditch came military guys who stopped us and when we said we were there for the bishop, they started cursing us. “We told them, ‘We’re Canadians!’ and they told us: ‘Get out of here’,” the priest recalled. “We learned that 45 minutes later, they stopped and killed the nuns. On our return trip to the airport, we passed by their burnt-out minibus.” “Sr Kazel was my mission partner in 1974,” Sr Owen said. “We went down together to study the language. We were raising the consciousness level of the poor and middle class—bringing them an understanding of their dignity and their rights. “We made the people catechists—teaching first Communion classes, Liturgy of the Word sessions, they distributed Communion and developed lay leadership.

“Once war broke out, the catechists were seen as an underground guerilla movement. There was a disconnect totally between a better economic situation and being committed to the poor. Faith does have consequences in the real world.” The sisters helped the poor to find food and build shelter. They also taught the farmers about runoff and implemented health care programmes. The people distributed food, which became a form of leadership development that gave a sense of dignity and self-worth. “Teaching people to read, teaching people to think, gives them a tool to further develop their sense of consciousness and depth of prayer,” Sr Owen said. “They can read the Bible and know their dignity. It became good for the folks, but subversive to the powers that be. “The greater sense was the service we could provide—whatever that might be—not living in harm’s way, but for something. We weren’t fighting against the government but for the Church and God’s reign of peace, justice and love,” she said. The three slain sisters and Ms Donovan are remembered every year in the little towns where they served and at the chapel built at the site where their bodies were found. Fellow sisters travelled to El Salvador to be with those honouring their lives on December 2.—CNS

People hold photos of srs Maura clarke, Dorothy Kazel and ita Ford, during a prayer service at a shrine at the site where the three missionaries were murdered in san salvador, el salvador. December 2 marked the 30th anniversary of the martyrdom of the three nuns and lay missionary, Jean Donovan, who were kidnapped, raped and killed in el salvador. (Photo courtesy of Maryknoll sister Margaret Dillon)

Religious life can attact vocations

HEALTHY, happy community life where members are truly seen as family is one of the most attractive aspects of religious life, Pope Benedict told members of the men’s Union of Superiors General and the executive committee of the women’s International Union of Superiors General at a papal audience. Pope Benedict told the religious that although many orders are experiencing declining numbers, “the difficulties must not lead us to forget that consecrated life has its origin in the Lord: He wanted it for the edification and holiness of his Church, and so the Church will never be without it.”

In their vocations outreach, religious should never forget how attractive a healthy community life is, the pope said. “Fraternal life is one of the aspects that young people look for most” when considering religious life. “It is an important prophetic element you offer in a society that is strongly individualistic.” When making changes, religious communities must take seriously their obligation to pray and weigh decisions carefully, he said. “Without discernment accompanied by prayer and reflection, consecrated life runs the danger of accommodating itself to the criteria of this world: individualism, consumerism, materialism.”—CNS

new ‘Ratzinger prize’ a future theology ‘nobel prize’? By cinDy wooDen

ITH the pope’s agreement and funding, the Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation has been established to promote theological studies on his writings and to reward promising scholars. Mgr Giuseppe Antonio Scotti, president of the foundation, said it was established with just over R22 million from the pope.

The money represents part of the royalties from the publication of his books; the rest of his royalty income goes to charity, Mgr Scotti told reporters. Cardinal Camillo Ruini, retired papal vicar of Rome and president of the new foundation’s scientific committee, said he hoped that someday the “Ratzinger Prizes” in sacred Scripture, patristics and fundamental theology “would be considered as some-

thing analogous to a Nobel Prize for theology”. The prizes and the conferences the foundation hopes to host should focus, like the pope’s work, “on helping the truth, meaning and beauty of Christianity in relation to today’s culture and society emerge,” Cardinal Ruini said. The activities of the Vaticanbased foundation will be coordinated with those of a Germany-

based foundation honouring the pope. The Joseph Ratzinger-Papst Benedikt XVI Stiftung was established in 2007 by a group of his former students. Cardinal Ruini and other members of the scientific committee will draw up the specific requirements for submissions for the Ratzinger Prizes and will choose the winners, he said. The other members of the committee include two former

secretaries of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith: Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state, and Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes. Archbishop Luis Ladaria, current secretary of the doctrinal congregation, and Archbishop Jean-Louis Brugues, secretary of the Congregation for Catholic Education, also are committee members.— CNS

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The southern cross, December 8 to December 14, 2010

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Editor: Günther Simmermacher

Living with Islam

HRISTIANS in many predominantly Muslim countries are increasingly under pressure, with daily attacks on their safety and dignity finding expression in lethal terror attacks, unjust legislation, forced conversions and other forms of religious discrimination. But important distinctions must be drawn between the sources of these persecutions and Islam as a religion. No good purpose is being served by equating the terrorism of alQaeda or the legislated injustices in, say, Saudi Arabia or Pakistan with the practice of Islam or its teachings. Indeed, there are hazards in regarding Islam and its followers as one monolithic entity. Like Christianity and Judaism, Islam is fragmented, with competing sects and philosophies at times in violent conflict. Even within sects, there are matters of sharp disagreements, as there are within Christian denominations such as the Catholic Church. It is not helpful to blame Islam in itself for the persecution of Christians in predominantly Muslim regions, just as it is not helpful when Muslims attribute Western hostility (or even attacks by one Christian group) to all of Christianity. Distorted perceptions are quickly exploited by people of ill will, and almost always create a backlash. A cycle of intolerance is perpetuated when imprudent characterisations of Islam in the West are attributed to all Christians, and Christians in turn ascribe acts of violence to all the adherents of a deeply fragmented religion. Only militants and bigots benefit from that. Prudence is necessary. There are profound consequences for Christians living in Karachi, Kabul or Kirkuk when a cartoonist in Copenhagen sets out to offend Muslims, regardless of the cartoonist’s religious views or his motivations. In history, religion has often served as a proxy for social or political struggles and, indeed, bigotries. As Pope Benedict said last year when he visited Jordan: “Often it is the ideological manipulation of religion, sometimes for political ends, that is the real catalyst for tension and division and at times even vio-

lence in society.” Christians in Muslim countries almost invariably have long traditions there, often predating the advent of Islam by centuries. By contrast, in almost all of Europe, the growth of Islam is a fairly recent phenomenon, brought about by immigration. Nonetheless, the postconciliar Catholic Church has vigorously defended Muslims’ rights to religious freedom, wherever they are. But, as Pope Benedict has rightly pointed out, just as Muslims enjoy substantial or full religious freedom in traditionally Christian countries, so should Christians enjoy corresponding religious freedom in Muslim countries (as they already do in some). Pope Benedict has called for a sense of “reciprocity” as a means of working towards such mutual religious liberty. By this he does not mean a conditional quid pro quo arrangement. Rather, the pope is calling on people of different religions to collaborate in ensuring religious freedom, aiming to build, as he put it, a “relationship founded on mutual respect”. This is already happening in many parts of South Africa, with the relationship between Durban’s Emmanuel cathedral and the nearby Juma Musjid mosque providing an exemplary model for reciprocity. The notion of reciprocity predates Pope Benedict’s pontificate. The 2004 Vatican instruction Erga migrantes caritas Christi (The Love of Christ Towards Migrants) said that “healthy reciprocity will urge each [believer] to become an ‘advocate’ for the rights of minorities when his or her own religious community is in the majority”. Ideally, then, Catholics in Europe should support the construction of mosques in their cities, and Muslims in Saudi Arabia should in turn agitate for the building of churches in their country. But even if only one side exercises such tolerance, the Church argues, religious freedom is non-negotiable. So even if our Christian brothers and sisters in Muslim countries are being intimidated, persecuted and even killed, Catholics must regardless take a stand for religious liberty for all—including Muslims.

The Editor reserves the right to shorten or edit published letters. Letters below 300 words receive preference. Pseudonyms are acceptable only under special circumstances and at the Editor’s discretion. Name and address of the writer must be supplied. No anonymous letter will be considered.

Condoms, a complex moral issue

OPE Benedict’s recent reported comments on condom usage in the prevention of HIV/Aids suggest a significant pastoral shift in approaching this complex problem. I say “pastoral” because it is quite clear from Pope Benedict that there is no change to the Church’s doctrinal teaching on the dignity and beauty of marriage and sexuality. The pope’s pastoral approach in this instance refers to condom usage outside of marriage—in his example, the case of prostitutes. Furthermore, his emphasis is on the prevention of the spread of the virus, not on the prevention of birth. Benedict even uses the moral category of “intention”—in this case, to prevent the risk of infection. But there is a more important moral category in Benedict’s comments (and they are only that—not defined teaching—which itself is significant), and that is “conscience”. Indeed, I read his words in the light of the teaching of the great moral doctor of the Church, St

Discerning the important things

ROM the elaborate actions of the American Bishop Slattery (whose cappa magna Bishop Kevin Dowling described as “a show of triumphalism”), it is doubtful that the College of Bishops is in solidarity with one another. I do not doubt that Bishop Slattery is an exception, seemingly looking for personal admiration and respect, but at the expense of the common mind of our hierarchy. This is a good example of how “Church” confuses all, laity and the people of God in all Christian traditions— in the light of servant leadership! Is this not a mixed message that Jesus warned about, as attested to in the gospels (Mt 24, Mk 13 and Lk 21)? Here Jesus is surely trying to teach his disciples about what is important and how to discern this, as well as warning not to be deceived. If Jesus’ primary mandate was to “bring Good News to the poor”, surely those with teaching authority should be continuing his mission until the end of time? So what can we, as the people of God, do about getting back on track? I conclude from the advertisement that some concerned Catholics are adamant that something should be done. They are to be commended for ensuring that the wider Catholic community is informed. At the very least, they

Alphonsus Liguori, on invincibly erroneous conscience. While condom usage may fall into that domain, it could well represent a “first step” in further moral development, to use Benedict’s words. Alphonsus says that ultimately we must follow our conscience, even if at the time it was erroneous. This may all sound a bit technical, but on this complex question of HIV/Aids the Church must negotiate the fine line between doctrine and pastoral reality. The genius of Alphonsus was that he was able to do just that, by understanding the depth of the Church’s theological tradition and yet, within that, enabling the tradition to grow in understanding by incorporating pastoral experience into his moral theology. This is something I believe Bishop Kevin Dowling has always tried to do, Redemptorist son of Alphonsus that he is. These latest comments of Pope Benedict confirm for me what I saw in him during his recent visit to must be hoping for a constructive response. There were recent voices on your letters pages: Brian Jacoby’s “Vatican III needed” (May 5) and Brian Robertson’s “Calling for change constructively” (June 23)—both a must read (and in need of response) for concerned Catholics. They are both trying to gauge the concerns of the local Catholic community and, judging from them and other voices of concern trying to be heard, many are standing primarily for the vision and principles of the second ecumenical Vatican Council. These voices want to see our Church united in following the direction given to us by the majority of Council Fathers. Our own bishops’ response to Bishop Dowling’s address with a general statement does not give reassurance. It does not address the concerns for the Church today. It is necessary to dialogue with our leadership and with the wider Catholic community. Today it is possible for this to be more readily undertaken. Rosemary Gravenor, Durban

Bishop Dowling, a breath of fresh air

HE advertisement in the November 17 issue reproducing Bishop Dowling’s talk to Catholic laity in Cape Town earlier this year was a breath of fresh air.

Britain. He is a humble man, and his humility shines through in his leadership style. I pray that this latest debate which his comments have spurred does not end up in simplistic posturing or point scoring, but that we take a cue from the pope’s humility, admitting that—pastorally at least— we don’t always have from the outset the complete answer to complex moral problems. Most of all, we are challenged to walk more closely with those who are infected by the virus and learn from them. In this sense it is not enough to say the Catholic Church manages one of the largest Aids interventions in the region. We’re talking about real people who can teach us (if we’re humble enough to accept it) as they taught Alphonsus, to make their experience of suffering a key point for our moral reflection. In a word, I suppose that’s how I also interpret Jesus’ own pastoral approach to people in the gospels. Larry Kaufmann CSsR, Johannesburg His concern about the growing irrelevance of the Church in the minds of young Catholics should stir us to review our own complicity in maintaining internal systems that no longer support growth in faith and dedication to the mission of Christ. It is clear to many of us that the Vatican is trying to maintain a medieval system of governance in a world that favours a more egalitarian approach. Among other things, modern education encourages students to grow in self-confidence and personal efficacy with the ultimate aim of preparing them to exercise their rights and responsibilities in democratic societies. In sharp contrast, the official Church tries to keep its members dependent on the directives of “higher authority” while excluding women from full participation in the structures of governance and often denying members the freedom to raise and discuss controversial issues. These are attitudes and practices that need to change if the world is to become “the light to the nations” that Jesus envisioned. Marlene Jardine, Johannesburg opinions expressed in The Southern Cross, especially in Letters to the editor, do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or staff of the newspaper, or of the catholic hierarchy. The letters page in particular is a forum in which readers may exchange opinions on matters of debate. Letters must not be understood to necessarily reflect the teachings, disciplines or policies of the church accurately.

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PERSPECTIVES

The trouble with Christmas in SA

ELEBRATING Christmas in South Africa has its problems. Christmas is at the beginning of the hottest time in the year. It falls into the long school holidays, and many families spend Christmas away from home, while somewhere on holidays. Christmas is also the time when, traditionally, many people suspend their conscience and indulge in excessive feasting and drinking. Against this “tradition”, Jesus issues a sound warning: “Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness” (Lk 21:34-36). Likewise, St Paul appeals to us to live a life in holiness, in the sight of God our Father, when our Lord Jesus Christ comes with all his saints. Paul wrote at a time when he and his early Christian converts were expecting the second coming of Christ on the clouds of heaven in glory to happen during their own lifetime. St Paul’s letters often contain the expression “to live in Christ”. The fact is that the apostle himself practised this constant “living in Christ” to such a degree that in his Letter to the Galatians Paul could say: “I have been crucified with Christ; and I live now not with my own life but with the life of Christ who lives in me. The life I now live in this body I live in faith; faith in the Son of

God who loved me and who sacrificed himself for my sake” (2:20). When St Paul admonished his converts to live, like himself, constantly “in Christ”, he meant it as being in continuous and total union with Christ. What kind of people were these early converts of his? There were not many well-to-do people among them, and very few of them were socially respected because of the kind of life they had been living. Many of them had been thieves, liars, adulterers and perpetrators of all sorts of crimes before they converted. However, called to conversion, and, as Christians, called to live their lives “in

when we light the candles on the advent wreath, we remember st Paul’s call to “live in christ”. (Photo: sam Lucero, cns)

Homer brains my damage

HE Simpsons of the eponymous cartoon series are Catholic, the media informed us recently, on the basis of an article in the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, which in turn cited the Jesuit periodical, La Civiltà Cattolica (which actually didn’t say that the yellow family is Catholic). La Civiltà did say that The Simpsons is “among the few television programmes for young people in which, although sometimes treated with a certain superficiality, the Christian faith, religious practice and the question of God are recurring themes.” Why? “The Simpsons is an equalopportunity satire: it shrewdly targets all sorts of foibles and hypocrisies, not just religious ones. Perhaps it’s also because the show is exceptionally aware of the significant place religion has in the American landscape.” I’ve always felt a strange affinity with The Simpsons. But are they Catholic? Yes they are sinful, repentant, loving (especially towards each other) and try to get by without doing too much damage in the world. They also tend to unconsciously introduce and spread goodness in the world using the vehicle of humour. But are they Catholic? If so, what kind of Catholic are they? I’m sure most conservative Catholics would call the Simpsons “Cafeteria Catholics” (CC). The term has been in use at least since around the release of Humanae vitae, the encyclical by Pope Paul VI that reaffirmed the Church’s opposition to the use of artificial birth control. Generally, the terminology of CC is

used against those who do not see doctrines in quite the same way as those who are applying the term. And depending on whom you are talking to, a CC is also an individual who is poorly catechised, from a different rite, one who picks and chooses what he or she believes in regard to their Catholic faith (or what those accused of being a CC might call exercising the conscience). It is said that CCs deny, or mutilate, revealed truths in order to justify their supposedly sinful lifestyles. I’ve recently heard somewhere that the current pope too might be CC, because he encourages the use of condoms in particular situations. But Homer, if he was Catholic, would certainly be CC. Recall one of his arguments: “I’m not a bad guy. I work hard and I love my kids. So why should I spend half my Sunday hearing about how I’m going to hell?” Homer later concludes: “So I figure I should try to live right and worship you in my own way.” And it turns out, according to Homer, that God has no problem with that. But this is a too individualistic and Protestant attitude most Catholics, if you ask me, would not subscribe too. The Vatican certainly would not be pleased if Catholics suddenly took that attitude towards the Mass. Again, when Marge asks the Reverend Timothy Lovejoy—the smarmy, amorphously Protestant pastor of the First Church of Springfield—if he would conduct Last Rites for gravely ill Grandpa Simpson, he replies: “That’s Catholic, Marge. You might as well ask me to do a voodoo dance.” And I’m positively sure

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Bishop Hubert Bucher Reflections on advent Christ”, they helped to conquer evil and to heal their society through their living exemplary lives in honesty and integrity. The same can and will happen also here in South Africa. If we too strive to constantly “live in Christ”, we will have the courage and strength to go against the bad currents and practices in our society, such as the deplorable debauchery and drunkenness in which many people in our country indulge at Christmas. When you light the candles on the Advent wreath, and later on the Christmas tree, remember the apostle’s call to “live in Christ”. In this way you will become increasingly a light for others, both in your family and wherever else you go as a witness of Christ. St Paul challenges us to use this Advent and Christmas to learn evermore to live in Christ, following the example of Jesus who lived his life in total obedience to his Father’s will. n Bishop Hubert Bucher is the retired bishop of Bethlehem in the Free State. This is the final of his three-part series of reflections on Advent.

Mphuthumi Ntabeni Pushing Boundaries that Marge favours the ordination of women as priests. Also, the New York-based Catholic League was not impressed by the episode featuring the following exchange in the Simpsons’ car while driving home from a church service. Bart: “I’m starving. Mom, can we go Catholic so we can get communion wafers and booze?” Mom: “No, no one is going Catholic. Three children is enough, thank you.” In the world of the Simpsons, with all their faults, “God is omnipotent, capricious and responsive”. This, to me, sounds like the God of the Old Testament. I doubt also if the Simpsons believe in the magisterium, hence I’m more inclined to go with Beth Keller in my conclusion: “While it may not completely resonate with the evangelical Judaeo-Christian belief system, The Simpsons does portray a family searching for moral and theological ideals.” It would then seem that about the only thing Catholic about Homer is that he has a problem with gay people. Homer: “I like my beer cold, my TV loud and my homosexuals flaming.” My personal favourite thing about The Simpsons is the effective manner by which Homer uses his ignorance to be brilliant. “Lisa, vampires are make-believe, like elves, gremlins, and eskimos.” In Homer’s words: “I hope I didn’t brain my damage.”

The southern cross, December 8 to December 14, 2010

Brian Gaybba Point of Reflection

Don’t attack the Holy Spirit

HE publication of Bishop Kevin Dowling’s talk and the measured response by his brother bishops in the paid-for advertisement in The Southern Cross of November 17 (and the thoughtful editorial, “In all things charity”, in the same issue) is to be welcomed, for an important principle is at stake here—that our unity in Christ does not prohibit any questioning of official teachings and policies. However, the extraordinary amount of space given to the topic has about it the makings of a mountain out of a molehill. For what is all the fuss about? Bishop Dowling has said nothing outrageous. He has denied no dogma. He does indeed voice serious criticisms of the way in which authority is exercised in the Church, particularly by the Vatican. But there is nothing terrible about that. Circumstances can exist in which such criticisms would be warranted. Moreover, the criticisms that Bishop Dowling has voiced are nothing new. Similar criticisms have been made increasingly by bishops throughout the world in recent years—though, unlike Bishop Dowling, they have usually waited until they were at the point of retirement before they made them. Our own Archbishop Denis Hurley was one of them. Honest, well-informed criticisms are essential to the well-being of any society, including the Church. Even the way the pope exercises his supreme authority is not immune to criticism, because supreme authority is as open to abuse and error as any other, even if those who wield it do so out of a sincere consideration for the good of the Church. It is therefore quite legitimate for a Catholic to ask, for example, whether the degree of centralisation that exists in the Church is excessive. Indeed it is quite legitimate to ask if the bishop of Rome—the pope—should see his primary task as being “to govern the universal Church”. This is simply taken for granted as his job, but it is not a divine command that he do so. There are other ways of exercising his ministry of care for the whole Church. In fact structuring his ministry along the lines of “governing the Church” can only too easily tread on the rights of his brother bishops. And the danger of doing so is increased by the way in which the bishop of Rome has come to be seen as something more than a bishop, whereas he is but a diocesan bishop who has the added authority to care for the unity of the whole Church. For example, he is spoken of repeatedly as if he alone was “the Vicar of Christ” on this earth and therefore a representative of Christ to a degree that no other bishop is. But the truth is that every bishop is “the Vicar of Christ” in his diocese, as Vatican II reminded us. To ignore this truth is to entrench a mentality that sees the pope as not really a brother bishop but the superior authority to whom all bishops are answerable. One is entitled to ask critical questions, therefore, about the way in which the relationship between the bishop of Rome and his brother bishops is structured, without being disloyal. One is entitled to ask whether it is just and right that there are several serious issues that are still unresolved in the Church because the bishop of Rome will not permit open discussion of them, one in which the bishops have full freedom to question and discuss a particular teaching that has not yet achieved the status of dogma (for example that women cannot be ordained) or a long-standing discipline (for example the celibacy debate) and the freedom to come to a conclusion that the teaching was wrong or that a change in discipline is warranted. Of course asking such questions is not an attack on any particular person. The Vatican is not filled with power-hungry autocrats. But such questions do remind us that systems can become so much a part of the way we think and act that we no longer see the dark side of them. The right to responsible dissent and questioning needs to be nurtured, therefore, not attacked. To do the latter runs the risk of attacking the Holy Spirit who may be trying desperately to have her voice heard. And so it is crucial that bishops speak their minds on contentious issues. We need them to honestly express what they think and believe, as Bishop Dowling did. And, of course, we need them to do so in charity—that is, with respect and love for their fellow bishops and for all of God’s people, for the Spirit illuminates our minds through love for each other and not just through a cold-hearted intellect. n Brian Gaybba is professor emeritus of Systematic Theology at Rhodes University.

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The southern cross, December 8 to December 14, 2010

COMMUNITY corpus christi church in wynberg, cape Town, held a special Mass for six of its married couples after they celebrated their golden wedding anniversaries.

IN F O CUS Edited by Nadine Christians

youth from corpus christi church in wynberg, cape Town, after their confirmation. Pictured with them are Fr susaikannu esack, Deacon Paul adams, archbishop stephen Brislin and Fr Michael clement.

Send photographs, with sender’s name and address on the back, and a SASE to: The Southern Cross, Community Pics, Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000 or email them to: pics@scross.co.za

During a visit to south africa, Fr Pascual chavez, the Rector Major of the salesians of Don Bosco, paid a brief visit to the salesian family of st Luke’s Mission in Maputsoe. (submitted by Francois Dufour soB)

children from st Michael’s parish in Redhill, Durban, celebrate their First communion with Fr emmanuel Grant. (submitted by Marlene abrahams)

De La Salle Holy Cross College is a Catholic Independent Day school for girls and boys from Grade R to Grade 12 and committed to the ideals of a Gospel inspired education in the traditions of the Holy Cross and De La Salle Congregations.

APPLICATIONS ARE INVITED FOR THE POST OF

School Counsellor The incumbent will be expected to have

a group of First communion candidates of st Mary of the angels parish in athlone, cape Town.

● the requisite academic and professional qualifications ● a strong commitment to the objectives and ethos of Catholic Christian education ● experience of leadership and management preferably in a Catholic educational environment ● a successful teaching record and involvement in extramural activities ● a high level of interpersonal and communicative skills ● a good understanding of current educational practice ● A SACE registration ● South African Citizenship The successful candidate will be responsible for the following: ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Individual counselling of learners Group therapy Family support Teaching certain Life Orientation topics Assisting teachers with Learner development Educational assessments and/or referrals Other duties that are specific to the school’s requirements

Applications should be addressed to the Principal and should include certified copies of all relevant qualifications as well as a motivation and names of two contactable references. Applications should reach the College on or before 15 December 2010, e-mailed to principal@dlsh.gp.school.za The College reserves the right not to proceed with filling the post. An application will not in itself entitle the applicant to an interview or appointment and failure to meet the requirements of the post will result in the applicants automatically disqualifying themselves for consideration. Faxed applications are not acceptable. Candidates not contacted by 15 January 2011 should consider their application unsuccessful.

eighteen children from Regina Pacis parish in Ladysmith received their First holy communion. with the children are Fr Graham Bouwer oFM and catechism coordinator Lynn wood.

The st Joseph’s Marist college in Rondebosch, cape Town, head students for 2011 are (back left) head boy Jody Brown, deputy head boy Bulumko Tshaka, (front left) head girl nadine Kinnear and deputy head girl Kamogelo Pooe.

CHURCH LIFE

The southern cross, December 8 to December 14, 2010

aubrey wasserfall sells The Southern Cross to parishioners ann Richards, Marie Pietersen and Mary Jordan. sales of The Souther Cross increased after Mr wasserfall took over dostribution of the newspaper in his parish.

St John the Baptist, Atlantis

Atlantis: Working towards change By cLaiRe MaThieson

ESPITE being in a relatively new town, the parish of St John the Baptist in Atlantis, on the Cape West Coast, has a strong presence in the community, a colourful history and a promising future. Former chairman of the parish council Karel van Wyk said the town of Atlantis was established in 1975 as part of the development between Cape Town and Saldanha where significant development was expected. Mass in the budding parish was at the homes of the few Catholic residents in the area, celebrated by Fr Frank Whyte, then the pastor of St Francis de Sales parish in nearby Malmesbury. Mr van Wyk recalled that catechism classes were arranged for the children at various homes and garages and it was two years before a classroom was allocated to the community for the celebration of Mass. Four years later, in 1980, St John the Baptist church was opened and blessed by Cardinal Owen McCann. The parish is now served by Fr Ivanhoe Allies and recently celebrated the tenth anniversary of the ordination of Deacon Sylvan Pather. Today the parish serves 550 families and is involved in community

outreach, “mostly to the poor”, said Fr Allies. “The parish community is a microcosm of the society of Atlantis. Unemployment, substance abuse and poverty are major social challenges, in which the parish is attempting to engage itself.” Fr Allies said the outreach to the poor is mainly spearheaded by the St Vincent de Paul Society. “The parish wants to make the outreach to the needy a priority and will be seeking the funds for adequate storage and refrigeration of food and clothes.” According to Mr van Wyk, youth development is Fr Allies’ first priority, noting that the priest “is already celebrating Saturday morning Masses for the youth during Advent”. The Saturday morning youth Mass is followed by a breakfast. Fr Allies said the parish is blessed with good Mass attendance by young people and children, adding that pastorally, the future focus of the church will be on the youth. “Lord, let us see your love” is the theme during the Advent and Christmas season, and according to Fr Allies, expresses the desire of the community. Fr Allies, who came to the parish in June, is looking to the future as “a time of building-up”. He said the parish has been con-

centrating on building a spirit of community, unity and collaboration since July. “We had a workshop to establish the most immediate needs and the strategy to respond to them. The way forward is that the ‘Parish Acts’.” The parish has recently re-organised its administration with advice from Table View parish and financial management aided by the “most enthusiastic fundraising by the events team”. Fr Allies added that weekly motivations by members of different communities on issues such as charity, liturgy, maintenance, and youth are getting good responses and encouraging initiatives. The parish is set to have a busy year ahead as 2011 will see Valentines, Debutante and Spring balls throughout the year. Mr van Wyk said the events help maintain community spirit and help towards raising funds. The parish is working towards building the community as well as maintaining its buildings, which Fr Allies said were in serious need of repair. Atlantis parish has seen a dramatic increase in the number of Southern Cross copies sold. Sales of The Southern Cross had been “unpredictable”, Fr Allies said. “In fact, it was spiraling down-

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The choir at st John the Baptist in atlantis plays an important role uplifting the spirit of the community. The choir has contributed to the change the parish has seen over the past few months.

wards. This was until Aubrey Wasserfall, a member of the Finance Council, decided to take a personal interest in it.” According to Fr Allies, Mr Wasserfall realised that a new approach was required and has made the selling of The Southern Cross more “personal and direct”. Mr Wasserfall has encouraged subscriptions, regular customers, and has recently started delivering The Southern Cross every Friday afternoon to the houses of the subscribers. Fr Allies said Mr Wasserfall’s efforts “bore fruits as the sale of The Southern Cross is secured and

growing steadily”. The parish is a hive of activity with a choir, a branch of the Catholic Women’s League, Legion of Mary, prayer groups, St Vincent de Paul Society, active catechists and altar servers. Catholic Welfare and Development operates in the parish and the Holy Cross sisters run two crèches in the area. Fr Allies said the new spirit in the church and the re-organised committees that make up the parish are committed to helping the church grow even further. Mr van Wyk said the community is also “blessed with very talented individuals”.

BLIND READERS OF

A contradiction? No. A group of readers has been preparing audio tapes made up of excerpts from The Southern Cross, including Editorials, selected articles, regular features such as Father Nicholas King SJ and Chris Moerdyk, and current affairs in the Church. Anyone wanting to receive tapes as part of this FREE service is invited to contact Ms Veronica Vieyra at “Clareinch”, Union Ave., Pinelands, 7405, or phone 021-532 0661.

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PILGRIMAGE

The southern cross, December 8 to December 14, 2010

Why Jesus was born in Bethlehem S CRIPTURE scholars tend to have a consensus on few things, so it shouldn’t shock us to learn that there is disagreement about whether Jesus was actually born in Bethlehem. There are some who say that the nativity accounts in the gospels of Matthew and Luke don’t correspond with the known facts. For example, there is no record of a census at the plausible times of Jesus’ birth, and certainly none called by the Syrian governor Quirinius. And there is nothing to suggest that there was a census that required men to go to the town of their birth, a requirement that would have defeated the purpose of a census—tax collection, mainly—in any case. Of course, the gospels were not intended to serve as historical documents. Amid the facts, there is much that sought to address the reader (or more often, listener) on different levels. To that end, we must grant our evangelists a certain poetic licence. Matthew, for example, wrote for a Jewish audience which expected that the birth of the Messiah should fulfil Micah’s and Isaiah’s prophecy that he would be born in Bethlehem, David’s city. Still, early sources seem to agree on Bethlehem as the birthplace; none offers an alternative. The late Benedictine Father Bargil Pixner—an expert on Scripture and on the Holy Land in various disciplines, including anthropology and archaeology—arrived at a most persuasive explanation as to why Jesus, whose family lived in Nazareth, would have been born in Bethlehem. Rather than challenging whether Jesus was born in Bethlehem, he asked why Jesus would have been born there, and arrived at

Günther Simmermacher

The Pilgrim’s Trek

what seems an obvious conclusion: that Mary, mother of the infant, provides the key. Mary was born in Jerusalem to a cultured, theologically astute family. Her cousin Elizabeth, to whom Mary was close, was married to a priest, Zechariah, and herself descended from Aaron, Moses’ brother and founder of the Jewish priesthood. And Mary’s prayer after telling Elizabeth of her blessed pregnancy certainly testifies to a bright mind. Mary most likely was not the simple, rural peasant girl of popular imagination. So, Fr Pixner argued, when she carried the baby whom she knew to be the Messiah, Mary knew that she would need to give birth in Bethlehem to satisfy prophecy. Fr Pixner also put paid to the whole idea of fully-booked hotels and undignified stables, the latter tradition the product of an European understanding, much like the notion of Joseph and Jesus being carpenters. The cave, he said, would have been deliberately selected for warmth, tranquillity and safety.

Mark Twain and fellow travellers in the grotto in the church of nativity, where a silver star marks the reputed spot of Jesus’ birth, in an illustration by Fay & cox in Twain’s travelogue Innocents Abroad, published in 1869.

f course, it isn’t important where or when Jesus was born, but that he was born at all. The location of his birth is marked with a 14-point silver star in the crypt of the world’ oldest active church, the basilica of the Nativity. The spot was venerated by the early Christians. Justin Martyr (100-126AD) referred to the cave in which Jesus was born, and Origen of Alexandria (185–254) pointed out that Christians were reverencing there. The Romans tried to suppress such veneration, and built pagan structures over the sites of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem, and of his death and Resurrection in Jerusalem. We ought to thank them for that, because by doing so they conveniently signposted these places for later generations. So when Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, came to the Holy Land, she had the pagan temples and groves torn down, and replaced them with churches. Construction for the first church of the Nativity began in 327. That church was burnt down by the Samaritans in 529 (though mosaics from the floor of the original church can still be viewed). The present

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structure was built in 565. It might have gone the way of all other churches during the Persian sack of 614, had the invaders’ general, Shahrbaraz, not spotted mosaics of the magi in Persian dress on the church’s walls. Touched by the show of respect for his people, Shahrbaraz spared the church. Pilgrims usually have to queue for a while to enter the grotto, and sometimes that can involve some pushing and shoving by other groups (on the Southern Cross Passion pilgrimage in September, Mervyn Gatcke of East London and I fought off a group of particularly pushy Indians). Once one gets to the silver star, planted on a marble slab that covers what reputedly was original the manger, there isn’t much time for prayer and reflection as pilgrims are rushed along. In any case, the grotto is somewhat gaudy. It’s not my favourite place in the Holy Land. The grotto seems to have underwhelmed throughout the ages. St Jerome (ca 347-420), who translated the Bible into Latin while cooped up in a nearby cave (which our group also visited), complained: “If I could only see that manger in which the Lord lay! Now, as if to honour the Christ, we have removed the poor one and placed there a silver one; however, for me the one which was removed is more precious .” And Mark Twain, admittedly a cynic about grottoes and religious devotions, wrote in his travelogue Innocents Abroad (1869): “The grotto was tricked out in the usual tasteless style observable in all the holy places of Palestine.” The church of the Nativity is co-owned by several denominations. The Greek Orthodox are in charge of all the best spots, including the grotto, so the Catholic Church conducts its liturgy activities in the adjacent church of St Catherine of Alexandria, from where the annual Christmas Midnight Mass is broadcast.

mong the professions with the lowest status at the time was that of shepherd. Yet it was to shepherds that the birth of the Messiah was first announced. That is significant: the birth of the Redeemer is communicated first to smelly workers, not the high priest, nor the mayor. God is telling us on whose side he is, and on whose side we must be. We had Mass in the oppressively hot cave at the site of the Franciscan church at Shepherds’s Field, in the suburb of Beit

The inner entrance to the church of the nativity in Bethlehem, which was built in the 6th century. Like the main entrance, it was lowered so that marauding invaders could not enter on their horses. (Photo: Günther simmermacher) Sahur (which means Place of the Night Watch). This is probably not the cave in which the angel delivered the momentous news of the Saviour’s birth. That cave is said to be at the nearby Greek Orthodox church, where Queen Helena apparently built a convent. After our Mass, we hoped to conclude our day’s full programme, which had begun with our mechanised ascent of the Mount of Temptation, with a visit of the Barluzzibuilt church of the Shepherds’ Fields. Alas, we got to see only the exterior; the priest in charge finger-waggingly refused to extend the opening times by a few minutes to accommodate our tired group. There probably is a place for the consecrated jobsworths of this world, but I don’t think it’s anywhere near pilgrims. Our group came all the way from South Africa, and most will not be able to return. What are five minutes overtime against that? How does pedantic timekeeping serve a vocation that is intended to bring God closer to the people who seek him? There would be more opportunities to seek and meet Christ over the next couple of days as we prepared for Jerusalem. n This is the seventh part in Günther Simmermacher’s series on The Southern Cross’ Passion Pilgrimage in September.

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The southern cross, December 8 to December 14, 2010

Fr Monageng Mathole

ATHER Monageng Johannes (Moswatse) Mathole, who died on November 14, was born on November 30, 1983, at Nobody in Ga Mothiba, Limpopo. He studied for his orientation at St Paul’s seminary in Welkom, Free State, and later went to St Peter’s seminary in Garsfontein to study philosophy and St John Vianney seminary to study theology. He completed his internship at Ss Peter and Paul parish in Mokopane. He graduated with Bachelor Degrees in Ministry and Theology at St John Vianney seminary on October 28 2009. He was ordained a priest by Bishop Mogale Paul Nkhumishe

of Pietersburg on December 16 2009. After ordination, he was appointed to serve at Our Lady of Good Counsel parish, Doornspruit, where he assisted Fr Willie Koma and later Fr Jerry Masela (the current parish priest). During his service in Doornspruit: He served as a Chaplain for Pax College, gave instructions in religious education at both Motse Maria High School and Pax College and he was appointed as a diocesan youth chaplain in September 2009. Thousands gathered at Mater Dei Pastoral Centre to bid farewell to Fr Mathole. Bishop Nkhumishe expressed his heartfelt condolences to members of

Community Calendar To place your event, call Claire Allen at 021 465 5007 or e-mail c.allen@scross.co.za (publication subject to space)

BETHlEHEM: Shrine of our lady of Bethlehem at Tsheseng, Maluti mountains; Thursdays 09:30, Mass, then exposition of the Blessed sacrament. 058 721 0532 CAPE ToWn: Holy Hour to pray for priests of the diocese, 2nd saturday monthly at villa Maria shrine Kloof nek Rd 16:00-17:00. Adoration Chapel, corpus christi church, wynberg: Mon-Thurs 6am to 12pm; Fri-sun 6am to 8pm. adorers welcome 021-761 3337 St Pio Holy Hour. June 20 at 15:30 at holy Redeemer, Bergvliet. Good Shepherd, Bothasig. Perpetual eucharistic adoration in our chapel. all hours. all welcome. DURBAn: St Anthony’s: Tuesday 9.00am Mass with novena to st anthony. First Friday 5.30pm Mass Divine Mercy novena prayers. Tel: 031 3093496

ST fRAnCIS BAY: Saints and sinners charity golf challenge, 18th December 2010, st Francis Bay Golf course, Fund raising event for building a catholic church in humansdorp. To support this day as a sponsor, with prizes or donations please. contact Mike: 082 320 4633 JoHAnnESBURG: Exposition of the Blessed sacrament: first Friday of the month at 09:20 followed by holy Mass at 10:30. holy hour: first saturday of each month at 15:00. at our Lady of the angels, Little eden, edenvale. Tel: 011 609 7246 first Saturday of each month rosary prayed 10:30-12:00 outside Marie stopes abortion clinic, Peter Place, Bryanston. Joan Beyrooti, 011 782 4331 PREToRIA: first Saturday: Devotion to Divine Mercy. st Martin de Porres, sunnyside, 16:30. Tel shirley-anne 012 361 4545.

Southern CrossWord solutions SOLUTIONS TO #422. 4 Teacher, 8 Eleven, 9 Timbrel, 10 The Son, 11 Tolled, 12 Suicidal, 18 Abstract, 20 Samuel, 21 Craven, 22 Bondage, 23 Course, 24 An angel. DOWN: 1 Leftist, 2 Heretic, 3 Benoni, 5 Epistles, 6 Cabals, 7 Exeter, 13 Dialogue, 14 Calvary, 15 Othniel, 16 Saloon, 17 Burden, 19 Terror.

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Fr Monageng Mathole (right) with Fr Baile swele. Both died in a car crash on november 20. family, the entire clergy of the diocese, as well as those that Fr Mathole has served. Fr Mathole died with his friend Fr Baile Swele of the archdiocese of Pretoria in an accident in Pretoria on November 14. He is survived by his sister Mabel Mathole. Edwin Manamela

Family Reflections DECEMBER—THE PRIZE, A GIFT Introduction: It is not only in sports that one wins prizes. St Paul speaks of life as a race with a prize at the end too. So while we look forward to the prize, the reward and the gift of eternal life, we are also entitled to enjoy the game. Family life is potentially one of the most joyful games, if also one of the most difficult tasks in life but the prize and the gift of joy can be celebrated in a special way at Christmastime. Do we engage in sport just for winning a prize or for the joy of it? What have you been doing to win the prize? 19th 4th Sunday of Advent. Mary’s Child Emmanuel. The name Emmanuel means “Godwith-us.” It is through Mary that Jesus was made present to each individual and in each family. Do we truly recognise God’s presence in everyone? In the days leading up to Christmas be conscious of this gift.

DEATHS BYRnE—sr M Kevin. holy cross sister, sr M. Kevin, passed away in holy cross home, Lady selborne, Pretoria, on november 8, 2010. Lovingly remembered by her family circle and the holy cross sisters.

In MEMoRIAM CAnn—John catania. in loving memory of my dear husband John, who died ten years ago on november 1, 2000. Rest in peace my love. Greatly missed by your zibeth. AnDERSon—Jean. in loving memory of our Mum who passed away December 8, 2000. “This is what yahweh asks of you, only this, to act justly, love tenderly and to walk humbly with your God.” This was our Mum. still greatly missed by agnes, Rex, Janet and families.

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liturgical Calendar Sunday, December 12th, 3rd Sunday of Advent: Is 35:1-6, 10; Ps 146:6-10; Jas 5:7-10; Mt 11:2-11 Monday, December 13th, St Lucy: Num 24:2-7, 15-17; Ps 25:4-9; Mt 21:23-27 Tuesday, December 14th, St John of the Cross: Zep 3:1-2, 9-13; Ps 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-19, 23; Mt 21:28-32 Wednesday, December 15th, feria: Is 45:6-8, 18, 21-25; Ps 85:9-14; Lk 7:18-23 Thursday, December 16th, feria: Is 54:1-10; Ps 30:2, 4-6, 11-13; Lk 7:24-30 Friday, December 17th, feria: Gen 49:2, 8-10; Ps 72:1-4, 7-8, 17; Mt 1:1-17 Saturday, December 18th, feria: Jer 23:5-8; Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19; Mt 1:18-25 Sunday, December 19th, 4th Sunday of Advent: Is 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-6; Rom 1:1-7; Mt 1:18-24

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PRAYERS HolY st Jude, apostle and martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, kinsman of Jesus christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke you, special patron in time of need. To you i have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg you to come to my assistance. help me now in my urgent need and grant my petitions. in return i promise to make your name known and publish this prayer. amen. MB HolY st Jude, apostle and martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, kinsman of Jesus christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke you, special patron in time of need. To you i have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg you to come to my assistance. help me now in my urgent need and grant my petitions. in return i promise to make your name known and publish this prayer. amen. Grateful thanks for prayers answered. FB. MY beloved Mother Mary, many thanks for yet again coming to my aid. you never failed me, and i love and honour you. Manfred. o GloRIoUS st Thérèse, whom almighty God has raised up to aid and inspire the human family, i implore your miraculous intercession. you are so powerful in obtaining every need of body and spirit form the heart of God. holy Mother church proclaims you “Prodigy of Miracles…..the greatest saint of Modern Times”. now i

fervently beseech you to answer my petition (mention here) and to carry out your promises of spending heaven doing good on earth….of letting fall from heaven a shower of roses. Little flower, give me your childlike faith, to see the Face of God in the people and experiences of my life, and to love God with full confidence. st Thérèse, my carmelite sister, i will fulfill your plea “to be made known everywhere” and i will continue to lead others to Jesus through you. amen. “i will let fall from heaven…a shower of roses”. eh

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GoRDon’S BAY: Beautiful en-suite rooms available at reasonable rates. Magnificent views, breakfast on request. Tel: 082 774 7140. e-mail: bzhive@telkomsa.net knYSnA: self-catering garden apartment for two in old Belvidere with wonderful lagoon views. Tel: 044 387 1052. kolBE HoUSE is the catholic centre and residence for the university of cape Town. Beautiful estate in Rondebosch near the university. From mid november, December and January, the students’ rooms are available for holiday guests. we offer self-catering accommodation, parking in secure premises. short walks to shops, transport etc. contact Jock 021 685 7370, fax 021 686 2342 or 082 308 0080 or kolbe.house @telkomsa.net lonDon: single £25 , twin £40 per night. house protea@hotmail.com 021 851 5200. MARIAnEllA Guest house, simon’s Town: “come experience the peace and beauty of God with us.” Fully equipped with amazing sea views. secure parking, ideal for rest and relaxation. special rates for pensioners and clergy. Tel: Malcolm salida 082 784 5675 or mjsalida@mweb.co.za MonTAGU: self-catering family accommodation. views, braai, 3beds , sleeps 5-7. central and secure. Phone 074 190 5634, gailellis@telkom sa.net SoUTH CoAST: 3 bedroom house, Marine Drive, uvongo Tel: Donald 031 465 5651, 073 989 1074. STEllEnBoSCH: Five simple private suites (2 beds, fridge, micro-wave). countryside vineyard/forest/mountain walks; beach 20 minute drive. affordable. christian Brothers Tel: 021 880 0242 / cbc_stel@mweb.co.za SoUTH CoAST: 3 bedroom house, Marine Drive, uvongo Tel: Donald 031 465 5651, 073 989 1074. UMHlAnGA RoCkS: Fully equipped self-catering 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house, sleeps 6, sea view, 200 metres from beach, Dstv. Tel: holiday Division, 031 5615838, hol idays@lighthouse.co.za WIlDERnESS: Rustic farm cottage. sleeps five, self-catering. Ph 073 478 9038. thewoodvillecot tage@gmail.com

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4th Sunday of Advent (Dec 19), Readings: Isaiah 7:10-14, Psalm 24:1-6, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-24

EXT Sunday is the final Sunday before Christmas. Sometimes that is a signal for hysterical bouts of shopping and packing and menu-planning, but life might be easier if instead we were to pay attention to the readings for the day, which offer us a useful reminder of what the Coming of Christ is really about. Our first reading is recycled in Sunday’s gospel to help us understand what that Coming is about; but it also has a life of its own, in the original setting. The situation there is that the prophet Isaiah is trying to help the King of Judah (do you remember the time in this country when religion was supposed to keep out of politics? It can never happen) to cope with the threat posed by the alliance for war against Judah on the part of two northern kingdoms, Syria and Israel. Isaiah wants the King to ask for a sign that God is acting in the midst of the crisis. King Ahaz, whether for motives of piety or for other reasons such as wanting to go his own way, says: “I shan’t tempt the Lord.” Isaiah will have none of it, and makes a prediction about a child that is going to be born, apparently to the royal house of David, within the next few months. And before the child “can tell the difference between right and wrong” Syria and

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Psalm 24 trumps Santa Claus Nicholas King SJ sunday Reflections

Israel will no longer be a threat to Judah. That prophecy came true, for Israel and Syria were defeated quite soon by Assyria; and Ahaz, who had foolishly gone to war with them, against Isaiah’s advice, had to pay enormous damages. There is more to the prophecy than that, however, as we shall see when we come to the gospel. The psalm reminds us of the lesson that Ahaz refused to heed, that “The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness, the world and those who live in it”; but not just anyone can approach the Lord: “Who is to go up on the mountain of the Lord, and who can arise to his holy place?” Then the familiar list provides the answer to his question: “The one with clean hands and pure heart...that one will receive blessings from the Lord, and justice from the God of their salvation.” We might reflect on that as we write our last frantic letters to Santa

Claus for all those things that we (wrongly) imagine will make us happy. The second reading for next Sunday is the powerful opening to what was arguably Paul’s most influential letter, that to the Church in Rome. He begins by identifying himself (nothing arrogant about this, you must understand; this is how letters always start in the ancient world): “Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus¸ called as an apostle, set apart for God’s Good News”. In the next line he emphasises that it is the same God speaking “through his prophets, in the holy Writings”, but that all God’s speech has a destiny and a subject, “his son, who was born of the offspring of David according to the flesh” (and the reference to David here picks up the “house of David” of the first reading); then Paul looks ahead, as we must do at Christmas, to the “Resurrection from the dead”, and then explains to “all those who are in Rome, beloved by God, called to be saints, grace to you and peace”. So the message is not dead words about long ago, but uttered to us, in this country, today, as a living inspiration. The gospel for next Sunday is our first encounter in Matthew’s gospel with Joseph and with Mary, and the embarrassment that

Altar boy mystery solved A BOUT a month ago I told the story in this column of an altar server colleague, John van Castricum, who managed to perform a quite elegant 360° loop with a thurible during benediction at the parish of St Pius X in Pretoria during the late 1950s. Accompanying the story was a photograph I dredged up from an old album showing “Thurible King” van Castricum and me in a group of altar servers. I was not able to identify many of the youngsters in that photo and asked for help from The Southern Cross readers. And, my goodness, what a response I got. Not just a response, but the opportunity to make contact with school friends that I had not seen since the final matric farewells at CBC and Loreto Convent in Pretoria at the end of 1960. My classmate Patrick Eaton wrote to me from the United States where he has been living almost ever since he left school. His sister Janet, another school friend, sent him The Southern Cross article. Fr Kevin Reynolds with whom I have had a lot of contact since our schooldays where we shared a classroom with the now Bishop of Rustenburg, Kevin Dowling, was able to identify a number of the altar boys. In fact all are identi-

Mary is pregnant, when she is only engaged, and they have not yet come together; Joseph, a decent man, knows that he has to divorce her, but does not want to make a public scandal out of it. However the story goes off in a rather different direction, with a message from God (an angel in a dream) telling Joseph that “what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit”, and giving instructions about how he is to name the child, and why (“because he will save his people from their sins”). Then Matthew does what he will do many times in his gospel, and cites Scripture, in this case from our first reading. He makes two changes: First, that instead of the “young woman” of the Hebrew text, Matthew cites the Greek translation, in which she is “a virgin”, which better fits Mary’s situation. Secondly, he gives the meaning of the name “Immanuel”, “God with us”. And if you look at the last words of Matthew’s gospel, you will hear Jesus proclaim: “I am with you, until the consummation of the age”. That is a very remarkable claim, and we shall do well to ponder it as Advent rushes to its end.

Southern Crossword #422

Chris Moerdyk

The Last word fied with the exception of only one. I got e-mails from Dorothy van Eden and Mary Ainslie—names I did not immediately recognise until I found out that Dorothy was a dear friend called Dolly Bell from my school days. Her father was a senior manager at The Pretoria News when I started my first job there in 1962 and I will always remember how helpful he was to a very green and junior member of staff. It also turns out that Dolly’s aunt Natalie and my mother-in-law, Mary, who is still hale and hearty and living with us in the Cape, were school friends at Rosebank Convent. Dolly identified her brother Pax, sitting in the front row of the photograph. Mary Ainslie, I discovered, was another school friend, Mary Richardson, who had quite considerable sports prowess and it was hardly surprising to find that eldest son, Ian, was an Olympic yachtsman and her nephew,

Conrad

"IT'S THAT LOOK..I THINK HE'S GOING FOR THE 360°

Back row from left: John van castricum, chris Moerdyk, (unidentified), Peter Kirk, Jimmy Kirk, and behind him, norman Kirk, Patrick eaton, Larry Mills, anthony acton. Middle: Fr Tony Doherty, Mgr Fred Mason. Front: sean Lance, Ben schapers, Pax Bell Dave, one of South Africa’s great wicketkeepers. Mgr Vincent Hill also identified three of the altar servers and one of them, Ben Schapers, contacted me to identify himself sitting in the middle of the front row. I was absolutely delighted to receive by mail a long letter from the current parish priest of St Pius X, Fr Hyacinth Ennis OFN, who enclosed a 50th anniversary brochure for the parish, featuring more early photographs of altar servers including a very good shot of the back of my head. He identified Fr Tony Doherty as the priest sitting next to Mgr Mason in the photograph. It turns out that the photograph must have been taken very soon after the parish was established. A friend of John van Castricum who has been in contact with me is Lisa Cassidy from Pretoria, who was married to a very good school friend of my younger brother. Lisa, a wonderfully imaginative writer in her spare time—she really should do this for a living—kept me laughing my head off as she described her passion for very fast Japanese motorcycles and her clearly excellent relationship with her mother, Bernadette Walton. So, only one altar boy unidentified. But, probably not for long judging by the enormous reach of The Southern Cross and its capacity to bring so many old friends together after so many years.

ACROSS 4. One who instructs you (7) 8. Number one next to another one (6) 9. Tambourine (7) 10. Person in the sign of the cross (3,3) 11. Caused church bell to ring (6) 12. The way Judas felt before his death (8) 18. Theoretical modern painting? (8) 20. He has two biblical books (6) 21. Cowardly old rugby Springbok? (6) 22. State of slavery of Israelites (7) 23. Series of lessons on golf? (6) 24. Made known by the message of... (Angelus) (2,5)

DOWN 1. Politician on the wing (7) 2. He is willingly unorthodox (7) 3. Rachel's son on the East Rand (Gn 35) (6) 5. St Paul sent many of them (8) 6. Furtive groups among Africa balsam (6) 7. Cathedral city of Devon (6) 13. Chat between two of you (8) 14. Golgotha (7) 15. One of the Judges (Jg 3) (7) 16. Nothing in the salon makes it public (6) 17. My yoke is easy and my...light (Mt 11) (6) 19. Extreme fear (6) Answers on page 11

CHURCH CHUCKLE

HE nun explained to the catechism class that at Holy Mass we are back on Calvary, we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus, and that the priest and the community worshipped together. “Now,” said the gentle nun, “if the priest represents Jesus, who do the two servers represent?” Denis quickly raised his hand: “The two thieves.” send us your favourite catholic joke, preferably clean and brief, to The southern cross, church chuckle, Po Box 2372, cape Town, 8000.

The southern cross, December 8 to December 14, 2010

FOCUS

The southern cross, December 8 to December 14, 2010