The Southern Cross - 110914 by The Southern Cross

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September 14 to September 20, 2011

Sa’s Lumko helped asian church grow

Special 4-page focuS on retreatS

Page 3

Pages 7-10

R5,50 (incl VAT RSA) Reg No. 1920/002058/06

No 4742

the african giants of the early church Page 11

SA Church gets ready for new missal BY CLAIRE MATHIESON

HE second phase of the new English translation of the Mass will be implemented on the first Sunday of Advent, November 27. The newly translated Roman missal will be made available to all parishes and communities during September. The third phase—the new lectionary using the Revised Standard Version—will be implemented at the beginning of Lent in 2012. Despite the time difference, the English Language Liturgy Implementation Committee of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) has assured local Catholics that publications have been made available for the interim. Training has been conducted with bishops, priests and deacons around the country. Christopher Busschau, a member of the implementation committee said a proactive response was needed to address the concern around the country regarding the change in liturgy. “People were confused and upset with the impending changes. There was a lot people did not know about the new translation—the why and the how,” Mr Busschau said. Using his executive management experience, the liturgy department at the SACBC launched a subcommittee that is tasked with the implementation of the new translation around the country. The preparations take on various forms and will continue until next Lent. “We started with a road show. We visited Johannesburg, Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth [for the metropolitan see of Cape Town] and Durban to meet with the country’s bishops for a one-day workshop where they learnt how to implement the changes and how to reinforce the new translation.”

he new missal will take effect throughout the English-speaking Church with the beginning of the new liturgical year on the first Sunday of Advent. Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, writing in Durban’s archdiocesan monthly newsletter, said that the implementation of the new Roman Missal is a “key moment for leaders in the Church to give good, clear and committed leadership”. He said the new missal is “a fact”—the result of extensive research and examination to produce the best possible and most accurate translation. He said that the product is “the best it could be” and therefore should be embraced by local Catholics. He called on all Catholics, especially leaders in the Church, to ensure that the Mass does what “it was instituted to do— to bring about the greatest unity possible

among the People of God”. Mr Busschau said: “The second phase is the distribution of altar missals for use by the clergy and an abridged version of the missal for the laity. Every parish in the country will receive altar Missals a few weeks before the Mass changes and parishioners can either use the pamphlet or the ‘Simple Order of the Mass’ booklet to follow the Mass.” The ‘Simple Order of the Mass’ booklet is pocket-sized, 80 pages and contains the congregational parts of the Mass and the Eucharistic prayers, but no readings. “The booklets are available from diocesan bookshops, are affordable and will allow you to participate fully in the Mass,” Mr Busschau said. The third phase of the changeover will occur by Ash Wednesday in 2012 when the new lectionaries and Sunday missals will be available to everyone. There will be a Sunday missal and a daily missal—which contains both the Sunday and weekday Masses. “The new missal contains the new translation of the Eucharistic prayers. These have changed in style and wording, but not in substance and meaning,” Mr Busschau said. The readings, he added, come from a different translation of the Bible. “We’ve moved from the Jerusalem version to the Revised Standard Version.”

ardinal Napier called on the priests in his archdiocese to manage the change and help their parishioners along. “Build a guiding team and create liturgy teams in the deanery or parish and get the vision right,” he suggested, adding that leaders need to help make the change stick. “The Mass must be better. It is the centre of our lives,” he said. To further assist Catholics around the country, Mr Busschau said, the liturgy committee has developed a series of articles across various media, for distribution with Mass bulletins and to anyone interesting in learning more. “The seven-article-series has been written for the average Catholic. It will run from the ‘why’ and ‘how’ to the ‘what’.” Günther Simmermacher, editor of The Southern Cross, said that an extensive series of articles will run weekly in the newspaper in October and November, concluding with the end of the current liturgical year. Mr Busschau said Southern Africa’s churches are ready for the new Mass— most of the responses in Mass were already implemented in this region in 2008—and that every effort is being made to ensure that the country’s Catholics are also ready. It is now up to the local leaders in the Church to carry out those changes effectively, he added.

A priest surveys materials relating to the new Roman missal. The new liturgical translations will become effective throughout the English-speaking Church in late November.

Ex-Mthatha bishop dies at 81 BY CLAIRE MATHIESON

ETIRED Bishop Andrew Zolile Brook of Mthatha (pictured) died on September 5 at his home in Uitenhage, age 81. Born on November 22, 1929, he grew up in Port Elizabeth and entered the seminary in Lesotho. He was ordained a priest in 1957 before earning a further degree in theology in Uganda. Bishop Brooke wanted to work in his home diocese of Port Elizabeth, but at the time the bishop reportedly wanted only missionary priests and locals were not accepted for local ministry. As a result, Bishop Brooke worked mostly in the diocese of Queenstown where he emphasised the importance of catechesis and educating people in a way that was accessible and easy to understand. He was ordained bishop of Mthatha (then Umtata) in May 1979. Bishop Sithembele Sipuka, current

bishop of Mthatha, said his predecessor was known for his gentleness, humility and for being down to earth. “He was the first Xhosa-speaking bishop and was known for being very accessible to the people,” Bishop Sipuka said. “He trained as a catechist and always drew from culture when he spoke. He had a special way of connecting culture to faith.” The late bishop emphasised the importance of pastoral work on the level that the locals could understand easily. “He was always very down to earth which made him easy to relate to and learn from,” Bishop Sipuka said. Bishop Brooke served Mthatha until his retirement in 1995. He returned home to the diocese of Port Elizabeth where he lived with his family. The bishop suffered for many years with Alzheimer’s disease and was cared for by his family. He passed away quietly surrounded by loved ones.

Activist: If the poor Church can help, why can’t govt? STAFF REPORTER

F the under-resourced Catholic Church in Klerksdorp could manage to conduct a research survey of hundreds of families and secure an amount of R400 000 to assist 30 households, why can’t the government do more than that through the poverty alleviation which President Jacob Zuma has promised? This is the question of Pretrus Moshe, development coordinator of the Klerksdorp diocese. The diocese’s development structure, its Justice & Peace Commission and the Siyab-

habha Trust of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference hosted an event in Kopela village, North West Province, for extremely poor people who were identified as beneficiaries of a new household gardening project. The funding was obtained by the Siyabhabha Trust, the Southern African arm of Caritas International, through the lottery distribution board. The event for the project was attended by officials from government departments, non-governmental organisations, churches, the local chief and the local ward council-

lor. Thirty people were presented with certificates for successfully completing training, and four people received awards for outstanding achievements in the implementation and completion of the project. The main objective of the project, which has not been given an official name, is aimed at self-employment. “Each household has access to food security by means of selling and buying foodstuff”, said Mr Moshe. The R400 000 funding covered training and the purchase of garden equipment. The diocese’s research included hundreds

of households which were then narrowed down to 30. It found that in wide unemployment, many families keep going through household projects, Mr Moshe said. Each of the 30 families is expected to train their neighbours. In this way, the project is intended to benefit the entire community, he said. Mr Moshe called on the local municipality “to replicate this model”. He urged local government to sustain the project, and to learn from the people of Kopela and the diocese development structure how to implement the project.

The Southern Cross, September 14 to September 20, 2011

LOCAL

Jesuit to leave but book to remain STAFF REPORTER

FTER 51 years of service in southern Africa, 86-year-old Jesuit Father Ted Rogers is to return to Britain—but he will leave his memoirs in a forthcoming book. Fr Rogers was the founder and first principal of the School of Social Work at the University of Zimbabwe. He was also known for his work as the director of the Inter-territorial Meeting of Bishops in Southern Africa (IMBISA). According to Paddy Kearney, coordinator of the Denis Hurley Centre, Fr Rogers was also an “Aids pioneer, especially through peer education groups in over 40 Zimbabwean high schools. He was one of the first people to bring the problem of Aids to the attention of the Southern African Catholic

Bishops’ Conference”. Mr Kearney said the Jesuit priest recently suffered heart failure and a major lung problem which required hospitalisation. “His doctors have indicated that he needs to live at a lower altitude than is possible in Zimbabwe and to have oxygen support for 16 hours each day. His superiors have arranged for him to be stationed in Britain where he will be closer to his family and will be able to continue his writing,” Mr Kearney said. Writing of his departure for his native country, Fr Rogers said: “After 51 years in Rhodesia and Zimbabwe I have left with three pairs of trousers, five shirts, and two pairs of shoes, a four-year-old laptop and a camera! Any other personal things are left behind and that’s OK. I find this rather hilari-

ous as there have been so many people grabbing farms, diamonds and anything they fancied. I am not just resigned, but peaceful and happy.” Despite his departure from the region, Fr Rogers’ memoirs will be published later this year by Cluster publications in Pietermaritzburg, under the title Ted Rogers: Jesuit, Social Pioneer and Aids Activist in Zimbabwe. A Memoir. It will be the first in a new Cluster Series, “Christian Lives in Africa”. Mr Kearney said the book will contain a vivid description of the priest’s career as merchant shipman during the Second World War, detailing how he first reached the shores of Africa in a lifeboat after his ship, the “Alfred Jones”, had been torpedoed 250km off the coast of Sierra Leone in July 1941.

Bishops re-launch new website

No flowers for 107th birthday BY CLAIRE MATHIESON

BY CLAIRE MATHIESON

HE Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) has re-launched its website (www.sacbc.org.za), which aims to be the information centre of the Catholic Church in the region. Fr Chris Townsend of the bishops’ communication office said that after six years, the previous website needed to be refreshed and updated both with regard to image and technology. “With the change in the way people access our website and the information wanted, we felt the best way to do this was to design a new website,” Fr Townsend said. The SACBC partnered with the Mariannhill Mission Press. “Web page designer Shereé Conway, managering member Rob Riedlinger and myself looked at different ways to make the website work in new ways,” Fr Townsend said. The new website has been constructed on the Wordpress platform, a format that allows for easy updates. “We noted a dramatic increase in people using smartphones to access our website. The new Wordpress design will be mobile user friendly,” Fr Townsend said. He added the design will also benefit the departments who want to update their pages. “Wordpress can even be updated from a cell-

Jesuit Father Ted Rogers met Pope John Paul II. Fr Rogers will return to Britain after 51 years of service in southern Africa, but his memoirs for a forthcoming book will remain.

The bishops conference’s new website aims to be user-friendly and a central source of information for the local Catholic Church. phone,” he said. “We are aware that people are interacting with us [the SACBC] through Facebook and Twitter and to a lesser extent YouTube. We need to use this website as a major communication tool that will allow users to find the information they need,” he said. So far, the website has received positive feedback. “We are aware of a few problems which occur when moving data from one for-

mat to another. We are working on those [problems] but have received very positive feedback,” Fr Townsend said. He said the website is “clear and easy to interact with” and aims to become the information centre of the local Church. With the newsletters that people can register for and quick updating tools that allow the SACBC departments to update their own pages, news can reach many very quickly. “This is a very powerful tool for getting news out and is an important resource for anybody looking for information on the local Church,” Fr Townsend said.

ARGHERITA Blaser, the well known Catholic centenarian in the archdiocese of Cape Town, will be celebrating her 107th birthday in October—but don’t send her flowers! The Nazareth House resident has asked that this year planned acts of kindness or gifts should be directed towards Radio Veritas, the country’s Catholic Radio station, as she can no longer accommodate the generosity of gift givers. Last year, Mrs Blaser was the recipient of multiple floral arrangements and gifts. While she said she does love the flowers, she simply does not “have the room to display all the flowers.” Mrs Blaser, a former restaurateur, dress maker and home maker attracted a host of attention and popularity over the years and was

visited on her last birthday by a multitude of high profile visitors, including Western Cape premier Helen Zille. She has asked that all thoughts of kindness be directed instead to Radio Veritas in the form of a donation. The radio station was founded by her son, Dominican Father Emil Blaser. Despite her age, residents of Nazareth House describe Mrs Blaser as being “clear and sharpminded”, although lately she has taken to walking with the aid of a stick, always with someone at her side. She said assisting Radio Veritas will reach out to many of the country’s Catholics—a great way to celebrate a 107th birthday. Donations can be sent to: Radio Veritas, Nedbank, Cresta (191305), account number 1913296067 or to Radio Veritas, P O Box 4599, Edenvale, 1610.

Singing to provide shelter BY THANdI BOSMAN

UR Lady of Peace parish in Roodepoort, Johannesburg will host the Welsh Male Voice Choir of South Africa for a concert on October 23. The concert is a fund raiser for the Culture of Life Apostolate Shelter of Divine Mercy in the archdiocese of Johannesburg. Johannesburg-based De La Salle Brother George Whyte said the shelter is a place “for women to have their babies”, in that way helping to prevent abortions. The Welsh Male Voice Choir of South Africa is a group of about 40

men who, according to Br Whyte, are “regular entertainers” around the country. The Welsh choir is a non-profit organisation which performs to raise money for charity or educational services. The Welsh choir has a broad repertoire, ranging from opera to classics to Welsh hymns. Br Whyte said that he is expecting about 600 people to attend the concert. The concert will start at 15:00 at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Cahn Street. For tickets or more information contact Br George Whyte at 082 360 4815.

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LOCAL

The Southern Cross, September 14 to September 20, 2011

SA initiative helps Asian Church thrive STAFF REPORTER

HE former bishop of Aliwal North travelled to India to address a theological congress on the subject of fostering Small Christian Communities (SCC). Bishop Fritz Lobinger, now based at Mariannhill, was invited to the congress in the central Indian city of Nagpur because many of the materials used by the SCCs in India’s 140 dioceses and throughout Asia are adapted from the Southern African bishops’ Lumko Institute—in particular its influential Gospel-sharing programme. During the congress, which was attended by 17 Indian bishops, 20 papers were read and discussed, covering ten carefully selected topics about the life and the impact of SCCs. “The lectures will be published in a combined form next year in order to give a firm theological foundation to the vast number of SCCs in India. A special purpose of the congress was to produce a theological book which will be used in all seminaries,” Bishop Lobinger

told The Southern Cross. This should make sure that the young priests will all be fully aware of SCCs when they are ordained and begin working in the parishes.” A survey conducted in 2003 by the Laity Commission of the Bishops Conference of India showed that 90% of the country’s dioceses of India had SCCs or were in the process of establishing them. In these dioceses about two thirds of parishes had SCCs. At the time, there were already 62 000 SCCs in India. A newly-published three-year research project published in the Philippines-based East Asian Pastoral Review (No.1-2/2011) provides for the first time reliable, scientifically researched information about SCCs in Asia. “Until now we could only rely on sporadic reports by individuals, some enthusiastic, others asking what actual impact these SCCs are making in their parishes and in their environment. Are they mere prayer groups? Are they having an influence on the social problems

Bishop Fritz Lobinger retired of Aliwal North, addresses a theological congress in India. of their area? Is it just a dream that they do have such a transformative influence, or is it reality?” Bishop Lobinger said. The research, funded by the German agency Missio, was conducted in one diocese each in five Asian countries—the Philippines,

17 participants complete Bibliolog workshop STAFF REPORTER

RIESTS and sisters of Aliwal diocese in the Eastern Cape participated in a Bibliolog workshop. The workshop was conducted by Andrea Schwarz and Sr Ulrike Diekmann CPS. The Bibliolog method of Biblesharing offers a way of experiencing the Scriptures’ message in a creative and life-affirming way. Participants are assigned a place in a biblical setting to play out an active role, thus making 2 000 years ago turn alive in the present day, said Mgr Joseph Kizito, vicargeneral of Aliwal diocese. “The Bibliolog method gave us an experience of new techniques of reading and sharing the Good News of God in the Bible,” he said. It was initially developed by the North-American Jewish scholars Peter and Susan Pitzele. “The participants were excited about this new way of approach-

South Korea, Thailand, India and Sri Lanka—covering a total of 125 SCCs. “The most frequently asked question is whether SCCs are making a real impact in their areas. An impact on faith life is definitely visible at each place.

Walk with Christ on Heritage Day BY CLAIRE MATHIESON

Participants display their certificates at a Bibliolog workshop in the Aliwal diocese, Eastern Cape. ing biblical texts. We will certainly continue with this kind of biblical work,” said Bishop Michael Wüstenberg of Aliwal. At the end of this workshop the

17 participants received feedback from the group and the trainers, and were issued with certificates as evidence that they had completed the workshop.

HE second annual Walk with Christ is scheduled to take place on Heritage Day, September 24 at the Mthatha Cathedral in the diocese of Mthatha. Organisers Gerard Knock and Bobby Udermans said the walk received such a positive response last year that the Mthatha Catholic Men’s Group will again host the spiritual event, aiming to double the number of participants walking with Christ. Mr Udermans said the Men’s Group wanted to raise awareness of Christ and to let the public

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The familiarity with the Bible is way beyond what it was before,” Bishop Lobinger observed. “It was not really the documents of Vatican II that caused this enormous increase in the use of the Bible, but the simple ‘Seven Steps’ Gospel-sharing method which originated in Lumko, the pastoral institute of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference. In these SCCs people experience that they themselves are the Church. They evangelise themselves and evangelise others,” the bishop said. “Another key question of the research is what role the priests are playing with the establishment and the nurturing of SCCs. Their role is crucial. SCCs are not something that grows by itself. Detailed figures are given about the specific ways by which priests support and guide SCCs. In most cases the priests are praised for their work for SCCs.” he said. n Copies of the East Asian Pastoral Review can be ordered from Mrs Saldy Carrascal at ydlas2002@yahoo.com

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know that “Christ is among us. We want the people to see that we are walking with him”. This year the group will walk about 8km from the diocese’s cathedral. “All Catholics are encouraged to take part and all Christians have been invited. We have invited other churches and want to bring awareness to all that Christ is among us,” Mr Udermans said. He added that this event would be particularly important in helping to engage youth in Church activities. n Contact Bobby Udermans on 083 456 8643 for more information.

Send your local news to news@scross.co.za

The Southern Cross, September 14 to September 20, 2011

INTERNATIONAL

Vatican denies meddling in probe BY CINdY WOOdEN

HE Vatican has forcefully denied it undermined the Irish bishops’ efforts to protect children from sexual abuse and characterised as “unfounded” claims the Vatican tried to interfere in government investigations regarding Church handling of sex abuse cases. The Vatican recognises “the seriousness of the crimes” detailed in a government report about cases in the diocese of Cloyne, Ireland, it said in a communiqué. The communiqué accompanied a 19-page formal response to the Irish government’s Cloyne Report on the diocese and to statements made by the Irish prime minister and motions passed by both houses of the Irish parliament concern-

ing the report and the Vatican’s involvement in how cases were handled. The Irish government’s Cloyne Report, issued on July 13, accused the Vatican of being “entirely unhelpful” to Irish bishops who wanted to implement stronger norms for dealing with accusations and protecting children. The response emphasised that the Congregation for Clergy’s observations about potential problems in the Irish bishops’ 1996 child protection guidelines did not nullify the guidelines or prevent local bishops from adopting them in their dioceses. Church officials, including bishops, are required to follow their nation’s civil laws regarding mandatory reporting of crimes and are free to report

crimes to police even when they are not required by law to do so. The sexual abuse of children is a crime both in civil law and in Church law, the response said. The Vatican also said it “understands and shares the depth of public anger and frustration at the findings of the Cloyne Report”, saying those feelings were reflected in Prime Minister Kenny’s speech, although it did take issue with some points he made. “The Holy See wishes to make it quite clear that it in no way hampered or interfered in the inquiry into child sexual abuse cases in the diocese of Cloyne. Furthermore, at no stage did it seek to interfere with Irish civil law or impede the civil authority in the exercise of its duties,” the response said.—CNS

A priest blesses a barrel of beer as members of the Knighthood of the Brewers’ Mash Staff take part in celebrations at Brussels cathedral. The celebration takes place in September, during a beer weekend staged every year on the Brussels Grand Place. (Photo: François Lenoir, Reuters/CNS)

Priest: Mafia’s bullets intended as message to Church, public BY CINdY WOOdEN

SOUTHERN Italian priest who is outspoken against the Mafia said gunshots fired at his car in late August were likely meant to show him and the public that members of organised crime are still in charge of the area. “I think it was just a serious warning,” Fr Giuseppe Campisano, pastor of St Rocco parish in Gioiosa Ionica, told Vatican Radio. The shots were fired “not in the

middle of the night, but at a time when there were still a lot of people around, so I think they wanted to be heard”. News reports said three or four shots were fired at the car, which was parked outside the rectory. Fr Campisano was not in the car at the time. For years, the priest has received threatening phone calls and letters mailed with bullets in the envelope because of his commitment

to fighting the ‘Ndrangheta, the organised crime ring of Italy’s Calabria region. Fr Campisano told Vatican Radio he thinks the shots were “tied to the feast of St Rocco, most likely because of the position both I and the bishop took in trying to straighten out the celebration a bit and give it a religious sense because it’s always been marked by the most absolute paganism. . The celebration is “linked to a

form of power and control precisely because of the river of money” it brings in with an enormous fair and dozens of stalls selling all sorts of food and trinkets. Members of the ‘Ndrangheta “systematically go to all the stalls for extortion”, the priest said. During the city’s celebration of the feast this year, he said, the Church sponsored four evenings of presentations and reflections on the importance of the rule of law.

He said the town is made up of a large “grey zone,” where people put up with organised crime and the criminal mentality, and a small “black zone”, where the real criminals live and operate openly. Some parishioners, he said, “are beginning to understand the Gospel message and, sharing it, they are close to me and work with me. I count on a ‘small remnant’, to use biblical language.”— CNS

Anger over WYD lock-out remains BY VANESSA SANTILLI

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LAN Law wanted to know why the gates were closed so early at Cuatro Vientos airbase on the eve of the papal vigil at World Youth Day (WYD). So the Canadian posed this question on the wall for the official World Youth Day Facebook group, run by event organisers. “Why were the gates closed so early? A lot of people were locked out,” wrote Mr Law, a product development manager with Tour Design, a travel company that took many Canadian pilgrims to Madrid. He waited for a response but heard nothing. So the next day, he checked again. His comment had been erased. As group leaders and pilgrims returned home after WYD, discontent at the fact that up to 250 000 pilgrims were locked out of Cuatro Vientos airbase for the overnight vigil and closing Mass continues to be vocalised. About 1,4 million pilgrims showed up for the overnight vigil, and WYD organisers were equipped to handle only about a million, turning away regis-

A map shows sections for registered pilgrims and non-registered pilgrims for the World Youth day closing Mass. Up to 250 000 pilgrims were reportedly locked out of the vigil and closing Mass. (Photo: Paul Haring, CNS) tered pilgrims from around the world. “It is the recommendation of the Office of Catholic Youth of the archdiocese of Toronto that we do not go so far as to request refunds or do any type of formal protest just because we understand that we’re dealing with the Church here,” said Christian Elia, the office’s director. “The Church in Spain already has financial issues and, as an act of charity, we’re not going to take those actions.”

However, Mr Elia said it’s important that WYD organisers rethink how they organise the international event. “A lot of people aren’t enthusiastic about going to Rio deJaneiro because with less than two years until the next World Youth Day, it’s hard to imagine how a less-developed nation will do a better job than a more developed Western European nation,” said Mr Elia. But while the aftermath is starting to be felt, some organisers say it’s still too early to see the real ramifications. “There was absolutely no justification for the mess at Cuatro Vientos,” said Sr Eileen McCann, coordinator of WYD groups for the US bishops’ conference. “No one credentialed should have been closed out of there.” However, she said, her experience from attending eight WYDs is that whatever aspect of WYD goes wrong goes quite smoothly at the next international venue. “In Sydney [in 2008], the bishops’ credentials were atrocious and this year [they] had only minor glitches.”—CNS

INTERNATIONAL Miss Panama 2011, fashion model Sheldry Sáez, prays at Mercy Alliance, a non-profit Catholic organisation for street children on the outskirts of São Paulo, Brazil. She was in São Paulo to take part in the 2011 Miss Universe pageant on September 12. (Photo: Paulo Whitaker, Reuters/CNS)

The Southern Cross, September 14 to September 20, 2011

Holy Land ‘safer than ever’ for pilgrims

ILGRIMS to the Holy Land are “safer than ever”, even at the time of political change in the Middle East, according to Catholic leaders in the land of Jesus’ life. There is nothing to fear in the Holy Land and no reason to halt pilgrimages, Fr Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Franciscan custodian of the Holy Land, told Vatican Radio. His remarks were reported by the Rome-based Church news agency Zenit. Fr Pizzaballa observed that in recent months there has been a noticeable decrease in pilgrimages to the Holy Land. He said that the reasons for this can be attributed to the global

economy, but also to false perceptions about the political instability in Arab countries. “Despite what is happening in the Arab world, the Holy Land and pilgrimages to the Holy Land are absolutely safe,” Fr Pizzaballa emphasised. “There is no danger, no risk of any sort and, as in the past, there must be no fear of coming to have this experience.” Even during the Palestinian uprisings over the years, pilgrims have been safe in the Holy Land. Fr Pizzaballa pointed out that many Christians in the region depend on religious tourism, so pilgrimages are not only an experience of faith for the pilgrim, but

also a sign of solidarity with the local Church, which “is a very small community in need of help”. Auxiliary Bishop William Shomali of the Latin patriarchy of Jerusalem echoed Fr Pizzaballa’s words. “The Holy Land and the pilgrims’ sites are safer than ever.” To go on pilgrimage to the Holy Places is “a sign of solidarity with all the inhabitants, because a pilgrim is a figure of peace, a welcome figure, loved by all—Muslims, Christians and Jews,” Bishop Shomali said. “The figure of the pilgrim is a bridge between all: He carries out a work of peace, not only with his prayer, but also with his presence.”

Cardinal keeps talking with ‘disobedient priests’ BY CINdY WOOdEN

ARDINAL Christoph Schönborn of Vienna is not playing “a game of chicken” with priests calling for reforms in Church practice, but is interested in getting the priests to work with him to bring new life to Viennese parishes, his spokesman has said. “The situation is not as dramatic as the Austrian media make it seem,” said archdiocesan spokesman Michael Prüller. “There has been no discussion of sanctions, no ultimatum, no talk of punishment.” The leaders of the “Initiative of Parish Priests” launched a “Call to Disobedience” in late June, urging priests to join them in saying a public prayer at every Mass for Church reform; giving Communion to everyone who approaches the altar in good faith, including divorced Catholics who have remarried without an annulment; allowing women to preach at Mass; and supporting the ordination of women and married men. In August, Cardinal Schönborn met with the four Vienna archdiocesan priests who are on the presiding council of the initiative, and he plans to meet with them again in a few

weeks, but no date has been set, Mr Prüller said. “We don’t send spies to all the parishes to make sure all the rules are kept,” he said, but he added that, if a priest is violating Church law, the situation will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. According to news reports, the initiative’s membership has grown from about 300 priests to about 400, and polls taken among Austrian Catholics showed overwhelming support for the changes the priests support. “The polls are in line with polls from previous years,” Mr Prüller said. “It is a reminder that we have to do more to explain” the Church’s teaching on ordination, the sacraments, marriage and Church structure. Meanwhile, the president of the Austrian conference of superiors of men’s religious orders has called for a “Church summit” to involve all Austrian Church leaders—not just Cardinal Schönborn—in discussing ways to respond to the priests’ initiative and consider possible reforms. Mr Prüller said Cardinal Schönborn met only with the priests in his archdiocese who were leaders of the initiative and that a wider discussion would be up to the bishops’

conference, which meets in October. For several years, he said, the cardinal and archdiocesan leaders have been promoting a reorganisation and renewal of the Church life in Vienna. The cardinal’s intent in meeting with members of the initiative “is more a game of convincing and winning them over, and not a game of chicken,” Mr Prüller said. The cardinal is convinced that his plan for renewal and reform, aimed at helping each Catholic discover his or her mission as a member of the Church, is “more likely to solve the problems in the long term,” the spokesman said. In the Vienna archdiocese, he said, many priests are pastor of three or four parishes at a time “and have no time for pastoral work.” “People need to recognise that everybody is called to pastor others, to serve...Changing the rules for priesthood won’t change this,” Mr Prüller said. “We have to address the real needs of people in the 21st century” and that probably will mean larger parishes where people are encouraged to form small groups, “which are more vibrant and better at supporting each other in the faith” and at reaching out to others.—CNS

John Paul II’s close friend and media cardinal dies at 87 BY CAROL GLATz

OLISH Cardinal Andrzej Deskur (pictured), a longtime promoter of media and communications and close friend of Pope John Paul II, died at his home in Vatican City on September 3 at the age of 87. The late cardinal, who was confined to a wheelchair the past 33 years, was a close friend of Pope John Paul II. He developed a close friendship with then-Karol Wojtyla when they were studying at Krakow’s seminary in 1945. The late cardinal said he considered the pope “a brother and friend”. Cardinal Deskur, born in 1924 in Sancygniow, Poland, grew up in a noble family with French heritage. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1950, serving the archdiocese of Krakow. He was called to work at the Vatican’s Secretariat of State in 1952 and soon began his long career in the field of communications. He first served as undersecretary of the Pontifical Commission for Cinematography, Radio

and Television (1954-64); then as secretary of the preparatory secretariat for the press during the Second Vatican Council, (1960-62); and he acted as an expert during the 1962-65 Vatican II assembly. Cardinal Deskur played a key role in advising Pope Pius XII on matters of the media, especially with the pope’s 1957 encyclical Miranda Prorsus (“On the Communications Field: Motion Picture, Radio and Television”). He helped prepare the council’s 1963 Decree on the Instruments of Social Communication (Inter Mirifica), which called on the Church and laity to instill “a human and Christian spirit” into newspapers, magazines, books, films, radio and television. In 1973, he was named president of the Pontifical Commission (now Council) for Social Communications and served as

head of the council until his retirement in 1984. He was named a bishop in 1974 and archbishop in 1980 by Pope John Paul. The Polish pope elevated him as cardinal in 1985. Pope John Paul credited Cardinal Deskur with explaining how the Vatican worked and introducing the then-archbishop of Krakow to the other cardinals during the weeks before the conclave in 1978, in which Cardinal Wojtyla was elected pope. Before the conclave, thenBishop Deskur suffered a stroke that left him partially paralysed and bound to a wheelchair. Pope John Paul’s first “pastoral visit” outside the Vatican was less than 24 hours after his election as pontiff to see his friend, who was recovering at Rome’s Gemelli hospital. Despite being confined to a wheelchair, the cardinal remained very active.—CNS

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The Southern Cross, September 14 to September 20, 2011

LEADER PAGE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Nature and purpose of Vatican II

Editor: Günther Simmermacher

Let the new missal bring harmony

HE bishops of Southern Africa did the universal Church a favour when they implemented (albeit due to an administrative error) the first phase of the new translation of the Ordinary of the Mass in November 2008. In just over two months time, the rest of the Englishspeaking Church will begin getting used to responses such as “…and with your spirit”, three years after Catholics in our region started to use them. The fierce debates that were sparked by the 2008 implementation served to alert the Church in other English-speaking regions to the potential reaction among their Catholics, and to the hazards of implementing the new translations without extensive and creative catechesis. Nevertheless, bishops in countries such as the United States, Canada, Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand should expect a backlash not unlike that which their counterparts in South Africa experienced three years ago. These protests will likely centre on ecclesiological, theological and linguistic issues. While the theological questions are best left to those who are qualified in the field, the aesthetics of the language of the new translations are a matter taste. It is legitimate to dislike them, much as others deplored the wordings in the outgoing 1970 missal. Cardinal Wilfrid Napier of Durban summed up the debate neatly in an opinion article, published in this newspaper in February 2009, when he said that “a different philosophy of translation had gained the upper hand”. In line with the Vatican instruction Liturgiam authenticam (2001), the philosophy of literal equivalence (which follows the Latin texts closely) gained the upper hand over the dynamic equivalence philosophy (which translates from a more interpretative premise) that was used in the 1970 missal. The present primacy of literal equivalence does not mean that the dynamic equivalence

texts are now in error—both are legitimate, but only one should be used in the liturgy so as to avoid confusion and to promote harmony. The Vatican and the English-speaking bishops have settled on the literal equivalence texts in the new missal. The implementation of the new missal requires extensive catechesis. The faithful, the clergy and those engaged in the liturgical ministry must know and understand what the changes are and what they mean. The Southern Cross has committed itself to assist in that catechesis through a series of seven articles which will be published in October and November, expanding on the content on the subject that will appear in parish newsletters (in particular through the Catholic Link). The much more complex ecclesiological debate merits respectful debate. For example, whether or not the new missal represents a “scaling back” of the Second Vatican Council is a question of perspective. It is fair to note that the process that has led us to the new missal was not always marked by scrupulous sensitivity. It is likewise fair to note that the reaction to the new translations was not invariably polite. It would be wrong, however, to accuse those with whom one disagrees of acting in bad faith, of being reactionary or disobedient. When we enter into dialogue on the new missal, however we may feel about it, we must do so in a spirit of respect and understanding. Objections to the new translation cannot be dismissed by reference to authority. At the same time, obedience compels those who object to the new formulae to nevertheless accept them, if not with joy then in a spirit of unity. Above all, we must beware of turning the liturgy—the instances in our lives when our Lord becomes truly present— into a battleground. Of all the debates in the Church, we must not allow the liturgy to be the cause of discord.

WOULD like to make some comments in relation to the letter from Franko Sokolic (August 17). Without any justification he seems to be saying that John Lee attacks the Mass. This is far from the truth: in his earlier letter Mr Lee is defending the very necessary ongoing process of the Church of liturgical renewal and reform, which was very badly needed at the time of Vatican II. Contrary to what Mr Sokolic states, it is not true that the Mass remained substantially the same since the 7th Century till the time of Vatican II. Both minor and major liturgical changes do occur periodically when the Church feels the need. As one who attended many Masses in the old rite I can say that this liturgy was far from being ideal, and in common with many other Catholics I was very happy when it was replaced with prayers and liturgical actions that better reflect pastoral needs and the biblical and apostolic theology of the Eucharist. If Mr Sokolic thinks that the

Church is going to roll back the liturgical reforms after Vatican II, which were instituted after intensive consultations with liturgists, bishops and theologians, I am sure he is going to be sadly disappointed. However, I have no doubt that as time goes on the Church will make further attempts to correct abuses and renew and improve the liturgy. The new Mass reflects the theology and pastoral concerns of Vatican II. While “traditional Catholics” would like to see Vatican II repealed, this is never going to happen. Vatican II was part of the muchneeded attempt by the Church to define its role in the modern world. The fact that problems involving faulty teaching and pastoral and liturgical practice have appeared in the Church after Vatican II is not the fault of the council fathers. If there are errors of doctrine or spirituality in the documents of Vatican II and in the new order of the Mass instituted after Vatican II as constantly alleged by traditionalist Catholics, I challenge them to substantiate these claims properly.

Mass Reverence

This would probably be the single-most effective way to significantly boost the laity’s understanding of and love for our faith. We should hear from the pulpit the things we need to hear, even if we don’t like to hear them. Colleen Sass, Port Elizabeth

AM deeply troubled by the lack of reverence shown at Mass in many, many Catholic churches today. I am hard-pressed sometimes not to get up and tell parishioners to keep quiet. There is a total lack of respect for the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle which should serve as a focus for prayers before and after Mass. Greeting friends and holding conversations in church has become the norm, showing a complete disregard towards others who are trying to pray. As for the end of Mass, as soon as the final hymn is sung it sounds like a sporting event has just ended. Surely the reason we are going to church is to seek Christ and to try and draw closer to him by leaving all our worldly thoughts behind us? Since the way we receive Holy Communion changed, so has the reverence with which people receive the Eucharist changed. Walking down the aisle to receive Communion seems to have become a meet and greet occasion for many people instead of keeping their focus firmly on the Eucharist. I wonder how many Catholics today actually do believe that they are receiving the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Why are our priests not berating their congregations as to their lack of reverence? Surely the homily should be used to give instruction in Scripture, tradition, and concrete instruction in our faith.

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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.

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Is God calling you to the Religious Life in the Franciscan Family?

Global change

HE modern world has changed so much that the understanding of concepts like religion, capitalism, socialism and nationalism has become meaningless. All religions are based on the experience of their group over millennia. Originally, value systems were passed on by word of mouth and then when finally written down, were translated from languages not necessarily familiar to the translators, hence, what was written became the subjective thoughts and beliefs of the translators. Each religion in consequence follows beliefs in accordance with how the early Fathers of the particular religion interpreted the folklore of their forefathers. Private enterprise defines the ability of an individual or group to 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.

St Francis

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A major problem in the liturgy has not been the structure of the liturgy but the irreverent and uninspiring way in which it is sometimes celebrated today. However, many of the Masses I attended in the old rite were conducted in a hurried and disrespectful fashion and what the priest said was inaudible. It is up to the bishops to ensure that priests conduct services in a worthy manner and lead edifying lives. It is also a responsibility in canon law for the bishops to ensure that Catholics receive the pastoral care they are entitled to. In addition, Catholics should be properly evangelised and doctrine and morals taught. The fact that much of this often does not occur or is done in a very perfunctory manner explains partly why many Catholics are being lured away into the schismatic traditionalist groups that have arisen after Vatican II. The deficiencies of the Church are not to be blamed on Vatican II but at least partly on some Church leaders who appear to be unable or unwilling to exercise the responsibilities entrusted to them. Frank Bompas, Johannesburg identify the circumstances he finds himself and identify the way in which to thrive. In a society there is always the danger that only a relatively small percentage perceive opportunities and take the opportunity to enrich themselves at the expense of others. Socialism seeks to define a society in which everybody shares all the available resources equally. Here there are those who see the opportunity to avail themselves of benefits without working. Nationalism consists of a society that defines an area that suits them and keeps others away by fighting if necessary. By the same token they will invade other groups if they can. Population growth—everyone who lives in a city is unproductive in a sense (they do not produce anything that sustains life). To be self-supporting they must be able to supply a service that others need. Today’s “global village” means that people and companies purchase their needs from whomever can give them the best price. The practice of import tariffs is just not sustainable. Hence loss of jobs! It is evident that the world does not require the number of people previously thought necessary. It should be a concern to all that population growth is such that we are invading the habitats of the ecosystems of the world and we do that at our peril. It is evident that no animal, bird, or insect lives without serving a purpose. What options if any, does religion offer to solve this problem? Deryk Bayman, Durban

RETREAT FOCUS

The Southern Cross, September 14 to September 20, 2011

How retreats advance spiritituality What exactly is a retreat, and what should we expect from one? CLAIRE MATHIESON spoke to two retreat managers to find out.

RETREAT is a planned time of spiritual refreshment, with the opportunity to rest, unwind and pray. It is not limited to gender, age or marital status—a retreat is an opportunity for anyone to reflect, regroup and refresh their lives. This is something which, according to two retreat centre managers, is often excluded from the busy-paced lives people lead today. Neill Deane, manager of St Luke’s Retreat Centre in Port Elizabeth said that today, more than ever, people need retreat centres. “During this era of global turmoil, retreat centres continue to provide a place for those who seek solace, deep connection and refreshment for their souls,” he said. “All should spend a day, a weekend or a week in retreat and see what happens. Whether you attend a workshop, private retreat, directed retreat or preached retreat, we know that something will shift in you.” Mr Deane said the benefit of a retreat is that you find change within yourself and “when you change, the world changes”. Fr Urs Fischer CMM of Mariannhill Retreat House said the

superiors of the congregation of Mariannhill Missionaries decided in the 1970s that a retreat house would be far more beneficial than the guest house they were running then. “Mariannhill wished to offer the Church a space of prayer where attention is given to God, a quiet place for reflection and also of recovery from the hurts of life,” he said. There are different types of retreats and something suited to everyone Mr Deane said. St Luke’s offers mid-week and the more popular weekend retreats for various groups such as catechetics, first Communions classes from individual parishes, sodalities and various Christian organisations. There are also open door retreats around Lent and Advent which are guided and best suited to those with busy schedules. Fr Fischer said most common are preached retreats where for a number of days a special theme of spirituality is developed and guided. Many retreats, however, are individually guided, mostly based on the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola, to encourage Christians to a life of generosity, of interior freedom and of confidence in God’s love. Mr Deane said it was not so important which retreat is chosen but that one chooses to go on one at all. “Even if one begins with a morning of reflection only—that could develop eventually to a full day retreat or even a weekend retreat.” He said one could start small as long as one starts.

and the preference of the director—there is something for everybody.

A retreatant and her retreat director in conversation. There are many retreat houses in South Africa that offer spiritual refreshment.

retreat is an opportunity to get away. “The retreat experience is seen as a temporary withdrawal from the stresses of daily life which is designed to empower the individual to fulfil his or her spiritual value within the strained circumstances of daily life,” said Mr Deane. As stress in ones’ life increases, the need to re-energise, reflect and pray also increases, he said. “Retreat centres are wonderful places for this transformation to take place and also are economic alternatives to high-priced resorts. These sacred places offer an environment where one can be alone

or with family and friends to taste the silence and rest associated with the Divine.” Fr Fischer referred to the life of Samuel when asked on the importance of retreats. “Surely, many who wish so will encounter God in silence and adoration as the young Samuel prayed: ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening’” (1 Sam 3:9). He said retreats offer a place and a time for that silence to occur. But that does not mean that all retreats are entirely silent. Silence is generally preferred for retreats due to the personal nature of the concept, but some do involve a sharing of faith. It depends, Mr Deane said, on the type of retreat

typical weekend retreat at St Luke’s would begin with an opening Friday night dinner followed by a night prayers. Saturday would include morning prayers, a mid-morning guided session, Holy Mass, an afternoon sharing session, evening prayers and a Holy Hour with confession and night prayers (and of course meals in between). Sunday follows the same pattern but ends with a Benediction after lunch. One does not need any prior skills or experience to go on a retreat, but one should be aware of what kind of retreat one is booking for, as some are themed. A walking retreat, for example would assume that all participants are fit enough to walk long distances, along rough tracks and in all sorts of weather. Others might be silent—if one is lonely, then this might not be most suitable form of retreat. Mr Deane said it is always best to check with the organiser or director as to what one should expect. Mr Deane said retreats help us deal with the troubles of life and since everyone has troubles, retreats are for everyone. There are many different types of retreats and many retreat centres around the country. But one thing they all have in common is the opportunity to allow us to seek God and reconnect with ourselves. “Getting away on retreat for a time will transform your life—if you let it,” Mr Deane said.

The language of God BY RON ROLHEISER OMI

OTHING so much approximates the language of God as silence. So writes Meister Eckhard. Among other things this tells us that there is a certain inner work that we can only do by ourselves, alone, in silence. There is a certain depth and interiority that can only be had at a price, silence and solitude. Some things we can only learn alone. But that’s half of an equation: There is also the axiom: Communities are schools of charity. There is too a certain maturity, health, sanity, and resiliency that can only be had by interacting with others. Certain things can only learned by being with others. The Christian spiritual tradition has always emphasised both, though rarely at the same time. On the one hand, spiritual writers have always tended to put an important emphasis on the type of inner work that can only be done in private prayer and contemplation. That is why silence is judged to be so important while on a retreat. “How can you be serious about prayer and conversion unless you are willing to face, in silence, the chaos inside your own heart?” To fear or shun silence generally brings with it the judgment that you are superficial, shallow, fearful of depth, and afraid to be alone with God and yourself. Sometimes this is true. We often do fear being silent and alone because we are afraid of what we might find there. As Thomas Merton puts it, there is a hidden wholeness at the heart of things but, because we are afraid that we might find chaos there instead, we fear being alone and silent long enough to journey to the heart of things. It is far safer on the surface. The emphasis on interiority and silence in classical spiritual writings is trying to ease precisely this fear in us so as to challenge us to a silence and solitude within which we can face ourselves and journey to the heart of things. On the other hand, Christian

spirituality has also always emphasised the social aspect of our lives, family, church-going, and involvement within a community. The social dimension of life too has always been considered a non-negotiable element within a healthy spiritual life.

MaFikeNg

ost of the same writings that emphasise silence and solitude also emphasise being within a family or a community and participating in Church life. They warn that there is a real danger in being too private, in being too caught up inside of ourselves, in avoiding community, in being on a private quest without enough concern for the family and community. Both emphases, taken alone, are one-sided: An emphasis on silence and solitude alone tends to penalise extroverts, just as an emphasis on community and church alone tends to penalise introverts. Too rarely have we struck a healthy balance on this. Both are necessary and both are necessary within the life of the same person. Simply put, there is a certain inner work that can only be done alone, in silence, just as there is a certain growth and maturity that can be only be reached through long faithful interaction within a family and community. There is a time to be alone, away from others, and there is a time to be with others, away from the private fantasies within our own minds. Being silent and being social do different things for us. If I am alone and silent too much, I will probably develop a certain depth, but I also stand the chance of living too much inside my own fantasies. Conversely, if I am a social-butterfly who shuns silence and aloneness, the danger is that I will end up rather shallow and superficial, uninterested in anything beyond the gossip of the day, but I may well posses a balance, sanity, and resiliency that is less evident in the person more given to silence and solitude. We need both, silence and socialiContinued on page 11

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Join us for a quiet, relaxing holiday (for adults) by the sea. We provide a venue for retreats, yoga, and conferences, all in a wonderful environment – a beautiful, spacious garden with a labyrinth, five minutes’ walk from the Indian Ocean. We have comfortable rooms, DStv and a chapel. We offer directed retreats and spiritual guidance. Delicious home cooked meals are provided and tea, coffee etc. are available 24/7. We guarantee you will return home rested and relaxed. For quiet days, weekends or longer holidays book through Sr Emmanuel at (039) 684 6358 or by e-mail at coolock@intekom.co.za. Our postal address is Box 528, Anerley, KzN, 4230

Situated near to the beach, just off of Main Road Strand, The Mary Ward Centre offers affordable accommodation facilities in a tranquil and religious setting, suited to a variety of needs: individuals on retreat, families needing holiday lodging, as well as meetings of larger groups (of up to 35 single and sharing guests). Additionally, The Mary Ward Centre has secure parking and conference facilities for up to 50 people available. Guests may choose between having certain meals provided for them and catering entirely for themselves (a well equipped kitchen and newly renovated braai facilities are on site). The Mary Ward Centre already hosts many workshops, confirmation groups, team-building days, and support-groups from parishes and communities in the Western Cape.

Please contact us to consider the Centre for any similar needs in your community

The Southern Cross, September 14 to September 20, 2011

RETREAT FOCUS

Retreats: An option for young Catholics dedicated to providing recreational and life-skills camps for vulnerable There are several retreat children. Edmund Rice Camps use a “big brother/sister” mentor system centres in South Africa that by recruiting volunteers from youth are dedicated to helping and groups, parishes and schools. All volunteers go through training accommodating the youth, as before becoming a mentor. THANdI BOSMAN reports. “Their training is fairly rigorous and includes counselling, first-aid and facilitation skills,” said Evona Rebelo, coordinator of Edmund Rice Network in Southern Africa. The Edmund Rice Camps proETREATS are a way of building vide support especially for Christian relationships, trust and unity Brothers schools, projects and among people—and are a fun groups. way for the youth to learn to work “The Christian Brothers’ Centre with each other and build a is used regularly by parish and stronger faith in them and with youth groups for retreat work, but their peers, according to Br Clarence this is not facilitated by the Watts, director of programmes at Edmund Rice Camps,” said Ms Bosco Youth Centre in JohannesRebelo. burg. “Young people need space— ohannesburg’s Bosco Youth Cenmore importantly sacred space, to tre offers programmes for young get in touch with their inner self, people from the age of nine up to get in touch with God, and discover early 20s, and works with groups their important role within the across the spectrum of South Church, society, and the global African society. It offers weekend community. We have discovered leadership programmes which focus that these retreats also bond them on leadership, team-building and as a group, especially if they come life skills. as a confirmation group,” Br It also offers a human sexuality programme called LoveMatters which aims at educating young people with relevant and reliable facts and helping them understand the value of sex and the role it has simons town within marriage. “The programme also Our guest house is an extension of our combats the spread of Christian Apostolate and personal HIV/Aids by promoting abstinence as an alternaoutreach to afford religious persons and tive to the safe-sex option. families the opportunity of a stay in this The programme is aimed beautiful part of Cape Town by the sea—a at high school learners from Grades 8-10. We also stay that they would not normally be have a Mini Love Matters able to financially afford or possibly which is geared for Grade 7 learners,” Br Watts said. enjoy, especially large Christian families. For the past 17 years volunteers have helped We will ensure the very best rates for them, so they may with the running of proalso experience the peace and tranquillity that one grammes for retreats. Br enjoys from a stay in Simon’s Town. Watts said that the Bosco Youth Centre has received Religious families, groups and persons wishing to stay with us may positive feedback from par-

Watts explained. With the help of volunteers the Bosco Youth Centre develops retreat programmes for school groups, altar servers, first Communion, first confession and confirmation classes, as well as general retreats. “Retreat programmes include themes such as the Our Father, which helps the young people to pray and reflect on the Lord’s Prayer in a new way; looking at the various aspects of this beautiful prayer and how it relates to their lives today,” Br Watts said by way of example. A theme for confirmation retreats is called “Mission to Serve” during which the young people reflect on their confirmation day not as the end of a journey but as the start of a mission to spread the Gospel. “In fact the theme for World Youth Day in 2013 in Rio is ‘Go and Make Disciples of All Nations’,” Br Watts said, explaining how the Bosco programme connects with the youth gathering in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. he Edmund Rice Camps, based at the Christian Brothers’ Centre in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, is

Above: The Edmund Rice Centre is based at the the Christian Brothers’ Centre in Stellenbosch, Western Cape. It provides camps for vulnerable children using a big brother/sister mentoring system run by trained volunteers. Below: The staff and community at Bosco Youth Centre in Johannesburg. The centre runs various programmes for young people, including confirmation retreats, First Communion retreats, leadership camps, and their LoveMatters programme

Marianella Guest House

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ticipants, parishes, schools, and even non-Catholic groups. The centre offers accommodation for 20 to 250 people, has three conference rooms and two auditoriums. It handles catering and facilities include an obstacle course, swimming pool, braai stands and a variety of sports options. There is also a chapel for silent prayer. Br Watts said that the youth needs to find silence within themselves and break away from the distractions of the world, such as cellphones and social networks. Br Watts added that these distractions give the youth a “false sense of reality”.

“Retreats can give the youth time with God, which is the most important aspect of the experience. Silence is often seen as something that the youth don’t like, but I am always surprised at the young people’s response when we give them time to be quiet and alone with God,” Br Watts said. “Pope Benedict emphasised this at the World Youth Day in Spain last month, and it was amazing to hear that 1.4 million people were in total silence during the night vigil with the pope. Retreats can enrich the young in terms of their faith, growing and developing it with others.”

RETREAT FOCUS

The Southern Cross, September 14 to September 20, 2011

The mission of a parish retreat The Redemptorists are wellknown for the parish missions they offer—though “parish retreats” might be the better term, as LARRY KAUFMANN CSsR explains.

SERIES of retreats given to various parish groups has over the past year or two become part of the structure of a Redemptorist parish mission. Traditionally parish missions are conducted over a two-week period. The first week is primarily a time of preparation for the preaching week. In the good old days, following a particular theological model, week one was geared to visiting “lapsed” Catholics and cajoling them into attending the preaching week when enough hell-fire and damnation thundered from the pulpit to send them scurrying into the confessional and ultimately return to the practice of their faith. This is no longer the emphasis. Visiting people in their homes still happens, and indeed, where people have become estranged from the Church sometimes the change of routine, like a mission, helps to restore a sense of belonging. The present emphasis, however, is more in line with the ecclesiology of Vatican II which defines the Church as “People of God”. This teaching has resulted in a flourishing of lay ministries, lay leadership, greater involvement of laity in handing on the faith, and so on. Recognising this, the Redemptorists have developed a series of evening retreats during the first “preparation” week of their parish missions. So, for example, an evening is given to all in leadership ministry in the parish which includes the entire parish pastoral council, the finance council, those in adminis-

tration, and leaders of the various parish groups, sodalities and societies. Drawing on Acts 15, the retreat for leaders highlights their task of discerning—in the power of the Holy Spirit—the pressing pastoral needs of the parish. Another evening is given to liturgical ministers, with special attention given to proclaimers of the Word and extraordinary ministers of Communion. Then there is an evening set aside for teachers of the faith—religious educators whose task is often frustrating and thankless, yet in so many ways also most rewarding. The retreats offered to these groups take the form of a session of prayer, devotion or faith-sharing (preferably in the church), followed by a second “workshop” session (usually in a hall or meeting room) which provides opportunity for discussion. The general intention is to affirm and encourage members of these parish groups who, as leaders, teachers and ministers, seek to deepen an appropriate spirituality in fulfilling their unique vocation of building up the Body of Christ. Two additional retreats are conducted during this first week of parish mission, one for Catholics who find themselves in a situation of separation or divorce, and one for people who have suffered bereavement. These retreats have a slightly different approach, more pastoral. Inevitably when meeting with the divorced, the missioners find themselves hearing painful stories of hurt and anger, sometimes directed at the Church herself. Nearly always the comment is heard that “this is the first time we feel we have been reached out to as a particular group”. During this evening a lot of misunderstanding is addressed. Some are able to start the process for annulment. And in a few instances, after exchanging phone numbers or e-mail addresses, people who have attended this retreat continue to meet informally, or sometimes form

Redemptorist Father Larry Kaufmann, author of this article, is active in parish mission work. Parish retreats reach out to groups within a parish, administering important pastoral care to those in need. a support group within the parish. Particularly helpful to people in this situation is a little booklet by Fr Sean Wales CSsR, Catholics and Divorce. The booklet, published by RPP in Merrivale, actually evolved from conducting these meetings. he same can be said of the Redemptorist publication, Why Are You Weeping? This booklet arose from the experience of conducting a mission retreat for the bereaved, and is written by Frs Wales, Russell Pollitt SJ and myself (yes, a Jesuit on a Redemptorist mission!). Fr Pollitt joined me on a mission in a Johannesburg parish. During the evening retreat for bereaved people, when one person expressed an apparent loss of her faith and suffering deep grief after the death by suicide of a child, Fr Russell was able to empathise from a personal family experience. He writes powerfully and movingly about it in Why Are You Weeping?

Whenever possible and appropriate, the mission includes a morning or an afternoon (usually during the middle weekend) for the young people of the parish. Talks are given, there is time for prayer and devotion. Most popular among the youth is a question and answer session. Reflecting on this new model of parish mission, the Redemptorists have found the first week of a series of retreats for different groups and pastoral needs to be most rewarding. It endorses the key role of laity in the life and mission of the Church. It is able to touch vital areas of parish praxis, and it seems to have the important effect, as word gets out, of drawing the rest of the parish to the preaching week which is of course open to all.

There is another aspect of our parish missions which can also be described as a retreat. This is the “school of prayer”. Sometimes it is offered on a Saturday morning, but best attendance at this “school” is when it is offered immediately after a weekday Mass. Each morning a different method of prayer is presented, with most of the learning happening by practice. Examples include centering prayer, lectio divina, a Scriptural approach to the rosary, and what we call the “Twelve Steps” of a Holy Hour (very popular in parishes with daily adoration of the Blessed Sacrament). To accompany the school of prayer, there is Fr Wales’ booklet Teach Us to Pray. In some parts of the world where Redemptorists preach missions, the term has actually changed to “parish retreat”. Gradually we are discovering in South Africa that this does indeed more accurately describe the experience and the process. It is a time of grace, to “come away and rest awhile” (in the words of Jesus), attending early morning Masses each with a brief word of catechesis or inspiration, and attending evening mission services, all of which develop the theme of our life in Christ. There are healing services, services of reconciliation, and opportunities for individual confession or counselling. And if we choose to keep the word “parish mission”, it is because the desired goal of these two weeks is that the parish not only experiences a mission, it becomes a mission, giving witness to the very mission of Jesus himself, sent by the Father, and calling us to be living witnesses of his abiding presence, in the power of the Spirit, to our fallen and very fragile world. n Fr Larry Kaufmann is the provincial of the Redemptorist order in South Africa.

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The Southern Cross, September 14 to September 20, 2011

RETREAT FOCUS

Many ways of making a retreat There are many ways to make retreats. One can do so in 30day seclusion or while carrying on with daily life and many other options in-between, as ANNEMARIE PAULINCAMPBELL explains.

with where the person finds him or herself and will invite them to go and take time to pray deeply with each passage. The following day they talk with their retreat director about what had happened in the prayer. The director, whose role is to listen sensitively to the person and to try and sense where the Holy Spirit seems to be leading them, will then offer a new set of scripture texts for the next day’s prayer. Each day the Eucharist is celebrated. In the atmosphere of deep, prayerful silence retreatants often feel very connected to each other even though not a word is spoken. A misconception still held in some places is that the eight-day retreat is a condensed version of the Spiritual Exercises process. Rather it is eight-days of deep listening out for what it is that God is desiring for me at this moment in my relationship with God.

founders. When Jesuits went back to look at St Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus, and the way that he gave retreats with individual guidance for each person, they reclaimed the gift of that approach. They largely moved away from the preached retreat to offer the gift of a director to listen one on one to each retreatant, and to help him or her discern God’s particular invitation.

Retreats in Daily Life

GNATIAN Spirituality is a spirituality that emphasises the understanding that God is to be found in all things—in every aspect of our daily experience. So why go on retreat? A retreat is a way of spending intensive quality time with God. Throughout the Christian tradition people have recognised the need to withdraw at times from their usual activities in order to spend focused time in deepening their relationship with God. Even Jesus took “retreat time” in the desert before starting his public ministry. Our lives are often so hectic and fragmented as we struggle to juggle the demands of work or ministry; family or community life. With the advent of technologies, which have dramatically accelerated the pace of our lives, we are often in desperate need of a time to slow down enough to be able to really focus on our relationship with God and to discern what God may be inviting us to be and do in our own situation. A retreat, whether residential or “In Daily Life”, is a wonderful opportunity to do just that. At the time of the Second Vatican Council religious congregations were encouraged to go back and really look again at the charism and teaching of their

St Ignatius emphasised the importance of adapting the retreat process to the needs of the individual retreatant. He recognised that not everyone would be in a position to leave a job or family to make a residential eight or 30-day retreat. Drawing on that insight in recent years many options for making a “retreat in daily life” have been developed. In these, retreatants continue to go about their usual activities, but set aside time each day to pray and to meet with a prayer guide. The Jesuit Institute in Johannesburg offers “Weeks of Guided Prayer” in parishes and schools, as well as a similar process spread over six weeks called “Encounter with God” retreats. Although the process is individually guided and each person’s experience is unique, there is the support of knowing others are on the same journey. A communal opening and closing session at the beginning and end of the retreat is an important aspect of the process. In the townships inculturated retreats in daily life called “Tsoseletsa weeks” have been developed. These offer a similar experience, but in the context of facilitated groups. God is never outdone in gen-

The Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius Annemarie Paulin-Campbell takes a closer look at the different ways of making a retreat.

ers as they make their eight-day retreats. In a world in which there are constant demands, a residential retreat is the time in which one can become rooted again in what is actually important—God. The computer is left behind and the cellphone is switched off; this is simply time for me and God to be together. A person coming on an individually guided Ignatian retreat would come to a retreat centre. Eight-Day Individually This is usually a place which is Guided Retreats scenic and quiet to make it easier Every year I have the privilege to enter into the experience. of making my own eight-day The whole eight-days are spent retreat and of accompanying oth- in total silence (even at meals w h e r e q u i e t music is played). This offers the opportunity to really tune in to the “still small We are blessed to have this House of prayer to share the voice of God”. contemplative silence and solitude that are our riches as Poor Clares. E a c h Retreatants have the opportunity to: day the person meets oneon-one Spend time in personal prayer and reflection with their Experience the peace, simplicity and joy of a Franciscan holy place retreat Experience the support and the prayers of the Capuchin Poor Clare Sisters director. The direcTake time for rest and renewal tor suggests scripTO MAKE RESERVATION OR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: ture pasSr. Leonissa sages that connect (028) 514-1319 erosity and those who make that space for God in the midst of the busy–ness of their daily lives to make such a retreat often experience a significant deepening in their relationship with God. The experience of learning to pray at a deeper level; of being sensitively listened to and of having a “sacred time” of a week really set aside for God can be a profound experience.

CAPUCHIN SISTERS RETREAT HOUSE Attend Eucharist with the Sisters

The retreat process which is particularly Ignatian is the spiritual exercises of St Ignatius. This is an intensive individually guided retreat process which emerged out of St Ignatius’s reflection on his own experience of conversion and growth in relationship with God. It takes the retreatant through a structured (though personalised) process of praying using scripture and other Ignatian meditations asking God for particular spiritual gifts or graces. Its purpose is to lead the person into a place of spiritual freedom in which increasingly “my only desire and my one choice is that which best leads to my deepening relationship with God”. The spiritual exercises can be made as a 30-day silent retreat or as a retreat in daily life, going through the same process over the course of a year, meeting with the director once a week. For those who choose to undertake the full spiritual exercises it is a time of deep spiritual growth and often a life-transforming experience. The Jesuit Institute offers all these kinds of retreats and trains retreat directors who undergo an intensive three-year training. If you feel a longing for time to go deeper in your relationship with God; if you are facing an important decision, or if the invitation to “come away and rest awhile” with God feels attractive— perhaps now is a good time to consider making a retreat. nDr Annemarie Paulin-Campbell is an educational psychologist who has worked full-time in the area of Christian Spirituality, doing spiritual direction and retreat work, and training spiritual directors in the Ignatian tradition.

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PERSPECTIVES

The Southern Cross, September 14 to September 20, 2011

The African giants of the early Church

AST month I gave a portrait of the early Church. Before we leave that period of Church history, we need to give an indication of the role the African continent played in the development of Christianity. This is because many people think that Christianity was first brought to the continent by European missionaries from the 16th century onwards. The truth is that Africa and Africans from North Africa and Egypt made an important contribution to the universal Church before North Africa was conquered by Arabs and converted to Islam from about 697AD. By North Africa I refer to the region where present day Morocco, Libya and Algeria are situated. These countries were considered to be part of the Western Church where the language of the Church was Latin, whereas Egypt, with its Christian centre in Alexandria, used Greek and was considered to be part of the Eastern Church. I will comment on five Christians from North Africa who made a mark on the early Church. Tertullian and Cyprian developed what is referred to as the Theological School of Carthage. By the year 180AD Tertullian had began developing theological ideas in Latin when the leaders of the Church in Rome still thought that people could only pray and teach in the Greek language. He was thus ahead of other thinkers in using the language that was to be adopted as the language of the Church. Tertullian’s ideas were subsequently developed by St Cyprian, bishop of Carthage from 248-258. He became a major thinker for the universal Church. His influence on the Church of the time was exceeded only by another African, St Augustine of Hippo. The highest point in the development of the early Church in Africa was during

the time of St Augustine. He was born in what is now eastern Algeria. His father was a Roman, but his mother, St Monica, belonged to an indigenous African ethnic group called the Berber. It was his mother who shaped Augustine’s life, praying for him for years and years before he got converted and became a model Christian. Eventually Augustine became the bishop of Hippo. He was a model bishop and played a major role in defending the Catholic Church against the heresies of the time.

ugustine wrote about a hundred books. Two of these, City of God and Confessions, are classics that are still widely used today. The influence of Augustine on the universal Church was perhaps second only to that of the apostle Paul. Martin Luther, the great Protestant Reformer, was an Augustinian monk, and today Augustine

An icon depicting Ss Perpetua and Felicitas

The truth about reading fiction

N this era of electronic screens, people are more in tune with audio-visual information than they are with the written word. On every corner, movies are being sold like nobody’s business (though not always legally). Movies stimulate visually and require little effort to watch. Movies are good, but they can’t take the place of fiction. Sadly, reading is becoming a lost art. I read mostly non-fiction books, but with time I have come to appreciate the beauty in reading fiction. Reading good fiction now and then is not only fun, but also necessary. It does pay dividends. A while ago, I entered the local video hire shop in Merrivale, KwaZulu-Natal. On one of the shelves was a video of the book that I was presently reading, The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. I considered picking it, but decided to rather wait and see how the story unfolds between the covers. Two hours of a movie cannot do justice to a book that might have taken years in organising ideas and putting them in a narrative. Fiction fuels the imagination and creativity. Which field doesn’t like a cre-

ative mind today? Whether you are a cook, painter, architect, musician, journalist or educationist, you must show some sense of creativity. A sage once said that if the world did not read fiction, it would be sick with boredom. It is through the imagination that people invent things, shape economies and alleviate others’ suffering. With movies, no matter how breathtaking they might be, everything is fully baked for the viewer. The imagination is limited. There is no room to ponder the beauty of well-written fiction. When we read fiction, we create our own story. We own the characters; we think with them, we hear their voices, we smell their perfume, we see what they see in our minds. Good fiction is like a good friend. You enjoy being with friends and nattering with them. When a book ends, it feels like losing a friend. Recently I finished a novel titled The Shark. I was so absorbed in it, I was disappointed when it ended so soon. That friend left many dangling questions. I even went to the library to see if there was a sequel (there wasn’t). Fiction helps us build our vocabulary.

Michael Shackleton Open door

Emmanuel Ngara Christian Leadership

is acknowledged by both Catholics and Protestants as one of the greatest heroes of the faith. Martyrdom was one of the distinguishing features of early Christianity. St Cyprian was among many Africans who paid the highest price for Christ. Among the most well known African martyrs of the early Church are St Felicitas and St Perpetua. Felicitas was an African slave girl who managed to convert her mistress Perpetua to Christianity. Perpetua was a married young woman who was martyred at age 22 in about 203. Before she died, Perpetua wrote a fascinating account of how she and others were condemned to death. At that time some Roman emperors would force Christians to sacrifice to pagan gods. Those who agreed would be given certificates and their lives would be spared. Those who refused would be sent to the gallows. In the case of Perpetua, the authorities used her baby and her father to persuade her to reject Christ. When it came to her turn to be questioned about her faith by a Roman judge, her father suddenly appeared holding her baby in his arms. He pleaded: “Have pity on your child.” The judge added: “Spare the tender years of your child. Offer a sacrifice for the prosperity of the emperor.” Perpetua loved her child and her father, but she would not deny Christ. To die for one’s faith was to die as a witness of Christ. She goes on to explain what happened when all in her group had confessed their faith in Jesus: “Then the judge passed sentence on us all and condemned us to the wild beasts.”

Anthony Gathambiri IMC Point of Literature We pick up good phrases and expressions which can help us drizzle a little spice to our own writing. In this age of txt spk, reading fiction can improve spelling and articulation. Some fiction can even be informative. We can learn history, science, art and much more through fiction. Teachers should encourage pupils to read—no doubt the children will benefit tremendously. Fiction can contribute to personal development. Stories can act as mirrors of ourselves. In fiction we meet characters that speak to us and motivate us to work on our own development. In the mirror of fiction we can discern untapped strengths in us, like a Johari window that shows us the other part of ourselves that we don’t know. It is in fiction that we encounter characters that we like to identify with. And who doesn’t like to identify with heroes and heroines? Reading fiction is a leisure activity, but it certainly is not a waste of time.

Keeping the faith after scandals Surely the Church, founded by Christ who is God, should not be showing evidence of clerical abuse of minors, cover-ups of these scandals in the highest places. No wonder the world is becoming less religious and more secular. Can you help steady my shaky faith? HE Church is divine in its origin and human in its structure and membership. It is called holy because of the presence of the Spirit of Christ within it; it is imperfect because its members are prone to undermine that holiness through sin. Christ founded his Church on Peter the Apostle when he said: “You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it” (Mt 16:18). The powers of sin will always confront and try to seduce the Church but cannot overcome it. And so St Paul urges the Galatian Christians to be guided by the Spirit and not yield to self-indulgence and sinful acts (Gal 5:16-26). Aware of human imperfection, Christ warned that those who lead astray little children will be guilty of a serious sin (Mt 18:7). He even foresaw that disillusion would come upon some of the faithful, when he said: “When the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith left on earth?” (Lk 18:8). Bishops and priests who commit scandalously immoral acts—for example by abusing minors or wilfully covering up such acts—must answer for their behaviour. Apart from the urgent need for them to be reconciled with God, they must be seen to be repentant and let civil and ecclesiastical law deal with their cases justly and visibly. The problem is that no matter how sorry they may say they are and the penalties they may have to pay, the harm done remains. This can turn Catholics away from their faith, and others too who are similarly disgusted and horrified. It is here that we have to stir up our faith and remember Christ’s promise that the forces of evil will never blot out the Church’s inherent holiness. St Peter wrote: “You have been warned about this, my friends; be careful not to be carried away by the errors of unprincipled people, from the firm ground that you are standing on. Instead, go on growing in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory, in time and in eternity. Amen” (2 Pt 3:17-18).

n Send your queries to Open Door, Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000; or e-mail: opendoor@scross.co.za; or fax (021) 465 3850. Questions must be signed, and may be edited for clarity. Only published questions will be answered.

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The Southern Cross, September 14 to September 20, 2011

COMMUNITY St Vincent de Paul society members from Matroosfontein, Strand and Kleinvlei parishes in the archdiocese of Cape Town, had a day of retreat at St Anthony's in the Valley, Lynedoch. Participants were (back from left) Rosemary Overmeyer, Ivan Andrews, Patricia Fleurs, Charmaine Snyders, Jacky Thys, Charmaine Little, Alicia Overmeyer, and Matilda Fana. (Front) Jenny Swartz, Hilda Fisher. The retreat director was Sr Rosaleen O’Kane.

St Catherine’s parish confirmation class from Eldorado Park in Johannesburg attended a weekend retreat at Bosco Youth Centre with the theme Mission to Serve. (Submitted by Clarence Watts)

The youth group of the Neocatechumenal Way movement in the archdiocese of Cape Town at a vocational meeting in Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid. At the meeting 5 000 men stood up for priesthood and 3 500 women for the concecrated life.

Fr Marie Jo OCd from Our Lady of Loreto in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, was excited about the Redemptorist Mission that was preached in his parish in August. (Submitted by Berniece Eales)

Fr Vales dania from St Patrick’s parish in Vincent, East London, photographed with Catholic Women’s League members who attended his birthday breakfast at the East London Golf Club. (Submitted by Ann Kent)

IN F OCU S

A group of children who received their First Communion with Fr Trevor Button and catechist Shalane Scott at St James parish in Port Alfred, Eastern Cape.

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

25 young people from St Clare’s in Elsies Rivier, Cape Town, were confirmed by Archbishop Stephen Brislin. They are photographed with Fr Wojciech Nowasza. (Submitted by M Esau)

Theme for Sep 18: Conversions

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FAITH

The Southern Cross, September 14 to September 20, 2011

Elly left me laughing BY LUKY WHITTLE

LLY, my sister, died at the age of 75 on St Martha’s feast day, July 29. With her, an extra dimension vanished from my life. She was a typical Amsterdamse. Feisty with an uncompromising tongue, a horror of betraying her true feelings and a heart of pure gold. A competent amateur actress, she believed in leaving her audience laughing. She usually did. We grew up in the house in Amsterdam, Holland, where my father had a bakery. Elly and I slept in the attic. At night we’d pull down our double bed which in the daytime stood stacked up in a frame against the wall. My mom had been forced to mix and match the material because it was war time and the people had to make do. Elly and I knelt down and she taught me my prayers. Elly was a competent worker and I was hopelessly lazy. On Saturday afternoons my mom sent us to clean the carpet and brass rods on the staircase. I hated the job, as I disliked all housekeeping duties. Resignedly, Elly would say: “I’ll do the work if you provide de vrolijke noot [the note of merriment].” I’d wear myself out imitating accents and recalling anecdotes to entertain her. The more she laughed, the faster she worked. At ElIy’s First Communion, when she was seven and I three, I sat between my parents at Mass. The priest was saying: “Now children, promise Jesus that you will never again be cheeky to your par-

ents or nasty to your siblings.” I dragged my mom and dad down by their arms and said so loudly that everyone heard: “Oh boy, aren’t we going to have a nice time from now on!” When Elly was 16, our family left Holland and shortly after our arrival in South Africa we moved to Springs. Though she often dated, I think Elly tried to live a moral life. However, her innocence, like her other virtues, came unencumbered by self-righteousness and with a twist of humour. Once when I came home from boarding school, she showed me some expensive unmentionables she had bought. “The lady at John Orr’s told me the boys would like them but I said: ‘The boys won’t see them’.” I thought the lady at John Orr’s had a cheek and said so. “No, but the boys did see them! Listen to this! One day I wore them to town. Waiting to cross the road at the corner outside Gordimer’s Jewellers opposite Springs post office, the wind blew my flared skirt right up. I was trying to push it down on all sides when a car passed, full of boys, who leaned out and whistled their heads off. So they saw them after all.”

s we lived far apart, we seldom met. On the infrequent occasions we did get together, her five and my six children marvelled at similarities they spotted between us. “Big deal,” she snorted. “Now if you said I looked like Sophia Loren, you’d have my ear!” She remained the Martha while I tried

to become the Mary. Once when I was collecting signatures for people to recite the rosary daily, I invited her. “Tell you what,” she answered. “You pray. I’ll work.” I recalled those words when she died on St Martha’s feast day. In 2010 our only brother, Jos, died from cancer. Around the first anniversary of his demise this year, she telephoned me grievingly four times within two weeks. After the last time, I stood bemused, looking at the receiver. “It sounded as if she was saying goodbye to me forever,” I thought. “But why? It must be my imagination.” Less than a week later she landed in intensive care with gangrene in her foot brought on by diabetes. I tried but failed to get a ride to Springs, bowing to the inevitable. I contented myself by praying for her recovery and phoning for bulletins daily. These were tempered by my nieces so I was unaware of the gravity of her situation. An hour or two after midnight in the early hours of St Martha’s feast day, our younger sister, Miekie, telephoned me in a flood of tears to tell me that Elly had died suddenly on the operating table an hour earlier, minutes before her leg was to be amputated from the knee down. Present during the gospel reading that morning, I heard the words of St Martha; “Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died” and received consolation from Our Lord’s reply. May God in his mercy wipe out Elly’s sins and allow her to help St Martha polish the brass rods of the

Elly (right) and Luky Whittle on her First Holy Communion day. heavenly staircase. Perhaps some day I may provide de vrolijke noot. One of my daughters phoned one of hers and said: “Your mom was so down to earth. Even if she had lost her leg, she would probably have ended up running around on her crutches and yelling: ‘Gangway. I’m Jake the Peg!’” Her cousin answered: “When hours before her death we kids begged her to sign the consent form for the amputation, she grumbled: ‘Easy for you to say! You won’t be the Hopalong Cassidy!’” The funeral was the way Elly would have liked to have it; sad perhaps but tempered by fun also. I experienced great consolation from the words of Deacon Martin de Klerk, who spoke about the meeting between Our Lord and St Martha’s sister, St Mary Magdalen: “She did not know Jesus until

he just said: ‘Mary!’ When Elly died and entered the presence of Jesus, all he said was: ‘Elly!’” After the funeral, a friend told me that during visiting hours in hospital Elly had mentioned that when she was young she often bought shoes at sales. On one occasion when she came home she found that the shoe box contained only one shoe which she had then thrown away. “I should have held onto it,” she lamented. “It would come in very usefully now.” As I burst out laughing when I heard this story, I realised Elly had done it again. She’d left me laughing. But that doesn’t alter the fact that behind all her clowning it was Elly who with my parents, first taught me to pray. n Luky Whittle is a former Southern Cross columnist and lives in Kroonstad.

The Southern Cross, September 14 to September 20, 2011

LITURGY

Music in the Mass: Striking the right note As the new translation of the missal is about to take effect in late November, a new emphasis is placed on the music of the liturgy. In the first of two articles FR MALCOLM McLAREN explains how.

ISCUSSIONS regarding music in the liturgy evoke many emotions and a wide range of opinions. This is demonstrated by articles and letters to the editor which have appeared in this newspaper, and by the many confrontations between priests, choirs, musicians and parishioners. Frequent topics relate to preferred or detested hymns, the suitability of various musical instruments such as the organ, keyboard, guitar and drums, and the use of Latin and vernacular languages. The reality is that, lacking a sound liturgical foundation, most of these discussions are simply opinions, and opinions about opinions. When we refer to liturgical music, discussion must not be limited to the use of musical instruments and hymns, but should (and primarily so) also refer to the use of voice and unaccompanied singing. We can then define the two extremes when it comes to music in liturgy: either everything is sung (or chanted), or nothing is sung. This article does not suggest that every Mass must be fully sung. It is neither sustainable nor even desirable. In addition, the validity and efficacy of the Mass is not dependent on the quantity of music. Yet, it is clear that music or song can add to the beauty of the Mass. Music can also highlight the greater importance or solemnity, for example, of a Sunday

Mass during Eastertide in relation to a weekday Mass during Ordinary Time. This article is written to suggest some initial liturgical and pastoral guidelines as to how both may be achieved. Having been involved in church music for 15 years, it occurred to me that most of those involved in both music ministry and parish liturgy lack a good understanding of the role and place of music in the Mass. For most, the choice of music is made on the basis of factors such as the theme of the Mass, having to sing something at a particular stage, whether a hymn is popular or has a nice tune, whether it is suitable for our combination of musical instruments, or whether it has always been done in the past. Although musical factors have a part to play, these should not be at the expense of the liturgical (and pastoral) ones. Mass should never be about how inspiring the music was! This is why many pieces of religious or sacred music, which may be beautiful in themselves, are not automatically liturgical. Music should instead help the community to celebrate the Mass well, by highlighting the shape of the Mass, by focusing on those parts which are of greater significance, and by allowing them to fulfil their roles within the assembly. For example, the singing of the “Amen” at the end of the Eucharistic Prayer has much more significance than singing a hymn during the sign of peace.

he highpoint of the liturgy of the word is the proclamation of the gospel. The first and second readings build up to the gospel, and having heard the gospel, the congregation then listens to the homily, makes their profession of faith, and offers up the Prayer of the Faithful. Music could be used in two ways to emphasise the importance of the gospel. Firstly, at both the start and the end of the Gospel, the deacon or priest

Choir members sing during a Mass. The introduction of the new Roman missal in late November will pose challenges to those involved in the liturgical music ministry. (Photo: Mike Crupi, Catholic Courier)

might sing/chant the start of the dialogue and allow the people to respond. Even using a simple tone, this provides a richer way of acknowledging the importance of what is to be, and what has been, heard. Secondly and perhaps more easily achieved, it seems fitting that the gospel acclamation (“Alleluia”, or one appropriate to the liturgical time) should be sung, to highlight not only what is to be heard, but also to show that it is indeed an acclamation of the people. This is why the guidelines in the Roman missal suggest that if it is not sung, it may be omitted: an acclamation should be sung! There are two highpoints during the liturgy of the Eucharist. The first is the reception of Holy Communion by the assembly and the second is the Eucharistic prayer. This prayer begins with the

dialogue “The Lord be with you” and ends with the doxology and the great “Amen”. Applying the same principle as used for the liturgy of the word, a richer expression of the priest’s invitation to pray and the people’s response to that invitation takes place when the dialogue is sung. It is equally appropriate that one word “Amen”, as a response not only to the doxology but to the entire Eucharistic prayer, be sung. In this response the assembly unite themselves powerfully to the prayer made on their behalf by the priest, thus making it their own.

inally, contained within the Eucharistic prayer there are two acclamations made by the assembly: the Sanctus and the memorial acclamation. As for the gospel acclamation, the use of music at these two moments

increases the sense that they are acclamations. Having looked very briefly at the shape of the Mass, notice how those parts which I have suggested be sung (either with or without accompaniment) are the same in each Mass. It is these acclamations and responses made by the community that should receive greater priority than the hymns. Pastorally it also seems to make sense that rather than introducing new and different hymns each week, a community would learn more easily something that is done every Sunday (or even on weekdays). If parishes were able to implement singing in some of these areas, beginning perhaps with the Amen and the gospel acclamation, not only would it be a valuable moment of catechesis, but an opportunity to aid more meaningful participation. Before reflecting on the place of hymns in the Mass, two brief comments are in order. Firstly, the Sanctus is a very different part of the Mass when compared with the Kyrie or Agnus Dei. Whereas the Sanctus is an acclamation of praise, the Kyrie is a plea or petition for mercy, and the Agnus Dei a simple litany. As three distinct and unique parts of the Mass, it seems appropriate that they should be sung with different melodies. The Sanctus should also receive priority over the other two. Secondly, if singing the dialogue at the start of the gospel and Eucharistic prayer leads to a richer expression of invitation by the priest and response from the assembly, it follows that the dialogues at the start and end of Mass (together with the dismissal) might also be sung. n Fr Malcolm McLaren is a priest of the archdiocese of Johannesburg. This two-part series is based on a talk that was given to those involved in music ministry at St Patrick’s church in La Rochelle. The second part of his article will run next week.

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The Southern Cross, September 14 to September 20, 2011

Being an introvert and an extrovert Continued from page 7 sing, in our lives and pitting one against the other is a false dichotomy. They aren’t in opposition to each other but are both vital components of the same journey towards a community of life with God and each other. There is a great paradox within the mystery of intimacy and communion, namely, sometimes it is when we are most alone and in silence that we are really most in communion with each other, just as sometimes it is in the midst of a social gathering that we are most alone. Conversely, sometimes it is when we are most social, sharing with others, that we sense

most deeply the mystery of God’s ineffable presence, even as it is sometimes when we are most alone and silent in prayer that we feel most strongly that God is absent. This is the great paradox, being alone is meant to lead us into deeper communion with each other and socialising with each other is meant to lead us into a deeper individual union with God. Introverts and extroverts equally struggle and are equally privileged. n Fr Rolheiser is the president of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas. He frequently presents retreats. His on-line column is at www.ron rolheiser.com

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: Good Shepherd, Bothasig. Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in the chapel. All hours. All welcome. Day of Prayer held at Springfield Convent starting at 10:00 ending 15:30 last Saturday of every month—all welcome. For more information contact Jane Hulley 021 790 1668 or 082 783 0331. Fundraiser Car Boot Sale and morning market at St Brendan’s church, Cnr Longboat Rd (off Ou Kaapseweg) and Corvette Street, Sunvalley, Fish Hoek, Last Saturday every month. All welcome. Info and stall reservations: Maggi-Mae 021 782 9263 or 082 892 4502 mvi das@mweb.co.za

DURBAN: St Anthony’s, Durban Central: Tuesday 09:00 Mass with novena to St Anthony. First Friday 17:30 Mass—divine Mercy novena prayers. Tel: 031 309 3496. 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. KIMBERLEY: The St Boniface Past Students are holding their 60th anniversary on September 24. Past students are requested to contact Union’s PRO & Chairman of the Board, Mosalashuping Morudi 073 768 3653, or sbonifa@iafrica.com 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 #462. ACROSS: 5 Word, 7 Grave error, 8 Ever, 10 Abednego, 11 Ground, 12 Sacred, 14 Silent, 16 Charge, 17 Amicable, 19 Cast, 21 Shepherded, 22 Pyre. DOWN: 1 Ogre, 2 Overture, 3 Herald, 4 Orders, 5 Wren, 6 Rough edges, 9 Virgin Mary, 13 Chancery, 15 Tablet, 16 Creche, 18 Case, 20 Tidy.

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IN MEMORIAM

Family Reflections September 15: Our Lady of Sorrows. A feast to honour Mary reminds us of the difficulties she had to bear and how she can be our support and source of strength in the difficulties and trials we experience in our own families. Encourage everyone, teenagers especially, to call on Mary for help and comfort. September 18: 25th Sunday. The generous Love of God. God’s love is so strong it is beyond our understanding. It cannot be measured or judged. We learn from God how generosity is an important quality for families too. Some people are naturally more generous with things and compliments. Children need to learn not only to share but to be generous. Talk about this topic together and look for good and not- so-good examples.

Liturgical Calendar Year A Sunday, September 18, 25th Sunday Isaiah 55:6-9, Psalm 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18, Philippians 1:20-24, 27, Matthew 20:1-16 Monday, September 19, St Januarius, St Francis Mary Croese of Camporosso Ezra 1:1-6, Psalm 126:1-6, Luke 8:16-18 Tuesday, September 20, Ss Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang,and companions Ezra 6:7-8, 12, 14-20, Psalm 122:1-5, Luke 8:19-21 Wednesday, September 21, St Matthew Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13, Psalm 19:2-5, Matthew 9:9-13 Thursday, September 22, St Maurice & Theban Legion Haggai 1:1-8, Psalm 149:1-6, 9, Luke 9:7-9 Friday, September 23, St Pio of Pietrelcina Galatians 2:19-20, Psalm 16:1-2, 5-8, 11, Matthew 16:24-27 Saturday, September 24, St Stephanie Zechariah 2:5-9, 14-15, Jeremiah 31:10-13, Luke 9:43-45 Sunday, September 25, 26th Sunday Ezekiel 18:25-28, Psalm 25:4-9, Philippians 2:1-11 or Philippians 2:1-5, Matthew 21:28-32

Word of the Week Encyclical: A pastoral letter written by the pope and sent to the whole Church and even to the whole world, to express Church teaching on some important matter. Encyclicals are expressions of the ordinary papal magisterium. Application: Pope Benedict’s first encyclical letter was called Deus Caritas Est (God is love), and concerned Christian love in all spheres of life.

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CLASSIFIEDS Births • First Communion • Confirmation • Engagement/Marriage • Wedding anniversary • Ordination jubilee • Congratulations • deaths • In memoriam • Thanks • Prayers • Accommodation • Holiday Accommodation • Personal • Services • Employment • Property • Others

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ANTHONY—In loving memory of Mrs Leah of Nooitgedacht. Passed away 18/09/2007. We will always remember you. Rest in peace. From Mary da Silva and her families. BARTUS—Edward. 10/9/2009. My dearly beloved husband, it is difficult to accept how quickly time flies, but your memory is always alive in my heart. I miss you so much and long for the day we can be together in God’s house. Your loving wife doreen. BARTUS—Edward. 10/9/2009. In loving memory of our dearest dad, grandfather and greatgrandfather. There’s a sad but sweet remembrance, a memory fond and true. We keep in our hearts the love of the past; there it was planted forever to last. May your soul rest in peace dad. Till we meet again, from Charmaine, Robert, Melissa, Gavin, Clinton, Brandon and Kristen. BARTUS—Edward. 10/9/2009. In loving memory of our beloved Father, grandfather and greatgrandfather on the second anniversary of his passing. We have missed your physical presence around us, but your spirit continues to live in our thoughts and in our hearts. May your soul rest in peace. From Brenda, Benedict, Jillian, Fagan, Carmelita Oswin, Keenah and Cloé. BARTUS—Edward. 10/9/2009. In loving memory of our dear dad. Your vibrant spirit is with us everyday. We will never ever forget you dad. From Vivienne and Neil. BARTUS—Edward. 10/9/2009. In loving memory of our dearest dad on the second anniversary of his passing. deep are the memories, precious they’ll stay. No passing of time will take them away. We will never forget you dad, we love and miss you. From Charlotte and Brian. BARTUS—Edward. 10/9/2009. In loving memory of dad and granddad. dear God, please take this message to our precious dad in heaven above. Tell him how much we love and miss him. From Edwina Joseph, darren, and Megan. (New zealand) BARTUS—Edward. 10/9/2009. In memory of our dad and granddad, loved, cherished and missed always. Forever in our hearts. Rest peacefully dad. From Roger, Theresa and Thelia.

GOMEZ—Jean. In loving memory of my wife Jean, who passed away on September 14, 2008. Lovingly remembered by her husband, Peter.

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ABORTION WARNING: ‘The Pill’ can abort, undetected, soon after conception (a medical fact). See website: www.humanlife.

org/abortion_does_the_ pill.php VISITS TO Blessed Sacrament and Blessed Virgin Mary. Beautiful devotional Booklet by St Alphonsus for each day of the month. Full unabridged classic TAN translation, pocket sized, 107pp. R40 each. Orders: Fr Sean Collins CSsR (021 7121841) St Mary’s, Retreat Road, Retreat, Cape Town 7945. E-mail: seancssr@yahoo. co.uk. Nedbank payment: Redemptorist Superior. A/c 1004192002 Branch Tokai 104309.

SERVICES ANNUAL REPORTS, newsletters, books etc designed and edited at competitive rates. Phone Gail at 082 415 4312 or gails ctn@gmail.com PAVE-SAVE (Western Cape). We specialise in all domestic & Industrial paving work No job is too big or too small for us. From R80/m2. Repair jobs are most welcome.Phone John 082 803 3885. www.pavesave.co.za

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. LG. HOLY SPIRIT you who makes me see everything. You showed me the way to reach my ideal. You who give me the divine gift to forgive and forget all that is done to me and you are in all the instincts of my life with me. I want to thank you for everything and confirm once more that I never want to be separated from you no matter how great the desires may be. I want to be with you and my loved ones in your perpetual glory. Say this prayer for 3 consecutive days. Publication promised. LG. O MOST beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendour of Heaven, blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me where you are, Mother of God. Queen of heaven and earth I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. There is none who can withstand your power, O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Holy Mary, I place this cause in your hands. “Say this prayer for 3 consecutive days and then publish. Thank you for prayers answered. Gabrialle darnall.

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HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION BALLITO: Up-market penthouse on beach, self-catering. 084 790 6562. CAPE TOWN: Vi Holiday Villa. Fully equipped selfcatering, two bedroom family apartment (sleeps 4) in Strandfontein, with parking, R400 per night. Tel/Fax Paul 021 393 2503, 083 553 9856, vivilla@ telkomsa.net FISH HOEK: Self-catering accommodation, sleeps 4. Secure parking. Tel: 021 785 1247. GORDON’S BAY: Beautiful en-suite rooms available at reasonable rates. Magnificent views, breakfast on request. Tel: 082 774 7140. bzhive@telkomsa.net JEFFERY’S BAY: Fully equipped self-catering flat, two bedrooms, sleeps six, 50 metres from the beach. 072 462 3993. KNYSNA: Self-catering accommodation for 2 in Old Belvidere with wonderful Lagoon views. 044 387 1052. LONDON, Protea House: Underground 3min, Piccadilly 20min. Close to River Thames. Self-catering. Single per night R250, twin R400. Phone Peter 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 NEWLANDS-THE CATNAP: Self-catering accommodation available december/January. For details phone Leslie Pretorius 021 6852821. STELLENBOSCH: Five simple private suites (2 beds, fridge, microwave). Countryside vineyard/forest/mountain walks; beach 20 minute drive, affordable. Christian Brothers Tel 021 880 0242, cbcstel@gmail. com SOUTH COAST, Uvongo: Fully furnished three bedroom house, Tel: donald 031 465 5651, 073 989 1074. SOUTH COAST, Uvongo: Secure holiday unit, with lock-up garage. Sleeps 6. In complex. 078 935 9128. STRAND: Beachfront flat to let. Stunning views, fully equipped. Garage, one bedroom, sleeps 3. R450 p/night for 2 people—low season. Phone Brenda 082 822 0607 UMHLANGA ROCKS: Fully equipped self-catering 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house, sleeps 6, sea view, 200 metres from beach, dSTV. Tel: Holiday division, 031 561 5838, holi days@lighthouse.co.za The Southern Cross is a member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations of South Africa. Printed by Paarl Post, 8 Jan van Riebeeck Drive, Paarl. Published by the proprietors, The C a t h o l i c Newspaper & Publishing Co Ltd, at the company’s registered office, 10 Tuin Plein, Cape Town, 8001.

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26th Sunday: September 25 Readings: Ezekiel 18:25-28, Psalm 25:4-9, Philippians 2:1-11, Matthew 21:28-32

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Lord, teach us the way of your integrity

T is not a fashionable thing to say, but we human beings have no rights over God. That is the message of the readings for next Sunday. In the first reading, Ezekiel is defending God against Israel’s accusations of divine unfairness, and is instructed about his response, “Listen, House of Israel: is it my way that is unfair? Is it not your way that is unfair?” Then he is to give them an example: “When the just man turns away from his justice and does what is evil, and dies, it is because of his iniquity that he dies.” By contrast: “When the wicked man turns away from his wickedness...and does justice and righteousness, that one shall preserve his life...he shall not die.” We must be careful here, of course: for it is not “magic”, so that if you do a good deed, then you will survive. It is, more precisely, that doing what is right is itself “life”, and living a life given over to sin is itself “death”. The psalm for next Sunday picks up the idea of God’s “ways”: “Lord, make me know your ways”, he sings, “and teach me your paths, teach me the way of your integrity”. The whole psalm here is a song about God’s unfailing generosity, “for you are the God of my salvation...for you I wait all day long”. God cannot forget, of course, but sometimes it may seem like it, and so the singer begs God “remember your mercy, Lord,

Nicholas King SJ Sunday Reflections and your steadfast love, for they are eternal”. The point is that God is “upright”, while we are “sinners”, and God “guides sinners in the way, and teaches the way to the humble”. The second reading, continuing Philippians, is addressed to a quarrelsome faction within the Philippian church; and Paul tackles their problems by quoting a hymn about Jesus that may well be much older than Paul. Notice where it starts, with an exhortation to “solidarity in the Spirit, mercy, compassion...thinking unanimously, having the same love...not looking for your own interests but other people’s”. Then, as always with St Paul, he switches, to ram the argument home, to his beloved Jesus: “Who, being in the form of God, did not think that equality with God was a snatching-matter. No, he emptied himself.” Then Paul, encouraging the Philippians to do the same, indicates the form that this selfemptying took: “He humbled himself to the extent of death—and death on the cross, at that!” Only then does Paul (or the author of

the hymn) deliver the coup de grace: “Therefore God super-exalted him, and gave him the free gift of the Name above all Names,” which presumably is the name of God himself, since he goes on, “that...every tongue might confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”. This is a very exalted claim indeed, and may well have reduced those quarrelling Philippians to respectful silence. And so to the gospel. The context here is that Jesus has performed the prophetic gesture that we call the “cleansing of the Temple”, and the chief priests and elders have demanded to know his authority for doing so. Jesus answers a question with a question, about the authority of John the Baptist, which sufficiently embarrasses his opponents to allow him to refuse to answer their question. Then he goes into the parable which is next Sunday’s gospel. We are already aware of the tension of the situation, and this helps us to read what he is saying. When he says, “A man had two sons”, we know it is of God that he speaks; and when the man addresses number one son: “My child, off you go today, and work in the vineyard,” we are invited to recall that Israel is the Lord’s vineyard. So the “child” is being invited to work for Israel. The first reaction is “No, I don’t want to”; but his second reaction is to “change his

Mass around the world M

Y wife and I were discussing the difference in style between priests celebrating Mass in different churches. Some exude joy, some are sombre. Some insist on reading all the parish notices, other mention just the highlights and trust you to read the bulletin. It got me thinking about attending Mass in various parts of the world, often on my travels as a sports journalist. The most “foreign” city to which I have been is Faisalabad in the heart of the Punjab, Pakistan’s third-largest city and home to the country’s textile industry. Unlike in centres such as Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad, westerners are a rare sight in Faisalabad—or they were when my wife and I were there for a World Cup cricket match in 1996. As we walked the streets—my wife conservatively dressed and wearing a scarf wrapped around her head out of respect for local mores—we were conscious of standing out in the crowd. Although Faisalabad is a large city, the jumbled streets provided a fascinating kaleidoscope of sights—from hand-pulled carts (on one of which was a shackled bear) to donkey carts, brightly-painted buses and modern vehicles. Given that Pakistan is 97% Muslim, we were surprised to find a Catholic cathedral in the city, a short taxi ride from our hotel. So we attended Mass. Now, one of the pleasures of Mass is the comforting familiarity of the ritual,

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Colin Bryden The Last Word but this was truly different as it was conducted entirely in what I presume was Urdu for the scattering of faithful inside a fairly large centre of worship. There was a school on the premises to cater for what must be a tiny Christian minority. Distressingly, near the gate were beggars and what appeared to be drug addicts. The diocese of Faisalabad has since then established a drug rehabilitation centre. Less happily, the tensions that have engulfed Pakistan in recent years have also harmed inter-faith harmony, and on some occasions Christians have been targeted. Even the most patriotic Pakistani is unlikely to describe life in his country as a bundle of laughs, and the experience in Faisalabad was solemn rather than joyous. I suspect that the ways of celebrating Mass in different countries reflect to some extent the outlook on life in those lands. In the Caribbean, for instance, Mass tends to be a genuine celebration. My wife went to an Easter Sunday Mass in Barbados and couldn’t stop talking about how enjoyable it had been, with the celebrants dressed in their brightest clothes

and singing with gusto. I had a similar experience several Easters later when I was in Montego Bay, Jamaica. So much were the priests and congregation enjoying themselves that I had to slip away after at least two hours in order to get back to the cricket. In my Sunday missal, I have a bookmark from the Ss Peter and Paul church in Old Hope Road, Kingston, Jamaica, where visitors were greeted with such enthusiasm that we had to stand up to be welcomed and then were handed mementos. The more laidback side of the Caribbean was discovered on a subsequent visit to Barbados when we came upon a delightful church within a few metres of one of the many white sand beaches on the island’s west coast. The windows were open to allow a gentle sea breeze to waft through. Mass has seldom been so soothing. In Colombo, Sri Lanka, there is a church a few hundred metres behind the Taj Samudra hotel. The Mass was unmistakably Catholic, but the imagery and the plastic dolls which represented Our Lady and the baby Jesus might have come from one of the Hindu shrines which are a common sight in that part of the world. I have been treated to the uplifting Latin Mass at the Farm Street Jesuit church in London’s Berkeley Square where the power and the beauty of the choir’s singing are worthy of a concert hall. A similarly splendid musical experience can be had at the Brompton Oratory in South Kensington, near the museums, where the choir singing is world class. I was wandering the streets of Madrid when I popped into the cathedral, near the Royal Palace, for a few moments of rest and reflection. Music started to surge out of the organ. Along with a handful of other tourists and faithful I was treated to a rendering of the most magnificent sounds. I never did get to Mass in Madrid, but I did watch Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, which some football devotees would describe as being almost akin to a religious experience. n Colin Bryden is a cricket writer. He is filling in this week for Chris Moerdyk, who is away on travels.

mind and go”. So we are to applaud him, at least for the final position that he adopts. The second son says the right thing, but fails to do it. Then comes the vital question: “Which of the two did his Father’s will?” That is a very important idea in Matthew’s gospel. Jesus teaches his disciples his prayer which includes the petition “thy will be done”, and in Matthew’s version of the prayer in the garden Jesus quotes that very petition, and in a sense the whole of the Sermon on the Mount is about how to do God’s will. So, reluctantly, Jesus’ hearers (and adversaries) admit that it was the first son, who said the wrong thing but did the right thing, who did the Father’s will. And then Jesus draws the devastating lesson; it was the religious authorities who said “Yes, yes” to God, but did not do what God was really asking of them. By contrast, the number one son turns out to be, remarkably enough, the “tax-collectors and prostitutes”, who say the wrong thing, but do the right thing. Jesus is not going to win many friends when he says that sort of thing; but he is reminding his opponents in the religious establishment (and us with our self-satisfied views) that God’s ways are not our ways, and it is not our task to attack the way that God behaves.

Southern Crossword #462

ACROSS 5. He was with God (Jn 1) (4) 7. Big mistake in the cemetery (5,5) 8. Always (4) 10. Alternative name given to Azariah (Dn 1) (8) 11. Grind past (6) 12. Untouchable cow (6) 14. Listen! No noise in the chapel (6) 16. Push ahead to accuse you (6) 17. Friendly result when I calm Abe (8) 19. Dramatis personae (4) 21. What the bishop did for his flock (10) 22. It burns for a funeral (4)

DOWN 1. Frog reveals a nasty giant (4) 2. An opening by the orchestra (8) 3. Kind of carolling angel (6) 4. One can take them when they’re holy (6) 5. Songbird architect (4) 6. Small imperfections found in rugged shoe (5,5) 9. Our Blessed Lady (6,4) 13. Bishop’s headquarters (8) 15. Moses’ medicinal slab (6) 16. Working mothers’ nursery (6) 18. Seneca’s escort holds the crate (4) 20. Neat (4) Solutions on page 11

CHURCH CHUCKLE

HREE nuns were attending a rugby final. Three men were sitting directly behind. Because their habits were partially blocking the view, the men decided to badger the nuns, hoping that they’d get annoyed enough to move to another area. In a very loud voice, the first guy said: “I think I’m going to move to Kimberley... there are only 100 nuns living there.” Then the second guy spoke up and said: “I want to go to Lesotho...there are only 50 nuns living there.” The third guy said: “I want to go to Madagascar...there are only 25 nuns living there.” One of the nuns turned around, looked at the men, and in a very sweet and calm voice said: “Why don’t you go to hell.. there aren’t any nuns there!” Send us your favourite Catholic joke, preferably clean and brief, to The Southern Cross, Church Chuckle, PO Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000.