150318 by The Southern Cross

The

S outhern C ross

March 18 to March 24, 2015

Reg No. 1920/002058/06

Xenophilia: The call to be friends to strangers

No 4916

www.scross.co.za

St Teresa of Avila at 500: Why she matters

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Page 9

R7,00 (incl VAT RSA)

Pope on assassin fears: Just don’t let it hurt

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Priests called to help police BY STUART GRAHAM

HE police, prisons and military are traumatised from violence in South Africa and are desperate for chaplains and support from the Church, according to Archbishop William Slattery of Pretoria. He spoke to The Southern Cross after a meeting of the Security Services Christian Advisory Board. The archbishop, who represents the Church on the board, said there are not enough Catholic priests involved with the country's security services which, he said, are crying out for spiritual help. “This is where our society is broken. This is where people are suffering. This is where men are burdened with heavy responsibilities. This is where the Church is supposed to be,” the archbishop said. “Church pastors can no longer remain sitting at home behind a desk, filling in baptismal certificates. They have to join our security personnel in healing, protecting and giving hope,” he said. Archbishop Slattery said that Lent, which runs until April 2, is an ideal time for priests and their parishes to help lift the burden off the police, prisons and military. He urged priests to visit and pray with their local police, to help them deal with trauma and show that God is behind them and wants to help. “In light of the fact that police are under such pressure and facing traumas in their work, in home life and in society, I encourage parish priests to make contact with their local police stations and to offer to share prayers with them. “Members of security services place great value on visits from spiritual workers.... they really do.” Priests, he said, should involve their parishes in supporting and providing intelligence to law enforcers.

massive scourge of the highly addictive nyope drug is placing the police under enormous pressure, said Archbishop Slattery. Nyope is a mixture of heroin and marijuana, sometimes laced with a cocktail including antiretroviral drugs, milk powder, rat poison, bicarbonate of soda or pool cleaner. Users report feeling euphoric and a wonderful sense of relaxation. Police report that gangs have been robbing antiretroviral clinics in order to get ingredients to make the drug. People are stealing everything from taps to

For further info or to book contact Michael or Gail at 076 352 3809 or 021 551 3923 info@fowlertours.co.za www.fowlertours.co.za/ poland-2016/

crucifixes to pay for the drug, said Archbishop Slattery. Absent fathers, dysfunctional families, gang cultures and broken schools are fuelling crime and placing the police under enormous pressure. Prisons are also desperate for help, the archbishop said. Statistics released at the Security Services Christian Advisory Board—which is held three times a year and includes church leaders and chaplains general of the military, correctional services and police—showed that 91 000 inmates out of 160 000 in South Africa’s 240 prisons attended spiritual counselling programmes. “The role of spiritual care in prisons is to assist offenders to adopt a positive lifestyle and to restore relationships between offenders and families, victims and communities,” Archbishop Slattery said. “A great suffering for many prisoners is knowledge that families totally reject them. For example, one family whose son is in jail for a serious crime told a visitor, ‘We have no son; he is dead’.”

he majority of inmates in prisons are men between 18 and 27, who grew up in dysfunctional families and found friendships in gangs, with their culture of drug abuse and abuse of women, said the archbishop, who serves as a prison chaplain. “Another feature of the lives of offenders is that until they come to prison they do not reflect on the injury they have caused to their victims. Part of the prison spiritual care is to sensitise them to the trouble they have caused.” Despite the need for spiritual help in jails, the Church had only one permanent, fulltime Catholic correctional services chaplain in all of South Africa, Fr Jordan Ngondo. It would also be “a good idea” if Catholic priests volunteered to become reserve chaplains in the military, he said. “Those army chaplains who have travelled out of South Africa with our soldiers have really experienced a very close and spiritual relationship with the soldiers. The soldiers, who are going out on patrol or into violent situations, continually ask for prayers.” South Africa has more than 600 000 army veterans, many of whom suffer post-traumatic stress, “which requires counselling”, Archbishop Slattery said

Fr Karabo Baloyi of Pretoria washes the feet of a woman at an ecumenical Women’s World Day of Prayer service at Regina Mundi Catholic church in Moroka, Soweto. Women who presented themselves for the feet-washing held signs representing different social issues affecting women; after the washing they held signs suggesting healing outcomes to these. (Photo: Akani Malobola)

Priest washed feet at women’s prayer service STAFF REPORTER

WASHING-OF-THE-FEET ceremony performed by a Catholic priest was at the centre of an ecumenical service to mark the Women’s World Day of Prayer. The service at Regina Mundi Catholic church in Moroka, Soweto, was hosted by The Friends of Radio Veritas in association with the Women’s World Day of Prayer committee of South Africa. Some 450 women of many different denominations witnessed Fr Karabo Baloyi of Pretoria, who led the service, washing the feet of several women. As they presented themselves, they carried signs representing different social issues such as corruption, domestic violence, teenage parenthood and HIV/Aids. After Fr Baloyi washed their feet they carried signs

St John Paul II Pilgrimage to Poland Southern Cross

that now represented words such as “integrity”, “accepted, never alone” and “included”. Anglican Reverend Dorcas Baleni of Christ the King Church in Sophiatown delivered the sermon. “Jesus stooped down so low, we were meant to worship him but he didn’t care for it or want that status,” she told the congregation. The theme for this year’s worldwide prayer event, was written by the women of the Bahamas, was “Jesus said to them: Do you know what I have done for you?”, from John 13:12. It was held in more than 170 countries, with services worldwide expected to have exceeded 18 000. n For more information on the event contact Mahadi Buthelezi at 011 663 4700.

A journey to the places of St John Paul II’s life and devotions, led by a Bishop who knows Poland intimately.

Led by Bishop Stan Dziuba 13 - 21 May 2016

The Southern Cross, March 18 to March 24, 2015

LOCAL

Conference to explore key education themes STAFF REPORTER

AINT Joseph’s Theological Institute in Cedara, KwaZuluNatal, will hold its third academic conference from April 911. This year’s conference will examine the theme of education together with the related theme of formation. “Fortunately we have been able to partner with the Catholic Institute of Education (CIE) for this conference,” said Fr Stuart Bate OMI, St Joseph’s research and development officer. Fr Bate said that in a message to superiors general of religious institutes worldwide last year, Pope Francis responded to their request to identify important missions. He identified three areas, saying also: “Education today is a key, key, key mission.” On February 7, Pope Francis spoke to representatives of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar. “Invest in education in Africa to defend the young from fundamentalism and the abuse of religion,” the pope said. “Above all, it is the youth who need your witness. Young men and women look to us. In Africa, the future is in the hands of the young, who need to be protected from new and unscrupulous forms of ‘colonisation’ such as the pursuit of success, riches, and power at all costs, as well as fundamen-

talism and the distorted use of religion, in addition to new ideologies which destroy the identity of individuals and of families,” Pope Francis said. “The most effective way to overcome the temptation to give in to harmful lifestyles is by investing in education. Education will also help to overcome a widespread mentality of injustice and violence, as well as ethnic divisions,” the pope told the African bishops.

‘T

hese words of Pope Francis inspire the staff of St Joseph’s and the CIE as we prepare our conference,” Fr Bate said. He noted that 2015 marks the Second Vatican Council’s declaration on Christian education, Gravissimum Educationis (50 years) and Pope John Paul II’s apostolic constitution regarding Catholic colleges and universities, Ex Corde Ecclesiae (25 years). To celebrate this, the Vatican’s Congregation for Catholic Education has provided a working paper of themes “to encourage the local Churches to study in depth the theme of Catholic education”. “This working paper was what stimulated us at St Joseph’s to focus on this theme for our 2015 conference,” Fr Bate said. “We are happy that the CIE came in to partner with us. We hope many others will come to the conference to share in our deliberations and discussions,” he said.

The CIE has identified important areas which it wishes to present in conference, such as “Issues facing the Church in education today”, “Catholic mission to education in SACBC”, “The role of the Catholic institute of education”, “Catholic schools in the rural context”, “Religious education in Catholic schools: Challenges and opportunities”, “Building peaceful Catholic schools”, and “Access to tertiary education”. St Joseph’s researchers have identified these, among others, as important themes: “Religious inclusiveness in teaching and learning theology”, “Education against violence: a biblical perspective”, ”Non-discriminatory education of women in Africa: Responding to Genesis and 1 Timothy”, Education and formation in early Christianity: Lessons for today”, “Training local clergy: The early history of St Joseph’s Scholasticate”. The conference will be held at St Joseph’s, near Pietermaritzburg. The fee is R200 per person which includes morning and afternoon tea (students R50). Registration forms and details are available on www.sjti.ac.za/ conference2015.html, or contact Conference2015@sjti.ac.za, fax 086 657 0012 or call Gugu at 072 461 1985. Accommodation is available at Redacres Retreat Centre, about 2km from the venue. Call 083 784 7455 or visit www.redacres.org.za

Newly ordained deacon Eugene Pillay with Cardinal Wilfrid Napier at Valagani parish in Chatsworth, Durban.

Back Catholic business network STAFF REPORTER

HE vicar-general of Cape Town, Fr Peter-John Pearson, is asking all priests and parishioners in the archdiocese to support the Catholic Business Network. The network was founded in August 2012 by businessmen Sinclair Broadhurst and Vic Barra. The network is made up of about 40 Catholic business people “who endeavour to support and promote each other’s professional and business undertakings,” said Mr Broadhurst. “These business people include business owners, sales managers, trainers and several artisans.” Various industries are represented including the glass, aluminium, printing, mining, wine, bottling, piping, automotive, chemicals, promotional, insurance, estate and

hospitality sectors. The services are advertised on catholicbusinessnetwork.co.za. “If given the opportunity, we are most willing to address parishioners and set up a network in a parish area,” said Mr Barra. “Our mission statement, ‘God is with us’, encourages us to operate within the ethos of Christian morals, ethics and values,” he said. The group meets fortnightly at the Goodwood Sports Club, Milton Road, Goodwood. “At these meetings our businesses are promoted, relevant tips and experiences are shared, and we pray for our members’ success,” Mr Broadhurst said. Often these meetings are attended by local priests who support the project. n Contact Mr Broadhurst on 083 300 6747 or Mr Barra on 083 308 4014. Fr Ignatius Fidgeon of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in Krugersdorp blessed the grotto at St Ursula’s School after celebrating Mass on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Sr Jeanette Essey, superior of the Ursuline community in Krugersdorp, spoke to Grade 10s about St Bernadette’s apparitions of Our Lady at Lourdes. She also gave the school a new statutue of St Bernadette from Lebanon, which was added to the grotto.

SPRINGFIELD CONVENT SENIOR SCHOOL

DePUtY PrINCIPaL

To commence duties in January 2016

Springﬁeld is a day school for girls from Pre-School to Matriculation, set in beautiful gardens on Wynberg Hill in the southern suburbs of Cape Town. Founded by Irish Dominican Sisters in 1871, Springﬁeld has a caring, Catholic atmosphere, a proud academic record, vibrant Music and Art Departments and excellent facilities for Sport.

The School Board of this well-established, successful school invites applications for the above post.

The successful applicant must be able to subscribe to and promote the Catholic ethos of the school.

experience and skills required:

• A preparedness to nourish and develop the Catholic character of Springfield and its willingness to welcome those of other denominations and faiths • A passion for educating girls and their development into responsible young women with a sense of service to the wider community • A graduate with professional qualifications, at least ten years of High School teaching experience and three years in a leadership position • Excellent interpersonal, organizational and conflict resolution skills • Ability to demonstrate a professional, dynamic and visionary approach to the challenges of current trends in education • Willingness to promote an appropriate balance between academic, spiritual, cultural and sporting aspects of school life a competitive salary package will be offered. Please apply in writing to: the headmistress Springfield Convent Senior School St John’s road WYNBerg 7800

email: headmistress@springﬁeldconvent.co.za giving details of qualiﬁcations, experience and names of two contactable referees. Closing date: 30 april 2015

The School reserves the right not to proceed with the ﬁlling of the post. An application will not in itself entitle the applicant to an interview or appointment, and failure to meet the requirements of the advertised post will result in applicants automatically disqualifying themselves from consideration.

Please note no faxed applications will be considered and only those applicants invited for an interview will be contacted. Springﬁeld is a member of the Independent Schools’ association of Southern africa.

Pilgrimage to Fatima, garabandal, Lourdes, Dozulé, Lisieux and Paris led by Archbishop B Tlhagale OMI & Fr T Motshegwa 10 - 23 May 2015 Pilgrimage to Camino De Santiago Compostela in Spain led by Fr David Rowles 10 – 21 September 2015 Pilgrimage to rome, assisi and San giovanni rotondo led by Bishop Victor Phalana 20 – 30 September 2015 Pilgrimage to Medjugorje led by Fr Gavin Atkins 16 – 28 September 2015

Pilgrimage to the holy Land led by Fr Chris Townsend 31 August – 12 September 2015

Pilgrimage to rome, assisi and Medjugorje led by Fr Kagiso Mosadi 04 -18October 2015

tel: 012 342 0179/072 637 0508 (Michelle) info@micasatours.co.za

FOR THE RECORD: The article of March 4 on the SACBC’s pilgrimage to the Eucharistic Congress in the Philippines from January 24-31 included incorrect contact details. For information on the pilgrimage, contact info@micasatours. co.za or 012 342 0179. LovINg Father bless us, the people of aFrICa, and help us to live in justice, love and peace Mary, Mother of Africa, pray for us For prayer leaﬂet: sms 083 544 8449

Unplanned pregnancy?

NPO044-227

Talk to us… 079 663 2634 DBN 031 201 5471 079 742 8861 JHB

www.birthright.co.za We welcome prayers, volunteers and donations.

The Southern Cross, March 18 to March 24, 2015

LOCAL

Call to be friends with strangers STAFF REPORTER

N the wake of attacks on foreigners, the bishop and diocesan pastoral council of Aliwal North, Eastern Cape, have called for an attitude of xenophilia, which they described as “friendship with the stranger”. A pastoral letter issued by Bishop Michael Wüstenberg noted that relating to strangers is often a challenge. “Often we do not know their customs and religion. And they do not know us,” the pastoral letter said. Christians, however, “are called by God, to welcome them and make them feel at home”. It said that migrants share their wisdom. “They may know a lot about appreciating good education and professional training. They may alert us to commitment and what it means to own a business. We may gain a lot.” Conversely, the letter said, “they will gain from us: They can experience our faith in a compassionate and merciful God. They may learn about the struggle for freedom and commitment to truth and reconciliation, all that Madiba stood for. They may learn this when we reject and uncover all sorts of lies spread about strangers.” Referring to Matthew 25:18—

Fr John Paul Mwaniki, 47, was installed as the first African-born abbot of the Benedictine Inkamana abbey in Vryheid, Eshowe diocese, by Abbot Jeremias Schröder (second right), abbot president of the Benedictine Congregation of St Ottilien. He has succeeded Abbot Godfrey Sieber. Kenyan-born Abbot Mwaniki was ordained a priest on December 15, 2001 in Prince of Peace priory in Tigoni, Kenya. In 2010 he was the rector and superior of the Benedictine Study House in Cedara, KwaZulu-Natal and since 2011 served as a finance administrator of Inkamana Abbey.

Bishop Michael Wüstenberg delivers his pastoral letter on xenophilia at an outdoor Mass in Aliwal North. “When did we see you as a stranger and welcome you?”— the letter calls on the faithful, Small Christian Communities, sodalities and pastoral councils “to listen to the stories of immigrants, and to tell them ours”. “If we know their stories we can talk well about them to our neighbours, colleagues and friends,” the letter advised. “We commend all who stand by the side of those in fear and desperation, among them our Pope Francis and countless peo-

ple among us. “Immigrants know hatred, violence and anxiety. It would be wonderful if we worked the miracle and became angels for them proclaiming and showing: ‘Do not be afraid!’ (Lk 2:10).” Bishop Wüstenberg invited the faithful to share their stories “about your friendship with strangers, how you overcame obstacles and how this friendship enriched your life” at next year’s annual general meeting of the diocesan pastoral council.

ROMAN UNION OF THE ORDER OF ST URSULA

St Angela Merici founded the Ursulines in the 16th century, naming them after St Ursula, leader of a company of 4th century virgin martyrs.

Mariannhill releases new gospel CD BY DYLAN APPOLIS

“Let Jesus Christ be your one and only treasure – For there also will be love!” (St Angela – 5th Counsel)

Mariannhill in 1882 with his companion Trappist HE Mariannhill monks, the main focus was Monastery Choir will to evangelise and empower mark the Year of Conthe local people to particisecrated Life by reliving the pate in spreading the Good legacy of Abbot Francis News, and at the same time Pfanner with the release of help them make their lives a new gospel CD at Easter. better and their communi“The purpose is to conties a better place to live in. firm that every child of “In this way Abbot FranGod has been given natural cis Pfanner managed to edtalents, and the Year of ucate the local people on Consecrated Life is a call for The Mariannhill Monastery Choir will be releas- the importance of work as each member of the ing their gospel CD at Easter. sacred—God’s given gift to Church to use those gifts sustain human life—that for the common good of take time pondering what the goes hand in hand with prayer,” Fr society,” said Mariannhill Father meaning and role of our faith in Mota said. Lawrence Mota, who produced society today is, he said. “Today these values have been the CD, titled Witness. “It also asks questions of us, eroded. That may be why people At a time when “the faith and ‘Why did God create me and for do not see a need to work and get human values are being chal- what purpose am I in this world property in a dignified way, but lenged by fast life and materialism, today?’ ‘What is the meaning of are using shortcuts…including ‘witness’ is the key word of the the Year of Consecrated Life to crime,” he said. CD”, Fr Mota said. “Witnessing me in the Church and society n The CD will be available at the what? That is a question left to today, and what is my role to Monastery repository this coming each individual to answer as a play to make our society a better Easter. To order the CD, contact Fr child of God in our society today.” place to live?” Fr Mota said. Mota at lawrencemota@gmail. The CD reminds people to When Abbot Pfanner founded com or 031 700 4288.

For more information: The Vocations Promoter P O Box 138 KRUGERSDORP 1740

IN LOVING MEMORY OF FR CHARLES KUPPELWIESER

Fr Charles was born on 21 March 1934 in St Walburg in Alten, a remote Alpine Village in the Province of South Tyrol (in Italian known as Alto Adige) into a large farming family of 15 siblings. Life was very hard for people in the poor mountain village who survived on the meager fruits of the labour on the ﬁelds. Most of the siblings then left home to look elsewhere for a way of living either within South Tyrol or beyond the borders in Switzerland or Austria. Fr. Charles' commitment to alleviating the lot of the poor in South Africa had its roots in the experience of poverty in his life. A new chapter of Fr. Charles started after having completed Primary School, he moved to Brixen (Bressanone) to do further studies at the outstanding diocesan minor seminary "Vincentinum" completing his matric. During all these years he was residing as a pupil at the college of the Comboni Missionaries. These were the years after World War II when people struggled to meet their needs. Thus life was tough at the college too. Moreover the way of running the college was marked by strict discipline and authoritarian style. Already at this stage Fr. Charles revealed himself as an independent mind. Pupils at the college got the opportunity to hear a lot about "Mission" and meet missionaries coming from South Africa or South America. Fr. Charles then decided to join the Comboni Missionaries. He went to Bamberg in Germany to do the novitiate and start Philosophical studies for two years.

Thereafter he returned to Brixen to study Theology. On the 29 June 1960, he was ordained Priest in the Cathedral of Brixen. The year after ordination Fr. Charles came to South Africa where after he worked in the diocese of Witbank in the following Parishes Middelburg 1961-1966, Belfast 1967, Burgersfort 1968-1972. He then left South Africa and went to Swaziland from 1972-1974. He came back to South Africa and continued with his work in Carolina/Elukwatini from 1975-1989. Then he came to the Archdiocese of Pretoria in 1989-2006, he established Sizanani Village in Bronkhorstspruit, thereafter he founded Phumula Old Age Home in 2004 until God called him to eternal rest on 24 February 2015. He created so many jobs for the poor people. He touched and inspired many people by his generosity. His grace Archbishop William Slattery of Pretoria was the main celebrant during his funeral Mass on 04 March 2015. By Sr. elizabeth Mathabathe DIhM

This space has been paid for

website: ursulines.org. za Tel: 011 953 1924 Fax: 011 953 3406 e-mail: ursulinekdp@vodamail.co.za

The Southern Cross, March 18 to March 24, 2015

INTERNATIONAL

Support Middle East Christians on Good Friday BY CINDY WOODEN

RAQI and Syrian refugees who have fled persecution in their homelands and the Palestinian Christians struggling to survive in the land of Jesus deserve the prayers and material support of Catholics around the globe, a Vatican official said. Catholics can “become promoters of dialogue through peace, prayer and sharing of burdens” with Middle East Christians, said Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches. In a letter sent to bishops around the world, Cardinal Sandri asked for continued support for the traditional Good Friday collection for the Holy Land. 65% of the funds raised go to the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, an administratively autonomous province of the Franciscan order. The Franciscan Custody is responsible for most of the shrines connected with the life of Jesus as well as for providing pastoral care to the region’s Catholics, running schools, operating charitable institutions and training future priests and religious. The collection, taken up at the request of the pope, is administered by

the Franciscan Custody and the Congregation for Eastern Churches. The congregation monitors how all funds are used, both the 65% directed to the Franciscan Custody and the 35% used to support projects chosen by the congregation elsewhere in the Holy Land, Cyprus, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Turkey, Iran and Iraq. None of the money will be used to help offset the deficit of the Franciscan order’s headquarters in Rome. US Franciscan Father Michael Perry, the order’s minister general, announced in December that because of a lack of oversight and “questionable” transactions, the generalate had a significant debt. “From the time the collection was established, the congregation has distributed the funds directly to the Custody specifically for the projects approved,” said a friar who belongs to the Custody. “The generalate has nothing to do with the process.” Along with Cardinal Sandri’s letter, the Vatican press office released some details of how the 2014 collection was disbursed. It said close to $2,5 million [R30 million]was used to provide emergency assistance to people in Iraq and Syria; just over $2,6 million was used to support

Catholic education at every level; and about $2,4 million went to a variety of small programmes, including support for the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land. The Vatican also released a list of the projects supported through the funds given to the Franciscan Custody to assist the Christian minority in the region, preserve and provide pilgrim access to the archaeological sites and Christian shrines and support education. Among the maintenance and restoration work carried out were projects at the basilica in the Garden of Gethsemane, at the Church of the Holy Sepulchcre, the Cenacle where the Last Supper was believed to have been, the basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, the archaeological dig at Magdala, Capernaum, Mount Tabor, Cana and Mount Nebo in Jordan. The collection also helped fund university scholarships for 295 students, the purchase of equipment for 10 small artisanal businesses and the restoration of houses where some of the poorest families in Bethlehem live. In addition, assistance was provided for housing projects in the Old City of Jerusalem, in Beit Hanina and in Bethlehem, West Bank.—CNS

Loreto School Queenswood, an Independent Catholic Christian School, wishes to make the following appointments with eﬀect from 1 January 2016.

head of Department: religious education and Pastoral Care

the post involves managing a staﬀ complement of 25 educators, who teach religious education.

We seek to appoint a dynamic and energetic educationalist who will: • Spiritually lead educators, parents and learners. • Be responsible for the school’s outreach and pastoral care programme. • Assist in promoting the charism of our foundress Mary Ward. • Be expected to teach Life Orientation and Religious Education. • Need to engage with the school’s chaplain and the Queenswood Parish. the incumbent should: • Be a practising Catholic. • Have the requisite academic and professional qualiﬁcations. • Have at least 5 years teaching experience. • Be registered with SACE. • Be proﬁcient in English. • Have an understanding of the planning of liturgies. • Be committed to ensure that gospel values are at the core of the school’s identity. • Be committed to fostering relationships within the Catholic network. • Be prepared to do extramural activities as required by the school.

hoD Foundation Phase

The post involves managing the Foundation Phase of the school (Gr1-3) which consists of 9 educators. We seek to appoint an energetic educationalist who has at least 5 years experience in teaching in the Foundation Phase. the incumbent should: • Have the requisite academic and professional qualiﬁcations. • Be familiar with the CAPS documents • Understand and identify with the Catholic Ethos of the school • Be proﬁcient in English • Be prepared to do extramural activities as required by the school • Be registered with SACE

Loreto School Queenwood is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. this post is subject to an enhanced Criminal records Bureau check and a full background check. All applications must be accompanied by a CV and certified copies of all qualifications and SACE Certificate. They should reach the school by no later than 27 March 2015 and be addressed to:

the Principal: Mr M Pallozzi, Loreto School Queenswood P.o. Box 11101, Queenswood, 0121 or Fax: (012) 333 2529 or e-mail: tanias@sagateway.com, tania.seiderer@loretosa.co.za

The school reserves the right not to proceed with ﬁlling these posts. An application will not in itself entitle the applicant to an interview or appointment and failure to meet the minimum requirements of the advertised post will result in applicants automatically disqualifying themselves from consideration. Successful candidates who are short-listed for the positions will be notiﬁed by no later than Friday 27 March 2015

Christians carry a cross during a procession along the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem’s Old City on Good Friday last year. The procession ended at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, site of Jesus’ crucifixion and tomb. (Photo: Ammar Awad, Reuters/CNS)

Pope: Let Jesus cleanse your sins BY CINDY WOODEN

HRISTIAN faith and a moral life are responses to God’s mercy and not the result of “titanic” human effort, Pope Francis said. In meetings and Masses, the pope has repeatedly returned to the theme of the Church as an agent of God’s mercy and to the benefits of returning to confession during Lent. Marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Communion and Liberation lay movement, Pope Francis met with more than 80 000 members who filled St Peter’s Square and the boulevard leading to it. “The path of the Church is to go out in search of those far off in the peripheries, to serve Jesus in every person who is marginalised, abandoned, without faith, disillusioned with the Church or a prisoner of their own selfishness,” the pope said. The only way to share the faith with others is to have first experienced the grace of God’s mercy, he told the crowd. “Only one who has been caressed by the tenderness of mercy truly knows the Lord.” When one has sinned and experienced God’s forgiveness, he said, he or she is filled with the desire to change and to live differently. “The Christian moral life is not a titanic self-willed effort by a person who decides to be consistent and is able to do so after some kind of solidarity challenge.” Instead, Pope Francis said, living a moral life is the ongoing response to “a surprising, unpredictable mercy—a mercy that is, in fact, ‘unjust’ according to human terms—from the God who knows me, knows my betrayals and yet loves me anyway, prizes me, embraces me, calls me again, hopes in me and waits for me.” The mission of the Church is to be a sacrament of that mercy in the Cardinal Egan who was born April 2, 1932, in Oak Park, Illinois, has died. He was ordained a priest of the Chicago archdiocese in 1957. In Rome for doctoral studies from 1960-64, he also served as assistant vice rector of the North American College. In Chicago from 1965-72 he was secretary to Cardinal John Cody, and was named an auditor of the Roman Rota, the Vatican tribunal primarily responsible for hearing requests for marriage annulments. Appointed an auxiliary bishop in New York in 1985, he was transferred to Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1988, and named archbishop of New York May 11, 2000. He retired in May 2009 at age 77. Cardinal Egan was the first head of the New York archdiocese to retire; his 11 predecessors all died in office.

Pope Francis arrives in procession to celebrate Mass at St Mary, Mother of the Redeemer parish on the outskirts of Rome. The pope said that when a person has experienced God’s forgiveness, they are then filled with a desire to change. (Photo: Paul Haring/CNS) world, he said. The path of the Church is “to demonstrate the great mercy of God”. Pope Francis reminded the Communion and Liberation members that he had told new cardinals in February: “The way of the Church is not to condemn anyone for eternity,” but “to pour out God’s mercy on all those who ask for it with a sincere heart”. People should ask themselves: “Would I allow Jesus to do a bit of cleansing in my heart?” he said at the Angelus address at the Vatican. “Jesus knows everything that is in our hearts. We cannot fool Jesus,” he said. “We cannot stand before him and pretend to be saints.” “Open your hearts to Jesus’ mercy. Say to him, 'Jesus, look at all this dirt. Come, cleanse it. Cleanse it with your mercy, with your sweet word; cleanse me with your caress.”—CNS

INTERNATIONAL

The Southern Cross, March 18 to March 24, 2015

New interview with Pope Romero statue damaged BY CAROL GLATZ

by vandals again BY EDGARDO AYALA

RELIGIOUS procession, a brainstorm session and a few glasses of wine led a group of residents gathered in a shantytown on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina, to come up with a plan to interview Pope Francis. It was a warm summer night in January when folks sitting in the church courtyard during a local feast day celebration felt inspired to consider “What if...?,” according to a journalist living in Buenos Aires. “An interview for a publication produced in a shantytown with questions formulated by the people who live there [seemed like] two good ideas that could lure the pope” into agreeing to do the interview, said Alver Metalli, who was also the mastermind behind the shantytown launching its own community newspaper in December. The local parish priest, Fr Jose Maria “Pepe” di Paola, collated inquiries from hundreds of children and young adults and boiled them down to about a dozen questions, Mr Metalli said. He said when the priest visited the pope at his Vatican residence, he handed the written questions to the pope, who—to the priest’s surprise—said he would do the interview immediately. The pope spoke candidly about the role of big money in political campaigns, getting along with people who disagree with him, kids becoming “museums” of information and his awareness that his life is in God’s hands. Asked about concerns for his safety the pope said: “I told the Lord, ‘You take care of me. But if your will is that I die or that they do something to me, I ask you just one favour: that it doesn’t hurt because I am a big wimp when it comes to physical pain,’” When asked what advice he had for politicians during Argentina’s election year, the pope said that

Pope Francis passes a video monitor as he arrives to lead his general audience in St Peter’s Square. In his interview with a community newspaper in Buenos Aires, the pope said that his life is in God’s hands, referring to the threats on his life. (Photo: Paul Haring/CNS) candidates should have “a clear electoral platform”and “honesty in the presentation of their position”, the pope said. Ideally, he added, campaigning should have no strings attached and, therefore, be run for free, making it unnecessary to drum up financing, for which big donors want something in exchange.

he pope acknowledged that there are people around him who were not in agreement with what he says and does. He was asked how, then, does he interact with them. “Listening to people, for me, never did me any harm. Every time I listened to them, it always went well. Those times that I didn’t listen, it went badly,” he said. “Even if you do not agree with them, they always, always give you something or they put you in a situation that forces you to rethink your position, and this enriches you,” he said. Dialogue and openness are the proper ways “to behave with those

with whom we don’t agree”, he said, because if “I stop saying ‘hello’, I shut the door in his face, I don’t let him talk and I don’t ask him the reasons for the disagreement, obviously I single-handedly impoverish myself. Dialogue and listening enrich us.” The pope was asked about young people’s attraction to “virtual relationships” and how to help them escape “their world of fantasy” and to experience “real relationships”. The pope said there was a difference between fantasy and online interactions because “sometimes virtual relationships are not imaginary, but are concrete” and real. He said the big risk he sees is with people’s ability to gather such a huge amount of information that nothing is done with it and it has no impact on changing lives. He said this process turns young people into a sort of “youth museum”. “A youth museum is very wellinformed, but what does he or she do with all that knowledge?”— CNS

ANDALS in El Salvadore have damaged a prominent statue of slain Archbishop Oscar Romero, who is to be beatified on May 23. The right hand, which had been holding a cross, was cut off the nearly 3-metre monument, located near Plaza El Divino Salvador del Mundo, in the capital San Salvadore. Archbishop Romero “is very much loved by a vast majority of Salvadorans, but he is also one of the most hated by a small minority”, Marisa Martinez of the Archbishop Romero Foundation said. She said it was the sixth time that the statue had been vandalised—the same right hand chopped off—since the foundation placed it there in

2002. The statue also has been vandalised with paint. Archbishop Romero was murdered on March 24, 1980, by a sniper who acted under the orders of Major Roberto D’Aubuisson, according to the truth commission established by the United Nations in 1992 to investigate killings and human rights violations committed during the 1980-92 Salvadoran civil war. Pope Francis declared that the archbishop was killed in hatred of the faith, and the Vatican confirmed that Archbishop Romero’s beatification will be held on May 23 in San Salvador. Mr Martinez said she believed that those who damaged the statue were from the right-wing groups who celebrated Archbishop Romero’s assassination.—CNS

Vatican won’t pay ransom for Michelangelo notes BY CAROL GLATZ

TOP Vatican official has received a ransom demand for the return of Renaissance-era documents by the artist Michelangelo. Cardinal Angelo Comastri, archpriest of St Peter’s basilica, “received a proposal to recover such documents at a certain price”, said Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi. “Naturally he refused as it concerned stolen documents,” Fr Lombardi said. More than 10 000 pieces of parchment, documents, slips and scraps of paper connected with the planning, design and building of the basilica are kept in the archives of the Fabbrica di San Pietro, the office responsible for physical care and maintenance of St Peter’s basilica.

Surviving handwritten notes, instructions, reports and requests by Michelangelo are housed in the archives. The Italian newspaper Il Messaggero reported that Cardinal Comastri, who is also the Fabbrica’s president, received an unexpected visit from a former employee of the Fabbrica. The unnamed visitor reportedly informed the cardinal that a letter written by Michelangelo was missing from the archives and the visitor knew where it was, adding that it would cost 100 000 euros (R1, 3 million) to proceed. Fr Lombardi said that in 1997 the Fabbrica’s head archivist had reported two documents were missing: a letter written by Michelangelo and a document with his signature. The Vatican police have been in contact with the Italian police to investigate further.—CNS

Jean Vanier to receive Templeton prize BY NATE MADDEN

N 1964, when Jean Vanier quietly began what would become an international network, he had no idea that this would be a revolutionary reality...that it would grow, he remarked joyfully. The founder of L’Arche and this year’s winner of the Templeton Prize, is a Canadian Catholic philosopher, theologian and humanitarian and probably best known for starting L’Arche, an international federation of communities where people with and without intellectual disabilities live and work together.

The drive to form what would become L’Arche began in the early 60s, when he started to visit institutions for the intellectually disabled in northern France. Mr Vanier was introduced to the world of people with disabilities, humiliated and depressed, by a chaplain at such an institution—a chaplain he calls his spiritual father. I had never even imagined that people were being treated like that, he said of the kinds of things he saw time and time again, remarking on the irony that God chooses the foolish and the weak to confound the intellectual and the prideful.

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ples have inspired him through his journey from a small house in France in the early 60s to today, Mr Vanier said that essentially, it’s Jesus. That is the heart of the matter. However, he also said that he finds inspiration in the lives of men such as Martin Luther King Jr, Nelson Mandela and Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu, saying that these are great people who worked for peace. Mr Vanier also called Mahatma Gandhi a man of prayer, a man who had an incredible vision that the mission is not to humiliate but love the enemy.—CNS

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The Southern Cross, March 18 to March 24, 2015

LEADER PAGE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Editor: Günther Simmermacher

Pastoral incorrectness

T a time when the Church places new accents in its mission to evangelise those of no belief and those who have left the Church, a special responsibility resides with all the faithful to take care in how we present Catholic beliefs. This responsibility is magnified for bishops, who as the successors of the apostles occupy a particular role in the evangelising mission. So when one of them puts his foot in his mouth, the consequences can be grave and enduring. So it was this month when a bishop in Ireland, a country where the Church’s reputation already is at a low, succeeded in offending several groups of people within one short radio interview. Asked whether people being born gay was “as God intended”, Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin answered: “That would be to suggest that some people are born with Down’s syndrome or spina bifida, that that was what God intended.” Speaking on same-sex parenting, he said: “People who have children are not necessarily parents. They may be recognised in law as their parent, but the whole relationship between life giving and parenthood is being separated.” He also suggested that women who have abortions after being raped do so “to get back” at their attacker. Ireland’s Church leadership was quick to distance itself from Bishop Doran’s comments. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin, as vice-president of the Irish bishops’ conference, said: “I believe there are many different kinds of parenthood and indeed there are many gay people who are parents…I think that we should look on that variety of situations in a way that is more positive. We shouldn’t use phrases that may offend people.” By the time Archbishop Martin had responded, the damage was done: a leader of the Church was understood to have suggested to the public that homosexuals are not of God, that in the absence of active procreation, adoptive parents implicitly might not be real parents, and that some rape victims have abortions as an act of revenge. More grievously, those born with a disability or severe illness, or their families, could reason-

ably interpret the words of the bishop as meaning that they are not fully of God’s design. Catholics must beware of unintentionally presenting a vision of God that is closer to the god whom the prominent atheists say they don’t believe in than to the God of mercy and love, of whom Pope Francis speaks so eloquently on page 4 of this edition. It is possible that Bishop Doran was just excessively clumsy in articulating his thoughts; even the most eloquent speakers sometimes experience moments when they fail to express themselves clearly. It may be that his injudicious remarks created an inaccurate impression of the bishop as a man who is insensitive to the ill and disabled, homosexuals, and women who have been raped. Indeed, in other parts of the interview he sounded reasonably pastoral. No doubt, some will discern theological merit in at least some of Bishop Doran’s statements, perhaps by referring to the Catechism of the Catholic Church which describes the homosexual “inclination” as “objectively disordered”—though the Catechism also makes a distinction about having a same-sex orientation and the homosexual act itself; a distinction the bishop, like so many other Catholics, did not clearly make. And none of it matters, because whatever failures in articulating Catholic teaching and his own ideas contributed to Bishop Doran’s hurtful statements, by the time they reached the public no elucidation, qualification, mitigation or rationalisation could undo the public perceptions created. People were angry at the hurtful comments from a leader of the Catholic Church, who as a bishop is understood to be speaking on behalf of the Church. One tweet suggested that remarks such as Bishop Doran’s “are part of the reason why Catholics become atheists”. How can we, the Church, offer a spiritual home to people who are justifiably angered and hurt by the remarks of a bishop? The public indignation at Bishop Doran’s comments is not a question of political correctness; it’s a response to a (hopefully temporary) case of pastoral incorrectness having gone mad.

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.

Western media bias on discipline

WANT to congratulate the editor, Günther Simmermacher, on his excellent editorial, “Discipline and dignity” (February 25). Speaking about the criticism of Pope Francis’ remarks on disciplining children, the editor twice refers to the “Western media” and once to the “Western bias”. What he is highlighting is the arrogance of people of the North Atlantic culture, Europe and North America, who take their own “liberal” way of reasoning and the behaviour which flows from it, as being the only valid way of thinking and acting. The presumption is that they have reached a level of ethical perfection which they are consequently

isiZulu Bible

HE Bible Society of South Africa welcomes the clarification given by Bishop Mlungisi Pius Dlungwane concerning the position of the Catholic Church with regard to the isiZulu Bible published by the Bible Society (February 25). We value very highly the cooperation between the Catholic Church and the Bible Society that has been built over many years and through translations of the Bible into several South African languages. There is just one small point of fact that should perhaps be clarified concerning the Bible Society isiZulu Bible translation that is currently under way in Durban and to which Bishop Dlungwane refers in his closing sentence. This translation project was not started subsequent to the Catholic translation but had in fact been in place since the 1980s. Due to logistical reasons the project went into “hibernation” for many years and was resumed in 2009 after consultation, beginning in 2004, with the churches that make use of the isiZulu Bible. The Bible Society has been and/or is involved in the translation of the Bible into all 11 of our official languages, and is committed to working with all churches. We respect the translation work being undertaken by the Catholic bishops of the Durban Metropolitan (Zulu Regional Pastoral Council) and firmly believe that cooperation between our two projects can only benefit the isiZuluspeaking Christians of South Africa. Rev Dirk Gevers, Bible Society chief executive officer

Council faulty

ETTING up a new laity council in the way described in The Southern Cross (February 18) will almost certainly fail in its stated objective “to give a platform to the laity to have

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entitled to impose on the rest of the benighted world. Although many are without religious faith, biblical sayings are invoked to support the claim and give it a religious facade. Within that culture the handful of people who effectively control the mass media set themselves up as the legitimate voice of the rest of the people within Western culture. These are the people who promoted the protests about the pope’s remarks about the disciplining of children, as though they are the only right-thinking people, and have the moral high ground from which to lay down the law to everyone else, including the pope. As the editor intimated, other cultures have different norms, their voice heard”. Firstly, it is well established that initiators of participatory structures like the laity council will not get meaningful commitment and participation from the members unless they involve them from the very beginning. Hence the adage: “Nothing about us without us.” To rely on the uncertain expertise of a large unwieldy group of diocesan appointees “to plan the future structure and life of the laity council”, especially after the structure has already been planned, is unrealistic. It would surely have been better to start by inviting a small group of lay organisational experts from diverse backgrounds to brainstorm the proposed laity council before taking decisions about its structure and functioning. Secondly, the method of selection of the diocesan appointees is critical to the successful functioning of the laity council. If past experience is anything to go by, selection will most likely continue to ignore what Pope Francis warns against in Evangelii Gaudium, 31: “[The bishop should] listen to everyone and not simply to those who would tell him what he would like to hear.” Unless the current top-down approach gives way to a more consultative approach, the new laity council will be another white elephant, and a waste of time and money. Brian Robertson, Cape Town 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. Letters can be sent to PO Box 2372, Cape Town 8000 or editor@scross.co.za or faxed to 021 465-3850

which have their own values when applied in a humane way, which the pope said should always mark the disciplining of children, whatever form it takes. I am grateful that the editorial unmasks what lies behind the media’s criticism of the pope. It is a warning to all those who belong to Western culture, including certain sections of our own population, not to presume the moral high ground from which to criticise, and even condemn, people who think differently. The Western world may have achieved remarkable advances in science and technology, but this does not say that its moral and spiritual life in theory and in practice is better than that of all other cultures. Bonaventure Hinwood OFM, Pretoria

Church teaching

ONY Meehan’s letter “Church stifles” (March 4) refers. In pursuit of debate we should be ever mindful of the danger of wandering around in the desert looking for the truth precisely because we elevate our debate to the level of truth. As Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger in Salt of the Earth (1996) explains, the infallibility of the magisterium serves to give final word on certain matters, replacing debate with certainty in those matters through pronouncing the position of the Catholic Church. This certainty is important for faith. These pronouncements, furthermore, are not arbitrary and subject to the whims of the individual occupying the chair of St Peter: they are the products of extended (often over centuries) process, faithful to the teachings of Jesus. Bishops participate in the magisterium. I was alerted to the importance of the function of the magisterium in the wake of 9/11 when some Muslims justified the attacks on the basis of faith and others condemned the attacks on the basis of the same faith. There is no infallible magisterium in Islam to make a final pronouncement: What does Islam say about the attacks? It makes little sense thus for a media outlet to, on the one hand, align itself with the Catholic faith, and on the other, to undermine that teaching under the guise of free speech or independent thinking, as per your gestures. The simple questions become, Why call yourself Catholic then? What exactly is the source of your Catholicity? With regard to the examples of celibacy and female ordination, I can only invite Mr Meehan to the above-mentioned text which addresses all of his concerns. I suspect he’ll find the cardinal is writing to him from pages 179-213. Wade Seale, Cape Town

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PERSPECTIVES

The patroness of unity T

never participated in ecumenical meetings. How, then, can she be the patroness of Christian unity? Such an observation would be fair comment. Yet, it takes nothing away from her consecration for unity to which her own life testifies. After her death, it was discovered that in her Bible chapter 17 of St John’s gospel, especially in verses 11 and 21, in which Jesus prays for unity of his disciples, had become yellowed and worn from being read often. For Sr Maria Gabriella, Christian divisions were wounds to the body of Christ for which she prayed for healing. And in his encyclical on Christian unity, Ut Unum Sint (“That They May Be One”), John Paul II testifies: “Praying for unity is not a matter reserved only to those who actually experience the lack of unity among Christians. In the deep personal dialogue which each of us must carry on with the Lord in prayer, concern for unity cannot be absent. “Only in this way, in fact, will that concern fully become part of the reality of our

HIS month I’d like to introduce to you the patroness of Christian unity, Maria Gabriella Sagheddu. She was born in 1914 in Italy. Motivated to deepen her piety she enrolled in a Catholic youth group called Azione Cattolica (Catholic Action) at the age of 18 where she dedicated herself to teaching catechism to her fellow youth, helping the aged and to the life of prayer. At the age of 20, desiring to consecrate herself to God as a nun, she entered the Trappist monastery in Grottaferrata, near Rome. There she encountered the abbess of the monastery, Mother Pia Gullini, who was passionate about ecumenism, inspired most especially by Fr Paul Couturier, whom I wrote about last month. The turning point for Sr Maria Gabriella was the promotion of novenas throughout Europe in the mid-1930s through pamphlets that encouraged people to pray and make sacrifices for Christian unity. The nuns at Grottaferrata took part in such novenas, and in a personal way Sr Maria Gabriella was so touched that she found a new vocation. She was delighted to have the favour of the abbess who granted her permission to dedicate herself specially to praying for Christian unity while still remaining a nun in the monastery. That very night Maria suffered pain in her shoulder and later she was diagnosed with tuberculosis. She accepted her suffering and offered it as spiritual sacrifice for the unity of Christians. After about one and half years of suffering she died on April 23, 1939. Remarkably, the reading for that Sunday included the words from the Gospel of John: “There will be one flock and one shepherd” (10:16). Maria Gabriella was beatified by Pope John Paul II on January 25, 1983, at the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Possibly someone may object: Maria lived a cloistered life and possibly never met Christians of other denominations,

Sr Maria Gabriella Sagheddu, the Trappist patroness of ecumenism.

Fr Evans Chama M.Afr

Saints of Christian Unity life and of the commitments we have taken on in the Church. It was in order to reaffirm this duty that I set before the faithful of the Catholic Church a model which I consider exemplary, the model of a Trappistine Sister, Bl Maria Gabriella of Unity,” John Paul II wrote. “Sr Maria Gabriella, called by her vocation to be apart from the world, devoted her life to meditation and prayer centred on chapter 17 of St John's Gospel, and offered her life for Christian unity... “The example of Sister Maria Gabriella is instructive; it helps us to understand that there are no special times, situations or places of prayer for unity. Christ's prayer to the Father is offered as a model for everyone, always and everywhere,” the pope wrote. In her short life in the convent—just three years—Sr Maria Gabriella assumed an attitude that was ecumenical in nature, fitting and possible in an enclosed life. She lived “the little way of ecumenism” which, for her, meant converting from selfishness and pride which most often nourish divisions. Hers was not a theoretical exposé of ecumenism but an ecumenical attitude in her daily life. Maria might not have appeared in ecumenical gatherings and left no laudable ecumenical discourse, but nonetheless lived fully a true ecclesial spirituality of faith in love and unity. Maria’s body is housed in the chapel of Unity at the Trappist monastery of Our Lady of St Joseph at Vitorchiano, about 70km north-west of Rome. Naming her a patroness of the ecumenical movement is, on one hand, a recognition of her consecration for unity and, on the other, a loud demonstration—look, here is a model to emulate. n Read about previous Saints of Christian Unity at www.scross.co.za/category/ perspectives/chama/

Family eyes on Lent and Easter Toni Rowland T HE theme of “Looking with family eyes” is another way of explaining the family focus I always preach about, and it is clearly more than being nice and friendly to families. Take the recent ordination of Bishop Victor Phalana. He has been a very popular priest and so there have been many photos of him published in The Southern Cross, Johannesburg’s Archdiocesan News, Facebook and elsewhere. A favourite of mine was him in full regalia in a donkey cart in one of the rural Klerkdorp parishes. I hope he will repeat that act for Palm Sunday. But the aim of featuring his ordination on the cover of MARFAM’s Family Matters magazine is to highlight that bishops come from and belong to families too. So I acquired a photo of the bishop, who was adopted, and his family, looking happy next to his mom with an array of proud siblings and sundry younger children. Looking with family eyes is to see everything has to do with families. The joys of one are the joys of all. His pains and joys are their pains and joys, even though he will be having a wider family too who will share their pains and joys with him. That applies to all of us in all our life situations. On a national radio programme the other day the question was asked, “How close are you to your mom?” Some callers said they were very close, saying they even called each other a few times per day. Some mothers closer to one child than another. Some are closer to daughters than to sons, or daughters-in-law.

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Family Friendly

The cover of the latest issue of Family Matters magazine shows the ordination of Bishop Victor Phalana of Klerksdorp in late January.

ather Vince Carroll of Tzaneen diocese has a quirky way of spreading the Good News according to Luke. He sends daily messages in SMS-speak that really try to reach young people. His simple message of February 28 read (and I leave the deciphering of it up to you): “J lovd hs mum ws1! They were opresd thenasnow. He made 1happy by giv’g life 2hr only son! Anothr

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happy home!:-) the ppl were greatly impresred! 7:11-17.” Yes, at this time we celebrate feasts of his mum and dad, St Joseph and the Annunciation. These are not about plaster saints but flesh and blood people who ran their daily lives in a small town, worked and made decisions about matters big and small. As we go into Holy Week soon, we’ll find Mary accompanying her Son through his Passion. She does so as a mom, alone, without a husband but supported by friends. In MARFAM’s two booklets of the Stations of the Cross for families and for widowed, that human touch is brought out very simply. How do we in our families feel when we are betrayed and unjustly judged, or when at a time of loss we really need the support of our loved ones? When a loved one dies who is the closest support for the longest time? I believe that love begins in the home, a picture Pope Benedict XVI painted beautifully when he wrote: “Children learn to know the face of God inasmuch as they receive a first revelation of it from a father and a mother full of attention in their regard.” Hurt and pain begin there too. By reflecting on our own situation we learn Continued on page 11

The Southern Cross, March 18 to March 24, 2015

Michael Shackleton

Open Door

Must a priest say Mass every day? Is a priest obliged to celebrate Mass every day of the week? I believe there is a limit to the number of Masses a priest may celebrate on Sundays. If so, what is it? N Pietersen

ET’S first refer to the importance of the Mass. Expressed very simply: Christ paid the price of all sin by sacrificing his life to the Father in order to save humanity from everlasting ruin. In the Mass, the same sacrifice is liturgically commemorated when Christ, together with his Church, exercises his priestly office in the celebration of the Eucharist. “The whole Church, the Body of Christ, prays and offers herself ‘through him, with him, in him’, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to God the Father” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1553). When a priest offers Mass, it is never his own private prayer. He acts in the name of Christ and at the same time in the name of all the members of the Church. His priesthood is not for his own spiritual advancement but for service of others. Aware of this great duty and privilege, priests offer the Mass daily. But they are not obliged to do so. Canon 904 of the Code of Canon Law, noting that the mystery of the eucharistic sacrifice is continually being carried out, urges priests to celebrate “frequently” but also says that “daily celebration is earnestly recommended, because, even if it should not be possible to have the faithful present, it is an action of Christ and of the Church in the carrying out of which priests fulfil their principal role”. Canon 905 makes the general rule that a priest should not celebrate more than once a day. Of course, in busy parishes a priest may find that he has to offer the regular daily Mass and maybe a funeral or nuptial Mass as well. The same canon, citing pastoral necessity, allows priests to celebrate two or even three Masses on a Sunday. Due to the scarcity of priests, many of them occasionally cannot avoid exceeding this limit. Celebrating more than one Mass on a Sunday can be heavy for priests, particularly the elderly and infirm. Aside from also having to preach, the celebrant may hear confessions and attend parish gatherings. Bishops will take note of the health of their clergy and endeavour to lighten the load whenever possible. If a priest does find it difficult to cope with too many Sunday Masses he can always consider the possibility of reducing their number. He should carefully make a distinction between Masses that are for the convenience of churchgoers and those that he is physically able to handle.

n Send your queries to Open Door, Box 2372, Cape Town,

8000; or e-mail: opendoor@scross.co.za; or fax (021) 465 3850. Anonymity can be preserved by arrangement, but questions must be signed, and may be edited for clarity. Only published questions will be answered.

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The Southern Cross, March 18 to March 24, 2015

FAITH

The rich fruits of religious life Often Catholics take the work and prayer of our religious for granted. SR MARY GRACE OF THE SACRED HEART OCD looks at the celebration of 25 years of service of a nun whose life, through her vocation, is extraordinary, and how this relates to the Year of Consecrated Life.

tate on it. Jesus asks us to practise it, to put his words into effect in our lives.” The third aim is “to embrace the future with hope. Consecrated life has its own difficulties, but this hope is not based on statistics or accomplishments but on the One in whom we put our trust, the one for whom ‘nothing is impossible’,” Fr Smuts said. St John Paul II wrote in his 1996 apostolic exhortation Vita Consecrata: “You have not only a glorious history to remember and to recount, but also a great history still to be accomplished! Look to the future , where the Spirit is sending you in order to do even greater things”.

AST month Carmel of Retreat in Cape Town marked a special occasion as it celebrated the 25th anniversary of religious profession of Sr Mary Lawrence of the Resurrection. Archbishop Stephen Brislin officiated at a concelebrated Mass. Before the start of the Eucharistic celebration, Sr Mary Lawrence offered a bouquet of flowers to the statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a token of gratitude for the 25 years during which the Blessed Virgin has accompanied her in living her Carmelite life in her Order of Discalced Carmelites. Joy radiated on Sr Mary Lawrence’s face as she walked down the centre aisle of the chapel to her pri-dieu, accompanied by the prioress, Mother Mary Joan of the Cross. It was the joy of living the Gospel faithfully and perseveringly for 25 years in the silence and solitude of Carmel, in a hidden life of contemplative prayer, a life of simplicity and self-sacrifice offered for the Church and the whole world. Archbishop Brislin presented her

A Sr Mary Lawrence of the Resurrection is surrounded by fellow Carmilite nuns on the occasion of her 25th jubilee of religious profession in February, which was marked with a Mass concelebrated by Archishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town. with a candle lit from the paschal candle, which is the symbol of Christ her Spouse. In his homily, Fr Rohan Smuts reminded Sr Mary Lawrence of the aims of the present Year of Consecrated Life, which was proclaimed by Pope Francis.

he first is “to look to the past with gratitude, seeing the hand of God who in his Spirit calls individuals to follow Christ more closely, to translate the Gospel into a particular way of life, to read the signs of the times with the eyes of faith and respond creatively to the needs of the Church. This is essen-

tial for preserving our identity, for strengthening our unity as a family and our common sense of belonging,” Fr Smuts said. The second aim is to “ live the present with passion. Grateful remembrance of the past leads us to implement ever more fully the essential aspects of our consecrated life”, he said. “The absolute rule for the founders and foundresses was the Gospel, the ideal was Christ. The vows were intended as a concrete expression of this passionate love. “The Gospel demands to be lived radically and sincerely. It is not enough to read it, nor even medi-

fter the homily Sr Mary Lawrence renewed her vows. Before doing so she expressed her desire from God and his holy Church: “Like Mary our Mother, in her life of prayer and contemplation, I ask for the fullness of God’s loving and healing presence, to radiate the joy of his resurrection all the days of my life.” Then she expressed her joy by singing the Magnificat alternately with the community: “All that I am sings of the God who brings new life to birth in me. My Spirit soars on the wings of my Lord.” The congregation was touched and were also filled with joy. Looking at the life of St Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower, a Carmelite nun who never left her cloister of Carmel in France but was proclaimed patroness of the missions, one may ask how can that be? This is the beautiful mystery of consecrated life. When one gives oneself totally to God in love, God takes over one’s life. In the case of a

nun, he works through her so that everything she does becomes the work of the Lord. One becomes another Christ. Totally possessed by the Spirit, she can now transcend all barriers in her desire to help anyone anywhere in the world. St Thérèse said that she was seen among soldiers in war zones, and in many other places helping many. There were many testimonies of what she has done, especially after her death, for which she merits to be called patroness of the missions. To me, this truth and the many lights and blessings received from the jubilee celebration of Sr Mary Lawrence, concretise the importance of consecrated life. It dawns on me how much we miss of God’s graces for ourselves and our world if we do not live fully our consecrated life. God’s graces and blessings, St Thérèse wrote, are pent up, ready to be poured out to whoever opens her heart, her hands to receive it. Our world today is in confusion. In the words the Carmelites’ holy mother, St Teresa of Avila, in her own time: “The world is in flames!” Many people do not know who they are or what is their direction in life. It is we, especially in the consecrated life, who can give direction and point out to them the path to true happiness and eternal life, to the goal of our life here on earth, which is union with God, our Creator.

DIVINE MERCY FEAST 2015

CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC CHURCH WYNBERG, CAPE TOWN

Friday 10th april 2015

Theme: God the Father of Mercy

Divine Mercy Holy Hour & Confessions Holy Eucharist with Fr Sean Cahill oFM Cap

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Saturday 11th april 2015

Theme: Mary the Mother of Mercy

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The Southern Cross, March 18 to March 24, 2015

FAITH

Why St Teresa of Avila still matters today One March 28 the Church will observe the 500th anniversary of the birth of one of the most influential and timeless saints. Carmelite Father BONIFACE D’SOUZA looks at the life of St Teresa of Avila and why she is still relevant today.

reform. It was just before Martin Luther set the stage for the Protestant reformation. During Teresa’s lifetime the Church in Europe was in turmoil and the inquisition was an important force in Spain. The reformation was the cause of so much dissension and suspicion in Europe at the time that it took considerable courage to start talking about reform of the religious life in Spain, and even more so to start putting it into practice. When Teresa began to write about her own spiritual experiences, her writings were very closely examined by the inquisition.

N March 28 the Church will mark the 500th birthday of St Teresa of Avila, the Carmelite nun and one of the great figures in Catholicism. Later also known as St Teresa of Jesus, Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y Ahumada was born in Avila, Spain, on March 28, 1515. She died at the age of 67 in Alba de Tormes on October 4, 1582. Carmelites all over the world began celebrating the fifth centenary of St Teresa’s birth on October 15, 2014. The year-long celebration concludes on her feast day, October 15. Teresa of Avila was a prominent Spanish mystic, Carmelite nun, author of the counter-reformation, and theologian of contemplative life through mental prayer. Along with St John of the Cross, she was the reformer of the Discalced Carmelite order. In 1970, the Church gave her the title she had long held in the popular mind: Doctor of the Church. She and St Catherine of Siena were the first women so honoured.

A spiritual life-journey Teresa’s parents were both pious Catholics and in some ways inspired their daughter to take up a life of prayer. As a young child Teresa showed signs of a deeply religious nature. She would often retreat into silence for prayer and would enjoy giving alms to the poor. In her later teen years Avila lost her early piety and religious zeal. She recounted how she became interested in worldly matters and enjoyed the company of a wide circle of friends. She had a natural charm and found it easy to make friends. In return she enjoyed the complements and friendships of others. However she was not at peace, considering herself to be a miserable sinner. Later, after she had become a Carmelite nun, she would look back in guilt at her early life. After becoming a nun, Teresa experienced a severe illness, which left her in great pain for a long period. Her illness was so severe that at one point it was feared that she would not be able to recover. During this period of intense physical pain, she began to increasingly experience divine visions and an inner sense of peace. These inner experiences of joy and peace seemed to transcend the intense pain of the body.

St Teresa and womanhood St Teresa of Avila, painted in her lifetime around 1577. However, in the course of time, she became absorbed in deep contemplation in which she felt an ever growing sense of oneness with God. At times she felt overwhelmed with divine love. The experiences were so transforming she at times felt the illumining grace of God would wash her soul away. She was so filled with divine contemplation, it is said at times her body would spontaneously levitate. Teresa was not a quiet, placid saint. She had an endearing, natural quality. Her energy attracted and inspired many who were close. They admired her outer charm and inner serenity. She was one of the great Christian mystics. Overcoming physical ailments, she was fully absorbed in her devotedness to God.

The times of St Teresa Teresa lived in an age of exploration as well as political, social and religious upheaval. It was the 16th century, a time of turbulence and

The gift of God to Teresa in and through which she became holy and left her mark on the Church and the world is threefold: She was a woman; she was a contemplative; she was an active reformer. As a woman, Teresa stood on her own feet, even in the man’s world of her time. She was “her own woman”, entering the Carmelites despite strong opposition from her father. She was a person wrapped not so much in silence as in mystery. Beautiful, talented, outgoing, adaptable, affectionate, courageous, enthusiastic, she was totally human. Like Jesus, she was a mystery of paradoxes: wise, yet practical; intelligent, yet much in tune with her experience; a mystic, yet an energetic reformer. A holy woman, a womanly woman. Teresa was a woman “for God”, a woman of prayer, discipline and compassion. Her heart belonged to God. Her ongoing conversion was an arduous lifelong struggle, involving ongoing purification and suffering. She was misunderstood, misjudged, opposed in her effort at reform. Yet she struggled with her own mediocrity, her illness, her opposition. And in the midst of all this she

The church of St John the Baptist in Avila, where St Teresa was baptised on April 4, 1515.

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Above left: The chapel on the spot of St Teresa’s birth 500 years ago in St Teresa convent in Avila. Above right: St Teresa's room with her desk in Encarnacion Carmelitas convent. Bottom right: St Teresa’s tomb in the town of Alba de Tormes. (All photos: Günther Simmermacher) clung to God in life and in prayer. Her writings on prayer and contemplation draw from her experience: powerful, practical and graceful. A woman of prayer; a woman of God. Teresa was a woman “for others”. Though a contemplative, she spent much of her time and energy seeking to reform herself and the Carmelites, to lead them back to the full observance of the primitive Rule. She founded over half dozen new monasteries. She travelled, wrote, fought—always to renew, to reform. In her self, in her prayer, in her life, in her efforts to reform, in all the people she touched, she was a woman for others, a woman who inspired and gave life.

A saint for all times What makes St Teresa unique not only in her time but also in ours is that she wasn’t one of those reformers whose sole interest is to change everybody else. She understood that any institutional reform had to begin with personal conversion. She wanted to turn to Christ with all of her being and that is the real meaning of conversion. She sought a smaller, quieter place and simpler lifestyle which she felt would be more in keeping with the Carmelite hermetical tradition. In keeping with the charism of Carmel, with mystical experiences, she is not removed from the concerns—the joys and hopes, the grief and the anguish—of the people of our time. As with many of the great saints, there is the risk that we think of St Teresa as so different and so otherworldly that we could never hope to live as she did. St Teresa herself would say that the only thing she did in her life which was of any spe-

cial significance was to try and allow Christ to be at the centre of everything, and even that effort itself was God’s gift. She would say that intimacy with Christ is not just a possibility for every Christian but a fundamental need. This is why, alongside the friars and nuns, we also have the Carmelites of the third order, members of the lay faithful who seek to follow St Teresa in placing Christ at the heart of their lives. Perhaps Teresa of Avila, already in the 16th century, saw the seeds of individualist humanism in the lives of some of her sisters and in the society of her time. She certainly recognised that if human life was to have any meaning, it must be directed to an ultimate end or goal. That ultimate end is union with Christ. Teresa’s appeal to place Christ at the centre of all things did not meet with universal acceptance in her time. Neither will it be easily accepted in our own time. For that reason, the Teresian conversion includes recognising that one of the fruits of prayer is authentic living. When in prayer, we really place Christ at the centre of our lives, this overflows to transform our way of being and acting in the community. St Teresa’s message for all in her own words: Let nothing worry you Let nothing dismay you All things pass; God does not change. Patience wins all it seeks. Whoever has God lacks nothing God alone is enough

n Fr Boniface D’souza is a Carmelite priest serving at St Joseph’s parish in Actonville, Benoni, archdiocese of Johannesburg.

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The Southern Cross, March 18 to March 24, 2015

COMMUNITY

Christ the Redeemer cathedral in Klerksdorp hosted Police Day. Bishop Victor Phalana of Klerksdorp is pictured with police officers.

Klerksdorp Catholic Women’s League diocesan president Benedictor Mdaka (centre) is pictured with the CWL national team from Pretoria after the episcopal ordination of Bishop Victor Phalana which was held in James Motlatsi stadium in Orkney.

Head students of all five Marist schools in South Africa joined the members of Marist Mercy Care in Addo, Eastern Cape, for the annual week-long summer camp. Students interacted with more than 300 children from Langbos township, helping the two Sisters of Mercy who work with the community to develop sporting, academic and technical skills. Lauren Askew, head girl at St Henry’s Marist College in Durban, is pictured with two of the children from Langbos.

Bradley Ramjuttan Singh parish council chairman of Good Shepherd parish in Phoenix, Durban, celebrates his 30th birthday on March 18. Elected in March last year, Mr Singh has interacted with different committees in the church, conducted many pilgrimages, is actively involved in the community and assists with the frail. His motto is “pray for others more often and in turn your prayers will be answered”.

Feast of Divine Mercy Celebrations

Blessed are the merciful - they shall have mercy shown to them.’ (Mt 5:7) the Parish of Fish hoek, Cape town, invites you to come and celebrate the Feast of Divine Mercy with us on Sunday 12th april 2015. • 2:00pm Exposition and Holy Hour with Chaplet of Mercy - Benediction at 3pm • Mass at 3:15pm. • Refreshments served after Mass in the parish hall - please bring a plate and share. Contact Fr Craig holmes: (021) 782 2671.

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The Southern Cross, March 18 to March 24, 2015

CLASSIFIEDS Keep family’s eyes on Lent and Easter Continued from page 7 about love and about life and can experience emotions and so feel more personally and intimately about more abstract or remote situations. That can apply to the Passion and Resurrection story of Jesus, which many of us have heard told for up to 50, 60, 70 years or more. We can learn to relate to the passion and suffering of others around us, near and further away. There is so much suffering shown on TV that we might have suffering-fatigue. But when a situation

is closer to home, it is easier to relate, as we saw clearly with the recent fires in Cape Town. The Native Americans had a famous saying: “You need to walk in someone else’s moccasins.” Taking it a step further, an African proverb reads: “Perhaps you do not understand me because you do not love me.” The family theme for March is the commitment to promote family rights. Is it possible in our busy, self-focused lives to feel what others feel who are dispossessed, deprived of their rights

Liturgical Calendar Year B Weekdays Cycle Year 1 Sunday, March 22, Fifth Sunday of Lent Jeremiah 31:31-34, Psalms 51:3-4, 12-15, Hebrews 5:7-9, John 12:20-33 Monday, March 23 Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62, Psalms 23:1-6, John 8:1-11 Tuesday, March 24 Numbers 21:4-9, Psalms 102:2-3, 16-21, John 8:21-30 Wednesday, March 25, Annunciation of the Lord Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10, Psalms 40:7-11, Hebrews 10:4-10, Luke 1:26-38 Thursday, March 26 Genesis 17:3-9, Psalms 105:4-9, John 8:51-59 Friday, March 27 Jeremiah 20:10-13, Psalms 18:2-7, John 10:31-42 Saturday, March 28 Ezekiel 37:21-28, Jeremiah 31:10-13, John 11:45-56 Sunday, March 29, Palm Sunday Isaiah 50:4-7, Psalms 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24, Philippians 2:6-11, Mark 14:1--15:47

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and more? This Lent and Holy Week, as we contemplate the passion and compassion of Jesus and Mary and our own hardships, may these help us grow in compassion for others and finally share together the fruit of Resurrection joy. n There are many opportunities to celebrate the liturgies of the season at home too for all ages. Subscribe to the “Family Matters” e-newsletter by contacting info@marfam.org.za or www.marfam.org.za

Our bishops’ anniversaries This week we congratulate: March 23: Bishop Abel Gabuza of Kimberley on his 59th birthday. March 28: Bishop Jan de Groef of Bethlehem on the 6th anniversary of his episcopal ordination.

Community Calendar To place your event, call Mary Leveson at 021 465 5007 or e-mail m.leveson@scross.co.za (publication subject to space)

CAPE TOWN: Helpers of God’s Precious Infants. Mass on last Saturday of every month at 9:30 at Sacred Heart church in Somerset Road, Cape Town. Followed by vigil at Marie Stopes abortion clinic in Bree Street. Contact Colette Thomas on 083 412 4836 or 021 593 9875 or Br Daniel SCP on 078 739 2988. DURBAN: St Anne’s Sodality annual Siyonqamlezweni (“We are going to the cross”) pilgrimage, with Mass, confession, homilies. March 21-22 at St Albini, Ntshongweni. RSVP Mrs Shezi (072 3158639) or Fr Ngcobo (072 412-9773).

Holy Mass and Novena to St Anthony at St Anthony’s parish every Tuesday at 9am. Holy Mass and Divine Mercy Devotion at 17:30pm on first Friday of every month. Sunday Mass at 9am. 031 309 3496 Overport rosary group. At Emakhosini Hotel, 73 East Street every Wednesday at 6.30 pm. Contact Keith at 083 372 9018 or 031 209 2536. NELSPRUIT: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at St Peter’s parish every Tuesday from 8:00 to 16:45, followed by Rosary, Divine Mercy prayers, then a Mass/Communion service at 17:30pm.

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IN MEMORIAM

CIOLLI—Mary Anne (Dickie) née Dixon. In loving memory, the mother of my children, born June 15, 1941, passed away on January 18, 2015 after a long illness, loyal and faithful. Will be forever missed and remembered in our prayers by Remo, Catherine, Michael, David, Stephen and grandchildren. Rest in peace. DRYJA—Stanislaw. Twenty years ago, passed on to the next life on March 23, 1995. Born in Poland, suffered in Russia’s Siberia, settled in South Africa. Loved and sorely missed by wife Pat, sons James, Zygmunt, and Stefan, daughters-inlaw Gertie and Rose, and granddaughter Chanelle. VAN SCHOOR— Marchelle. 21/3/2012. In loving memory of Marchelle. Always remembered by Lawrence, Machay, Lance and van Schoor family. Our deepest wish would be today, to have you back the same old way, to hear your voice, to see your smile, to talk to you just a little while. May her soul rest in peace. VOGEL—Mervyn. Died March 23, 1996. May Christ, who died for you, admit you into his garden of paradise. May Christ, the true shepherd, acknowledge you as one of his flock. May he forgive all your sins and set you among those he has chosen. May you see your redeemer face to face and enjoy the vision of God forever. May we who grieve our departed children graciously ask God for understanding and acceptance. Mom, Dad and Tracy.

PRAYER FOR CONSECRATED LIFE. “Loving Creator, we thank you for the gift that religious life has been within our Church and society. Help us to nurture this gift so that the congregations may continue to be a healing presence in our world. May we all respond to the realities of our present times, in ways that promote your reign now and in the future. May your kingdom come, may your will be done. Amen” LORD, teach me to be generous; to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek to rest; to labour and not to ask for reward save that of knowing I do your will. Amen. St Ignatius. 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 herein that you are my Mother, O Holy Mary Mother of God, Queen of heaven and earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to secure me in my necessity. There are none who can withstand your power, O show me that you are my mother. O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Thank you for your mercy towards me and mine. Amen.

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so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment. Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me. You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit. Psalm 51

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Palm Sunday: March 29 Readings: Mark 11:1-10, Isaiah 50:4-7, Psalm 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24, Philippians 2:611, Mark 14:1-15:47

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The drama of Holy Week unfolds Fr Nicholas King SJ

EXT Sunday we enter the great and solemn drama that is Holy Week, leading us into the greatest feast of the Church’s year. The readings are enormously rich, and you will do well to go prayerfully through all of them before you get to Mass next Sunday, with Mark’s strange tale of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem for the start of the drama, then the third of Isaiah’s “Songs of the Suffering Servant”; after that we have that terrible psalm of lament that has so coloured the gospel account of Jesus’ passion. Then we have Paul’s extraordinary meditation on Jesus’ self-emptying, and what God did to reward him. But the gospel this year is Mark’s account of Jesus’ passion. In the first stage, Mark sets the scene: it is Passover, and there is a plot to murder Jesus, to which “one of the Twelve” is an accomplice. There is, however, a charming counterpoint in the anonymous woman who bravely came to the “house of Simon the leper”, and came into the men’s quarters, where she should not have been, and poured generous quantities of oil over Jesus, anointing him as Messiah,

Sunday Reflections

though Jesus himself reinterprets this gesture as “for my burial”. The second stage is the Passover meal; this should be a great celebration of what God has done for the people, and instead turns out to be all confusion and sadness, with Jesus accusing at least one of his disciples of betraying him, with the terrible words “one of the Twelve, who dips with me into the dish”, which in that culture is unimaginable betrayal. This is followed by the mysterious reference to “my body” and “my blood”. The tone is briefly raised by some hymn-singing, but not for long, for Jesus tells them, “You’re all going to be tripped up”; and when Peter protests, he is firmly told: “Amen I’m telling

you: you, today, this very night, before the cock crows a second time, you’re going to deny me three times.” Peter is away on a planet of his own, and promises fidelity, “even if I have to die with you”, posturing that he will later come to regret. Then we are in Gethsemane and watch and hear Jesus’ three-fold prayer that the cup should pass, while the disciples snore and God is silent; but, to our astonishment, something happens, for Jesus emerges from his prayer calm and very much in charge, even when Judas comes to arrest him, calling him “Rabbi” and giving him a kiss. The disciples, as predicted, disappear in the general direction of Galilee, and Jesus is now alone, except that (to our surprise and pleasure) Peter is still there. Now there is an interrogation before the High Priest, where Jesus is silent and when forced to speak simply tells the truth. At the same time, in the next room, poor Peter makes far too much noise, and tells terrible lies, because he is frightened of “a single little slave girl”. Jesus is convicted of blasphemy because he

How God loves the unloved ‘E

TERNITY has more kinds of rooms than this world does.” This is a thought inside the head of Marilynne Robinson’s fictional character, Lila, in Robinson’s recent novel of the same name. Lila has reason to think that way, that is, to think outside the box of conventional religious piety because her story is not one that fits piety of any kind. Lila had been an unwanted orphan, sick from malnutrition and neglect, when at a young age she was taken up by a woman named Dolly, herself a social outcast. Lila spends all the years of her youth with Dolly, travelling with her as the two of them live on the edges of society and hunger, working as agricultural labourers with others like themselves. Living this way, Lila never learns the social skills needed to function normally in society. Everything in her background, from her abandonment as a child to her life-long marginalisation, sets her up to be a loner, someone condemned by circumstance to never find normal companionship, family, intimacy, or grace. Moreover, Dolly, her surrogate mother, has her own problems, beyond her struggles to feed Lila and herself. When she took up Lila and fled from their hometown, she was fleeing domestic violence. Eventually, years later, the man from whom she was fleeing finds her; but Dolly

Conrad

Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI

Final Reflection

is no passive victim. She knifes the man to death. Sometime later, she dies, orphaning Lila a second time. But, by now, Lila is old enough to take care of herself—except, lacking social skills, she still finds herself at the margins of society, ever the loner.

uck, though, is on her side and she is eventually befriended by a Christian minister who takes care of her and eventually marries her. This new world of acceptance, love, family, and religion is radically new to Lila and she struggles mightily to sort it out, especially regarding how love and grace work. One of the problems that bother her, as she listens to her husband’s sermons, is what happens to someone like Dolly, who did so much for her, and yet was a murderer. Is she forgiven? Could she have gone to heaven, even after committing murder? Lila struggles to believe in faith, love, family life, forgiveness, and heaven.

Her thoughts on this, especially on how Dolly might have met her Maker, contain their own important insights into love and grace: “In eternity, people’s lives could be altogether what they were and had been, not just the worst things they ever did, or the best things either. So she decided that she should believe in it, or that she believed in it already. How else could she imagine seeing Dolly again? “Never once had she taken her to be dead, plain and simple. If any scoundrel could be pulled into heaven just to make his mother happy, it couldn’t be fair to punish scoundrels who happened to be orphans, or whose mothers didn’t even like them, and who would probably have better excuses for the harm they did than the ones who had somebody caring about them. “It couldn’t be fair to punish people for trying to get by, people who were good by their own lights, when it took all the courage they had to be good. … Eternity had more of every kind of room in it than this world did.” As Christians, we believe that, as part of the Body of Christ, we have been given the power to forgive each other’s sins and that, because of that, indeed a mother’s love can pull her child into heaven. Our love for each other is a powerful vehicle of grace, powerful enough to actually open the gates of heaven. As the French Christian philosopher Gabriel Marcel once put it: “To love someone is to, in effect, say: You at least will never die!” Human love, even this side of eternity, has that kind of power. That’s also why we pray for loved ones who have died. Our love has the power to reach them, even there. But what about those who, like Dolly and herself, are outsiders and who die without anyone much caring about the fact that they’ve gone or where they’ve gone? How do grace and forgiveness work then? Is human love then purely out of the picture and we are left only with the hope that God’s love can fill in where human love is absent? Yes, God’s love can and does fill in where human love is absent. In fact, Scripture assures us that God has a special love, and tenderness, for those who find themselves outside of the circle of human love. So we need not worry about the salvation of those who, like Dolly, died in lessthan-ideal circumstances, even as they “took all the courage they had to be good”. Human love, while generally directed towards very specific persons, is also a symphony whose music circles wide and ultimately embraces everyone.

agrees with the suggestion that he is indeed the “Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One”. From there he goes to another interrogation, by Pilate, who hardly understands a word, as Jesus is silent. Then this crazy “king” is dressed in royal clothes and mocked, and crucified with two “co-rulers” on his right and his left (James and John had asked for this position, but they are nowhere to be seen, just at present). Jesus dies, bellowing to an apparently empty universe, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” Only then do we get any sign that God might be in the story, for a pagan centurion (of all people!) astonishes us by saying: “Truly, this man was the Son of God.” Next we glimpse two sets of people who are on Jesus’ side; first the women, faithful to the end, and then, unexpectedly, Joseph of Arimathea, who asks for Jesus’ corpse for burial. He then “took him down, wrapped him in the grave-cloth and placed him in a tomb which was carved out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb”. And that is the end of the story of this deluded maniac. Or is it?

Southern Crossword #646

ACROSS 3. Tame Simon gets around conquered tribes (1 Mac 5) (9) 8. Initially, even Zachary read a biblical book (4) 9. The Church hands it on (9) 10. Make it certain (6) 11. Mistaken misdeed (5) 14. Devoted to the faith (5) 15. Book that may come my way (4) 16. Submit the produce? (5) 18. Regrets, for sure (4) 20. From side to side (5) 21. Carouse (5) 24. Tree needed for marzipan (6) 25. Name of the Temple gate (Ac 3) (9) 26. Snow gliders (4) 27. Lets Alice appear angelic (9)

DOWN 1. Personal ornaments (9) 2. Berry pest upset the priest (9) 4. St Thomas, no less (4) 5. Instruction for religious sisterhood (5) 6. Purpose (6) 7. Dome found about in Genesis 32 (4) 9. Yours will conclude the letter (5) 11. Did St Catherine invent it? (5) 12. Have faith to do them (Jm 2) (4,5) 13. Systematic church member? (9) 17. All People That On Earth Do... (hymn) (5) 19. Devil will do it temptingly (6) 22. Decree (5) 23. The place you say you are (4) 24. Halo (4) Solutions on page 11

CHURCH CHUCKLE

HE little boy stares at his grandfather and asks: “Granddad, were you on the ark when the flood came?” The grandfather is puzzled and says he wasn’t. The grandson replies: “But if you weren’t, why didn’t you drown?” Send us your favourite Catholic joke, preferably clean and brief, to The Southern Cross, Church Chuckle, PO Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000.