160106

The

S outher n C ross

January 6 to January 12, 2016

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Bishops’ HQ on the move

BY STUART GRAHAM

T

HE bishops’ Pretoria headquarters is set to move out of Khanya House in the centre of Pretoria in the new year.

The new headquarters of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference will be located at Santa Sophia, near St John Vianney Seminary in Waterkloof, about ten minutes’ drive from the current location.

“Khanya House has become a bit large for the bishops conference,” said SACBC spokesman Archbishop William Slattery.

“The Church is in the final stages of selling the building, although none of the final documents have been signed yet. We are hoping to finalise the sale early this year.”

The imposing red-brick Khanya House, located at 399 Paul Kruger Street, was a hub for the Catholic Church’s operation during the Aids pandemic in the 2000s when thenpresident Thabo Mbeki’s government resisted rolling out an antiretroviral treatment programme for those with HIV and Aids.

But the need for an Aids operation decreased over the past 15 years as the government rolled out a treatment programme for those infected with the virus.

“Khanya House was fully operational when we were leading in the response to the Aids problem,” said Archbishop Slattery.

“Tremendous work was done in the Aids Office at Khanya House. We needed a lot of people and offices, but with the government stepping in, our Aids operation has decreased.”

Khanya House presently accommodates all offices of the SACBC, including those dealing with issues relating to Justice & Peace, liturgy, catechesis and so on, as well as the Denis Hurley Peace Institute, which works on peacemaking projects around Africa..

The building, which is marked by long, dark corridors and broad staircases, was initially used as the Land Bank of South Africa.

The southern part of the building, designed

by Wim de Zwaan, was completed in 1915, the central part in 1922, and the northern part, designed by Gerard Moerdijk, was completed in 1932.

The former Land Bank building was renamed Khanya House when the bishops bought it in 2002 and moved from the previous Khanya House in Visagie Street in

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/

Khanya House in Pretoria, the current headquarters of the bishops’ conference, is going to be sold and the SACBC will move to Waterkloof, ten minutes drive from the city centre. (Photo: Günther Simmermacher) central Pretoria.

It was the Khanya House in Visagie Street that was bombed by apartheid police operatives in October 1988. It is now the chancery of the archdiocese of Pretoria.

The SACBC’s new headquarters will be located at Santa Sophia on 129 Main Street in Waterkloof. The location is close to the national seminary, the apostolic nunciature and the residence of the archbishop of Pretoria.

Santa Sophia was built by the Sisters of Nazareth but later became a students’ house for Franciscans.

“Santa Sophia was used by the Franciscans for several years as a community for students,” said Archbishop Slattery, himself a Franciscan.

“Now it will serve the whole Church in Southern Africa as we prepare to leave Khanya House,” he added.

Mission dog Justice with Fr Matthias Nsamba of Sacred Heart mission in Qoqodala, Queenstown diocese, and parish children. Fr Nsamba adopted two dogs, named Justice and Peace, from the local SPCA, despite his long-standing phobia of dogs. “I am staying alone in a very big mission without a helper in the presbytery. I had to be humble enough and seek their company,” the priest said. The dogs been given intensive training in B&B—bark and bite.

Once they have been trained, Fr Nsamba will look for a third dog. The name has already been chosen: Happiness. “Once you have Justice and Peace, the result is Happiness,” Fr Nsamba quipped.

St John Paul II Pilgrimage to Poland Southern Cross

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

Kraków | Wadowice (on St John Paul II’s birthday) | Black Madonna of Częstochowa | Niepokalanów (St Maximilan Kolbe) | Divine Mercy Sanctuary | Warsaw | Kalwaria Zebrzydowska (with miraculous icon) | Zakopane | Wieliczka Salt Mine (with Mass!)

2

The Southern Cross, January 6 to January 12, 2016

FOCUS

Hurley legacy lives on two continents The legacy of Archbishop Denis Hurley extends beyond Durban and South Africa. London-based SR MARIE-HENRY KEANE OP explains.

I

T is December and I am on my flight travelling from Johannesburg to London There are several copies of The Southern Cross and cuttings from local news papers in my luggage, all of which record the recent magnificent centenary celebrations in honour of our much-loved and admired Archbishop Denis Eugene Hurley OMI. Life, I understand, has returned to normal at the Denis Hurley Centre, Durban. The hungry are being fed with regular meals; the sick are receiving professional medical attention; the homeless are offered the possibility of showers and fresh clothing delivered with respect and compassion; training and job-seeking support for the unemployed are provided and refugees are offered ongoing pastoral care.

Ministries of care and kindness are being carried out daily by generous volunteers who respond, as best they can, to the physical and spiritual needs of God’s vulnerable people.

Clearly the spirit of the “Arch” is alive and well in Durban—but not in Durban only. That historic city is not big enough to contain his magnanimous spirit, nor to limit his Christlike compassion and sense of justice to one location only.

Thanks to the wisdom of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, the congregation to which the archbishop belonged, Denis Hurley has a presence even in London.

Denis Hurley House, located on 14 Quex Road in the northern suburb of Kilburn, was opened on October 5, 2011.

From there the Oblate Fathers encourage young people to “witness to the presence of Christ in the poor and the marginalised”, worldwide, through their Partners in Mission project.

At the official opening of Hurley

Durban’s Emmanuel cathedral is seen behind a fence, decorated with Denis Hurley posters, in front of the mall that separates the cathedral from the new Denis Hurley Centre. (Photo: Günther Simmermacher) House, Fr William Fitzpatrick OMI recalled the words of the Oblates’ founder, St Eugene de Mazenod: “Leave nothing undared for the Kingdom of God.” Then he added: “Archbishop Hurley was one such man.” He dared, and he paid the price.

According to Bishop David Konstant of Leeds, who was also present on that occasion, South Africa produced many great women and men, but for him three in particular stood out from the crowd: The Anglican clergyman Fr Trevor Huddleston, Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Denis Hurley. Each, in his own way, stirred up peoples’ consciences, took risks and suffered greatly. They were the prophets in our midst who would inspire us to do great things, as became God’s kingdom people.

At the opening of Denis Hurley House, the now late Mildred Neville, a patron of the Denis Hurley Associ-

ation and a friend of the archbishop, reverently lit a commemorative candle as we gathered for prayer on that October day. It was a poignant moment watching the flickering candle and remembering what one committed, magnificent, saintly human being could achieve in his lifetime.

Everything Archbishop Hurley did reflected not only the level of excellence that he set himself, but also the high standard he expected of those who laboured with him.

Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor, then archbishop of Westminster, was also present. He blessed the house room by room. I imagined Archbishop Hurley, the liturgist, watching every move. I think he would have approved.

When the main door of Hurley House on the busy and noisy Quex Road opens, one is immediately brought face to face with a large image of our archbishop: handsome, dignified, memorable. He himself, I thought, opened many a door to many people.

Each one has his or her story to tell, myself included.

Each of us believed ourselves to be “special” in his eyes.

His heart was big, so he could embrace us all. But it was never his intention to create a personality cult. With his gifts of nature and grace he could have been vain, but he never was, not for a moment.

T

he Denis Hurley Kilburn House is more than a building. It has purposes to fulfil, and it executes them with gracious hospitality.

Among other things it provides the Denis Hurley Association with a place to meet regularly. The association is now six years old. It is a registered charity with its own constitution. It has two aims: first, to support the ministry of the Denis Hurley Centre in Durban; secondly,

Retirement Home, Rivonia, Johannesburg Tel:011 803 1451 www.lourdeshouse.org

to keep alive the legacy left to the Church by Denis Eugene Hurley OMI. The association, to whose executive I belong, is supported by our patrons and by members from all over England. All are volunteers. Support has also come from Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

The Denis Hurley Centre in Durban is now debt-free. Meantime, the London association is reviewing the way forward and would welcome new blood. We know that many South Africans have come to live in England, so we would like to made contact with any who might like to be connected with the association, or might be interested in hearing from us.

M

y flight glides quietly through the skies. The plane is dimly lit, many people appear to be asleep.

My thoughts turn to the five weeks and five days spent in South Africa. The country is wealthy and it is one of the most beautiful in the world. Yet there are extremes of poverty and wealth; side by side there exists vicious crime and generous self-giving; many are critical of those in power; some are losing hope in a better future—yet there is a steady trickle of young people returning home from abroad (the grass was not greener on the other side).

In the face of immense problems, people of faith still believe that persistent prayer for the well- being of all people in South Africa must make some difference.

As I left South Africa from OR Tambo International in Johannesburg, the woman at the check-in counter said: “Madam, you are overweight”.

I know that I have picked up a few pounds in recent times. It couldn’t have been otherwise! Durban’s curry topped with a generous spoon of chutney, shredded coconut and sliced banana; followed by two scoops of vanilla ice cream covered in melted Bar One chocolate, and a glass of chilled mango juice, could

Denis Hurley House in London on its official opening in 2011. (Front from left) Robina Rafferty, Janet Burn, the late Mildred Neville and Fr Stephen Tully, (middle row) Fr William Fitzpatrick OMI, Fr Lorcan O’Reilly OMI, Bishop David Konstant, Sr Marie-Henry Keane OP, (back) Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor, Declan Keane, Julian Filochowski. not be turned down, whatever the consequences.

But the check-in woman was, of course, referring to my luggage. So the case had to be opened and books transferred to hand luggage.

These were: A substantial “alternative” History of South Africa, edited

by Dougie Oakes; The Cape Diary of Bishop Patrick Raymond Griffith for the Years 1837-1839, edited and annotated by Joy Brain; a signed copy of the memoirs of Archbishop George Daniel, That They May be One (to be recommended), and finally Blessed Benedict Daswa, South Africa’s First Martyr by Bishop Hugh Slattery MCS, a moving and inspirational read.

We praise God for Benedict’s life, death and resurrection. Please God Bl Benedict will not be the first and last saint to come out of South Africa.

I have long appealed to “Saint” Denis of Durban, to plead my cause before God, and I believe that my prayers have been heard!

The miracles he performed, even in his lifetime, were that those of us who knew and admired Archbishop Hurley became better people by associating with him.

Three members of the Denis Hurley Association in London were blessed to take part in the archbishop’s centenary celebrations.

Robina Rafferty, the chairwoman, went at her own expense; Helen Coleman did the same and was happy to volunteer her services at the Denis Hurley Centre during her stay.

Now we must spread the good news about what we witnessed, for there are many in England who will be interested—not least among them my own congregation, the Newcastle Dominican Sisters, who wanted me to be there to represent them, and to enjoy the experience.

To each of our supporters we say: “Thank you and God bless you.” n Denis Hurley House in London can be contacted at info.denishurley@gmail.com or visit www.denishurleyassociation.org.uk. For Durban’s Denis Hurley Centre visit www.denishurleycentre.org

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The Southern Cross, January 6 to January 12, 2016

LOCAL

3

Priest appeals for YCW information STAFF REPORTER

A

PRIEST is looking for people who were involved in the Young Christian Workers movement, which was active in South Africa from the 1950s to the 1990s, in order to record the movement’s history.

“Though it was not very well known, its contribution to the Church and society here was much more than often realised,” according to Fr Stuart Bate OMI, a former national secretary of the YCW. “A number of books and manuals have been published on aspects of the YCW method and training,” Fr Bate said, “but very little academic work has been completed on the role of YCW in the Church and society here.”

The only text Fr Bate has found is Ineke van Kessel’s unpublished study, The Conscientising Mission of

The Young Christian Workers.

She notes that “very little has been published thus far on the role of YCW in South Africa, except for a few passing references in books and articles that otherwise deal with trade unions or community organisations”.

The YCW is not mentioned at all in the first two volumes of The Road to Democracy in South Africa, a project of the South African Democracy Education Trust (SADET) which claims to “record the history and the voices of the individuals and organisations that laid the foundation for a new South Africa”, Ms van Kessel wrote.

Yet, she added: “YCW deserves to be more widely known because of its importance as a conduit for notions of liberation theology and third world socialism to the world of working youth, as well as a training ground for a remarkable crop of

talented and committed activists.

“The history of YCW also constitutes a small but strategic element in the colourful mosaic of forces that ultimately liberated South Africa from apartheid,” she noted.

Fr Bate said that the Catholic Church had played a grassroots role in the mission for peace and justice, “yet often the role of young people and lay people is forgotten because of a lack of institutions with resources to research and write the history”.

He believes it is important to take up the challenge of writing this history, so in 2016 he intends to begin a research project on the early history of the YCW, covering the years 1950-1975.

“As far as I know, no one has done this yet, and the death of Eric Tyacke, the founder of the YCW in South Africa last year, was a wakeup call,” Fr Bate said, adding: “We

need a record.”

Fr Bate has a six-month sabbatical in the first half of 2016 from St Joseph’s Theological Institute in Cedara to dedicate to this project.

He will be based in Durban and intends to visit Johannesburg and Cape Town. The main goal will be to collect the available data and to interview those who are still around.

He would like to hear from people who were members of YCW in the period 1950 to 1975 about their experiences.

The research will first be published as short articles and later, he hopes, as a book.

Fr Bate said he has already collected “quite a bit of information” on the YCW in this period, but he is particularly interested in getting interviews with those who were involved.

In addition, he would like to col-

lect any information that people may have access to on this subject, both published and unpublished.

His intention is to set up a permanent archive of the YCW at St Joseph’s archives, which already boasts a number of important archives of the Church in South Africa.

He noted that St Joseph’s was “the venue of many YCW study weeks and meetings in the past”.

“The early period needs to be done first because these people are now few and they need to be interviewed as quickly as possible,” Fr Bate said. “I’m looking forward to your collaboration so that hopefully this history is not lost.” n Fr Bate can be contacted on sc bate@omi.org.za or Bates@ ukzn.ac.za or on Facebook: w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / H i s t o r y o f Y CWSouthAfrica/

School exclusion of disabled slammed

BY STAFF REPORTER

H

ALF a million disabled children are not enjoying quality inclusive education despite a commitment by the government 13 years ago to providing top-class schooling for them, according to a research paper by the Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office.

“Not nearly enough is being done—half a million disabled children are still not enjoying their full right to education,” says the paper, written by researcher Kenny Pasensie.

“This figure includes those who remain entirely outside the education system, as well as those in it who are not receiving a quality education,” the paper says.

The paper quotes a recent round-table discussion on access to education which was attended by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and Inclusive Education South Africa (IESA).

It also quotes from a report by Human Rights Watch that was “scathing” on the status of inclusive education in South Africa.

The report questioned whether the government of South Africa has prioritised children with disabilities access to a quality, inclusive education—as it committed to do 13 years ago in its Education White Paper 6, the paper points out.

“Human Rights Watch has highlighted numerous forms of discrimination and obstacles that children with disabilities face in trying to access education.”

Children with disabilities continue to face discrimination when accessing all types of public schools, while many disabled learners in mainstream schools face “discriminatory physical and attitudinal barriers”.

Children with disabilities who attend special schools pay school fees that children without disabilities do not, and many who attend mainstream schools are asked to pay for their own class assistants as a condition of staying in mainstream classes.

Such children receive low-quality education in poor learning environments and are not prepared for life after basic education.

“While the Department of Education highlights the progress it has made, many argue that this progress is dwarfed by the many challenges that still persist,” Mr Pasensie says in the paper.

The education department argues that access to education for children with disabilities has steadily improved. For example, the enrolment of learners between ages 0-4 increased from 28,3% in 2009 to 43,7% in 2013. In the 7-15 age group it increased from 90,2% in 2009 to 92,5%, and in the 16-18 age group from 53,3% to 70,3%.

There was also an increase in the number of full-service schools and special schools. The DBE reports that it has built 28 new special schools at a cost of R569 million, and converted 197 special schools to resource centres which fulfil a wider function of accommodating learners who have high-intensity support needs.

The IESA has challenged the DBE’s statistics. It argues that the “data accuracy is highly questionable…because some of the data was not available in many cases”. The organisation also argues there is generally a lack of uniform understanding about what inclusive education is.

Due to this lack of a common understanding, the ordinary local schools and early childhood centres do not respond, or lack the capacity to respond, to the needs of all learners, IESA said.

The biggest challenge is ensuring that all disabled children are placed in a school, Mr Pasensie notes in his paper.

Left: Sr Ana Maria Mainero FMA supervises the skipping competition at the Christmas holiday camp of 100-plus participants and teams run in Booysens, Johannesburg, by the parish of St John Bosco and the Salesians. Right: Teen helpers gather to plan indoor games at the holiday camp.

Parish, Salesians run holiday camp for poor children: All for ‘mahala’ A JOHANNESBURG parish organised a non-residential holiday camp for 80 children—all for mahala (free).

The parish of St John Bosco in Robertsham collaborated together with Salesian sisters, brothers and priests to organise the five-day camp at 66 Nelson Road in Booysens.

The premises usually serve as the Salesian Provincial House as well as the headquarters of the Catholic Institute of Education.

“Every day more than 80 young people and children gather from morning till mid-afternoon at the premises for food, fun, swimming, novelty games, learning

activities and anything else which is part of a camp’s recipe,” said Salesian Father Francois Dufour.

“Generous benefactors contributed to all the costs so that the children had it all for mahala, including breakfast and lunch,” he said.

“Kind leaders—adults and teenagers— also gave of their time and energy to make sure the children had a very special experience in a safe and friendly environment: a place to learn, to play, to belong and to pray.

“In the heat of the Highveld summer, the swimming pool was the most popular spot, and quite a few managed to learn to

The JouRNeYS oF a LIFeTIMe!

Year of Mercy Pilgrimage

HOLY LAND 15 - 27 October 2016

swim over the five days,” Fr Dufour said.

He explained that the Salesian mission “is to provide disadvantaged young people with chances of an education and to become honest citizens and good Christians”.

About 20 confirmation candidates and members of the youth group formed part of the team which ran the camp for the poor and for the most part unchurched children of the locality.

“Quite a few of the youngsters began asking questions about the Catholic Church and showed an interest in possibly attending catechism one day,” Fr Dufour said.

PRICE CHECK

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4

The Southern Cross, January 6 to January 12, 2016

INTERNATIONAL

Pope Francis to receive prestigious award

BY JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES

P Vatican paper: ‘Star Wars’ villains not evil enough

T

HE film Star Wars: The Force Awakens broke box office records and restored a new hope in the franchise to the delight of fans worldwide with a few exceptions, including the Vatican’s newspaper.

Emilio Ranzato, author and frequent movie critic for L'Osservatore Romano, wrote that the first instalment of the sequel trilogy was “confusing and vague”, but he reserved his harshest criticism for the film’s new villains.

In The Force Awakens, Mr Ranzato wrote: “The counterpart of Darth Vader, Kylo Ren, wears a mask merely to emulate his predecessor, while the character who needs to substitute Emperor Palpatine as the incarnation of supreme evil represents the most serious defect of the film.”

Calling the original trilogy’s villains “the two most efficient villains” in American science fiction cinema, Mr Ranzato wrote that in comparison, Kylo Ren and his dark side men-

tor, Supreme Leader Snoke, failed “most spectacularly” in representing evil.

The use of computer-generated imagery in creating Snoke’s appearance, he added, “is the clumsiest and tackiest result you can obtain from computer graphics”.

Mr Ranzato also criticised certain elements of the movie that were similar to George Lucas’ original trilogy, going so far as to referring to Star Wars: The Force Awakens as more of a reboot than a sequel.

“Not a classy reboot, however, like Christopher Nolan’s Batman, but an update twisted to suit today’s tastes and a public more accustomed to sitting in front of a computer than in a cinema,” he wrote.

JJ Abrams’ direction, he wrote, “is in fact modelled on the sloppiest current action films derived from the world of video games. The only merit of his film is to show, by contrast, how the direction of the previous films was elegant, balanced and above all appropriate”.—CNS

OPE Francis was selected to be the 2016 recipient of Germany’s Charlemagne Prize for his commitment in promoting European unity.

The announcement was made in Aachen, Germany, by the prize’s executive committee. Citing his address to the European Parliament in 2014, the committee commended the pope’s message of “peace and understanding” as well as “compassion, tolerance, solidarity and the integrity of creation throughout his pontificate”.

“In a time when the European Union is facing the greatest challenge of the 21st century, it is the pope ‘from the end of the world’ who orients millions of Europeans to what the European Union brings together at its core: a valid system of values, respect for human dignity and civil liberties, the uniqueness of

The pope won the 2016 Charlemagne Prize for European unification. (Photo: Paul Haring/CNS) human beings whatever their ethnic, religious or cultural background, and respect for our natural resources,” the committee’s statement said.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, told journalists shortly after the announcement that the pope accepted the award as “a sign of encouragement for peace in Europe and the world”.

The Charlemagne Prize, named

Layman to head Vatican press office

P

OPE Francis has appointed a US media adviser as the vice-director of the Vatican press office and an Irish prelate known for revolutionising the Vatican’s approach to social communication as bishop and adjunct secretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture.

Greg Burke, senior communications adviser to the Vatican Secretariat of State, was appointed by the

pope as the Vatican’s No 2 spokesman. Mr Burke will replace Passionist Father Ciro Benedettini, who had served as the press office assistant director since 1995.

Mr Burke, a member of Opus Dei, previously worked as the Rome correspondent for Fox News before his appointment in 2012 as the Vatican senior communications adviser.— CNS

T

HESE are the names of the Associates of The Southern Cross, who have contributed to our Associates’ Campaign in 2015.

The Chairman of the Board and Editor of The Southern Cross thank the Associates and contributors for their generous support.

By becoming Associates or contributing otherwise, they have helped put The Southern Cross on a safer financial footing.

They have also assisted us in our apostolic outreach.

Thanks to our Associates, every seminarian in South Africa now has access to the weekly Catholic newspaper.

The newspaper is also sent to prisons for inmates who wish to follow a Christian way of life, and to the Catholic university chaplaincies.

These needs are on-going. Existing Associates will be invited to renew their support for The Southern Cross as their annual associateship expires.

Readers who have not yet done so may become Associates at any time.

Cardinal McCann Associates are those who contributed R1 500 or more to the Campaign; Maximilian Kolbe Associates between R500 and R1 500; St Francis de Sales Associates between R100 and R499.

An annual Mass is celebrated for the intentions of our Associates on January 23, feast day of St Francis de Sales, patron of journalists, and on All Soul’s Day for the deceased Associates and deceased family members of Associates.

DONATIONS All anonymous donations; Anne Marie Berry, Strand; Parishioner-Christ the King Parish, Queenstown; Mrs Margaret Baxter, East London; Mr Paul de Chalain, Umhlanga Rocks; Missionary Srs of the Precious Blood, Ashwood;

ST FRANCIS DE SALES ASSOCIATES All anonymous St Francis of Assisi donations; Mikael; Mr B A A Bailey, Elsies River; Mr Remo Ciolli, Durbanville; Dr Francis Diab, Tyger Valley; Mr Tony dos Santos, Bedfordview; Mr Laurence Gorman, Scottburgh; Mr Dennis Jenkinson, East London; Mr Fred Johnson, Strandfontein; John & Maureen Kilroe, Claremont; Mr Stephen Ludwig, Newlands; Brother Daniel Manuel SCP, Rocklands, MP; Salesians of Don Bosco, Southdale, Johannesburg; Mr Bernard Sauls, Oudtshoorn; Mrs Joan Swanson, Durbanville; Mrs Faith Tasker, Kokstad; Mrs Agnes Wesson, Durbanville.

ST MAXIMILIAN KOLBE ASSOCIATES All anonymous St Maximilian donations; Catholic Women's League - Holy Rosary Church, Krugersdorp; Mr Peter Attenborough, Fish Hoek; Mr Victor Blair, Boksburg; Mrs Shirley Browning, Hillcrest; Mrs Jacky Collignon, River Crescent; Mr Patrick Cosgrove, Simonstown; Mrs Adele Dawson, Parklands; Mrs Merrilyn de Gersigny, Durban; Miss A T Downs, Primrose; Mgr John Finlayson, Symridge, Germiston; Mr Mervyn Gatcke, East London; A P Goller; In memory of Charles Arthur Hewitt, Somerset West; Mr Walter Middleton, Johannesburg; Moore Family, Worcester West; Mr Vincent Motabogi,

after the first Holy Roman Emperor, is “given to public figures or bodies ‘distinguished by their outstanding work toward European unity or cooperation between its states’.”

Pope Francis is the second pontiff to receive the prestigious award following St John Paul II, who received an “extraordinary” version of the prize in 2004. Past recipients include former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, American diplomat Henry Kissinger, and former US President Bill Clinton.

“It is interesting the fact that the first non-European pope of this era receives a great European award, which means that he is a person who is able to understand Europe’s role in the history of making peace in today’s world from a global perspective,” Fr Lombardi said.

Pope Francis will be presented with the Charlemagne Prize by a delegation in Rome.—CNS

Klerksdorp; Lawrence Osborne, Springbok; Mr Mel Palmer, Rondebosch; Pauline Books and Media, Bruma; Mrs Enid Pemberton, Fish Hoek; Evarista Phiri, Rustenburg; Dr George Pillay, Bellville; Charmelle Redcliffe, Port Elizabeth; Mr Henk Rubidge, Sea Point; Prof Mitchell Shackleton, Vredehoek; St James Catholic Church, St James; Mr Garth Towell, Honeydew; Mrs Michelle Trevor, Muizenberg; Dr Jan van der Mey, Port Elizabeth; Mr Hans Karl Wagner, Stirling; Mr Ashley Williams, Port Elizabeth; Mr Peter Yazbek, Brandhof.

CARDINAL McCANN ASSOCIATES All anonymous Cardinal Owen McCann donations; Carmel Thapelong, Mafikeng; Desmond Cox, Rondebosch; Mr Michael Denoon, Durbanville; Prof Brian Figaji, Durbanville; Fr Alois Ganserer, Bloemfontein; Fr Stefan Hipler (HOPE), Cape Town; Mr Barry Jordan, Rondebosch; Cely & Terry Kingston, King Williams Town; Knights of da Gama Council 14, Alberton; Mr Cyril Leibach, Boksburg North; Marist Brothers & Community, Rondebosch; Mr Carl Maske, Gordon's Bay; Mr Christopher Moerdyk, Glencairn; Molly Molyneaux, Umbilo; Sheila Mullany, Vredehoek; Mrs Cheryl Nolan, Meredale; Mr Gavin O'Connor, Durbanville; Mr Mervyn Pollitt, Link Hills; Dr Mulimisi Ramavhuya, Musina; Fr Barry Reabow, Queenstown; John R S Reid, Heidelberg; Fr Kevin Reynolds, Groenkloof; Miss Eileen Reynolds, Mowbray; Mr Henk Schoots, Edgemead; Mr Paul Schwieger, Swakopmund, Namibia; George Skinner, Dullstroom; St Michaels Catholic Church, Rondebosch; Mr Terence Walsh, Claremont; Mrs Lorna Wicks, Kokstad.

Fr Federico Lombardi (left) and Greg Burke. (Photo: Paul Haring/CNS)

The holy Mass for all associates will be held on Saturday, 23 January at St Mary’s Cathedral, Cape Town at 6pm. all welcome.

our associates also help keep The Southern Cross alive!

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INTERNATIONAL

The Southern Cross, January 6 to January 12, 2016

5

Pope will give hope to the poor in Mexico

BY DAVID AGREN

P Couples listen to the homily during a mass wedding for the poor at St Alphonsus Mary de Ligouri church in Makati City, Philippines. The parish hosted the wedding for the 13 couples who otherwise could not afford one. (Photo: Simone Orendain/CNS)

Parish throws wedding for poor couples

BY SIMONE ORENDAIN

T

HE heavy downpour outside St Alphonsus Mary de Ligouri church was a stark contrast to the brightly lit arc-shaped interior of the church, where 13 brides in chiffon and lace and grooms in traditional Philippine pineapple silk filed down a flower-bedecked aisle.

The ceremony was complete with the traditional symbols of a veil enveloping the couple, a lasso tying them together and a coin purse being passed from groom to bride, all signifying the couple being together through the different aspects of married life.

Mgr Claro “Matt” Garcia, St Alphonsus parish priest, said the couples came from the ranks of personal drivers, cooks and gardeners.

He said the 13 couples had been together “without the sacrament of matrimony”.

The couples, who never married in the Church because of the cost, had their chance when St Alphonsus hosted a mass wedding. Wedding “godparents” from the church’s affluent neighbourhood helped pay for the couple’s outfits and other costs. The church, which ordinarily receives an average donation of $575 (R8 800) per wedding—almost triple the average driver’s monthly salary—took care

of everything else, including a reception at the parish hall.

“I told the Family and Life Ministry, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to have a mass wedding for the poor?’” said Mgr Garcia.

Lei Bihag, a stay-at-home mom, and Vincent Bihag, a cook, have three children, age 8, 5 and 3. Mrs Bihag said she was excited to be walking down the aisle with her long-time partner. They had been together for nine years before they had a civil wedding in 2013.

“It’s different when there is a blessing in the church, with a priest,” Mrs Bihag said. “It’s a more blessed wedding, and the marriage receives a blessing, not just the wedding, but the marriage itself.”

Mgr Garcia introduced the project as part of the Philippine bishops’ designation of the Year of the Poor in the past liturgical year, which ended in December. The mass wedding was supposed to take place earlier, but Mgr Garcia said many of the couples did not have their papers in order.

“Some of them had not been baptised. So I baptised them first,” he said. “And most of them were not confirmed. Since I have the faculty to confirm, they took the sacrament of confirmation. So it was three sacraments in one day.”—CNS

OPE Francis will visit some of the most marginalised communities in Mexico and seek to bring hope to a country deeply suffering from crime, corruption and inequality when he visits in February.

The Vatican announced details about the pope’s February 12-17 visit to Mexico, during which he will stop in six cities, including two in the state of Chiapas and Ciudad Juarez which just five years ago was considered the “murder capital of the world” as drug cartels disputed a trafficking corridor.

The pope said in November that he wanted to visit cities where Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI never went. But he said he will stop at the capital of Mexico City to pray at the basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. “But if it wasn’t for Our Lady I wouldn’t” go there, he had told reporters.

The pope will fly out of and return to Mexico City each day after celebrating Mass at the basilica on the second day of his trip.

He will visit a paediatric hospital in the capital as well as families and indigenous communities in the southernmost state of Chiapas, Mexico’s poorest state, which gained worldwide attention for the 1990s Zapatista rebellion.

He will visit young people and religious in Morelia, celebrate Mass on the Mexican-US border in Ciudad Juárez on February 17, an event which is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from both the US and Mexico. He will also visit its infamous Cereso state prison, where at least 20 people were killed during riots in 2009 triggered by rival gangs among the prisoners.

“We hope that in a special way Pope Francis’ visit to this region will give voice to these often voiceless people here on the border, especially children and families who are the most vulnerable,” said Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, the Texas city across the border of Mexico.

“And we hope that his

Nostra Aetate: A living process

BY BETH GRIFFIN

F

IFTY years after its promulgation, the Catholic Church retains a solid and irrevocable commitment to the Second Vatican Council’s declaration on its relations with non-Christian religions.

Nostra Aetate, “In Our Time”, is a living, vibrant process that must be continued into the future and could serve as a model for dialogue among men and women of goodwill in other religions, speakers at a UN panel said.

The Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations and the International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consultations co-sponsored a discussion at UN headquarters on “Nostra Aetate: Accomplishment and the Next 50 Years: Catholic-Jewish Relations as a Paradigm for Dialogue, Cooperation and the Pursuit of Peace”.

The document was a triumph of human endeavour, inspired by the Almighty, and put an end to a tragic history of mutual recrimination and anti-Semitism, according to US Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Centre. He said no Vatican II document elicited more passion, comment or opposition than Notre Aetate.

Bishop Murphy was a seminarian in Rome during Vatican II. He has filled ecumenical and

Nostra Aetate is split into sections which deal with other faiths individually. interreligious posts both for the Vatican and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The new statement looks at the history and current status of the unique relationship, and seeks to enrich and intensify the theological dimension of the Jewish-Catholic dialogue. It describes how both groups can work together to promote justice and reconciliation, care for creation and provide humanitarian aid.

Catholics and Jews must walk together, deepen the bonds of mutual respect and offer prayer as an alternative to violence and hatred, Bishop Murphy said. “As men and women of faith, we ultimately believe peace is a gift from God,” he said.

British Rabbi Jonathan Sacks said Nostra Aetate is “an overarching symbol of hope in the post-Holocaust world”. Rabbi

Sacks, the former chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, said Nostra Aetate was a theologically modest document that transformed the relationship between Christians and Jews so that today they meet as cherished and respected friends. Nostra Aetate showed there is nothing inevitable and hatred is not immutable.”

Rabbi Sacks said resurgent anti-Semitism has turned the familiar mantra “never again” into “ever again”. He said the persecution of Christians in the Middle East is “the religious equivalent of ethnic cleansing”.

He also said: “Muslims are the main victims of Muslim terrorism.”

“Frankly, we need a Nostra Aetate for all the world’s faiths,” Rabbi Sacks concluded.

French author Bernard-Henri Levy traced the long history of the development of Nostra Aetate to brilliant and brave Catholics and Jews. He said Nostra Aetate is a continuous, vivid, living, vibrant process that is not finished. He said it still faces resistance from some people who would prefer to see a return to pre-Nostra Aetate days.

Mr Levy said the “revolution of Nostra Aetate” is the acknowledgement that “salvation has two possible processes, equal in dignity, and can only be judged

by God”.—CNS

People from the US and Mexico take part in a posada, the commemoration of Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter, in Nogales, Mexico. The pope’s visit in February is expected give hope and comfort to those suffering in Mexico’s poorest regions. (Photo: Nancy Wiechec/CNS) presence will facilitate a muchneeded national dialogue that will help unite theUS around a compassionate response to the poor in our midst,” he added.

“We are certain that the presence of the Holy Father will confirm us in faith, hope and charity and will help the Church move ahead in its permanent mission,” the Mexican bishops’ conference said in a statement. “It will encourage believers and nonbelievers and commit us to the construction of a just Mexico, with solidarity, reconciliation and peace.”

Fr Oscar Enriquez, parish priest and director of the Paso del Norte Human Rights Centre in Ciudad Juárez, told Catholic News Service that Juárez is often seen as an example of overcoming extreme violence. “The pope always looks for the peripheries. Juárez is the periphery of Mexico and it’s a place migrants pass through.”

Fr Patricio Madrigal, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe parish in the Michoacan city of Nueva Italia, said by visiting Morelia, the pope “wants to be closer to an area

beaten down by violence. He wants to bring comfort and also closeness”.

The pope’s meeting with young people and religious in Morelia is important, Fr Madrigal said, as the Church there works to keep kids out of the cartels and provide priests with support and “strengthen us in the faith and our work in attending to victims of violence”.

The schedule reflects two of the pope’s primary concerns in the state: the plight of priests and young people.

Priests in the Michoacan state often minister in regions rife with illegal activities, while those in the rugged Tierra Caliente region lend moral and spiritual support to the self-defence forces formed to fight off the Knights Templar drug cartel and have been killed for motives as frivolous as not allowing drug dealers to serve as godparents in baptisms.

Pope Francis “wants to give young people a message of hope and that they stay away from the temptation of violence,” the priest said.—CNS

Franciscan Sisters Servants of the Holy Childhood of Jesus

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6

The Southern Cross, January 6 to January 12, 2016

LEADER PAGE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Editor: Günther Simmermacher

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.

School for deaf needs urgent help

The Mother Teresa debate T

I

N 1982 Mother Teresa was asked whether she was a saint.

“Please, let me die first,” she responded.

In the public perception, the founder of the Missionaries of Charity was a living saint before her death on September 5, 1997.

Were it not for the Church’s exhaustive process of inquiry before canonisation can take place, Mother Teresa doubtless would have become a saint by public acclamation.

Pope John Paul II knew that and accordingly sped up the process that led to Mother Teresa’s beatification in 2003, albeit controversially so.

For all the world Mother Teresa looked like a woman of uncomplicated piety, but she experienced profound spiritual turmoil—an echo of the internal struggles suffered by her saintly namesakes, St Teresa of Avila and St Thérèse of Lisieux—which she believed would deny her a place in heaven.

Mother Teresa’s letters that detail her spiritual suffering, published in 2007 as Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light, are instructive reading for those who are feeling, as she did, the absence of God in their lives—the “dark night of the soul”, as St John of the Cross called it.

Mother Teresa felt abandoned

by Jesus, but she did not abandon him.

Her suffering in the spiritual desert gave her an empathy with those whom she was helping in the slums of Kolkata, the rejects of society.

But her canonisation this year will also revive allegations levelled against her, most venomously by the late atheist activist Christopher Hitchens.

In a 1994 television documentary titled Hell’s Angel and his 1995 book The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice, Mr Hitchens accused Mother Teresa of legitimising brutal dictators and accepting money from thieves, and charged her with allowing inferior conditions in her Home for the Dying, which she founded in Kolkata.

Some of these allegations will have potency. Ethical questions may be raised by Mother Teresa’s links to despots such as Haiti’s Duvalier dynasty, and her acceptance of donations from them and their likes, or from the Irish fraudster Charles Keating.

One may also concede that the medical care provided in the Home for the Dying did not meet

the standards of institutions in the West, particularly in the administration of palliative medication.

But even if the level of medical intervention failed to meet best standards, Mother Teresa and her congregation provided care to those who otherwise would not have received any.

Those who died in the care of the Missionaries of Charity did so while being cared for with love, their dignity as human beings intact. Not every Western hospice can make that claim, no matter how well-stocked their pharmacies.

Whatever credibility Mr Hitchens’ allegations might have had, they were diminished by his obvious agenda and his choice of language—notwithstanding how one feels about Mother Teresa, she was no “ghoul”, and her lifestyle did not support his allegation that she took money for personal gain.

Most tellingly, Mr Hitchens attacked Mother Teresa for her strong opposition to abortion and artificial contraception, as if he expected a leading Catholic to be in favour of such things. His inclusion of that argument betrayed his real agenda: one that had little to do with fundraising methods, accounting practices or palliative care standards.

When Mr Hitchens’ character assassination is revived, as it inevitably will be, then Catholics will do well to remember two things.

Firstly, while Mr Hitchens raised legitimate concerns, even while failing to document all of these adequately, his work on Mother Teresa was driven by a particular agenda which he didn’t even care to disguise. His conclusions cannot be trusted.

Secondly, even if everything that Mr Hitchens claimed corresponded with the facts—and facts tend to be subject to interpretation which can lead to conflicting conclusions—none represent an obstacle to canonisation, because the proclamation of sainthood is not akin to a lifetime achievement award, nor does it demand unfailing perfection of the subject.

At its very basic definition, the canonised sainthood is the confirmation that an individual is in heaven with God. For those who believe in the second life, there is no doubt that Mother Teresa is indeed with God—regardless of what she or Christopher Hitchens thought.

HIS is the first time in the 78year existence of the Dominican School for Deaf Children in Wynberg/Wittebome, Cape Town, that we find ourselves in absolute financial dire straits.

We are, therefore, appealing to your generosity for the sponsorship of a learner for 2016 to help restore

Solution to fees crisis in education

I

REFER to the report “'Govt must listen to students” (November 3), the front page article “Big business can help uni funding” (November 10), and the first and penultimate paragraphs of “End corruption to fund education” (November 17).

It is true that the government must invest more in education, but I see it this way: 1. Children’s, and indeed everyones’, basic right is to primarily receive a free education to learn to read, write, do basic maths and learn of human relationships at primary schools up to Grade 6 or 7.

2. Children’s or pupils’ second educational right is to receive higher education towards more advanced learning up to Grade 10, for which they should be expected to pay, say, 25% of the costs by way of school fees.

Future employers may feel free to contribute towards hard-working, good achievers who are deserving.

3. Youngsters to receive skills training at higher-education facilities from Grade 10 to 12 for which they will be expected to pay, say, 33% (or paid as bursaries to conscientious pupils by prospective employers) to learn hands-on practical application and theoretical learning.

This would be towards becoming a journeyman or artisan in, say, the following trades: plumbers, painters, electricians, bakers, brewers and distillers.

It would include farmers too (from farmhands to those who can run and operate a farming business on a small scale of 100ha and up to large-scale farmers who can run and operate a farming corporation of up to 100 000ha), and so on.

4. Youngsters who have the desire and past historical success to be more theoretically trained up to Grade 13 to receive preparation for the working world and for technicon or university, depending on their final results.

They should be paid for up to 50% of their fees by individuals or their sponsors or as bursars.

5. Students who wish to progress further, who show beyond a doubt that they are responsible semi-adult people worthy of becoming good citizens and/or leaders, should pay

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.

our financial predicament to health once again and thus prevent us from facing closure in the not too distant future.

Our fees per annum are R2 600 for boarders and R2 200 for day scholars.

We will be most grateful for any amount that you are able to afford.

67-75% of their tuition fees, since this is clearly a privilege afforded to very few for attending technicon and university.

At this stage of their lives they are expected to do part-time work, and those who are exceptions in the community will easily receive bursaries both from government and its state-owned companies and state-owned enterprises, and private industry, mining, business and commerce.

The government simply does not have sufficient money. Why? It is siphoned off by government corruption, mismanagement, excessive expenditure, maladministration, overseas travel, unauthorised and wasteful expenditure, people suspended on full pay or part pay for months on end for suspicious activities until their cases are completed, as reported in the press.

The courts do not seem to get guilty parties to “pay back the money” plus all legal fees of both parties as part of their sentence when guilty.

The government is spending far too much on defence when we do not have external enemies. This can be rechannelled.

The government is unable to stimulate the economy and neither it nor its state-owned enterprises are able to increase even temporary employment, due to the shortage of money caused by the above.

There are insufficient requirements for private industry to employ more people permanently and sustainably. The latter two will create and cause a “multiplier effect” to keep employment and growth going constantly upwards.

The government cannot listen to unruly students who are not interested in the wellbeing of the country as a whole.

Frans van Neerijnen, Johannesburg Opinions expressed in The Southern Cross, especially in Letters to the Editor, do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor or staff of the newspaper, or of the Catholic hierarchy. The letters page in particular is a forum in which readers may exchange opinions on matters of debate.

Letters must not be understood to necessarily reflect the teachings, disciplines or policies of the Church accurately.

Letters can be sent to PO Box 2372, Cape Town 8000 or editor@scross.co.za or faxed to 021 465-3850

We trust that you will give our request your prayerful and sympathetic consideration.

If you find yourself in a position to assist us, please contact me on 021 761 8046 or 082 402 6940 (if you like, you may SMS and I will get back to you).

Pamela Fortune, fundraising coordinator, Cape Town

Protestants sane on the divorced

I

T is once again evident that Henry Sylvester still carries forth the ageold prejudice that “the Protestants erred” in his letter referring to the Lutheran woman who wishes to participate in Communion with her husband (December 9).

There are literally millions of Protestants throughout the world— Christians mind you!—who are responsible citizens, perhaps many even more responsible than Catholics.

Before he became the pontiff, and as archbishop of Buenos Aires, Pope Francis chose to live as close to the people as possible.

He commuted to his office via public transport; we know from a story from his sister that on feast days when the family were congregating to share a meal and he was invited, the then-Cardinal Bergoglio instead chose to go downtown and socialise with people on the streets, which must have included the run-down of society.

Does this not sound similar to the life of a man who hangs on a cross in every church throughout the world?

In the same edition, Fr Kevin Reynolds paints a different picture to that of Mr Sylvester.

Fr Reynolds’ words, “to discern with enlightened consciences to do what God is asking them to do as responsible people”, essentially spells out the difference between Catholic and Protestant teaching, where in a Protestant church a remarried divorced person is not called upon to be scrutinised by a so-called “tribunal”.

Patrick Dacey, Johannesburg

Devout Catholic?

I

N a world that is becoming increasingly and aggressively secular, I find it difficult to accept the term “devout Catholic” being applied to someone who openly counters Vatican directives.

This especially when such a person is able to influence public opinion and thought, to the point of bringing about a change in legislation that is contrary to Church policy or teaching.

Judith Leonard, Knysna

aDVeRTISING MaNaGeR has a vacancy for

to work full-time in its office in Cape Town

The Southern Cross wishes to employ a motivated and organised person to manage and administer its advertising department.

“Let Jesus Christ be your one and only treasure – For there also will be love!”

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The successful candidate will have good knowledge of MS Office, be able to deal with the public, be service-oriented, have initiative, and work well in a small team under the direction of the business manager. While a Catholic background is not a requirement for the position, knowledge of the Church and affinity for its mission will be an advantage.

The renumeration package includes a fair salary with medical aid, pension, 18 days annual leave, free parking. Ideally, the successful candidate will start on March 1 or earlier.

e-mail applications with a covering letter and CV to: admin@scross.co.za

Deadline: February 2, 2016

The Southern Cross reserves the right not to fill this vacancy.

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PERSPECTIVES

What makes Pope Francis so special D Gushwell Brooks ESPITE much of the conflict and intolerance that made headlines lately, the majority of people throughout the world are able to express and practise their religious and faith beliefs freely.

Many faiths and systems of belief exist across the world, all with various religious leaders providing guidance for their congregants. However, Pope Francis in particular has taken the world by storm.

His message, humility and words appeal to a global audience, wherever they live, what they believe or how rich or poor they may be.

Fr David Holdcroft SJ, the regional director of Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Southern Africa (my employers), was fortunate enough to meet the pope at the Vatican.

He best describes why Pope Francis has such an immense impact: “He has a very ‘alive’ face. It is transparent; it is as if he couldn’t tell a lie. The whole thing—the Church and his message beyond the Church—hangs on a thread, so fragile, so human. He is human and shows such great, humble leadership, powerful, yet so fragile.”

The pope’s humility and his message regarding social justice are his hallmarks.

These hallmarks have made him accessible not only to ordinary, lay-Catholics, but to ordinary people of different beliefs across the world. This has bestowed upon Pope Francis a sense of celebrity that has been colloquially referred to as having “rockstar status”, and yet he behaves completely contrary to this status that has been afforded him.

Fr Holdcroft’s meeting with the pope on November 14 marked the 35th anniversary of Jesuit Refugee Service’s founding by Fr Pedro Arrupe, then superior-general of the Society of Jesus. To mark this anniversary, 125 JRS friends and staff, including 15 refugees served by JRS in Italy, attended an audience with Pope Francis.

At the event, Pope Francis pledged his support for the JRS Global Education Initiative, which is entitled “Mercy in Mo-

tion”—a global response as part of the Jubilee Year of Mercy—committed to increase the number of people served by JRS educational programmes by 100 000 in 2020.

It is estimated that 167 million children across the world have no access to education. Among these children are a large number of refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons.

I

n his address to his JRS audience in the Clementine Hall, Pope Francis said on the issue of migration: “The phenomenon of forced migration has dramatically increased in the meantime. Crowds of refugees are leaving different countries of the Middle East, Africa and Asia, to seek refuge in Europe.”

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has estimated that there are, worldwide, almost 60 million refugees, the highest number since the Second World War. “Behind these statistics are people, each of them with a name, a face, a story, an inalienable dignity which is each of theirs as a child of God,” said the pope.

Fr David Holdcroft SJ, regional director of Jesuit Refuge Service Southern Africa greets Pope Francis at a meeting to mark the organisation’s 35th anniversary of foundation..

Catching the past over a fire I N December, just before Christmas, my friends and I came home to the Eastern Cape from different cities of our economic diaspora: Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth.

We had not seen each other in years.

Over a braai we talked about our families, how quickly children grow up in-between the endemic phoniness of gadgets. Then we found ourselves wandering back in years, into the seasons of our youth.

The four of us had grown up—literally grown on up—at the Catholic missionary school of Cwele in Libode. Before we knew it, we convinced ourselves that we should drive the 300km to visit the school, there and then. We packed ourselves into a Jeep and off we went at two in the morning. By the time we got to the school it was after nine and it looked deserted.

We finally met up with one of the school staff and were told that most of the sisters were on a retreat, and the priest was in Mtatha for a seminar or something.

When asked why we needed to see them we had no idea. It just seemed like a good idea earlier on, in the haze of the braai smoke and general bonhomie.

I walked towards the church building, the only building still vaguely familiar to me. I tried the door, remembering the policy of never locking the church building at the school, even after some kids had stolen the hosts. It opened.

Inside the building I was hit by a wave of familiarity that invaded all my five senses, but mostly my sense of smell. I knelt down. I did that not necessarily in prayer or adoration. I knelt down because I recognised something about myself, something hidden yet permanently hovering. I realised, somehow, that I had left myself there and had now come to collect.

I remembered the nine-year-old boy whose first experience of permanent dislocation was in attending this Catholic church building as his mother was driving back in anger because her husband refused to be part of the decision to bring us to boarding school. The boy whose burning township he had left behind.

I remembered the cold silence of the building as the topography of my dam-

aged spirit, and as a refuge from hovering police helicopters; away from the smell of tyres and burning flesh; away from the screaming quarrels from the parent’s bedroom, away from…

I remembered how scared I felt, how, as a form of defence, I employed the trick of dislocating myself in resigned disinterest.

How I started to look at myself from the outside with a canker of self-consciousness.

On that chapel’s kneeler, with the familiar sounds of silence, I felt understanding and even sympathy for that nine-year-old boy whom I had come to collect.

I

realised I had not been back to this place since 1983, when I passed my Standard 7.

Then, as I walked back, I saw one of my friends silently weeping. She keeps saying: “I was 7! I was 7!” She was seven when her parents died and was sent to this boarding school by her relatives; it was when the damage in her life began.

We walked back to the car, then drove in silence to Port St Johns, 45km away, where we were spending the night at 3rd

Talking about Faith

JRS’s work in the area of education in particular found Pope Francis’ favour, hence his full support of the ”Mercy in Motion” initiative: “The Jesuit Refugee Service works to offer hope and prospects to refugees, mainly through the educational services you provide, which reach large numbers of people and are of particular importance. Offering an education is about much more than dispensing concepts. It is something which provides refugees with the wherewithal to progress beyond survival, to keep alive the flame of hope, to believe in the future and to make plans.

“All your projects have this ultimate aim: to help refugees to grow in self-confidence, to realise their highest inherent potential and to be able to defend their rights as individuals and communities.”

Pope Francis concluded his address in his customary manner: “As for me, I assure you of my prayers. I ask you also, please, do not forget to pray for me.”

When he had the opportunity to meet Pope Francis one-on-one, Fr Holdcroft thanked the pontiff for his leadership in this area, and asked him to pray for the refugees and the work being done to aid displaced people in Southern Africa. Smiling, Pope Francis assured him of his prayers—and, again, humbly asked that we pray for him.

The phenomenon that is Pope Francis emanates from one simple fact, the pontiff truly cares for the marginalised.

Whether it be people affected by war and conflict, marginalised as a societal minority, left hungry or displaced due to global climate change or the refugees and displaced people JRS works with; one irrefutable truth rings out: Pope Francis sincerely cares and believes that the world could be a better place.

Mphuthumi Ntabeni

Pushing the Boundaries

Beach, as we had done all these years ago as scouts, cubs and girl guides.

Around the fire that night we talked about many things: how someone had met one of the sisters, pregnant and holding hands with a teacher who had been fired from the school for sexual abuse.

How we had a crush on another sister, who was as beautiful as a mermaid, and how gentle she was in her ways. How Sister Principal, Chaberdy, already over 80 years old, instilled a love of literature in me through Stevenson’s book, Treasure Island.

And, of course, we talked about belief and non-belief in God. There was a noticeable change in our talk now from that over the braai the previous day. No longer did we gunk up the atmosphere with false wittiness, with our scoffing and with the carping dullness of our modern lives. We were now looking at our lives with the eyes of the Christ-child born into the world, our hearts and lives.

After all, it was Christmas Eve. Between the four of us we were survivors of two cancers, of alcoholism, of an abortion that rendered a marriage childless, and of another looming marriage failure. But because of the intimacy of the church building in Cwele, the masks we had been presenting to the world were falling, allowing us to look at one another with the trembling eyes of the youths we once were, when we first met.

There we were, more in thrall of our failures than our success (though there have been plenty of those also). We were feeling that we should be angry at something. God? The World? Ourselves?

The Silence hovered, attenuating the scars of memories. And then I got everyone hooked on a new song by singer-songwriter Rickie Lee Jones, “Christmas In New Orleans”, which played on repeat into the wee hours of the morning: “Who can say what breaks inside?/ Me, I woke up in the wings/ I still can’t recognise the sound my scars make when I sing.”

The Southern Cross, January 6 to January 12, 2016

7

Julia Beacroft

Point of Reflection

Strike out for Jesus

I

HAVE always had a real fondness for those lovable Larkin characters created by HE Bates. The fun-loving family rollicked their way through five books beginning with The Darling Buds of May. However, I have to admit that my favourite episode—and the one which even now doubles me over with laughter—is when the whole of the Larkin offspring, plus grandchild, a grand total of eight in all, are baptised en masse.

The scene is rich with humour anyway. However, when “little Oscar”, the youngest of the brood, takes a fancy to a wooden spoon, which he is allowed to keep to pacify him, he does none other than to whack the unfortunate vicar on the head with it—not once, but twice—during the baptismal rite!

Personally, I have never witnessed a baptism quite like that one. Which is just as well, you’re probably thinking! Nevertheless, whatever the circumstances, baptism is so important—something we will remember especially on January 10, the feast of the Baptism of The Lord.

It is, of course, one of the Church's seven sacraments, where we are given entry into new life in the Trinity.

Furthermore, all the baptised automatically become members of Christ’s Church on earth and all sin is removed.

Yet, when we consider that Jesus was humble enough to be baptised by John, we cannot help but be truly awed by this.

Baptism takes away all sin, yet Christ was truly sinless. Baptism brings us to new life in Christ, yet this was Christ himself. And despite John's protests, the Lord was baptised, God the Father spoke and the Holy Spirit was made manifest, as a result.

Therefore, as baptised Catholic Christians, we should be struck by the fact that every time we witness a baptism we can rejoice that another member of God’s family has been admitted into the life of Christ and the life of the Church.

Moreover, it should strike us anew that Jesus was humble enough to be baptised, even though he had no need to be.

And finally, it is certainly no bad thing if we feel stunned when we recall the grace, beauty and humility of our God. n Julia Beacroft is a catechist and pastoral volunteer who lives in Torquay, England. Her first book, Sanctifying the Spirit, will be published and available to buy this year.

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The Southern Cross, January 6 to January 12, 2016

LIFE

9

Ten techniques to improve yourself Self-improvement takes some work. These ten “Techniques for Improving”, which draw from the fields of sports psychology and the Catholic faith, can help us reach our goals, according to KURT A KRUEGER.

Nutritional foods are: water (812 glasses a day), whole grains (rice, oats and so on), fruits and vegetables, yeast, yoghurt, particular algae like spirulina, miso and bee pollen.

This diet is relatively low in protein, while high in complex-carbohydrates.

6. Prayer

T

his is the most important practice for improving our quality of life. Thank God for being able to spend another day to evolve closer to him.

Ask to do his will and to serve him in each other. Request to be all you can be and to follow the Golden Rule: in everything do to others, as you would have them do to you. Repeat Jesus’ Holy Name as much as possible.

T

HE followers of Jesus wish to “be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect”. Modern research is verifying our Lord’s wisdom.

It shows that academic, vocational and athletic success will flourish along with improved interpersonal relations when we use the following ten “Techniques for Improving”.

As you read and try these practices yourself, you’ll more likely integrate them into your life. Give them a try for some weeks, then apply them in your life.

1. Goals

S

et some goals for yourself. This can be about five to nine items that you wish to achieve in life.

Pray for guidance and then list each one in a positive manner at the top of a standard sheet of paper.

Begin listing all the different ways and things you need to do to achieve each goal—this is called objectives or short-term goals.

Be as specific as possible. Do the little actions which will bring about your goal. Set as high a goal as you wish to put the necessary effort forth to attain.

An example. Goal: I want to earn an A average this semester. Objectives: I study half an hour or more per subject each night; I pay attention more in class; I attend regularly; I neatly complete all assignments on time to the best of my ability. I ask questions when I don’t fully understand.

2. Self-Talk

W

e speak inside to ourselves, sometimes in a positive way and all too often degrading others or ourselves.

When we start to notice this selftalk becoming negative, we can simply ask God to “cancel these thoughts” and rephrase the negative into a positive statement.

Our belief system is built on what we say to ourselves often enough—so make all self-talk positive.

An example: I think to myself, “I always lose my temper.” Catching myself say this, I immediately say: “Please God, cancel! By your grace, I am even-tempered.”

In 2 Corinthians 10:5, Paul says we should “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ”.

3. Affirmations

T

hese are positive statements in the present tense about one’s self.

It is an easy practice to get used to: first divide a paper length-wise in half, writing all the negative things you can think of about yourself on the left side; on the right you transform the negative actions or beliefs into positive statements.

Then take the left side and shred it into fine pieces and throw them into the bin. Finally, re-read the positive statements several times.

Tennis examples: Turn “I am always late to practice into “I am always on time and ready to practise” or “I can’t serve powerfully” into “I serve with power and accuracy”.

After you have created affirmations that pertain to your objectives, you may wish to begin making them firm within yourself by repeating them before you sleep and upon awakening.

You may wish to write them on a card and read them over at this time. The more senses you use the better.

7. Mass and Communion 4. Visualisation

O

ne of the most-used practices in practical sports psychology is visualisation, that is, to imagine in your mind’s eye the affirmation actually coming true.

See the actual incident or an experience of it happening. Use as many senses as possible.

US athlete Lee Evans did that prior to his world record setting 400 metre run at the 1968 Olympics. Each day he imagined that he felt his foot plant for each stride, his lungs seeking more air, the crowd noise and colours, and so on. He used all of his senses in vivid imagination which he developed over the four previous years of training both physically and mentally.

You may also use your creative abilities by finding pictures in magazines that depict your perfect life’s goal(s), or draw them. Attach these to a photo album, blank book, or poster paper on the wall of your room. Place the affirmation that corresponds to the image above it.

And each day look over the photos/drawings/affirmations and feel that they are yours today. Imagine what it is like to reach your goal(s) as you view the images.

To gain full value of the visualisation practice, imagine as Jesus Christ said: “You are the light of the world” (Mt 5:14).

5. Meditation

T

he prophet Isaiah said: “In sitting still and rest shall you be saved, in quietness and confidence will be your strength” (30:15).

Meditation is a simple and effective method for concentrating while opening up to the creative areas of our brain. It also has the quality of reducing stress and allowing for the peak performance state of mind to occur.

Sit upright with the eyes and mouth closed. Begin by invoking, “God please bless”, then pay attention to the movement of the breath—the ebb and flow, the coming and going of the subtle energy.

Become aware of the sound of the breath and then continually experience the space between the breath—where the breath merges and emerges.

If you have a normally active mind, you may wish to add a cueword. Mentally repeat with the inbreath “hum”, and with the out-breath “so”. This will bring even more intense concentration to the mind.

Soon the mind will become so concentrated that the sound, the breath, and thoughts will disappear—giving us an opportunity to experience what Psalms 46:11 says, “Be still and know that I am God.” In this state of brain-wave activity, we are open to creative inspiration, and in a peak experience and performance state of mind, while experiencing a deep state of relaxation.

It is optimal to practise meditation a few minutes prior to each visualisation or anything that is very important to accomplish well.

D

6. Nutrition

N

utrition has important benefits for both physical and mental health.

Fresh, pure, unadulterated and whole foods are the best as proven throughout the centuries and verified by modern science.

Food needs to be balanced with the appropriate vitamins and minerals that are not present in our food. Modern scientific investigations are proving that many degenerative diseases are preventable and/or curable by a proper diet and supplementation combined with positive thinking and visualisations.

Preparing for a healthy life, for academic and business success, and for sporting competitions, starts months before with basic nutritional practices.

The first step is to detoxify the body by eating pure, whole and fresh foods. Stop eating junk foods—sugar, white flour, artificial flavouring and food colouring, and preservatives. Junk foods decrease total body vitality in both immediate strength and endurance.

The next step is to adopt a basic building and supportive diet.

aily Mass and Holy Communion will allow us to imbibe the essence of life.

What we eat is what we become.

Let us digest God fully into our life.

Listening to the scripture readings will inspire us to do his will, not ours. This practice will allow us to remember the source of all our energy and intelligence, and to focus on the truth—setting up our day for success.

8. Volunteer

H

elp others daily or weekly. This can be done by simply encouraging them to be all they can be— volunteer the positive.

Use three hours a week to volunteer at church, or some other community organisation for those in need. See yourself and the face of God in everyone, especially in the poorest of the poor.

“We should use whatever gift we received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10).

9. Success List

A

t the end of each day, simply write down each time you had a success, no matter how small.

Keep this for yourself; it will begin

to show you that things are working—that you are really improving.

This gives you good reason to continue the above practices.

9. Teamwork

C

hoose a friend, schoolmate or colleague to be a buddy—a person who will call or see you each day to find out how you are doing with practising and applying the “Techniques for Improving”.

These should be totally supportive and encouraging meetings and communications. Share in a friendly manner the attempts to achieve and the achievements.

Select a small group of no more than seven people who will meet at least once a month, preferably weekly. Do the same things as you do with your buddy and have a great time doing some good and fun things together, like a volunteer project of sprouting, nurturing, and planting trees in your community, or going to a fun place.

10. Technology

T

echnology is vast and can be extremely expensive. Brain research has shown that using sound phasing for brain synchrony will adjust the brain waves to deeper states down to the delta wave pattern. This can open the subconscious for re-patterning.

Biofeedback, alpha chambers, alpha stims and synchronicity soundtracks all work for healing, peak performance states of mind, and stress management.

The easiest technology to use for performance uses sound patterning for brain synchronisation and can be applied using audio or video with stereophonic headsets. The use of headsets also produces an electromagnetic energy balancing of the brain similar to alpha sleep.

“Seek first the Kingdom of God and all you need shall be given to you” (Luke 12:31). n Kurt A Krueger is a director of the US Institute of Sports Psychology and has been a university faculty member in psychology and physical education. See www.successsystemsinternational.net

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10

The Southern Cross, January 6 to January 12, 2016

COMMUNITY

Ten children from Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish in Vereeniging received their first Holy Communion. Parish priest Fr Emmanuel Dim SMA is pictured with Angela Mohapi, Tshegofatso Motsepe, Reagile Motsepe, Elizabeth Seisa, Paballo Lehoko, Oakgeng Modise, Tsaone Molatlhegi, Relebogile Moatlhodi, Lebohang Motshweneng and Alvin Baguma.

Fr Stan Botha uses a prayer staff to open the Holy Door for the Jubilee Year of Mercy at the church of Our Lady of the Annunciation in Milnerton, Cape Town.

Catechumens and candidates of Don Bosco parish in Robertsham, Johannesburg, are pictured with Sr Patricia Finn (back left) and Iris Seabrook (front right). (Photo: Roy Newton-Barker)

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The Daughters of St Francis of Assisi, Mariannhill diocese, celebrated their 93rd anniversary with a Mass of thanksgiving for academic achievements of Srs Honorata Zuma, Martha-Anne Mabuntana, Assunta Khumalo and John the Baptist Mbhele.

Mass was concelebrated by Fr Donatus Ndwalane CMM and Fr James Shijo Joseph Madappallil MSFS of Dundee diocese who is currently learning isiZulu with the sisters.

Fr Emmanuel Siljeur, director of the Charismatic Renewal Movement,pre sented a cash donation to Archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town, on behalf of the Renewal Movement.

Members of Kemolo Sodality, Bana ba Maria and Legion of Mary gathered at Tsogong parish in Bodibe, Klerksdorp diocese, to close the month of Holy Rosary. Frs Tom Maretlane and Oupa Kgage presided over the celebration.

Youth at St Vincent’s parish in Algoa Park, Port Elizabeth, were confirmed by Bishop Vincent Zungu (centre), who is pictured with Fr John Clarke (third from left) and Deacon Neville Smith (right).

A small group of widowed ladies attended the MARFAM widowed retreat hosted by Toni Rowland at Booysens, Johannesburg.

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Please be patient there is a queue of photos awaiting publication

Parishioners of St John Bosco parish in Robertsham, Johannesburg, bade farewell to assistant parish priest Fr Eugene Hennessy SDB. It was also the 47th anniversary of Fr Hennessy’s ordination to the priesthood. A Mass of thanksgiving was concelebrated with parish priest Fr John Thompson, Salesian provincial superior Fr Francois Dufour and Fr Robert Gore.

Supporters of Little Eden Home for those with intellectual disabilities in Johannesburg took part in the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge to raise money for the home.

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1 Plein Street, Sidwell, Port elizabeth Fifty-seven candidates were confirmed at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite church in Mulbarton, Johannesburg. They are pictured with vicar-general Fr Duncan Tsoke, and parish priests Frs Maurice Chidiac and Jean Yammine.

CLASSIFIEDS

Priest who went down with the Titanic for sainthood?

W HEN the Titanic began to sink on April 15, 1912, Fr Thomas Byles had two opportunities to board a lifeboat. But he gave up those opportunities in order to hear confessions and offer consolation and prayers with those who were trapped aboard, according to surviving passengers.

Now a priest at the former church of Fr Byles in England is asking that his beatification cause be opened.

Some 1 500 people died when the Titanic hit an iceberg and sank in the Atlantic Ocean in 1912.

Fr Byles was travelling on the Titanic to preside at his brother’s wedding in New York. The 42year-old British priest had been ordained in Rome ten years earlier and had served as a parish priest at St Helen’s church in Chipping Ongar, Essex, since 1905.

Agnes McCoy, a third-class passenger and survivor of the Titanic, said Leeds-born Fr Byles had been on the ship, hearing confessions, praying with passengers and giving his blessing as the vessel sank.

Ms McCoy’s testimony, and that of other passengers on board, has been collected at www.fatherbyles.com.

Helen Mary Mocklare, another third-class passenger, offered more details about the final hours of the priest’s life.

“When the crash came we were thrown from our berths ...

We saw before us, coming down the passageway, with his hand uplifted, Fr Byles,” she recalled.

“We knew him because he had visited us several times on board and celebrated Mass for us that very morning. ‘Be calm, my good people,’ he said, and then he went about the steerage giving absolution and blessings,” she recalled.

“A few around us became very excited and then it was that the priest again raised his hand and instantly they were calm once more.

“The passengers were immediately impressed by the absolute self-control of the priest.”

iN MEMORiAM

RADEMEYER—Freddy. In loving memory of a darling husband, father and grandfather who passed away on January 6, 2012. Gone, but not forgotten. Gone, but good memories live on.

Gone, but still always loved. Enjoy your new life above. We miss you sorely.

Lovingly remembered by Neavera, Celeste, Erik, Bradley, Tessa, Aidan, Noël, Irma, Heine, Laura and six grandchildren.

obeyed and disembarked at Queenstown.

Fr Browne, a hobby photographer, left a rich collection of photos he took on those first days of the Titanic’s doomed voyage. He died in 1960 at the age of 80.

More than a century after the Titanic tragedy, Fr Graham Smith, the current priest at St Helen’s, is the promoter for opening the cause for Fr Byles’ beatification.

In a statement to the BBC earlier this year, Fr Smith announced the beginning of the process seeking the canonisation of his predecessor, whom he considers to be “an extraordinary man who gave his life for others”.

The canonisation process first requires that the person in question be found to have lived the Christian virtues to a heroic degree.

A miracle attributed to the intercession of the individual must then be approved, for the title of “Blessed” to be bestowed.

Once beatified, another miracle due to the intercession of Fr Byles would need to be approved, for him to be declared a saint.

“We hope people around the world will pray to him if they are in need and, if a miracle occurs, then beatification and then canonisation can go forward,” Fr Smith said.—CNA

Liturgical Calendar Year C – Weekdays Cycle Year 2 Sunday January 10, Baptism of Our Lord Isaiah 60, 1-6, Psalms 2, 1-4, 24-25, 27-30, Titus 2, 11-14, 3, 4-7, Luke 3, 15-16, 21-22 Monday January 11 1 Samuel 1:1-8, Psalms 116:12-14, 17-19, Mark 1:14-20 Tuesday January 12 1 Samuel 1:9-20, 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-8, Mark 1:21-28 Wednesday January 13, St Hilary 1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20, Psalms 40:2, 5, 7-10, Mark 1:29-39 Thursday January 14 1 Samuel 4:1-11, Psalms 44:10-11, 14-15, 24-25, Mark 1:40-45 Friday January 15 1 Samuel 8:4-7, 10-22, Psalms 89:16-19, Mark 2:1-12 Saturday January 16, Saturday Mass of Our Lady 1 Samuel 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1, Psalms 21:2-7, Mark 2:13-17 Sunday January 17 Nehemiah 8, 2-6, 8-10, Psalms 96:1-3, 7-10, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, John 2, 1-11

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CLASSifiEDS

11

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The Titanic is pictured in a photo by Irish Father Francis Browne SJ. Inset: Fr Thomas Byles, who refused to escape death on the sinking Titanic in a lifeboat and instead provided pastoral care to passengers. (Main photo: Father Browne S.J. Collection) She recounted that a sailor “warned the priest of his danger and begged him to board a boat”.

Although the sailor was anxious to help him, the priest twice refused to leave.

“Fr Byles could have been saved, but he would not leave while one [passenger] was left and the sailor’s entreaties were not heeded,” Ms Mocklare recounted.

“After I got in the boat, which was the last one to leave, and we were slowly going further away from the ship, I could hear distinctly the voice of the priest and the responses to his prayers.”

The sermon at the Sunday Mass on the morning of the sinking had been on the need for a spiritual lifeboat in the shape of prayer and the sacraments when in danger of spiritual shipwreck in times of temptation.

Another priest, Jesuit Father Francis Browne, escaped the sinking of the Titanic.

Having boarded the ship in Southampton with a view to travelling to Queenstown, Ireland, he was befriended by an American millionaire couple who offered to pay his way to New York and back.

Fr Browne telegraphed his Jesuit superior requesting permission, but the reply was: “Get off that ship—Provincial.” The priest

The Southern Cross, January 6 to January 12, 2016

PRAYERS

HOLY SPiRiT you make me see everything and show me the way to reach my ideals. You give me the divine gift to forgive and forget. In all instances of my life you are with me, protecting me and opening for me a way where there is no way. I thank you for everything, and confirm once more that I never want to be separated from you, no matter how great the material desires. I want to be with you and my loved ones in your perpetual glory. Amen. Say this prayer for 3 consecutive days. Publication promised. Chris H.

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.

ALMiGHTY eternal God, source of all compassion, the promise of your mercy and saving help fills our hearts with hope. Hear the cries of the people of Syria; bring healing to those suffering from the violence, and comfort to those mourning the dead. Empower and encourage Syria’s neighbours in their care and welcome for refugees. Convert the hearts of those who have taken up arms, and strengthen the resolve of those committed to peace. O God of hope and Father of mercy, your Holy Spirit inspires us to look beyond ourselves and our own needs. Inspire leaders to choose peace over violence and to seek reconciliation with enemies. Inspire the Church around the world with compassion for the people of Syria, and fill us with hope for a future of peace built on justice for all. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace and Light of the World, who lives and

Our bishops’ anniversaries This week we congratulate: January 11: Bishop Peter Holiday of Kroonstad on his 63rd birthday.

Southern CrossWord solutions SOLUTIONS TO 688. ACROSS: 3 Invisible, 8 Eros, 9 Aspersion, 10 Sonnet, 11 Seven, 14 Torso, 15 Sold, 16 Prate, 18 Lies, 20 Alibi, 21 Stole, 24 Kebabs, 25 Forbidden, 26 Zero, 27 Modernise.

DOWN: 1 Versatile, 2 Countries, 4 Nest, 5 Irene, 6 Issues, 7 Loom, 9 Aesop, 11 State, 12 Nominated, 13 Admission, 17 Eaten, 19 Stable, 22 Laden, 23 Solo, 24 Keys.

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Amen. Prayer courtesy of the USCCB.

PERSONAL

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The

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The Southern Cross is published independently by the Catholic Newspaper & Publishing Company Ltd. Address: PO Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000. Tel: (021) 465 5007 fax: (021) 465 3850 www.scross.co.za

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Opinions expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, staff or directors of The Southern Cross.

the

2nd Sunday: January 17 Readings: Isaiah 62:1-5, Psalm 96:1-3, 7-10, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, John 2:1-11

N

EXT Sunday, after all the excitement of Advent and Christmas, we arrive, with an anticlimactic bump, back into what is called, slightly disparagingly, “ordinary time”.

We should not sneer at this “ordinary time”, however, for it is here, rather than in the exceptional times, that we are invited to behold the radiance of God, especially in this remarkable Year of Mercy. That is the message of our readings for next Sunday.

The first reading carries a promise to the Israelites who had returned (perhaps a little reluctantly) from the relative comfort of their exile in Babylon.

To their pained astonishment, they found Jerusalem very “ordinary”. The walls and Temple had not yet been rebuilt, nor were people especially glad to see them return.

It is to those disillusioned returnees that the unknown prophet offers a vision that is far from “ordinary”: “The Gentiles shall see your vindication, and all kings shall see your glory.” This at a time when “vindication” and “glory” seemed to be in very short supply.

S outher n C ross

As so often in Hebrew poetry there is a play on names. So instead of being called “Azubah” (“Forsaken”) or “Shemamah” (“Abandoned”), Jerusalem and Sion shall be called by the beautiful names of “Hephzibah” (“My Delight is in her”) and “Beulah” (“Married”).

This leads our prophet on to a (slightly indelicate?) image for God’s joyful relationship with his people (“as a young man marries a virgin”). So “ordinary” time becomes extraordinary, if you can see in it the merciful action of God. The second reading starts us off on several weeks of reading the last few chapters of 1 Corinthians.

Paul is dealing with the central problem of that troubled church in Corinth, the grim fact that they were divided.

This is, you may say, a very “ordinary” situation, but Paul’s attempt to find an answer yields some quite “extraordinary” insights.

One of the problems was that they were all thinking of themselves as a bit better than other people: “I’m more spiritual than you

are; and I’ve got much more knowledge, so there!”

Paul’s answer to this crisis is a brilliant one: in the obvious and ordinary fact that human beings are different from each other, he sees room for the action of the Spirit, which is “one and the same”, and always leads in the direction of unity: “There are divisions of gifts, but the same Spirit, divisions of types of service, but the same Lord, divisions of activities, but the same God, who enacts all in all.”

See things this way, and suddenly the “ordinary” is a nursery for the “extraordinary”.

And next Sunday’s Gospel is a wonderful picture of the extraordinary at the heart of the ordinary. It starts with a very ordinary social situation: a wedding, and a potentially catastrophic shortage of wine.

There is a clue, of course, in the opening phrase “on the third day”, inevitably reminding Christian readers of the Resurrection, that great triumph of the Extraordinary over the ordinariness of Death.

It continues through an odd, apparently

How to see more clearly ‘S

Conrad

OMETIMES you can see a whole lot of things just by looking.” It’s a clever expression of course, but sadly perhaps the opposite is truer. Mostly we do a whole lot of looking without really seeing much.

Seeing implies more than having good eyesight. Our eyes can be wide open and we can be seeing very little.

I’ve always been intrigued by how Scripture describes St Paul immediately after his conversion.

We always assume that it tells us that Paul was struck blind by his vision, but, I think, the text implies more. It tells us that Paul got up off the ground with his eyes wide open, seeing nothing.

That doesn’t necessarily equate with physical blindness. He may well have been seeing physically, but he wasn’t seeing the meaning of what he was getting himself into. Someone had to come and open his eyes, not just so that he could see again physically but especially that he could see more deeply into the mystery of Christ.

Seeing, truly seeing, implies more than eyes that are physically healthy and open.

We all see the outer surface of things, but what’s beneath isn’t as automatically seen.

We see this, for instance, in what’s contained inside the healing miracles of Jesus.

In the gospels, we see Jesus perform a number of healings. He heals lame people, deaf people, mute people, people with leprosy, and two women who for different reasons are unable to become pregnant.

What’s important to see in these various

Nicholas King SJ

Ordinary as extraordinary

miracles is that almost always there’s more at issue than mere physical healing. Jesus is healing people in a deeper way, that is, he is healing the lame so that they can walk in freedom and in service of God. He is healing the deaf so that they can hear the Good News. He is healing the mute so that they can open their mouths in praise.

And he is healing those who are haemorrhaging interiorly so that they can bring new life to birth.

W

e see this most clearly at those times when Jesus heals people who are blind. He’s giving them more than just physical sight; he’s opening their eyes so that can see more deeply. But that’s only an image. How might it be unpackaged?

How can the grace and teachings of Jesus help us to see in a deeper way? Here are some suggestions: • By shifting from seeing through familiarity to seeing through wonder.

GK Chesterton once affirmed that familiarity is the greatest of all illusions and that the secret to life is to learn to look at things familiar until they look unfamiliar again. We open our eyes to depth when we open ourselves to wonder.

• By shifting our eyes from seeing through paranoia and self-protection to seeing through nurture and metanoia (changing in one’s way of life resulting from penitence or spiritual conversion).

It is not incidental that the first word out of Jesus’ mouth in the synoptic gospels is the word “metanoia”, a word that op-

Sunday Reflections

inconclusive (except that she says to the servants at the end of it, “Do whatever he tells you”), conversation between Jesus and his mother.

This results in an astonishing quantity (180 gallons, but who’s counting?) of wine, and the awestruck comment of the baffled head-waiter: “Most people set out the good wine first, and when people are drunk, the inferior wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.”

If we can learn to say that, every day of our lives, we shall be encountering our extraordinary God in the ordinary; and then we shall experience in our lives what the evangelist means when he says: “Jesus…revealed his glory, and his disciples committed themselves to him.”

That is the extraordinary invitation that is offered to us in this week of “ordinary” time, in this Extraordinary Year of Mercy.

Southern Crossword #688

Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI

Final Reflection

poses itself to “paranoia”. When we open our eyes to depth we shift from a posture of self-protection to a posture of nurture.

• By shifting from seeing through jealousy to seeing through admiration.

Our perception becomes distorted whenever we move from the happy state of admiration to the unhappy state of envy. Our eyesight is clear when we delight in admiration.

• By shifting our eyes from seeing through bitterness to seeing through eyes purified and softened by grief.

The root of bitterness is wound and the way out of bitterness is grieving. Tears clear our eyesight because they soften a heart hardened by wound.

• By shifting our eyes from seeing through fantasy and auto-eroticism to seeing through appreciation and prayer.

One of the key movements within our spiritual lives is the movement from fantasy to prayer, a movement that ultimately frees us from wanting to press to ourselves all that’s beautiful to appreciating beauty for its own sake. We can really see and appreciate beauty only when we stop lusting for it.

• By shifting from seeing through relevance to seeing through contemplation.

Our longing for relevance makes us look out at the world with restless, dissatisfied eyes. We practise mindfulness and see the richness of the present moment only when our disquiet is stilled by solitude.

• By shifting from seeing through anger to seeing through forgiveness.

Nothing taints our eyesight as much as anger. It’s the most debilitating of all cataracts. And nothing cleanses our vision as much as forgiveness. Nobody holding a grudge sees straight.

• By shifting our eyes from seeing through longing and hunger to seeing through gratitude.

Longing and hunger distort our vision.

Gratitude restores it. It enables insight. The most grateful person you know has the best eyesight of all the people you know.

Love is the eye! So say the medieval mystics.

Seeing straight has more dimensions than we normally imagine.

aCRoSS

3. Things not apparent in the Creed (9) 8. The god that rose (4) 9. Praise son for the slander (9) 10. Fourteen-line ode (6) 11. Sacramental sum (5) 14. Body part coming from your roots (5) 15. It must also be so, if it’s bought (4) 16. Talk foolishly (5) 18. Satan is their father (4) 20. Evidence of absence (5) 21. Pinched priest’s vestment (5) 24. Skewered morsels (6) 25. Fruit that was proscribed (9) 26. A degree of nothing (4) 27. I send more to get up to date (9) Solutions on page 11

DoWN

1. Tail up in the poetry is adaptable (9) 2. Nations of the world (9) 4. Shelter up in the trees (4) 5. Find the girl in dire need (5) 6. Supplies topics for debate (6) 7. Weaver’s apparatus will come into view (4) 9. Fabulous narrator (5) 11. Condition of one in 2 down (5) 12. Having put forward candidate for ordination (9) 13. Given entry for confession (9) 17. We hear the famous school was consumed (5) 19. Steady place for the Baby Jesus (6) 22. Daniel, I lost, heavily burdened (5) 23. One voice from the choir (4) 24. Christ entrusted them to Peter (4)

CHURCH CHUCKLE

A

N atheist scientist came to God and said: “We have figured out how to make a man without you.”

God said: “Very well, let me see you do it.”

The atheist bent down to the ground and scooped up a handful of soil.

Quickly God stopped him and said: “Oh, no.

You get your own dirt!”

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