The
S outher n C ross
May 15 to May 21, 2019
Reg No. 1920/002058/06
No 5135
www.scross.co.za
When the pen is mightier than the sword
NEW PRICE: R12 (incl VAT RSA)
Where the Risen Christ walked
Contemplative prayer expert coming to SA
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Priest to tour SA to teach happiness STAFF REPORTER
The Southern Cross pilgrims to the Holy Land and Rome are seen at the Colosseum in Rome. The pilgrimage, which ends on May 17, is led by Fr Russell Pollitt SJ with Günther Simmermacher, editor of The Southern Cross and author of The Holy Land Trek.
Pope Francis: I thanked Jean Vanier before his death By CiNDy WOODEN
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OPE Francis told reporters he had been kept informed about Jean Vanier’s failing health and had phoned him a week before his death. “He listened to me, but he could barely speak. I wanted to express my gratitude for his witness,” the pope said, the day Mr Vanier died in Paris. “He was a man who was able to read the Christian call in the mystery of death, of the cross, of illness, the mystery of those who are despised and discarded,” Pope Francis said. But, also, he said, Mr Vanier stood up for those “who risk being condemned to death even before being born”. “Simply put, I want to thank him and thank God for having given us this man with such a great witness,” the pope said. The death of Mr Vanier, whose ministry helped improve the lives of developmentally disabled people in dozens of countries, drew prayers and words of condolence from Church leaders around the world. Mr Vanier, who died of thyroid cancer at the age of 90, founded L’Arche in 1964, allowing people with developmental disabilities
Jean Vanier, founder of the L’Arche communities, died aged 90. Mr Vanier’s charity work helped improve conditions for the developmentally disabled in multiple countries over the past half-century. (Photo: Jean Vanier Association/CNS) and those who assist them to share their lives while living in community in an atmosphere of compassion.—CNS
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HIS year’s Winter Theology will help participants in various centres in South Africa, Botswana and Eswatini to live a happy life. The annual Winter Theology series, a collaborative venture between the Jesuit Institute SA, the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference and Fordham University in New York, will be presented in June and July by Fr David Marcotte SJ. Fr Marcotte is an associate professor of psychology and director of clinical training at the Jesuit-run Fordham University. His series of lectures is entitled, “How to live a happy life. The spirituality and psychology of wellbeing”. “We have invited Fr Marcotte as the issue of wellbeing is pertinent in South Africa,” said Fr Russell Pollitt SJ, director of the Jesuit Institute. “South Africa is a highly stressed society. A limping economy, poverty, crime, violence and the breakdown of family and social relations all contribute to rising stress levels, depression, burnout and higher suicide rates—especially among young people,” he noted. “We hope that Fr Marcotte will help the Church to understand and respond more effectively to these issues.” Fr Marcotte will look at stress, burnout, depression, anxiety, compassion-fatigue, suicide and addiction, offering participants practical skills that will counter these and advance wellbeing. He believes that meditation and contemplative practices are an essential part of wellbeing and has done empirical studies which he will share with participants. It will be Fr Marcotte’s first visit to South Africa. He said he hopes to present “the emerging research on the psychology of wellbeing and contemplative practices”, and how these practices “can helps us navigate
Fr David Marcotte SJ, who will present this year’s Winter Theology on the subject of attaining happiness. (Photo: Fordham News) our way through stress, burnout, depression and addiction”. Fr Marcotte will give an evening lecture at Christ the King church in Queenswood, Pretoria, on June 3. From June 4-6 he will speak at the Lumko Institute in Benoni. He will then visit Cape Town (June 11-13 at St Francis Xavier Seminary), Durban (June 18-20, St Joseph’s in Morningside), and Port Elizabeth (June 15-27, St Luke’s Retreat and Conference Centre). Fr Marcotte will give a one-day lecture in Manzini, Eswatini, on June 22 and, for the first time this year, Winter Living Theology will also be presented in Gaborone, Botswana, for a one-day workshop on July 3. n For more information or bookings go to www.jesuitinstitute.org.za/index.php/wlt 2019/ or e-mail wlt@jesuitinstitute.org.za
S outher n C ross Pilgrimage
CATHOLIC FRANCE 6-16 October 2019
Led by Bishop Joe Sandri
Lourdes, Paris, Nevers, Paray-le-Monial, Avignon, Marseilles, Orleans and more...
For more information or to book, please contact Gail at info@fowlertours.co.za or phone/WhatsApp 076 352-3809
www.fowlertours.co.za/sandri