April 20 to April 26 , 2011 www.scross.co.za R5,50 (incl VAT RSA) Reg No. 1920/002058/06 No 4722

Why university students Reflection: Brother: I know are converting to Saved by one what it’s like to the Catholic faith man’s sacrifice be dead Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Hope&Joy programme to launch May 8 STAff REpoRTER CATHOLIC network, Hope&Joy, focus - ing on popular education for adults, Awill officially launch on May 8 with a website, free SMS service, media articles and homilies at Mass. Hope&Joy has brought together dozens of Catholic bodies to help Southern African Catholics to understand and live out the promise of Vatican II, “to be Church in the Modern World”, according to Raymond Perri - er, who has spearheaded the programme. Hope&Joy, which is unique to the South - ern African region, “functions as a network; there is no central head office”, said Mr Perri - er, who is also director of the Jesuit Institute South Africa. “Through the Hope&Joy net - work, organisations will be able to work together, share resources and share a com - mon logo.” Individual elements will include booklets, newspaper columns, one-off lectures, videos, training courses, parish events, radio pro - grammes and so on that will be linked under the name Hope&Joy. “Because the network is open, there will be space to take initiatives at different levels: diocesan departments, national and diocesan Catholic organisations, parish groups, schools, religious congregations, sodalities and other grassroots organisations, or even individuals,” he said. A website ( www.hopeandjoy.org.za ) and Facebook group “will help the different ele - ments come together and cross-fertilise”. Catholic parishes, schools and individuals are encouraged to sign up as members of Hope&Joy by e-mailing info@hopeandjoy. org.za . Hope&Joy has been welcomed by the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Confer - ence (SACBC) with “much appreciation”. Sev - eral SACBC departments have already signed up, and individual bishops have shown great enthusiasm, Mr Perrier said. Network days have been held in Johannes - burg and Durban, with more to come in other centres. Cardinal Wilfrid Napier of Durban spent the whole day at the KwaZulu-Natal work - shop this month, Mr Perrier said. The cardi - nal reportedly described Hope&Joy as a “manifestation of the Spirit”. Coinciding with the May 8 launch, there will be a feature spread on Hope&Joy in The Southern Cross , as well articles in diocesan newspapers and in the Catholic Link , the parish newsletter prepared by the Redemp - torists. Radio Veritas will cover Hope&Joy in its programming and the website ( www.hope andjoy.org.za ) will go live. Also as of May 8, Hope&Joy will launch a free SMS service whereby subscribers will receive a weekly inspirational message (SMS the word “Joy” to 31222). As of July, sub - scribers can receive daily messages for R3,50 per week, Mr Perrier said. Priests have been asked to preach about Hope&Joy in their homilies on May 8. To assist the homilists, Hope&Joy has e-mailed homily notes to many priests. Priests who have not received these may request them from [email protected] , Mr Perrier said. Among the national Hope&Joy activities will be a series of articles on particular themes in the Catholic Link , starting in July, and in The Southern Cross , starting in September.

The Editor and staff of The Southern Cross wish all readers, advertisers, Associates, supporters, contributors and friends a blessed Easter filled with The Resurrection of Christ is depicted in a mural in the sanctuary of Holy family church in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Easter, the feast of the the hope and joy of our Risen Lord. Resurrection, is celebrated in the Latin rite Catholic Church on April 24 this year. (photo: Debbie Hill, CNS) 2 The Southern Cross, April 20 to April 26, 2011 LOCAL Community gives thanks as priest accused of abuse walks free

BY CLAIRE MATHIESoN said the news spread quickly and that arise when up to 13 young Xhosa but that didn't stop him. He they appreciated what he was he hoped the news of the charges men are all sharing the same space communicates by his love and doing for them and how he HE parishioners of St being dropped would travel just as and trying to keep order in the commitment to people.” inspired them, which came as a Emmanuel in Landsend, quickly. house and grounds,” explained Fr When the allegations were surprise to Fr Guy, and which also TMthata, held a thanksgiving Fr Cloutier was known for his Paulsen. made, Fr Cloutier was arrested and made him cry. It is this support Mass to celebrate the dropping of work helping young men through Fr Cloutier spent 22 years in removed from his parish duties. that has kept his spirits up.” charges brought against Fr Guy Sabelani Home. Fr Cloutier focused Papua New Guinea as Missionary Since the case was dismissed, Bish - “Catholic and non-Catholics Cloutier CMM of alleged abuse. his efforts on those who were of Mariannhill. He also worked in op Sithembele Anton Sipuka has feel that their prayers have been “There will be great rejoicing either on the street or too poor to Central America for a few years requested that Fr Cloutier return to answered. It is amazing that peo - among all the people”, said Fr get ahead in life. before coming to South Africa, his pastoral work and “administra - ple from the neighbourhood, Casimir Paulsen CMM of the day “He acts as the surrogate father where “he immediately got tive leave” has been removed. mechanics, sales persons, nurses Fr Cloutier walked away a free to these boys with a home routine involved in the informal settle - Fr Paulsen said Mass was cele - and teachers walking down the man. which includes keeping the place ments, being with people, praying brated in a packed cathedral and street would all say, ‘We’re praying “One thing I feel must be clean, doing the dishes and wash - with them, counseling and consol - the community’s support did not for you, Father’”. addressed is the speed with which ing and ironing their own clothes, ing them, taking funerals for them stop. “This crowd kept coming to Fr Paulsen said Easter had come the news media pounced on the taking turns doing the cooking, and catechising them,” said Fr visit Fr Guy at home to console, early for the community of news that a senior priest of the saying their evening prayers Paulsen. “These were people who support, and pray with him. Every Landsend as the community con - Catholic Church of Mthatha had together, having regular meetings didn't fit into the usual Catholic day people would come to spend tinues to celebrate Fr Cloutier’s been arrested for rape.” Fr Paulsen to sort out the inevitable problems parish structures. He knew little some time and tell him how much freedom. Mariannhill monastery Learners from Marist Brothers primary School in Linmeyer, Johannesburg show off their tea garden re-opens Lenten table. Each class was given a project to make a Lenten table with symbols of BY MAuRICIo LANgA reminder for this six week help generate funds for the period. Tracey Edwards from ocal residents as well as visi - school,” said Mr Sabela, director of the school said the learners tors to Mariannhill monastery Amaqhawe. were encouraged to give extra will once again be able to “It is a way of giving back to the L community that did so much for money to the poor, to read the enjoy their favourite refreshments Bible and pray more frequently and light meals, thanks to us,” he said, adding that as part of and to make a little sacrifice of Amaqhawe Tourism Services (ATS) their involvement in the Mari - something they really like. which has re-opened the famous annhill Monastery Tea Garden ATS “Most of the children made Mariannhill Monastery Tea Gar - also hope to promote the area to their commitments in writing den. the outside world with a view to and these are also kept on the After lying idle for more than a attracting tourism. tables as reminders,” Ms year, the monastery management “We see ourselves playing a Edwards said. saw a need to have the tea garden significant role towards tourism in re-opened to the public, prompted the area and we want to capitalise by numerous inquiries from visi - on the influx of various people tors. Apart from providing light coming to Mariannhill for differ - meals, the establishment is also set ent reasons, and offer them to provide catering services for refreshments and light meals,” he weddings, small birthday parties added. and concerts. Fr Gideon Sibanda, superior of ATS has strong links with Mari - Mariannhill monastery, said the annhill. The company currently reopening of the tea garden is a
      runs and manages the Tre Fontane significant step forward in ensur - Lodge and B&B in Mariannhill. ing that people visiting Mari - Amaqhawe was formed by former annhill can also enjoy a tranquil students of St Francis College as filled monastic environment as part of their social responsibility they are served coffee and light programme to help support their meals. former school financially as well as The tea garden is open from promoting Mariannhill to the out - 9:00-15:30 on Tuesdays to Satur - side world. days, and from 10:00 to 15:30 on “It has been our concern that Sundays. we benefited from the school, and n For further information, Zama we thought of coming up with a Sabela can be contacted on sustainable project, such as ATS, to 03 1 70 0 9028

When : Saturday, 30 April 2011 Where : Sacred Heart Catholic Church, HOT POT PAINT Cnr Somerset Rd & Napier St Green Point J.M.J Time : 9.30am - 11.30am (approximately) AND HARDWARE

Programme (PTY) LTD

9.30 Holy Sacrifice of the Mass celebrated by 46, 12th Street, Springs, 1559 His Grace, Archbishop Stephen Brislin Tel: (011) 362 3071, (011) 362 4682/3, (011) 8121655/6/7 10.30 Prayerful & peaceful procession to Marie Stopes Abortion Centre, with the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, BRANCHES: the Holy Rosary & Hymns Springs (011) 362 3071 11.30 Return procession, ending with Benediction Vereeniging (016) 427 5525

After Mass, the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for Adoration Alberton (011) 907 8676 Please join us as we process prayerfully to the Marie Stopes Abortion Centre Benoni (011) 422 2331 in Bree Street (with full permission from the City Council). Heidelberg (016) 349 5886

Boksburg (011) 892 5186

For further information, contact: Randburg (011) 678 2436 Colette Thomas Lephalale (Ellisras) 082 255 0473 / [email protected] Mike or Annette (014) 763 3147 Helpers of God’s Precious Infants Cape Town PO Box 1601, Cape Town 8000 STOCKISTS OF: Paint, Hardware, Geysers, Roll- up garage doors, Sink tops, Bosch Power Tools. For website information or schedule of forthcoming vigils: www.icon.co.za/~host/helpers/index.htm ALL AT THE VERY BEST PRICES!

*Please help us plan, RSVP to: [email protected] with your name & cell no. (and number of people if applicable) Looking to open franchises in ALL areas. If interested please contact Nero or Gerald on 083 4606650 LOCAL The Southern Cross, April 20 to April 26, 2011 3 Catholic centre fights for refugee teachers BY CLAIRE MATHIESoN towards paid employment”, said issuing of work, business and their employability to occupation - of not being South African. Scalabrini volunteer, Wouter de study permits under less strict con - al categories (hospitality, house - The centre has reminded the Clerck. ditions.” He said Scalabrini has keeping) which have no relation to department of the unlawfulness of HE Scalabrini Centre in Cape The programme also hopes to been closely following this pro - their professional qualifications as this practice. “When a foreign edu - Town has facilitated the address staff shortages at local gramme since many of the foreign teachers,” Mr de Clerck explained. cator holds a valid work permit or Tplacement of 76 foreign schools by providing the required teachers in the FEIP originate from The centre is working with the has been recognised as a refugee unemployed educators in unpaid assistance through highly skilled Zimbabwe. Department of Home Affairs to pursuant to the Refugee Act, he or internships in schools across the foreign professionals. The centre has aided and find a solution. she has the right to take up city—but the centre has faced Mr de Clerck said despite the encouraged the Zimbabwean par - Mr de Clerck said the second employment in the South African challenges from both Home Affairs positive work done by the centre, ticipants to register. However, concern was with the Western teaching sector.” and the Education departments. two recent developments which through its daily contacts with Cape Education Department’s lack The Scalabrini Centre will be The Foreign Educators Intern - have obstructed the centre’s work. Zimbabwean teachers, the centre of policy to consider foreign edu - working with both the education ship Programme (FEIP) aims to “Firstly, there has been the found many registered while work - cators’ applications for permanent department and Home Affairs to provide the teachers with “a plat - Department of Home Affairs’ new ing in lower-income jobs. “These teaching positions. He said the address these issues and assist form to gain experience in South programme to document Zimbab - lower skilled positions now reflect department seemed to disregard refugees looking to make a new African schools and to thus work weans in South Africa through the on their work permits, limiting foreign applicants on the grounds life in the country. Fire prevention campaign launched BY CLAIRE MATHIESoN ment Centre in Masiphumelele. He said the integrated approach The event was aimed at increas - that Masiphumelele had seen, in ing awareness around solar light - which disaster management, law USINESS and outreach organ - ing and to dissuade individuals enforcement, civil society and isations have joined forces to from relying on candles which are communities work together was Blaunch fire prevention cam - considered an expensive risk fac - conducted with the hope that paigns in the Cape Town township tor. “local communities will be more of Masiphumelele in preparation Two community members were equipped to respond to, or to of the winter season which notori - recipients of the Ezylight solar avoid, disasters in their environ - ously sees an increase in shack lighting units. Recipient ment and to adopt more vigilant fires and devastating effects of the Ntombokhanyo Fani said the new attitudes, and thus foster a culture Cape’s heavy winter rainfalls. technology will be especially use - of safety and prevention”. The “Crisis Relief Stakeholders’ ful to her children for study pur - The campaign is set to move to Joint Fire and Floods Awareness poses. She explained that one other communities during the Campaign” has been endorsed by electricity grid serves about ten year. the mayoral executive committee families in her member for safety and security, JP neighbourhood, Smith. Hawa Hassan of alternative energies firm Ezylight (second from left) pre - and at night she The event, which was attended sents a solar lighting unit to Masiphumelele single mother Ntombekhaya often runs out by more than 200 community Sobethwa, a casualty of recent shack fires in the area. She is flanked by of electricity, a members, brought together CWD's Crisis Relief and prevention manager, Nontsikelelo Dwangu (right) problem that Is God stakeholders including Eskom, the and Denise Klassen (left), manager of CWD's Siyakhulisa Community Devel - may well be Paraffin Safety Southern Africa opment Centre in Masiphumelele. alleviated calling you Association, the Phoenix Burns through solar Project, various City of Cape Town lighting. to the emergency services, fire and rescue million households or 4,4 million cation manager Michail Rassool, The units, by services, as well as Catholic organi - people are at risk to fires. She said individuals in the community using the sus - Religious sations, the Scalabrini Centre of lack of access to electricity leads to were invited to come forward to be tainable and Cape Town and Catholic the use of dangerous sources of asked questions about certain renewable ener - Life in the Welfare and Development (CWD). light and heat, such as paraffin aspects of safety and prevention gy of the sun, The crisis stakeholders were stoves and candles. Minimal water they had learnt. Those who are viable alter - Franciscan commended for their efforts devot - supply makes it impossible for answered correctly received a gift natives to open ed to prevention and fire safety. shack dwellers to effectively fight pack that included safe paraffin flame lighting. Family? St Francis Mr Smith said it was important fires themselves and thus the lamps, safe paraffin container, The safer units that the stakeholders were working efforts from the stakeholders were paraffin safety calendars, a funnel are suitable for We Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate in conjunction with the necessary. for pouring paraffin, T-shirts and cooking and Conception strengthen our community to work towards a Various presentations were candle jars. lighting. relationship with God by prayer in safer living environment. made to the community at the CWD was further involved in Mr Rassool Nontsikelelo Dwangu, manager launch. Those dealt with paraffin community safety when the “Safe - said the deva order to serve Him and His people. We work of CWD Crisis Relief, told the distribution, poisoning and stor - ty and Prevention Indaba” was stating effect of with all age-groups and where the Church gathering that 10% of South age, treating ingestion, indoor pol - launched by crisis relief stakehold - shack fires can needs us. Africa's 44 million population live lution, fire escape routes, construc - ers including Ezylight, CWD’s be diminished in urban informal settlements. tion techniques and materials, as Crisis Relief programme, the or avoided alto - If you wish to know more about us, contact: Annually more than 5 0 000 well as the dangers of alcohol con - Paraffin Safety Association South gether through The Vocations Directress at dwellings are razed and 200 people sumption and how it leads to irre - Africa and Eskom. The event took awareness and die as a result of fire. sponsible behaviour. place today at the organisation’s more safety-con - Ms Dwangu said more than 1,2 According to CWD’s communi - Siyakhulisa Community Develop - scious practices. PO Box 2912, Middelburg, 1050. Tel (013) 243 3410, 072 213 4671 4 The Southern Cross, April 20 to April 26, 2011 INTERNATIONAL Vatican stargazing through Galileo’s eyes BY CARoL gLATz The Renaissance men gathered to trial,” Br Consolmagno said. on the Janiculum hill included Galileo was willing and eager to OP Renaissance scientists and Jesuit scholars, such as Fr Christo - make any corrections to the text, scholars gathered on a grassy pher Clavius, who had helped he said, but the inquisitors would Thill overlooking Rome one devise the Gregorian calendar 40 not allow it. They were unable to starry spring night 400 years ago years earlier. They came to see find him guilty of heresy, howev - to gaze into a unique innovation what Galileo had been reporting— er, “so they changed the verdict at by Galileo Galilei: the telescope. a number of celestial bodies cir - the last minute to [find Galileo] “This was really an exciting cling Jupiter. guilty of vehement suspicion of event. This was the first time that Br Consolmagno said that the heresy,” Br Consolmagno said. Galileo showed off his telescope in unveiling of the telescope was so “All of which makes me suspect public to the educated people of significant because “this is the first that the trial was a political setup Rome, which was the centre of cul - time that science is done with an that had nothing to do with phi - ture in Italy at that time,” said instrument. It’s not something losophy. Jesuit Brother Guy Consolmagno, that just any philosopher could “The Spanish ambassador to the Vatican astronomer, as he stood look at. You had to have the right Holy See had accused Pope Urban on the same knoll. tool to be able to be able to see it,” VIII in public of being a closet The original gathering on April because one’s own eyes were no Protestant because he wasn’t 14, 1611, was sponsored by the longer enough. vigourously enough supporting world’s oldest scientific academy— “People then wanted to look for the Spanish” side in their fight the National Academy of Lincei— themselves and see if they were against the so-called Protestant of which Galileo was a member. seeing the same things Galileo was side, he said. Today, the grassy hill is part of seeing,” he said. Punishing Galileo was a way to the American Academy in Rome, People often don’t realise that Telescopes belonging to galileo galilei displayed at the galileo Museum in “pay off some people who were which wanted to celebrate its con - Galileo was in very good standing florence. (photo: Alessia pierdomenico, Reuters/CNS) mad at Galileo anyway; to send a nection to Galileo with a number with the Church and with many message to the Medici (the ruling of events that included a discus - Church leaders for decades before family of Tuscany) to stay out of sion of faith and science with Br his trial in 1633, he said. ful son of the Church—his two in high places, Galileo for years the war; and to show the Spanish Consolmagno. Just a few weeks after he daughters were nuns—and he was managed to evade any problems that ‘look, I really am not a closet Christopher Celenza, the direc - demonstrated his telescope on the friends with many of the people of for maintaining that the earth Protestant’,” Br Consolmagno said. tor of the American Academy, said Roman hillside, Galileo was “feted Rome, including future popes.” revolves around the sun, the Jesuit Whatever the political reasons that the Renaissance scholars at the Roman College by the Br Consolmagno said the real said. were behind the trial and its ver - “gathered here to celebrate Galileo Jesuits, who were really impressed reason that Galileo was eventually Galileo received permission, dict, he said the “terrible mistake” and the invention of what they with the work he had done. At this brought before the Inquisition and including from the pope’s personal was that the Church had used its termed at this meeting, the tele - point, he had burst onto the scene found guilty of suspected heresy is censor, to publish his book, Dia - religious authority for political scope. It was the first time the as one of the great intellectual still a mystery. Numerous authors logue Concerning the Two Chief ends. word telescope was used” to refer lights of the 17th century”, Br have proposed different findings World Systems . Galileo’s reputation was to the device Galileo had perfected Consolmagno said. and the trial is still “a great puzzle “He’s done everything right, restored in 1992 by a special Vati - in 1609 and started using to study “Even at his biggest point of for historians”. he’s followed all the rules and sud - can commission established by the heavens. trouble, Galileo was always a faith - Thanks to having many friends denly out of nowhere he’s called Pope John Paul II.—CNS Silent Night on UNESCO list Indian Church feels unjustly treated BY JoNATHAN LuxMooRE newly established St Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, near BY CINDY WooDEN the Syro-Malabar Church enjoy throughout India; permission to HE world’s most popular full freedom to elect bishops and set up archdioceses in Delhi and Salzburg, with music composed by HE Vatican and many of the Christmas carol, “Silent erect dioceses only in their other large cities; the establish - the church organist, Franz Gruber. Latin-rite bishops of India Night”, has been added to Church’s traditional territory; ment of a special jurisdiction for T Speaking at a news conference are not treating the Syro- UNESCO’s World Heritage List in T otherwise, the responsibility is the Persian Gulf states, in order to in Vienna, Maria Walcher, direc - Malabar Catholic Church with recognition of its role in fostering left to the pope, often in consul - serve the tens of thousands of tor of the Austrian Commission justice, and that makes the cultural diversity. tation with the Latin-rite bishops Syro-Malabar Catholics from of UNESCO (United Nations Edu - Church look bad, Auxiliary Bish - “This is a song of freedom for of the region concerned. India working in the region; cational, Scientific and Cultural op Bosco Puthur of Ernakulam- the world, whose beautiful In the case of the Syro-Malabar action to improve the pastoral Organisation), said the carol had Angamaly told Pope Benedict. melody and text have inspired Church, Bishop Puthur told Pope care of Syro-Malabar Catholics in been added to the heritage list for While other Christians and versions in more than 300 lan - Benedict that its traditional terri - Europe, Australia and other parts its “key contribution to sustaining other religions enjoy the freedom guages,” said Michael Neureiter, tory was all of India until Latin- of the world. cultural diversity”. to build churches and conduct ser - president of Austria’s Silent Night rite missionaries arrived in the The Syro-Malabar Catholic “This song is viewed world - vices anywhere in India, the East - Society. “Although it comes from 15th century. Now any of its Church has about 3,7 million wide as expressing the essence of ern Catholic churches “are denied the Catholic tradition, its calm, faithful living outside Kerala state members around the world, Bish - the Alpine Christmas. It has a it, paradoxically not by the state, harmonic sound has made it are subject to the authority of the op Puthur said. clear foundation of identity but by our own ecclesiastical accessible internationally. As local Latin-rite bishop. In his talk to the bishops, Pope because of this,” Ms Walcher said. authorities”, the bishop said. such, it’s not just a Christian “We are convinced that it is Benedict urged them to work for Mr Neureiter said items on the Bishop Puthur, administrator song, but also a human song.” the credibility of the Apostolic See unity within their dioceses, in World Heritage List must be of the Syro-Malabar Catholic “Stille Nacht”, or “Silent recognised as being of universal that is at stake if this jurisdiction - their Church and with the all the Church, made his remarks to Night”, was written as a poem in cultural and social value by al right is not restored to its pris - bishops of India. Pope Benedict at the end of the 1816 by Fr Joseph Mohr in Mari - UNESCO member-states. He said tine status,” the bishop said. “This responsibility is of spe - Syro-Malabar bishops’ ad limina apfarr, where he was assigned as Archbishop Alois Kothgasser of Bishop Puthur presented five cial importance in a country like visits to the Vatican to report on an assistant parish priest. It pre - Salzburg had backed efforts to requests to Pope Benedict: the India where the unity of the the status of their dioceses. miered as a carol for two solo voic - have the carol recognised and restoration of “all-India jurisdic - Church is reflected in the rich es on Christmas Eve 1818 at the protected.—CNS Generally, the leaders of the tion” to the Syro-Malabar Church; diversity of her rites and tradi - Eastern Catholic churches such as permission to establish dioceses tions,” he said.—CNS

Pilgrimage to Italy & France, Servants of the Holy led by Archbishop William Slattery Childhood of Jesus

...There was once a woman with a great love and longing in her heart, a The Archdiocese of Pretoria and Micasa Tours invite you to join a spiritual Pilgrimage to accompany our new Archbishop, strong faith and a sure hope. William Slattery, to Rome in June as he receives his Pallium. Antonia Werr. We will be visiting Rome, Assisi, Milan in Italy and Paray Le Monial and Lourdes in France. ...The straying she would lead along 23 June - 7 July 2011 the right way to the one who is The Includes Pallium Mass with the Pope Way. Her Charism. and our Archbishop, William Slattery l Tour of St Peter’s Basilica. Mass at St Peter’s, Angelus, Vatican Museums. ...‘If you learn to walk in the presence l 2 nights at Paray Le Monial in Paris to visit the Shrine of of god at all times and fulfil his will, St Margaret Mary Alacoque, to honour the Sacred Heart – Patron of our Archdiocese. then god will give you the light of his l Supper with Archbishop William Slattery. grace.’ Her invitation. l Tour of Rome l 2 Nights in Lourdes. l Lunch at the Franciscan House. If this is your way of serving god, then PACKAGE INCLUDES: write, phone or visit us. Return economy flights on Air France - JHB/Paris/Rome Round-trip private transfers to airport/hotels 12 nights accomodation hotels mentioned above Breakfast & dinner as per itinerary Sight seeing as per itinerary phone: 021 880 0242 (Monday to friday) Promoter of Vocations English-speaking Guide Tel 076 349 2752 fax: 021 880 0253 R22 595 (Exclusive) Private Bag 553 Fax 035 474 2661 e-mail: [email protected] Eshowe 3815 post: po Box 142, Stellenbosch, 7599 Tel: 012 342 0179 / 072 637 0508 (Michelle) e-mail: [email protected] visit: paradyskloof Rd (off R44 to Strand) INTERNATIONAL The Southern Cross, April 20 to April 26, 2011 5 Sudan bishops: Peace in new nation

on respect for diversity.” expectations. Legitimate authority UDAN’S Catholic bishops have Violence has been reported in must be respected, but leaders called upon the people of key regions of Southern Sudan, must work selflessly for the com - SSudan and the emerging where more than 98% of voters mon good and avoid exaggerated nation of South Sudan “to embrace approved independence from political ambition. Leadership is a a culture of peace and to reject vio - Sudan in a January referendum. service to the people, and offices lence” and to respect human life Intensive clashes have been report - must be surrendered willingly at and dignity as both regions prepare ed between rebel factions and the the end of the requisite term,” the for the formal Declaration of Inde - army of Southern Sudan since the bishops said. pendence of the South on July 9. vote was announced. Auxiliary Bishop Daniel Adwok Meeting in Juba, the capital of Hundreds of people are believed Kur of Khartoum, Sudan, told the Southern Sudan, the Sudan Catholic to have been killed and injured in German agency that although the Bishops’ Conference said that the violent outbreaks in Bahr el Ghaz - conflicts were intense, they did work of creating what in reality are al, Unity and Upper Nile regions, not threaten the path to indepen - two new countries will require according to the German Catholic dence for the South. patience, understanding and agency Aid to the Church in Need. He also urged officials in South - restraint on the part of all citizens, The bishops also addressed gov - ern Sudan to resolve the underly - Visitors on scaffolding look at a panel of the newly restored 14th-century political parties and armed forces. ernment officials in both countries ing problems causing the violence, fresco “The Legend of the True Cross” by Agnolo gaddi in Santa Croce “We call upon them to turn who are preparing for the final some of which may be linked to basilica in florence, Italy. The basilica is offering visitors the unique away from division, incitement, stages of Southern Sudan’s inde - the arming of rebels by the Islamic opportunity to climb scaffolding for a close-up view of newly restored fres - hate speech, rumours and accusa - pendence, calling upon authorities North. coes adorning the walls and ceiling around the main altar. proceeds from tions and to resolve disputes to “act justly and foster openness “It would be best to sit down the 10-euro fee for the visit will help cover the cost of the restoration. through dialogue in a spirit of and participation in spirit and and discuss the issues,” he said. (photo: Alessandro Bianchi, Reuters/CNS) unity,” the bishops said in a state - action”. “We have to ask the people, ‘What ment. “We are all children of God, “Citizens must recognise that is the root of the tension?’ If we do regardless of geographical bound - great changes are not completed not address that, after some aries, ethnicity, religion, culture, or overnight; there is a process which months or years it will cause the King’s Speech , Toy Story 3 political affiliation, and we insist may not always meet immediate disturbance to widen.”—CNS win Catholic awards John Paul II’s feast set for October 22 Also honoured was A Mother’s tion, the decree said. HE feature films The King’s BY CINDY WooDEN Courage: Talking Back to Autism , In the diocese of Rome, where Speech , Toy Story 3 and Sec - about an Icelandic woman who HE feast day of Blessed John Pope John Paul served as bishop, retariat were among the 17 T travels to the United States to Paul II will be marked on and in all the dioceses of his native winners of the 62nd annual learn more about autism thera - TOctober 22 each year in Rome Poland, his feast day is to be insert - Christopher Awards honouring pies that could potentially help and the dioceses of Poland. ed automatically into the annual book, film and television pro - her son. The Vatican also said Catholics ductions that affirm the highest calendar, the decree said. October In addition to the movies throughout the world will have a 22 was chosen as the day to remem - values of the human spirit. and TV shows, Christopher year to celebrate a Mass in thanks - A documentary film also ber him because it is the anniver - Awards were bestowed on nine giving for his beatification. While sary of the liturgical inauguration of won a Christopher: The Human books. thanksgiving Masses for a beatifica - Experience , which follows two his papacy in 1978. Among them was Thea’s tion—like the observance of a feast Outside Rome and Poland, bish - brothers as they live homeless Song: The Life of Thea Bowman day—usually are limited to places on the streets of New York, take ops will have to file a formal request by John Feister and Charlene where the person lived or worked, with the Vatican to receive permis - care of disabled children in Peru Smith, which chronicled the “the exceptional character of the and visit lepers in Africa as their sion to mark the feast day, the life of the late African-American beatification of the Venerable John way of affirming the inherent decree said. The local-only celebra - convert and Franciscan Sister of Paul II, recognised by the entire dignity of all people. tion of a blessed’s feast is one of the Perpetual Adoration, and The Catholic Church spread throughout The Christopher awards will most noticeable differences between Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Every - the world”, led to a general permis - be conferred on May 19 in New being beatified and being canon - thing: A Spirituality for Real sion for the thanksgiving Mass, said York. Life by Fr James Martin SJ. ised, which makes universal public a decree from the Congregation for Among the television pro - Also awarded was Bonhoeffer: liturgical veneration possible. Divine Worship and the Sacra - The only places where parishes grammes that won Christophers Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Look out next week for our was Making the Crooked Straight , Eric Metaxas, an in-depth look ments. and churches can be named after Bl A local bishop or the superior John Paul without special Vatican Full-PAgE PosTEr the real-life story of a Long at the life and faith of Lutheran of Bl John paul II to mark his general of a religious order is free to permission are in the diocese of Island doctor whose mission to pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer who May 1 beatification. parishes can choose the day or dates as well as Rome and the dioceses of Poland or heal sick children in Ethiopia is called for German churches to order extra copies of the issue, the place or places for the thanks - founded on the Orthodox Jew - speak out against Nazi policies, other places that have obtained spe - dated April 27, from Avril Hanslo ish belief that “he who saves and was killed for his role in a giving Mass, as long as the Masses cific Vatican permission to insert at 021 46 5 5007 or e-mail one life, saves an entire world”. plot to overthrow Hitler.—CNS are celebrated by May 1, 2012, Pope John Paul’s October 22 feast in [email protected] which is one year after the beatifica - their liturgical calendar—CNS.

FRANCISCAN NARDINI SISTERS PO Box 11095, Mariannhill 3624 AUgUst 26-28 (wEEkEnd) 2012 Fr Pierre Lavoipierre : Eucharist - Broken and jAnUARy 3-FEBRUARy 2 Becoming sPiRitUAl EXERCisEs according to st ignatius of loyola. thirty days of prayer and dECEMBER 24-1 jAnUARy meditation A sPiRitUAl ChRistMAs hOlidAy Led by Fr Urs Fischer. “CAthOliC FAith - god’s mysteries in jAnUARy 6-jAnUARy 14 our lives.” 7-Day preached retreat by Fr Declan Doherty: Led by Fr Urs Fischer : ACCEPting thE wAy OF jEsUs jAnUARy 6-jAnUARy 14 7-Day directed retreats By Fr Urs Fischer and Br Crispin

Personally guided retreats may be arranged at any time throughout the year to suit individual need. Blessed paul Joseph Nardini For Bookings: for more information, contact the Vocation Team at Reception: 031 700 2155 Cellphones: Fr Urs Fischer 031 700 2890 P/Bag X9309 PO Box 194 PO Box 12 083 9633848 Fr Urs Fischer Vryheid 3100 Wasbank 2920 Nkandla 3855 Fax 031 700 2738 083 5441504 Bro Crispin 082 7307180 Mrs N Qupa Tel: 03 4 98 1 6158 03 4 65 1 1444 03 5 83 3 0033 Email: [email protected] Fax: 03 4 98 3 2012 03 4 65 1 1096 03 5 83 3 0317

E-mail E-mail: E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 6 The Southern Cross, April 20 to April 26, 2011 LEADER PAGE

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

also prefers more personal, familiar Editor: Günther Simmermacher Don’t stop the music–mind the gap! music, ostensibly less reverential to older generations, while the millen - Guest editorial by Russell Pollitt SJ ITH reference to the type of human Jesus, a form of low Chris - tology. nials (born ’80s to ’00s) are quite Wmusic in the Catholic Church, eclectic and use computers and syn - the book Mind the Gap (Codrington This music is more personal, sub - jective, less doctrinal and intended thesisers. and Marshall, 2004) has something Of course, we can argue that to allow for the expression of inti - Live the Resurrection interesting to say about the genera - there are the classics which tran - mate love and joy in the Lord. It is tion gap. scend time and the generations. has risen from the dead and The so-called “silent” generation interesting to note that the folk There are also special trends which AVE you ever wondered that, in our own lives, some of (born 1920s-’40s) was accustomed groups of today still feature many of over-ride generations, as does the why our churches over - our stories end in happy end - to organ music. I would add that the boomer generation, with grey type of rhythmic Pentecostal music, Hflow on Ash Wednesday ings. Can we identify and name the hymns tended to be of a high hair or no hair, middle-age spreads much of which comes from the and the like! and Good Friday, but on Easter those stories? Christological nature, emphasising United States. The boomer music style is of Sunday the number of congre - The Good News of the resur - the divinity of Christ. The Discernment is needed to judge course out of date for the subse - gants reflect those of any other rection has a dramatic effect on “boomer” generation (born ’40s- the suitability of a particular song, quent generations, who have wit - Sunday? the disciples—from being fear - ’60s) have a clear preference for but there needs to be allowance for nessed battles between the boomers Is it a sign of what we really ful “runaways” they become more folky and rock-orientated the different sub-cultures and the music. and silent generation about music believe? Or might it be that we bold witnesses! The Good News different generations. Mind the Many of these folksy hymns por - and liturgical style. Apparently, the Gap! have become so accustomed to of the resurrection gives them a tray a more personal Christ; a more Xer generation (born ’60s to ’80s) Fr Pierre Goldie , Cape Town living in a society which relent - new found confidence in them - lessly drenches us with bad selves and God. It gives them news that we find it much easi - new vision and empowers them own impact assessment, which it Pope John Paul II one Easter. er to identify with the ash and to tell others. Our good news The Church and chooses to ignore. Most troubling - When the pope arrived to cele - the cross? stories will do the same. ly, despite quite respectable spend - brate Holy Mass, the pilgrim, Perhaps we hear so few sto - How different our country Cosatu ing, the quality of our education beaming with joy and love, tried ries with a happy ending that would be (and our own state of F our Catholic hierarchy and system ranks dismally, even along - to run up to him. Remembering we are no longer attuned to mind?) if we had a “resurrec - Iinstitutions concur with Cosatu side poorer countries. earlier murder attempts, some good news. Bad news (in all its tion” story as the lead story on secretary-general Zwelinzima Vavi In much of this, incidentally, security men quite rightly inter - forms) is all around us; it’s TV and in our newspapers every about the relationship between his Cosatu has been deeply complicit. vened. Unfortunately they went become our staple diet in South day? federation and the Church (“‘Life - Its teaching affiliate, the South beyond the call of duty, beating Africa. I had a powerful encounter time allies’ Cosatu and bishops Africa Democratic Teachers’ the pilgrim off with savage brutali - It’s easy for us to tell the bad with a 16-year-old in a trauma give the poor hope”, March 23), Union, deserves a special mention ty and throwing him down a flight for unprofessionalism to the detri - news stories; it’s easy for us to ICU. She was a victim of a ter - this is a position that requires of stairs where he lay in agony; his ment of the poor (whom they point to all that is wrong in our rorist attack. She almost lost explanation. look of ecstasy changed to one of own lives and in our country. I cannot fathom how the pas - claim to serve). And part of its own baffled incredulity in an instant. one of her legs completely and solution to the education malaise The media remind us constant - toral and prophetic role of the Catholicism’s bloodied history is a the other was seriously dam - is to abolish private schools, ly of the ever-present ash and aged. Many of her companions Church can be reconciled with an monument to the fact that not all “alignment” to an organisation including, I presume, those operat - actions by Catholics are performed cross. Yet our Christian story lost their lives in the bomb. In a ed by its “lifetime allies”. does not end like so many sto - that is unambiguously committed in a Christ-like manner. second her life was changed, to a political party, and against What to do? “Struggle”, says Mr ries around us, it does have a the brutal inhumanity of one While I found the fable other parties—and which pro - Vavi. Maybe. Or we could use our thought-provoking, I considered happy ending—the ending we group towards another. Every claims a commitment to Marxism- votes to hold rulers accountable. the quip about the virgins in heav - celebrate on Easter Sunday. day she was fighting to keep her Government could actually per - Leninism to boot. en, ascribed by Mr Moerdyk to the The resurrection of Jesus does form the mundane business of legs and underwent many surgi - The article raises important traffic policeman, as being unwor - not deny the bad news—he governance. It could take corrup - cal procedures. issues, but let me suggest that its thy of The Southern Cross . It is one confronts and experiences bad tion seriously. It could institute One day she was in the most premise is faulty. The poor do not of those jokes we tell because we news like we do. However, the achievable growth-oriented poli - indescribable pain and the need “hope”. They need results. cannot resist the temptation to bad news was not the end of threat of infection loomed. No one questions the seriousness cies. It could reform the regulatory and labour regimes to incentivise repeat and which we can’t help the story for Jesus—and it Through her tears she told me of poverty, or of inequality, or of chortling about guiltily. But in the shouldn’t be for us either. that she hated what had hap - the need for employment as a employment creation. It could stand up to SADTU and ensure end we are left with egg on our Jesus, in his resurrection, sees pened to her and found it so means of addressing it. face. In humanity’s seemingly beyond the bad news and sad that people could do this to To create jobs, we need job and that teachers attend diligently to the education of their charges— unavailing struggle for unity and invites us to do the same. It each other. Then she told me, wealth creators—real entrepre - and reward those who excel. It ecumenism, no good has ever wasn’t easy for him and it isn’t and this was beyond compre - neurs. Economists advise us to come of ridiculing another’s look for the incentives in a system could listen to warnings about the easy for us (remember, after his hension, how she couldn’t hold consequences of its policies. beliefs, no matter how extraordi - resurrection Jesus’ hands and this against them: “I forgive to predict its outcomes. South nary. Africa’s record here is disappoint - This latter option is less dramat - feet still bear the wounds of cru - them”, she said. Moreover, there is a command - ing. An environment within which ic and romantic than Mr Vavi’s, cifixion). Like Jesus our wounds This was a moment of resur - ment against the irreverent use of enterprises can grow and take on but I’ll leave it to your judgment should not be and are not the rection. In the midst of her bad our Lord’s name. Why couldn’t new staff has not been created. which will have a better outcome. end of our story. news I heard words of good Indeed, in many respects, the Scripture cautions that not the American tourist have said; Our celebration of Easter is a news. This young lady, like reverse is true: a cumbersome and everyone who says “Lord, Lord” “Holy smoke!”? The Southern Cross proclamation of our triumph Jesus, was triumphant over the costly regulatory framework; a will enter heaven. Perhaps similar contributors should be made aware over the ash and the cross. It is forces of darkness. She taught labour regime that discriminates reservations are in order about that in a Catholic newspaper the an invitation to us to name me something about resurrec - against small businesses and the people speaking for “the poor”? holy name of our Lord Jesus Christ experiences of victory over bad tion. unemployed; inadequate and Marti Wenger , DA MP is used exclusively with love, care news in our lives and in our All of us have a good news poorly maintained infrastructure; and respect and never as an exple - world. story to tell, and it doesn’t have uncertainty over property protec - tive. When in Rome, do as the We are invited out of the to be dramatic. Celebrate your tion; a state that in many areas is When in Rome Romans do. tomb of bad news (death) and story with Jesus’ resurrection; politicised, corrupt and dysfunc - hris Moerdyk’s skilfully plotted Luky Whittle , Kroonstad defeat into the glorious light of rejoice in the triumph he won. tional. Cfable “The Terrorist. The Vati - n The dramatic conclusion to the resurrection. It is a celebration Live the resurrection, not the As I write this, draft labour leg - can. The Sign” (March 23), story hinges on the tourist’s use of the in which we rejoice that Jesus ash and cross. islation is under consideration that reminds me of a story told about a expletive. Its use in the story is in no will severely undermine job cre - pilgrim who had walked through way approving of irreverence to the ation–according to government’s Europe, partly on bare feet, to see Lord’s name.—Editor

Comboni m issionaries HOLY SITES TRAVEL Founded by Saint HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE Daniel Comboni organised by Kreste Modisa Parish OCTOBER 2011 Contact: Elna Ferreira on 082 975 0034, E-Mail: [email protected], Website: www.holysites.co.za

ESTABLISHED 1982 OR F O R D Professional supervision We are committed as Priests or Brothers to EVANGELISATION CoNsTruCTIoN and DEVELOPMENT in Africa, Europe, America and Asia Project Management Join us in bringing the Specialists in: New Houses • Renovations • Alterations good news to the world • Additions • painting • plumbing Contact Father Vincent Mkhabela 07 6 97 5 6846 • Property Management and Care or write to Vocation Co-ordinator for Advice call Julian orford B.Sc. (Civ.Eng) Comboni Study Centre, P.O. Box 73514 Tel: (021) 79 4 5552 fax: (021) 79 4 7088 0040 Lynnwood Ridge, Pretoria Cell: 082 49 3 0563 E-mail: [email protected] LETTERS PAGE The Southern Cross, April 20 to April 26, 2011 7

Jesus always showed that he stood Muslim Qur’an mentions Jesus must be guided by Vatican II’s Nos - source was omitted. Islam claims Which Church? for the most down-trodden in soci - and Mary, and knows the names tra Aetate which recommends that to be tolerant, but the tract points T seems to me that Brian Robert - ety, and that we must therefore of other biblical persons. These are we forget the many hostilities of out that non-Muslim religions are Ison (“Fiddling while Rome work for the necessary justice to superficial resemblances in Islam the past and strive for mutual forbidden in Saudi Arabia. burns”, April 6) might have been alleviate their plight. Note, not that block all acceptance of Jesus understanding, foster social jus - Fr Clohessy says I have forgot - struck by the lightning of rela - charity, but justice to transform Christ as the Son of God and the tice, moral values, peace and free - ten the basic principle that reli - tivism. their lives, as opposed to only pro - Saviour of mankind. The Muslim dom, difficult as it is with funda - gious principles should not be Conscience allows us to con - viding handouts which is as good belief that those “whose balances mentalist Islam, where there is a judged by practice. I have not for - ceive of good and evil, but the as temporary relief always is. What shall be heavy, shall be blest” (Sura clear lack of reciprocity, as referred gotten, but sometimes principles unguided conscience too readily was that old expression about 13:102, 140) is as far as can be to by Fr Clohessy, and in Pope inform the practices. The sixth pil - wallows in the treacherous seas of teaching someone to fish, as from Catholic Christianity’s teach - John Paul’s Redemptoris Missio lar of Islam is “Jihad” or Holy war relativism. The Church guides our opposed to giving a fish? ing that we attain salvation by which stresses the necessity to pro - against the Infidel. Jews or Chris - consciences with the wisdom gar - A good example was given grace and faith in Jesus Christ, claim Jesus Christ as the only Way, tians can convert or are “given the nered from the Holy Spirit, and about the compassionate villagers manifested in graced good works Truth and the Life (Jn 14:6), while additional alternative of submis - without this guidance, we are dan - always helping the injured and of love (Gal 5:6). treating Muslims with sincere sion and tribute”— The World’s reli - gerously adrift. dying found floating down-stream Genesis 22:10 has Isaac, not Ish - respect and recognising in them gions , JND Anderson. Misguided consciences allow from around a bend in a river: mael (as in the Qur’an) as the one “glimpses of truth”. The Catholics for Truth tract abortions, terrorism, sexual abuse, charity; but no one went upstream who Abraham is to sacrifice. John Lee , Johannesburg ends by quoting Nostra Aetate in and every other evil, thus I ask to check out what terrible things According to the Qur’an, the angel which Muslims and Christians which church? Certainly not were happening: justice. Gabriel appeared to Mary in the should strive for “mutual under - Church (with uppercase C)! Most telling was the bishops’ form of a man who was in fact the Qu’ran revisited standing, moral values and free - I pray that the “We are Church” observation that the letters page in Holy Spirit, through whose union ATHER Christopher Clohessy dom”. Dialogue is a two-way street though. group is not busy informing the The Southern Cross overflows with with Mary, Jesus was conceived, dismisses the book Facts on F Peter Onesta, Johannesburg consciences of good Christians discussions about a host of issues, yet also says that Jesus was no Islam by John Ankerberg and John that they can follow the dictates of but the deeper causes of injustice more than an apostle of God, the Weldon (March 30). Fr Clohessy their unguided concepts of good in our society are hardly confront - son of Mary, born from the dust. says that the authors “hail from a Power of pilgrimage and evil. Release from the bonds of ed. In the Qur’an there is no Joseph. fundamentalist Protestant back - eaders may be considering guilt, if indeed there is guilt, With local government elec - The Qur’an also states that ground and who are as anti- Roverseas travel during 2011 and comes from rehabilitation of the tions upon us, let us pray for guid - Mary went into the wilderness in Catholic as they are anti-Muslim”. I would like to suggest the Holy guilty person, not from liberation ance and examine our Christian the east and gave birth to Jesus However, I don’t care whether Land as a destination. of the conscience from Godly conscience in the light of seeing under a palm tree laden with fruit. they are Protestant or not or that For any Christian, the area of guidance. God rejoices at one sin - the complete picture, judging in After giving birth, Mary, hungry the book is not about Catholics. the Middle East encompassing ner doing penance. the light of the teachings of the and exhausted, shook the tree (sic) Their objective is to show what Israel and the Palestinian territo - It is God’s energy (Holy Spirit) Gospel and the Church, and then and ate the fruit that fell to the Islam believes and where it differs ries, Jordan and Egypt, offer an and love that is able to revitalise acting upon injustices. ground. The infancy narratives in from the Bible. undeniable attraction. This is and guide us into following good - James Dryja, Justice and Peace St Luke’s gospel were according to Here is another “horrible” quo - where Jesus was born, lived, ness, and from this goodness must group, Roodepoort parish tradition narrated by Mary herself tation from the Qur’an taken from taught, healed the sick, was cruci - emanate acts of goodness, so that to the evangelist, Luke. How can that book: “God guides not the fied and rose again. the fires of the self-absorbed fid - two such differing narratives both people of the unbelievers...the After leading pilgrimages to the dlers are extinguished, and the Raise a voice be true? The Qur’an’s testimony of Messiah (Jesus) said, Children of Holy Land in recent years, I have whole of society is benefitted. INCERE thanks to Chris Jesus and Mary was recorded 600 Israel, serve God (Allah), my Lord set up a website www.seetheholy - I believe that Bishop Barry SMoerdyk for his poignant, beau - years after the events, while the and your Lord. Verily who so asso - land.net providing descriptions and Wood, the auxiliary in Durban tifully told story (March 23). Sin - New Testament conveys eye-wit - ciates with God anything, God photographs of more than 70 holy whom Prof Robertson quotes, is a cere thanks to The Southern Cross ness or first-hand testimony of the shall prohibit his entrance to Par - places, to encourage more Chris - staunch proponent of the Church, for having the courage to publish life and ministry of Jesus. adise, and his refuge shall be the tians, especially from the , to go as which ever urges more societal it. Muslims maintain they have Fire, and wrong doers shall have pilgrims. action on the part of all of us One can only hope that there two guardian angels and therefore no helpers. They are unbelievers Besides the real spiritual benefit whose consciences are, and should will be many more voices raised in bow to the left and the right dur - who say ‘God is the third of three’. Christians receive from visiting be, stung by the surfeit of bad in much needed constructive criti - ing prayer. Some of these beliefs No God is there but one God.” places associated with the life of every society. cism of the monolithic structure sound remarkably like those of cer - As the authors point out, this Christ, pilgrimages to the Holy I exhort Prof Robertson to exer - that reigns as “The Church” tain Christian splinter groups, passage states that those who hold Land are a positive way to express cise his psychiatric expertise into where, in fact, the kingdom of widespread during Mohamed’s that Christ is God are unbelievers, solidarity with the declining num - provoking us into action, and rec - God should be fostered. life-time in Arabia and with as are those who believe in the ber of Christians still living there ommending practical means of Bernard Straughan, whom, doubtless, he came into Trinity or associate Allah with under difficult conditions. confronting these tragic and bad Cape Town contact. For what reason do Mus - Jesus; their punishment is the Fire. Pat McCarthy, Auckland, societal issues. lims accord Mary such high status Note that Jesus himself says this, New Zealand Dr John Straughan, Cape Town when her Son, Jesus, is nothing thus contradicting what he states Question of beliefs but a minor prophet? about himself in the Bible (Luke ANY thanks to Fr Christopher With regard to the death of 10:22). This passage contradicts opinions expressed in The Southern Work for justice Clohessy, our local expert on Jesus, the Qur’an also states “they what Fr Clohessy says about Cross , especially in Letters to the Editor, M do not necessarily reflect the views of the ISHOP Barry Wood’s article on Islam from a Catholic perspective, neither killed nor crucified him; it “going to hell” for belief in the Editor or staff of the newspaper, or of the Bjustice (March 16) is nothing for his enlightening “The Qur’an had only the appearance of it” Incarnation or the Trinity. Catholic hierarchy. The letters page in par - short of brilliant, as was your inci - sadly misquoted” (March 30). (Sura 4:157). Astoundingly, the The point of about reciprocity I ticular is a forum in which readers may sive front-page sub-heading Many Catholics mistakenly Qur’an confuses Miriam, the sister took from the pamphlet Catholics exchange opinions on matters of debate. Letters must not be understood to neces - description of the article, “Why believe that there is much in com - of Moses, and the Virgin Mary for Truth , tract No II, and the last sarily reflect the teachings, disciplines or justice trumps charity”. mon between Islam and Catholic (also Miriam). sentence of my letter was a direct policies of the Church accurately. Bishop Wood emphasised that Christianity, simply because the Our attitudes towards Muslims quote from the tract, although the

Tony Wyllie & Co. Catholic Funeral Home Personal and Dignified 24-hour service 469 Voortrekker Rd, Maitland Tel: 021 593 8820 48 Main Rd, Muizenberg Tel: 021 788 3728 Member of the NFDA

HOLY SITES TRAVEL TEL: 082 975 0034 / FAX: 086 552 9648 E-MAIL:[email protected] WEB SITE: www.holysites.co.za Join us on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land as we explore the cradle of Christianity and follow the footsteps of Jesus . Visit: pray in the Holy grotto where gabriel appeared to The Virgin Mary Visit the Holy Manger where Jesus was born Sea of galilee – by its waters Jesus chose his first disciples Renew your baptismal vows in the Jordan River Walk the Via Dolorosa Light a candle for your loved ones on Calvary For more details contact Elna Ferreira Tel: 082 975 0034 8 The Southern Cross, April 20 to April 26, 2011 Students’ joy at converting

Easter, the season of rebirth, campus. While Kolbe House tries to going to Kolbe House with a friend advertise, there are some residences and liked the environment. She is traditionally a time for that allow no religious parapherna - said the faith journey at Kolbe converts to be received into lia to be displayed, and “the univer - House had led her to believe that sity can be tricky to work with”, Fr even if things don’t work out, she the Church. CLAIRE MATH - Pugin said. Despite this, Cape Town will keep her new found Catholic IESoN spoke to five university boasts one of the most active cam - faith. pus chaplaincies in South Africa, Similarly Tiapiwa Tevera, from students who are joining the and Fr Pugin is the country’s only Zimbabwe, said friends invited him Catholic Church. full time chaplain. to Kolbe house and he reconnected Those that come to Kolbe House with the faith that was the basis of really want to. It is either word of his schooling. He has had a long ASTER is a time for renewal. mouth or dedication that brings relationship with Kolbe House, University is a place of study new students to the chaplaincy, and attending from his undergraduate Eand personal development. it is a vibrant student community days. He is now studying towards These two factors have been that keeps them there. Kolbe house his masters in Material Engineering. combined at Kolbe House, the buzzes with activity even on a Fri - He feels that “it is in the Catholic Catholic chaplaincy at the Universi - day night! Church that I feel my most personal ty of Cape Town, where five stu - Originally from Chad, Roandje relationship with God”, but has dents are about to convert to Nadjiasngar is studying towards his taken him a while to become a Catholicism, having undergone the PhD in Engineering and has been Catholic because it was only recent - Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults attempting to convert to Catholi - ly that he felt confident enough to (RCIA) course. cism most of his life. He missed the tell his Pentecostal family of his The five students are from beginning of the catechism course decision. New converts to Catholicism are pictured with their chaplain Jesuit father around Africa and are highly edu - at school and had to remain a year Despite his initial concerns, Mr graham pugin. (Seated from left) Christoph Toukam, Tiapiwa Tevera, cated. According to Fr Graham behind his friends in order to make Tevera has received his family’s sup - Roandje Nadjiasngar and sponsor zena Tahwa, and standing franck Pugin SJ, UCT’s Catholic chaplain, up for it. Mr Nadjiasngar attempted port because the environment of his Essomba and gabaza Mashele. (photo: Claire Mathieson) the students are incredibly dedicat - again in boarding school, but life choice is “moral”. He said his ed to more than just their studies. missed the catechism again. So, family was convinced by his confi - He said becoming Catholic had “It’s permissible to be Christian on when he came to Cape Town he dence in the religion. made him a better person. Since campus, but to be Catholic—that’s decided this would be the time he ut not everyone in the converts’ being at Kolbe House, he has gained definitely not the norm. Catholics got it right. lives has been entirely open to confidence in the relationships he are just not making an impact,” Fr B conversion to Catholicism. Actuari - has built. “It’s no longer an experi - Pugin said. Mr Nadjiasngar had always con - al Science student Franck Essomba ence being here, but a feeling,” he The five converts have come to sidered himself a Catholic and knew from Cameroon said his brother said. Kolbe House to learn and live a it was what he wanted but he said had been reluctant to consider the And it’s this “feeling” that Fr Catholic life. Fr Pugin said they he couldn’t be a Catholic until he Catholic Church because of the Pugin has most noticed in the arrived without their parents and really was. Completing the course, family’s strong Pentecostal beliefs. group. He said in the last month without external pressures. “These no matter how many times he Despite this, Mr Essomba said his there has been a “real deepening of students come because they want attempted, was really important to passion for the Catholic faith had faith and the students are on a com - to.” him. not dwindled and he was excited pletely different level to when they Kolbe House, while not hidden, ifth-year medical student Gabaza about his conversion and because of started the course”. is often overlooked. Located on the Mashele from Johannesburg Christoph Toukam (pictured) said at F this passion, his family was now The students have been prepar - outskirts of the university’s grounds, said she came to “check out the Kolbe House he has discovered a happy for him. ing for 12 months and will receive it is on a popular walkway but hard - Catholic Church” for marriage. new journey which he is eager to Another student from the Eucharist on Easter Sunday. ly eye-catching. It is home to the “My boyfriend is Catholic and we take with his new-found faith. Cameroon, Christoph Toukam, said While this is one of the bigger Cape Town branch of the Associa - plan on getting married. But I was while he was sent to a Catholic groups of converts and despite a peace and in her relationship she tion of Catholic Students (ACTS), Pentecostal and he was Catholic. A school, he still felt nervous about great sense of enthusiasm, it hasn’t has found greater understanding, but the society is not given much compromise had to be made,” she telling his mother of his conversion. been an easy ride. Fr Pugin said uni - security and has been brought clos - freedom to have a big presence on said. Ms Mashele said she started versity students ask many more er to her boyfriend, and Mr Toukam questions than usual. “At this time said he thought he had become a in their lives, the students are work - better person by being “less selfish.” ing out their spirituality and what With their reception into the place God has in their lives.” Church nearing, there is much He said working with students excitement. When asked what they was immensely challenging but also were most looking forward to, they immensely rewarding. unanimously replied: “Finally The students have been well pre - receiving the Eucharist.” pared to live as Catholics. This For Mr Nadjiasngar, finally being includes dealing with criticism for able to say he is Catholic will be the Church’s actions. “One Catholic considered his “greatest achieve - cannot control what everyone else ment.” He said he can’t wait to see does. One person may receive bad in what direction he will end up publicity for an action but it doesn’t serving the Church. have to affect me,” said Zena Fr Pugin said he was incredibly Tahwa, a third-year Actuarial Sci - proud of what had been achieved. ence student from Zimbabwe who is These students are highly educated sponsoring one of the converts. and well-travelled, and yet their Mr Tevera added that saying one main goal at the moment is to jour - is Catholic and being Catholic are ney with God. The excitement and two different things. He said the energy in the room is contagious RCIA course had prepared him to and one can’t help but feel fully live a Catholic life. The other enthused by their Catholic vigour. students agreed, saying they were “The sincerity and depth these proud to be becoming Catholic. young people are showing today is The students have noticed mindboggling!” said Fr Pugin, sum - changes in themselves. Mr Essomba ming up the intensity this group said he felt more settled, Ms has not only for converting, but Mashele said it had brought her also for becoming great Catholics.

KRUGER PARK VIVA SAFARIS (Member of SATSA) SCHEDULED DAILY SAFARIS TO KRUGER PARK Fly-in and overland tours. See www.vivasafaris.com

Viva Safaris is engaged with 4 projects aimed at the upliftment of the Acornhoek community, including the COMBONI MISSIONARIES’ OUTSTATION

Father Xico with partially www.volunteersafaris.co.za completed church building

082 450 9930 Trevor Reservations: 082 444 7654 Piero 082 506 9641 Anthony PERSPECTIVES The Southern Cross, April 20 to April 26, 2011 9

Toni Rowland Towards an African Pentecost! family friendly that demands more than a good feeling, T the end of the African Synod II in but a persevering effort that endures even Evans Chama SMA October 2009 the reaction of the the dryness of emotional consolation in Aparticipants was like: “Were our confidence and faith in the One in whose Reflections on the hearts not burning?” mission we are only helpers. This trans - African Synod There was a feeling not just of relief forming power of the spirit will start tak - A peace the world for having finally reached the end, but ing effect with a change of mentality. also a remarkable sense of satisfaction for Africa has suffered great wounds in cannot give the job done. They didn’t hesitate to history: slave trade, colonialism, injustice In the interventions of Sudanese Car - describe it as a “new Pentecost”. at international trade, the on-going wars dinal Gabriel Zubeir Wako of Khartoum VER since I chose the theme for the Easter Pentecost? Really? Perhaps strange! fanned most often by external people and his auxiliary, Bishop Daniel Marco month of April namely, “A peace the world Was it because they were still in Rome who are blind to the horrible suffering of Kur Adwok, we find a very significant Ecannot give”, I have been mulling over what enjoying the fraternity, good ambience, the innocent people just because for position in shaping the mentality of both that statement really means. buoyed by the idealism of the proposals them it’s an occasion to gain. African Church and African society. It was part of the Last Supper discourse from while still far, a good break, from their Yet, despite all that, Africa is not just a They observed that the most impor - John’s gospel and similar words were also used as struggles in Africa and dioceses? Was it passive victim. The injustice and oppres - tant thing for us Africans is not to surren - his greeting after the Resurrection by Jesus saying what they experienced there and then or sion is not just something coming from der to the ills we suffered in the past, but to his disciples: “Peace I give you. My own peace. A as hope of the fruit after applying those without to which Africa is forced to sub - that we should stand up with full force, peace the world cannot give.” propositions? mit. There are many Africans who them - despite our limitedness, to reconstruct Each sentence is significant, particularly at this Was it not, therefore, too early to selves are active oppressors of their own our society; a project which demands of time with so much non-peace in the world. Peace speak of Pentecost? people; they earn their bread by making us believing in ourselves first. can be seen as the absence of war. It is most often Anyway, whatever we may speculate, victims their own people. This is kairos . At the pool of Bethesda, seen as tranquillity and calm. One description for we cannot take from them the joy, and To move forward for a change, the the paralysed man had Jesus in front of peace as “the tranquillity of order” takes it a bit the satisfaction they experienced. It was a African society needs a very serious intro - him, the opportune time for recovering further. Things have to be right not just calm, so marvel at Rome, but the bishops at least spection. his well-being, but he nearly squandered some action is required. had no intention of building tents in Moreover, real change and develop - it all in accusing others. I interviewed Fr Sean O’Leary of the Denis Hur - Rome. They were determined to come ment will not come by crying over what “Do you want to be well again?” Jesus ley Peace Institute on the question, and he began down the mountain to their churches. others have done to us. In fact, every asked the man. “Sir,” replied the sick by saying “people are inherently good”, meaning And so what they experienced was only a country on earth has a story to tell. The man, “I have no one to put me into the most people, as he did admit that there are those foretaste; the real Pentecost would come countries that we call developed or devel - pool when the water is disturbed; and leaders who have exceeded the bounds of reason when the fire of the Spirit descended oping nations—for example Spain, Rus - while I am still on the way, someone else and may even be incapable of rational judgment. which would burn and transform into sia, Brazil, China or India—will tell sto - gets down there before me.” Jesus said: Most people are concerned for a better world, for itself the hopes and pains of their flock in ries of oppression, invasion and pesti - “Get up, pick up your sleeping-mat and themselves and for their children. Africa. lence they endured for centuries. walk around” (Jn 5:6-8). Could we be far Is that not the kind of peace Jesus brings, a The true measure of the Pentecost is In some Western nations too, flourish - from squandering our kairos —our peace of right relationships, not a peace of worldly when the entire African Church wel - ing as they may be today, things were favourable time? benefits, of exerting power and control over oth - comes the fruit of the Synod and begins not always rosy. They went through wars, Of course, we have a history to tell, a ers, of oppression and suppression? Such a peace is living it. The descent of the Spirit hap - dictatorial and repressive rule; each true and even a sad one. But the solution either self-interested or a tit-for-tat situation: “if pened on a certain morning, but the nation has a sad story to tell. But they to our situation today lies not in the sad you don’t shoot/steal/misbehave, I will do the transformation has been on-going in the have moved forward without having to history, but very much in the attitude same”, or vice versa. Church. disown their true, sad history. with which we rise up to our challenges My question concerns the motivation to In that case, what the Synod Fathers Surely, we too must move. It’s not the with the means available to us. achieve the peace Jesus brings? Where is the good - proclaimed as Pentecost was but just the crying over our history that is going to n This concludes Fr Evans Chama’s series of will to give, forgive, share and sacrifice for others beginning of such long and huge work develop Africa. reflections on the Second African Synod. coming from if not from a relationship with him, a surrender, trust, letting go, letting God. Jesus him - self has been our model, been there, done that. He doesn’t have the T-shirt, he has the cross—and I could not even hazard a guess as to how many Ron Rolheiser OMI crosses exist or are displayed in and on churches, Saved by one man’s sacrifice homes, classrooms, round necks and in pockets. point of Reflection But it is not only about the cross. We are not One of the things that helped me in E are saved by the death of just Good Friday people. We are Resurrection peo - that quest was a counsel from Edward ple who can experience the joy—and peace—of Jesus! All Christians believe this. Schillebeeckx who, in his ground-break - This is a central tenet within the renewed life, new life. Maybe our attitude needs W ing book on Jesus as the Sacrament of looking into and changing. Christian faith and the centre of almost that body had been broken on the cross, God, stated simply that we have no meta - the full extent of the gift of God in Christ All this applies equally to family life. Keeping all Christian iconography. physics within which to explain this. CH Jesus’ death on a cross changed histo - and its transforming possibilities for the peace as a means to avoiding conflict and violence Dodd, whom I will quote below, simply human race could not be known or is a false peace. Authoritarian parenting, just being ry forever. The effect of his death so states, “there was more here than could marked the world that, not long after he remotely foreseen. the boss and instilling fear rather than genuine be accounted for upon the historical or C H Dodd describes how Jesus’ death respect, is a false peace. Authoritative parenting, died, the world began to measure time human level. God was in it.” Part of this by him. We are in the year 2011 since ricochets through history in these words: which is still not necessarily democratic, applies is mystery. Jesus was born. There was more here than could be discipline but respects the rights of the child too. But, with those limits being admitted, But how does this work? How can one accounted for upon the historical or “He who loves disciplines a child”, taken from the I want to offer here two passages, one person’s death ricochet through history, human level. God was in it. The creative book of Proverbs, is the May family theme. from Thomas Keating and the other from going backwards and forwards in time, purpose of God is everlastingly at work in Every family, some more so than others, have being somehow beyond time, so as to C H Dodd that, for me at least, have been this world of his. It meets resistance from their moments of peace, when all is well with their effect past, present, and future all at the helpful in trying to understand some - the recalcitrant wills of men. relationships and, like peace at any level, it needs same time, as if that death was forever thing which is for a large part ineffable. If at any point human history should to be worked for. But families do have the happening at the present moment? Is Keating’s insight is more mystical and become entirely non-resistant to God, undoubted advantage of the natural love that is at this simply some mystery and meta - poetic, but wonderfully stunning; Dodd’s perfectly transparent to his design, then the heart of family life and exists even in troubled physics inside of the Godhead that isn’t is more phenomenological, but equally from that point the creative purpose families. This itself is the love of God. meant to be understood within any of helpful: would work with unprecedented power. Fr Michael Murphy, in the current issue of Mar - our normal categories? Thomas Keating offers his comment in That is just what the perfect obedience riage and Family Living magazine, gives an imagina - Too often, I believe, the answer we response to a question: Have we ever real - of Jesus affected. Within human nature tive description of the peace the world cannot give: were given was simply this: It’s a mys - ly understood how we are saved by Jesus’ and human history he established a point “Lost in safe hands”, like a little child totally trust - tery. Believe it. You don’t have to under - death more than two millennia ago? of complete non-resistance to the will of ing of its father, lost in the hands of Jesus. stand it. Scripture provides examples of persons God, and complete transparency to his Our task is not only to lose ourselves but to pro - And there’s wisdom in that. How we who actually had an insight into this— design. vide those safe hands for others, starting at home, are washed clean in the blood of Christ is for instance, Mary of Bethany, anointing As we revert to that moment, it and especially for those most vulnerable, our little something we understand more in the Jesus at Simon the leper’s house. By becomes contemporary and we are laid children, teenagers, older people. If our children gut than in the head. We know its truth, breaking the alabaster jar of very expen - open to the creative energy perpetually do not experience peace at home how can they even when we don’t understand it. sive perfume over the whole body of working to make man after the image of become peace-loving citizens? Indeed we know its truth so deeply that Jesus and filling the house with that gor - God. The obedience of Christ is the May has been designated by our bishops as a we risk our whole lives on it. I wouldn’t geous scent, she seems to have intuited release of creative power for the perfect - month to focus on Family and Life. The invitation be a minister of the Gospel and a priest what Jesus was about to do on the cross. ing of human life. A decision taken by a is issued to the whole Church, not just those today if I didn’t believe that we are saved The authorities were set on killing him. great man or woman can alter every directly involved in family ministry. Let us all work through the death of Jesus. But how to What her lavish gesture symbolised aspect of life, for the present and for all to strengthen our own and all other families. Let explain it? was the deepest meaning of Jesus’ pas - that comes after. us pray for a greater awareness of the need to build In my quest as a theologian and sim - sion and death. The body of Christ is the Our moral actions all leave a trace, and heal the relationships of the many families ply in my search to integrate my Christ - jar containing the most precious perfume and sometimes if that moral act is equiv - that are broken and hurting. ian faith, I have searched for concepts, of all time, namely, the Holy Spirit. It alent to splitting the atom that effect That is the way to achieve the peace of Jesus, imaginative constructs, and a language was about to be broken open so that the lasts forever. Jesus’ death split the moral the peace the world cannot give. within which to understand and explain Holy Spirit could be poured out over the atom. this: How can one man’s death 2 000 whole of humanity—past, present, and to n Fr Ron Rolheiser’s weekly reflections years ago be an act that saves us today? come—with boundless generosity. Until appear at www.ronrolheiser.com

NEW FOR 2011• ALL WELCOME! 30 September to 10 October CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE KING 50th ANNIVERSARY PILGRIMAGE Celebrate with them by visiting Holy Land Christian sites — Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, to name but a few, and Old Cairo where the Holy Family hid from Herod’s soldiers, Mt Sinai, St Catherine’s Monastery in Egypt Organised and led by Rev Shaun Mary Cost: R19 795 Tel: (031) 26 6 7702 Fax: (031) 26 6 8982 Email: [email protected] A list of current pilgrimages can be viewed by clicking on the Valley View Travel icon at www.catholic-friends.com 10 The Southern Cross, April 20 to April 26, 2011 FAITH Monk says he knows what it’s like to be dead

Joseph said, he awoke and noticed the wrong way. A religious brother in the Unit - the clock read exactly 1:45am. “I still wonder if people are ed States believes he knows “I had been like a dead man, ready to hear this, that God is talk - immersed in this encounter for ing with us,” he said. what it is like to be dying, and exactly 30 minutes.” When asked by Catholic News has written a book about it, as A priest guided him to a spiritu - Service how one can tell if an al director who at the time was encounter is from God, one’s self EMILY LAHR reports. planning on doing a film on spiri - or the devil, he offered two basic tual encounters. The spiritual filters to distinguish the difference. director encouraged Br Joseph to The first is that the dream, HE afterlife is a common keep a journal and eventually vision or physical encounter will topic of discussion for a reli - write a book. The manuscript was inspire greater acts of charity. Sec - Tgious brother in Santa Paula, sent to Cardinal Roger Mahony, ondly, he said, the experience California, since the publication of then archbishop of Los Angeles, would increase the person’s faith. his book, Proof of the Afterlife: The for theological review prior to its Sometimes a person can Conversation Continues a book of publication by the Servants of the encounter the devil, he said, but hope, forgiveness and mercy. Father of Mercy. when one says, “Jesus is Lord”, the “People can say: ‘Oh that When people read his book, it devil will dispel. wasn’t just a dream.’ God was hav - helps them to connect the stories Since Christmas 2010, Proof of ing a conversation with their life,” and dreams they have had in their the Afterlife has being sold on on- said Br Gary Joseph, a member of life, Br Joseph said. “They never line bookstores such as Amazon. the Servants of the Father of knew how to interpret them.” “All proceeds of the book are Mercy, an association of vowed There was a woman who had going to Servants of the Father of and lay members in the archdio - told him of her dream about her Mercy congregation serving home - cese of Los Angeles. deceased husband who was wan - less men, women, and children in Br Joseph said he has had dering helplessly and in need of America with food, water, cloth - encounters with God and been her prayers. The book helped her ing, blankets and spiritual involved in conversations with the understand the dream, he said. supplies,” said Br Joseph. afterlife ever since his “near-death Br Joseph said people have “a The Servants follow the Rule of experience” on September 27, fear of dying”, and they remain in St Benedict. The community’s 2005. the dark about it. He hopes his religious brothers and sisters take At 1:15am, “an out of control” book will trigger hope for people. vows of poverty, chastity and obe - heart arrhythmia caused him to “This [book] shows there is dience. Its lay members must collapse and his heart to stop. proof of the afterlife and what you commit themselves to practicing He felt the overpowering pres - do in this life will affect you in the ordered 16 copies to be handed “It’s a perfect match for those with basic Catholic spirituality and ence of God. In that state, accord - next life,” he said. out to relatives and friends. illness. It can give a lot of hope.” serving homeless people at least ing to his book, he was immersed In the few months since his He believes the book can help Although the book has been five hours a month.—CNS in the embracing love of Christ book has been out, Br Joseph said people who have a terminal ill - well-received by many, including n ‘Proof of the Afterlife: The Con - and absorbed spiritual messages. he has already seen its effect on ness, referring to his mother and a Cardinal Mahony, Br Joseph some - versation Continues’ can be ordered at When he was resuscitated, Br families in three cases. One family cousin, who both fought cancer. times worries people will take it www.ServantsoftheFather.org

URSULINE SISTERS OF THE ROMAN UNION “oPEN Your HEArTs To goD’s MErCY AND HE WIll gIVE You EVErYTHINg You NEED” (gospa’s message Nov 25, 2010) “LEAD A NEW LIFE” “WHEREVER THEY ARE, THEY SHOULD SEEK TO SPREAD PEACE AND CONCORD.” FROM THE SECOND COUNCIL OF ST ANGELA MERICI.

THE DIVINE MERCY PARISH, “ALWAYS LET YOUR PRINCIPAL WALKERVILLE RECOURSE BE TOGETHER AT THE FEET OF JESUS CHRIST AND... JESUS CHRIST INVITES EVERYBODY TO THE WILL BE IN YOUR MIDST.” FROM THE LAST LEGACY OF ST ANGELA MERICI. FEAST OF THE DIVINE MERCY

ON SUNDAY 1ST MAY, 2011 For more information: E-mail: [email protected] The Vocations Promoter Tel: 011 706 3520 PO Box 235 www.ursulines.org.za RANT-EN-DAL, 1751 Fax: 011 953 3406 SOCIeTY OF MAss AT 15:00. PrIEsTs AVAIlABlE For CoNFEssIoNs BETWEEN 12 NooN AND 14:30 PrIor To MAss. AFrICAn MISSIOnS www.smainternational.info

JESUS IS PROMISING US THAT THE SOUL THAT GOES TO Jesus is here; he is calling you! CONFESSION AND RECEIVES HOLY COMMUNION ON THIS DAY Come and follow him by joining the SMA Fathers, who are committed to the person and mission of Jesus Christ through WILL OBTAIN TOTAL FORGIVENESS OF ALL SINS AND primary evangelisation and formation of local Church. PUNISHMENT – AN EXTRAORDINARY GIFT THAT IS COMPARABLE TO A NEW BAPTISIM!

ENQUIRIES : FR. STAN 083 468 6985 EDITH 082 495 2879 RONA 083 450 6300

For further information, please contact Fr Justin Inandjo, SMA on: listen on iPhone or Blackberry: http://listenlive-c2p1.ndstream.net:8030 Tel. 016 422 1286 Mobile 072 288 7813 You can also write to: Fr Justin Inandjo, SMA Vocation Director, PO Box 126, Vereeniging, 1930 on DStv audio channel 170 & streamed on www.radioveritas.co.za or e-mail [email protected] PERSPECTIVE The Southern Cross, April 20 to April 26, 2011 11 Making sense of the Bible’s creation account

Besides this, evolution can take place only if We may never know why the world there is something for “something else” to was created, but it was not a random evolve from. event, argues gARY REABoW . Is evolution not a theory based on obser - vations of the world’s flora and fauna in the 19th century, and the assumptions of one man, possibly using probability mathemat - ARLIER this year, articles by Michael ics in trying to account for and to extrapo - Shackleton and Raymond Perrier of the late his assumptions across species? EJesuit Institute South Africa were very Darwin’s “evolutionary tree illustration” interesting, but they also raised some ques - has also not been substantiated and has tions. been judged, by certain authors, to have For example, one may ask what is the sci - been a “dismal failure”; the theory behind entific and/or religious basis for Mr Perrier’s this tree has not been supported by the statement that Genesis “is answering the physical evidence that scientists have found question of why we are here” and how Dar - in fossils over the last 150 years. win “was answering the question of how did For example, prior to the ”Cambrian geo - we get here?” logical period, about 540 million years ago, Genesis, in three different bibles, does there were fossil records of a few worms, not seem to tell the reader “why we are jelly fish, and sponges”. At the beginning of here”. Genesis recounts how God did what the Cambrian period there was the “sudden he did, but not why he did it. appearance of most of the major animal After creating all the creatures on earth, phyla that exist today, as well as some that God decided to make man, presumably on have become extinct”. This change did not the eighth day, in his own image. God does take place gradually as evolutionary theory not say why he did this. predicts and biology requires; it happened Genesis tells us that “God created the suddenly in time, and the timing is support - heavens and the earth. The earth was a vast ed by carbon dating. waste (after it had been created), darkness Darwin’s 1859 theory of how animals covered the deep, and the spirit of God hov - and creatures of a given species in this world ered over the surface of the water.” One thing is very clear in all translations change and evolve to accommodate chang - Michelangelo’s depiction of the creation in the ing conditions and environments was and is I have consulted: originally there was no Sistine chapel, and (right) an artist’s concept of still a ground-breaking tour de force; but the heaven nor was there an earth; this can only the early formative years of the Milky Way mean that there was nothing existing origi - galaxy about 12,7 billion years ago. (photos: step taken by many others in using this nally, and then something happened to Nancy Wiechec & NASA) work to try to explain creation, is many a change this situation. The word creation, in step too far! the context that it was used in the articles, On what grounds did the Pontifical implies the original production of some - does not deal with the creation of the uni - Council for Culture consider the Genesis thing that was not there previously; in fact verse and of planet earth. There must have story of creation to be compatible with the the production of something from nothing. been a sequence of “creations” as Genesis theory of evolution? Evolution can kick in This prompts the next questions; describes; that is, of earth, possibly via and start to take effect only after the cre - • How does Darwin’s theory work if there some atomic occurrence, (or the input of ation of life; not before it. is nothing for something to evolve from? huge amounts of energy along the lines of If the statements in the articles by Messrs That is, in the beginning there was no air or the mass energy equation), followed later Shackleton and Perrier are correct, then the other gas, no electric or magnetic fields, no by the creation of life when environmental Bible is wrong and there is no such thing as conditions permitted this to occur. Surely right or wrong in this world. chemicals, no light, no water—in fact “no other factor/s involved. To illustrate this, a anything” but a possible vacuum? If there Darwin’s theories only come into play after Take God out of creation and what is number of experiments, (starting for exam - had been something present, then science the second event? left? It is certainly not evolution, and it is ple with the Millar “red goo” amino acid would not still be trying to determine what In the case of the first event, science is definitely not a spectacular, randomly, unre - and how it happened. getting ever closer to analysing various ways experiment) and many other attempts have lated, unguided and uncontrolled scientific • Where in Darwin’s The Origin of Species that the universe could have been physically failed in trying to show how life could have incident. is there a basis for creation to have taken created, with the “Big Bang” seemingly the kickstarted itself into existence. God has to have been the initiator of place via an evolutionary process when the most popular theory at present. turning nothing into something. He would very word evolution is defined as “origina - However, science is still a long way from ll these attempts had to assume that possibly have used the laws of science, of tion of species of…by process of develop - explaining how this came about, what trig - Athere was something present at the start which he knew, being the originator of ment from earlier forms?” Clearly “earlier gered it, and why it happened at the precise of the experiment. In Millar’s case he used a them, but exactly how, why and when he forms” is in conflict with there being noth - point in time that it did happen, in a vacu - hydrogen-rich mixture of methane, ammo - did what he did, we may never know. ing there to start with. um without anything being present to fuel nia and water vapor. That mixture has since n Michael Shackleton’s editorial leader referred In reading sections and summaries of and then to trigger the required reactions. been shown to be nothing like what an to by Gary Reabow can be found at The Origins of Species , there does not seem to So how do the authors relate this to Dar - early earthly atmosphere could possibly www.scross.co.za/2011/02/200-years-of- be an explanation or basis to account for win’s theories? have been composed of; after earth had darwinism and Raymond Perrier’s blog “Who evolution being “the silver bullet” for the With the second event, matter cannot been created via the first event. do we think we are” at www.jesuitinstitute. creation of matter and life, and it certainly create itself from nothing; there has to be Evolution is not a science; it is a theory. org.za/en/node/305

GABRIELLE PHILLIP SOUTH AFRICA makers of LITURGICAL VESTMENTS Superior quality at affordable prices Clerical shirts, Cassocks, Server Robes, Choir Robes, Habits, Albs, Surplices, Cottas, etc. (2-3 weeks’ delivery time) Phone/Fax Maggie Pillay 033 39 1320 2/ 083 94 5 3631 Postal address: 9 granadilla Crescent, Newholmes, pietermar - itzburg, 3201 Email :[email protected] Go out to the whole world; Proclaim the Good News! Mark 16:15

Join us as a sister and bring healing and joy to our world The Missionary Sisters of the Assumption Sr Carmel 041 374 5622 [email protected] MSA1101a 12 The Southern Cross, April 20 to April 26, 2011 COMMUNITY

IINN FFOOCCUUSS Edited by: Lara Moses Send photographs, with sender’s name and address on the back, and a SASE to: The Southern Cross, Community Pics, Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000 or email them to: [email protected]

Kwazulu-Natal deacon aspirants and their wives attended a workshop held by Lyn Harrison of the Catholic Bible foundation of South Africa at glenmore pastoral Centre in Durban. (Sub - mitted by germaine Landsberg)

The confirmation group from our Lady of Sorrows parish in Nigel, Johannesburg archdiocese. (from left) John goncalves, Chardonnay Loonat, Cindy Masuku, Claudia Christie, Michael pestana, Claudio pavan, Archbishop Buti Thlagale, Tanya Thomas, Noluvo Mzozoyana, Monica zamarian, olivia Rynders, fr Ken Single.

In preparation for WYD 2011, pilgrims from Sacred Heart in port Elizabeth participated in a seminar on the Teresian form of mental prayer explicated through a mystical reading of the Transfiguration account from the Synoptics. (from left) Nico Bagley, Shinay Terblanche, Bian - ca Bosch and Selwyn goliath. (Submitted by Alexis pillay) Eight members from St Theresa parish in Harare, Khayelitsha, Cape Town, successfully completed training as catechists and are now active in "Handing on the faith" in the Church. (Submitted by Sr MICASA TOURS Monica Shanley IBVM) 50th International Eucharistic Congress DUBLIN, Ireland (with extension to Lourdes) 09 – 22 June 2012 R24 995 Subject to change Terms and Conditions apply Limited place available!! Tel: 01 2 34 2 0179 / 07 2 63 7 0508 (Michelle) E-mail: [email protected]

Bishop fransico De gouveia of outshoorn, assisted by fr Nazer van Tomme, confirmed eight candidates during Mass at St Maria goretti parish in Worcester. (front row, from left) Celdine pekeur, Relton van Wyk, Donovan olivier, felicia van Wyk, fr van Tomme. (Back row) Nadia Marengo, Ryan Links, Emilio Heugh, Nico plaatjies, Bishop De goveia and frans Baardman.

Who are the Norbertines? To misquote William Shakespeare: “A rose by any other name smells just as sweet”

For further info, contact: Vocations Director, St Norbert’s Priory PO Box 48106, Kommetjie, 7976 (Cape Town) OR Tel 021 78 3 1768 Fax 021 78 3 3742 BOOKS The Southern Cross, April 20 to April 26, 2011 13 Book on John Paul II misses nuances THE END AND THE BEGINNING : Catholicism. Coming from commu - recounts what the pope said and did his discussion of the child sex abuse Pope John Paul II—The Victory of nist-ruled Poland, John Paul also from day to day rather than provide scandal. He writes that the failures Freedom, the Last Years, the Lega - brought an urgency to the struggle astute analysis of papal activities. are more the responsibility of cy, by George Weigel. Doubleday, for religious, political and personal Other parts of the book read more national bishops’ conferences than New York, 2010. 565 pp. freedom in the Soviet bloc. Added like a spiritual tract, using the of the pope. Reviewed by Agostino Bono to this was his astute personal expe - pope’s own faith as an example of It is true that Pope John Paul is rience in living under—and negoti - Catholic spiritual values. not responsible for the mushroom - OPE John Paul II was complex ating with—communist leaders, Weigel’s attempt to shed light on ing of abuses as the overwhelming and nuanced as a man and as making him a wily political strate - the Soviet bloc’s war against the majority of the cases happened Phead of the Catholic Church. gist in the end game leading to the pope belabours what has been obvi - before his election. At the same So were the world’s political situa - crumbling of the Iron Curtain. ous for decades: The pope was seen time, bishops’ conferences aren’t tion and the Church’s internal Describing his role in changing by Soviet bloc leaders as a major responsible either and have much dynamics when Karol Wojtyla was world history and reorienting the threat to stability in their countries, less power than the pope to resolve elected pope in 1978. Catholic Church as it was trying to requiring strong actions to neu - the crisis. A pope can remove a bish - He was a key figure in the col - find its feet after the Second Vatican tralise him. Even with the use of op who has covered up abuses. A lapse of the communist-ruled Soviet Council is a difficult and subtle task declassified documents of Soviet national bishops’ conference can’t. empire and he set the Church’s worth pursuing. bloc secret services, though, he fails A pope can tell a bishop what to do tone for almost 27 years, orienting But George Weigel’s book, The to add anything new to the key in his diocese. A national bishops’ its activity through to the end of End and the Beginning , is superficial unanswered issue: Was Mehmet Ali conference can’t. A national bish - the 20th century and into the new despite his qualifications. Weigel Agca, who seriously wounded the ops’ conference can’t remove an Throughout the book, Weigel millennium. wrote a best-selling biography of the pope in 1981, in the pay of the abusive priest from ministry. The paints with too broad a brush, hid - As the first non-Italian pope in pope and is the author of several Soviet Union or one of its surro - pope, through his Vatican agencies, ing rather than illuminating the more than four centuries, he books on the mixing of Catholicism gates? can. complexities of this pope and his brought a new outlook and a cultur - and politics in the public square. In some spots, Weigel shows lit - Weigel is right in blaming local times. al framework to the Vatican for Much of the time, though, he is tle understanding of how the insti - bishops for not solving problems in n Bono is Catholic News Service’s for - understanding and configuring more of a recording secretary. He tutional Church works, such as in their dioceses. mer Rome bureau chief. Stories of Renaissance convent life NUNS BEHAVING BADLY : Tales “incantations, fortunetelling, love crowds of people. Mass at that right kooky, caused consternation of Music, Magic, Art & Arson in charms, but also the possible use of point became too boisterous for for their own convents, and not the Convents of Italy, by Craig A baptised lodestones.” In this Church authorities, who also only for the bishops. By weaving Monson. University of Chicago instance, it was more than just feared that the fame would take fictional dialogues in with the nar - Press, 2010. 264 pp. magic, and sounded like devilry: away from the inner life of reli - rative, Monson’s characters come Re viewed by Brian Welter “He too spoke of the mysterious gious. to life, and readers can get attached levitating object, and of baleful Many nuns became quite to them. EADING strict, enclosed lives, howling, clashing of swords and famous at the local level through Donna Christina, starved for the need for fresh air or escape mysterious lights in the night. music, which shows the important culture, had a local priest, Don Gia - Lsometimes proved too much Some of the sisters were possessed.” roles nuns and convents played in comelli, sneak her out to the local for some nuns. Or, bored and intel - On one occasion, to divine a towns and cities throughout Italy. opera dressed as an abbot—twice. lectually stagnant, they would pur - missing viola, “there was all sorts of Cardinal Gabriele Paleotti cracked In the weeks leading up to Lent, sue romance or magic. Yet, rather fuss about someone using a bowl of down on nuns singing in Bologna carnival season, Bologna was a than sensationalism, Monson water, and somebody else tracing in the 1570s, resulting from the riotous festival of masked people delivers a well-researched historical some figure on the floor to find the Council of Trent’s strict measures. dressed up as nuns, priests, abbots study of the all-too-human follies missing viola”, Monson records. Cardinal Paleotti limited Bolognese and royalty. Unnoticed, she suc - and failings of 16th- and 17th-cen - The author gives readers a good convents to only one solo voice ceeded on both nights, caught on tury Italian nuns. impression that the convents were and the organ, outlawing polypho - the second sortie by a vigilant nun. For such a religious environ - a beehive of activity, at least in ny and additional musical instru - Church authorities and her own ment as Italian convents (or per - some cases. Piety could certainly be ments such as the viola. order were relentless in their perse - haps because of it), a remarkable present, and everyone seemed to So much for poor, passive, obe - cution. Sadly, Don Giacomelli was people could be easily controlled. number of superstitious practices accept the basic Christian dogma dient nuns: They went over his arrested and thrown in jail, where While Monson never attacks abounded. These were only occa - of the day and the authority of the head and straight to Rome, getting his health rapidly deteriorated and Catholic culture and beliefs in the sionally centred on the devil. The Church. No one was against the permission for a softening of the he soon died. way that so many contemporary women were more interested in system and its underlying beliefs. edict on certain feast days. Perhaps for some such as Donna academics do, he does note that telling the future or trying to figure Yet nuns and convents struggled This assertiveness reappears Christina, the heavy institutional holiness was not always a central out who stole what from the con - to toe the line. Sometimes the bish - throughout these stories. The nuns’ flavour of religious life, and of all focus of monastic life. What he vent kitchen. They also wore pro - ops seemed unduly strict, as when independent streak and stubborn - of society, struck at her sense of unearths for readers is very real tective amulets. they outlawed convent singing in ness could become a real headache freedom and passion. people who lived life fully. Abbot Ambrosia da Bologna the 16th or 17th centuries when a for prelates. Convent life was regimented, n Welter is studying for his doctorate charged some nuns at San Lorenzo local nun or convent became too Individual nuns, whether though one wonders if this was for in systematic theology and teaching in Bologna in 1584 with using famous and were pressed with strong-willed, rebellious or down - the growth in holiness or so that English in Taiwan.

REMEMBERING OUR DEAD “It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from their sins” (II Macc XII,46) Holy Mass will be celebrated on the first Sunday of each month in the All Souls’ chapel, Maitland, Cape Town at 2:30pm for all souls in purgatory and for all those buried in the Woltemade cemetery. For further information, please contact St Jude Society, Box 22230, Fish Hoek, 7975 Telephone (021 ) 552-3850 14 The Southern Cross, April 20 to April 26, 2011 CHURCH On-line giving: Will collection boxes start gathering dust? Another study showed that said Mr Walsh. He noted that one- Worldwide, and even in South nonprofit organisations that have third of the clients using Faith an annual budget of more than Direct’s electronic programme are Africa, people are spending $10 million saw donations increas - between 50 and 55 years old. money on-line. For the Church, ing more than 55% with online Mr Walsh credited the success this may be a boon, as EMILY giving. Those with an annual bud - of his company’s programme to get of less than $1 million saw a pastors talking about it to their LAHR explains. 22% increase, and groups with an parishioners, and to other priests annual budget between $1 million and parish communities. and $10 million, there was a 16% Fr Thomas Willis, priest of the ITHIN a decade, collec - increase. cathedral parish in St Augustine, tion baskets may be col - “I believe we are on the verge of Florida, said that he had just lecting more dust than this growing tremendously in the recommended Faith Direct to his W next decade,” Mr Murphy said. cheques as more Catholics switch fellow priests that week. to electronic giving. Faith Direct, an American com - pany that describes itself as a “Guys you got to go for it,” he “I think it is an exciting new said he told them. Fr Willis said way for people to give to the “leading eGiving provider” for Catholic churches, recently cele - about 20% of his parish’s offertory Church,” said Michael Murphy, collection comes via eGiving. executive director of the Interna - brated a milestone—it processed 1 million gifts for Catholic parishes His parish has been using Faith tional Catholic Stewardship Coun - Direct just shy of two years and cil. “We are beginning to explore a across the United States in 2010. “It was one of those ‘wow’ has more than 100 families new catechesis in our Church.” participating. The Washington-based council moments,” said Brian Walsh, founder and president of the In some countrires, electronic giving has become the new collection plate, Early on, Fr Willis said, provides educational resources, allowing some parishioners to turn to their computers instead of a basket in online giving programme since parishioners were sceptical about networks and information to pro - the pews. (Illustration by Emily Thompson, CNS) how the programme would affect mote Catholic philanthropy and 2003. “This was a big deal.” Faith Direct, which serves them and what personal informa - advance the ministry of steward - tion they would have to supply. ship in parishes and dioceses. churches and nonprofit organisa - tions from New York to Los Ange - account or charging the credit card He remembers being told that Now he said he is amazed at the With the chequebook becoming amount of support for it, especially obsolete and more people shop - les, strives for a “cashless society” automatically for the amount the electronic giving would never and says its full-service electronic client agreed to in writing. work, but he noted people’s habits from those between the ages of 50 ping online, the Catholic Church and 60. and its related charities are learn - giving programme allows clients to Faith Direct provides “offertory and reliance on technology have ing about spending habits, said Mr focus on their ministry more than cards” for parishioners to place in changed drastically. Mr Murphy said that online giv - Murphy. their finances. The company said the Sunday collection basket as a Those between the ages of 20 ing isn’t just about parishioners Online giving has increased churches are seeing an increase in visible sign of their electronic and 30 have little knowledge of pushing a button to donate. The donations for many non-profit net revenue and a decrease in donation. Currently, the pro - how to use a chequebook, he said, website, as an online giving organisations. According to The administrative costs and getting a gramme is in 45 dioceses across and added that with retirees programme, is also a good evange - Chronicle of Philanthropy, a study clearer picture of cash flow. the United States and continues to receiving social security benefits lisation tool to inform people who of 600 charities that used such a The programme works directly grow. through direct deposit to their cur - don’t necessarily know a lot about system showed that 79% of them with the client’s bank, making all “It has been my belief since Day rent accounts, they, too, are using the Catholic culture. raised more funds in 2010 than transactions electronically. It is the One, up to 80% of the offerings cheques less and less. “It’s not only in the giving itself they did in 2009, while 21% raised same as other electronic fund will be processed electronically by “Seniors are more into technol - but also in the communication,” less. transfer systems, debiting the bank 2015,” said Mr Walsh. ogy than I gave them credit for,” said Mr Murphy.—CNS The Southern Cross, April 20 to April 26, 2011 15 Sr Julie Philomena Langenwalder SND once in Northampton to verify ClAssIFIEDs OTRE Dame Sister Julie that she was not a spy in dis - Philomena Langenwalder guise. Births • first Communion • Confirmation • Engagement/Marriage • Wedding anniversary • died on March 11 at the ordination jubilee • Congratulations • Deaths • In memoriam • Thanks • prayers • Accommodation N At the end of the war she • Holiday Accommodation • personal • Services • Employment • property • others age of 98. went to Notre Dame’s Mount She was born in June 1912, Pleasant teachers’ training col - Please include payment (R1,15 a word) with small advertisements the seventh of ten children, in lege in Liverpool, where her artis - for promptest publication. Deutenhausen, Bavaria. After tic talent blossomed in college school, she spent some time in art classes. Sr Julie Phil, as she DEATHs HolY sPIrIT you who Yzerfontein: Emmaus on Switzerland learning French, the affectionately became known, makes me see everything. Sea B&B and self-catering. first of several European lan - came to South Africa in 1953 and habit into the dress of the day. sCollAN —Sr Rita. Holy You showed me the way Holy Mass celebrated guages that she endeavoured to taught Art, French and German She enjoyed matching colours Cross Sister, Sr Rita, to reach my ideal. You every Sunday at 6pm. Tel: master at different stages in her in Notre Dame convent schools and adding feminine touches recently of Holy Cross who give me the divine gift 022 451 2650. Convent, Mogwase, aged to forgive and forget all life. in Kroonstad and Bergvliet, Cape around our community homes, FIsH HoEK: Self-catering 61, passed away at Holy that is done to me and you Following that interlude, she where her good German sense of accommodation, sleeps 4. Town. After her arrival in Johan - Cross Convent, pretoria, are in all the instincts of went to England as a governess, order also kept her fellow sisters Secure parking. Tel: 021 nesburg’s Melville Community on 03 April 2011. Lovingly my life with me. I want to 785 1247. to learn English. Here she in the mid-80s, Sr Julie found a neat and tidy. remembered by her family thank you for everything entered the Sisters of Notre Dame spiritual affinity with people and She died peacefully, fortified circle in Ireland and Amer - and confirm once more gorDoN’s BAY: Beauti - in 1937. parish life in St Francis Xavier’s, by the Rites of the Church, at St ica and the Holy Cross that I never want to be ful en-suite rooms available It was difficult being a Ger - Martindale. Mary’s Dominican Convent, Sisters. May she rest in separated from you no at reasonable rates. Mag - man national living in England Throughout her long life Sr Hyde Park Johannesburg, where, peace. matter how great the nificent views, breakfast on during World War II. Contact Julie loved art and music, and due to her failing health, she desires may be. I want to request. Tel: 082 774 7140. with her family was very limited. her artistic nature expressed itself spent the last three years of her PErsoNAl be with you and my loved E-mail: bzhive@telkomsa. Sr Julie had to report regularly to in many ways when Notre Dame life. ones in your perpetual net the police who even visited her Sisters moved out of a traditional Sr Marie Andre Mitchell SND ABorTIoN WArNINg : glory. This prayer should HErMANus: pleasant ‘The pill’ can abort, unde - be said on 3 consecutive getaway, self-catering tected, soon after concep - days, after the 3rd day, double accommodation. tion (a medical fact). See the request will be grant - Comfortable, fully Feast of Atonement, Divine Mercy Communit y Calendar website: www.human ed, no matter how difficult equipped, in tranquil Sunday and the Octave of Easter life.org/abortion_does it may be. promise to church garden. five To place your event, call Claire Allen at 021 46 5 5007 _the_pill.php publish the entire dialogue minute walk to Village Holy Thursday: Ritual is set or e-mail [email protected], (publication subject to space) with the condition of hav - Centre and sea-front. for the sacrifice of Good Friday CruCIFIXEs For ing your request granted. R250 per day, minimum AFrICA : Made in four EK. two days. get one night and Holy Communion BETHlEHEM : DurBAN : shrine of our lady of Bethlehem st Anthony’s, Durban Central: complete sizes. phone/ free for all bookings of Good Friday: Christ offered at Tsheseng, Maluti mountains; Tuesday 09:00 Mass with novena fax: 046 604 0401, for HousE To three nights or more. as our Sacrificial Lamb for Thursdays 09:30, Mass, then to St Anthony. first friday 17:30 details and brochure. phone church office 028 lET/For sAlE 312 2315. Mon/Wed/fri 9- Atonement exposition of the Blessed Sacra - Mass—Divine Mercy novena souTH CoAsT , uvongo: 1pm or leave message ment. 058 72 1 0532. prayers. Tel: 031 309 3496. PrAYErs Holy Saturday: Waiting for Three bedroom house, fully and phone number. CAPE ToWN : JoHANNEsBurg : HolY St Jude, apostle Christ to rise and the Easter furnished, en-suite, lock-up KNYsNA: Self-catering Holy Hour to pray for priests of the and martyr, great in virtue Exposition of the Blessed Sacra - garage. R3 000 per month. accommodation for 2 in old Vigil archdiocese, 2nd Saturday month - and rich in miracles, kins - ment: first friday of the month at Tel: Donald 031 465 5651, Belvidere with wonderful ly at Villa Maria shrine Kloof Nek man of Jesus Christ, faith - Easter Sunday: Rising of Jesus. Institution of Con - 09:20 followed by Holy Mass at 073 989 1074. Lagoon views. 044 387 Rd, 16:00-17:00. ful intercessor of all who fession. “Grand opening” 10:30. Holy Hour: first Saturday of 1052. good shepherd , Bothasig. per - each month at 15:00. At our Lady invoke you, special patron Easter Monday: Just like another Sunday petual Eucharistic Adoration in our ACCoMMoDATIoN loNDoN, pRoTEA of the Angels, Little Eden, Eden - in time of need. To you I Easter Tuesday: Just like another Sunday chapel. All hours. All welcome. have recourse from the oFFErED HouSE : underground vale. Tel: 011 609 7246. 2min, picadilly 20min. Day of Prayer held at Springfield depth of my heart and CAPE ToWN , Cape Easter Wednesday: Just like another Sunday PrETorIA: Close to River Thames. Convent starting at 10:00 ending humbly beg you to come peninsula: Beautiful homes Self-catering. Single per Easter Thursday: Just like another Sunday 15:30 last Saturday of every First saturday : Devotion to Divine to my assistance. Help me to buy or rent. Maggi-Mae night R250, twin R400. month—all welcome. for more Mercy. St Martin de porres, Sunny - now in my urgent need 082 892 4502. Colliers Easter Friday: Just like another Sunday Email: houseprotea@hot information contact Jane Hulley side, 16:30. Tel Shirley-Anne 012 and grant my petitions. In International false Bay, mail.com . Tel 021 851 Easter Saturday: Just like another Sunday 021 790 1668 or 082 783 0331. 36 1 4545. return I promise to make 021 782 9263, maggi 5200. Octave of Easter/Divine Mercy Sunday: “Grand finale” your name known and [email protected] publish this prayer. Amen. MArIANEllA guest Southern Cross Word solutions EK. HolIDAY House, Simon’s Town: HolY St Jude, apostle “Come experience the ACCoMMoDATIoN peace and beauty of god liturgical Calendar SOLUTIONS TO #441. ACROSS: 5 Kelp, 7 Provi - and martyr, great in virtue BETTY’s BAY : (Western with us.” fully equipped Year A dence, 8 Sham, 10 Novelist, 11 Alarms, 12 Latest, 14 and rich in miracles, kins - Cape) Holiday home, with amazing sea views. Romans, 16 Snakes, 17 Idolatry, 19 Pass, 21 Carthu - man of Jesus Christ, faith - Sunday, April 24, Easter Sunday sleeps seven, three bath - Secure parking, ideal for sian, 22 Isle. DOWN: 1 Apes, 2 Ave Maria, 4 Adonis, 4 ful intercessor of all who Acts 10:34, 37-43, Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23, Col 3:1-4 or rooms, close to beach, rest and relaxation. Special Snivel, 5 Keel, 6 Lay sisters, 9 Holy orders, 13 Trap - invoke you, special patron 1 Cor 5:6-8, Jn 20:1-9 R600/night. 021 794 4293, rates for pensioners and pist, 15 Satyrs, 16 Scythe, 18 Lace, 20 Sins. in time of need. To you I Monday, April 25 have recourse from the [email protected] clergy. Tel: Malcolm Salida Acts 2:14, 22-33, Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11, Matthew 28:8-15 depth of my heart and CAPE ToWN : Vi Holiday 082 784 5675 or mjsali Tuesday, April 26 Word of the Week humbly beg you to come Villa. fully equipped self- [email protected] Acts 2:36-41, Psalm 33:4-5, 18-20, 22, John 20:11-18 to my assistance. Help me catering, two bedroom fam - uMHlANgA roCKs: Wednesday, April 27 Pallium: Worn only by the pope and archbishops, now in my urgent need ily apartment (sleeps 4) in the pallium is a circular band worn about the neck fully equipped self-catering Acts 3:1-10, Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9, Luke 24:13-35 and grant my petitions. In Strandfontein, with parking, and shoulders. It is made of lambs wool, solemly 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom Thursday, April 28 return I promise to make R400 per night. Tel/fax house, sleeps 6, sea view, blessed at a pontifical Mass. It is only worn on spe - paul 021 393 2503, cell Acts 3:11-26, Psalm 8:2, 5-9, Luke 24:35-48 your name known and 200 metres from beach, cial occasions and signifies, for archbishops, partici - publish this prayer. Amen. 083 553 9856, vivilla@ Friday, April 29 pation in the supreme pastoral power of the pope. DStv. Tel: Holiday Division, In thanks for prayers telkomsa.net 031 561 5838, holidays@ Acts 4:1-12, Psalm 118:1-2, 4, 22-27, John 21:1-14 New palliums are blessed on the feast of Ss Peter and answered. pat. Saturday, April 30 Paul. CAPE WEsT CoAsT lighthouse.co.za Acts 4:13-21, Psalm 118:1, 14-21, Mark 16:9-15 Application: Archbishop Stephen Brislin received Sunday May 1, 2nd Sunday of Easter his pallium as a symbol of the pope’s authority Acts 2: 42-47, Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24, 1 Pt 1:3-9; Jn vested in him to perform his functions as arch - 20:19-31 bishop of Cape Town.

UPHOLSTERER po Box 2372, CApE ToWN, 8000 Tel: (021) 46 5 5007 Fax: (021) 46 5 3850 Ursulines of the Blessed Virgin Mary More than 50 years of www.scross.co.za experience guarantees you satisfaction. Editor: günther Simmermacher We are the Ursulines of the Blessed Virgin Mary, ([email protected]) Ph 021 6371938 Advisory Editor: called to serve Christ through education of girls, Michael Shackleton after hours 021 7012692. Editorial staff: Claire Mathieson women and servants, pastoral and social work. ([email protected]) Claire Allen Do you feel God’s call? Join us. ([email protected]) Lara Moses ([email protected]) Manager: pamela Davids ([email protected]) Advertising: Elizabeth Hutton Contact Vocation ([email protected]) Subscriptions: Avril Hanslo directress: ([email protected]) Ursuline Sisters Dispatch: Joan King ([email protected]) PO Box 36 Accounts: Desirée Chanquin Ngqeleni ([email protected]) published independently by the 5140 Catholic Newspaper & publishing Cell: 072 958 2111 Company Ltd, Cape Town DAILY PRAYER FOR FAMILIES AND LIFE (can also be prayed at Mass): Lord God, Opinions expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, you created humankind out of love, for love and for life. We praise and thank you staff or directors of The Southern Cross . OR for your gift of love lived most intimately in marriage and family life and yet problems and hurt are experienced most deeply in family relationships of all kinds. Through the power of you Holy Spirit helps us to overcome these difficul - Box 212 ties. Strengthen our commitment to build strong families and to preserve and Libode support all life from conception to natural death, in our own families and those The Southern Cross is a of others. In that way the Church can truly be the Family of God in the service of member of the Audit 5160 Bureau of Circulations of the Kingdom. Holy Family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph pray for us. Blessed Mother South Africa. Printed by Paarl Post, 8 Jan van Tel: 047 555 0018 Teresa, comforter and bringer of love and joy to those who suffer, pray for us Riebeeck Drive, Paarl. Published by the propri - Blessed John Paul, holy father for the family,pray for us. etors, The Catholic A SACBC FAMILY LIFE DESK PROJECT Newspaper & Publishing Co Ltd, at the company’s registered office, Contact Toni Rowland @082 552 1275 or visit www.marfam.org.za/blog 10 Tuin Plein, Cape Town, 8001. Pregnant? Help is as near as your telephone Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000 • 10 Tuin plein, Cape Town, 8001 011 403 1718 Tel: (021) 46 5 5007 • Fax: (021) 46 5 3850 031 201 5471 Editorial: [email protected] • Business manager: [email protected] www.birthright.co.za Donations and Advertising: [email protected] • subscriptions: [email protected] volunteers and prayers Website: www.scross.co.za • Digital edition: www.digital.scross.co.za • facebook.com/thescross always welcome

2nd Sunday of Easter: May 1 Not seeing, yet believing Readings: Acts 5:12-16, Psalm 118: 2-4, 13- 15, 22-24, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31

EXT Sunday, as always on the second Sunday of Easter, we shall hear the the next six weeks, from 1 Peter, a letter sins you let go, they are let go.” Nfamiliar story of “doubting Thomas”, which seems to be aimed at persecuted We should be foolish to conclude from a useful reminder that faith in the Resurrec - Christians; but notice that here at the begin - this that the disciples are changed individu - tion does not come easily to those who have Nicholas King SJ ning, he is not spending too much thinking als after this encounter. For one thing, they gone before us in the faith, nor to us who about their suffering, more about what God cannot resist gloating over Thomas when he follow. Sunday Reflections has done for them: “Blessed be the God and comes back from wherever he has been, In the first reading , we breathe the air of Father of our Lord Jesus Christ...who has which provokes him into an unspeakably given us a new birth into a living hope crude demand for evidence—“unless I see in the early Church in one of Luke’s “sum - through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ his hands the mark of the nails, and throw maries” of what life was like for those first atmosphere in the life of our Church today. from the dead.” my finger into the mark of the nails and Christians. It is important not to get too dis - The psalm is a song of thanksgiving, in That is the tone that we need to strike throw my hand into his side...”; and, we couraged, and think “it was easy for them”, which Israel and the Aaronic priesthood, during this Easter season, no matter how notice, when the story continues, eight days for (as you will see, if you read on just a few and indeed all those who “fear the Lord” are grim things may get, even if, as the author later, the doors are still locked—so they are pages in Acts) it was not always quite like invited to join; the singer has been in diffi - says: “It is necessary to be pained by differ - still afraid. this. But we can listen and admire, as we see culty, but was rescued by God—“I was ent kinds of trials,” not least, it seems, Anyway, there Jesus is, once more; and, them “persevering in the teaching of the pressed hard; I nearly fell—but the Lord because they long for the revelation of Jesus once more he is saying to them: “Peace be apostles, and the solidarity in the breaking helped me. The Lord is my strength and my Christ, “whom you love, though you do not with you.” Then Thomas’ brutal image is of the bread”, and how the apostles worked might.” see him, but you believe, and you exult with taken up—and that is enough to change the “portents and signs”, and how the commu - That is perhaps the mood that we should a joy that cannot be spoken”. Our joy, this doubter into a believer, in an astonishingly nity “were all in the same place and held strive for in our life as Church, and then we side of the grave, never comes unmixed. lofty phrase: “My Lord and my God.” everything in common, and they used to shall hear “the sound of rejoicing and deliv - As we learn while we listen to next Sun - The story does not end there, however, sell their possessions and their belongings, erance in the tents of the just”. But there is day’s gospel . We start, after news of the Res - for we gaze over Thomas’s startled shoulder and divide them to each in accordance with the admission that this deliverance does not urrection has filtered through to at least two and hear the words that are addressed down their need”. (And did you realise that it was come easily, and we hear the phrase that of the apostles; but even so, they are not the centuries at us: “Because you have seen not Karl Marx who invented communism?) Jesus quoted from this same psalm: “The very brave, since, so we are told: “The doors me, do you believe? Congratulations to They prayed, in the Temple and at home, stone the builders rejected has become the are locked...out of fear of the Judeans.” those who didn’t see, and yet believed.” and “they shared food with joy and with corner-stone”, and the great line with which Jesus has a way with our cravenness, and It is not cheap or easy, this Resurrection simplicity of heart, praising God, and in our section concludes: “This is the day that there he is in the midst of them, uttering faith of ours; and it does not mean that we favour with the whole people”. Instead of the Lord has made—let us rejoice and be those precious words: “Peace be with you.” do not suffer. But it is the heart of our Chris - feeling inferior, what we might do, this glad in it.” Then he gives them a commission, breath - tianity, and we must pray, this week, for the week, is to pray to recapture this enchanting The second reading comes, as it will for ing the Father’s Spirit upon them: “Whose grace to live it out.

What attracts us to the Mass? Southern Cross word #441

the absence of early teenage courage, this HERE is, of course, no question social integration took the form of both about the motivation anyone should boys and girls squirting each other with have for going to church: it is about Chris Moerdyk T water pistols. two or more of us gathering in his name. But I have often wondered whether The Last Word Now, in those days no-one had real there is a moral case for using incentives water pistols because I have the feeling to get errant church-goers to gather in the that plastic hadn’t yet been invented. So first place. Or, for that matter, to get what we did was use deodorant contain - When I was at school in my earlyish ers filled with water, the best brand being youngsters to want to go to church with - teens, I was forced to get up early on cold O-DO-RO-NO. This was not a roll-on or out being dragged there by their parents. winter mornings to cycle up the hill to I read some time ago that a church in serve at Mass. That did not endear the aerosol, but just a rubber bulb filled with a Melbourne, Australia, offered free beer Catholic Church to me one bit, and I particularly astringent deodorant. afterwards to everyone who attended Sun - must confess to contemplating everything It wasn’t very big and had to be refilled day services. from Buddhism to Judaism. But I discov - several times in the roughly 15 minutes I cannot recall whether it worked or ered that the one thing absolutely every this post-novena ritual took place. And not, but one thing is certain: more and religion has in common is that at some the only way to get the little spray nozzle more churches are resorting to incentives stage or other one has to get up at the out of the bottle neck was to clench it in to get errant parishioners to attend. crack of dawn. one’s teeth and twist it out. All of this Remember how in the old days threat - Something that did endear the ening fire and brimstone was used? In the meant that one went home with an Catholic Church to me, however, was a extremely tart taste in the mouth. modern day and age this doesn’t seem to phenomenon that occurred every ACROSS DOWN work anymore. Consumers have become Needless to say, Wednesday night 5. Seaweed (4) 1. Primates (4) Wednesday evening at the monastery novena at the monastery parish became a lot more canny and do not take kindly parish in Pretoria. This was novena 7. God in his protective 2. Angel’s greeting (3,5) enormously popular and the church was to threats. In any event the majority of time—benediction basically. care (10) 3.A handsome young Greek the world’s population has no idea what always full to the brim. 8. Bogus (4) (6) It started off with no more than a 10. Evelyn Waugh’s pro - 4. To complain tearfully brimstone is anyway. handful of faithful attending, and then The big question is this: did this expe - I can fully understand the more con - rience have any effect on those teenagers fession (8) livens up (6) some of those faithful started dragging 11. Loud warnings? (6) 5. It runs along the base of servative among us feeling decidedly their children along by the ears. in terms of both their Catholic faith and uncomfortable about incentives, but per - 12. Most recent (6) the ship (4) Soon though, I am ashamed to say, we future attendance at Mass? 14. Some of St Paul’s haps there is a case for doing whatever it 6. Nun of old who did not CBC boys discovered that Loreto Convent All I know is that for me it is an addressees (6) do choir duty (3,6) takes to get people who would normally girls were also being dragged along to extremely fond memory, and I am 16. They will pick up ... 9. Sacred commands given not bother to go to church—just to come attend the novena. The challenge, howev - delighted to say that I am still in frequent in their hands (Mk 16) to the clergy (4,6) in once or twice with the hope that they (6) er, was for the CBC boys to actually touch with at least three of those Loreto 13. Silent Cistercian who would appreciate the joy, reward and 17. False worship (8) catches animals? (8) socialise with the convent girls after nove - Convent girls, who are all pillars of their inner peace that is a sure-fire consequence na. 19. Route taken by Moses 15. Woodland gods (6) respective parishes. up the mountain? (4) 16. Grim Reaper’s cutting of two or more of us gathering in his I am even more ashamed to say that in name. Nowadays, of course, we don’t make a 21. He’s a member of St tool (6) habit of going around after Mass squirting Bruno’s order (10) 18. It may fasten shoe fellow parishioners with water pistols. 22. It’s surrounded by through eyelets (4) Classic Conrad water (4) I have no doubt whatsoever that while 20. They are the matter of An extra easter egg sacrament of penance (4) accepting the main reason for going to Answers on page 11 all round if Father church, one of the great by-products of it manages to light all is a sense of community. In fact, that sense of community, of the Paschal candle helping each other out, of being there in CHURCH CHUCKLE first time times of tragedy and sickness, is perhaps NE day Johnny’s teacher gave the class a test not so much a by-product of going to like this: church, but one of the main reasons. O It is a little odd, I must confess, that a) 7+5= b)19-8= c)8+8= every time I am dressing in a hurry and Johnny wrote his answers: miss my armpit and spray deodorant up a) 7+5= Jesus, b)19-8= Jesus, c) 8+8= Jesus After marking the test the teacher called Johnny my nose, I think of church. and said: “Can you please explain to the class how you n Do you have good stories about going got your answers?” to church? I would love to hear them. Johnny stood up, smiled and said: “That’s very sim - Write to me at The Southern Cross , PO Box ple. In catechism we’ve learnt that Jesus is the 2372, Cape Town 8000, or fax (021) answer.” 46 5 3850 (marked for my attention), or e- send us your favourite Catholic joke, preferably clean and brief, to mail me at [email protected] The southern Cross, Church Chuckle, Po Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000 .