Thanks, Regards, Astrid Meng St Charles , Victory Park

SHARING STORIES

I have enjoyed RENEW because my group has grown together gradually and we have shared some very intense and personal faith stories. We care deeply for each other. We have all grown in our faith and lead active prayer lives as we pray for each other as well as many other people whose situations were brought into our circle. As each of the members of my group has experienced the power of prayer in his/her own life, we feel it is a calling from God to pray for others.

Thanks, regards, Astrid Meng St Charles , Victory Park

RENEW Africa made me to involve myself in other special Catholic retreats, (gathered as Gods family) organized by Dr Nontando Radebe from the school of Theology and Thametse Sihlali from the Sacred Hearts. It was such a gift to be able to be part of that retreat held on 15/03/14.

I taught myself how to yield to God and I’ve been actively encouraged to pursue it as part of my Christian walk. As a result I have enjoyed a deeper relationship with God and it was enriching experience. I discovered the joy of yielding my life to God , not just once but on regular and preferably on a daily basis. I am growing and I now know who I am to God and His love as written in John 3:16 and 1 John 4:10. Yes we need to have the God-kind of faith . The spiritual activities attended so far eg Retreats – RENEW Africa –Pilgrimages and Healing masses gave me life .

“SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO FORGET WHATS GONE, APPRECIATE WHATS STILL REMAINS AND LOOK FORWARD TO WHATS COMING NEXT”.

God bless Mom Norma Malete St Joseph Meadowlands Zone4

From Dawn Park Catholic Church Community

At the RENEW training workshop conducted towards the end of 2013, two members attended – Pat November and Sophie Tau. They gave us feedback.

Since the beginning of RENEW AFRICA, the Dawn Park Catholic church community engaged with all seasons, and we have grown spiritually.

We have come to know each other better, and relate closer to another. We have experienced the five elements for sustaining small Christian communities – namely praying together, sharing, learning; supporting each other and joining in mission. On practical terms, we pray together through SCC materials, we share and support each other at times of joy and times of sorrow; we empowered one another to lead / facilitate prayer sessions – we rotate hosting by visiting our members’ homes.

We are on a mission of building a new catholic church – we are currently holding mass in a tent – bare resources – but we walk in faith and love. We are thankful to the parish priest , Fr Gerry O’Reilly who being a good shepherd and also the unique support which RENEW Africa offers. Stay Blessed !!!

PULE Ntise PCC co ordinator Dawn Park Catholic Church On 1/4/14 09:01, "[email protected]" wrote:

Janine and Barry would like to thank the Renew teams and their leaders who have been praying for Chad’s healing. The response was fantastic and it made us feel how special it was to belong to such a great Church and what benefits were visible just by having Renew groups that are connected to each other. This prayer has lifted us up such that we have all the faith in God’s healing ability and he has shown us this by Chad’s tumour not having grown or changed shape – it is not impacting him and he is doing very well at school and sport. Love Janine and Barry Martin St Charles Parish Victory Park

Proud to be catholic and teaching at a catholic school I was on a plane back from Cape Town, sitting next to 2 strangers who began having a loud conversation about the terrible things that happen at ALL catholic schools. When I could hardly contain myself anymore, the man turned to me, asking whether I didn’t agree. NO, I said very clearly, I do not agree at all. And I proceeded to explain that I teach at a catholic school and am very proud to be there, that we have ethos and values not apparent at most other schools and no atrocities which they had been gossiping about were committed at this school or any other catholic school I know of. Both of my neighbours apologised to me.

Acting as a Christian against blasphemy While helping with sandwich making one Sunday after Mass, I was first irritated and then gradually became more and more upset by a teenager misusing God and Jesus’ names in vain all the time. I don’t think he said a single sentence without using either God or Jesus in a blasphemous way. The boy had a very loud voice and he talked non-stop until I could stand it no longer and turned to him, asking him to stop using God’s name in vain. Immediately not only he stopped talking but so did everyone else there to stare at me. I carried on making sandwiches and the boy’s mother hustled him away from the gathering.

A modern day miracle of Jesus One Easter Sunday a few years ago I was a walk-on minister of the Eucharist and held a large chalice of the Holy Blood. The Church was overflowing as always on Easter Sunday. I gave the Blood of Christ to everyone from that section and was very surprised that there was still quite some Precious Blood left in the chalice, so people from other sections started coming to take a sip from my chalice. And they kept on coming and coming, and I felt so overwhelmed that Jesus was making this miracle happen right there in my hands. I felt such a warm glow all around the chalice and me, and was filled with an incredible feeling of joy and peace. When no-one needed another sip of Holy Blood, there was still a sip left for me in the chalice. Even today, every time I think of that miracle, I am filled with such awe and joy that I can hardly contain it.

WE ARE THE CHURCH

1. Background Ms Annah Sello, a parishioner at San Salvador Catholic Church, Leondale in Germiston was admitted at Union Hospital (Alberton) on 9 October 2013. She was a member of St Cecilian Sodality. She was also transferred to Clayton House Care Centre at Yeoville, Johannesburg. She passed away on 20 March 2014 at Clayton House in Johannesburg. The lady was belonging to Christ the King SCC.

She was staying with her granddaughter who is 16 years old. Most of her family members are based at Lady Brand – in Free State Province.

2. Parish Support  Our Parish priest - Fr Gabriel and Reverend Thomas usually went to Hospital to give her holy communion and prayers. Their work is always wonderful.

 Prayers were put on the Lord’s Altar for her all the time during Mass.

 St Cecilia Sodality members tirelessly visited her in hospital for moral support (through singing and prayers).

3. SCC Support (Christ the King SCC)

 The Christ the King SCC ensured that they visited her once a week for prayers as her close family members are living far away.

 She was also remembered in our SCC prayers which are held once a week, every Thursday.

 The Christ the King SCC was also taking care of the granddaughter (they became parents to the granddaughter).

4.Moral support at the house of Ms Anna Sello during her death

 All parishioners including all sodalities came together and prayed in the house of Ms Anna Sello on Sunday, 23 March 2014 after mass.

 Parishioners, St Cecilia Sodality donated food, money etc. to the bereaved granddaughter.

 One lady from Christ King SCC committed herself to stay with granddaughter since the day the death was announced until today, 04 April 2014.

 The San Salvador Parish as a whole had a Mass on Thursday, 27 April 2014, our Parish priest Fr Gabriel celebrated Mass. The attendance was good because all the 8 SCCs within our parish were present at mass.

 Christ the King SCC prays in the house daily at 18:30. Also Stations of the Cross prayers are said at the house every Wednesday by SCC members.

 Our Parish Chairperson, St Cecilia Sodality and SCC Leader liaised with the family who are in Free State regarding funeral arrangements.

 The SCC members together with St Cecilia Sodality will be attending a funeral at Lady Brand to be held on Saturday, 05 April 2014.

God is working in his people through RENEW Africa Programme

 God is always love, this has been proved by the Ubuntu, dedication, love, sympathy and charity shown towards the bereaved family of Ms Annah Sello. I would like to thank RENEW Africa programme for strengthening, rebuilding and encouraging our SCC to be self-sustaining and self-reliant not to always depend on Parish Priest to do things. It also taught us that we must all partake and share all responsibilities of the church.

 RENEW Africa has really promoted unity and made us (lay people) to stand up and proclaim good news and give support to our fellow brothers and sisters in our Small Christian Communities.

 It also taught us to love one another and also forgive our brothers and sisters.  I would like to express the word of gratitude to our parish priest, Father Gabriel for ensuring that we are united, and we have to use our talents adequately and to serve our Almighty God through gifts which he provided to all of us.

Testimony by Lucas Mnguni.

Hi Duncan

Last night I was given a hand written testimony from a parishioner of mine, she approached me a while back about committing suicide. This was quite a shock to me but I had a long talk to her and she then joined Renew.

The attached letter says it all.

Deacon Neil Philipson Malvern Parish

PDF Follows

Why Have I enjoyed Renew:

For me meeting new ppl in the church/community has been great. Our evening together has been wonderful as we share our experiences and share how God has worked in our lives. It has inspired me personally to try harder and also humbled me when I hear some of the testimonies and how great our God is. I have learned about faith and about other programs in the church that I otherwise wouldn't have known about. I feel that Renew has opened my eyes to other ways of worship which I have found to enrich my life. I hope this helps as its a difficult thing for me to express in this medium what Renew has meant to me.

FAITH STORY: Mrs Norma Malete - ST Joseph RCC Zone 4 Meadowlands ( Fr Teboho Matseke)

Sometime ago I was listening to a tape by one of my favorite faith preachers and he told a story that wonderfully demonstrated that truth. It was about a man who attended a series of his meetings many years ago and came forward to have hands laid on him for healing again 17 times and he still hadn’t healed.

This preacher haddone everything he knew to do to help him. He’d talked personally to him in the prayer line. He’d prayed with him. But nothing changed. The preacher explained that laying hands on him was about like laying hands on a doorknob. There was no power connection because in his heart this man did’nt release faith to receive.

But this dear fellow just kept coming to the services and listening to the Word. The eighteen times he came up to have hands laid on him for healing , the preacher himself did’nt even expect the man to receive anything.

But that time was different . When the preacher lifted his hands to pray for the man the fire of God leaped from his hand, lifted the fellow up, turned him over and rolled him under the front pew. Obviously, he received his healing in a powerful way.

Some people might look at that incident and say , “Well, that just goes to show you that you never know what God’s going to do. Sometimes He gives healing and sometimes He does’nt . “But they’d be mistaken. The change was not in the giving part. God was giving healing to that man every time . The change was in the receiving part. It was’nt until the eighteenth time that the man released faith to receive . The pastor of the church where the meetings were held verified that. He said when he went to open the church that evening it was dark, and he stumbled over this man sitting on the front steps of the church . He was praying . He looked up at the pastor and said,”Pastor, you watch, tonight the minute that preacher touches me , I’ll have my healing! I’ts mine!”

I’ve seen that happen in healing school over the years . People have come in the door already full of God’s Word and ready to receive. They’d say , “I know the moment you lay hands on me , I’ll be healed.”And they were ! “But God hasn’t given me that kind of faith,” you might say.

He did’nt give it to them either. He sent them the Word and because they continued in it, faith came .

God bless and have a lovely day!

RENEW Africa: Christ the King SCC Leondale 13/10/2013

Living Our Faith – Witness:

Witness 1.

Somebody had a quarrel with her colleague at work, in such a way that they could not greet or talk to each other. The RENEW Africa sessions taught her to heal and forgive, then she decided to greet and talk to her colleague. Her colleague became ill. The parishioners took care of her, buying medication and assisting with all her needs. Eventually the colleague passed on. The parishioner thanked God and RENEW Africa for bringing peace and forgiveness to her colleague. Her colleague passed on while they were in good terms.

Witness 2.

A lady had a family problem. She came to RENEW Africa session and told her story that they were preparing for a wedding and that there was no communication among the family. We prayed with her, promised her that God will make a miracle and that she must believe in Him. The following week when she came to the session she said everything went very well through prayers. She thanked God for having listened and answered.

Witness 3.

A gentleman told his witness that someone at work swore at him very much. He never retaliated and remained silent. He thought about the RENEW Africa sessions and realized that one needs to persevere like Jesus. He was spiritually disturbed by the incident and prayed asking God to bring peace, healing and forgiveness. After some time the person who swore at him called and apologized. He accepted the apology.

Witness 4. Neighbours were fighting. Some parishioners were tasked to go and intervene and unite the people who were fighting. After intervention the people became friends and are now in good terms until today.

Mrs. Joan Herman:

Renew Africa has taught me much about the Scripture Readings. Especially readings about “Not to Judge others” and to be forgiving especially those walking in darkness. They too may walk in the light and be clean.

Mrs. Helen Jonosky: I would like to share the following experience of what Renew Africa has done for me. I have been able to share and open up to others and also to be more forgiving, which in the past has been very difficult for me to do in my home with my family. There is a big change for the better and I thank the lord every day for the graces he bestowes on me daily. I look forward to our next session and thank God for a wonderful leader like Cynthia Stimpel.

Mrs. Annette De La Rey: If Renew Africa had to run a lifetime, I would definitely commit throughout. It has changed my life in many ways. On a daily basis numerous tragedies occur and I no longer see them as it does not pertain to me but as a calling on God to help those in distress. I now pray constantly, read my bible occasionally and walk away from conflict. I also have empathy for the rapist and killers and their victims. I have learnt to judge NOT lest I be judged. All this is thanks to a very dedicated leader.

Mrs. Cynthia Stimpel: Renew Africa is such a beautiful Programme, and I am so happy that I am involved with it. As a Leader and the Co-ordinator – it has taught me to be understanding, patient, giving, show empathy, and to provide leadership with humility. It has taught me to be more humble and caring in everything I do. It has made me a better person. As a member of the Renew Team – it has taught me to be forgiving, to forget the past, to walk closely with God, in every way and in every decision. It has made me more aware of the Scripture Readings. I love the time for reflection and sharing with my small community. I would like to go out and canvass to everyone in my Parish to join or start a small group. That will be my next goal leading up to the next Season III.

Mary and Gene Lawrence: Renew has definitely renewed our faith, also gave us various challenges as a group, and the fact that certain matters could be discussed with the knowledge that all that is said at the meetings will remain with the group and not discussed outside of the meetings.

My Husband and I as leaders has also found that being the leaders has given us a lot of inspiration and motivation, as for me it gave me a lot of confidence and that I as a person could open up a lot better, something which was not easy to do in the past, especially read before an audience.

We as a group look forward to our weekly meetings and now that the 2nd season has ended, we will continue with our faith sharing until season 3 starts up in September, 13.

Mary Lawrence

Cookie Jacobs: RENEW AFRICA: Prayer, Leaning, Sharing, Mutual Support, Mission

Renew Africa has helped me to grow more spiritually and deepen my faith. It has taught me how to forgive and to reconcile with people who I thought I was not going to talk with any more, because of what they have done to me. But I can say proudly that through my participation in Renew Africa Sessions, I have been able to forgive. Why was this not done many years ago. I feel renewed and revived.

Emil Jacobs sent direct to Duncan Hyam My Experience of Renew. Our Renew group meets on a Wednesday, and we as a group look forward to meeting, we seem to open up more each week and we take our prayers and discussions very seriously. We also now take down names of sick people in our Parish as well as family members and make a special effort to pray for them during the week and give feed back at our next meeting. The Renew sessions has really given us more confidence, we must continue to pray that the groups grow and that more people will take the time an join or lead a group.