April 27 to May 3, 2011 www.scross.co.za r5,50 (incl Vat rSa) reg No. 1920/002058/06 No 4723

Full-page beatification Tell us your best Let South poster of stories about going Africa’s youth Blessed John Paul II to church be pilgrims Page 8 Page 12 Page 10 Seminarians get state-of-art library By MatHIBela SeBotHoMa Pieter Kleinschmidt of Computer Gener - ated Results, which installed the computer HERE were lots of smiling faces at the lab and Internet for research in the new grand opening of St John Vianney library, said the state-of-the-art facility must TSeminary’s new library. These were “be accessible for pastors and leaders from all smiles on the faces of the seminarians and denominations as this will create a coherent guests exploring the new library, and on feeling and better understanding across the faces of those who had worked to make denominational boundaries”. it possible. The library will “bless and open our As Bishop Sithembele Sipuka, chairman of minds”, said Lindela Betya, a seminarian the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Con - from Cape Town archdiocese. Vicky Rikhot - ference’s seminary department, unveiled the commemorative plaque, a flight of birds so from Tzaneen said all seminarians must arrayed in the shape of an arrow flew over frequent the library as they frequent the the new library into one direction eliciting chapel. loud cheers from the students. The bishops’ conference has named the The library, located in the seminary’s facility St Peter’s library in memory of the grounds in Waterkloof, Pretoria, has a old St Peter’s Seminary of Hammanskraal wealth of books, journals and periodicals and Garsfontein. Some of the funding came from the old libraries of St John Vianney, St from the sale of the former seminary. Peter’s in Garsfontein and St Peter’s in Ham - Bishop Sipuka, a former rector of the sem - manskraal. Archbishop Stephen Brislin inary and now bishop of Mthatha, encour - donated 68 boxes of books from the Cape aged the students to be good stewards of Town seminary. their new library and to ensure that no “The opening of a new state of the art books are stolen or lost. He said students library is indeed a momentous event for St who steal will be refused ordination. He John Vianney Seminary, and the formation encouraged students to live the motto of the of the current seminarians and those who seminary: “Faith and Reason”. will benefit from it in the future,” said Fr Fr Enrico Parry, president of seminary, Ricardo Smuts, dean of studies. “The intel - thanked all the individuals and groups lectual formation of priests constitutes one involved in the planning, designing, build - of the four pillars of the formation of priests ing and funding the new institution. in the circumstances of today, along with The name of the new library invited vari - the human, spiritual and pastoral dimen - ous thoughts. Bishop Sithembele Sipuka of Mthatha, a former rector of St John Vianney Seminary, blesses the sions.” Continued on page 3 institution’s new state-of-the-art library. (Photo: Mathibela Sebothoma) Church pub pours a brew for JP2 SA swimmer becomes a Catholic By Sara aNGle OUNG Catholics sip beer and kick to be Monaco’s new princess back in the crypt beneath the basilica team at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, of St Charles, home to the GP2 bar Y OUTH African swimmer Charlene where the team finished fifth. The same and youth club in downtown Rome. Wittstock has converted to Catholi - year Ms Wittstock met Prince Albert. The pub, sponsored by the Rome dioce - Scism in preparation for her approach - The wedding was set to be the royal san office of youth ministry and Catholic ing marriage to Prince Albert II of Monaco. event of the year, but is likely to be over - Action’s youth section, is dedicated to the Ms Wittstock, who was born in Zimbab - late Pope John Paul II—Giovanni Paolo II in shadowed by the wedding of Britain’s we to Protestant parents, was required to Prince William to Kate Middleton (who by Italian. convert according to the principality’s Aside from panini, coffee, beer and wine, British law would have had to renounce constitution. A palace statement said Ms her faith had she been a Catholic). the club dished out some special events to Wittstock received catechism of the celebrate Pope John Paul’s life and beatifica - The South African will wed Prince Church and has been “admitted by free tion on May 1. Albert on July 1. She will make her first People socialise in the GP2 bar, which honours and personal choice into full communion The bar even ordered a special Czech visit as princess of Monaco to South Africa Giovanni Paolo II. It seeks to provide a place with the Catholic Church”. later that month when the couple will beer, blessed by Bishop Frantisek Radkovsky for Catholic youth to gather in a safe environ - of Plzen (or Pilsen). Blessing beer is rare The 33-year-old swimmer was a member attend an Olympic Committee meeting in ment, enjoy a beer or coffee and share in the of South Africa’s women’s 4x100m medley Durban. today, but the bishop will use a prayer writ - joys of being Christian. the Italian words on the ten centuries ago when monasteries pro - counter say "Give me to drink," a scriptural ref - duced beer and would pray for those who erence to Jesus' words to the woman at the would consume it. well. (Photo: Paul Haring, CNS) Massimo Camussi, the event manager at GP2, said that the events were designed to Catechism errors to be fixed help people know Pope John Paul better. meeting point for young people was set up By Carol Glatz by 2012. While the original German version Mgr Slawomir Oder, the postulator of the in the basilica crypt, where the bar is now, had been studied and approved by the doc - late pope’s sainthood cause, came to the bar said Mr Camussi. HE Congregation for the Doctrine of trinal congregation before its publication, to share stories about the late pope. Most of the GP2 staff are volunteers or the Faith will set up a special working the other language editions did not pass Lorena Bianchetti, an Italian journalist, are paid to work at the pub as part of their Tgroup to collect reported errors and through the doctrinal office after they were discussed Pope John Paul and the media, distribute corrections in translations of a involvement in an Italian civil service pro - translated by different publishing houses. and a week later the club inaugurated a new catechism created for young people. ject. Citta Nuova, the publishing arm of the photo exhibit on the late pope. Visitors typically range in age from 18 to The move came after the catechism’s Ital - Focolare lay movement, handled the Italian The GP2 pub’s mission statement said it 30, and the patrons include regulars and pil - ian edition was found to have a translation edition of the catechism. It was translated is a place for Catholic youth to gather in a grims and students of Catholic colleges in mistake that left the impression that safe environment, enjoy a beer or coffee and Rome. Camussi estimated that 20% of GP2’s Catholic couples could use “contraceptive by Pietro Podolak and translation revisions share in the joys of being Christian. The clients are foreigners, mostly from Eastern methods”. were overseen by Cardinal Angelo Scola of pub is open Thursday through Sunday and Central Europe, Asia and Africa. Austrian Cardinal Christoph Schönborn Venice. evenings and offers concerts, photography GP2 has many visitors from around Italy of Vienna, who oversaw the creation of Sometimes translators get a meaning and art exhibits, films and speakers. who would like to create a similar establish - “YouCat”, a recently released supplement to wrong or editing mistakes are made, Cardi - Mr Camussi said that the pub “is a dream ment in their own diocese, he said, because the Catechism of the Catholic Church, told nal Schönborn said, and for that reason “we come true,” and “a point where young they see GP2 as a good example of what a journalists that many translations of the need a second or third edition” that gets Catholic or non-Catholic people can speak, Catholic youth bar could be. original German text of the new catechism reviewed. play and drink a beer”. “This is a new thing now, because there were still under way. He said publication of the French edition The idea for the locale was born 11 years is no pub in Rome like us,” said Camussi. “I “YouCat” was expected to be published has been halted because of a discrepancy ago after Rome hosted World Youth Day for hope it’s [just] the first place of this type.”— in 13 languages, including Chinese and Ara - with the original German text concerning the Holy Year 2000. An information and CNS bic, by the end of 2011 and in 25 languages the Church’s view of other religions.—CNS 2 the Southern Cross, april 27 to May 3, 2011 LOCAL Malema’s court antics an ‘exercise in bullying’

By ClaIre MatHIeSoN Mr Malema appeared at an entrance to the court can only and to threaten. to the South African police force. Equality Court to defend his place a barrier of intimidation “If he had been accompanied “If the latter is true, then the pub - Church commentator has singing of the “Kill the Boer” between the court and the public by one or two dark-suited men lic is owed an explanation as to criticised ANC Youth League struggle song, flanked by body - whose interests it is intended to with their weapons carried out of how these gunmen were allowed Apresident Julius Malema for guards armed with assault rifles serve.” sight, one might have been pre - into the court in the first place,” bullying and disrespecting the who entered the court building pared to see it as little else than said Mr Pothier. “No private citi - country’s justice system, but with him. r Pothier added the court is the kind of ego-stroking and self- zen is allowed to enter a court warned against seeing Mr Malema “Mr Malema’s court theatrics Mthe place where the rule of aggrandisement that has unfortu - armed, so why was an exception as a buffoon. are despicable on a number of law and due process must be most nately become so typical of our made in this instance?” Mike Pothier, research coordi - grounds,” said Mr Pothier, a prac - rigorously upheld and protected. senior political leaders. But there Mr Pothier added that it was nator of the Catholic Parliamen - tising advocate. The presence of “It is not a place where the can be no mistaking the intention disappointing that the minister of tary Liaison Office (CPLO), a body non-uniformed and unidentifiable rights of the public, not to men - behind the overt, conspicuous and Justice and Constitutional Devel - of the Southern African Catholic men armed with machine guns in tion the rights of lawyers and in-your-face presence of six assault opment, who is charged at a politi - Bishops’ Conference, said in a a public place is always “disquiet - other officers of the court, should rifles: it was quite simply an exer - cal level with the responsibility to briefing paper that Mr Malema has ing”, said Mr Pothier, adding that be interfered with arbitrarily by cise in bullying.” uphold the justice system and the achieved a reputation that might the very nature of the court— private security guards who, unlike But beyond Mr Malema’s inap - rule of law, had not instantly suggest he is a fool or an empty- where disputes are settled—made the police, have no official stand - propriate acts, Mr Pothier felt the responded to the incident. headed loudmouth. the incident even more disturbing. ing and no power other than the failure by the relevant authorities Mr Pothier also expressed his However, “the dangerous farce “A court depends for its legiti - raw threat that emanates from to respond to Mr Malema’s display concern at the lack of commentary that he has orchestrated in and macy on being open and accessi - their weapons.” was “disturbing”. from senior ANC leaders who, “if around the Johannesburg High ble, a place where interested par - Mr Pothier believed the act was Justice department spokesman they really understand and value Court” while his hate-speech case ties, the media and the public at planned, suggesting Mr Malema Tlali Tlali said the guards were what is at stake here, should be was being heard “ought to be large can enter freely and see jus - intended to create disquiet, to unmarked policemen, but police providing a responsible and pru - enough to dispel such thoughts”, tice being done. To encounter six intimidate, to interfere with spokesman Vishnu Naidoo said dent counterweight to Mr Male - said Mr Pothier. hired gunmen ‘guarding’ the the public’s right of access, the security guards were not linked ma’s destructive antics”. Church group strives to fix health laws for poor By ClaIre MatHIeSoN was to help develop a compassion - “to ensure efficient use of scarce compliance should be broadened the bill and the suggested adminis - ate and accountable system of resources in the public hospitals”. to include the handling of medical trative medical compensation sys - EALTH care justice group health care in Southern Africa and The latest submission to the injury compensation”, said Fr tem would need to be monitored Patient First, a project of the is currently operated through three Department of Health forms part Muyebe. by individuals with expertise in HDominican order, has made primary projects. Initially, Patient of Patient First’s assistance to the Fr Muyebe said Patient First’s medical injuries. Fr Muyebe said a submission to the Department of First offers a platform for citizens poor especially as currently the submission suggests implementing this would be to ensure a fair Health on the national health to give feedback on their hospitals. medical compensation claims are a new system which would offer process. amendment bill. Fr Muyebe said the voices of the exclusively handled through civil citizens a fast-track route by which Fr Muyebe said Patient First Fr Stan Muyebe OP said: people can become a force for litigation mechanism, which compensation claims on medical would strive to help amend the “Patient First hopes to create leg - change. requires legal representation by injuries can be “administratively country’s laws through these sub - islative provision for the creation Secondly, Patient First also specialised medical-malpractice settled without legal action”. He missions so as to protect those of the office of the health stan - assists the poor to fight for their lawyers which the poor cannot said without this system the poor who are receiving or will be receiv - dards compliance”. He said in its rights and access financial relief afford. are entirely excluded from being ing medical care in the country. submission, Patient First has called when they are victims of avoidable “We are of the view that, to able to access compensation for These admendments would espe - for the broadening of the powers medical injuries in public hospi - ensure that the poor and the mar - medical injuries simply on account cially benefit the poor who have of the proposed office to include tals, and assists citizen-based ginalised enjoy the right to com - of not being able to afford the so far been neglected by laws the handling of medical compen - groups to participate actively in pensation when they are victims legal action that would achieve obtaining to health care. sation claims. the drafting and monitoring of medical injuries, the functions them the compensation. n For more information visit Fr Muyebe said the group’s goal processes of hospital budgets to of the office of health standards The proposed amendments to www.patientfirst.org.za LOCAL the Southern Cross, april 27 to May 3, 2011 3 Swaziland crisis: Church is ready to mediate StaFF rePorter and opposition-crushing tech - payers’ money mediating in Libya niques used by Mr Mugabe, using and Ivory Coast while its own back ITH the rise in tensions in the military to squash pro-democ - yard is marred with violence, Swaziland, the Catholic racy protesters”. intimidation and abuse of human WChurch in South Africa Reports from Manzini on the rights.” the Catholic Schools Board in the diocese of Port elizabeth held an together with the Swaziland Coun - day of the protests described some - Mr Chiviru said the lack of awards banquet in honour of teachers and staff who have been in service cil of Churches is making efforts in thing resembling a war zone. “All urgency reflects a lack of political of Catholic Schools in the diocese for 25 years and more. (From left) Mar - mediating between the Swazi gov - roads leading to Manzini were will, despite the leverage South garet Sixam of St thomas School for the Deaf; estelle Fourie from St ernment and pro-democracy blocked by military and police per - Africa has on Swaziland because of augustine’s Primary; Marita robson of St Dominic’s Priory and Fiona movements. McDonald of St Joseph’s Primary. sonnel armed with rifles. About its dependence on South Africa for However, the government refus - 100 buses were impounded around trade. es to meet with pro-democracy the country; police and the army “This situation affords South groups as it claims they are a marched in the streets,” Mr Africa wide latitude in pressurising Seminary’s new library opens threat to national security, said Chiviru said. King Mswati to undergo pro-demo - Theophilous Chiviru from the Jus - cratic reforms yet the South Continued from page 1 said the old seminary in Hamman - tice and Peace Department in the waziland, a country that has African government refuses to use Dr Mark Kourie, a philosophy skraal has a rich history of strug - Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Smost of its population living in this advantage even though people lecturer at the seminary, said the gles against apartheid. Conference. poverty and has the highest are being arrested and tortured.” Church must continue to be the The new library “revives the “The April 12 anti-monarchy HIV/Aids rates in Southern Africa, Mr Chiviru said it was clear that “intellectual rock” built upon St good memories we have about the protests in Swaziland, planned to has banned all political parties, Swaziland society is changing very Peter. “The Church has always former St Peter’s Seminary”, said Fr coincide with the date in 1973 and so the labour movement has rapidly and the potential triggers been a haven for intellectuals” he Molewe Machingoane, vice-presi - when King Sobhuza II unilaterally become a key platform for pro- of conflict have now been mani - said, adding that many of the dent of the seminary. “It is my declared a state of emergency that democracy activists. fested. greatest thinkers and minds in the hope that this library will assist in banned political parties through Mr Chiviru said the South “The tension between adher - world were members of the clergy. producing priests who are knowl - Proclamation No 7 of 12 April African government has ignored ence to traditional ethos and “I think that that naming the edgeable and courageous like the 1973, were met with a severe Swaziland because of its relative norms and the increasing yearning library after St Peter indicates how Apostle Peter was.” police crackdown in the Swaziland geo-political insignificance and for a democratic breakthrough fundamentally important it is that Anne Burt, the seminary’s secre - town of Manzini,” Mr Chiviru has bought into the government's looms large and will need to be priests today must be strong intel - tary, said that “students studying said. line that any change must come resolved in a timeous fashion.” lectually,” he said, noting that the at other Catholic Institutions will According to the Swaziland Fed - slowly from within the system. Mr Chiviru said the time for Church must be defended from be able to use our library”. eration of Trade Unions more than “President Jacob Zuma and [his] change could no longer be post - critique, and must also be a source Now that the library is in busi - 200 people, including journalists, government have stated that they poned and therefore it was only a of new and inspiring ideas. “I ness, Fr Molewe hopes that it will union members and members of have not yet taken a position on matter of time before the tension believe that having good intellec - be successful. His dream is that political parties, were detained in Swaziland; ironically Swaziland would escalate. He added that it tual foundations for the Church of students will be bequeathed with various police stations across the has been in the spotlight for the was necessary for the South tomorrow is without doubt the the heroic spirit of many of the country. The Swaziland govern - past decade. This just shows that African government to step in most important thing that the former students and priests of St ment clearly stated that any voice the Zuma administration has no along with the Church’s current Church in South Africa can aspire Peter’s in Hammanskraal. against the king and his monarchy urgency in dealing with the Swazi - efforts. to.” He said future priests must be would be considered treason. land situation, which one would The Church in Swaziland forms Fr John Maneschg MCCJ imbued by the apostle’s words: Mr Chiviru explained King think should be treated like a part of the Southern African Bish - encouraged the seminarians to “Master, to whom shall we go? Mswati, a close ally of Zimbab - domestic issue. Paradoxically the ops’ Conference, which also understand the significance and You have the words of eternal wean President Robert Mugabe, South African government is includes South Africa and implication of name-giving. He life.” (Jn 6:68) has adopted the same “oppressive spending thousands of the tax Botswana.

Red Acres Retreat Centre J.M.J HOT POT PAINT AND HARDWARE (PTY) LTD

46, 12th Street, Springs, 1559 Tel: (011) 362 3071, (011) 362 4682/3, (011) 8121655/6/7 BRANCHES: TOCOMMEMORATEYOURSPECIALOCCASION, PRINT YOUR LOGO & EVENT ON T-SHIRTS!! Springs (011) 362 3071 CONTACT ALLEDENE CUPIDO AT We accommodate PRISON CARE AND SUPPORT NETWORK Vereeniging (016) 427 5525 Small Conferences, retreats, MONDAY TO FRIDAY BETWEEN 09.00 - 13.00. Alberton (011) 907 8676 Workshops We offer reasonable rates. Benoni (011) 422 2331 Please fax or email the office for a quotation. www.redacres.org.za Contact numbers: 021 697 4174 (Telephone & Fax Heidelberg (016) 349 5886 021 697 1348 Phone: 033-3302289 Email: [email protected] Boksburg (011) 892 5186 Randburg (011) 678 2436 Lephalale (Ellisras) Mike or Annette (014) 763 3147

STOCKISTS OF: Paint, Hardware, Geysers, Roll- up garage doors, Sink tops, Bosch Power Tools. ALL AT THE VERY BEST PRICES!

Looking to open franchises in ALL areas. If interested please contact Nero or Gerald on 083 4606650 4 the Southern Cross, april 27 to May 3, 2011 INTERNATIONAL Disaster looms unless violence ends, warn Zambian bishops By MWaNSa PINtu even at the international airport at facilitation and management of will. elections would depend on the RCHBISHOP Telesphore “These are not faceless ruffians, Church for spiritual and moral Mpundu of Lusaka, Zambia, but known hired political hooli - guidance. Ahas warned of a “huge disas - gans with high-sounding titles Supporters of the ruling Move - ter” if political authorities do not bestowed on them by their spon - ment for Multiparty Democracy take decisive action to discourage sors—but no arrests have been have recently engaged in acts of their supporters from engaging in made, save for a few small fish, violence in public places as a acts of violence. leaving the architects of violence.” means to scare and intimidate peo - “Although Zambians are gener - With elections this year, the ple, particularly members of oppo - ally peaceful and long-suffering political atmosphere is already sition parties, into supporting their people, those we elect to rule us should always bear in mind that highly charged, and the situation presidential and parliamentary there is limit to people’s patience was complicated because parlia - candidates during this year’s gen - and resilience, as recent events in ment did not pass a new constitu - eral elections, expected sometime North Africa and the Middle East tion, Archbishop Mpundu said. after June. can testify,” Archbishop Mpundu The Zambian bishops’ confer - The supporters, referred to as said. “Law enforcement institu - ence’s vice-president, Bishop “MMD cadres” and usually clad in tions seem to be powerless and Ignatius Chama of Mpika, urged colourful printed fabric bearing Mr President Rupiah Banda to dia - Banda’s portrait, beat up and auxiliary Bishop Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo of Jerusalem stands at the paralysed into inaction while peo - starting marker for the “Gospel trail” on Mount Precipice in Nazareth, ple are beaten up in their presence logue with opposition parties to insult people who oppose their find a solution to the violence. candidates; often this occurs in full Israel. He led a group of journalists along the new 60km-long trail follow - and absence alike.” ing the paths Jesus is believed to have taken from Mount Precipice to The archbishop said it was sad “What we have seen in the view of politicians and police who Capernaum. the Gospel trail is a major initiative of the tourism ministry that those who perpetrated politi - recent past should make all of us are scared to arrest or stop them of Israel. (Photo: Debbie Hill, CNS) cal violence could not be arrested sit up,” said Bishop Chama. He for fear of being fired. even though they were well- said the Catholic Church will play Recently, the cadres beat up known. its part to ensure that Zambia journalists who were covering Mr “These cadres...act with impuni - remains a peaceful nation. Banda’s return from a trip abroad ty, maiming innocent citizens, Mr Banda has said that Zam - at Lusaka airport. The president, threatening others with unprint - bians depended on the Church to police and army officials stood by, Pope’s trip home takes shape able atrocities in the open, insult - bring about a peaceful resolution and Mr Banda later held a news On September 23, the pope ing even public figures and terror - of political differences. He said conference at which he blamed By JoHN tHaVIS will fly to Erfurt, in the former ising commuters at bus and rail - even institutions and organisa - the journalists for provoking his OPE Benedict’s September way stations, at marketplaces and tions that had a role to play in the supporters.—CNS East Germany, his first visit to trip to Germany will include the region. There he will meet Pmeetings with political lead - with leaders of the Evangelical ers, Lutherans and Orthodox Lutheran Church at the Augus - Vatican concern over China relations Christians, German Church offi - tinian monastery where Martin cials have said. Luther took his monastic vows By JoHN tHaVIS Rome and underlining the impor - the divisions are not deepened, at The German bishops’ confer - in the early 1500s. Later the tance of spiritual formation in the expense of harmony and ence released the schedule of the pope will preside over an VATICAN commission on confronting present challenges. peace.” pope’s September 22-25 visit, evening prayer service in the China has expressed deep The commission’s message The message said the ordination which will take him to the Ger - nearby town of Etzelsbach. concern over worsening rela - A noted the “general climate of dis - of a new bishop of Chengde last man capital, Berlin, and the The next day, the pope will tions with the Chinese govern - orientation and anxiety about the November—the first without papal cities of Erfurt and Freiburg. It celebrate Mass in the Cathedral ment and appealed to authorities future” of the Church in China, approval in four years—was a “sad will be the pope’s third visit to Square in Erfurt, and then travel there to avoid steps that would following recent setbacks in episode” that had inflicted a his homeland. to the south-western state of aggravate church-state problems. Church-state relations. It said that “painful wound” on Church unity. The papal visit begins in Baden-Württemberg. In Freiburg, Specifically, the commission given the numerous vacant dioce - The commission’s message said Berlin, where he will meet with he will meet with Orthodox rep - urged Chinese authorities not to ses in China, the selection of new the Church was open to “sincere German President Christian resentatives and hold an evening persist in imposing new govern - bishops was an urgent necessity and respectful dialogue with the Wulff at the Bellevue Palace. The encounter with young people. ment-backed bishops who do not and at the same time “a source of civil authorities” in order to over - pope will also address civil and On the final day, the pope will have papal approval. deep concern”. come the present problems. political representatives at the celebrate Mass at Freiburg airport, Titled a “Message to Chinese “The commission strongly The message asked the whole Bundestag, the lower house of Catholics”, the text was issued meet with German bishops and hopes that there will not be new Church to pray for Chinese parliament, and meet with address Catholic leaders at the after a three-day annual meeting wounds to ecclesial communion,” Catholics, in particular on May 24, Chancellor Angela Merkel. city’s concert hall before return - of the commission at the Vatican. it said. “We look with trepidation the feast of Our Lady, Help of In the evening, he will cele - ing to Rome in the evening. Pope Benedict met with com - and fear to the future: We know Christians, which Pope Benedict brate Mass in front of the Char - The pope will also meet with mission members at the end of that it is not entirely in our hands, has designated as a day of prayer lottenburg Palace, the former their encounter, praising Chinese and we launch an appeal so that for the Church in China (see also Jewish and Muslim representa - Catholics’ desire for unity with the problems do not grow and that Fr Chatteris, page 7) .—CNS royal residency. tives.—CNS

BLIND READERS OF

A group of readers is preparing audio tapes of excerpts from The Southern Cross , including editorials, selected articles, and regular features such as Fr Nicholas King SJ and Chris Moerdyk, as well current affairs in the Church. Anyone wanting to receive tapes as part of this service, available for an annual subscription fee of only R50, is invited to contact Ms Veronica Vieyra at “Clareinch”, Union Ave., Pinelands, 7405 or phone 021-53 2 0661 . The Post Office will deliver and return tapes without charge. Should you know of any inter - ested blind person, please inform them of this service. INTERNATIONAL the Southern Cross, april 27 to May 3, 2011 5 Beatified and canonised: the difference By CINDy WooDeN his or her life and ministry; the practice of personally presiding place may be as small as one over both beatifications and HE slight differences city, although usually it is the canonisations—and he did so between a beatification diocese where the person lived hundreds of times all over the Tand a canonisation are or died. In the case of Pope John world. easy to miss, especially when Paul, his October 22 feast day is Pope Benedict, responding to one pope beatifies another entered automatically into the pleas from some Vatican offi - KRUGER PARK pope. calendars of the diocese of cials, bishops and theologians, Shortly before Pope Benedict Rome and all the dioceses of his tried to help people actually see was to beatify Pope John Paul II native Poland. the difference between a beatifi - VIVA SAFARIS on May 1, the Congregation for A canonisation, on the other cation and a canonisation by (Member of SATSA) Divine Worship and the Sacra - hand, is a formal papal decree presiding personally only when ments issued a decree designed, that the candidate was holy and a new saint was being pro - SCHEDULED DAILY SAFARIS TO KRUGER PARK in part, to maintain the distinc - is now in heaven with God; the claimed. Fly-in and overland tours. See www.vivasafaris.com tion. decree allows public remem - For more than five years, he The decree dealt with one of brance of the saint at liturgies maintained that practice. But in the three main differences: the throughout the Church. It also September, he led the beatifica - number and location of dioceses means that churches can be tion Mass in England for John Viva Safaris is engaged with that can hold annual public dedicated to the person without Henry Newman. The second liturgical celebrations in the special Vatican permission. beatification of his pontificate 4 projects aimed at the upliftment holy person’s honour. Beatifications only became will be the proclamation of of the Acornhoek community, The other two differences are common in the early 1600s after Blessed John Paul. less noticeable and they deal the Vatican centralised the Procedurally, a miracle—liter - including the COMBONI with who ceremonially requests sainthood process. The cen - ally—is needed for a blessed to the pope to act and the level of tralised process meant dioceses be declared a saint. MISSIONARIES’ OUTSTATION papal authority involved in the could wait many years or For beatification, the Vatican proclamation. decades to celebrate one of their requires proof of a miracle During a beatification cere - Father Xico with partially own as a saint, so to acknowl - attributed to the candidate’s www.volunteersafaris.co.za completed church building mony, the bishop of the diocese edge the local devotion to the intercession, unless the candi - where the person dies asks that candidate, the popes would give date was martyred for his or her the candidate be declared the candidate the title blessed faith. 082 450 9930 Trevor blessed; at a canonisation, the and allow limited devotion. The second miracle—the one Reservations: 082 444 7654 Piero 082 506 9641 Anthony prefect of the Congregation for needed for canonisation—must Saints’ Causes speaks in the or hundreds of years, the take place after the beatification name of the whole Church and Fmost obvious difference ceremony and is seen as God’s asks that the candidate be between a canonisation and final seal of approval on the declared a saint. beatification was the fact that Church’s proclamation. Even less visible, but more the pope personally presided “In addition to reassuring us important, is the fact that only at a canonisation Mass. that the servant of God lives in “papal infallibility is involved” Those lines began to blur heaven in communion with when a person is declared a during the pontificate of Pope God, miracles are the divine saint, said Cardinal Agostino Paul VI, who decided to cele - confirmation of the judgment Vallini, the papal vicar of Rome. brate the beatification in 1971 expressed by Church authorities Beatification is an “adminis - of Polish Franciscan Father Max - about the virtuous life” lived by trative act” by which the pope imilian Kolbe, who was mar - the candidate, Pope Benedict allows a candidate for sainthood tyred in a Nazi concentration said in a speech to members of to be venerated publicly in camp. the Congregation for Saints’ places closely associated with Pope John Paul II kept up the Causes in 2006.—CNS Expert slams church music PROMINENT English music director has Aattacked modern Church music, saying it is “low quality material”. Writing in the English Catholic journal The Tablet , Joseph Cullen, choral director at the London Symphony Orches - tra, says that since the 1960s there has been a “glaring lack of sympathy” for “worthy sacred music”. He said that the rush to find new musical settings for the new Mass in the 1960s led to little artistic scrutiny being applied to the process. As a result, most parish Masses now have poorly-composed hymns Spanish schoolgirls, one wearing a rosary, take part in a religious being used inappropriately as procession in Seville. Spain is preparing to host World youth Day in mere “fillers” throughout the Madrid from august 16-21. (Photo: Marcelo del Pozo, reuters/CNS) sacred liturgy. Priest flees parish amid gang war By DaVID aGreN Armendáriz said in comments Last August, 72 Central and published by the newspaper El South American migrants were T least one priest has aban - Universal . “Thanks to God, we’re massacred on a ranch in San doned his parish in Mexi - still here. Fortunately, nothing Fernando after being kidnapped. Aco’s north-eastern state of has happened, but we travel Investigators blame Los Zetas Tamaulipas, where the bodies of with fear.” for both of the mass slayings. at least 122 abducted and mur - The bishop spoke as Mexico Seventeen suspects have been dered bus passengers have been confronted the horror of anoth - detained for the most recent pulled from mass graves within er mass slaying in Tamaulipas, murders. the first half of April. where Los Zetas and the Gulf Mexican attorney-general Bishop Faustino Armendáriz Cartel have fought over lucra - Marisela Morales said that 16 Jiménez of Matamoros told tive drug-smuggling routes and municipal police had been fired reporters that at least one priest carried out crimes such as extor - for allegedly providing protec - from a municipality near where tion and the kidnapping of tion to Los Zetas in San Fernan - the mass graves were discovered undocumented migrants with do. had fled after being threatened impunity. Mexico’s President Felipe and subjected to harassment by Tamaulipas state officials Calderón warned that more vic - presumed members of organised report having pulled at least 122 tims were likely to be found. He crime. bodies from mass graves in the told a business gathering in He added that other priests municipality of San Fernando, April that a 19-year-old suspect have encountered difficulties which is part of the diocese of admitted to killing more than travelling in the state, which is Matamoros. 200 people. plagued by highway check - The federal attorney general’s Bishop Armendáriz blamed points manned by organised office and military said the vic - “social deterioration” and the criminal groups such as Los tims were killed after cartel gun - drug trade for the violence in Zetas and the Gulf Cartel. men boarded buses stopped at Tamaulipas, which he says is “We’ve had [incidents] at the illegal checkpoints and removed now beyond police and military armed checkpoints,” Bishop male passengers. control.—CNS on DStv audio channel 170 & streamed on www.radioveritas.co.za 6 the Southern Cross, april 27 to May 3, 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.

aware of me. He knows me, he Editor: Günther Simmermacher The greatness of God understands me. And not only me, many things and events beyond but every single creature to which E humans make judgments he has given life, ever! about phenomena relative to our limited experience. Like God, W for instance, and his greatness. The consideration of this makes Beatification of JPII our own capabilities. Anything the mind boggle. Nothing could outside our experience is not easily We have been told that God made us in his own image and have that ability, that omni - never was any doubt that John understandable, sometimes not science. But then I come back to HE beatification of Pope likeness, which should mean that Paul would one day join the Col - even acceptable to us. the bird analogy, inadequate John Paul II at the Vatican lege of Saints, which he himself Those of us with 20/20 vision, he is something like us. I don’t on May 1 will unite the though it may be. If I, in my arro - T expanded so prodigiously. Popu - for instance, find it hard to accept know about that, but I do believe gance, find it difficult to accept a world’s Catholics in joy, for every - lar opinion instantly recognised that some birds are able to see four that he must be something awe - body will have an appreciation of scientifically established fact both as saints. or five times further than we can, some. at least some elements of the new regarding the superiority of a As John Paul did for Mother that the clarity with which they Science is continually finding blessed’s life of holy service. bird’s sight in comparison with a Teresa, so did Pope Benedict fast- see things is far better than ours, out more and more about the uni - Pope John Paul lived his pon - human’s, does that not parallel my track the cause of his predecessor, that they have greater perception verse, and the more they discover tificate more publicly than any of inability to understand the truly speeding up what was inevitable. of movement than we do. the more wondrous God becomes awesome wonder of God? his predecessors. In this, he was It is on the point of rules being for me. He grows in my mind as aided by the rapid advances in It is difficult to accept that, My mind cannot encompass bent that some Catholics object his creation expands—or rather media and travel. But more than should we have line-of-sight vision it—but then, my mind was not to the timing of Pope John Paul’s my understanding of it. But the that, he was an open pontiff, a for 2km, that they would be able meant to, any more than my eye - beatification, asking why similar to see for eight or ten kilometre— part that becomes more and more sight was intended to equal that of man whom the public could accommodation has not been know. with great clarity! wondrous to me is that, in this a bird’s. made for other individuals who Every Catholic will have So perhaps this might help us unimaginably huge universe God is great! are similarly publicly acclaimed as favourite memories of John Paul, to start accepting the reality of which is God’s creation, he is Tom Drake , Johannesburg saints. be they particular moments or There is no impertinence in general dispositions. asking why, for example, Arch - South Africans, who suffer so in pastoral charity the bond that will go to confession and bishop Óscar Romero—murdered much from crime, may be Daily Eucharist which gives unity to the priest’s receive Holy Communion on that in 1980 while celebrating Mass inspired and acutely challenged OUR front-page article on the life and work.” The council adds: feast would obtain the complete by John Paul’s capacity of forgive - because he stood up for justice— Y“Move the World Aids Aware - “...flows mainly from the forgiveness of sins and the ocean ness, which he demonstrated so has not yet been beatified, espe - ness Expedition” (April 6), which Eucharistic Sacrifice which is of graces. To most Catholics and powerfully when he visited his cially since as a martyr his cause aims to reach four continents in a therefore the centre and root of non-Catholics who are pious in would-be assassin, Mehmet Ali requires no miracles. hundred days is admirable. the whole priestly life.” And John the Divine Mercy devotion, the Agca, in jail in 1983. Questions have also been Admirable too is the humanity, Paul adds: “We can understand preparation of this great feast Those working for peace con - raised about Pope John Paul’s courage and sense of adventure then how important it is for the starts with the novena of chaplets tinue to draw inspiration from inaction concerning the publi - being shown by Fr Stefan Hippler. spiritual life of a priest as well as to the Divine Mercy, beginning the pope’s meeting with the lead - cised allegations of sexual abuses “We will drive for 16 hours a for the good of the Church and on Good Friday for a specific ers of other faiths in Assisi in by his friend Fr Marcial Maciel, day and sleep for six hours,” he the world that priests follow the intention each day. The Divine 1986 (and again in 2002). founder of the Legionaries of said. And he explained that for council’s recommendation to cel - Mercy image of the merciful sav - Of the many iconic moments Christ. We must presume that the him the expedition is a form of ebrate the Eucharist daily. For iour is venerated as a reminder to Congregation for Sainthood Caus - in John Paul’s pontificate, the mission. As a missionary priest even if the faithful are unable to trust in Jesus and do the works of es was fully satisfied that the late image of the pope alone in prayer myself, I identify with that urge be present, it is an act of Christ mercy. pontiff was not party to a cover- before the Western Wall in to get out to the whole world. and the Church.” Since it is a period of mercy, all up, though it would do well to Jerusalem may be the most pro - I noticed that the expedition May God bless the Aids expedi - these practices are purified by the follow the advice offered by John found on many levels: a moment was to leave from Vancouver on tion and bring them back safely. sacrament of reconciliation. Paul’s biographer George Weigel of repentance and reconciliation April 19, the Tuesday of Holy Fr Freddy Warner SMA, Celebrating the Easter season to issue a public report to “help that showed the power of humili - Week. This for me raised the Rustenburg this way, as the feast of mercy, clear the air”. ty, and a pope’s prayerful return question of how he would cele - develops or results in deeper shar - Other critics have expressed to the temple which for the early brate the paschal mystery as an ing in the mystery of Christ and misgivings about Pope John We need feast of Christians, and indeed for Christ, ordained priest? For the priest making the Easter season fully Paul’s beatification because they was the tangible centre of faith. especially the paschal mystery is alive. This feast needs to be fully have objections to certain ele - Catholics will remember the the expedition which moved the Divine Mercy celebrated! ments of his pontificate. Certainly pope interacting with the youth, world and changed its history. HE feast of the Divine Mercy, Br Isaac Mutelo, Johannesburg it is right that the 26-year pontifi - canonising and beatifying legions Admittedly, the Aids expedi - Twhich is celebrated on the cate of John Paul II, like any pon - of holy people, bearing his physi - tion appears to be highly organ - Sunday after Easter, is a somewhat cal suffering so publicly with tificate, be subjected to rigorous new addition to the liturgical cal - Death and resur - scholarly examination. However, ised, “planned to the minute”, so heroic courage, kneeling at Fati - perhaps the plan has managed to endar, and its insertion to the ma in thanksgiving to Our Lady, the late pope’s beatification is not Easter Season has being ques - rection a time for that. include daily Mass and the daily to whom he had such a pure recitation of the hours. I wish Fr tioned by many. ESUS said that he laid down his devotion, and so on. Cardinal Angelo Amato, pre - To some, this feast confuses Jlife in order to give life to his fect of the sainthood congrega - Hippler well and if I have mis - And Catholics will remember judged him (due to lack of infor - the Easter feast and would be best people. how tens of thousands, so many tion, has made it clear that John celebrated during the Lenten sea - The gift to Catholics is that he Paul will be beatified on the basis mation) I trust he will forgive me. of them young people, came to St But I have raised the point son, a period specifically for fast - comes to us in Holy Communion Peter’s Square to hold a vigil for of his personal virtues of faith, because of a model of priesthood ing, almsgiving and supplication and we should realise the enormi - the dying pope in 2005. hope and love—and the pope’s which has become fashionable of and not when we celebrate the ty of this great sacrifice. After John Paul died, the call of holiness is a matter of indis - resurrection of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 says we late. This model presents priest - the people echoed around the putable record. It is the personal It is important to note that must get rid of the old yeast of hood to us as being solely a ser - world: Santo Subito —make him a holiness of the man born on May Easter Sunday however, represents evil and wickedness, having only vice to the community with saint now. 18, 1920 in Wadowice, Poland, as our creation in the life of grace the unleavened bread of sincerity emphasis on the poor and vulner - Before the formal rules govern - Karol Wojtyla that we shall focus through faith in the risen saviour. and truth. able. And this model seeks to ing the process by which an indi - on this Sunday, leaving his legacy On the octave of Ester, we too Jesus carries his cross. We must draw its life solely from the bond vidual becomes a saint were grad - for another day. ratify the covenant of mercy, reaf - go on, never losing sight of this; of pastoral charity to the commu - ually instituted in the middle And so Catholics around the firming not only our baptism, never losing heart. We must nity. ages, saints were usually recog - world will rejoice as the man who already renewed at the Easter realise the implications of 1 nised by popular acclaim. As with created 1 340 beati becomes one On this point writing in Eccle - vigil, but also the sacraments of Corinthians 5:7-8: “My hour has Mother Teresa of Kolkata, there himself. sia de Eucharist , John Paul II says: reconciliation, confirmation and come,” he said, “the hour of great “The second Vatican Council saw Eucharist. mercy for humanity.” Our hour The octave Sunday of Easter has come for repentance, courage represents the fulfilment of that and right living. creation in grace. The feast of the Barbara Jones, Randburg Divine Mercy is the octave of the resurrection, which fulfils the richness of the paschal mystery in Mary overlooked a new and deeper way, with all nature and creation sounding by SA bishops? anew the grace of the resurrec - HILE it is undoubtedly an tion. Wexcellent promotion in Our Easter liturgy had fulfilled every way, “SA Bishops declare the major feasts of the Old Testa - May family month” (April 6), I ment, namely the Passover and feel very saddened by the fact that Pentecost, and was only missing in the fourth paragraph stating the Day of Atonement. why May was chosen, and nam - The feast of the Divine Mercy ing the four resons, not one word now seals the needed fulfilment was mentioned about it being the of the Old Testament feasts. It is special month of Our Lady. rooted in the Old Testament (Gen Surely this should head the list 17:12-14, Ex 19:14-15 and 24:6- of important days? Where is the 7), and the earlier form of the public recognition in the Catholic ony Wyllie & Co. feast was celebrated from the 4th press of Our Lady and the role she T century, which St Augustine plays in the practice of our faith? Catholic Funeral Home called “days of mercy and par - With Mary’s intercession these don” (#156 Dominica in Albis ) and excellent projects stand much Personal and Dignified the Sunday “the compendium of more of a chance of success, or is 24-hour service the days of mercy”. this no longer in vogue? Tradition Hence it emphasises the has always constituted the initial 469 Voortrekker Rd, Maitland Tel: aspects of the paschal mystery basic foundation of our faith. 021 593 8820 that need to be brought out more What a pity that some of our clearly and appropriated by Catholic traditions are in danger 48 Main Rd, Muizenberg Christ’s merciful love, our atone - of falling away by default. Tel: 021 788 3728 ment and the covenant. Jesus made a special promise Maureen Pistorius, Umgeni Park, Member of the NFDA through St Faustina that the soul KwaZulu-Natal PERSPECTIVES the Southern Cross, april 27 to May 3, 2011 7

Mgr Paul Nadal Chris Chatteris SJ Many positive signs Priesthood and had been not only a resounding success, Pray with the Pope HILE surrounded by many ten - but also “a call to something else more Ministry sions, difficulties and insecuri - profound—to the beauty of holiness, the ties in the ministerial priest - W splendour of truth, and to witness to It is the teaching and tradition of the hood, there are many positive signs that Christ with joy and happiness,” Cardi - tell us today that the priestly service is Catholic Church that there is a clear dis - Media with dignity nal Nichols recalled. “The pope was tinction between the ministry of the needed more than ever in society today. telling us that what is properly called People are more aware of the human baptised, who share in the priesthood of General Intention: That those working in commu - love is about self-sacrifice. That is part of dignity and consequently more open to Jesus Christ, and the ministry of the nication media may respect truth, solidarity, and dignity true self-fulfilment.” religious values, more open to the ordained priest. The Eucharist is central of all people. British society, considered by many Gospel and the priestly ministry. to the Church’s identity and mission RITAIN’S News of the World newspaper has got Despite many contradictions, society to be aggressively secularist, showed and it is only the priest who presides at itself into a spot of bother over the issue of signs of an insipient malaise and at the is increasingly witnessing a powerful the Eucharist. phone-hacking. Apparently its celebrity jour - same time a huge need for God and the B thirst for justice. There is a more lively What is called for then is a partner - nalists acquired the bad habit of hacking into the Gospel message of Jesus Christ for love, sense that the whole of humanity must ship, between the baptised faithful and cellphones and eavesdropping on the private con - justice, peace, truth and freedom. care for creation and respect nature. the ordained priesthood. versations of the rich and famous. There is strong evidence of an increased The understanding of the Church as The newspaper has apologised (somewhat late, “the sacrament of the unity of Pope John Paul II said: “To insist on love for the Scriptures, Bible Study, the pastoral and sacramental ministry of since some of these offenses occurred several years faith-sharing and Christian fellowship mankind” and the ministerial priest - ago), but the apology is unlikely to be the end of hood as one of leadership and service priests in no way lessens the value and in small Christian communities. responsibilities and activity which the the affair. The Rupert Murdoch-owned Sunday Perhaps the strongest evidence for must lead the whole Church, that is all laity have…an essential part of priestly paper clearly faces a long and expensive legal this need for God—and the priest—was the baptised being involved in ministry. assault which might break it financially. ministry consists in encouraging and Pope Benedict’s visit to Britain last Sep - Diakonia , or service, is the Church’s very No bad thing, one might say, given the kind of tember. essence. motivating, in coordinating and sup - journalism that the News of the World and its clones Many Catholics, including Cardinal When, however, we speak of the min - porting the responsible activity of the indulge in—paparazzi entrapment of the worst kind. Vincent Nicols of Westminster (and isterial dimension of the Church, there faithful in the various areas of their bap - Such a financial eclipse might “encourage” the myself, too), held their breath before the can be the danger of reducing all ministry tismal vocations.” clones to behave more ethically and report on more start of the papal visit. to one expression of service, without dis - n This is the final instalment in Mgr important things than the antics of media idols. After the visit it was said that the it tinction between role and responsibility. Nadal’s six-part series on the priesthood. In other words they might report on things that are really “in the public interest”. Not just the pub - lic’s prurient interest in scandal, but those things which serve the common good. The mass communications media might then Emmanuel Ngara bring to our attention important truths rather than Can the Holy Spirit mislead us? trivial tittle-tattle; they might show more solidarity Christian leadership with those whose stories are forgotten rather than priest. There was no agonising about it or talking vacuously about supermodels; they might HERE must be many thousands of feelings of regrets—the decision had been treat those they report on with basic human digni - people who at one point appear to made and that was it! Did the Holy Spirit ty as opposed to oscillating between sycophantic Thave a strong sense of calling, only to misguide me? I think not. and continue to admire the Society of fawning and casual character-assassination. find that what they thought was a calling When I thought I wanted to be a priest, Jesus, not only for its tradition of excellent We pray, with the pope, for a renewed and reli - turns out to be a red herring. the only kind of priest I desired to be was education, but for the contribution its able moral compass for the media and its practi - This is particularly true of religious life, to be a Jesuit. For me becoming a priest members have made to the work of the tioners in an incredibly tempting and highly but can apply to other professions such as was synonymous with being a Jesuit. And Church and to human advancement gen - ambiguous moral climate. And we pray for a greater medicine or engineering. Someone may so when I was disappointed with the erally. discernment for ourselves in our use of the internet, spend his or her time training to be an Jesuits, the idea of becoming a priest simul - I believe that when God put the idea of print, TV, radio and the other media. engineer, only to end up as the manager of taneously went out of the window! But becoming a Jesuit in me, he wanted me to a company that has nothing to do with were the six years of contemplating a engineering. future life as a Jesuit priest a waste of my receive Jesuit education in order to prepare Of course, there have been cases of peo - time? Not at all! Were they spent usefully? me for my calling. Prayers for China Let me perhaps cite a more deserving ple who have exploited the calling to reli - Definitely! Missionary Intention: That the Lord may help the gious life in order to get a free education! This is what happened. In my last year example. Mother Teresa did not begin her mission by forming the congregation of Church in China persevere in fidelity to the Gospel and There are, however, many who have gen - of primary school the Jesuit Fathers grow in unity. uinely thought that they are called to be advised me that if I wanted to be a Jesuit I the Missionaries of Charity. She felt called priests, pastors or nuns, only to discover to serve the people of India and joined the VER since the Roman Emperor Constantine should go to their new school, so that I converted to Christianity, the Church has they are not called to that way of life at all. Loreto Sisters who were working in Bengal. would do my secondary and high school - been tempted to take advantage of political, Does this mean that the Holy Spirit some - ing at a Jesuit school before I would join For many years she served the Loreto sis - E economic and even military power in its mission - times guides people along the wrong path? ters as a teacher. As it turned out, when the novitiate. ary endeavours. Tom Holland’s spellbinding work Let me be take my own case. When I she decided to form the Missionaries of Each time I look back at my history, I on the Dark Ages, simply entitled Millennium , illus - was in the last year or two of primary Charity, her first recruits were students she thank God for giving me the opportunity trates this vividly. school I felt very strongly that God was had taught as a Loreto Sister. to spend six years at a Jesuit school. I Holland describes how many former “barbarian” calling me to be a priest. I spent a total of believe that no other school could have When we follow God’s will, nothing we do in life is wasted. What may seem irrele - warlords of the time—larger than life figures like about six years entertaining the idea that given me the kind of education I received Canute—received baptism and became champions there was nothing else I could do in this at St Ignatius College. The Jesuit Fathers vant to our calling is part of the training and experience we need to prepare us for of the Christian faith once they had established life except to become a priest, but at the have been among the best educators for their kingdoms. Motivated by a mixture of politics our future mission. end of those long years something of no the last 450 years or more, and I believe I and piety, these essentially violent characters would The people we come into contact with, gigantic proportions happened and my am what I am because of the quality of then be fired with military-missionary zeal to the experiences we go through, both good vocation to the priesthood fizzled out— education I received at St Ignatius College expand the domains of Christendom with fire and and bad, and the education we receive, is just like that. in Zimbabwe. sword, forcing pagan peoples to convert to Christ. Once this thing happened I decided While I decided not to become a Jesuit all part of the preparation we need for our That it was actually unnecessary and undesirable there and then that I was not going to be a priest, I have remained a Jesuit at heart future calling. to use such dominance was proved by missionary success in places where force was not used. One such region was China, where the powerful Chinese state resisted Western encroachment. Mis - sionaries had to walk a way of weakness and humil - ity. A great example of this was the Italian Jesuit NEW FOR 2011 • ALL WELCOME! Father Matteo Ricci, an early and successful practi - 24 September to 2 October tioner of what today we would call inculturation. EMMANUEL CATHEDRAL DURBAN On the 400th anniversary of his death (in Bei - PILGRIMAGE jing in 1610), Pope Benedict praised his “profound faith and extraordinary cultural and academic Visiting Assisi, Rome and Vatican City genius”’ and how he had been “a model of dialogue Organised and led by Rev Fr Stephen Tully and respect for the beliefs of others and made friendship the style of his apostolate during his Cost: R1 5 520 twenty-eight years in China”. Tel: (031) 26 6 7702 Fax: (031) 26 6 8982 Four hundred years after Fr Ricci, the Church Email: [email protected] continues to tread the same path of missionary humility in a difficult political environment. How - A list of current pilgrimages can be viewed by clicking on ever, according to a recent Chinese Jesuit visitor to the Valley View Travel icon at www.catholic-friends.com South Africa, the faith survives and continues to grow in China despite external pressures and inter - nal tensions over the relationship with the state. We give thanks for the fidelity of the Chinese faithful and pray that they may continue to encourage us by their witness to the power of God made manifest in weakness.

phone: 021 880 0242 (Monday to Friday) fax: 021 880 0253 e-mail: [email protected] post: Po Box 142, Stellenbosch, 7599 visit: Paradyskloof rd (off r44 to Strand) TheSSouthern CCross BEATIFICATION the Southern Cross, april 27 to May 3, 2011 9

Revisit our special John Paul II Bl John Paul II is an all-round patron memorial edition on the Web

emony in 1978, he told the youth: “You funeral since the Great Schism. The When Pope John Paul II is beatified are the future of the world, you are the Anglican archbishop of Canterbury, Dr on May 1, the Church will gain a pow - hope of the Church, you are my hope.” Rowan Williams, was also present at And among his last words, reportedly papal funeral—the first time an archbish - erful new intercessor in the College of delivered hours before his death on April op of Canterbury did so since the Saints, writes SaMuel FraNCIS . 2, 2005, were also directed to the youth. Church of England broke with the papa - In response to the thousands of young cy in the 16th century. people praying and singing in St Peter’s Also for the first time ever, the head square, he said: “I sought you and now of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido HE old proverb Vox populi, vox Dei you have come to me… I thank you.” Church, Patriarch Abune Paulos attended is usually attributed to the 12th- PILGRIMS: Pope John Paul was the a papal funeral. And in a historic rarity, Tcentury William of Malmesbury. It “pilgrim pope”. He is the most travelled Protestant and Eastern Orthodox Christ - means: the voice of the people is the pope in the nearly 2 000-year history of ian leaders, as well as leaders in Judaism, voice of God. the Church. During his papacy, he visit - Islam and Buddhism offered memorials During the 2005 funeral ceremony for ed more than 120 nations and was seen and prayers of their own for their con - Pope John Paul II, the crowds at the Vati - in person by millions. gregants, in solidarity and as a way of www.digital.scross.co.za/0504-jp2/ can shouted “Santo subito!”—make him POLITICIANS: At his funeral were sharing in the grief of all Catholics. a saint now! This was their wish, they four kings, five queens and at least 70 PEACE: John Paul made peace with had spoken, and their voice became the presidents and prime ministers. He was his would-be assassin, the Turkish gun - voice of God. neither the president nor a state official man Mehmet Ali Agca, who shot and Pope Benedict, who as Cardinal in the United States, but when he died, critically wounded him in May 1981. Joseph Ratzinger presided over the funer - President George W Bush ordered that The pope was also very strong in his al Mass of his friend and predecessor, has the flags be flown at half mast at the opposition to war, saying that wars gen - appointed May 1 as the date for John White House and all federal buildings erally do not resolve the problems but Paul’s beatification, the final step before and military facilities until the pope was are, in fact, a defeat for humanity. He sainthood. In addition, Bl John Paul II buried. termed war as the most barbarous and has been chosen the official spiritual AFRICA: According to Cardinal Wil - least effective way of resolving conflicts. patron of World Youth Day 2011. He is frid Napier, John Paul II had a soft spot In addition, he invited religious leaders the one who founded World Youth Day for Africa in general, and for the bishops to Assisi to offer prayers for peace in the and presided over many of its large gath - of Southern Africa in particular. world. erings around the world. ECUMENISM: During his travels, he THE SICK: John Paul perhaps inspired Having been the people’s pope, John came into contact with believers of vari - more people in his death than he did in Paul II certainly will become the people’s ous divergent faiths. He had a good rela - life. In his final years, his step became saint. tionship with the Church of England halted by illness and infirmity and his the passport of Karol Wojtyla, the future Pope John He brought the papacy closer to the and the relations between Catholicism speech became laboured, but his people of all world cultures and was Paul II, is displayed at a mobile exhibition in and Judaism improved during his pontif - indomitable spirit touched, taught and Krakow, Poland. (Photo: Mateusz Skwarczek, unafraid to mix with the masses. He is icate. inspired many. agencja Gazeta) said to have been the most recognised He became the first pope to visit the Just as he was the people’s pope in life person in the world, and his funeral is eastern Orthodox countries since the so will he become the people’s saint in believed to have brought together the Great Schism; he was the first pope to death. He interceded for the Church as single largest gathering in world history. enter and pray in a mosque and was vis - the successor of Peter, now he will inter - As a saint, John Paul could become ited eight times by the Buddhist religious cede for humanity as a beatus . the patron of the following: leader, Dalai Lama. After May 1, we shall then say: Blessed THE YOUTH: John Paul II had a spe - Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I John Paul II, pray for us! cial affinity for young people, not attended his funeral; thus making history n Samuel Francis is a student of theology at because he was young, but because he by becoming the first Orthodox ecu - St Joseph’s Theological Institute in Cedara, was youthful. During his installation cer - menical patriarch to attend a papal KwaZulu-Natal.

Jerusalem, Magido, Stations of the Cross www.comepraytherosary.org

Bishop Karol Wojtyla of Krakow in the 1960s. HOLY SITES TRAVEL CCAAPPUUCCHHIINN SSIISSTTEERRSS TEL: 082 975 0034 / FAX: 086 552 9648 E-MAIL:[email protected] RREETTRREEAATT HHOOUUSSEE WEB SITE: www.holysites.co.za We are blessed to have this House of prayer to share the Join us on a pilgrimage to the Holy land contemplative silence and solitude that are our riches as Poor Clares. as we explore the cradle of Christianity Retreatants have the opportunity to: and follow the Footsteps of Jesus . Attend Eucharist with the Sisters ViSiT: Spend time in personal prayer and reflection Pray in the Holy Grotto where Gabriel appeared Experience the peace, simplicity and joy of a Franciscan holy place to the Virgin Mary Visit the Holy Manger where Jesus was born Experience the support and the prayers of the Capuchin Poor Clare Sisters Sea of Galilee – by its waters Jesus chose his Take time for rest and renewal Pope John Paul II appears on the balcony of St first disciples Peter’s basilica after being elected as the 263rd successor to St Peter on october 16, 1978—the first TO MAKE RESERVATION OR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: renew your baptismal vows in the Jordan river Walk the Via Dolorosa non-Italian pontiff in 455 years. Sr. Leonissa light a candle for your loved ones on Calvary (028) 514-1319 For more details contact Elna Ferreira e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 082 975 0034

a badly deteriorated negative of Pope John Paul II meeting his would-be assassin, Mehmet ali agca, in a rome prison on December 27, 1983.

on foreign visits, Pope John Paul would kiss the ground of the country he arrived in, as he did in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 1989. 10 the Southern Cross, april 27 to May 3, 2011 FAITH Let the youth of South Africa be pilgrims such as World Youth Day will help our parishes and mix with other A pilgrimage is a journey of me meet other youth from around youth within our church commu - learning and self discovery. the world and see how they deal nity,” he said. with these situations, bring that Fr Prince said the primary rea - Why then, is there a shortage knowledge back to my community son for the shortage of pilgrimages of youth pilgrims, asks ClaIre and hopefully make a difference.” from South Africa—youth-orien - The diocese of Port Elizabeth tated or not—is the financial MatHIeSoN. will be sending a contingent of pil - aspect. “A trip to places such as grims to the 26th World Youth Rome and Jerusalem is very costly Day (WYD) in Madrid, Spain, in and out of the reach of many peo - OST Catholics would agree August. The group, made up of ple. However, journeys to local that young adults, who are both Catholic and non-Catholic places of significance such as Mlearning about indepen - youth, has been preparing for the churches and shrines, and also dent life, love and the world pilgrimage through fundraising weekends away and retreats should around them, should be encour - events, weekend retreats and spiri - definitely be encouraged.” aged to become pilgrims, setting tual preparation. One such local place is Ngome out on a journey that one can start Fr Prince said these “out-of-rou - Port elizabeth’s Sacred Heart pilgrims have booked and paid for their tickets in the diocese of Eshowe, KwaZu - as a fledgling adult and end as a tine” moments dedicated to God to attend World youth Day in Spain this august. (From left) Selwyn Goliath, lu-Natal, where German-born directed, mature and spiritually are incredibly important, especial - Shinay terblanche, Bianca Bosch, alexis Pillay, Nico Bagley. Benedictine Sister Reinolda May stable person. ly in our fast-paced modern soci - reported having experienced ten Fr Charles Prince is the youth ety. However, there is a difference Marian apparitions between 1955 chaplain in the archdiocese of between a pilgrimage and weekend and 1971. Cape Town. He said that tradition - away or a retreat, he said. “The lat - Fr Prince said while retreats and for those 18 and older. Mr Chetty said more youth-ori - ally pilgrimages were visits to sites ter two do not focus so much on weekends away regularly feature Another member of the Port entated pilgrimages were needed. related to the life and ministry of the journey aspect. Time away, on the calendars of youth groups Elizabeth contingent, A’neil Phi - “Youth nowadays don’t really Jesus. especially with one’s peers, allows and confirmation classes, pilgrim - lander said his last WYD pilgrim - know much of our religion. A “Now there are many other sites for a deepening of relationships ages are less likely. He said it age to Sydney, Australia, in 2008 deeper more exciting youth of pilgrimage related also to our with God and also those who depends on the particular parish. was an experience that he would trip/pilgrimage will attract lots of Blessed Mother and many saints. accompany one on such activi - never forget, and it “certainly young people who would be keen But whatever the destination of a ties.” espite the importance of the helped me strengthen my faith to join in and enjoy whatever is pilgrimage, the intention is always Fr Prince said the journey in Devent, many parishes in South and my relationship with God”. being offered, and at the same to take time out of our secular life itself is not only a description of Africa ignored the call to inform He said the pilgrimage provided time learn about our religion and and dedicate more than just an the physical movement, but also their youth about WYD this year , him the opportunity to learn more God in a fun way”. Mr Philander hour on a Sunday to God.” the spiritual journey. While any said Mr Chetty. about Catholicism and God. “The thought youth-orientated pilgrim - Fr Prince said the physical jour - time with God is important, mov - While the archdiocese of Johan - fact that it’s a pilgrimage—I get to ages could help the youth to ney that pilgrims undertake and ing with him is even better, Fr nesburg will be attending as a share and experience all that with “search deep inside for our true the hardships they sometimes Prince said. group and Port Elizabeth will be many other people from all calling”. endure are a “symbolic representa - St Francis Xavier seminarian travelling as a diocese, many around who have the same Each of the pilgrims inter - tion of the inner journey towards Russel Williams said pilgrimages youth from other dioceses around beliefs!” He said it was because of viewed said they were incredibly union with God”. are important and a great opportu - the country are making their own his active parish that he was excited about going on pilgrimage, World Youth Day pilgrim Aaron nity to encounter the Lord. “Youth way. afforded the opportunities. but for each of them WYD was the Chetty from Our Mother Of Per - should be especially encouraged to Many more were not informed Mr Philander said he grew only pilgrimage available to them. petual Help parish in Port Eliza - join [pilgrimages], so that they, or encouraged to go by their indi - stronger as a person in love and While most agree that pilgrim - beth said as a young parishioner who are the future of the Church, vidual parishes —either because faith, adding that his eyes were ages are important and can be a he faces a lot of difficulties in the can create that sacramental ability, they do not attend catechism, hav - opened to the fact that one could valuable part of forming a young community; mainly crime and to build their faith with outward ing already been confirmed, or be proud about being a Catholic. Catholic’s life—there just aren’t drug abuse amongst the youth. signs and interpreting it, in order because that particular parish does “It certainly motivated me to that many opportunities made “That’s why attending pilgrimages to develop their faith.” not have a young-adult movement become more actively involved in available to them. the Southern Cross, april 27 to May 3, 2011 11 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSiFiEDS Getting out of our comfort zone Births • First Communion • Confirmation • engagement/Marriage • Wedding anniversary • teach us about change. He told We need to go through a ordination jubilee • Congratulations • Deaths • In memoriam • thanks • Prayers • accommodation • Holiday accommodation • Personal • Services • employment • Property • others UR environment teaches Mary Magdalene that she need process of letting go of our old us a lot about dying in not carry on the way she was; to self, and to allow ourselves to Please include payment (R1,15 a word) with small advertisements Oorder to live. The plants sin no more and she decided to be changed from within. This for promptest publication. die, animals give up their lives seek change within her, and fol - inner transformation needs to as food source for other animals lowed Jesus. come from our free will to to live, people die to make necessities. I ask thee, St minute walk to Village Jesus encourages us to get change, in cooperation with the BiRTHS space for newborn babies, leaves Martha, to overcome the Centre and sea-front. out of our comfort zone and to will of God. die to make space for a new sea - reach out to those who we HAMES —to richard and dragon which thou did r250 per day, minimum son, and then flourish again. Ephesians 4:22-24 (Living as lauren (n ée licata) a cast at thy feet. PMD. two days. Get one night would usually reject, because by children of light): “You were beautiful baby boy, luke free for all bookings of So goes the circle of life— accepting the rejected, the lone - O MOST beautiful flower taught, with regard to your for - Joseph, born in yorkshire three nights or more. change after change. In our ly and destitute, we reach out to of Mount Carmel, fruit vine mer way of life, to put off your on 6 april 2011. third splendrous of heaven, Phone church office 028 humanity we struggle with him and to ourselves. grandchild to Walter and 312 2315. Mon/Wed/Fri change, we stick to the same old self, which is being corrupt - Immaculate Virgin assist Getting out of our comfort Margaret licata of Far - me in my necessity. o 9-1pm or leave message routine and traditions without zone often frees us from our ed by its deceitful desires; to be rarmere, Benoni, and and phone number. made new in the attitude of Star of the sea, help me seeking to grow, to change, and inner prison cells, and moves us great-grandchild to agnes and show me you are my KNYSNA: Self-catering to move out of bad habits and into God’s spirit. your minds, and to put on the Houghton of Sea Point Mother. o Holy Mary, accommodation for 2 in old into better ones. As a butterfly needs to be new self, created to be like God mother of God, Queen of Belvidere with wonderful We at times resist to venture confined to a cocoon to receive in true righteousness and holi - iN MEMORiAM heaven and earth, I lagoon views. 044 387 into the unknown, to try differ - wings to fly, we also need to go ness.” humbly beseech you from 1052. LiNDSELL —Mary. Died ent angles and to meet people through a process of change, in Catherine de Valence, the bottom of my heart to LONDON, Protea april 18, 1997. My mother secure me in my necessi - different from us. Jesus came to order to be truly free. Cape Town died 14 years ago at the HouSe : underground ty. there are none that 2min, Picadilly 20min. age of 94, but she will can withstand your power. always be remembered in Close to river thames. o Mary conceived without Self-catering. Single per our prayers. John and sin, pray for us who have family. night r250, twin r400. recourse to thee (say 3 email: houseprotea@hot Liturgical Calendar Word of the Week times).Holy Mary I place mail.com . tel 021 851 Year A PERSONAL this cause in your hands 5200. (say 3 times).thank you Sunday May 1, 2nd Sunday of Easter MARiANELLA Guest Pentateuch: The name given to the first five ABORTiON WARNiNG : for your mercy to me and Acts 2: 42-47, Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24, 1 Pt 1:3-9; Jn ‘the Pill’ can abort, unde - House, Simon’s town: books of the Old Testament—Genesis, Exodus, mine. amen. Say this 20:19-31 tected, soon after concep - prayer for 3 days, after “Come experience the Monday, May 2, St Anthanasius of Alexandria Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. Also the tion (a medical fact). See peace and beauty of God Torah in the Jewish faith. that the prayer will be Acts 4:14, 23-31, Ps 26:1-9, Jn 3:1-8 website: www.human answered and the prayer with us.” Fully equipped Tuesday, May 3, Ss Philip and James Application: The Pentateuch contains the story life.org/abortion_does must be published. PMD. with amazing sea views. Cor 15:1-8, Ps 19:2-5, Jn 14:6-14 of Moses, the origins of the chosen people and _the_pill.php Secure parking, ideal for Wednesday, May 4 the ten commandments. rest and relaxation. Special THANKS rates for pensioners and Acts 5:17-26, Ps 34:2-9, Jn 3:16-21 SERViCES clergy. tel: Malcolm Salida Thursday, May 5 GRATEFUL thanks to the ANNUAL REPORTS , Sacred Heart of Jesus, 082 784 5675 or mjsali Acts 5:27-33, Ps 2,9,17-20, Jn 3:31-36 newsletters, books etc our Mother Mary and Ss [email protected] Friday, May 6 Communit y Calendar designed and edited at Joseph, anthony, Jude Acts 5:34-42, Ps 27:1,4,13-14, Jn 6:1-15 STELLENBOSCH: Five competitive rates. Phone and Martin de Porres for simple private suites (2 Saturday, May 7 To place your event, call Claire Allen at 021 46 5 5007 Gail at 082 415 4312 or prayers answered. rCP. beds, fridge, micro-wave). Acts 6:1-7, Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19, Jn 6:16-21 or e-mail [email protected], (publication subject to space) [email protected] Countryside vineyard/for - Sunday May 8, 3nd Sunday of Easter HOUSE TO est/mountain walks; beach Acts 2: 1,22-33, Ps 16:1-2, 5,7-11, 1Pt 1:17-21; Lk 24:13- BETHLEHEM : group, every 3rd Sunday PRAYERS LET/FOR SALE 20 minute drive. afford - 35 Shrine of Our Lady of of the month. able. Christian Brothers HOLY St Jude, apostle Bethlehem at tsheseng, DURBAN : SOUTH COAST , uvongo: tel 021 880 0242, cbcs Maluti mountains; thurs - and martyr, great in virtue three bedroom house, fully St Anthony’s, Durban [email protected] days 09:30, Mass, then and rich in miracles, kins - furnished, en-suite, lock-up Southern Cross Word solutions exposition of the Blessed Central: tuesday 09:00 man of Jesus Christ, faith - garage. r3 000 per month. UMHLANGA ROCKS: ful intercessor of all who Fully equipped self-catering SOLUTIONS TO #442. ACROSS: 1 Poplar, 4 Psycho, Sacrament. 058 Mass with novena to St tel: Donald 031 465 5651, 72 1 0532. anthony. First Friday invoke you, special patron 073 989 1074. 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom 9 Way of the cross, 10 Echelon, 11 Lasts, 12 Flora, 14 in time of need. to you I house, sleeps 6, sea view, CAPE TOWN : 17:30 Mass—Divine Greed, 15 Logic, 19 Limited, 21 Pectoral cross, 21 have recourse from the 200 metres from beach, Delist, 23 Chosen. DOWN: 1 Pawner, 2 Psychological, Mercy novena prayers. ACCOMMODATiON Holy Hour to pray for depth of my heart and DStv. tel: Holiday Division, 3 Awful, 5 Secular, 6 Cross sections, 7 Obsess, 8 priests of the archdio - tel: 031 309 3496. humbly beg you to come OFFERED 031 561 5838, holidays@ Shine, 13 Reckons, 15 Eloped, 16 Alban, 17 Edison , cese, 2nd Saturday JOHANNESBURG : to my assistance. Help me CAPE TOWN , Cape lighthouse.co.za 20 Micah. monthly at Villa Maria Exposition of the now in my urgent need Peninsula: Beautiful homes shrine Kloof Nek rd, WiLDERNESS: rustic Blessed Sacrament: first and grant my petitions. In to buy or rent. Maggi-Mae 16:00-17:00. return I promise to make farm cottage. Sleeps five, Friday of the month at 082 892 4502. Colliers self-catering. Ph 073 478 Good Shepherd , Both - your name known and International False Bay, asig. Perpetual eucharis - 09:20 followed by Holy publish this prayer. amen. 9038. thewoodvillecot Mass at 10:30. Holy Hour: 021 782 9263, maggi [email protected] tic adoration in our In thanks for prayers [email protected] chapel. all hours. all wel - first Saturday of each answered. Pat. month at 15:00. at our come. HOLY St Jude, apostle HOLiDAY UPHOLSTERER Day of Prayer held at lady of the angels, little and martyr, great in virtue R100 000 Draw Springfield Convent start - eden, edenvale. tel: 011 and rich in miracles, kins - ACCOMMODATiON More than 50 years of Help St Luke’s Hospice raise funds, to ing at 10:00 ending 15:30 man of Jesus Christ, faith - experience guarantees 609 7246. BETTY’S BAY : (Western you satisfaction. continue our work of taking care of last Saturday of every PRETORiA: ful intercessor of all who Cape) Holiday home, month—all welcome. For invoke you, special patron sleeps seven, three bath - patients with life-threatening illnesses in Ph 021 6371938 more information contact First Saturday : Devotion in time of need. to you I rooms, close to beach, the Greater Cape Town area, and stand a Jane Hulley 021 790 to Divine Mercy. St Mar - have recourse from the r600/night. 021 794 4293, after hours 021 7012692. chance of winning R100 000!!!! 1668 or 082 783 0331. tin de Porres, Sunnyside, depth of my heart and [email protected] Only 5000 tickets will be sold Holy Redeemer Bergvli - 16:30. tel Shirley-anne humbly beg you to come et : Padre Pio prayer 012 36 1 4545. to my assistance. Help me CAPE WEST COAST at R200 each. now in my urgent need yzerfontein: emmaus on Closing date: 5th August 2011 and grant my petitions. In Sea B&B and self-catering. PLEASE NOTE: The launch of the Mariannhill Holy Mass celebrated return I promise to make Tea Garden (see last week’s report) has been your name known and every Sunday at 6pm. tel: For more information, please contact postponed to May 14, and the craft market is publish this prayer. amen. 022 451 2650. now due to begin on April 30. rCP FiSH HOEK: Self-catering Po Box 2372, CaPe toWN, 8000 Colleen Zaayman on 021 761 1700 Tel: (021) 46 5 5007 Fax: (021) 46 5 3850 or email [email protected] O ST MARTHA , I resort to accommodation, sleeps 4. www.scross.co.za thee and to thy petition Secure parking. tel: 021 and faith. I offer up to thee 785 1247. Editor: Günther Simmermacher this light which I shall burn GORDON’S BAY: Beauti - ([email protected]) Advisory Editor: every tuesday for nine ful en-suite rooms available Michael Shackleton tuesdays. Comfort me in at reasonable rates. Mag - Editorial staff: all my difficulties through nificent views, breakfast on Claire Mathieson the great favour thou did'st request. tel: 082 774 7140. ([email protected]) enjoy thy Saviour lodge in e-mail: bzhive@telkomsa. Claire allen thy house. I beseech thee net ([email protected]) to have definite pity in HERMANUS: Pleasant lara Moses regard to the favour I ask getaway, self-catering ([email protected]) Manager: Pamela Davids (mention the favour need - double accommodation. ([email protected]) ed). Intercede for my fami - Comfortable, fully Advertising: elizabeth Hutton ly that we may always be equipped, in tranquil ([email protected]) provided for in all our church garden. Five Subscriptions: avril Hanslo CASA SERENA ([email protected]) The retirement home Dispatch: Joan King ([email protected]) with the Italian flair. Accounts: Desirée Chanquin GABRIELLE PHILLIP ([email protected]) Located in 7A Marais SOUTH AFRICA makers of Published independently by the Road, Essexwold, in Catholic Newspaper & Publishing the elegant suburb of Company ltd, Cape town LITURGICAL VESTMENTS Opinions expressed in this newspaper do Bedfordview. Provides Superior quality at affordable prices not necessarily reflect those of the editor, staff or directors of The Southern Cross . full board and lodging, Clerical shirts, Cassocks, Server robes, Choir robes, medical services and Habits, albs, Surplices, Cottas, etc. transport. Senior (2-3 weeks’ delivery time) The Southern Cross is a member of the Audit citizens wishing to Phone/Fax Maggie Pillay Bureau of Circulations of South Africa. Printed by 033 39 1320 2/ 083 94 5 3631 Paarl Post, 8 Jan van retire in this beautiful Riebeeck Drive, Paarl. Postal address: 9 Granadilla Crescent, Newholmes, Pietermar - Published by the propri - Home, please phone etors, The Catholic itzburg, 3201 Newspaper & Publishing 076 53 4 3089 Co Ltd, at the company’s registered office, Email :[email protected] 10 Tuin Plein, Cape Town, 8001. Box 2372, Cape town, 8000 • 10 tuin Plein, Cape town, 8001 Tel: (021) 46 5 5007 • Fax: (021) 46 5 3850 Editorial: [email protected] • Business manager: [email protected]

Advertising: [email protected] • Subscriptions: [email protected] 083 64 0 5848 Website: www.scross.co.za • Digital edition: www.digital.scross.co.za • facebook.com/thescross

3rd Sunday of Easter: May 8 ‘You have been redeemed...’ Readings: Acts 2:14, 22-33, Psalm 16: 1-2, 5, 7-11, 1 Peter 1:17-21, Luke 24:13-35

F we are to take Resurrection seriously (and we are to take it very seriously indeed), and how, this week, are you going to respond had even seen a vision of angels who said he Ithen we must also take seriously the death to that? was alive”. of Jesus. That is the message of the combined Well, you might take as your model the But, of course, that can’t be true, because readings that we shall be listening to next Nicholas King SJ two people (possibly a man and a woman) the dead do not rise, though they do agree Sunday. who, as next Sunday’s gospel starts, are that the tomb was empty. And what is Jesus’ The first reading , as always in the Easter Sunday reflections revealed trudging a miserable road from response? It is quite unexpected. There is no season, continues the path through Acts; and Jerusalem to Emmaus, slightly less than eight sympathy for their misery; instead they are miles. Their attention is exclusively on Jesus’ roundly rebuked: “You stupid men, so slow of here we are given part of Peter’s speech on death; and so, pardonably enough, they fail heart to believe all that the prophets said!” that first Pentecost Sunday. Here he starts by umphantly done. to notice the very alive Jesus who is walking Then comes the sermon (for the whole rebutting the charge that these first Christian The psalm , of course, is the very psalm with them. story is really a kind of liturgy on the move), evangelists are drunk (and how often have from which Peter so tellingly quotes: “I keep Indeed they are visibly irritated by his and he explains how it was “necessary that you been accused of being intoxicated the Lord always before me; since he is at my intrusion into their gloomy conversation, and the Messiah should suffer and enter his glory, because of the enthusiasm of your Christian right, I shall not be moved.” when he enquires what they are discussing, beginning from Moses and the prophets”. teaching?). There we see the Resurrection joy predict - Cleopas, one of the two, asks, somewhat The sermon comes to an end just as they In our reading, he then goes on to tell the ed: “You did not abandon my soul to Sheol, aggressively, if Jesus is “the only visitor to reach Emmaus, and this couple is sufficiently story of Jesus, and how central he was in you did not allow your beloved to see the pit; Jerusalem, and you don’t know what’s hap - intrigued to invite him in, because of the late - God’s plan; and we hear the Christian procla - you made me know the path of life.” The pened there in these days?” ness of the hour, and the fact that “the sun mation: “God raised him up, undoing the message is that God’s power is visibly at work As it turns out, of course, the object of this has gone to bed”. Then, however, the guest agony of death, because it was impossible that in even our most complete apparent disasters. rebuke is the only person in Jerusalem who takes over, and he “took bread, and blessed Jesus should be mastered by death.” Then he That is the point that the second reading , does know what has been happening. So and broke, and gave it to them”, as Christians quotes one of David’s psalms in order to continuing our journey through 1 Peter, is Jesus, all innocent, entices the story out of have done ever since. And then, as Christians underline the impossibility, and then points making: “You have been redeemed...by the them, about this “prophet, mighty in word have done ever since, “they recognised him”. to the fact that David is dead, and you can precious blood of a flawless and immaculate and deed”, whom they had been hoping “was At that point, Jesus disappears from their still see his tomb; in other words, this predic - Lamb—Christ, known in advance before the the one who was going to redeem Israel”. sight, but it simply does not matter, and they tion referred to something, or rather some - foundation of the world”. And Jesus has That hope however has turned out to be delu - gallop the eight miles back to Jerusalem as one, else, and that David “foresaw and spoke “been revealed at the end of the ages for your sive, because he is very publicly dead, even though it were just eight yards, and exchange about the Resurrection of Christ. This Jesus sakes, you who trust in God who raised Jesus though “some women from our group” (but news with the rest of the brethren. God raised from the dead—and we are all wit - from the dead...so that your faith and hope you know how women are) “have amazed us, Suddenly the sadness of death is swallowed nesses”. So we must take Jesus’ death serious - should be in God.” In other words, it is not turning up at the tomb in the early morning up by God’s astonishing victory. Will that ly, but only because of what God has so tri - just about God and Jesus, but also about you: and not finding the body, and saying they make a difference to you, this week?

Let’s hear your funny stories Southern Cross word #442

evening novena. Y youngest son was about two I have no doubt whatsoever that years old when his great mis - when innocent amusing incidents take Msion in life was to escape from Chris Moerdyk place in church, God laughs louder the cry-room and get in among the than us all. After all, he gave us a sense pews in the body of the church. the last Word of humour and the ability to laugh. We always managed to catch him So the editor has kindly agreed with somewhere near the door, but there came a time when our vigilance lapsed considerable enthusiasm for this and the next thing we knew he was and yelled “Mom!” in a voice more week’s and last week’s column to be toddling confidently down the aisle befitting a ten year old with a bee up used to try and find more amusing sto - heading towards the altar. his trousers. ries that have taken place in church. Our parish priest was in the middle To this day, I thank the Good Lord I am sure that almost every one of of his homily when he looked down that he yelled “mom” and not “dad”, the 4 5 000-plus readers of The Southern and saw a two-year-old standing about because it was my wife who had to Cross has at least one or two stories to half a metre away staring up at him. sheepishly make her way up the main tell. He decided to ignore the distraction aisle and apologetically rescue the You can e-mail your stories to me at and kept on preaching, in spite of the young whippersnapper—who then had [email protected] . For those of you fact that the entire congregation was the temerity to point at the priest and who do not have e-mail, I am sure that waiting with bated breath to see what say in a loud voice: “Look, funny man, a friendly fellow parishioner who is would happen next. funny man...” connected to the Internet will offer to My wife and I decided to stay put This in turn reminds me of another help—especially as they might also ACROSS DOWN and give the impression that he was absolutely true story that also took qualify for a prize. 1. Tree from which Jacob 1. He puts something in someone else’s child, because neither place at Mass, during the consecration The Southern Cross ’ panel of judges took branches (Gn 30) hock (6) of us was prepared to go hotfooting up when the priest said: “This is my will go through all the submissions (6) 2. Has to do with emotional the aisle after him in the middle of a body.” To which my cousin’s three- and choose a winner or maybe a num - 4. He starts 2 down with a states (13) sermon. year-old stood up on top of the pew, social disorder (6) 3. Bad and not quite lawful ber of winners. We haven’t decided on 9. Path followed during We silently hoped that he would turned his back to the altar, pointed to a prize yet, but there will be something (5) Lent (3,2,3,5) 5. As cruel as not religious grow tired of looking at the priest and his posterior and boomed out: “And really worthwhile. Remember that 10. Organisational rank on wander off to some quiet part of the this is my botty.” (7) R1 000 prize we offered for the great leech (7) 6. Diagrams of Christian church where we could shanghai him I have written in the past about Southern Cross Anagram competition? 11. Cobblers’ tools (5) other amusing incidents in church: the subdivision? (5,8) without causing too much of a distur - Well, it might well be something like 12. She’s found among altar server who managed to swing the indigenous plants (5) 7. Preoccupy with worry (6) bance. that. 8. Sin he commits will illu - thurifer through 360° during benedic - 14. Selfish desire for things No such luck. He suddenly got that My job will be to select from the minate (5) panicky look on his face that all two- tion, and last week about the social (5) entries those that I think should be 18. Reasoning process in 2 13. Calculates(7) years-olds get when they are separated engagement of CBC boys and Loreto published in this column from time to down (5) 15. Ran off together to wed from their parents. He took a step up Convent girls through the use of water time. So, lets have those stories. Mi 19. Not infinite (7) (6) onto the altar, stood next to the priest pistols after Wednesday 16. The first British martyr columna, su columna (my column is 21. Bishop's Christian badge (8,5) (5) Conrad your column). 22. Remove from catalogue 17. Inventor on side (6) All of this reminds me of a partially (6) 20. Minor prophet (5) Blessed John Paul, the pope who brought down the iron curtain deaf Catholic with a wonderful singing 23. Picked out like the voice who happened to be at a funeral Apostles (6) in a Protestant church. When the choir Answers on page 11 started singing the Lord’s Prayer he gave vent with all his might, singing his heart out. What he didn’t realise was that at CHURCH CHUCKLE this particular church they simply fin - ished the Lord’s Prayer with “Amen” n Irish priest is driving down to New York and and didn’t carry on with the doxology gets stopped for speeding in Connecticut. The (“for thine is the kingdom, the power Astate trooper smells alcohol on the priest’s and the glory”). breath and then sees an empty wine bottle on the floor of the car. When everyone else stopped he just He says: “Sir, have you been drinking?” “Just kept going and being partially deaf water”, says the priest, fingers crossed. The trooper didn’t realise he was entirely on his says: “Then why do I smell wine?” The priest looks at own. the bottle and says: “Good Lord! He’s done it again!” The congregation politely allowed him to finish. To this day he swears Send us your favourite Catholic joke, preferably clean and brief, to blind the corpse clapped. The Southern Cross, Church Chuckle, PO Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000 .