CHURCH LIFE
The Southern Cross, June 23 to June 29, 2010
7
Corpus Christi, Wynberg
Parish incorporates young and old in a diverse, multi-cultural mix BY STAFF REPORTER
T
HE Southern Cross plays an integral part in bringing Catholic news to the parishioners of Corpus Christ parish in Wynberg, Cape Town. “I believe we live in difficult times as we are surrounded by mosques and churches of other denominations, which often bombard us with anti-Catholic literature. “It is for this purpose I see The Southern Cross as a very good newspaper as it gives us Catholics perspective and response to various happenings around us. It is for this one main reason we actively advertise The Southern Cross in our parish bulletin,” said Corpus Christi parish priest, Fr Susaikannu Esack SAC. The parish in Wynberg’s Wittebome area has a rich history. “The history of Corpus Christi is a curious one,” said Fr Esack. “St Dominic’s church at Springfield convent was the original parish in Wynberg. Blessed and inaugurated on January 21, 1880 with the assistance of Irish Dominican sisters, the parish of Corpus Christi was opened, becoming the fifth parish in the
vicariate of Cape Town,” the priest told The Southern Cross. St Dominic’s, he said, remained the parish church until the completion of the present-day Corpus Christi in 1937. Mgr John O’Rourke was the first parish priest and was instrumental in growing the congregation to what it is today. Fr Esack has led the parish since January 2005 and is assisted by Fr Michael Clement. The church has been growing from strength to strength since its humble beginnings. It now boasts 1 233 registered parishioners and is surrounded by St Augustine’s Primary School, Immaculata High School and the Dominican School for the Deaf—with Springfield junior and senior schools forming part of the parish. The parish also serves 11 retirement homes and three hospitals. “Ours is a laity-driven parish. We are an exciting mix of young and old and it is a beautiful testimony that both can co-exist. For instance, on Sundays at the 08:00 Mass we have a melodious traditional choir leading the singing. For our 10:00 Mass, the Youth Choir with their vibrant singing
stand up and lead the church in worship. Besides that, we also have a Folk Choir who looks after the singing in our church,” Fr Esack said. The parish has very active pastoral and financial councils, and has 21 associations accommodating both young and old. “While there are over 65 young boys and girls serving as altar servers, there are over 40 teenage boys and girls forming the parish youth group,” said Fr Esack. The parish also has several societies including St Vincent de Paul, Legion of Mary, Catholic Women’s League and the Flower Group for the elderly. “For the families we have a family group, who are actively involved in the church. The car watch group, extraordinary ministers of the Holy Communion and lectors—all involving young and old—remind us that the young, old and families all have a role to play in the growth of the Church and proclamation of our faith,” Fr Esack said. The parish can also boast a parish library set-up with the assistance of one of the parishioners. With all the activities taking
Be a light to others Servants of the Holy Childhood of Jesus.
Corpus Christi parish in Wynberg, Cape Town.
Corpus Christi parish boasts a 1 233-strong member congregation. place, the parish is currently fundraising to give their hall a face-lift, said Fr Esack. “At present we feel that our parish hall badly needs renovating, so all our fundraising such as our Golf Day and parish féte will be directed towards it,” he said.
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Meanwhile, Fr Esack said that he acknowledges the work done by parishioners especially Julia Williams, Cecelia van As, Alverna Curry, Ivan Dyer and Tony Archer “who help us in making this newspaper even more diverse and well read”.