LOCAL Celebrations as Zim chaplain becomes monsignor BY MUNYARADZI MAKONI
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R XAVIER Munyongani, Chaplain of the Zimbabwean community in England and Wales, has been installed as monsignor at Gokomere Mission in the Diocese of Masvingo. Pope Benedict XVI had conferred the title on him earlier this year. Hundreds of Catholics who attended the celebration heard the 60-year-old priest thank the Church leadership, local Catholics and Catholics from the Zimbabwean community in England and Wales for the love, generosity and sincerity they have shown and given him. Fr Munyongani was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Gweru in August 1977. The diocese was later divided into Masvingo and Gweru in 1999. Fr Munyongani, a diocesan priest, belongs to the Masvingo diocese and comes from Mutero in Gutu. He attended the Minor Seminary in Gweru Diocese in 1967 and completed Form 4 in 1970. In
1971 he went to the Major Seminary at Chishawasha, just outside Harare, and stayed there until his ordination in 1977. From December 1977 to December 1981, he worked at St Anthony’s Mission in Zaka as an assistant priest. In 2006 he ran the Pastoral Centre at Gokomere Mission, moving on to Silveira Mission in 2007. In early 2008 until June that same year, Fr Munyongani continued his pastoral work at Rutenga. It was in this position that he was appointed Chaplain to the Zimbabwe Catholic community in England and Wales. A staunch football fan, Fr Munyongani is fluent in German, Italian and Ndebele. The title of “monsignor” is an honour given to a priest by the Holy Father, guided by the recommendations of the local bishop, for their service and dedication to the Catholic Church and the local community. A monsignor is an honorary title without any special duties outside his responsibilities as a priest. Only five Zimbabwean priests have been installed as monsignors.
The Southern Cross, September 15 to September 21, 2010
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St Augustine’s celebrates with arts BY CLAIRE MATHIESON
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TAFF, students and friends of St Augustine College in Victory Park, Johannesburg, celebrated the feast of St Augustine with a series of lectures and a presentation of paintings painted by the late Fr Frans Claerhout OMI to the college. Tony Joseph presented the paintings, on permanent loan, from his private collection in honour of the saint’s feast. During the presentation he spoke of the life of Fr Claerhout who died in 2006. According to Mr Joseph the expressionistic artist and Oblate missionary from Belgium was “greatly” influenced by his faith and rural farm and village life. Fr Claerhout had worked closely with the local impoverished communities near Thaba ‘Nchu in the Free State and had described his work as “an expressionistic pause in the life of a group of people, who by general humanity can be understood and loved”. The college, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2009, was entertained by the newly formed college choir, under the guidance of Dr Jakub Urbaniak, a Polish volunteer from Fidesco and col-
Fr Michael van Heerden, President of St Augustine College, looks on as Prof Edith Raidt, President Emeritus, thanks Tony Joseph for the permanent loan of his Claerhout paintings to the college. lege lecturer. The celebration ended with Fr Enrico Parry, Rector of St John Vianney Seminary, concelebrating Mass with Fr Emil Blaser of Radio Veritas and Fr Michael van Heerden, President of St Augustine College, who also spoke on the life of St Augustine. Also present was Fr Anthony Egan SJ, of the Jesuit Institute South Africa, who spoke on the
topic of “Blurring Moral Boundaries” and the ethics of struggle in South Africa. The feast of St Augustine of Hippo is celebrated on August 28. The college was named after the saint as one of the earliest Christian scholars of Africa. St Augustine’s College focuses on studies in ethics, politics, philosophy and theology, commerce and humanities.
Franciscan spirit in the modern world Continued from page 1 An aspect of this openness was preparedness to dialogue with people holding beliefs different from their own. Key speakers at the convention include Fr Patrick Noonan OFM on: St Francis and extreme ministry; Fr Makhomba Khanyile OFM on: Franciscans in the intellectual tadition; Mrs Albertina Dlamini SFO on: Human resources and life skills; Fr Six organisations, including the Catholic Bible College, the Jesuit Institute, the Lumko Institute, St Augustine’s College and TEE College, devoted to adult Catholic education in Johannesburg, got together to advertise their wares through a special pull-out supplement for the Archdiocesan News. The supplement is entitled “Growing in Your Faith” and begins with a message from Archbishop Buti Tlhagale. It includes accounts of the experiences of a number of students, learning areas, options and choices, and a breakdown of courses offered by the organizations. The hope is that this supplement will draw more adult Catholics to learn more about their faith and deepen it. The supplement can be accessed on the Jesuit Institute website http://www.jesuitinstitute.org.za/en/node/278#attachments
ST PETER CLAVER SCHOOL, MAOKENG KROONSTAD St Peter Claver Intermediate School, Maokeng, Kroonstad (estd 1916) is an Independent English-medium school with a current pupil enrolment of over 860 learners in Grades 1-9. In 2011 the school will add Grade 10 at the present site and in 2012 the FET section of the school will be moving to the Old Convent property, now owned by the Northern Free State Institute for Community Development.
Applications are invited for
HEAD OF SCHOOL Is a new position reporting to the Sisters of Notre Dame (proprietors of the School) and the Board of Governors. The Head of School will have overall responsibility for the whole school as well as the challenging task of introducing the FET section of the school in 2011, and relocating the FET section to the new site in 2012. Applications are invited from experienced educationalists with the appropriate qualifications and skills required to take the school into this next stage in its development in preparation for its centenary in 2016. The salary will be commensurate with the experience of the successful candidate. The successful applicant will be: Committed to maintain and develop the Catholic ethos of the school; A motivator for and deliverer of quality education; A team worker with excellent communication skills; Registered with SACE Cognisant of current educational trends and developments; A good administrator and creative thinker. Closing date for applications: 25 September 2010 Interested and qualified candidates to submit letter of application in own hand-writing, CV and details of THREE recent referees to: The Interview Committee, P O Box 476, KROONSTAD, 9500. Only appropriately qualified candidates will be considered for an interview. The Board reserves the right NOT to make an appointment.
Solomon Sekabata OFM on: St Francis and St Clare in the modern world; Sr Dumisile Sibisi FSF on: Franciscanism and youth in the modern world; Fr Victor Phalana on: the need for an integral evangelisation in our world today; Fr Christopher Neville OFM on: Franciscans exploring more along the lines of being prophetic. The programme includes Mass and adoration; morning and
evening prayer; a concert, storytelling and live music. Participants are reminded to bring samples of their home liturgy, cultural costumes and musical instruments. The organisers are the Franciscan Sisters of Assisi, Ladybrand: Sr M Winnie Mosololi FSS on 051 433 3211 or 071 145 5574; or Sr M Vincentina Jaars FSS on 051 924 0096 or 073 726 6237.
OLDE WORLD JEWELLERY cc
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