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The Southern Cross, September 26 to October 2, 2012
LOCAL
Local order celebrates founder’s beatification BY CLAIRE MATHIESON
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HE local Oblate Sisters of St Francis de Sales celebrated the beatification of their founder, Fr Louis Brisson (18171908), on September 22 in Troyes, France, his home diocese. Sr Anne-Dorothy Engelbrecht, regional superior of the Oblate sisters in Cape Town, said the event was exciting for the sisters. “For us it means so much, we can only thank and praise the Lord for the great favour he has done unto our congregation.” The founder of the order, St Leonie Aviat, was canonised in 2001. “Wherever St Leonie is known and loved, people come to value her mentor, Fr Louis Brisson. It is hard to imagine Mother Aviat without her devoted teacher and spiritual guide, the man who invited her to collaborate with him in founding homes and workplaces for young working girls in the 19th century in France. “Together, they founded the Congregation of the Oblate Sisters of St Francis de Sales in Troyes,
St Leonie Aviat statue at Saint Bernadette of Lourdes parish in Drexel Hill, PA France,” said Sr Engelbrecht. The beatification process started 73 years ago in Troyes, but was halted by World War II. The dioce-
san process was completed in 1949, and in the same year, was taken to Rome. “Exactly on the celebration of the 171st anniversary of the ordination of our founder, we received this wonderful news,” said Sr Engelbrecht. The first Oblate Sisters came from France to South Africa in 1883 and on July 3, 1931 the local novitiate was officially started. Today, 47 sisters work throughout South Africa and Namibia, predominantly in education, nursing and pastoral care. The order will have two thanksgiving Masses in November. “As most of our communities are in the diocese of KeimoesUpington, we will have a celebration with Bishop Edward Risi and congregations from the different parishes in the diocese on November 3 in Matjieskloof,” said Sr Engelbrecht. A second thanksgiving Mass will take place on November 17 in the Holy Spirit parish of Koelenhof in Cape Town. Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Stephen Brislin.
Hall reclaimed as church STAFF REPORTER
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FTER 20 years of renting their church hall to another denomination, the Catholic community of Olifantsfontein in the archdiocese of Pretoria has grown sufficiently and, accordingly, has reclaimed its building. The small church hall was rented out to the New Apostolic Church when Midrand developed and a bigger church was built at President Park—one that could accommodate both communities. “However,” explained parishioner Fikile Mayisela, “as other Catholics started to buy residential properties around Olifantsfontein they became aware of the existence of the local church and wanted to make use of it. To date Holy Trinity Olifantsfontein remains an outstation to Holy Trinity Midrand,” she said. For some time the two denominations shared the hall, but as the numbers of Catholics worshipping grew, so did the need to use the church more often. “In November 2011, parish priest Fr Charles Phiri and the Holy Trinity Olifantsfontein parish pastoral council requested the intervention of Archbishop William Slattery in cancelling the contract. The contract was terminated at the end of April,” said
Ms Mayisela. Despite the challenges faced by the newly restored parish, many positive strides were taken. Mass time was changed from 11am to 8am, followed immediately by catechism classes. “This situation is encouraging as there are no more disruptions and sufficient time is allocated to catechesis and other church-related activities. Also, the numbers of parishioners attending Mass is increasing steadily which is a positive sign for the growth of the parish,” said Ms Mayisela. Currently the parish has just over thirty active families. The parish has been working hard to raise funds. To date more than R60 000 has been raised and the project continues. A new altar plus other important church furniture has been tailor-made and bought for the church. “The aim is to convert the church into a fully functional Catholic church,” said Ms Mayisela. She said the parishioners of Holy Trinity Olifantsfontein are grateful for the support they continue to receive from their parish priest. “The church is where it is because he believed in the parishioners and never gave up on them.”
Bibles for schools project
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HE Bible Society of South Africa has launched a project to distribute bibles to Grade 7 learners nationwide. Schools in which children cannot afford a bible of their own are the main focus. Thanks to contributions from donors, it was possible for the Bible Society to approve R1 million for this project. This puts it in a position to hand over about 50 000 bibles to children. Through various churches and Christian organisations, as well as through staff who work among the different communities, the society was made aware of the desperate hunger for bibles in schools—especially in poor communities. There are currently more than 950 000 Grade 7 learners in South African schools, a great number of whom come from communities where poverty prevails. Besides
problems with infrastructure, security and sometimes a lack of learning materials, these schools experience many social problems like teenage pregnancy and drug and alcohol abuse. These bibles are made available to Grade 7 learners because they are at an age where they are able to read with understanding and the Bible is therefore accessible to them. Children in this age group are also susceptible to peer pressure and are easily influenced. The biblical message can help them to make the right choices and anchor them in a positive value system. “The task of the Bible Society is community-oriented,” said Rev Gerrit Kritzinger, the chief executive officer of the society. “Although these 50 000 bibles are just a drop in the ocean, we believe that each bible given to a Grade 7 learner can have a positive influence on the life of that child.”
St Augustine in Germiston’s Renew Africa Mission took place recently, with the theme of the mission nights being Call to Service. Parish priest Father Rodney George OMI is shown lighting candles from the Easter candle.
Festival Celebrations
14th October, 2012 Mass 10am, followed by activities Cavendish Road, Yeoville Contact 011 487 2299
NNEW FOR 2013 3 to 13 SEPT
THE ANNUAL MARIAN PILGRIMAGE TO MEDJUGORJE Organised by Mr Victor and Mrs Jacinta David. Accompanied by a spiritual director Cost from R15250 Tel: (031) 266 7702
Fax: (031) 266 8982
Email: judyeichhorst@telkomsa.net