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The

S outher n C ross www.scross.co.za

June 19 to June 25, 2013

Children ‘interview’ Pope Francis

Page 5

16-Page Focus on Catholic Education

r6,00 (incl VaT rSa)

reg No. 1920/002058/06 No 4828

Holy Mass in unusual places

Page 25

Refugees: Pilgrims of faith and hope

BY CLaIre MaThIeSoN

W

The Bosco Youth Centre in Walkerville, Johannesburg, has presented its leadership team for the year. (Back from left) Thabo Molala, David Lefofana, Goitsione Mothibi, Nhlanhla Mdlalose, Kgotsofalo Nteo, Theophile Niyonsenga, Sandile Fakudze, (front) Br Mojela Fihlo (standing), Ziyanda Khoza, Kgomotso Majoafi, Kgatatso Phiri and Thabisile Maketekete.

New Polokwane bishop: Being home-grown helps

BY CLaIre MaThIeSoN

‘W

E should not look anywhere else for help; we should not look anywhere else for our salvation,” according to Bishop-elect Jeremiah Madimetja Masela of Polokwane.

The newly appointed bishop is a homegrown Catholic, a theme Bishop-elect Masela will carry through with him into his new position.

Born in Doornspruit on June 28, 1958, the young Jeremiah studied at Pax College and did his priestly formation at St John Vianney Seminary in Pretoria before being ordained a priest on December 15, 1984 at his home parish of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Doornspruit.

“I think it will help knowing the diocese.

It will help not needing time to adapt,” said Bishop-elect Masela.

As a priest, Fr Masela served his diocese in various parishes including as administrator of the Sacred Heart cathedral from 2005 to 2008.

Despite his familiarity with the diocese, the bishop-elect believes the new position will be a “real challenge, but also an opportunity to serve the Church. I’m looking forward to helping the local Church,” he told The Southern Cross.

He was a vicar-general from 1990-2004 when he joined the formation staff of his alma mater, St John Vianney Seminary, as spiritual director and lecturer. On his return his predecessor, Bishop Paul Nkhumishe, re-appointed him vicar-general.

When Bishop Nkhumishe retired in December 2011—shortly before his death in January 2012—Fr Masela was appointed apostolic administrator of Polokwane.

“I think my experience in the diocese gives me a good idea of the expectations and challenges in the new position.”

Bishop-elect Masela said he was shocked when he heard of the appointment, but he is “able to take whatever comes from God and let it be”.

When installed, the new bishop said he would like to continue the work of the pioneer missionaries in the diocese: the Benedictines and the Sisters Bishop-elect Masela of Charity. “I want to grow from the foundation they established and help deepen the faith of the people.”

Using this inspiration, the bishop-elect said he wants to help the Church in Polokwane become a personally relevant Church and an experience.

“I want the Church to be a truly local Church,” he said. He hopes to see more local clergy and will help ensure that structures established in parishes are functioning.

“Small Christian Communities are vital to our Church. Evangelisation and catechetics are also goals,” he said.

The bishop-elect told The Southern Cross that ongoing formation for all Catholics at every level was essential for the Church’s growth.

“We want the laity to really understand their faith and be really well formed. This is a vital part of the Church’s life.”

Bishop-elect Masela will become the third bishop of the diocese of Polokwane (formerly Pietersburg) since its establishment in 1988.

He succeeds Bishops Nkumishe and Fulgence Le Roy OSB (1988-2000).

The diocese serves about 32 000 Catholics and covers almost 70 000km2.

ORLD REFUGEE DAY “is a day that seeks to draw attention to the plight of refugees, celebrate their courage and resilience, and for the renewal of commitment to the resolution of problems that refugees face day in and day out”, according to Sr Kadia Prigol MSCS of Johannesburg’s Pastoral Care of Refugees and Immigrants.

But the internationally recognised day, on June 20, is not just an opportunity to highlight immigration issues; it is also an opportunity to highlight the contributions that refugees make to the countries that host them.

For Madeline Madikane, director of the Scalabrini Centre in Cape Town, we need to “applaud our government on the excellent legislation and policy around refugees and asylum seekers”.

Ms Madikane explained that once a person has made application for asylum they are free to move around the country, to seek work, or study, have access to education, medical care, police protection, labour rights—in fact all civil rights given to South Africans barring the right to vote.

Unfortunately, Ms Madikane said, “there are problems in the implementation of the law”. In the past two years there has been a shift in refugee and asylum management into the security cluster of departments which will result in a more restrictive immigration policy and compound challenges facing refugees and asylum seekers.

Ms Madikane said this move is part of particular concern, given the backlog of asylum claims in South Africa. “The Immigration Amendment Act has also shortened the number of days available for asylum seekers to apply for asylum at Refugee Reception Offices, substantially increased the fines for persons contravening the stipulations of their visas, and has made application for work visas more difficult by necessitating applica-

tion from one’s country of origin.”

She said the shift in policy is likely to have a “deep-seated, detrimental impact” on clients and other migrant workers, adding the reorientation of the offices into the security cluster of government thus “further entrenches the government’s new approach to immigration as a control and police-oriented strategy”.

The sudden closure of Refugee Reception Offices around South Africa is an indication of the new direction the country is going in, she warned.

Offices have closed in Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town, which have stopped taking new asylum seekers. Reasons given for the closure by government included a drop in the number of asylum seekers.

However, those on the ground disagree.

The Scalabrini Centre launched an urgent application to the High Court challenging the closure, where the judge found the department’s decision unlawful and described its decision as “grossly unreasonable”.

The judgment ordered the department to ensure that a Refugee Reception Office is open and fully functional within the Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality by July 1, 2013.

In the space of one year the number of reception offices in South Africa has dropped from six to three. All three closures were challenged in the courts, all three challenges were successful, with the courts finding the closures unlawful and ordering the re-opening of the offices. All three offices remain closed to-date.

The Scalabrini Centre case is scheduled to appear before the Supreme Court of Appeals in August 2013.

But legislation is not the only barrier asylum seekers face.

“Social exclusion and xenophobic violence at schools, in the workplace and in local communities as well as hate crimes Continued on page 3

Egyptian priest: Don’t back Muslim Brotherhood

BY DeBorah GYaPoNG

A

PRIEST who directs the Jesuit Cultural Centre in Alexandria, Egypt, has blasted Western support of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.

Jesuit Father Henri Boulad, 82, a Melkite Catholic, singled out the United States, France and Britain for their support of the Islamist group, which he said has created a regime far worse than the military dictatorship of Hosni Mubarak that preceded it. He warned of looming catastrophe.

“How democratic countries can support such movements is disgusting,” Fr Boulad told a meeting of the Middle East Discussion Group in Ottawa, Canada.

The Jesuit described Egypt as unstable and said that the government is running out of money to provide basic services. Income from tourism has decreased because of strict restrictions on tourist activity and a dangerous lack of security, he said.

Forces comprised a wide range of thinkers, journalists, youth, Christians and a large

number of Muslims who oppose the aims of the Muslim Brotherhood are rallying to challenge the regime, he said.

“Grassroots people are more and more convinced these people are liars,” Fr Boulad said. Muslim opponents, he explained, “don’t want this kind of Islam”.

“I am speaking up and saying ‘Don’t be intimidated by these people,’” he said. “Resist in the name of your principles.”

Fr Boulad charged that the Muslim Brotherhood has a systematic plan to harass Christians so that they will leave Egypt and that among their tactics is the kidnapping and rape of Christian girls.

The organisation also invokes human rights to silence critics in France, Canada and elsewhere, using the courts against people who speak up. The government cries “Islamophobia” and it “is politically incorrect to be an Islamophobe”, he said.

“As long as Islam is not reformed, we are going to have a catastrophe,” Fr Boulad warned.—CNS

2

The Southern Cross, June 19 to June 25, 2013

LOCAL

Youth chaplain: sitting on education time bomb

BY CLaIre MaThIeSoN

T

Cardinal Wilfrid Napier of Durban on the course during the Cardinal’s Golf Day event.

HE statistics on education in the country should not only be of concern to education role players but also to business. This is the attitude of national youth chaplain Fr Sammy Mabusela CSS, and he’s been investigating businesses that show more than profit-driven plans for the country’s future.

He said he found it very hard to stomach that South Africa ranked so low on world education tables. In terms of quality of education, there are 2 900 teacher positions open in the country—maths and science teachers being most in need, there are 6 700 schools with fewer than six teachers, unemployment among the youth is 36%, and a very small number of Grade 1 learners will graduate from university.

Fr Mabusela said the face of education in South Africa is troubled.

“The Church and the youth department, in particular, cannot sit back and continue as if all is well with our youth. I am of the opinion that we are sitting on a time bomb and if nothing is done soon, youth unemployment is going to reach catastrophic proportions,” he told The Southern Cross.

One software company, eSoftware solutions, believes the country at large should

be “yearning to do more, to ensure that we preserve the beautiful country that we inherited and protect the future of our youth”.

“We seem to be perpetuating an injustice to our youth that will be very hard for them to forgive and forget. We are destroying the wonders and gifts that our forefathers have provided us with. We are creating a future nation of poverty, hunger and chaos,” said Tiledi Kekana, the managing director of eSoftware solutions.

“Our future is clearly gloomy and we need to act and protect our nation, culture, traditions and values,” he added.

The company has had— for a number of years—an interest in education and the challenges it faces and wanted to develop a system that would be “both easily accessible and cost-effective—a platform that will inspire our youth to learn”.

Fr Mabusela said it was encouraging to see the corporate world getting involved. He said he was pleased to be meeting Catholics in different capacities looking at business in a way that could make a difference in the lives of the country’s youth.

Fr Mabusela said creative thinking would be needed and using “what we’ve got” will go a long way.

Most countries in Africa average more than 2 500 hours of sunshine per year. The

irony is that Africa is the smallest end-user of solar products, while the developed countries have readily adopted them as a complementary source of on-grid power.

The likes of Samsung are starting to develop products that enhance these renewable, environmentally safe products. “We need to be discussing solutions to this, especially the huge rift between urban and rural schools,” said Fr Mabusela. “We need to see business step up.”

For Samsung, solar-powered digital villages are the way forward where solar-powered internet schools will be commonplace.

The technology will also offer medical testing on diseases such and TB, malaria and HIV. Classrooms and medical units built in containers for easy deployment would mean that neither children nor patients would need to travel long distances to receive medical care and education.

“We claim to be members of the global village but then our education system does not prepare our youth to compete on a global level. We still have a ‘spaza shop’ approach to life and our country needs youth who are innovative and who will develop it socially and economically, because that is the challenge that is facing our nation. We need to be better equipped to deal with the challenges of our millennium. Education is the key.”

Cardinal’s Golf Day goes with a swing

Alpha Africa inspired by conference

T

M

HE recent Cardinal’s Golf Day in Durban was an amazing success in every way, said the organisers, and a lot of that was as a result of the very generous sponsorship received and the fantastic response from the KwaZulu-Natal golfers. The full field comprised 128 players, made up of 32 four-balls.

In addition to it being an opportunity for everyone to experience the hospitality and beauty of Durban Country Club and its testing course, it was also a great time for all players and guests to interact with each other at the prizegiving at the end of the day, they said.

The winning team comprised Rob Fergison and Quintin le Grange.

The Durban Country Club has already been booked for next year on May 30, so organisers advise golfers to keep that day open.

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ORE than 6 000 delegates from 88 countries attended the Alpha Leadership Conference in London recently—an event described as “a joy and a blessing” for the ecumenical movement which answers life’s big questions.

The event, at the Royal Albert Hall, was streamed live to 19 000 via the Internet.

“As of May 2013, 22.5 million people in 169 countries have now done Alpha, that’s a growth of 19% worldwide,” said Tom Miles, local Alpha development manager, Africa, for Catholics. “These are huge numbers—but each one represents a life changed, and we are so excited by what God continues to do around Southern and South Africa,” he told The Southern Cross.

The leadership conference included interviews with the archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Justin Welby, as well as the archbishop of Vienna, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn.

“The conference was particularly spe-

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cial, with Cardinal Schönborn sharing his experience with Pope Benedict XVI as well as how he felt when he walked into the conclave on the evening of March 12,” said Mr Miles, who met the cardinal and archbishop in his role as host for the Westminster Group.

The two days were filled with interviews and talks by great Christian and business leaders from around the world, with Catholic speakers including Patrick Lencioni and Christopher West.

“Having been fortunate to have had some time with Christopher, I was taken by his amazing gift of bringing his talk on ‘Freedom to Love: Authentic Sexual Liberation alive’. Much of Christopher’s work is based on Bl John Paul II’s ‘Theology of the Body’, Mr Miles said.

“It was a delight to have hosted many Catholics from around Africa as well as young promising leaders with a strong presence from the Catholic Alpha Team from the archdiocese of Johannesburg.”

The

archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury with Tom Miles, alpha development manager, africa, for Catholics.

S outher n C ross

Youth Pilgrimage 2014 HOLY LAND & CAIRO 5 – 14 July 2014

with

FATHER SAMMY MABUSELA (National Youth Chaplain)

and

Claire Mathieson of The Southern Cross

A special pilgrimage designed specifically for young Catholics from 16-36, with Fr Sammy Mabusela, national youth chaplain, as spiritual director. The programme includes holy sites, hikes in the footsteps of Jesus, outdoor Masses, encounters with local Christians and much more.

A TIME OF FAITH, FRIENDSHIP AND FUN!

HOLY LAND: Jerusalem (with Via Dolorosa, church of the holy Sepulchre, Mary’s tomb, Mount of olives, Mt Zion etc). Bethlehem. Nazareth (with visit to a recreation of 1st century life). Cana. Capernaum.

Boatride on the Sea of Galilee. Mount Tabor. Jordan river,. armageddon. Caesarea. Mt Carmel. Dead Sea. and much more. CAIRO: as a bonus, enjoy a visit to Cairo with the pyramids, sphinx and a Nile Cruise.

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The Southern Cross, June 19 to June 25, 2013

LOCAL

3

Life goes on without old centre

BY CLaIre MaThIeSoN

D

EMOLITION of the old parish centre at Durban’s Emmanuel Cathedral is about to begin so as to make way for the Denis Hurley Centre—a building project that will take 14 months to complete. But while the building goes on, social outreach will continue.

“In order to ensure that all the work of our social outreach projects: the Nkosinathi feeding scheme, the Usizo L’wethu clinic, Refugee Pastoral Care and the Job Linx project (run in collaboration with The Development House) would be able to continue without interruption, we moved all our op-

erations from the parish centre to the Surat Hindu Association building in Dr Goonam (Prince Edward) Street,” said Paddy Kearney, project coordinator.

Mr Kearney said the projects have settled in well there and “we are pleased to report that since we have been in the Surat building, the number of client interactions each month has almost doubled—an increase from about 3 000 to 6 000”.

The coordinator expressed his gratitude to the Surat Hindu Association for their “commitment to interfaith collaboration, expressed in their willingness to have us as a tenant of their building”.

Mr Kearney said it has been vi-

tally important to keep the centre’s neighbours informed of the progress on the building site. The Denis Hurley Centre will be surrounded by buildings and institutions of historical, cultural and religious significance, such as the Juma Musjid mosque, the Gandhi Library and the new Gandhi Memorial to be erected in Dr Goonam Street, the Surat Hindu Association building, the Victoria Street Market, and Emmanuel cathedral itself.

The neighbours recently met in what was described as a “historic occasion for the cathedral and the city”. Richard Dobson and Patrick Ndlovu were introduced at the meeting as community liaison offi-

cers for the project—“especially in relation to the informal traders and taxi owners in this neighbourhood,” said Mr Kearney.

The centre has raised in excess of the 80% needed to start construction. Further applications have been made to raise the outstanding R3 205 165. Mr Kearney said the “labour-intensive” fundraising at Emmanuel cathedral will continue.

He said it had been “a wonderful indication of the commitment and ownership of the local community.

An example of this is the wonderful response to Mgr Paul Nadal’s Camino walk in Spain which raised over R120 000 and sponsorships are still being received.”

emanuel cathedral’s parish centre is to be demolished, but outreach work will continue.

SA Church works for refugees and their rights Continued from page 1 based on popular perceptions, which permeate South African institutions such as the Department of Home Affairs and the South Africa Police Services, seriously inhibit refugees, asylum-seekers and migrant groups from realising their basic human rights. Justice also remains a critical issue,” said Ms Madikane. “Perpetrators of xenophobic violence and hate crimes are not being dealt with to the full extent of the law—a culture of impunity is the result.”

While the theme for this year’s celebration for the June 20 event, as approved by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

(UNHCR) is “One family torn apart by war is too many”, the Catholic Church will celebrate under the theme: “Migrations: Pilgrimage of Faith and Hope”.

Sr Prigol said the main objectives of this year’s World Refugee Day event include providing an opportunity to reaffirm the values upon which families are based, encouraging hospitality among communities towards refugees and asylum seekers, discouraging human trafficking and exploitation of women and children, fostering true integration between local communities and migrant communities, and encouraging a country, society and community where all are active

members and responsible for one another’s welfare.

She referred to Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclical Caritas in Veritate, which emphasises that every migrant “is a human person who, as such, possesses fundamental, inalienable rights that must be respected by everyone and in every circumstance”.

Pope Benedict said in October 2012 that faith and hope are inseparable in the hearts of many migrants, who “deeply desire a better life and not infrequently try to leave behind the hopelessness of an unpromising future. Faith and hope are often among the possessions which emigrants carry with them”.

on Saturday, June 1, Ntate Kotoi John rakaki, the father of two Catholic priests of the archdiocese of Bloemfontein, was laid to rest in excelsior in Free State. he was a teacher, catechist and lay service leader and community builder. his sons Fr Tsoeute rakaki (left) and Fr emmanuel rakaki (who has twice served the archdiocese as administrator) carry their father’s coffin out of the church. (Photo: rex harrison oMI)

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“Celebrating World Refugee Day is therefore crucial to breaking negative stereotypes and to raising more precise and accurate public awareness, not only to the challenges faced by refugees, but also with regard to the potential and positive contributions they can make,” Sr Prigol told The Southern Cross.

We want to “strengthen and develop understanding and cooperation between ecclesial and other institutions devoted to promoting the integral development of the human person”.

She added the celebration would also provide an opportunity for refugees to celebrate and express their cultural identity.

The Pastoral Care Department of Johannesburg, the City of Johannesburg–Migration Services, Jesuit Refugee Service Bienvenu Shelter and its partners, including governments, donors, non-governmental organisations, goodwill ambassadors, as well as refugees themselves, have organised an awareness-raising, cultural and educational event on June 22 from 9:00 to 15:00 at the Cathedral of Christ the King.

The special day was established by the United Nations to honour the courage, strength and determination of women, men and children who are forced to flee their homes under threat of persecution, conflict and violence.

3-DAy courSE For prIESTS, rElIGIouS AnD lAITy wIll BE oFFErED In 5 cITIES: Tues 9-Thurs 11 July port Elizabeth - St Luke’s Retreat Centre Tues 16-Thurs 18 July Jo’burg - Paulines Centre, Kensington Tues 13-Thurs 15 Aug Bloemfontein - Donovan Hall, Cathedral Tues 20-Thurs 22 Aug cape Town - Schoenstatt, Constantia Tues 27-Thurs 29 Aug Durban - Glenmore Pastoral Centre Evening parish workshops will also be held: details to be announced locally.

For more information or for a registration form for the 3-day course: e-mail admin@jesuitinstitute.org.za or call 011 482 4237 / 076 420 9856

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4

The Southern Cross, June 19 to June 25, 2013

INTERNATIONAL

Nigerian women could be solution to conflict W

BY Sarah MaCDoNaLD

OMEN can play an important role in bringing peace and stability to violenceracked northern Nigeria if some of the country’s discriminatory social rituals ended, an Irish missionary sister working in the West African nation said.

Sr Kathleen McGarvey, 45, a member of the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles and a lecturer at Good Shepherd Seminary in Kaduna, Nigeria, said that women can bring new perspectives based on their experience and knowledge to the peace effort.

She likened the untapped potential of Nigerian women to their sidelining in the long-practised Igbo tribal ritual of the breaking of the kola nut, a fruit of the tropical rainforest in much of Africa. The nut is broken at weddings, church gatherings and major social events as a symbol of acceptance and welcoming of visitors.

“At any church gathering, after

the opening prayer, the kola nut is blessed by the priest and if there is no priest, one of the men will pray over it; then it is broken. It is like a sacred ritual and has its basis in the Igbo culture but has become Christianised,” Sr McGarvey explained.

“For the ritual to become more inclusive and allow women to break the nut would be a very significant step forward,” she said.

Much the same, Sr McGarvey added, long-held traditions can be amended so that women can offer their perspectives based on experience to bring peace to northern states where the shadowy Islamist Boko Haram has led a violent insurrection since 2009.

Sr McGarvey also is deeply involved in the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria’s Commission for Interreligious Dialogue. She was the only non-Nigerian and one of just six women selected to participate in the Northern States Governors’ Forum on Reconciliation, Security and Healing, which was convened

Women walk in a street in Borno State, Nigeria. (Photo: afolabi Sotunde, reuters/CNS) to find possible solutions to the crisis in the region.

She praised Holy Rosary Sister Rose Uchem, a Nigerian whose work on the development of women became the subject of a video examining the subordination of women in the kola nut ritual.

Sr McGarvey also cited the prohibition of women owning property, which must be held in the name of a father, brother or husband, and the subordination of a

FEAST oF our MoThEr oF pErpETuAl hElp: JunE 27th

novena prayer (begins 19th June): Mother of Perpetual Help, You comforted Jesus your Son as He faced His passion. Comfort us too and help us to discover the power of His Spirit, that we may build up His kingdom among us. When He comes again in glory, May we celebrate with joy the fullness of life With all God’s family. For ever and ever. Amen

U

COORDINATOR

of SACBC Justice and Peace Department

The Justice and Peace Department of the Southern african Bishops Conference (SaCBC) wishes to employ a Coordinator based in Pretoria.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Strategic leadership of the Justice and Peace Department • Strategic planning and visioning of Justice and Peace in the Catholic Church • assist the Catholic Church to make meaningful interventions to promote Justice and Peace in society • Influence and advance the participation of all the bishops and their dioceses in Justice and Peace issues • Monitor the policy environment and identify issues to be responded to • Formulate the lobbying and advocacy agenda of the Justice and Peace Department • Develop and maintain an overall fundraising strategy 2. Fundraising and financial planning • Manage the fundraising including the compilation of budgets, submission of proposals, writing progress reports and liaison with funders • To monitor and approve budgets linked to project/ programme plans • ensure that the funds are raised for both core and programme costs • oversee cash flow, financial reporting to the executive, and the departmental audit.

3. Human Resources Management • ensure that all staff have job descriptions and that these are updated as necessary • ensure the implementation of the organisation’s policies and procedures, such as induction, supervision, performance management, grievance, disciplinary as well as staff training

• Facilitate overall teamwork and organisational development 4. Stakeholder Relationships Management • Donor management • Liaison and networking with other strategic partner organisations • Serve as official spokesperson for the Department • Lobby key stakeholders 5. Governance • Convene meetings with the executive, including agenda preparation, documentation and overseeing logistics • Strategy formulation with the executive 6. Facilitation of Key Stakeholder Workshops

QUALIFICATIONS have an appropriate degree or equivalent. a theological qualification will be an advantage.

COMPETENCIES • Decision making, problem solving and co-ordination skills • ability to work with key stakeholders within and outside the Church • Strategic change management skills • Fundraising and financial management skills • Lobbying and advocacy skills • ability to mediate difficult situations • Participatory people management style

teenage girls. She said the practice contributes to the marginalisation of women because they are forced to drop out of school, minimizing any opportunity to participate effectively in social and political decision making.

Some progress is being made, according to Sr McGarvey, who said that even the young seminarians she teaches grapple with women’s issues as they cope with the injustices placed on their widowed mothers or observe the subordination faced by their aunts or sisters.

“I think there is a growing awareness in Church circles of the different injustices women endure within the different cultures,” Sr McGarvey said.

“Every year, our fourth-year students write a project and there will be three or four of them looking at polygamy or widowhood. They are aware and awareness is certainly growing. But there is still a long way to go and there will certainly be lots of obstacles,” she said.—CNS

Pope says no to summer holiday at Castel Gandolfo

BY CINDY WooDeN

Solemn Triduum:Tues 25th - Thurs 27th June 19h30, St MAry’S church, retreat road, retreat, cape Town 7945 post petitions and Thanksgivings and order novena Booklets at r30: above or olphretreat@telkomsa.net

ACCOUNTABILITY The Coordinator reports to: • The Chairperson and executive of the SaCBC Justice and Peace Department • The Secretary General of the SaCBC

widowed woman who must engage in rites that demonstrate fidelity to her deceased husband.

Patricia Danmaida, former minister of education in Kaduna state, is one of the Nigerian women Sr McGarvey holds up for challenging society’s treatment of widows.

Mrs Danmaida, a Catholic, was widowed at a young age and left with three daughters. Because she had no sons, she had no protection under the law and her husband’s family claimed virtually all of her possessions, leaving her nearly destitute.

“Even though we have all these laws about equality, if a husband dies, it is common to hear of a woman being disinherited of all her property,” Sr McGarvey explained.

But Mrs Danmaida managed to overcome her disadvantaged situation by taking advantage of her college education to gain a foothold in the Nigerian education ministry.

Sr McGarvey has also worked on ending the forced marriage of

NLIKE many of his predecessors since the early 1600s, Pope Francis has decided not to spend the summer months at the papal villa in Castel Gandolfo south of Rome, although he will observe a reduced schedule in July and August.

Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi SJ said that Pope Francis had decided that for the summer he will be based at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, the Vatican guesthouse where he has lived since his election in March.

However, Pope Francis will travel to Castel Gandolfo, 24km south of Rome, on July 14 to lead the midday recitation of the Angelus.

Fr Lombardi did not say why Pope Francis had decided not to move to Castel Gandolfo for the summer, although he noted that when he was the archbishop of Buenos Aires, the former Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio did not go away for his summer holidays.

As for other details of the pope’s

summer schedule, Fr Lombardi said Pope Francis does not plan to hold any private or special audiences between July 8 and September 1. Also, his early morning Masses with Vatican employees and a short homily will be suspended during that period.

However, Pope Francis will travel to Brazil from July 22-29 for World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro.

During the month of July, the pope will not hold his weekly general audiences on Wednesdays. The weekly appointment with the faithful will resume on August 7.

The summertime papal escape to Castel Gandolfo is a tradition going back to Pope Urban VIII. While he was still Cardinal Maffeo Barberini, he would spend summers at the villa.

Once he was elected pope in 1623, he decided it was time for the pontiffs to have a permanent summer residence there.

According to Saverio Petrillo, director of the villa, about half the popes since then have followed Pope Urban’s lead.—CNS

Catholic poet dies at 92

Z

DENEK Rotrekl, whose poetry and writings often expressed Catholic themes and beliefs and angered communist officials in Czechoslovakia, died on June 9 at the age of 92.

Mr Rotrekl was imprisoned for 13 years by communist authorities and his work was banned during the 40year rule of the regime that ruled what was then Czechoslovakia.

His poetry has been described as spiritual, emerging from metaphysical desires and stemming in large part from his deep Catholic faith.

Born in 1920 in Brno, Mr Rotrekl

published his first volume of poems at the age of 20. Two other books of poetry were published by 1948.

He began studying art and art history at the Faculty of Arts in his hometown after World War II. The communist regime assumed power after a coup in 1948, however, and Rotrekl’s stances in favour of democratic decision-making led to his expulsion.

In 1995, Vaclav Havel, then president of the Czech Republic, conferred the T G Masaryk Order, one of the country’s highest honours, on Mr Rotrekl.—CNS

EXPERIENCE • 5-years or more working experience and management experience, within the NGo/development sector, particularly within the Catholic Church environment • Understanding of the socio-political and economic realities of South africa, Botswana and Swaziland.

Preparedness to work long hours at times and to travel frequently.

Salary package is commensurate with working in a church organisation.

Please send

• Your curriculum vitae • a covering letter motivating your application for the position and stating your last salary.

• The contact details of three contactable referees to Fr Mike Deeb by 12 July 2013 at mdeeb@sacbc.org.za or PO Box 941 Pretoria 0001.

Or hand deliver to 399 Paul Kruger Street, Pretoria. Faxes to: 012 325 6125 Only short-listed candidates will be contacted in early July 2012. Short-listed candidates will be expected to demonstrate their capacity to meet some of these requirements through written submissions and a short presentation. The Justice and Peace Department reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Learn about your faith, live your faith at home Family Moments & Faith Moments July - September

INTERNATIONAL

The Southern Cross, June 19 to June 25, 2013

5

Pope drops ‘boring’ text, uses Q&A instead

BY CaroL GLaTZ

P activists with the immigration rights group Border angels carry wooden crosses, representing undocumented workers who have died crossing into the United States, into a church in San Diego, California, this month. a new Vatican document says that Catholics must aid migrants. (Photo: David Maung, CNS)

Vatican: Catholics must defend refugees

BY CINDY WooDeN

C

ATHOLIC laity have an obligation to root out traces of xenophobia in their hearts and recognise refugees as their brothers and sisters—children of God whose dignity must be protected, said a new Vatican document.

“Welcoming Christ in Refugees and Forcibly Displaced Persons”, a document of pastoral guidelines for providing material and spiritual assistance to people forced to leave their homes was published by the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travellers and the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, which promotes and coordinates Catholic charitable activity.

Since the mid-1980s, the document said, the debate surrounding refugees and other asylum seekers has become “a forum for political and administrative election purposes, which fed hostile and aggressive attitudes among the electorate”.

In effect, countries are focused more on deterring newcomers from reaching their shores than they are on offering protection and a welcome to suffering people fleeing situations that threatened their lives and dignity, Cardinal Antonio Maria Veglio, president of the council for migrants and travellers, told reporters.

From a Catholic point of view, he said at a Vatican news conference, “every policy, initiative or intervention in this area must be inspired by the principle of the centrality and dignity of the human person”.

T

he new document from the two councils was designed to update their 1992 document, “Refugees, A Challenge to Solidarity”. In addition to the more restrictive policies many countries have adopted since 1992— including because of the threats of

terrorism and because of the global economic crisis—the new document focuses more on the dangers of human trafficking and on the need to develop protections for the forcibly displaced—those people who were forced to flee their homes, but did not seek refuge in a new country.

According to data compiled by Cardinal Veglio’s office, in 2012 there were some 16 million officially recognised refugees in the world and 28,8 million internally displaced persons. In addition, an estimated 21 million people have been trafficked, including 4,5 million for sexual exploitation and 14,2 million for what amounts to slave labour.

With the introduction of more restrictive measures both for immigration and for the recognition of refugee status, the number of people being smuggled or trafficked—for sex, forced labour or as child soldiers—has increased.

In addition to supporting Catholic groups, particularly women’s religious orders that are rescuing victims and helping them recover, the document said, lay Catholics need to look at how their investing or buying habits may actually promote trafficking for lowcost labour, including in the fields of manufacturing, textiles and agriculture.

The document treats the whole field of migration as a field for Catholic missionary activity, which includes telling people about Christ, but also includes the ongoing conversion of its own members and the public defence of the rights of the weak.

“Every person is priceless, human beings are worth more than things, and the gauge of the values any institution holds is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person,” the document said.—CNS

G-8 summit resort owner buries Jesus statue

BY MIChaeL KeLLY

A

HOTEL owner placed his trust in an Irish Catholic tradition, hoping to guarantee good weather as some of the most powerful leaders in the world prepared to check in as guests.

The Group of Eight summit— which brings together leaders of the wealthiest countries in the world— was scheduled from June 17-18 at the Lough Erne Resort, on the shores of Lough Erne in Northern Ireland, near the border with the Irish Republic.

After the coldest spring in 62 years, Ferghal Purcell, general manager of the resort, dug a hole in the grounds of the hotel and buried a replica of the 16th-century Infant of Prague statue.

In traditional Irish Catholic de-

votion, the burial of this particular statue is said to seek God’s blessing of fine weather for special occasions. Brides eager to have a sunny day for their wedding frequently bury the statue in their garden.

“We are hoping for a little divine intervention to ensure the sun shines down on the resort for the duration on the summit,” Mr Purcell said before the summit.

He said he still found it difficult to imagine seeing people like US President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin staying in his hotel, but added that, with the help of the buried statue, it could do a lot to promote tourism in the picturesque region.

“A photo of them down by the sunny lake could be worth so much for tourism here,” he said.—CNS

OPE Francis ditched a 1 250word prepared speech to students saying it would be “a tad boring” to read out loud and opted instead to just quickly hit the high points and spend the rest of the time answering people’s questions.

“Would you like that?” he asked as some 9 000 students, alumni and teachers from Jesuit-run schools and associations in Italy and Albania yelled “Yes” with cheers and applause.

Then over the course of 30 minutes, Pope Francis answered ten questions, including how to deal with doubt, how to live with hope in a troubled world and whether Christians should be politically active.

The special event in the Vatican’s Paul VI hall was an occasion for young people, parents and educators to highlight the Jesuit charism, particularly in the field of education, and to celebrate the election of the first Jesuit pope in the Church’s history.

The pope is well-versed in the field since when he was Jesuit Father Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he spent a number of years teaching literature, psychology and other subjects at Jesuit-run schools in Argentina.

The event’s presenters seemed hesitant about the pope’s request, saying no questions had been prepared in advanced and warning him that the students from primary and high schools would just be “winging it”.

One girl asked him why he chose not to live in the apostolic palace.

“It’s not just a question of wealth,” he responded, adding that the now uninhabited papal apartment “is not that luxurious, don’t worry”.

His decision to live in a simple Vatican-run residence wasn’t motivated by trying to live up to some kind of “personal virtue”, but rather “it’s for psychiatric reasons,” he said teasingly.

Living alone or in an isolated setting “would not do me any good”

People wave yellow scarves as Pope Francis meets with students from Jesuit schools. (Photo: Max rossi, reuters/CNS) and he said he’s the kind of person who prefers living in the thick of things, “among the people”.

But he did add that he tries to live as simply as possible, “to not have many things and to become a bit poorer” like Christ.

O

ne teenage boy told the pope that he was trying hard to believe in God and be faithful, but that he often struggled with doubt.

“What can you say to help me and others like me?” he asked the pope.

Pope Francis said the journey of life “is an art” that isn’t easy because it requires juggling the need to move forward with the importance of taking time to reflect.

“If we walk too quickly, we’ll get tired and won’t be able to reach our destination,” yet if we stop or take our time “we won’t get there either”.

Life’s journey “is truly the art of looking at the horizon, reflecting on where I want to go, but also putting up with the fatigue from this journey”, he said.

“Don’t be afraid of failure,” he insisted. The problem with the journey of life and faith isn’t falling; it’s not getting back up. “Get right back up immediately, and keep going.”

Don’t embark on this journey alone either, he said, because that would be “awful and boring”. Go as a “community with friends and people who care about you because that will help us get to our destination”.

One little girl wanted to make sure the pope had friends growing up in Argentina and wanted to know if, now he was pope, whether

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he was still friends with them.

Laughing, the pope said he’s only been pontiff for two and a half months, but as she rightly imagined, all his friends were now far away, “14 hours by plane” to be exact.

However, so far, three friends have come to visit him and he stays in touch with the others who all write to him. “I love them very much,” he said. “You can’t live without friends, this is important.”

Another little girl asked, “Eh, Francis, did you want to become pope?”

He laughed and said a person who wants to become pope doesn’t have his own best interest at heart.

“God doesn’t give him his blessings.

No, I didn’t want to become pope.”

A young woman asked how it was possible to stay hopeful in a country plagued by so many crises.

The pope said crises are good when they force people to address their root cause—the complete disregard for the human person.

“Today people don’t count; money counts,” he said. However, God gave the world and its resources to men and women, “not to money”.

People have become slaves, and Christians have the duty to defend the human person. “We have to free ourselves from these economic and social structures that enslave us.”

The one adult—a Spanish and religion teacher—who asked the pope a question, wondered what kind of role, if any, Catholics should play in politics.

The pope said Catholics have “an obligation to get involved in politics”. “We can’t play the role of Pontius Pilate and wash our hands of it,” he said. “Politics is one of the highest forms of charity because it seeks the common good.”

He said those who complain that politics is “too dirty” should ask themselves why. Perhaps it’s “because Christians haven’t gotten involved with an evangelical spirit.”

It’s easy to blame others, he said, but people need to ask themselves: “Me? What am I doing” about it?— CNS

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Michael Shackleton writes: “When you return to read it again and again, the writer’s intention and feeling begin to well up and touch you with deeper appreciation of the content…..in this sense his poetry has a contemplative worth”.

6

The Southern Cross, June 19 to June 25, 2013

LEADER PAGE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Editor: Günter Simmermacher Guest editorial: Anne Baker

Parents and education

S

OUTH African education is currently in crisis. Children cannot read or do maths at the levels they should. Schools in some provinces are without books long after the school year begins, scholar transport is unreliable, and fewer young people complete grade 12.

What can and should Catholics do about this?

The Catholic Church has always believed that parents are the first and most important educators of their children. Because parents give life to their children they are also obliged to see that they are educated.

Parents, therefore, enter into meaningful partnerships with others to provide this education, and they deserve to be consulted about and to contribute to their children’s education. The Church also urges citizens to take part in civic life in order to improve life for others—to serve the common good.

These two matters—Catholic parents’ responsibility to see that their children are educated, and their obligation as citizens to take part in civic life—mean that Catholic parents in South Africa whose children attend state schools have a right and duty to call for change in how their children are educated.

There are thousands of Catholic parents with children in state schools. One of the ways these parents can begin to make a difference is to vote in the school governing body (SGB) elections.

They can also stand for election on governing bodies and use their passion for what is good for the children, and their skills, to hold school personnel and the govern-

ment to account.

Every parent or guardian of a child at school is entitled to stand for election and to vote. Once the SGB is elected, it is obliged by law to report to parents annually.

Even if parents do not serve on the SGB, they can become involved in the schools in a variety of ways, be it a state, private or Catholic school.

They can do so by helping to raise funds through events, by assisting when asked, by working in the school vegetable garden if one exists. Most importantly, they can do so by being a positive support to the school.

The most important activity for parents is to demand what is right for their children. They must demand enough teachers in school, resources to support teaching and learning, sound maintenance, safe facilities and scholar transport.

For too long parents have been a silent partner in education.

Working together with the other stakeholders in education, they can bring about meaningful change by demanding accountability at all levels of the school system.

Let’s stand up as Catholics and make our voices heard.

The Catholic Institute of Education, the education arm of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, is involved in advocating and challenging—but the ordinary voices of parents, making their needs known in a peaceful challenging manner, has immense power. n Anne Baker is the deputy director of the Catholic Institute of Education.

Catholicism appears strange to me

F

ORGIVE me for feeling the urge to clarify some features of your Catholic faith.

I am not a member of your Church, however, I am a believer in the Christian faith and attached to my Bible.

I have attended your Mass, some funerals, marriages and baptisms.

I find it so strange that your clergy have to read the prayers from prescribed books; I mean read and not pray.

At Mass I am so confused; the priest reads from a book, the people make some responses, they all kneel or stand or sit—but not all the prayers said by the priest alone are heard or understood.

You also believe the Eucharist is truly Jesus, the son of God, truly

present on your altar.

I see no evidence of this in your congregations.

I mean their very approach to this extraordinary fact, if true, is perplexing: the way they dress, the way they bend their knee before him, the carefree manner receiving him, the lack of reverence I would expect before the Lord himself.

I am confused about so-called faith and their way of expressing it.

My Catholic friends are unable to give me sound biblical texts to support their faith and the practice thereof.

You have beautiful churches, do a lot of charity work and have excellent schools, but what about living what we truly believe?

Hendrietta Coetzee, Stellenbosch

The Editor reserves the right to shorten or edit published letters. Letters below 300 words receive preference. Pseudonyms are acceptable only under special circumstances and at the Editor’s discretion.

Name and address of the writer must be supplied. No anonymous letter will be considered.

Celibates not stunted humans ROM reading Mario ComIn addition to Fr Rolheiser’s Ffactpagnoni’s letter (May 29), the views on celibacy, it must be stated that he mentions attending that, besides our priests, there is a Easter Mass surely must mean he has a “soft spot” for the celebration of the Eucharist.

I think Mr Compagnoni is off the mark in his views on celibacy where he says “it [celibacy] is an unnatural condition” which leads to “a stunted human being”. Did he not read Fr Ron Rolheiser’s column on “The hell and beauty of celibacy”?

Mars and Venus

R

EGARDING Fr Ron Rolheiser’s column (April 24), I believe Mars and Venus offer very different ways of seeing, yet both are needed for a true experience of living our faith.

The spiritual atmosphere of stone jars, Mars, is immediately seen as cold, with lifeless liturgy, repetitive ritual, onerous obligation.

The living waters of the Spirit cannot penetrate.

But ah! Let us look beyond the obvious, for the stone jar has also stood the test of time, enduring persecution, martyrdom, scandal, wars, the Reformation, schism and the agony and the ecstasy of papal rule—without yielding. The stone jar contains the rich sacramental wine of an enduring faith, which has been preserved for over 2 000 years.

At the core of the stone jar there is a depth of spirituality born of selfsacrifice, devotion to duty, perseverance and determination.

Unlike the stone jars, the softer containers from Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, are immediately all “heart”—warmth, joy, exuberance, and smiles. The spiritual atmosphere is bright, warm—these are the light-bringers. For them, faith is not only to be preserved, but to be shared.

The fire of the Holy Spirit is the essence of their being.

But venture to dig a little deeper: Will dancing in the Spirit lead to dedicated service? Can it produce courageous commitment?

Freedom of expression without discipline and order could produce only a “candyfloss Christianity”, which melts when the winds of adversity blow such as when a child dies, a marriage breaks up, poverty comes knocking on the door.

Yet, there is truth in Venus, and its real worth remains—faith, hope and love, with the greatest of these being love.

Are the stone jars and the softer containers really on a collision course? Can the stone jar bend and yield? Can the softer container be reinforced with the discipline of commitment and devotion to duty?

I recall another stone jar containing precious ointment which

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percentage of humans who live out their lives as celibates. Are they also to be seen as being stunted?

His reference to “real people” is rather judgmental. Our world today is moving towards acceptance of all human beings, whatever their “perceived abnormality”. Vincent Couling’s letter (May 22) touches on this subject.

We, the sheep of the Good ShepMary Magdalene poured upon the feet of Jesus “wastefully” and “extravagantly” from a heart of the deepest love and devotion to her Master, washing those sacred feet with tears of repentance and drying them with her hair.

Both receptacles were required to perform this beautiful act of love— a stone jar and a soft container.

Mars (tradition, aesthetics, orthodoxy, liturgy) and Venus (spiritual gifts, love, joy and beauty) bowed in humility at the feet of Jesus.

Pope Francis has shown the way: In his hands, the negatives of the stone jar, those of ecclesiastical pomp and ceremony, wealth and status, power and prestige, have been shattered, and the sweet perfume, the best of softer containers— simplicity of faith, humility, love, mercy and grace—reaches out to the world.

Pamela Yeoman, Johannesburg

Smiling Christ

S

OME time ago in your letters to the editor, a reader expressed sadness that there was no joyful or smiling image of the Sacred Heart.

I thought some readers of The Southern Cross might be interested in an image of a joyful or happy Jesus of the Sacred Heart.

This picture comes from friends of mine in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in the United States.

Mgr Brendan Deenihan, Port Elizabeth

Watching porn

W

ADE Seale’s comments in his letter “Watching porn is a moral choice” (May 22) refer.

The Ten Commandments that God gave us are related to the law of nature and the wellbeing of society. When God said, “Thou shalt not…,” he did not limit us merely not to commit that evil, but his commandment demanded of us to live and promote the banishment of that evil from society.

For example, we are not only to avoid killing our neighbour, but we are to live our life promoting the preservation of life in society, and we are to punish appropriately those who do not .

Corruption is a prevailing point to ponder, as when good people fail to act, evil prevails.

I hope this knowledge of nature’s law will inform the conscience of the moral “right” concerning porn

herd, need signposts along the way of our lives for guidance. The Church’s commitment to celibacy, poverty and obedience is a perennial beacon of enlightenment for the advancement of humanity.

Pope Francis hits the nail on the head in a recent homily where he says in his non-judgmental way: “Little by little we build that culture of encounter that we need so much”, alluding to believers and non-believers working together side by side for the greater good of humanity.

Patrick Dacey, Johannesburg and the protection of other defenceless human beings in society.

Peter Throp, Cape Town

Fr Peter memories

A

S reported in The Southern Cross, Fr Peter Dielwart OP died on April 25.

I have 15 pages of reminiscences

by Fr Dielwart of his years as a priest in the Free State. Anyone who would like a copy is welcome to contact me at P O Box 1872, Kroonstad, 9500. Please enclose a franked, self-addressed envelope.

Luky Whittle, Kroonstad

Charismatic life

T

HE disappointment expressed

by Sue Rakocyz of Cedara in her letter to the editor (May 15) is fully justified, and needs to be heard by bishops, priests and laity.

She states that the charismatic renewal, begun in the US by some students in 1967 was, and still is, “a ministry of laity to laity”. And she is correct!

Touched by the Holy Spirit, these young people, and thousands to this day, craved for a deeper, more personal relationship with Jesus as Lord and they (these lay people) became witness to the extraordinary gifts and power of the Holy Spirit.

Now it is usually diocesan policy to appoint a spiritual director to the group, but only for his spiritual input—when called upon, he is only the spiritual director, not the leader. The experienced lay leaders will lead and conduct formation programmes. They have a central service body to handle all matters— training, finances, seminars. At life in the spirit, it will be lay people, young and old, who will boldly give witness and testimony to the glory of God and his Holy Spirit, and not a priest giving another sermon!

It is such a shame when some of our clergy dampen that spirit.

IR Collonet, Cape Town

Excellent editorial

Y

OUR editorial “Worse than other sins” (May 22) was brilliant—in fact it’s well worth buying the paper just to read your editorials.

At my age of almost 82 I have lived and worked in four countries and have met many people and travelled extensively. I have come to the conclusion that Christianity is being overcomplicated, to the disadvantage of our Lord and what he wants for us.

The point is, God is true love, and it’s as basic as that. Wherever there is true love for God and for others, he will be present. Consequently, if we get involved in corruption and other related crimes, we automatically distance ourselves from him and will suffer the consequences.

Roy Glover, Tzaneen opinions expressed in The Southern Cross, especially in Letters to the editor, do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or staff of the newspaper, or of the Catholic hierarchy. The letters page in particular is a forum in which readers may exchange opinions on matters of debate.

Letters must not be understood to necessarily reflect the teachings, disciplines or policies of the Church accurately.

Letters can be sent to PO Box 2372, Cape Town 8000 or editor@scross.co.za or faxed to 021 465-3850

Catholic Education Focus Special supplement to The Southern Cross, June 19 to June 25, 2013

Edited by Claire Mathieson

INSIDe

The state of Catholic education Why Catholic high schools are necessary Finding wisdom in modern education Violence in schools School discipline: a solution? an education for refugee children Introducing the CIe

l l l l l l l

US students at Sa university Catholic school jazzes it up how to form teachers The life of a rural teacher education need not stop after school helping the rural bright stars after the bell rings

Catholic education in the Year of Faith How can Catholic education help open the “Doors of Faith” to school bodies that are, on average, only 27% Catholic. PaUL FaLLer discusses the nature of faith, and how these insights offer an answer.

Word of God? There are many people and religious traditions who claim to speak in the name of God and these voices when heard together can be confusing and sometimes contradictory.

And so our experience of faith has a shadow side—an element of healthy doubt or reserve.

This is because our language always falls short of the reality we experience. Thus Paul reminds us that “now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known” (1 Cor 13:12).

P

OPE Benedict XVI began his apostolic letter Porta Fidei, which announced the current Year of Faith, with the following words: “The ‘door of faith’ (Acts 14:27) is always open for us, ushering us into the life of communion with God and offering entry into his Church. It is possible to cross that threshold when the word of God is proclaimed and the heart allows itself to be shaped by transforming grace.

“To enter through that door is to set out on a journey that lasts a lifetime. It begins with baptism (see Rom 6:4), through which we can address God as Father, and it ends with the passage through death to eternal life, fruit of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, whose will it was, by the gift of the Holy Spirit , to draw those who believe in him into his own glory (see Jn 17:22).”

While the Year of Faith is an initiative of the Catholic Church, and a call to all its members, the invitation to enter the “door of faith” can be extended to all people of good will.

This is an important consideration for Catholic schools, because they are a microcosm of our multicultural and multireligious society.

Indeed, on average, only 27% of our learners belong to the Catholic Church, and some learners would not identify with any religious community. So, while making the Year of Faith a focus in our schools, how do we live and celebrate it in such a way that all the school community—staff, parents, learners—can respond in freedom to the invitation?

By combing the web, or contacting your local Catholic Schools Office, you will find many suggestions as to how you might mark the Year of Faith. In this short article, rather than offer more suggestions, I would like to answer the question I posed

The Gift of Faith

Students from Catholic schools in Johannesburg gather for Mass at the cathedral of Christ the King on May 23, during which Fr Shaun von Lillienfeld spoke of the beauty of the distinctive character of Catholic education in forming young people who are rooted in the Gospel values, and through this are called to action in living and upholding Catholic social teachings animated by the morality and spirituality that Catholic schools offer. in the previous paragraph in a more general way.

What is faith?

Let us begin by looking at faith itself. What is faith? It is, essentially, an ability we have to go beyond ourselves, to put ourselves in the hands of another. It is therefore closely allied to trust.

When we go on a journey we leave our home behind. We do have a destination, but we have to trust others to show us the way.

The same is true of a faith journey. This is not an outward journey, but an inward one, and, seen from a religious perspective, one that leaves the self behind to find the self in the hands of God at the centre of our being. Remember, Jesus said: “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Mt 10:39).

Some understand faith as a leap in the dark. In a sense this is true: an

act of faith includes some risk and uncertainty, but what is important is why one is leaping, from where, and where to. Faith is not a foolish, devil-may-care act, but a reasonable risk in response to an inner voice, calling one home.

Benedictine Father Laurence Freeman puts it this way: “The meaning of faith is the inextinguishable and insatiable longing of the human heart for union with that power of love, both creative and healing, that it finds is being poured into itself—a power with which it falls in love over and over again but will never fully understand and that, each time, it sees for the first time.”

So faith is a journey in relationship with the other—with God for the religious person. It is also a way of seeing.

Fr Freeman describes faith as the capacity to see again for the first

time. This is how children see and, again, we should take note of the words of Jesus: “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 18:3).

How we see is one thing; what we see is another. The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes faith as first of all a personal adherence to God, as we have reflected on above, but also a free assent to the truth that God has revealed. So faith enables us to see things which are beyond our immediate horizons.

In other words, we can see from God’s perspective. We get a glimpse, at least, of the things Paul refers to: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Cor 2:9).

Of course free assent can sometimes be problematical. How do we know whether what we hear is the

What does all this mean in practice? Is faith a gift that only religious people enjoy?

It is helpful at this point to distinguish between “faith” on the one hand, and “belief” on the other.

When we try to express our faith in words, we enter the realm of belief.

And we know too well that beliefs tend to divide people.

Faith, on the other hand, is a fundamental gift that all human beings possess, and so faith has the potential to unite if we see it as a personal response in obedience to the truth we hear.

Psychologist Dr James Fowler’s research into faith development supports this understanding.

Br Michael Burke in 1996 summed up Dr Fowler’s findings in this way: “Fowler sees faith as a dimension of everyone’s life. Explicitly religious for some, not at all for others, faith in Fowler’s view is a basic part of one’s equipment as a human being, namely one’s inner resources for making sense of the world and coping with life.”

And so, during the Year of Faith, we can invite all our staff, all our learners to embark on or continue their journey by stepping through the Door of Faith.

And where is the Door of Faith in a Catholic school?

I suggest it is the religious education curriculum which seeks, in an educative way, to engage all learners with the religious dimension of life regardless of their inherited or chosen path. n Paul Faller is the Catholic Institute of Education’s coordinator for religious education.

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St John’s Road, Wynberg, Cape Town Tel: 021 797 9637 Junior 021 797 6169 Senior www.springfieldconvent.co.za admissions@sfc.wcape.school.za

• • • • • •

St Catherine’s is a Private Catholic school whose Ethos is centred on Christian based values Our excellent reputation is based on our high academic standards Learners are educated holistically in a safe, modern and positive disciplined environment Grade 000 – 12

Facilities Sport – School and other Culture – Art, Music and other Religious Education Qualified and Experienced Educators Offers wide range of Subject choices IEB Examination

For further information or to arrange a viewing of the school, please contact Marketing on (011) 827 4102 or email marketing@stcatherines.org.za.

P.O. Box 5013, Delmenville, 1403, 31 Piercy Avenue, Parkhill Gardens, Germiston Tel: (011) 827-4102, Fax: (011) 827-4117, E-mail:secretary@stcatherines.org.za Web Address: www.stcatherines.org.za

8

The Southern Cross, June 19 to June 25, 2013

CATHOLIC EDUCATION

Are schools working as they should?

The South African education system is widely considered problematic. Where does Catholic education sit within this frame? CLAIRE MATHIESON finds out.

‘C

ATHOLIC schools have played a really important role in South African education,” said Anne Baker, deputy director of the Catholic Institute of Education (CIE). “The Church still has a role to play,” however, this role is taking on a different face— it’s not religious, it’s up to the laity and parents to take hold of education again.

The current situation is “dismal —simply because the reality is dismal,” Mrs Baker told The Southern Cross.

The education system is highly challenged and it’s not showing much improvement. And while Catholic schools generally outperform secular schools, “the struggle is across the board” and school performances are “going down”.

Mrs Baker said there was general difficulty dealing with the curriculum and its various changes. “There is also a distinct lack of resources for all our schools.” Each province and district is faced with differing challenges and the differences between rural and urban issues are stark.

“The Eastern Cape, for example, has had to deal with the issue of the redeployment of teachers.” Other schools have had a lack of books and still others, a shortage of teachers, she pointed out.

But Mrs Baker believes the education system is in turmoil because

we have forgotten the basics. “Our literacy level at the foundation phase is not good at all.” While there were some exceptions, these were mostly the former model-C schools—and these were not showing an improvement in results.

“There is a struggle throughout all our schools,” the deputy director said.

“English is one of the hardest languages to learn, but we currently have teachers who don’t speak the language well while teaching it. We have to go back to basics and focus on literacy. With the addition of a third language to the curriculum, we may see further issues.”

And teachers are not necessarily to blame. “There are gross inefficiencies across the system. People at the top are trying, but it’s never enough.”

Mrs Baker believes in a step-bystep approach. “The only way to move forward is to strengthen at the bottom end. We need to start with books. Reading is imperative.

Reading comes first and then maths. It is essential we help children read more.” This alone would assist in literacy levels—a key contributor to South Africa’s poor ranking internationally.

To ensure this foundation is well established, the CIE also undertakes integrated services and is involved in health screening services.

“Social workers also need to be involved. A teacher cannot teach a sick child or a hungry child,” said Mrs Baker. The CIE is concerned not only with wealthy urban schools, but predominantly with rural and peri-urban schools.

Critical thinking skills were also lacking in children. “Our children are growing up in an age where

Teachers are not necessarily to blame for poor performance as there are gross inefficiencies across the school system. they are entertained and where they just receive information. We need to help children to ask the right questions about the information they are receiving.”

This “receptive nature” is a part of the great divide between teachers and children on a technological level. “Children are able to use tech-

nology to find answers in a very short time, but we need to teach them the discernment of sources.

The Internet is full of answers, but they’re not always the right answers. Having said that, we need to ensure teachers are not fearful of technology,” said Mrs Baker. In addition, “we need to consider if a child is not exposed to technology, will they be able to take a place in this world? Engaging on a technological level is imperative for all.”

There are positive structures working in the background of Catholic education in South Africa, said Mrs Baker. “We always try to work in partnership for the common good. But our schools are not well supported.”

The deputy director said the involvement of parents at governing body level was another key area where support could be enhanced.

“Catholics schools are still sought after, but they are not doing as well as they could be. The system is under great challenge and it is a problem,” said Mrs Baker.

It’s a problem at many levels: the lack of teachers, or the lack of qualified teachers, and those teachers schools do have are often not motivated, she said.

Other positive structures at work behind the scenes include the “great interaction between principals in the different provinces. Internal Catholic network support has proved to be a great tool.” In Limpopo, teachers are often twinned together to help develop the skills of each other.

“The Catholic Education Network also ensures that principals are visited and information is available at the end of the phone line—of course there are many that don’t want help. The Catholic Church is involved in collaboration and collegiality,” Mrs Baker said.

“We’re still above the national level, but we could be better.” In 2012, the national average was 73,7%, while the Catholic average was 86,4%. Mrs Baker said the independent schools, those that write Independent Education Board examinations, had performed better on the whole, thanks to the independent nature of the system, however, these schools too showed challenges.

Mrs Baker said religious education (RE) is another highlight of Catholic schools.

She pointed out that RE was not the same as catechesis, but since Catholic values and the ethos is enriched through RE, children learn another way of looking at the world and handling life—often in a more ordered and more respectful manner.

But it’s this very aspect of Catholic schools that needs to be preserved. “The religious that founded the Catholic schools are in short supply and are ageing. There is no one left. It is the role of the laity to keep Catholic schools alive.

We need to take up the challenge,” said Mrs Baker.

Catholic contribution needs to continue despite the challenges. But because of the challenges, we are Church need to respond.

The Southern Cross, June 19 to June 25, 2013

CATHOLIC EDUCATION

9

Finding wisdom in modern education Education often fails to make room for the great gift of wisdom, as JohN MoFFaTT SJ argues.

‘N

OW, what I want is— Facts. Teach these boys and girls nothing but Facts. Facts alone are wanted in life.

Plant nothing else, and root out everything else. You can only form the minds of reasoning animals upon Facts: nothing else will ever be of any service to them.”

These are the opening words of Thomas Gradgrind, at the beginning of Charles Dickens’ Hard Times.

It is a grim model of education for a machine-like world driven by economic imperatives. Imagination, human relationships and play have no place here. The children before Gradgrind are empty little vessels, simply waiting to be filled with their daily quota of facts.

Contrast an alternative. In the

Book of Proverbs (8.22 ff), Wisdom appears as a person, a woman, present at the side of the God who makes the world. We see her “playing before him all the while, playing on the surface of the earth”. We hear her say: “I found delight in the children of humankind.”

It seems to me that this passage captures something deep about what education, and especially Christian education, should be about, far removed from Gradgrind’s “facts”.

Wisdom delights us and delights to be with us. She mediates a relationship between us and the created world, our Creator, and our fellow human beings. Wisdom is practical and creative, a builder, a craftswoman, and she is so, because she uses her imagination, and plays.

The best of education throughout the ages has this character of creative freedom. We find it is relationship and moments of insight that delight us and draw us to deeper exploration.

Most of us, when we reflect on the teachers who have made a dif-

ference to us, can recognise this.

How hard it is, though, to build it into the daily routine of a nationwide education system. Every child in every school learns, not simply because they have to, but because they have been inspired to want to know more? How? Learning a language, deepening understanding of the natural world, mastering a craft (or an instrument or a sport) helps each child become a rounded human being, a virtuous citizen?

How can this be?

Governments around the world are under pressure to produce measurable results that “prove” they are educating a workforce to meet the economic imperatives of the coming decades. Teachers get intimidated by targets and become anxious as new teaching strategies push them beyond their comfortzone. Passive resistance prevents change that could transform lives for the better. Students come to see exams or degrees as mere currency, valued according to their usefulness in the job market.

In all of this education gets

The crucial importance of the Catholic high school

BY Fr WILLIaM J BYroN SJ

I

F I ruled the world of Catholic education from kindergarten through to tertiary studies, and if I were pushed up against a wall of choice and told I could have only four years under explicitly Catholic auspices, I would without hesitation take the high school years.

I’m convinced that the potential for a positive educational impact is greater in the Grade 9-12 school years than in any other four-year block of time in the educational process.

Every year from pre-school to the PhD is important, but there is something special about those final four school years. Why?

To explain my bias in this regard, I have to go back to what I call the “centre of significance” and let it serve to make an analytical point.

The newborn child constitutes the centre of significance in his or her unfolding life. All experiences, all surrounding influences— warmth or cold, hunger or satisfaction, pleasure or pain, comfort or discomfort—all are measured by the infant in reference to the self.

The self constitutes the centre of significance in the infant’s life.

As the presence and awareness of siblings and peers enter the world of the developing child, parents move into the centre of significance in that child’s life.

Parents become the point of reference for what the child begins to value, how the child begins to walk and talk, where the child goes, and who the child knows.

Parents can expect to hold this spotlight position in the child’s life for about a decade.

At some point in the pre- or early adolescent years of the developing youngster’s life, it becomes clear that the parents no longer hold the central reference position.

They no longer constitute the centre of significance for the child. The centre, however, is never vacant for long.

Friends and peers—the gang or group—might now take centre stage. Peer pressure can push an-

squeezed back into its lowest form, information-processing. We return to Gradgrind’s “facts” and the rows of empty vessels waiting to be filled.

Perhaps all of us involved in education in one way or another— teachers, parents, students, politicians—need to meet Wisdom again for ourselves and rediscover that presence of creativity and delight.

We need reminding that we are not engaged in a soulless, mechanical process, but working in a relationship with human beings in a service whose value has no price.

We are passing on the great gift we have received: the Wisdom that creates, transforms and delights in our world. n Fr John Moffatt is based at the Jesuit Institute in Johannesburg.

Pope Francis smiles as he meets students from Jesuit schools during a special audience at the Vatican this month (see page 5). on this page two Jesuits offer their views on education (Photo: Max rossi, reuters/CNS) chorless youngsters into a forced march of adolescent conformity; others, often unknown, are leading the way. Or the centre can be filled with a hero from the world of sports or entertainment. It can be filled by an older brother or sister, by a friend, a neighbour, uncle or aunt.

Indeed, it might be filled by the child him or herself, thus signalling a reversion to infantile self-centredness. Or, it can be, and often is, filled by a significant adult in the school setting: a teacher, coach or counsellor.

The Catholic high school is especially well-suited to mediate a process of reconnection between parent and adolescent child. The

Catholic high school is also quite likely to provide a positive peer group environment for the developing adolescent as well as presenting good adult role models.

These are just a few of the reasons why parents choose to put their children in the Catholic high school setting. The challenge today is to find the resources needed to keep our Catholic secondary schools open and affordable for Catholic families who appreciate the unique role these high schools play in the development of the young. n Jesuit Father William J Byron is a professor of business and society at St Joseph’s University, Philadelphia.

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we uphold a catholic Ethos leading to a deeper faith in Jesus christ. we are committed to an excellence in Education within the Mercy Ethos we aim to provide a positive happy environment in which our learners are able to achieve their potential. we try to ensure that each member of our school community is valued for their talents

10

The Southern Cross, June 19 to June 25, 2013

CATHOLIC EDUCATION

The violent side of education From robbery and sexual assault to bullying and cyber attacks, 22,2% of South Africa’s high school learners experience some form of violence in the classroom. CLaIre MaThIeSoN learns more.

V

IOLENCE in schools takes place in the classroom, schoolmates are usually the perpetrators, and witnessing violence in school is as harmful as direct victimisation. This was the picture painted by Lezanne Leoschut of the Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention during a roundtable hosted by the Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office (CPLO).

Ms Leoschut was presenting her findings of the results of a national school violence survey in which

5 939 learners, 121 principals, and 239 teachers shared their experiences, impressions and understanding of violence in schools.

The roundtable, which was made up of Catholic teachers and principals and education role players, heard that violence in schools was both common and complex.

“On the whole, one in five learners had experienced some form of violence while at school in the 12 months between August 2011 and August 2012. This translates to 1 020 597 secondary school learners who had been violently victimised in the past year.”

This was the second time the survey had taken place. In 2008 similar findings were found—the data showed that violence in schools has remained relatively constant over the past four years.

Of all learners, 22,2% experienced some form of violence (excluding theft), 44,1% had property stolen at school in the last year, 12,2% had been threatened at school, 6,3% had been assaulted at school, and 4,7% had been sexually

assaulted.

When it comes to violence in school, age and gender are insignificant, and while the provinces vary with respect to frequency, no province or school was exempt from violence.

“We found that classrooms were the most common site for violence—second was the playing field,” said Ms Leoschut. “Visibility in the classroom was a big deterrent,” but due to classroom sizes, this was often hard to control. However, Ms Leoschut did add that schools with smaller-size classrooms still saw violent acts.

T

he Free State, followed by the Western Cape and Limpopo, saw the highest levels of violence in schools, while the Eastern Cape and Gauteng had the lowest levels.

The survey found that generally girls experienced slightly more violence than boys and that repeat victimisation is common.

“While the impression still exists that the influence of violence comes from outside the school gates, the study showed that 90% of threats, 70% of assaults, 90% of sexual assault and 86% of robberies were perpetrated by classmates— those known to the victims,” said Ms Leoschut.

However, the survey did find a strong relationship between school experiences and the community.

In total, 13% of learners surveyed reported that they had been bullied in school.

And while learners do experience online violence, “it is certainly not endemic”, said Ms Leoschut.

Of the learners, 20% had experienced some form of online violence or aggression, 7,8% had received insulting or rude messages and 14% had an “online fight”. Interestingly, the survey did find that learners were likely to routinely take online risks, “from lying about your age online to meeting someone personally who was first met online”.

Ms Leoschut told the CPLO roundtable that violence in schools was not limited to learners. Principals and teachers also experience violence, but reporting of the incidents is much lower.

“A lack of alternatives to corporal punishment was identified by educators as contributing to the violence issue. They added that insufficient staff to

The results of a recent national school violence survey show that more than a million secondary school learners in South africa had been violently victimised in the past year. (Photo: Karen Callaway, Catholic New World/CNS)

monitor unsafe areas was another issue.”

Corporal punishment is still common in South Africa, with KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga being the most likely provinces where it takes place.

Ms Leoschut said violence in the schoolyard often replicates violence in the home. “Assaults and robberies are more common at home than school.

“Exposure to criminality increases risk of victimisation and violence. 14,2% of those surveyed knew their family members had used illegal drugs and 9,4% of learners had parents that had been in jail.”

Ms Leoschut said that witnessing violence is “as harmful as direct victimisation”.

Alcohol and drugs were identified as one of the major drivers to violence by the country’s teachers.

Other worrying statistics included easy access to drugs and weapons at schools. 15,5% could easily get hold of alcohol, 9% a gun and 11,9% drugs. Knives and other weapons were accessible to 23% of

those surveyed.

Many learners reported knowing peers who engage in criminality.

47% knew people who smoke marijuana at school and 24% knew people who had brought a weapon to school.

“The level of violence experienced in a particular school is influenced by the level of violence seen in communities,” said Ms Leoschut.

While the rates of violence had remained relatively constant, a comprehensive solution could be found.

“School safety is a concern, but a way forward needs to be built on evidence and assessed before being rolled out,” said Ms Leoschut. “No one model will work across all schools and provinces, but teacher and student experiences should be included.

“Teacher training also needs to be taken into account. One in ten teachers admitted they would not know how to respond to reports of drugs and weapons.”

“Teacher training does not currently equip teachers with violence and behaviour management. The framework needs to include this.”

Contact the Catholic Institute of Education

Tel: 011 433 1888 info@cie.org.za www.cie.org.za

Twitter: @CathEducation Facebook: Catholic Institute of Education

CATHOLIC EDUCATION

The Southern Cross, June 19 to June 25, 2013

11

Spare the rod: Discipline in schools Once school discipline was maintained with the cane. But since corporal punishment has been outlawed, educators have struggled to assert themselves in the school. The Catholic Institute of Education has developed a strategy designed to keep learners disciplined and safe. aNNe BaKer explains.

I

N 2012, the Catholic School Proprietors’ Association (CaSPA) chose the theme “Care for the Child, our Treasure, our Future, our Responsibility”.

The major aspect of this theme was the launch of a new policy to protect children at school from harm. The logo expresses the core of the child safeguarding policy: Keeping God’s Children Safe.

This policy does not come out of a vacuum. Catholic Social Teaching has as its first principle the principle of human dignity.

“Every human being is created in the image of God and redeemed by Jesus Christ, and therefore is invaluable and worthy of respect as a member of the human family,” the doctrine states.

It means that every person—regardless of race, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, employment or economic status, health, intelligence, achievement or

any other differentiating characteristic—is worthy of respect. Our children therefore need protection from any form of harm.

To help schools understand and implement the policy, workshops were delivered to several schools across the country. To accompany the policy a poster informing pupils that they deserve to be safe was given to schools. Tools to assist in reporting and recording incidents of abuse were made available.

School governing bodies and boards of governors are expected to adopt this policy and ensure that school management implements it.

What became clear during the delivery of these workshops was that teachers find themselves under pressure to ensure discipline, but struggle with how to do this.

We heard that since children know that they have rights, discipline at schools has become very difficult. There were strong feelings that while corporal punishment is now illegal, teachers are not assisted to manage discipline in any other way.

It also became apparent that corporal punishment was still administered in some schools, in spite of principals’ efforts to stop this. It was also clear that bullying in schools was a major problem.

These insights raised the question of whether children are actually safe in schools.

A further problem appeared to be that the traditional parent-school partnership of working together to help children with discipline issues has disappeared. Schools now relate how parents do not cooperate when their children are in trouble, and in

The Catholic Institute of education promotes a restorative justice programme which aims to provide a framework for discipline in schools. (Photo: Muhammad hamed, reuters/CNS) fact might even actively oppose school solutions to problems.

After reflection and deliberation, the Catholic Institute of Education (CIE) developed a “Building Peaceful Catholic Schools” programme.

T

he programme involves building on the Catholic ethos of care and safety for all members of the school community. It also enables wrongdoers to be accountable for their actions to those whom they have harmed, and enables them to put things right as far as possible. It develops the social skills of those whose behaviour causes harm and develops their self-image. The first step in this programme involves a

Mission Statement Mission Statement

survey for teachers, to help understand their concerns and the challenges they face.

Workshops for teachers, parents and pupils outline and explain this new way of discipline. In addition, schools are offered support by CIE regional managers as they explore and implement peace-building and alternative ways to deal with discipline issues.

A further aspect is the drafting and reviewing of codes of conduct.

The foundation for the programme is the restorative justice model which focuses on conflict resolution and “making things right”.

Restorative justice has the poten-

Caring for the aged

6W $QWKRQ\·V 5 & 3ULPDU\ 6FKRRO LV FRPPLWWHG WR XSKROGLQJ WKH YLVLRQ RI WKH &DWKROLF &KXUFK RI D St Anthony’s R.C. Primarycommunity School isserving committed to upholding the vision of the humanity.

Catholic of aand community serving values of truth, justicewhilst and The values ofChurch truth, justice tolerance are instilledhumanity.The in a caring, sharing and loving atmosphere towardsinacademic, cultural andand social excellence in every learner. tolerance striving are instilled a caring, sharing loving atmosphere whilst striving

tial to make schools happier, safer places and reduce the need for disciplinary hearings and suspensions.

It helps schools to become places of inclusion and belonging and to raise morale and self-esteem, increase attendance, address the issue of bullying in the school community and assist teachers with stress management.

The four key features of restorative justice are: • Respect—for everyone by listening to other opinions and learning to listen to them; • Responsibility—taking responsibility for your own actions; • Repair—developing the skills within the community so its individual members have the necessary skills to identify solutions that repair harm; • Reintegration—working through a structured, supportive process that resolves the issue and ensures that behaviours are not repeated, allowing pupils to remain in school while also achieving all of the above.

CIE staff has already received formation and training in order to assist schools with this programme.

Restorative justice in schools provides empowerment for teachers and pupils to have their needs voiced, their feelings heard and to heal harm if caused, as well as being included in the process of repairing damage.

This programme aims to help ensure that the dignity of every member of the school community is respected by all and that schools will truly develop their Catholic ethos.

Ash Wednesday

towards academic, cultural and social excellence in every learner.

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12

The Southern Cross, June 19 to June 25, 2013

CATHOLIC EDUCATION

School opens doors to refugees Changing schools can be a traumatising experience, but when you are forced to change schools because your family had to flee their home is even more extreme. One school has opened its doors to refugee children, helping them ease into the South African schooling system. CLaIre MaThIeSoN reports.

S

St THERESA’S CONVENT SCHOOL ENROLMENT FOR 2014

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ST THERESA’S CONVENT SCHOOL IS A PRIVATE CATHOLIC SCHOOL IN CORONATIONVILLE WHAT WE OFFER  Dedicated teachers with the skills and commitment to bring out the best in every child.  a low teacher-child ratio that ensures individual attention  a varied extra mural program  We are committed to making your child's primary school experience both a happy and rewarding one  Pastoral care in a Catholic, Christian environment which is committed to accommodating children of all faiths  Well planned educational outings to make classroom studies exciting

Email: admin@stcschool.co.za 14 riversdale Street, coronationville, Tel: 011 477 7611

INCE 2008, Sacred Heart College in Observatory, Johannesburg has operated an educational programme for refugee children.

The school, called Three2Six, is a bridging programme for refugee children who have difficulties with registering with South African schools either because the families are unable to pay school fees and other related expenses to get their children into schools or the parents do not have all the documents needed.

“The idea of the Three2Six Project came from the need of the refugee communities around Scared Heart College who, through the Methodist church in Johannesburg, approached the head of the college and asked him to assist their children who were facing various barriers from not having access to schools,” said Katherine, the project’s coordinator (a refugee herself, she asked that her real name not be used).

She said Three2Six strives to provide primary school education to refugee children who have been refused access to state schools, to employ and empower refugee teachers and to do advocacy around refugee issues in the broader community.

Added to difficulties of finance and documentation, many of the children don’t speak English when they arrive in South Africa. After time spent in the Three2Six bridging project, most are accepted into schools when they leave the project.

“We started the project teaching maths, english and life skills but we have extended our learning areas to sports programmes, activities on iPads, the library programme, oral education and a reading programme,” Katherine told The Southern Cross.

T

he programme has yielded positive results.

“We have children who have won school sponsorships and have been placed into top public schools,” she said.

As the name suggests, the school runs from 3pm to 6pm and is extended during school holidays where the children have two or three weeks of activities.

“They produced a comic book in 2010, an animated movie in 2011 and last year they produced various pieces of art under the guidance of a number of South African professional artists,” Katherine said.

To assist learners who are struggling academically, Three2Six has added a remedial class to its

Pre-Primary, Primary and High School

Learners and staff at Three2Six, a project which aims to provide primary school education to refugee children who have been refused access to state schools. offerings. The children who attend the remedial class get extra and accelerated help to be able to follow up at the level of their usual grade once they finish the remedial programme.

Apart from the academics, the project provides lunch, uniforms, stationery, transport, medical, social and legal assistance to the children.

Katherine said the project works closely with the Sacred Heart community, where students and parents have always been willing to assist where necessary.

“One of the parents, who is an attorney, always helps with legal issues and another parent who is a doctor assists the Three2Six Children with health issues that the school nurse can’t manage.

Sacred Heart parents are involved in the project feeding scheme, sending home parcels of food to the project’s families, apart from the lunch the children receive at school every day,” Katherine said.

The school currently has 140 children from age six to 13.

“The project is a bridging programme. It does not intend to keep the children more than two years. Once the child is ready to shift to the mainstream programme, parents are encouraged to register the child into a normal school,” Katherine explained.

“We assist the children to get the first pack of uniform and stationery in order to have a start at their new school. Some children do not manage to leave the project before they complete grade 6,” she said.

But it’s not only the children that benefit from the programme. Three2Six employs seven teachers and one coordinator who is assisted by a volunteer worker.

All of the Three2Six staff are refugees. They are mentored in the South African curriculum by the host school and they upgrade their qualifications with Unisa.

“The school is also assisted by Sacred Heart students who offer to do their community service work with us,” Katherine said.

The project is guided, follows and believes in the values espoused by St Marcellin Champagnat—a Catholic ethos that strives to serve those that might otherwise be left out.

Our motto CONCORDIA challenges us to work towards peace and harmony with God, self and others.

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The Southern Cross, June 19 to June 25, 2013

13

14

The Southern Cross, June 19 to June 25, 2013

CATHOLIC EDUCATION

Introducing the Catholic Institute The Catholic Institute of Education (CIE) is the education arm of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference.CLaIre MaThIeSoN spoke with the CIE’s leaders about their background and vision for education.

S

ERVING 352 Catholic schools around the country, the Catholic Institute of Education (CIE) is a non-governmental organisation that delivers programmes to Catholic schools as an associate body of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC).

For the past 28 years, the CIE has focused its work especially in rural and peri-urban schools, situated in the poorer, less developed parts of Southern Africa. The CIE works with more than 6 000 teachers and 160 000 learners from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

This year, the CIE’s leadership changed after the previous director, Mark Potterton, accepted the position of principal at Holy Family College in Parktown, Johannesburg. He was succeeded by Janice Seland in January.

Janice Seland

A

former Catholic pupil herself, Janice Seland believes the rich experience of a Catholic school deepened her faith and understanding of the Church as a “com-

Janice Seland munity serving humanity”.

“My passion and involvement in Catholic education is driven by the Catholic Church’s social teachings, which underpin the ethos of Catholic schools,” Mrs Seland told The Southern Cross.

“My personal experience of Catholic schools is that they are a place where we see the goodness in all—because we are created in God’s image and also recognise the dignity of all creation,” she said.

“These schools are places that prepare learners to take their place in society as responsible, honest and compassionate citizens. This is done through a broad curriculum which is meaningful to students and relevant to their community,”

said the CIE director, who grew up in the North West and attended Green Hill Girls School, a Holy Family boarding school in Bloemfontein.

After obtaining a commerce degree from the University of the Witwatersrand, Mrs Seland started working for the CIE in the early 1990s as a financial manager and became financial director in 2000.

“I have enjoyed playing a leading role in developing projects that support vulnerable learners in accessing education at primary, secondary and tertiary level, and ensuring that there are ‘safety nets’ within their school communities to ensure their wellbeing,” she said.

The married mother of two university students used her financial skills to help develop and strengthen the governance and financial systems within the Catholic network and in civil society organisations external to this network, including the Rural Education Access Project (which is featured on page 21). She also serves on the boards of the SACBC’s finance committee, the Catholic Health Care Association, Sophiatown Community Psychological Services Board, Don Bosco Educational Projects, Marist School Council and the Gauteng Catholic Schools Board.

For most people in South Africa,

Bishop Joe Sandri education is in crisis. “The failings of inappropriate curricula have added to the legacy of apartheid and are felt most significantly by the poor,” Mrs Seland said.

“There is a desperate need for the delivery of quality education to these marginalised and vulnerable citizens and, as a service body to Catholic schools, I believe that the Catholic Institute of Education has a critical role to play in supporting the SACBC in their priority area of education,” she said.

Bishop Joe Sandri

B

ishop Joe Sandri of Witbank was appointed liaison bishop for education at the last plenary session.

“Catholic schools remain one of the most valid tools of evangelisa-

tion for the Catholic Church.

Through them, parents and learners are and can be evangelised,” he told The Southern Cross.

“Catholic schools continue to prepare productive citizens in South Africa. Ex-pupils have become successful political, business and religious leaders,” the bishop said.

Bishop Sandri admits to not having a formal background in education but he has had an interest in the area since being a young priest.

During the 1970s and 1980s, the Italian-born Comboni missionary worked with local schools around the Kruger Park.

“I was invited to pray and comment on a Bible passage during the morning assembly at various schools. After school I used to teach catechism to Catholics in some secondary schools,” he recalled.

His interest was evident when, through the Comboni Missionaries, he helped sponsor a number of learners from primary school up to university level. He has also been involved in helping to repair or build class rooms at different preschools, primary and secondary schools, as well as giving retreats and leadership training to Catholic teachers in the area.

Bishop Sandri is also a product of a Catholic school, which he attended until age 10, before heading to a minor seminary.

“These were private Catholic schools sponsored by a particular religious institute, in my case the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus. These minor seminaries were excellent not only for forming learners academically, but also

CATHOLIC EDUCATION

of Education skilled teachers still around,” said Bishop Sandri.

He said the CIE can help and has already contributed to the education system in the country. But government, schools’ administrators, school governing bodies, teachers, parents and churches must work together to improve the educational situation of South Africa, Bishop Sandri said.

“If there is no cooperation among them, very little improvement will come about.”

Anne Baker

The Southern Cross, June 19 to June 25, 2013

US Catholic students get taste of SA uni

BY CLaIre MaThIeSoN

F

OURTEEN students from Fordham University in the New York have been enrolled at the University of Pretoria as part of an exchange programme promoting intercultural and international collaboration.

Fordham is a private Catholic, Jesuit-run university. It focuses on the arts and sciences and has a professional school teaching business, law and education. It is one of 28 Jesuit universities in the United States and of 200 around the world.

Fr John Cecero SJ, rector of the Je-

suit community at Fordham, said the university became interested in South Africa two years ago in response to the Jesuit call to look beyond one’s own borders and to “foster global citizenship and responsibility for common wealth”.

“We saw an opportunity with the University of Pretoria,” he said.

Fr Cecero, who is a clinical psychologist and professor of psychology at Fordham, said the South African university was appealing as it had been “very committed to the process of reconciliation and it shows real transformation”. The University of Pretoria presented a

A anne Baker humanly and spiritually.”

He said the seminaries were boarding schools where the learners were given individual attention and were periodically evaluated in the growth of their personality.

“Self-discipline and personal and group responsibility was promoted together with sound moral, social and religious principles and a sense of accountability. This could be applied to all schools,” Bishop Sandri said.

“The education situation in the rural areas of South Africa is dismal, with few exceptions,” he noted.

“Catholic schools, especially the independent schools, but also those public schools on private Catholic property, are part of the exception—they achieve above average results in comparison to public schools. In this way they offer to some learners a good educational basis for their future. I see them as sign of hope and a challenge to all other schools.”

Bishop Sandri pointed out that many teachers do excellent work and are an example of life for learners. The main culprits in the education deficiencies reside elsewhere.

“Education is a mess because it is too much of a political arena where many educational administrators are appointed or promoted not because of their skills and dedication to education, but because of political alliances, nepotism, favouritism and corruption,” he said.

“Trade unions also have a negative impact on the learners. Trade unions are more interested in promoting the welfare of teachers than that of the learners, supporting teachers also when their behaviour is irresponsible,” he noted.

“My hope is that the education system in South Africa will become more free of political interests and promote the many committed and

nne Baker has been the deputy director of the CIE since 2002.

Mrs Baker’s background in education started when she became a catechism teacher. It was during this experience that she discovered a love for education, particularly religious education.

This developed into training catechists and after much study and numerous courses, Mrs Baker began teaching at Trinity High school in Port Elizabeth—“a true beacon of hope in the dark days of the 1980s and early ’90s,” she said.

“Not only was it the second school to become multiracial, but being in the heart of the city showed people that different races could mix without the sky falling in,” she recalled.

During her time at Trinity, Mrs Baker became a religious education coordinator and completed a masters in education leadership through the Australian Catholic University. She also served as an examiner for biblical studies with the Independent Examinations Board.

In 2001, Mrs Baker relocated to Johannesburg where she started working for the CIE in school development.

While she attended a Catholic school for only a few years, these were some of her “happiest school days”, she said.

“Suddenly I was recognised as a person,” said Mrs Baker about her time at Holy Family Convent in Pietermaritzburg. “I would love for more Catholic parents to appreciate the value of our schools and that our schools could be more accessible to the majority of Catholics. I also wish we had the capital to start new schools where they are truly needed as the missionaries did.”

Mrs Baker said she hopes the CIE will be able to continue to assist schools to increase the quality of their education even more—that “the values we hold dear are transmitted to both teachers and pupils so that we build South Africa and help pupils to see that a spiritual life is vital for human development”.

Mrs Baker currently sits on the Holy Family Council and is a board member of Immaculata School in Johannesburg.

15

The senior Life Science students at St Dominic’s Priory in Port elizabeth excelled again in this year’s olympiad. Priory’s top ten obtained an average of 86% and this effort saw Priory regain its position as the second placed school in the country. Priory’s top performer was Pedro Gonzales Morales: who tied for third place nationally with 94%. Priory’s golden students were (front from left) Shannon Lindoor, Pedro Gonzales Morales, richard Lupuwana, (middle) Cassandra Cowley, Brigitte Sprung, Kimita ramalingum, Daniele heath, (back) Britney Linder, Keegan hoog, Luke Kirk, Keenan april.

good opportunity for the American students to have a real experience with a changing society.

“We are also not just sending our students to another university. The 14 exchange students will experience Jesuit education through different contexts,” Fr Cecero said.

While the University of Pretoria is a secular university, the Jesuit Institute of South Africa has been involved in the experience, offering an opportunity for reflection.

The students “are receiving the same education as at Fordham, but in a different context”, said Fr Cecero.

The exchange programme, called the Ubuntu Programme and now in its second year, involved the 14 American students taking two core courses in South African history and politics and community organisation.

The students also work in different communities during their tenure in the country, learning the “relation between education and service”. The experience has been “largely positive”, said Fr Cecero.

“The total immersion of the students in a different context and different experience has been great,” he said. “We have seen an impressive level of reflection from the students on their return. It seems to really deepen their awareness of themselves.”

Equally, the local communities where the students have been working have “really appreciated” the American students, Fr Cecero told The Southern Cross.

He said the experience has contributed to personal, academic and professional growth of the students and “we’ve been really impressed with what we’ve seen”.

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16

The Southern Cross, June 19 to June 25, 2013

CATHOLIC EDUCATION

Catholic school’s band jazzes it up on stage In just a few years, a Catholic school’s jazz band has grown so much that it has appeared on TV and shared the stage with the stars, as CLaIre MaThIeSoN reports.

S

CIENCE, maths, and—at least in a Catholic school—religious education are foundation subjects of the schooling system, the success in which often defines the quality of the education.

But a Catholic school in Cape Town has become well known for something more off-beat: its jazz.

The St Joseph’s Marist College Jazz Band began in 2007 and in just a few years has grown to become a regular fixture on the city’s musical calendar.

According to Alexis Petro, the school’s head for music, arts and culture, the students are drawn into the unique mix of group identity and personal accomplishment offered by the experience of playing music with others in an ensemble.

She said playing music in a group offers more than the ability to play an instrument. The students “soon learn something of the nature of work as they strive to make the group sound better, and be better by the collective and individual

efforts of each musician—a learning process that they carry over into their other studies”, Ms Petro said.

“By expressing one’s self through the music, a sense of self-esteem is developed and a degree of self-belief fostered, especially in those who may struggle socially or academically,” Ms Petro told The Southern Cross.

But for many of the students, the academic benefits are not the first reason they join the band. St Joseph’s Jazz Band has a wide repertoire, ranging from jazz standards to more contemporary pieces. For many, joining the band is, quite simply, “cool”.

The band has shared the stage with nationally acclaimed group Coda, and has since entertained the Cape Town community at sporting events and music events with their “cheerful and eager sounds”.

“This band boasts a versatile group of musicians,” said Ms Petro, adding that their sound appeals to many in Cape Town, a city with a rich jazz heritage.

The band has even appeared on TV, performing on SABC 2’s Hectic Nine-9 and Expresso morning programmes, and has performing on the Monday night jam session stage at Swingers Jazz Club in Wetton.

Music is of such importance to the school that St Joseph’s Marist College has its annual jazz festival, held on March 21, Human Right’s Day.

Loreto Convent School In Skinner Street, Pretoria (Girls & Boys: Grade RR to Grade 3; and girls only Grades 4 - 12) we will, in 2013, celebrate 135 years of commitment to both Education and the passing on of sound Gospel Values to all its learners. The Catholic Ethos is nurtured and cherished in our school, as we continue to uphold the vision of Mary Ward, the Foundress of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

APPLICATIONS FOR ALL GRADES FOR THE YEAR 2014 ARE NOW OPEN. Please contact the School Secretary at 012 326 6342 ext 15 or 012 326 6352 for further information.

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ASSUMPTION CONVENT PRIMARY SCHOOL PRETORIA NORTH 300 Jan Van Riebeck street 0182 Pretoria North 012 565 5234 012 546 9843 acpschool@axxess.co.za

Co-educational Catholic education from Grade 00 to Grade 7 OBE Integrated Computer Literacy Athletics Soccer

Netball Swimming

Music Festivals Public Speaking

Choir Speech Festivals

As an affiliated member of the Ethics and Leadership Institute of South Africa, we stand for the following core principles of good character: Trustworthiness Respect Responsibility Fairness Caring Good Citizenship We strive to create a school community where all are respected.

Each person is valued as an individual.

Learners are taught to see good in others, to be generous in praise, to practice forgiveness and to help one another whenever possible.

Based firmly on Gospel values, education at Assumption Convent is not only a duty, but also a calling, one which our dedicated teachers take very seriously.

Become part of the experience!

“This year we were fortunate to be invited to share a stage with [acclaimed jazz guitarist] Jimmy Dludlu on the prestigious Green Market Square Free Stage at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival,” said Ms Petro. Two of the band members were also chosen to be a part of the All Star Schools Band for the Cape Town International Jazz Festival—a “proud moment,” she said.

Another first for the band was being invited to the Big Band Schools’ festival at the Baxter theatre and being awarded a diploma at the Cape Town Eisteddfod.

St Joseph’s Marist College Jazz Band has had the opportunity to receive master classes from Cape Town Jazz pioneer Prof Mike Rossi, and has since been led by the skills of trombonist and singer Kelly Bell.

These newly learnt skills were coupled with the school’s Catholic ethos when in 2012 the jazz band embarked on its first road trip to the Eastern Cape on a community music outreach project to schools located in sub-economic areas of Port Elizabeth, Ms Petro said.

The band shares a passion for improvisation and their versatility ranges from Abdullah Ibrahim’s innovative charts to the great jazz-fusion sounds of guitarist George Benson.

“Although we cover a wide variety of genres and artists, we emphasise learning the language and music of our local artists. Under-

St Joseph’s Marist College Jazz Band in full swing. standing our heritage and living it, through our music,” Ms Petro said.

“The value of music education in schools is indispensable. Music education is more than just introducing students to beats, notes and songs. It completely transforms a child’s mind and opens up endless possibilities to their learning potential,” she said.

“Music,” she said, “affects the mind, body and spirit and helps with the development of a deep sense of community accomplishment based on personal effort.”

Parents have a crucial role to play in the schooling of their children BY aNNe BaKer

T

ODAY the word parent could mean a grandparent, aunt or uncle or even sib-

ling.

The Church teaches us that parents are the first educators of their children. This means that parents and schools need to work closely together to ensure the best possible development of their children.

In South Africa the majority of Catholic children do not have access to Catholic schools. This could be due to the high cost of some Catholic schools or the fact that there are only 347 schools in the entire country.

Some parents who would be able to enrol their children in Catholic schools send them to other schools instead, for a variety of reasons.

Research shows that children actually do better at school when their parents are involved in the school community. This

is, however, a challenge for some parents. They may work long hours or indeed be separated from their children due to working in other cities while their children are still living in rural areas.

In sub-Saharan Africa there are nearly 12 million children under 17 who have lost one or both parents to Aids. This means that grandparents who are the de facto guardians are often old and tired and responsible for more than one grandchild. How are they to be involved in school life?

In spite of these challenges, whoever the parent of the child is, there are ways to support education.

The first is to listen carefully to the children to understand their experience of school. But the old teacher’s saying must apply: “I won’t believe everything they say about you if you don’t believe everything they

say about me!”

It means that if something concerns you, approach the school in a spirit of partnership rather than an adversarial one that is increasingly emerging.

The recent case of a parent taking a school to court because his son was not picked as captain for the 1st cricket team is a case in point. A further illustration is parental denial in the face of proof that their child is involved in substance abuse. In the latter the home/school partnership is vital for the good of the child.

Parent-teacher associations are an important part of doing what is best for the school and therefore for the children, this often involves fundraising or arranging community-building events that are fun for all.

Perhaps the most powerful way parents can become involved is by serving on school governance structures.

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The Southern Cross, June 19 to June 25, 2013

17

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The Southern Cross, June 19 to June 25, 2013

CATHOLIC EDUCATION

Grooming our country’s teachers Ongoing teacher formation is a priority in Catholic education.

STePh JorDaN finds out more.

S

OUTH African teachers have very complex jobs—they teach children from very different backgrounds, have to deal with difficult socio-economic problems and sometimes also with very difficult learners and parents.

Their superiors must assist them in fulfilling their duties to the best of their abilities.

It is because of this that both the Catholic Institute of Education (CIE) and the Catholic Schools’ Office (CSO) have been running programmes to help with the ongoing training and development of their teachers.

For example, the CSO and the Setlhare Science Curriculum Trust, based at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, collaborate to offer programmes in further training in science and technology Rosa Calaça, the CSO’s Gauteng director and chair of the Ethos and Pastoral Care Committee, explained: “Many teachers may have attended a training college or university, but were not specifically trained in these courses. The programes are there to help them not only to learn about the courses, but also to help them teach these courses more effectively.”

The programme is divided into specific modules and run over a period of a few weeks in workshops focused on training teachers, old and

new.

The CSO and CIE also collaborate on programmes aimed at helping teachers understand mathematics and science, and be able to teach learners in a more efficient way.

The two bodies have developed workshops to instruct teachers in advanced mathematics and science skills and gives them classroombased support.

The CSO and CIE also make school visits to aid with this and to evaluate how well their programmes are working for both the teachers and learners.

“Our primary work, though, focuses on religious education and whether the teachers in the schools are equipped to teach this form of education,” Mrs Calaça said.

“We do workshops like the ones for maths and science which specifically focus on a religious curriculum and how to integrate this form of education with the regular curriculum, as religious education is much broader than what the children learn when they go to Sunday school and learn the catechism.”

T

he CSO also provides for permanent support system to any of the educators who are new to the religious education curriculum in any of the schools.

“The mission of both the CSO and the CIE in relation to religious education is to meet the needs that have arisen among the educators in our schools, such as a need for religious education policy development and advocacy, helping increase the theological literacy of the whole school staff, together with an understanding of the ethos and special character of the Catholic school, and

The Catholic Institute of education and the Catholic Schools office have collaborated to develop programmes to assist in teachers’ development and ongoing training. also the development of spirituality along with the personal growth and pastoral care of the educators while making sure that the educators are trained, organised and supported in the schools,” Mrs Calaça said.

To help achieve this vision, a central course, titled “Echoing the Word”, has been created.

It is a course for beginners and aims to broadly accentuate both ongoing personal formation in theology and scripture, and the development of a professional yet

personalised approach to religious education in its educators.

The course comprises ten units that are delivered in monthly workshops by the regional offices of the CIE, and is suitable for both educators and catechists who are new to the religious education field.

The CIE assists educators through materials development such as supplying policy instruments, curriculum handbooks, lesson plans and materials and the occasional book on the topic for further consideration,

Mrs Calaça said.

“We also provide leadership development in our educators through a leadership course,” she added. “The course consists of seven modules, and it is based on spiritual leadership. It is run in collaboration with the Jesuit Institute, and administered

by Jesuit priests and principals experienced in the key areas of management which we focus on.”

Although there has been no formal evaluation of the effects of the workshops and courses that have been implemented, Mrs Calaça believes that these formation endeavours will be highly beneficial in the long run.

“The experience that we have had with teachers is that they are highly appreciative of the initiatives we have in place. They enjoy meeting new teachers from different schools during our workshops. It’s not only because they feel encouraged to share their experience with these teachers, but they also enjoy hearing about the experiences the others have had and like knowing that they are not the only ones who have had some difficulty in educating the learners in religious education,” Mrs Calaça said.

“In essence, the added benefits of the initiatives we have in place not only improve the way in which the teachers ‘teach’, but also the way in which the learners ‘learn’, improving their grades all round and developing better relationships between teachers and learners,” she said.

“If a teacher is happy and informed, the learners will be happy, and will learn much better—and the classroom will become a more productive place.”

CATHOLIC EDUCATION

The Southern Cross, June 19 to June 25, 2013

19

Beating the odds in a rural school Education training in South Africa does not take into account the many rural schools which have multi-grade classes.

MDUDUZI QWaBe learns how one teacher was able to take her training and make it work in a multigrade classroom.

W

HEN Maria Setlai grew up on Erica farm outside Paul Roux in the Free State, she used to watch her teachers at junior primary managing multi-graded classes and fell in love with the teaching profession.

She decided then that this was what she wanted to do with her life.

Last year she was the recipient of an award for Excellence in Teaching Multi-graded Mental Mathematics (Foundation Phase)

by Free State University.

Mrs Setlai said that in her formal training as a teacher she didn’t receive training on multigrade teaching, and found it difficult when she started teaching in 1994 on a farm in the district of Senekal.

The mother of four received her junior primary teaching diploma at Tshiya Education College in Qwa Qwa and joined the staff at Breda Combined Farm School in 2001. She continued her studies at

Free State University with an Advanced Certificate in Education (ACE), which she completed in 2005.

Throughout her teaching career she has never taught a mono-grade class. Her experience as a multigrade teacher has given her invaluable experience.

She believes that if she had to teach a mono-graded class she would excel, as her skill to teach in a multi-grade classroom is more about teaching inclusively than anything else. She also believes that excellent teaching makes an incalculable difference to a child’s schooling experience.

In her life she has seen a lot of farm school learners make a success of their lives, despite hardships at home.

I

n 2011, the Cape Peninsula University of Technology partnered with the Free State Education Department to identify teachers in schools to be trained in multigraded teaching. Mrs Setlai was put forward by Breda Combined Farm School and she embraced the opportunity.

During that year she attended a few workshops held at the old Tshiya Education College and had to compile a portfolio of evidence.

She was then chosen for assessment and this meant a number of classroom observations by her lecturers.

During the workshops, she learnt how to teach Grades 1-3 concurrently without having any “dead time” for any group.

One of the challenges she experienced was that the workbooks

were not written with multi-grade teaching in mind. The problem is then to try and match the lessons of the three classes and teach one topic at the same time.

After completing the programme, Mrs Setlai received the award from Free State University.

Now Mrs Setlai tries to help other teachers in her school and surrounding areas to learn how best to teach in multi-grade classrooms.

She said that the biggest challenge facing learners in rural areas is poverty, which then leads to a number of interrelated disadvantages.

Breda Combined Farm School is not very well resourced in terms of teaching aids, but the principal, Mrs Mofokeng, tries hard in collaboration with her staff to ensure quality education.

It is within this tough environment that Mrs Setlai has learnt to thrive and give of her best.

Asked why she likes to teach the foundation phase, she said that she likes to build on the children’s natural curiosity and eagerness at that age.

Mrs Setlai is a humble person who believes that faith coupled with hard work has enhanced her work throughout the years.

If our education system had more teachers like her, especially in the rural areas, we might turn the tide on rural poverty.

Maria Setlai is defying the odds with her excellent work.

Maria Setlai is a multi-grade teacher in a rural school. She was the recipient of an excellence in Teaching award Free State University.

20

The Southern Cross, June 19 to June 25, 2013

CATHOLIC EDUCATION

Education doesn’t stop at school In 2010, the Catholic Institute of Education saw an opportunity to expand its work into skills development—and thus the Thabiso Skills Institute was born. CLAIRE MATHIESON explains.

T

RADITIONALLY, the Catholic Institute of Education, and its various projects, are directly tied to school-related education.

But in 2010, the need to expand the organisation’s work beyond the classroom was implemented.

Youth not in the formal schooling system can still benefit from a Catholic ethos in their training and education to help them successfully enter the working world.

The Thabiso Skills Institute promotes and supports good practice in 32 faith-based skills development and training centres situated in North West Province, KwaZuluNatal, Western Cape, Gauteng, Northern Cape, Free State, and Limpopo, for the common good of learners and their communities.

“It serves to address the massive skills shortage and unemployment facing South Africa which is recognised by government as a key focus area requiring urgent attention,” said Thabiso’s Yvonne dos Santos.

“The institute also creates an enabling and conducive environment for people and centres to work together towards excellence,” she told

The Southern Cross.

Thabiso Skills affiliate centres aim to prepare learners who are not in employment, education or training by teaching them a practical skill or trade such as welding, carpentry, bricklaying, catering, sewing, computer skills, motor mechanics and electrical skills to assist school leavers to enter the job market.

“The learners who attend courses at the skills centres are desperate to find a job or other sustainable means of income. They typically come from poor socio-economic backgrounds and few have completed Grade 9,” said Ms dos Santos.

Clients range in age from 16 to 28 but some are older or even elderly, she said.

The centres do not discriminate; while they are based on a Catholic ethos, they are inclusive of all religions and “reflect the demographics of their communities in the different provinces”.

Ms dos Santos said one of the most important components of developing these young people is to equip them with skills that enable them to manage their lives.

As such, the “hard skills” training also includes a three-week life skills programme which prepares them to “take their place in society as responsible, honest and compassionate citizens”.

“It also aims to develop learners to have a sense of self-worth so that when they enter the world of work they have qualities such as disci-

pline, timekeeping, politeness, the willingness to go that extra mile, team working/building and other positive traits,” Ms dos Santos said.

And the programme, while fairly young, has seen a great response.

Students report the life skills programme has helped them to gain greater self-belief and enhanced their social skills. “A further benefit they mention is that are able to imagine a quality life for themselves and set their goals accordingly.”

Ms dos Santos said one of the key reasons for success has been the quality management systems in place at the centres around the country. The centres are working towards new or revising existing policies with assistance from Thabiso Skills Institute. The institute also plays a supporting role in sourcing and developing quality programmes and further development of managers and staff.

Each skills centre is unique in that it works in ongoing partnership with its surrounding community to best serve its members.

Thabiso also encourages, wherever possible, that the centres build partnership relationships with nearby businesses. “This assists the centre with sustainability and also provides the business with skilled workers from the community,” said Ms dos Santos.

Nine of the centres are registered Public Adult Learning Centres that provide general education as well as practical skills training for the for-

Learners at the Thabiso Skills Institute are offered many areas of development, such as life skills, woodworking and sewing. The institute promotes and supports good practice in 32 faith-based skills development and training centres across the country.

mal and informal sector.

“Centres within the Thabiso Skills network offer a variety of high-quality and relevant skills development programmes. Furthermore, the Thabiso Skills Institute has made good progress in helping to coordinate these centres to network with each other, share good practice and share experiences.”

The programme is challenged with financial sustainability due to less foreign donor money being channelled to the country and “as a whole the non-profit sector is struggling to keep itself afloat in the current recession”, but the institute is able to offer assistance to centres to access funding/grants from private

and public funders for skills development.

A further challenge is work placement for the students with local businesses and for centres to develop their entrepreneurial skills and to guide them into opportunities.

Organisations like the Thabiso Institute help ensure the Catholic education ethos is extended to the education of those not currently within the schooling system. For the CIE, it is a way to ensure that help can be given to those forced out of education due to their circumstances and aid them to see themselves in the working world.

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CATHOLIC EDUCATION

The Southern Cross, June 19 to June 25, 2013

21

Giving rural youth a chance South Africa does have a Catholic university, but it’s not the only area of tertiary education that the Church is involved in. CLAIRE MATHIESON learns more.

T

HE Rural Education Access Programme (REAP) “is making a huge difference in the lives of those young people who are on the periphery of our society”, according to national youth chaplain Fr Sammy Mabusela CSS, who also serves as the chaplain to Catholic university students.

The purpose of REAP, the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference’s tertiary education outreach programme, is to offer talented and motivated young South Africans from poor rural areas the chance to study at high-quality tertiary institutions and provide them with the support and guidance they need to graduate, sustain themselves and become the leaders of tomorrow.

“The Church, by being missionary in nature, reaches and is established in places that are not easily accessible. The Church realised that there are many academically gifted young people, who are financially disadvantaged,” said Fr Mabusela.

“The Church is involved in this programme because of her care for the poor, and also her recognition that education is an important driver of development for the individual, for the family and for the community,” said Bishop Frank de Gouveia of Oudtshoorn, the liaison bishop for REAP. This is the second term that Bishop de Gouveia has worked with REAP. Coming from a largely rural

diocese, the bishop has a good understanding of the challenges facing youth outside metropolitan areas.

“The Church, with networks that stretch into the rmost remote regions of the community, offers REAP as the essential means of reaching our target groups,” the bishop told The Southern Cross.

Fr Mabusela added that access to universities was often hindered by administrative tasks—far more difficult in rural areas.

“The difficulty, mostly, is accessibility to some of the very deep rural communities, in terms of transport and time. All these affect the process in a negative way,” he explained.

“The work of REAP is important because rural youth suffer a particular disadvantage on account of the scarcity of information and resources in their areas, with the result that participation rates in higher education are far lower than for the population as a whole,” Fr Mabusela said.

“It is our task to identify the potential in young people and facilitate their access to higher education, and also to provide the student support which is so critical to their success.”

University education makes a huge difference in employment oportunities. “The unemployment rate is very high in South Africa, particularly in the 20-35 age group, whereas over 90% of graduates are employed,” Bishop de Gouveia noted.

“As Church communities we can encourage young people to take their education seriously and remain in the education system for as long as they can. REAP seeks to do this for young people in rural areas.”

a pre-work drive was recently held for final-year reaP students in Gauteng. reaP is the bishops’ outreach programme for rural youths.

Bishop de Gouveia said another often forgotten factor is the fact that rural students coming to the big centres find it difficult to cope with the challenges of urban life.

“If a student is enrolled in the REAP programme they have monthly meetings with their REAP student adviser who monitors and encourages [the students] not only in their academic activities, but often assists them with personal and social problems as well.” student enrolled in REAP will be assisted to secure a position in a tertiary institute, will be allocated either a full-cost bursary or be helped with a loan to cover registration, books, living expenses, travel costs, technical equipment and health care.

In addition, the REAP student

A

I'm not just a student, a learner, or even a pupil, I'm so much more.

I'm an innovator, a creator, a thinker. My mind doesn't belong in a box. I'm an activist, a believer, a giver, I consider the "impossible".

I'm a helper, a supporter, a collaborator, my senses inspire me. Don't tell me not to be creative. Don't tell me not to imagine. creative is what I am. Thinking is what I do. Give me a school where they teach beyond textbook pages and classroom walls. Give me a school where they celebrate the individual me. I'm not just a student, a learner or even a pupil. I'm so much more.

Give me a school that gives me more.

GROWING CONFIDENT LEADERS SINCE 1875

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will attend a programme of workshops designed to develop social and academic skills and receive peer mentoring and group support.

“As a chaplain, I think education is important for everyone, and everyone deserves to have access to education, so that our youth may be adequately prepared for the challenges of our millennium, to be future developers of our society and the world economically, politically and socially,” said Fr Mabusela.

“We also need to strike the right balance, we cannot be biased and concentrate only on those who are in urban areas because it is easy— then we would be unjust to the hidden cream of our society. REAP is a solution to this,” he said.

In 2011, REAP had a total of 406 students on the programme of whom 48% were female. Some 53% of these students passed all their courses at the end of the year, a further 24% passed a majority of courses including their major, and another 2% were completing in-service training.

Qualifications obtained include those in the field of arts and the humanities, the built environment, commerce, engineering, health, medicine, law and science as well as management.

“Most dioceses have volunteer regional representatives who assist REAP with recruitment. Since becoming involved with REAP in 2011, I have met many of these volunteers and have been impressed by their enthusiasm and dedication,” said Bishop de Gouveia.

“Many of [the volunteers] have been involved in REAP since its inception in 2001. Some of them give up many hours journeying with the young people in their communities, providing career guidance and en-

couragement and assisting them in applying to REAP,” he said.

The bishop said education is a priority for the Church in Southern Africa today. The vision statement “Community in Service to Reconciliation, Justice and Peace” stated the Church’s intention to use “its long experience in education to promote the ongoing development of schooling and education in Southern Africa so that all young people may be given the opportunity to reach their God-given potential”.

“At a recent meeting of the diocesan pastoral council in Oudtshoorn, this was chosen as a priority for the coming year. All parish pastoral councils are being encouraged to discuss how this vision can be implemented in their communities,” Bishop de Gouveia said.

“Many young people in rural areas cannot visualise themselves as university students and so go looking for a job as soon as they leave school. They are often forced to do this because of poverty and the need to help their families. But the truth is that they stand a better chance of being employed if they receive tertiary education,” he said.

Fr Mabusela hopes those who were helped by the project to realise their dreams will give back to REAP to “ensure that it continues to make the difference it has been making and to have a ripple effect”.

He marvelled at the difference REAP has made.

“It is incredible how many lives have been touched and changed positively by REAP. The programme reminds me of the dishwashing liquid television advert, which says that a little goes a long way—and indeed, REAP, with its shoestring budget, has gone a long way. And we pray that it continues.”

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22

The Southern Cross, June 19 to June 25, 2013

CATHOLIC EDUCATION

After the school bell rings Parents increasingly rely on schools to provide their children with aftercare when the school bell rings. STePh JorDaN discovered what programmes Catholic schools are offering.

I

N an age when fewer families have the luxury of a stay-athome parent, the question of aftercare for learners becomes acute.

Most working parents’ workday ends only at 17:00 (and add travelling home to that), while schooldays are usually over by 15:00, give or take the occasional extramural activity.

If the children can’t go home, where do they go? To their friends?

To the library? To the shopping centre? Hang around on the school’s street?

Some Catholic schools are keeping watch over their learners in the afternoon with programmes, sports and aftercare facilities.

St John’s Christian Brothers College in the sprawling Cape Town suburb of Parklands offers different activities for different grades.

Cathy Zonomessis of the school’s administration team said there is an educare which opens at 07:00 for the pre-primary learners, and ends at 15:00 if the children are staying for half the day, and at 18:00 if they are staying for a full day.

The children are kept busy through games and activities, with

lunch being provided for them.

Aftercare is provided for the primary school children with extramurals and activities, and a snack, with dedicated homework classes as well. The senior learners’ school day usually ends at 14:45 and they may then take part in extramurals till half past four, or attend the homework or extra-lessons classes which run till 17:00.

Holy Cross Primary in Bellville, also in Cape Town, offers a similar programme, with ten dedicated adults taking responsibility for the aftercare, said principal Alfreda Bekkers.

About 200 of the school’s 450 learners go to aftercare every day.

Apart from supervised homework and extra-lesson classes in literacy or numeracy, the school offers a broad extramural programme which includes the school choir, a fine arts programme, guitar lessons, pottery classes, karate as self-defence class and various sports.

At Holy Cross High School in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, the extramural options include a debating club and choir, aside from the range of sporting activities.

The school also offers extra classes until 16:00, though these are not daily.

“There are also dedicated Saturday classes to help learners and also remedial classes for any learners who may be having difficulty keeping up with the work load,” said Bongiwe Sokutu, a teacher at the school.

At Our Lady of Fatima Convent School in Durban, the after-school activities offered differ from term to term.

Dee Horsfall, deputy principal

in charge of humanities and extracurriculars, explained: “From term 1 to term 4, the cultural activities which stay the same are public speaking, team speaking, a debating forum, interactive discussion, the choirs which perform at various festivals, concerts and weddings, music, and the leadership programme we run called Ichtus.”

During the second term, learners are able to take part in the house play or musical revues.

“We also have a drama production which the learners can take part in, a media club and a photo club which our students find very entertaining,” Mrs Horsfall said.

The school also has a wide variety sports, including cross-country running.

Aftercare is offered for Grades 14 until 17:30, while the homework centre caters for Grades 3-7. The library also remains open until 16:00.

A

t Marymount High School in Uitenhage, diocese of Port Elizabeth, the options for after-school activities are more limited, but the school sees the importance in offering something “healthy” for learners to do after hours.

Principal Susan Boyce said that the only sport the learners are able to take part in is chess, since “we do not have sports facilities, and can therefore not have any other sports at the school to offer the children”.

The school does offer access to the school library, and “although it may not be many, we do have 13 computers which are linked to the internet which our students are able to access after school, espe-

Catholic schoolboys play football. Sports is an integral part of schools’ extramural activities, which form part of the aftercare programmes. Many schools also offer cultural activities, extra tuition and homework classes. cially to help with any school projects or assignments,” Mrs Boyce said.

“We do have extra classes specifically in accounting at the school, but because we cannot offer any other extra classes at school, there is a programme at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University which offers extra classes to students who would like to attend.”

At St Joseph’s Primary School in Linton Grange, Port Elizabeth, there are facilities to cater to the children after school.

The school’s secretary Anita O’Donoghue said that the resources offered included an after-

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care facility for the younger grades where help with homework is also offered. Football, cricket and tennis are offered as sports for boys, and hockey and tennis for girls.

“We also offer ballet classes and judo for self-defence, but only a few of our students join as these sports and activities are offered on a paid basis, we do not offer them as part of our curriculum,” Mrs O’Donoghue said.

“Most of our learners also have to travel far distances to get to and from school, and therefore do not stay after school for these activities as they would then get home much later than if they lived closer,” she said.

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The Southern Cross, June 19 to June 25, 2013

PERSPECTIVES

Let the others be first in the queue

I

N earlier columns we talked about God’s ways being very different from ours, and we saw how Jesus came to show us a way of life which differed diametrically to what we are used to. We prefer the “self” to “the other”.

There is a Shona maxim which can be translated as follows: “The song of the drum always says, ‘To me! To me! To me!’

It never says, ‘To you’! or ‘To her!’ or ‘To him!’”

The drum not only blows its own trumpet, but does not want anybody or anything else to trumpet, to be heard, or to be acknowledged. The explanation of the sound of the drum given above sums up the nature of the streak or tendency we call human selfishness.

This tendency to think of self first over everybody else is like a chronic illness which will surface whenever there is a stimulus that triggers it. Human selfishness tends to rear its head whenever we have to pit our wits against another person.

Imagine you are going into your bank, for instance, and you find yourself entering at the same time as somebody else. I bet your inclination will be to out step the other person so that you can join the queue before him or her.

Or, imagine you are driving a car and entering a parking area and you notice there is only one free parking bay, and you see a car approaching from a different direction with the driver eyeing the same parking bay: are you not likely to try to enter the parking bay first?

Human selfishness goes hand in hand with the spirit of competition. We are always competing with our fellow human beings. We always want to be the first and do not want to be beaten by anybody else.

What, then, can we do to counter this tendency? I suggest we develop the godly virtues of selflessness, responsibility for others and delaying gratification.

In my April column (which you can read in the archives of The Southern Cross website) we saw how Jesus deprived himself of the glories of heaven by becoming human and accepting suffering and death for the sake of humanity; and how he resisted the temptation for instant bodily gratification by refusing to turn stones into bread when he was hungry (Mt 4:2-4).

We can learn to develop Jesus’ virtues of selflessness, responsibility for others and resisting instant bodily gratification by practising them in our daily lives.

We can practise these virtues in places like the bank and the road, for instance.

The next time you are joining a queue in the bank or elsewhere, and you see somebody hurrying to join the queue before you, forego the temptation to compete and let this person go before you.

Take another scenario: You are driving on the highway and there is a car in front of you. You come to a set of traffic lights and both you and the driver in front of you have to stop. As the lights turn green, you want to proceed and cross to the other side,

an empty bay in the parking lot: Will you compete for it?

The trouble with intellectual faith T

HE kingdom of heaven will be taken from you and given to the people who will produce its fruit, it says in Matthew 21:43.

Today the ethos of our Catholic Church has tremendously changed. It’s really irrelevant now for many clergy to be called by their own titles. However, it’s relevant for them to be called intellectuals.

Why? Because, nowadays many religious and clergy are highly intellectual, even to the point of being “self-appointed popes”.

Highly intellectual beyond faith. The creating creatures. The transforming transformers. Particularly, the uniformity that the Catholic Church used to have has been rapidly relegated to diversity which brought confusion.

Nowadays, each parish has its own catechism, liturgical rites and so on. The socalled spiritual intellectuals of faith bring changes whenever their intellect drives them to do so.

Moreover, each priest in his parish expects things to be done according to his own way, confusing his parishioners.

The new uniformity in the Catholic Church is intellectual diversity.

On the other hand, our Holy Mother Church has dusted herself with trying to be relevant and reading the signs of times. She thought that by being relevant and reading the signs of times of this world she needed to convert herself to secularity, instead of converting secularity to spiritual wellbeing.

The Catholic Church has lost its spiritual well-being. She aborted all her children and adopted the secularised, and these secularised children have made her secularised, not spiritual.

These intellectuals have learned the methodology of presentations that you must be specific and straight to the point.

At Mass they are always in a hurry, specific and straight to the point. This has been adopted by the lay ministers and they even apply it at holy services.

Much time is spent during announcements where money is concerned.

According to Fr Don Bohé OMI, “leadership without discernment is a garden with dry fading flowers”. In my own understanding, good leadership is decorated by discernment, reflection and meditation.

Thomas Merton put it like this: “Leader-

Emmanuel Ngara

Christian Leadership

but the car in front of you does not move immediately.

If you are like me, then you might begin to privately curse the other driver: “Come on man! What’s the matter now? Why is this car not moving?” If the other driver takes a second longer before he or she moves, your adrenalin begins to rise, you are agitated, and you feel like literally shouting at the driver!

Take yet another case: You are a nurse and you are looking after a very sick patient whom you have to wash every morning.

On this particular morning you find he has soiled himself and the sheets are smelly, and you are tempted to scold him and call him by all sorts of names. Or you may be looking after an orphan and one morning you find that she has wet herself, and your first reaction is to shout at her and spank her.

In all these cases you are called upon to practise selflessness, care and responsibility for the other person, and to be in the habit of resisting the temptation for instant gratification.

The person who is hurrying to join the queue in the bank may be genuinely needing to get out of the bank without delay; the driver at the junction may be experiencing problems with his car; the patient who has soiled himself or the orphan who has wet herself may genuinely have been physically incapable of helping himself or herself.

We all have soiled ourselves with our sins, but Jesus sacrificed himself to wash away our dirt.

Paul Modupe

Point of Debate

ship requires distance from the people you are leading so that you will have more time for self-introspection, and a great leader is someone who works towards the unconsciousness of the people he is serving, not to manipulate them but to bring them to self-consciousness of their unconsciousness.”

And Fr John Joyce SPS: “Intelligence and being educated requires humility.” However, some have swapped their spiritual humility with pride. What matters more to them is the theology they have, what they have learnt and what they have been taught. They have swallowed all these intellectual teachings without discernment but with pride.

“When the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?

When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them” (Mt21:46). n Paul Modupe writes from Bloemfontein.

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23

John Moffatt SJ

Point of View

First impressions of South Africa

I

T was snowing in Britain the weekend I left a few months ago, so it is no surprise that for me two of the most striking—and welcome— things about South Africa were the sun and the warmth.

But at a deeper level there have also been the warmth and openness of the people that I have met here, since my arrival to work at the Jesuit Institute in Auckland Park, Johannesburg.

I have not had a chance to go very deep or get any profound insights into life here. But I have been privileged, for instance, to sit in on some of the planning work being done in the Catholic education sector. There I have been continually impressed by the commitment, the imagination and the energy that people are pouring into developing a vibrant and successful Catholic schools network.

It has also made me aware of the huge range of schools and their vastly different needs against the background of the challenges, political and economic, in the national system.

It has been interesting to notice that there are some concerns here in common with those of the financially far better resourced schools in the UK Catholic network. The preservation of a Catholic ethos is one, and the more general development of teaching staff capacities is another.

To be more impressionistic, the things that strike me most, living in our very pleasant suburb, are the gates and the electric fences.

We get in a car, drive out of our gate and drive into someone else’s gate at the end of our journey. For me, coming from London, where you walk down the street to catch the underground, and walk to your destination at the other end, this feels strange. It raises a question about any society, when its richer citizens have to live in fear of its poorer citizens.

Do not misunderstand me, gated communities are becoming increasingly common in London as well. There are some areas there too where people would prefer not to drive, let alone walk.

In one rough area of Liverpool where I lived for a year, just about the only thriving industry was a firm that specialised in security installations.

Perhaps it is just that here, in Gauteng, we see more intensely a microcosm of the global imbalance between those whose status ranges from comfortably off to fabulously wealthy, and that vast majority of people struggling to survive.

The electric fences and the gates are only a reminder of the border controls and the elaborate security provision that the Western world employs to keep out those whose poverty makes them a potential threat.

In contrast, another, deeper, impression comes from a trip to Grahamstown.

First, visually, came the spectacularly beautiful countryside. But then came the Anglican synod that we were visiting. After being given a beautifully warm welcome, we saw a group of Christians, clergy and lay, endorse their bishop’s vision, inspired by the example of the Catholic Archbishop Oscar Romero and the experience of the Catholic Church in Latin America.

They wanted to identify the local injustices and inequities and to begin, through their communities, to make a change from below. Where there is such life, there is a real sign of hope. n Fr John Moffatt is a British Jesuit who will be leading this year’s Winter Living Theology lecture series.

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24

The Southern Cross, June 19 to June 25, 2013

COMMUNITY

Schools Special

Students in Grades 11 and 12 at holy rosary high school in edenvale, Johannesburg, learnt about a variety of institutions and career options at the rocking Future roadshow. Some of the institutions present were Boston College, Capsicum Culinary Studio, the South african Flight Training academy and aFDa film school.

Grade 11 learners from estcourt Secondary in KwaZulu-Natal Midlands were visited by the South african Catholic Bishop’s Conference aids Desk together with the Department of health and iThembalethu outreach Project. Pictured with the learners are Cheryl Dunn of estcourt provincial hospital (left) and Sr Maureen aron from iThembalethu outreach Project (right).

The Lifeteen confirmation group in Kimberley spent a day visiting and giving gifts of hot cross buns and easter eggs to 476 senior citizens at six old age homes. The Lifeteen group is pictured at Stillwee old age home.

Grade 3 learners from Marist Brothers Linmeyer, south of Johannesburg, paid a visit to Dinaledi house, a faith-based initiative which aims to improve the quality of life of vulnerable and underprivileged children, youth and families through a holistic approach of care and support. Scarves, beanies and gloves were given to the children living there, and sweets and clothes were donated by parents.

as part of the outreach programme of St henry’s Marist College in Durban, each week a group of students and staff spend time with the 70 boys of St Theresa's home in Sydenham, for orphaned and vulnerable children. The students help the boys with their homework, collect nonperishable items for the home and show them care and friendship. Grade 12 student Brandon Scott is pictured helping a young member of the home solve a problem with his homework.

archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town was the guest speaker at the Catholic Schools Principals’ Forum where he thanked all members for their hard work in schools in the Western Cape and encouraged them to grow the faith in schools where they faced moral decline. The archbishop tasked principals to evangelise their schools and maintain the Catholic ethos.

The annual inter-Catholic schools Bible quiz held at St Benedict’s College in Bedfordview, Johannesburg, was won by assumption Convent of Pretoria. 12 teams of four pupils each spent months learning the acts of the apostles for the quiz. (From left) Miss Stonier, Marina de Gouveia, Daniella Goncalves, Caylen Soundiades and Diane Cilengi.

The Southern Cross, June 19 to June 25, 2013

FAITH

25

Masses in unusual places

Where two or more gather in his name, Christ is present—even if it is at a Mass in shopping mall in the Philippines, as SIMoNe oreNDaIN discovers.

E

VERY Sunday at the upscale Power Plant Mall in metro Manila, the capital of the Philippines, the establishment tucked between a Japanese chocolate confectioner and a modern Italian furniture store has an overflowing crowd.

It’s not a shop, and it’s not a restaurant. It’s a Catholic chapel that seats 700 and remains overcrowded on weekends.

On a recent Sunday, the spillover crowd stood in the corridor next to the escalators, some with their heads turned to an overhead video monitor.

On the screen, the large wooden crucifix inside the chapel was a prominent backdrop for the priest praying at the altar; sound

was piped to the spillover crowd through a loudspeaker. Some attendees were reading and sending text messages, while shoppers strolled past.

Liam McGeonn stared intently at the screen. The 32-year-old from Ireland recently moved to Manila for his job, and this was the second mall he had been to for Mass.

In the Philippines it’s “the first time I’ve ever seen it...so it’s unusual. But if you go to Mass, it doesn’t really matter where it is, for me it’s just Mass,” Mr McGeonn said afterwards.

Fr Estelito Villegas, mall chaplain, said in the predominantly Catholic Philippines, having Mass literally anywhere is not uncommon because “in the Filipino consciousness, spiritual life is very important”.

Combine that feeling with a desire for convenience and that finds Mass being celebrated in places such as shopping malls, he said.

“They attend Mass as a family,” the priest explained. “So it would mean fulfilling their Sunday obligation. Then they have their fam-

Franciscan Father Jesus Galindo, chaplain of Makati Medical Centre in Manila, Philippines, celebrates Mass in the lecture hall of the facility.

ily day. So they eat together, maybe they shop, they recreate. ...

That’s it. A one-stop shop, maybe.”

But it’s not just malls that draw the crowds. Makati Medical Centre has regular Sunday Mass-goers.

Chaplain Franciscan Father Jesus Galindo said some prefer the hospital to a nearby parish, which gets overcrowded.

The Mass is celebrated in the hospital’s multipurpose room across the hall from a pharmacy, next to the chapel. Fr Galindo said the chapel can handle only about 60 people, while the big room can accommodate 300 or more.

And not everyone who goes is a hospital staffer or patient. Pong Salud lives in the neighbourhood and is a parishioner at the nearby parish, but he has been attending Mass at Makati Medical for more than a year.

“It’s more [about] the proximity and the facilities; not too crowded.

It’s air-conditioned and the priest handles the Mass well. His homilies are good,” he said.

J

a woman prays in front of a statue of Christ at a shrine in the Commission on elections in the lobby for its employees in Manila. Some Catholics in the Philippines prefer Masses in places other than regular parish churches.

(Photos: G B Bunag, CNS)

enny Ty, 57, who attends Mass and coordinates first Friday Masses each Sunday at the Asian Insti- in the commission’s eighth-floor tute of Management’s student dor- corridor. mitory lounge, said she does not Ms Torralba keeps a shrine of even notice the “ding” of the ele- sorts near the elevators where statvators during the liturgy. ues of Mary and Jesus stand, clean Once in a while during Mass, a and orderly with fresh flowers and student walks in and heads for the neat piles of prayer cards that elevators, arms laden devotees can stop and with laundry or groread when they pass. cery bags. Still, Mrs Ty The Commission ‘If you go to and several other longon Elections is across time congregants said Mass, it the street from they like what they call Manila’s archdiocesan the “solemn” atmosdoesn’t recathedral. Ms Torralba phere that they attribsaid going into the ute to the Jesuits who ally matter cathedral is not the have been invited to same as going to the celebrate Mass at the where it is, office shrine. chapel for the past 40 “[Here] it’s somefor me it’s years. thing you feel almost “The chapel is small immediately when just Mass.’ enough for everyyou get to work,” she body,” said Mrs Ty. explained. “It really “Well, it’s a more perbrings out your devosonal type of service.” tion when you see [that shrine].

The personal type of church ex- Offer it up to God, the work for perience is also what Maria the day.”

Theresa Torralba seeks—at work.

Fr Rufino Sescon Jr, chancellor She is an office secretary at the of the Manila archdiocese, is with country’s Commission on Elec- the ministry for Offices and Busitions, where she oversees a shrine ness Establishments, which over-

Do you feel called to the Franciscan way of life?

sees the various non-church Masses. He said the phenomenon of Mass at work and in shopping malls has taken off in the last decade.

“With the relativism, materialism, all these forces and influences, we cannot just sit on our laurels and wait for the people to come to us,” Fr Sescon said.

He recalled the words of Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, the retired archbishop of Manila, who once said: “We have to go there because the people are there.’ If we wait, we might just wake up [one day] and nobody’s in the church anymore.”

But, Fr Sescon said, now the archdiocese is trying to rein in the practice for fear that some establishments are not following proper doctrine.

“It can be very exclusive to the point that it also is betraying the very nature of the Eucharist,” he said.

“That’s now the phase we are in. We are trying to let the people understand the essence of the sacraments. It’s not just for the sake of having Masses.”—CNS

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The Southern Cross, June 19 to June 25, 2013

BOOK REVIEWS

The persecution of Christians CHRISTIANOPHOBIA: A Faith Under Attack, by Rupert Shortt.

Random House (2013). 298pp Reviewed by Günther Simmermacher UCH is the warped perception of Christianity in the West that the notion of Christians being persecuted more than any other group in the world seems fanciful, even a bit hysterical.

Christianophobia, by the British journalist Rupert Shortt, suggests that the persecution of Christians is worse than even most fellow believers realise.

Over 13 chapters Shortt outlines the extent and the details of religious and political persecution, describing the historical background to the often shocking violence experienced by Christians in places where they are a minority. In some cases we hear from the victims directly.

The usual suspects appear. There is Islamic fanaticism, often stateaided, in Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Indonesia and Nigeria, and Hindu fundamentalism in India.

There are the political oppressors in China, Burma, Vietnam and North Korea (Laos, Belarus, Cuba and Venezuela are namechecked too). And then there is the doublewhammy of persecution in the

Holy Land, from Israel and from Muslims, which has led to extensive emigration from the land of Christ and his apostles.

Some of the persecution is highly coordinated and systemic, and where it is more random, its perpetrators tend to enjoy at least some bureaucratic protection. And when a government is considering steps to protect minorities, as it did in Pakistan, it may be met with the kind of violent opposition, even assassinations, which tends to weaken the political will.

In each chapter Shortt provides a background of the Christian communities in the areas he surveys, and how their histories impact on relations today. In the process one may learn new things, such as how the death of Genghis Khan and the defeat of the Mongols by the Mamluks was bad news for Christians.

Shortt also emphasises the reality that the Christian presence in the Middle East and the Maghreb goes back almost 2 000 years, preceding the rise of Islam by six centuries. That is important to keep in mind when extremists try to present local Christians as outsiders or missionary agents of the West.

So when US president George W

CATHOLIC PERSPECTIVES ON SPORTS FROM MEDIEVAL TO MODERN TIMES, by Patrick Kelly SJ. Paulist Press (2012). 212pp.

Reviewed by Daniel Mulhall ATHER Patrick Kelly SJ introduces his book Catholic Perspectives on Sports by stating that “very little research has been done...on the relationship between Catholic theological and spiritual traditions and sport in the West”.

He finds this omission curious given Catholicism’s influence upon the world. What is needed, he states, is a “positive account of the relationship between Catholic theological and spiritual traditions” and sports. This book is his effort to provide this positive account.

In addressing this topic, Fr Kelly has amassed a great deal of research, which he shares throughout the 163 pages of text and 46 pages of endnotes. He also addresses the topic from a wide range of perspectives, including the attitudes of the Puritans toward play (negative) and the view of St Thomas Aquinas (play has an important place in a balanced life). The quotes he presents are both enlightening and appropriate for the topic at hand.

While Fr Kelly does a commendable job of bringing this research to

our attention, he does little with the material.

While he does present a “positive account” of some Catholic theological thought and practice on the role of play in a Christian life, the evidence is presented without argument. Information is brought to our attention but little is done with it to argue a point or reach a conclusion.

Reading about the various types of games played at Catholic schools and churches throughout the centuries is very informative. However, what Catholic attitudes about playing games were at this time cannot be fully determined.

Fr Kelly mixes comments concerning play, games and sports at will as if there is no difference between them. This is problematic because they are not the same. Is there no difference between the spirited fun of children at spontaneous play, games that people play for group enjoyment, games of chance on which people wager, and the enormous role that organised sports plays in Western life today? Fr Kelly does not address this distinction at all. Neither does he provide a definition for any of the terms.

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Bush described his invasion of Iraq as a “crusade”, he might as well have declared as fatwa on every Christian in the Middle East. Very many have paid the price for that foolishness.

In some areas the activities of one group of Christians can impact on all others. For example, the aggressive missionary activities of mostly American evangelical and pentecostal churches can provoke repression and even violence against other Christians because the denominational structure of Christianity isn’t understood.

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few headline cases apart—blasphemy cases in Pakistan or church bombings by the jihadist Boko Haram group in Nigeria—the persecution of Christians takes place out of the media spotlight.

Shortt points an accusing finger at the Western governments and media who do little to bring the persecution out of the shadows.

Shortt’s elegant, and very fair, introduction makes a necessary distinction between the persecution of Christians which he describes—the murders, assaults, rapes, dispossession, arrests, torture, intimidation, legal and informal discrimination, scapegoating, judicial and extra-ju-

Book on sports and faith misses the goal

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Fr Kelly’s thought is difficult to follow as he frequently connects seemingly random topics without explanation, expecting his readers to simply follow his logic.

Not until the last chapter does Fr Kelly address modern sport in any meaningful way, and here it is mentioned only briefly. Here he also mentions the dangers of sports becoming too powerful in our lives and the dangers of sports financing, but the presentation is minimal.

A detailed look at the role sports plays at Catholic high schools and colleges today would have been most welcome, as would some reflection on how Catholic theology, spirituality and anthropology might be used to shape the attitudes of the Catholic institutions and people who engage in these sports.

Fr Kelly provides us here with an interesting assortment of sources and citations. He succeeds in providing a number of Catholic perspectives on play, as the title of the book foretells. That he does not focus on sports or attempt to provide a theology or spirituality of sports is disappointing.—CNS

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dicial execution of converts and so on—and the violations of religious rights in Western democracies, such as the dismissals of people for wearing crosses. “None of the opinions, insults or laws judged offensive by many Western Christians,” he writes, “amount to persecution as chronicled in the pages ahead”.

Without diminishing the seriousness of violations of religious freedom in the West, it is inappropriate and hysterical to speak, as some do, of persecution when the problem concerns a problematic clause in health care legislation or the refusal to allow the display of a Nativity scene in a public space.

Christianphobia counsels those of us who exercise our faith in liberal democracies to be cautious in the way we articulate our protests when we feel our religious rights have been infringed upon. It is disrespectful to those of our brothers and sisters in Christ who heroically continue to live their faith under the perpetual cloud of persecution when our rhetoric places comparatively minor gripes on one level with their suffering.

Shortt does not pretend to have a solution. His job is to highlight injustice, not to fix it.

He does, however, quote the

Catholic Church’s discussion document for the 2910 Synod of Bishops on the Middle East, which pointed out that “Muslims make no distinction between religion and politics, thereby relegating Christians to the precarious position of being considered non-citizens [...] The key to harmonious living between Christians and Muslims is to recognise religious freedom and human rights.”

And that cuts both ways.

Inevitably, Christianophobia makes for relentlessly bleak, distressing reading. It is also a very, very important book.

Future Pope Francis in conversation with rabbi ON HEAVEN AND EARTH: Pope Francis on Faith, Family and the Church in the Twenty-First Century” by Jorge Mario Bergoglio and Abraham Skorka. Image Books (2013). 256pp.

Reviewed by Eugene Fisher HE publication of a book of informal yet profoundly thoughtful dialogues between a cardinal and a rabbi was a rare event when this book was first published in Buenos Aires in 1995.

When the cardinal became Pope Francis, On Heaven and Earth became a historic document, the first such open-ended dialogue between a pope and a rabbi in the history of Judaism and Catholicism.

Both then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio and Rabbi Abraham Skorka are scholars, not only in theology and rabbinic studies, respectively, but also in science. It is natural that their discussion revolves around the classic issues of faith and reason, religious truth and scientific inquiry.

The authors take a pastoral view, concerned with the day-to-day problems and dilemmas, hopes and fears shared by all of us as ordinary human beings.

The result is a book rich in insight into both Judaism and Catholicism, and about how our two ancient traditions have and continue to deal with the essential issues of living a moral life of faith in a complex world. It is a book that will be of interest to the normal, active parishioners and congregants to whom the authors have dedicated their lives.

The world with which these two religious leaders grapple is that of Argentina, a large, originally Catholic country that is now a pluralist democracy.

Like the US (or South Africa), Argentina has over the course of its history had a wide range of social and religious problems that have led to political crises and, at times, internal violence. An intriguing difference, however, is that the founding culture and dynamics of Argentinian life were, and to a great extent still are, formed by Catholicism, whereas in the US Jews and Catholics were both minorities in a largely white, Protestant society.

The 29 chapters of this book cover a wide range of topics. They

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deal with traditional theological issues such as God and the devil, being atheist and being religious, the duties of religious leaders and the responsibilities of discipleship.

There are chapters on prayer, guilt and death. The views of Jews and Catholics on medical and moral issues, same-sex marriage, globalisation, wealth and poverty are presented and analysed from the perspective of two living, evolving religious traditions.

The histories of Catholic Argentina and the Jewish state of Israel, and the moral/social challenges each has faced over the course of time are discussed frankly.

Deep questions central to the dialogue between the Church and the Jewish people, such as the Holocaust, the present state of Catholic teaching about Jews and Judaism, the future of relations between Jews and Christians, and of religion in general are probed.

This is a book through which both Jews and Catholics will come to newer, deeper understandings of their own faiths.

It is also a book that tells us much about Pope Francis, what his papacy may be like, and how he will help to shape the future course of the Catholic Church internationally and on the local, parish level.— CNS n Eugene Fisher is a professor of Catholic-Jewish studies at St Leo University in Florida.

SEE OUR BOOK REVIEW ARCHIVE AT www.scross.co.za/category/reviews/books/

The Southern Cross, June 19 to June 25, 2013

CLASSIFIEDS

Sr Philippa Burke OP

D

OMINICAN Sister Philippa Burke died on May 2 in Marian House, Boksburg, after a long illness.

She was born in Claretuan, County Galway and educated in the Mercy Convent School in Tuam, Ireland.

She joined the Newcastle Dominican Sisters and made her novitiate at Rosary Priory, Hertfordshire in England in 1947.

Some years later she came to South Africa and was assigned to St Dominic’s School in Port Shepstone. She trained as a teacher at the Natal teachers’ training college and became an outstanding and thorough junior school teacher.

Sr Burke worked relentlessly in the classroom, making sure each pupil could read intelligently and fluently, and laid a sure foundation for further education.

She had a strong character, was

a no-nonsense person, but her pupils were treated with care and compassion.

Sr Burke taught at St Rose’s in Johannesburg, where she prepared boys and girls for their first Holy Communion. She was principal in Villa Aquinas, Pietermaritzburg, and finally, she taught at Our Lady of Fatima in Durban North, where she encouraged her children to care for the poor by introducing a programme where each Monday a member of her class collected cents for food to feed the hungry.

Sr Burke was a woman of faith and prayer and believed that what was given freely would somehow come back in abundance. She was a unique person in so many ways and there are many who miss her gentle quiet way.

On retiring from teaching, she served her community as a warm friendly hostess, until moving to

Community Calendar

To place your event, call Claire Allen at 021 465 5007 or e-mail c.allen@scross.co.za (publication subject to space) CAPE TOWN: redeemer parish in Bergvliet.

Mimosa Shrine, Bellville (Place of pilgrimage for the Helpers of God’s Precious Year of Faith) Tel: 076 323 Infants meet the last Satur8043. July 13: 9:00amday of the month except in 10:00am. holy hour and December, starting with Benediction. Confessions Mass at 9:30 am at the Saavailable during holy hour. cred heart church in SomerJuly 25: Feast of St James, set road, Cape Town. Mass 7:00pm rosary, 7:30pm is followed by a vigil and holy Mass. August 1: procession to Marie Stopes 7:30pm rosary August 10: abortion clinic in Bree Feast of St Lawrence, Street. For information con9:00am-10:00am holy hour tact Colette Thomas on 083 and benediction. Confes412 4836 or 021 593 9875 sions available during holy or Br Daniel Manuel on 083 hour. August 15: The as544 3375 sumption of our Lady KwaZULU-NATAL 7:00pm rosary, 7:30pm Youth of Marianhill diocese holy Mass will have a youth day on Padre Pio: holy hour 15:30 June 17 at St Timothy pm every 3rd Sunday of the hamarsdale, near Pinemonth at holy town. Tel: 031 700 2704

Births • First Communion • Confirmation • engagement/Marriage • Wedding anniversary • ordination jubilee • Congratulations • Deaths • In memoriam • Thanks • Prayers • accommodation • holiday accommodation • Personal • Services • employment • Property • others Please include payment (R1,25 a word) with small advertisements for promptest publication.

DEATHS

Marian House when her health began to fail. There she was cared for with great love and attention.

Sr Burke’s requiem Mass was celebrated by Fr Lewis Tsuro OP and was attended by many friends and past pupils. She is buried in Marian House cemetery.

Sr Catherina Dunne OP

Liturgical Calendar Year C Weekdays Cycle Year 1 Sunday, June 23, 12th Sunday Zechariah 12:10-11; 13:1, Psalm 63:2-6, 8-9, Galatians 3:26-29, Luke 9:18-24 Monday, June 24, Nativity of St John the Baptist Isaiah 49:1-6, Psalm 139:1-3, 13-15, Acts 13:22-26, Luke 1:57-66, 80 Tuesday, June 25 Genesis 13:2, 5-18, Psalm 15:2-5, Matthew 7:6, 12-14 Wednesday, June 26, St Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9, Matthew 7:15-20 Thursday, June 27 Genesis 16:1-12, 15-16 or 16:6-12, 15-16, Psalm 106:1-5, Matthew 7:21-29 Friday, June 28, St Irenaeus Genesis 17:1, 9-10, 15-22, Psalm 128:1-5, Matthew 8:1-4 Saturday, June 29, Ss Peter and Paul Acts 12:1-11, Psalm 34:2-9, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18, Matthew 16:13-19 Sunday, June 30, 13th Sunday 1 Kings 19:16, 19-21, Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11, Galatians 5:1, 13-18, Luke 9:51-62

FRANCISCAN NARDINI SISTERS

Southern CrossWord solutions SOLUTIONS TO 555.

ACROSS: 1 Deck, 3 Conclave, 9 Pontiff, 10 Ophir, 11 Senior cleric, 13 Nonage, 15 Spat on, 17 Running order, 20 Aches, 21 Obliged, 22 Resident, 23 Espy. DOWN: 1 Deposing, 2 Canon, 4 Office, 5 Chosen people, 6 Atheist, 7 Ears, 8 Disorganised, 12 On Friday, 14 Noughts, 16 On loan, 18 Doges, 19 Fair.

I shall always strive for the one goal: For JESUS CHRIST to be my centre.

Blessed Paul Joseph Nardini

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To advertise in this space call elizabeth hutton on 021 465 5007 or email advertising @scross.co.za

BRIDGE—Brother aidan (anthony), died peacefully on June 7, 2013, feast of the Sacred heart. he will be remembered with love by his brothers, Michael and Peter, his sister, Kathleen SND, and his nieces and nephews. rIP.

IN MEMORIAM

IN LOVING memory of Kevin Casey; 3 years have gone now and you remain and forever will remain in our hearts.

We feel your presence and for that we will always be grateful. Thank you for everything. Your loving family.

power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. amen.

O GLORIOUS SAINT

PERSONAL

ABORTION WARNING: The pill can abort (chemical abortion) Catholics must be told, for their eternal welfare and the survival of their unborn infants.

NOTHING is politically right if it is morally wrong. abortion is evil.

Value life!

PRAYERS

HOLY ST JUDE, apostle and martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke you, special patron in time of need. To you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg you to come to my assistance. help me now in my urgent need and grant my petitions. In return I promise to make your name known and publish this prayer. amen. Noel henry.

ST MICHAEL the archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, o Prince of the heavenly host, by the

JOHN BOSCO, who in order to lead young people to the feet of the divine Master and to mould them in the light of faith and Christian morality didst heroically sacrifice thyself to the very end of thy life and didst set up a proper religious Institute destined to endure and to bring to the farthest boundaries of the earth thy glorious work, obtain also for us from our Lord a holy love for young people who are exposed to so many seductions in order that we may generously spend ourselves in supporting them against the snares of the devil, in keeping them safe from the dangers of the world, and in guiding them, pure and holy, in the path that leads to God. amen.

The SC

THANKS

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13th Sunday: June 30 Readings: 1 Kings 19:16, 19-21, Psalm 16: 1-2, 5, 7-11, Galatians 5:1, 13-18, Luke 9:51-62

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Answer discipleship call

HERE are many possible reactions to the invitation to discipleship; and the readings for next Sunday explore some of them.

The first reading is set immediately after Elijah, sad and lonely, has encountered God in the desert, and been given instructions, which include anointing Elisha to succeed him as prophet.

The reading recounts what happened when Elijah obeyed these instructions. “He went from there and found Elisha...and he was ploughing.”

Then Elijah makes a prophetic gesture: “He threw his cloak over him”, which Elisha correctly understands as an invitation to follow.

However, he feels that he is not in a position to do so immediately: “Let me kiss, please, my father and mother, and then I’ll come after you.”

This (apparently reasonable) response elicits a decidedly tetchy answer from Elijah: “Go back—what have I got to do with you?”

Elisha is not daunted, however, and offers a sacrifice of the oxen with which he had been ploughing (using the ploughing equip-

Nicholas King SJ

Sunday reflections

ment to cook them, which presumably indicates the completeness of his sacrifice), and follows Elijah as his attendant. We are surely meant to applaud this understated enthusiasm.

Elisha might well have recited the psalm for next Sunday, for it is the song of one who has no resources but God. The poet knows that God is the only game in town: “You are my portion and my cup...I shall bless the Lord who advises me...I keep the Lord always before me.”

And there is the usual upsurge of joy: “Therefore my heart rejoices, my glory is glad, even my flesh lives in security, for you will not abandon my soul to Sheol.” This should be the response of all of us: “You will make me know the path of life, overflowing joy in your presence.”

However not all of us can manage this re-

action, and the Galatians, as far as Paul is concerned in our second reading, are determined to revert to slavery, whereas, he argues, “it is for liberty that Christ has liberated us, and you have been called to liberation...be slaves to each other through love”.

Then he cites the gospel tradition: “For the whole Law is fulfilled in a single saying: ‘you are to love your neighbour as yourself’.”

So they are not to “bite and devour one another”, but to “walk in the Spirit”.

Then Paul sketches out his famous contrast between flesh, which is human nature as closed to God, and Spirit, which is human nature as open to God: “And these two are opposed to each other.”

He sums up the argument with a saying that we shall do to recall, “if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law”.

The gospel gives another set of possible reactions to the invitation to be Jesus’ disciples.

It comes from that point in Luke’s gospel when we start the great journey to Jerusalem: “In the fulfilment of the day of his taking-up; and he set his face to journey to Jerusalem.”

Eulogy for a great Catholic A

S a young seminarian in the late 1960s, I was very taken by the writings of Fr Andrew Greeley, a priest in Chicago, who was churning out books on popular spirituality.

I found his approach wonderfully refreshing because, at least to my mind, he dealt with our perennial religious struggles in a way that was both more realistic and more hope-filled than most of the religious literature to which I had been exposed.

He was the spiritual bread I needed, and when I went on a retreat to prepare for final vows, I had a couple of his books in hand.

He helped me make that decision.

He died on May 29 at the age of 85, having been in bad health since suffering a fall in 2008.

Perhaps the word “prodigious” best describes his output, both in terms of writing and preaching. He wrote more than 120 books, many of an academic nature, and countless articles and op-ed pieces for both secular and religious publications. Within all of that, he was perhaps best known for his novels, which enjoyed a circulation that most writers can only envy.

Because of this prodigious output and popularity, there was often a cynicism about him in both academic and religious circles that gave voice to itself in these words: “Andrew Greeley has never had an unpublished thought!”

I move in both those circles and can assure the world that envy is not alien to either. Fr Greeley was disliked, perhaps for more than anything else, because, un-

Classic Conrad

Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI

Final reflection

like so many of us who criticised him for his prodigious output, he actually did things.

But there were other reasons as well why Fr Greeley had his critics, some to do with his ethos and others with his personality.

A lot of conservatives disliked him because they considered him irreverent and overly liberal. The irony is that a lot of liberals disliked him because they considered him too pious and overly conservative.

And then there was his personality. He didn’t suffer fools, or critics, easily. To criticise Fr Greeley was to pick a fight. Nobody got to take potshots at him from the safety of a bush. He flushed you out and challenged for an open fight. That’s not the route to stay on easy terms with everyone.

Since I was perennially one his supporters, I was never subjected to his sword. When his novels were popularly criticised as being “lightweight and trashy” and “harmful to the faith of Catholics”, I jumped to his defence with these words: “Nobody has ever left the Church because of an Andrew Greeley novel, but many people have stayed in the Church because of Andrew Greeley’s

novels.”

Fr Greeley found this phrase in a column of mine and wrote to me, asking permission to use it on the jacket of his future novels, which he frequently did.

The most common complaint about his novels was they were “trashy and full of sex”. The opposite would be truer to fact. As literary works, his novels suffered more because they were too pious and often thinly disguised Catholic apologia.

Any true reading of his novels reveals a man who was deeply pious, much in love with his Church, and not-so-subtly defending his Church.

Moreover he always treated sex as sacrament. Not that his critics would admit this, but his ethos on sexuality was very close to that of John Paul II and his Theology of the Body. The strength of his novels was in the storytelling. Nobody, including Fr Greeley himself, ever confused his prose with that of Toni Morrison or John Steinbeck; but he could spin off a great tale—and most of his novels did.

I can’t claim him as a friend because, although we corresponded occasionally, we met only once. About a year before his fateful accident, when he was still teaching winter semesters in Arizona, I was in Tucson giving some lectures and he took me out to dinner at his favourite Mexican restaurant.

We talked about theology and literature, but mostly he shared with me his admiration for the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, the religious family of which I am a member, and his admiration for his ordinary in Chicago, Cardinal Francis George, who belongs to that same family.

He talked too about his love for Chicago’s sports teams, especially its basketball team, the Chicago Bulls.

I invited him to visit our college, the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas, but he begged off, sharing that at his age he wanted as much as possible to avoid air-travel.

I left the restaurant grateful to have had the chance to meet a remarkable man, and one to whom I owed a huge debt of gratitude.

The anthropologist Mircea Eliade once commented that “no community should botch its deaths”. Fair warning. A major Catholic figure has died and we, friends and critics alike, need to recognise what he brought us.

Like other Christian apologists before him—Tolkien, Lewis, and Chesterton— he too tried to give a reason for the hope that’s within us; and, in that, he succeeded, wonderfully so.

In preparation for this journey (which in effect runs all the way through to the end of Acts) Jesus “sent out messengers before him; and on their journey they entered a village of Samaritans, to make ready for him”.

But the reaction of the Samaritans was hostile, “they did not welcome him, because his face was journeying to Jerusalem”. This elicits another (and equally undesirable) reaction from James and John: “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from Heaven and destroy them?” (No wonder Jesus nicknamed them “Sons of Thunder”!).

Then our portion ends with three further possible reactions to the invitation.

First, someone said, “I’m going to follow you wherever you go”, and is given a discouraging reply: “The Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”

The second wants to do the decent thing by his parents after Jesus has invited him, “Let me go and bury my father”, and is given the chilling response, “Let the dead bury their dead—you are to go off and proclaim the Kingdom of God.” The third, like Elisha in the first reading, wants to say farewell to his parents, but is told “No one who puts their hand to the plough and looks backwards is usable for the Kingdom of Heaven.”

What is going to be your reaction, this week, to the invitation?

Southern Crossword #555

ACROSS 1. Set of cards on board?

(4) 3. Cancel first of old veterans where cardinals meet (8) 9. Bishop of Rome (7) 10. Source of King Solomon's gold (1 Kg 9) (5) 11. He could be a bishop (6,6) 13. Youthful immaturity (6) 15. They insulted Jesus this way (4,2) 17. Popemobile must be kept in this (7,5) 20. They may go with pains (5) 21. Pleased about big dole (7) 22. Kind of bishop in his see (8) 23. Spot (4)

DOWN 1. I go, spend on removing from office (8) 2. Kind of lawyer who may be fired (5) 4. Breviary for the workroom (6) 5. Being Jewish, Penelope Osch is one of them (6,6) 6. Great heists revealing the freethinker (7) 7. Can they hear in the cornfield? (4) 8. Not properly planned (12) 12. When you abstained (2,6) 14. They add nothing to the crosses (7) 16. Being borrowed (2,4) 18. Leaders of Venetian Republic (5) 19. Just not dark (4)

Solutions on page 27

CHURCH CHUCKLE

T

he catechism class was taught how God created everything, including human beings.

Little Johnny seemed especially alert when the catechist told him how Eve was created out of one of Adam’s ribs.

Later in the week his mother noticed him lying down as though he were ill, and she asked: “Johnny, what is the matter?”

Little Johnny responded: “I have pain in my side.

I think I’m going to have a wife.”

Send us your favourite Catholic joke, preferably clean and brief, to The Southern Cross, Church Chuckle, Po Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000.