190522 by The Southern Cross

the southern Cross, May 22 to May 28, 2019

LOCAL

Priest: Coming to SA to spread happiness

HEN Jesuit Father David Marcotte presents his talks at this year’s Winter Living Theology conference, his focus will be the subject of happiness. The associate professor of psychology and director of clinical training at the Jesuit-run Fordham University in New York will travel to several centres in the conference region to deliver his series of lectures, “How to live a happy life. The spirituality and psychology of wellbeing”. He will look at stress, burnout, depression, anxiety, compassion-fatigue, suicide and addiction, and offer participants practical skills to counter these and advance wellbeing. Fr Marcotte believes that meditation and contemplative practices are an essential part of wellbeing and he has done empirical studies which he will share with participants. The annual Winter Living Theology lecture series is jointly staged by the Jesuit Institute SA, the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference and Fordham University. Fr Russell Pollitt SJ, director of the Jesuit Institute, spoke to Fr Marcotte. Fr David, we are looking foreward to welcoming you in South Africa. Tell us a little bit about yourself. I’m really looking forward to coming to South Africa! I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, on the Pacific coast. I am one of four, I have two brothers and a sister. After school I went to St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, California, for undergraduate studies in philosophy. I then attended the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, for theological studies. I did my doctoral studies in clini-

The

Fr David Marcotte sJ, who will deliver this year’s Winter living theology lectures in south africa, Botswana and eswatini on the subject of happiness. cal psychology at the New School For Social Research in New York City and later did post-doctoral work at Yale Medical School. How did you get into the field of psychology? I became interested in psychology during theology studies after working as a chaplain at San Francisco General Hospital in one of the HIV units. I thought that it would be really interesting to investigate this further.

Later, during and after my doctoral studies, I specialised in substance-abuse treatment for HIV-positive individuals. You seem to have focused more recently on wellbeing. Is this your area of interest now? Yes, that is true. More recently I have focused on the psychology of wellbeing and how contemplative practices support the development of character strengths and human flourishing. I have done a number of studies with people who have struggled with substance abuse using contemplative methods and have discovered fascinating things. I hope to share some of these studies with the folk in South Africa during Winter Living Theology! How long have you been working at Fordham University? I have been at Fordham for 12 years, at the Rose Hill campus which is in the north Bronx area. It is a beautiful campus, established in 1941. I teach courses like an introduction to psychology, psychology and human values, and personality assessment. I also do a number of what we call seminars on clinical theory and supervision. I am also the director of clinical training at Fordham. Why did you become a Jesuit? Interesting question! It is quite simple really: I had Jesuit spiritual directors and read several Jesuit documents that inspired and attracted me to Ignatian spirituality and to the Jesuit educational mission. I spoke to Jesuits, liked the men I met—and the rest is history! What will you be covering in Winter Living Theology, and what are

you hoping to achieve? I hope to present emerging research on the psychology of wellbeing and contemplative practices. I will be looking at how these practices can helps us navigate our way through stress, burnout, depression, addiction—all those things so prevalent in our social sphere today. I also hope to provide training in skills developed in recent research that can increase wellbeing. Have you been to South Africa before? No, this is my first trip and I am very much looking forward to visiting your country and meeting the people of South Africa. Most importantly, I look forward to sharing what I can with South Africa and hope that, in a small way, this will help to increase human flourishing so that people can reach their full potential. Fr Marcotte will give an evening lecture at Christ the King church in Queenswood, Pretoria, on June 3. From June 4-6 he will speak at the Lumko Institute in Benoni. He will then visit Cape Town (June 11-13 at St Francis Xavier Seminary), Durban (June 18-20, St Joseph’s in Morningside), and Port Elizabeth (June 15-27, St Luke’s Retreat and Conference Centre). He will give a one-day lecture in Manzini, Eswatini, on June 22 and, for the first time this year, Winter Living Theology will also be presented in Gaborone, Botswana, for a one-day workshop on July 3. n For more information or bookings go to www.jesuitinstitute.org.za/index. php/wlt2019/ or e-mail wlt@jesuitin stitute.org.za

Spiritfest to offer songs by female composers

RECITAL titled “A Feather on the Breath of God” will be performed at Spiritfest, which is running as part of the Grahamstown Arts Festival next month. This recital uncovers nine female classical composers who are little known and little performed, including the 11th-century mystic and poet Hildegard of Bingen; Kassia, the first woman-of-colour composer; Amy Beach; and British composer Rebecca Clarke. The songs will be sung by SAMRO scholarship and Standard Bank Encore Ovation Award recipient Emma Farquharson. Accompanying her will be pianist Nina van Schoor and cellist Caleb Vaughn-Jones. The title of the recital is taken from a comment by theologian St Bernard of Clairvaux upon hearing Hildegard of Bingen’s lyrical anthems for the first time. “A Feather on the Breath of God” will be performed in the Nun’s Chapel on June 28 and 29, and July 2 and 2.

S outher n C ross

Tour to Mauritius (From left) Gideon Pereira, Gregory Pereira, Fr Finbarr Flanagan, Nadia Pereira and Nicolette Whittle, and (in front) ellie Pereira, at the national Nal pro-life conference in Pretoria.

See Pope Francis at the Papal Mass! Explore Catholic Mauritius... and relax a little 7-14 Sept 2019 • Led by Fr Russell Pollitt SJ A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY: Fly to Mauritius to attend the PAPAL MASS during Pope Francis’ historic trip to this tropical island. See the great CATHOLIC SITES of this faith-filled country. Includes a GUIDED RETREAT at the beach and spiritual direction by the popular Fr Russell Pollitt SJ — and time for relaxation and fun in one of Mauritius’ best 4* resorts.

For more information or to book contact Gail at

info@fowlertours.co.za or phone 076 352-3809

www.fowlertours/mauritius

Pro-life advocates speak out at Pretoria conference

E must take a stand against the killing of children until abortion is abolished, was the call at the pro-life National Alliance Conference (NAL) in Pretoria. Catholics and other groups from across the country attended the conference, at which speakers emphasised the key role of the Churches in protecting the vulnerable unborn. NAL is a platform for pro-life organisations, Churches, and individuals, and its aim is to let the voice of all pro-lifers in South Africa be heard. Fr Finbarr Flanagan OFM of Pretoria and members of the Saint Anthony of Padua OFS group were among those present. Fr Flanagan, known for his pro-life ministry both here and in America, spoke of how confirmation candidates of his parish regularly pray outside a Marie Stopes abortion clinic, and hand out counselling pamphlets. In an analysis of global abortion trends, Nadia Pereira referred to a statement by Obianuju Ekeocha, founder and president of Culture of Life Africa, that 80 percent of African countries have continued to resist and reject legalising abortion. Gregory Pereira, a member of the

Biblical Christian Network, provided figures and analysed trends regarding abortion. He said about 56 million abortions worldwide had occurred annually from 2010-14. The father of a child with Down syndrome said Christ’s words, “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. Thus it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish” (Matt 18:10,11,14), remind us of Jesus’ heartfelt concern for the unborn child. Fred Olivier of the Franciscan Third Order summed up the spirit of the NAL conference as follows: “In the spirit of St Francis of Assisi, ‘Lord, what do you want me to do?’” Various pro-life organisations presented their activities at an exhibition. They underlined the indispensable role of counselling and support for women facing pregnancy crises. Following the conference, a prolife placard demonstration was held in Pretoria streets against South Africa’s abortion law. n For details of ongoing protests, contact Gregory Pereira on 083 798-7360.