Posts by Neliswa Mdluli

Family as the First Mission Land

by Fr Francis Onyango IMC

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year B
Genesis 2:18-24
Psalm 128:1-6 (R. cf. 5)
Hebrews 2:9-11
Mark 10:2-16

THEME: Family as the First Mission Land

October is traditionally considered a mission month; a month where we are called to focus on a more particular way in the mission of Christ. The call to share in the mission of Christ is not just a preserve for a select few and not merely for priests and religious men and women but a call for every baptised Christian. When the Lord calls, he calls with a purpose; he calls in order to send. Thus our vocation to share in the mission of Christ begins with the word ‘Come’ (come follow me) and ends with the word ‘Go’ (go and announce the gospel). One cannot come unless one wants to go and one cannot go unless one has come. Continue reading “Family as the First Mission Land” →

Deaf Awareness march

Fr Mark James OP (Deaf chaplain)

Approximately 500 people participated in a Deaf Awareness march through the streets of Manzini on Friday morning 28 September 2018. Carrying placards saying: “Respect my language”, “Respect Deaf children,” “Deaf not dumb” and “Respect sign language in Education” Deaf adults and children, escorted by the police walked through the Manzini central business district raising awareness. The march was organised as part of International Deaf Awareness week which runs this year from 24-30 September. People walking down the street and coming out of the shops at times gave a ‘thumbs-up’ as they indicated their support and encouragement to the Deaf people. This was warmly received by the Deaf people. Continue reading “Deaf Awareness march” →

Reflection on the 26th Sunday

by Fr. Francis Huwn Msfs

“If your eye should cause you to sin, tear it out”

Numbers 11:25-29
Ps 19
James 5:1-6
Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

A little girl had being to the church and heard the sermon on separating the sheep and the goats (Mt 25:31-46). When the mother put her to bed that night, the little girl began to cry and said, ‘ Mommy! I am afraid that I am a goat.” Mother said, “No. You are not goat. Bishop Fulton Sheen told me that you are an angel. If you die, you will go straight to heaven.” The little girl was very satisfied and went to sleep. The next night, the mother came in and the child was crying again and said, “Mommy! I am still thinking about sheep and goats.” ” I told you, you are not goat, you are an angel”, consoled the mother. “Alright Mommy” said the little girl, ” But I am afraid that you might be a goat.” Continue reading “Reflection on the 26th Sunday” →

Couples for Christ Sessions

by Innocent Maziya

Couples for Christ Sessions 21 – 26 August 2018

The Couples for Christ (CFC) movement held spiritually enriching sessions between the 21st and 26th August 2018 at the Cathedral. These sessions were targeted at introducing new couples to the movement as well as strengthening marriages for existing member couples.
The sessions were conducted by three brothers and one sister from Couples for Christ in the United Arab Emirates. Continue reading “Couples for Christ Sessions” →

Reflection on the 25th Sunday in Ordinary time B

by Fr. Francis Huwn msfs

God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble  (James 4:6)

Wis 2:12, 17-20
Ps 54:3-6 and 8
James 3:16-4:3
Mk 9:30-37

St Augustine once said: “If you ask me which is the first virtue for a Christian, I will tell you that it is humility.  If you ask me again which is the second, I will say to you it is humility.  If you again ask me which is the third, I will still say that it is humility, and as often as you ask me this question, I shall always give you the same answer.” Continue reading “Reflection on the 25th Sunday in Ordinary time B” →

Visit to Malindza Refugee Camp: SCCW, September 2018

by Babongile Mlambo

The visit to Malindza Reception Centre for the year 2018 by members of SCCW was a success. The event was blessed by the presence of His Lordship: Bishop Jose Ponce de Leon, who celebrated Holy Mass assisted by the Vicar Fr. J Mahazule, Fr S Ndwandwe and Fr V Mabuza; also joined by Catholic residents of the centre.

The theme of the day as highlighted by the Bishop was that we all have to remember and acknowledge the presence of the Lord amongst us, in-spite of various circumstances in our lives. In his homily, as a follow up to the Gospel of the day; he reminded the congregants that the visitation to Mother Mary by the angel Gabriel is an eternal promise that “God is with us”, a promise which tends to vanish from our minds each time we are facing challenges (maybe because Christmas which is the reminder comes once a year!). No matter what may come our way, we should remember that God’s promise is valid until the end of time and beyond. Continue reading “Visit to Malindza Refugee Camp: SCCW, September 2018” →

LARRY – SIMPLY LARRY – the book

MEDIA STATEMENT AND INVITATION TO GLOBAL BOOK LAUNCHES
OF
LARRY – SIMPLY LARRY

(Celebrate the Legacy by wearing green!)

“When I give people bread, they call me a Saint. When I ask why people do not have bread, they call me a terrorist.” Fr Laurence ‘Larry’ McDonnell

This is the conundrum that has defined Larry throughout his Missionary life. It is the same conundrum that characterises the lives of many that have gone through struggle for liberation.

This is a book that chronicles the work of the Salesians and, in particular, that of Fr Larry, about how they shaped the lives of boys that went through their hands. It also brings out his contribution towards the liberations of South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe. It also takes the story way back to the Potato Famine of Ireland, where most of these Priests hail, drawing a parallel between the liberation experiences of Ireland and South Africa, from the same colonial master – the British. It also links this background with the relationship that Ireland had with President JFK and how this has influenced their partiality to civil liberties, the worth of human dignity, the underlying need to protect vulnerable boys and the resistance against unjust authority, in general. Continue reading “LARRY – SIMPLY LARRY – the book” →

Reflection on the 24th Sunday in Ordinary time B

by Fr. Francis Huwn Msfs

24th Sunday Year B
Is 50:5-9
Ps 114: 1-6, 8-9
James 2:14-18
Mk 8:27-35

The true Jesus always has the Cross

Who is Jesus? In order not to be confused, there is one particular thing, which will definitely identify the true Jesus: it is the cross. The true Jesus always has the cross. There is no cross-less Jesus. That is why he said: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.”He is the Suffering Servant of Yahweh that the Prophet Isaiah talks about in the first reading. Continue reading “Reflection on the 24th Sunday in Ordinary time B” →