Posts by Neliswa Mdluli

July 2018: Priests and their Pastoral Ministry

by Fr Chris Chatteris SJ

Pope’s Prayer Intention for July 2018

Priests and their Pastoral Ministry. That priests, who experience fatigue and loneliness in their pastoral work, may find help and comfort in their intimacy with the Lord and in their friendship with their brother priests.

It is very possible to be lonely in the middle of a crowd. A priest can be lonely in the midst of his congregation, even at a moment of great celebration. This may seem strange, but it happens. Why? Firstly, there is the simple fact that he is both single and singular. Because he is celibate, this makes him different, unusual. Whatever the compensations of the pastoral life, he will still feel, from time to time, the loss of the tenderness and intimacy of the married life and the deep satisfactions of creating a home and a family. Continue reading “July 2018: Priests and their Pastoral Ministry” →

The Consolata Feast 2018

Icon of Our Lady Consolata

by Nokuphila Mlangeni

MARIA CONSOLATA PRAY FOR US.

Saints Peter and Paul Parish on Sunday of 24th June 2018 celebrated the Consolata Feast. This parish was commissioned in January 2017 by His Lordship the Rt. Rev Bishop Jose Luis Ponce de Leon I.M.C and entrusted to the Consolata Missionaries hence the celebration of the feast.

Consolata Missionaries were founded on the 29th of January 1901 by Blessed Joseph Allamano, a diocesan priest, teacher and devotee to Our Lady Consolata, Mother of Jesus and of His Church. Through our Mother Mary we receive Jesus, the true consolation of humanity. That is what the Consolata Feast is all about, celebrating Mary Consolata and it was indeed a day to remember. The Consolata Missionaries are present in four continents; Europe, Asia, Americas and Africa. Continue reading “The Consolata Feast 2018” →

Couples for Christ: ‘Clergy Lay Congress’

 

by Bishop Jose

I spent some days in Manila (Philippines) invited by “Couples for Christ” to join the celebration of their 37th anniversary. One of the events on the week before the anniversary was the “Clergy Lay congress” which brought together 11 bishops, over 200 priests and more than 600 lay people. 

Coming from the “Kingdom of eSwatini” I was asked to share a few words on the theme of the day: “The Church rejuvenates“.  

Continue reading “Couples for Christ: ‘Clergy Lay Congress’” →

THE GOOD NEWS IS: TALITHA KUM!

by Fr Ncamiso Vilakati

Last week Sunday, was the Feast of the nativity of St John the Baptist. The Church not only invited us to reflect on the life of the saint which was of simplicity, but also the people around him at his birth. One particular person for me worth the mention is his father Zachariah, who named him John. The effects of him saying his name is John is that he was healed from his inability to speak which had been impeded sorely for his lack of faith. Immediately after the utterance of the words; “His name will be John” we heard that Zachariah the priest was able to speak again.

Continue reading “THE GOOD NEWS IS: TALITHA KUM!” →

The God of life

by Fr D Mazibuko OSM

Thirteenth Sunday of the Year

This Sunday theme is about life and God being the author of life. From the very beginning of creation, God wanted us to live a long and healthy life. And God gave us the freedom to make our own choices. Therefore, all that ruins or diminishes this gift is a result of the choices we make. The gospel attests to the theme in that we see Jesus bringing to life two people who were in lifeless situations. Having faith in God and in His power can give life in the different challenges life presents us. Continue reading “The God of life” →

SJBH Recreational Trip to Hlane Game reserve

by Nozizwe Ginindza

As Part of our Children’s Right’s Programs, St Joseph’s Boarding House practices and promotes Child Participation. As an Organisation, we believe that Child Participation is a principle and a very strong tool that allows us to listen to children, allows them the right to communicate and express themselves freely, and to participate in decision making processes that impact on the quality of their lives. This year 2018, SJBH embarked on the second annual recreational trip, which is the tool with which we practice and facilitate child participation in an active way. Continue reading “SJBH Recreational Trip to Hlane Game reserve” →

CWL visits St Joseph’s Parish

By Dumsile Zwane-Dlamini

The Catholic Women’s League visited St Joseph’s Mission on the second Sunday of June. As a sodality that does charity work, the visit was to distribute hampers to the needy of the parish. The recipients of the hampers came from the outstations of the Parish. Some of the recipients physically came but some couldn’t come due to ill-health and their hampers were taken to their respective homes.

Continue reading “CWL visits St Joseph’s Parish” →

Reflection on the Birthday of John the Baptist

by Fr D Mazibuko OSM

This Feast is held even on a Sunday indicating the unique role of John the Baptist as herald of the Messiah. Just like when we celebration of Christ begins with a Vigil Mass with special readings so does this Sunday. As a Church we celebrate the birth of John the Baptist on the 24th of June and on the 29th of August, we celebrate his martyrdom. John the Baptist is the precursor of Christ. His birth is announced by the Angel Gabriel. In the New Testament John the Baptist bears witness to Christ so much so that when Jesus arrives he proclaims as the “lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world”. Misunderstood by many John the Baptist fulfilled his mission announcing an era that would be brought about by Christ. Today as a Church, as families let us celebrate his birth and all who bear the name John and all who were born on this day.
Continue reading “Reflection on the Birthday of John the Baptist” →