By Fr. Rocco Marra, IMC
Today, we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord, after forty days of Easter.
On this day, we contemplate the Glory of Christ, the Redeemer of all humanity.
The celebration of the Eucharist, every Sunday, inserts us in the life and mission of the Church, the Body of Christ, he is the head.
As people of God, every Sunday, we profess our faith saying: Continue reading “The Ascension of the Lord”
by Fr Chris Chatteris SJ
Pope’s prayer intention:
The Mission of the Laity That the lay faithful may fulfil their specific mission, by responding with creativity to the challenges that face the world today.
When we hear the words ‘lay apostolate’ we tend to think of ministers of the Eucharist taking communion to the sick or presiding at services of the Word. This is all well and good, but that confines the lay apostolate to a small group of people working at quasi-priestly tasks. Continue reading “May 2018: The Mission of the Laity”
By Fr. Rocco Marra, IMC
Slowly, the liturgy of the Eastertide is opening, like a flower, and we can feel the fragrance of the universal mission. The Church by its very nature is missionary, because it comes from the profound Love of the Holy Trinity manifested to us by Christ: especially from his mystery of passion, death, resurrection and glorification… These last Sundays we are accompanying by John the Apostle, the disciple loved by Jesus, his faith and his witness. The faith in the Resurrection, according to the Gospel, little by little enters our hearts. Because this is the style of God: not to overwhelm us. It is a style that respects our freedom. It is a humble, silent style, hidden even in the greatest events of history. Continue reading “Reflection on the sixth Sunday of Easter”
by Maduduza Zwane
On the 27th April 2018 to 29th April 2018, Maduduza Zwane’s family were on a two-day spiritual retreat at the catholic St. Lucia Retreat and Training Centre in KZN. The Retreat Centre was inaugurated by our Diocese of Swaziland Bishop Jose Luis Ponce De Leon when he was the bishop of Ingwavuma. The family each year goes outside the country a spiritual retreat to pray, meditate and listen to spiritual talks. In the previous years the family had its retreats at Ngome. This year the family decided to change and went to St. Lucia for their 2 days retreat.
Continue reading “Family Retreat at St. Lucia Retreat Centre”
by Archbishop Buti Tlhagale
THE FOUNDING OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
IN SOUTH AFRICA
‘The Catholic Archdiocese of Johannesburg celebrated 200 years of the Catholic Church in South Africa at a mass of thanksgiving led by Archbishop Buti Tlhagale on Saturday 21 April 2018. The mass was held on the plot of land upon which will be built the much-talked of Mother of Mercy Marian Shrine and Pastoral Centre. It is hoped that this will be a holy site that will bring Catholics of the Archdiocese, and further afield, a place where they might express their devotions to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and be spiritually nourished.‘ Spotlight.africa
Introduction
The celebration of the 200 years of the founding of Catholic Church in South Africa gives us a rare opportunity to learn more about the history of our faith, about where we come from as a community of faith. This is the time to mediate on the pioneering missionaries who brought us our faith. We do so in order to draw inspiration from them, to evaluate the status of our faith and fidelity, and to seek to re-double our efforts to enter more deeply into the mystery of Jesus Christ so that we may emerge as people who experience the generous mercy of God here and now, and in turn, commit to express that warm mercy to others. This is the constant, consistent and persuasive preaching of Pope Francis.
by Fr W Nkomo
We must render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, but who gets to say what is Caesar’s – Caesar alone, or does God have a say?
As attempts to increase taxes both in our country and in neighbouring South Africa intensifies tempers and emotions rise in the taxpayers. Objectively, increasing tax without the increment of salaries means taking what has for the recent past been used for the livelihood of families because there has never been surplus for the working class. That therefore will mean a huge amount of the people’s useful labour is spent funding the government. What does the Church have to say about this? Below is an article by Professor Michael Pakaluk answering the question.
By Fr. Rocco Marra, IMC
Acts 9: 26-31
Reading the book of the Acts of the Apostles, we notice the action of the Holy Spirit, the consoler. The Joy of the Gospel, the encouragement of the Holy Spirit and Jesus, the Lord of Peace, reached several regions (Acts 9:31).
Considering this fact, we understand the previous verses about St. Paul’s visit to Jerusalem after his conversion. It is Important to note that he did not go to Jerusalem immediately after he escaped from Damascus. He first went into Arabia, where he spent three years (see Galatians 1:17-18). Continue reading “Reflection on the fifth Sunday of Easter”
By Bishop Jose
At the beginning of this year, Pope Francis issued his message for the “World Communications’ Day” entitled
“The truth will set you free” (Jn 8:32) Fake news and journalism for peace.
The Pope explained what “fake news” is:
In general, it refers to the spreading of disinformation on line or in the traditional media. It has to do with false information based on non-existent or distorted data meant to deceive and manipulate the reader. Spreading fake news can serve to advance specific goals, influence political decisions, and serve economic interests.
It is a serious matter because:
The tragedy of disinformation is that it discredits others, presenting them as enemies, to the point of demonizing them and fomenting conflict.