Category: Diocese of Manzini News

Seminarian Send off & Spoil your priest

 By Maphike Zwane

On Saturday the 27th of January, CWL of Our Lady Of Assumption (Cathedral), & representatives from St. Peter & Paul & St. Mary’s, hosted our seminarians from our various Orders to a “Send off & Spoil your priest” lunch.

The occasion was enjoyed by us all.

Though our parish priests were otherwise engaged, they were spoilt in absentia. Representing our priests were Fr.Joseph & Brother Thusi, we are thankful to them.

May the Good Lord bless the ladies for their Charitable Hearts & the presentation of individual ‘envelopes to all the guests.

May the Good Lord bless our priests, future & present.

A booklet of prayers in SiSwati (second edition!)

by Bp José Luis IMC

The project started two years’ ago.

Arriving in the diocese of Manzini I realized that our “prayer book” was in Zulu and not in SiSwati. In 2016, reflecting on my 30th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood, I thought of doing something for the diocese. It would be “my way” of celebrating this anniversary.

Pope Francis’ words in 2015 addressing a conference marking the 50th anniversary of Vatican II’s decree on the ministry and life of priests and on priestly training, expressed why I chose to do it in this way:

“we are not priests for ourselves, and our own sanctification is closely linked to that of our people, our anointment with theirs. You have been anointed for your people. Knowing and remembering that we are ordained for the people, the holy people of God, helps priests not to think of themselves, to be authoritative, not authoritarian; firm but not hard; joyful but not superficial: in short, pastors, not functionaries.” Continue reading “A booklet of prayers in SiSwati (second edition!)” →

Pontius Pilate, a prophet for our times

Photo: spotlight.africa

By Bp José Luis IMC

The first plenary session of this year started on Tuesday evening with the celebration of Mass at St John Vianney seminary. While the seminarians are on holidays, the bishops use their bedrooms and other facilities.

Being in Pretoria, not far from our offices, priests, religious, friends and everyone working at the SACBC is invited for the celebration of the Mass … and supper!

Mass was presided by the SACBC president, archbishop Stephen Brislin (Cape Town) and bishop Graham Rose (Dundee) was entrusted with the homily. Continue reading “Pontius Pilate, a prophet for our times” →

Christmas’ carols at the Cathedral

Like we do every year before Christmas, in the evening of Wednesday 20 December we met outside the Cathedral for our Christmas’ carols.

It is a beautiful way to prepare ourselves to celebrate Christmas. In our busy lives with so many things to do, with so many things to get ready, we stop for a moment to pray together with the help of the Christmas’ story.

We are led by children. Even at Christmas is a child that brings us together! Continue reading “Christmas’ carols at the Cathedral” →

Our first “round table” in Swaziland

By Bp José Luis IMC

“You are your brother’s keeper”

“Round tables are designated to facilitate dialogue and participation in public life. They inform opinion, deepen knowledge and clarify concepts. ‘Round tables’ are a participatory process.” This was the introduction of the invitation letter to the first round table organised by the Catholic Church in the Kingdom of Swaziland.

In partnership with the “Dennis Hurley Peace Institute” (DHPI) and with the support of the “Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office” (CPLO) on Thursday 23 November we were able to materialise an initiative we had been working on since the beginning of the year. Continue reading “Our first “round table” in Swaziland” →

First Consolata Missionaries’ gathering in Swaziland

Consolata Missionaries serving in South Africa and Swaziland gathered for three days in Manzini. For some of them it was the first visit to the Kingdom of Swaziland and to the St Peter & Paul Parish entrusted to them at the beginning of this year.

On Wednesday 15 November they visited the Parish and the outstations in the early afternoon and celebrated Mass at the parish.

This is part of the bishop’s homily who presided the celebration.

* * *

Continue reading “First Consolata Missionaries’ gathering in Swaziland” →

Graduations at Good Shepherd Nursing College

Bishop’s address at the 2017 Graduation 

Members of the Royal Family
Honourable Minister
Members of Parliament
Chiefs
Principal Secretary
Regional Administrator
Regional Health Officer
Good Shepherd Governing Board of Directors
UNISWA representative
Priests and Religious
Chief Executive Officer
Management and Staff of Good Shepherd Hospital and College of Nursing
Parents
Graduating students
Distinguished Guests Continue reading “Graduations at Good Shepherd Nursing College” →