AS JESUS WAS DYING ON THE CROSS, MARY, HIS MOTHER, WAS THERE STANDING NEAR THE CROSS. SHE SAW HER SON DYING AND SHE WAS HELPLESS BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT SHE WAS THERE, SHE WAS PRESENT DURING THE DEATH OF HER SOON. WE THE BAPTISED ARE THE CHURCH, THE CHURCH THAT IS A MOTHER TO ALL. MANY PEOPLE ARE DYING, LITERALLY DYING IN HOSPITALS, AT HOMES, AND EVEN IN THE HOP E HOUSE AND SIMILAR PLACES. SOME ARE DYING EMOTIONALLY, SOME ARE DYING OF HUNGER, SOME OF ALL KINDS OF ABUSES: DRUGS, ALCOHOL, SEXUAL, GENDER BASED VIOLENCE, PHYSICAL, STRUCTURAL, ETC. SOME ARE DYING IN PRISONS, SOME OF LONELINESS, SOME OF POVERTY, SOME OF DISFUNCTIONAL MARRIAGES, SOME OF ABSENT PARENTS, SOME DYING BECAUSE OF THE PAIN OF SEEING THEIR PARENTS DIVORCING. DEAR FRIENDS I CAN IMAGINE SUCH PEOPLE ASKING IN THEIR ANGUISH: WHERE IS MY MOTHER CHURCH IN MY MOMENT OF DEATH? WHERE ARE THE BAPTISED? MARY WAS THERE WHEN JESUS WAS DYING. DURING THIS PERIOD OF LENT LET US BE THERE FOR THOSE WHO ARE DYING. LET MARY THE MOTHER OF GOD CONTINUE TO INSPIRE US WITH HER LIFE. SHE WAS THERE WHEN HER SON WAS DYING.
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Preparing priests for our Diocese
“By Bishop Jose Luis”
The Diocese of Manzini is blessed with a good group of seminarians, young people called to be diocesan priests in our country. They do their formation in South Africa, a first year in Cape Town and the following ones in Pretoria.
Twice a year they come home on holidays. They spend their time between staying at home and serving in a parish.
They also spend a morning and lunch with the bishop. I see each one of them briefly, they read the reports sent by the seminary and we comment on them.
Then, we all come together for general issues of their live in the seminary and the journey of our diocese.
I normally try to do the same thing twice while they are in the seminary. In fact, they pointed out they missed my visit during the second semester.
The rector of the seminary would like to know from the bishop what kind of priests our diocese needs. He is right. Though there are common guidelines for the formation of seminarians, it is always important to try to prepare them for the context in which they will be working.
I believe the answer cannot just be mine but from the Church in our country which means involving not only the priests but the religious and the laity too.
During the time of “internship” (when a seminarian stays for six months in one of our parishes) a team of lay people meets the seminarian once a month. This would be a good opportunity for the laity to have a word on the formation of those who will be their priests.
I hope to listen to them in the coming months.
Pope Francis: world day of peace 2017
Nonviolence: a Style of Politics for Peace
1. At the beginning of this New Year, I offer heartfelt wishes of peace to the world’s peoples and nations, to heads of state and government, and to religious, civic and community leaders. I wish peace to every man, woman and child, and I pray that the image and likeness of God in each person will enable us to acknowledge one another as sacred gifts endowed with immense dignity. Especially in situations of conflict, let us respect this, our “deepest dignity”,[1] and make active nonviolence our way of life. Continue reading “Pope Francis: world day of peace 2017”
Ensure care and support
On the occasi
on of this years world AIDS DAY I invite you to consider the story of the Good Samaritan which was told by Jesus.
Despite the prevailing bad relationship that existed between Jews and Samaritans, the Samaritan gives generous assistance to the Jew.
Just as the Samaritan scaled the walls of division and prejudice towards Jews which prevailed at that time, so is the modern day family of humankind called to overcome the prejudice that manifests itself in the stigmatisation of those amongst us who live with HIV/AIDS.
Accepting that HIV/AIDS doesn’t diminish in anyway the dignity everyone has by virtue of being created in the image of God, we should scale the walls of stigmatisation by ensuring that our HIV positive brothers and sisters are not deprived of any advantage or benefit just because they are HIV positive.
This will ensure that they get all the care and support they need.
This freedom from the chains of stigma will promote open sharing of information about HIV/AIDS and instil behaviour which will stem the tide of new infections.
In this way zero stigmatisation, zero deaths from HIV/AIDS and zero new infections by HIV Our society is not only characterised by zero discrimination towards HIV positive persons but also has zero deaths due to HIV/AIDS.
Fr M. Makama
Supporting our children & their families with the school fees
At the beginning of every year, people arrive at the bishop’s office asking when the bishop would be helping with school fees. Last year, I remember, due to the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) meeting, we had to wait until the end of January to do it. People spent the night outside my office to make sure they’d be among those who would be supported.This year was no exception. The difference, though, was in the way we did it. I decided to ask “Caritas Swaziland” to help me. Already in October we met and spoke about how we could make sure we would be helping those who need it most. Many people are in need as two thirds of the population is considered to be poor. We cannot help them all so it was important for us to discern “who first”.
Unfortunately it would also mean that people would have to come twice: first to be interviewed by the “Caritas Swaziland”team and then again to receive some financial support.
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| Caritas Swaziland interviewing people requesting financial support |
It was very demanding. We received 250 requests for help. We knew we would not be able to help them all. Caritas met and worked on the criteria to select some of them: double orphans, single orphans, people from rural areas, students from physically disabled parents and those who are chronically ill. Selection was not based on religion, gender, culture or race.
The final list included 150 children requesting a total of half a million Emalangeni (around US$ 45.000). All of them in High School.
We had around one third of that amount. The money comes from our own Lenten Appeal (a special contribution done by Catholics during Lent) and from other benefactors. In other words, we prepare this day during the whole year hoping to be able to support children in need to continue their studies. It is a huge effort for a Church that is only 5% of the populationof the country.
Caritas Swaziland prepared a full report for me: name of the student, area, social situation, school, fees… I would decide how much would be given to each one.
The “tradition” is that fees are then given by the bishop himself. In other words, the bishop meets one by one. Being these days a bit tight with time and schools expecting to receive the fees as soon as possible, I took one day to see them all… one by one. From just after 8 in the morning until 7 in the evening. No break.
At the end of the day some things seemed to be clear (aside of the fact that I was tired!):
- all the requests were towards the payment of High School fees;
- High School fees are quite a challenge for families with many children,
- the financial situation is very challenges: no income or little income, high unemployment and the risk of losing their jobs,
- many of the children are single or double orphans in the care of relatives and guardians (who themselves have no or little income)
Though I was under pressure because I wanted to see them all and not make them come… for the third time!, I tried to take a minute to see the results they got last year. Every time I saw someone with an “A” in Mathematics and/or Science I encouraged him / her to keep it up as both Swaziland and South Africa struggls to find well prepared children in these fields.
One of the last ones had a report with many “A” and some “B”. Nothing less than that. I was deeply grateful to God and to all those who made it possible for us to help her. Her mother died, her father is unemployed, they are many at home… but she has never given up. On the contrary she is giving the best of herself and is building a brighter future for her and her family.
St Mary’s raffle
On Saturday 27 December 2014 we gathered at the Sibane Hotel in Ezulwini for the draw of a Chevrolet bakkie. It was the end of a journey that started months’ ago when the “St Mary’s Parish” at Lobamba (Swaziland) launched this fundraising event towards the building of a new church.St Mary’s Parish was born in 1925. It is probably the third oldest parish in the diocese of Manzini. For some time they have been working on the idea of building a new church that would replace the prefabricated structure being used at present.
In 2013 I was invited to launch the fundraising journey with the celebration of the Mass and the blessing of the site where the new church would be built. The “Swazi TV” was present and interviewed both the chairperson of the committee and myself.
The church being “dreamed” would welcome 600 people and would cost around 1.5 million Emalangeni (around US 150.000). While every Emalangeni counts, it was important to think of an important fundraising event.
The first thing that touched me on Saturday was to see the diocesan commitment towards project. The hall had about 15 tables with 10 people each and the place was full though each person had to pay E 200. The spirit was joyful and, of course, there was lots of excitement while waiting for the draw to take place.
There were three other “consolation” prices and those were the first one to be given. Everyone was waiting for the most important one: the bakkie! It was 9.39 pm when the time came to draw the number. People had been there for more than three hours.
When the name was announced, everyone clapped with joy and surprise. The one who won it had also won the first consolation price: Vuyiswa Motsa. She was present and could not contain her tears.
Before the final blessing I congratulated the St Mary’s team first led by Fr Chris Maseko and later by Fr Ncamiso Vilakati. The tickets promised the draw to take place on December 27 and… so it was! No delays. No excuses. No waiting for a bit longer to collect more money. A promise kept. An event well organised.
I then thanked the people of the diocese for making this project their own. It was seen not only in the attendance but on the pledges that took place during the evening.
Finally I invited St Mary’s to make sure that while “building the Church” they also “build the community”.
“Swazi TV” was present for most of the evening. We are grateful to the Swazi media for their constant support.
bhubesi.blogspot.com
Our stars…!
Like every year, on January 6 we gathered at St Juliana’s to celebrate with the Swazi Servite Sisters the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord.This year the celebration included the Golden Jubilee of Sr Dominica Dube OSM and Sr Stephania Ngwenya OSM. Fifty years have passed since the day they said for the first time: “Today I consecrate my life to God…”.
At the beginning of the Mass I joked saying it was a continuation of our “centenary celebrations” as we had “two fifties” (Golden Jubilees) and then underlined how providential it is that it came to happen during this special year dedicated to “Consecrated Life” in the church all over the world.
I see them as our “stars” leading us to where Jesus is. Then, taking from Pope Francis’ letter I invited them and all to be stars by:
- deepening their passion, passion for God and passion for his people. Passion for God manifested in reading, reflecting and living God’s Word. Passion for people sharing their joy and struggle;
- being people of hope (and not hopeless people!) in a time of lack of vocations, trusting the One who called them;
- being experts of communion. In a world so many times divided, they should live in such a way that we could become places where we could learn to live together.
Church building fundraising vehicle raffle
Sunday 6th July 2014 saw the launch of a bakkie raffle at St Mary’s parish (Lobamba).
Fr J. Mahazule, Vicar General of the Diocese, represented the bishop.
Here they tell us about the event.
Theme
1 Chronicles 22:11
“Now my son, the Lord be with you and have success and build the house of the Lord your God. As He said you would”
Objectives
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To raise awareness of the church building project
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Launch the car to be won on the 27 December 2014
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Advertise the car and promote the sales of tickets
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Sell other accessories to raise funds for building the church
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Request pledges so to assist in building of the church
The Event
The event was divided into three stages:
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The Grand March
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The Eucharistic celebration
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Speeches/Entertainment
The Grand march
A beautiful day it was! The weather was in favour of the St Mary’s Parishioners as they gather at the Lobamba bus terminal commonly known as Emasilahheni. The brand new Chevrolet utility van was the center of attraction even for non Catholics. All members of the church were there before the commencement of the grand march at 0900hrs.
Parish priest Fr Maseko, the Vicar, Fr Mahhazule, PPC, fundraising committee and the congregation in their numbers.
The grand march was led by the Salesian brass band and St Mary’s High drum majorettes. With excitement and joyful sound the congregation followed after the priced car. Lobamba community was stirred with awe to witness something never seen before. Whole Community came running to the road to behold and marvel what was unraveled before there sight. The congregate sang and dance all the way to St Mary’s mission where the Eucharistic celebration was to take place.
Eucharistic celebration (Holy Mass)
The ushers did a wonderful job to usher the multiple number of congregates into the small church structure. The Holy Mass was of high spirit. It was uplifting and edifying. The songs and prayers blended excellently with the atmosphere of jubilation and excitement. Fr Mahhazule (the vicar) and Fr Maseko led the congregation through the celebration. The choir responded with angelic melodies that embellished the house with full praise and adoration to God.
Fr. Mahhazule delivered a well prepared homily that encouraged and challenged the St Mary’s parishioners. “It begins with you”, is the phrase the vicar tied his homily to. It was his emphases to the congregation that St Mary’s Parish members must take the lead in the church building project.
After the Holy Mass was completed, the congregation was led by the Silesians Brass band to the tent. This is where the final part of the Launch was to occur.
Speeches/ Entertainment
Vibrant program directors did not disappoint as they kept dishing more to the congregation gathered under the tent. The directors thrilled the members with jokes and motivational words. All congregates remained gloomed to the front where speeches and entertaining entertainment was unfolding. Ticket sales personnel were as busy to, selling multiple of tickets at E50 each. Fr Mahhazule bought 20 tickets and promised to add even more, the Lobamba Member of Parliament doubled that and bought 40 tickets. A number of congregations promised to top that! Speeches were delivered from a number of individuals of whom most even pledged their support to the success of the project. Speakers included the Lobamba member of Parliament, Mr M Masilela, and GM motors sales representative to name but a few.
Entertainment included the Salesian Brass Band (yooooo…h! This boys are phenomenal, salute!), St Mary’s Girls and Boys dance group, St Mary’s Catholic Heavenly Voices and a Poem by Mrs Bazuzile Khumalo.
The Chairperson of the Parish pastoral council, Mr Sandlasenkhosi Ndlela made his closing remarks. He voiced out his vote of thanks and emphasized that this is just the beginning of a very long journey. He told the members that they still a lot to be done and requested assistance from every member. Lastly he informed members that the car was not donated by GM motors but is to be paid back in full at the end of the project.