Attached below is Pope Francis’s message for the World Day of Peace on 1st January 2025. The theme is: “Forgive us our trespasses: grant us your peace.”
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IN THIS BUMPER EDITION: All about celebrating Jubilee 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope; Youth XLT and Hike & Retreat; More visitors to the Red Carpet; Benemerenti Medal for 60 years loyal service; Cardinal Brislin’s last ‘From the Heart’; Christmas wishes from Kolping SA; Farewell Cardinal Stephen Brislin; How Youth Ministry shaped my Vocation; AIDS Day Thanksgiving Celebration; Catechetical Thanksgiving; Salesian Youth Projects opens doors to the Maritime Industry; Daswa Shrine Pilgrimage; Dear Married Couples…; World Day for the Elderly – in Action; Cardinal’s presentation at the Eco-Bishops’ Conference; How to make a child’s Christmas wish come true; Babe in a Cave; The Township Economy: More than meets the eye and other interesting articles from the CPLO; CPD Training Dates for 2025.
Download the Archdiocesan News here: https://adct.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ad-news-4-of-2024.pdf
The address was given at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council meeting on 9 November 2024.
“There is an appointed time for everything” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
On 28 October 2024, we received the news of the transfer of Cardinal Brislin from Cape Town to Johannesburg. Although such transfers are part of Church life, the news left us with heavy hearts and with a visceral discomfort. There was unease. It was difficult to articulate exactly what one felt because in many cases the right words could not be found. And even if someone could articulate it, how does one speak with a lump in the throat?
We now find ourselves in a liminal space i.e. in a state of transition. But liminal spaces are not only negative because an essential dimension of the liminal space is that if affords us an opportunity for transformation. For example, I can selfishly say, and in fact have said, that the Cardinal and I have worked collegially for more than five years and have worked well together. But both His Eminence and I know that this transfer is not about us and our working together. It is about the Church and the opportunities of living the faith in different contexts.
Each one of us in the Archdiocese needs to answer the question: “What can I do to make the transition more meaningful for our local Church, for me personally, for the Cardinal, and also for his successor?” In this regard we will do well to remember that a liminal space is not the same as a vacuum. It is a vibrant space calling us to rise above self and to embrace a new reality. One of the opportunities presented to us at this time is the opportunity to examine our spirituality. Can my spirituality embrace the restlessness that is natural to this time of transition?
Biblically there is a spirituality for the restless. Think of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Better still, read the text. It is in Lk 22:39-46 and its parallels. The response to the discomfort is twofold viz. prayer, and surrender to the will of the Father. In Religious and Priestly life this is called obedience. Another text that is relevant here is Jn 12:27. “Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say?- Father, save me from this hour: but for this purpose that came I to this hour”. Jesus’ soul is disturbed. That word for “soul” indicates the deepest seat of emotions. This is what is meant by the term “visceral discomfort” used at the start of this reflection. The word translated “troubled” means to be agitated and disturbed. Notice that in this text too, the answer is surrender to the will of God. The Cardinal’s response when the announcement was made was simply: “I am a missionary”.
This is a rather difficult time – we are literally in-between times during this transition. We will experience a restlessness. That is natural. There is after all a season for everything (cf. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). But this also presents us with an opportunity to develop a spirituality of restlessness. We often think of the calm nature of prayer and at times even use calming music during our meditation times but restlessness, helplessness, and even despair ought to be natural to our spirituality simply because these aspects are inescapable and necessary parts of our human existence. Meditate on the third chapter of Ecclesiastes. As we embrace this difficult time let us remember that there is a time for everything under the sun. And right now is a time of uncertainty, restlessness, and even fear.
May God strengthen us all during these difficult days. Let us embrace the virtue of hope and accompany the Cardinal with much prayer during what for him too, is a difficult transition into new surroundings.
Bishop Sylvester David OMI
Vicar General/Auxiliary Bishop
It was announced yesterday, 28th October 2024, that Pope Francis has transferred Cardinal Stephen Brislin to Johannesburg as Metropolitan Archbishop. Please see the letter below from the SACBC Secretary General, as well as the letter from the Cardinal’s office regarding other Archdiocesan transfers and appointments.
We are thrilled to announce the new PRAYER COURSE “LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY” developed for YEAR OF PRAYER 2024 in preparation for the Jubilee year next year.
Click HERE to find a letter about the course from Fr Zane Godwin (Vicar for Pastoral Development) and Fr Chiedza Chimhanda SJ (Archdiocese Evangelisation Co-ordinator).
Please click on the image below to go to the Parish Alive website page where you will find everything you need to learn more and get started.
On the website you will find the below for downloading
Cover Letter
Course Booklets – Facilitator Booklet and Participant Booklet
Instruction Booklet on Small Faith Sharing Groups
We are most grateful to the hardworking team who created this course. We wish you a fruitful journey of deepening your prayer life and relationship with Our Lord.
With God’s richest blessing
Yours in Christ
Fr Zane Godwin – Vicar for Pastoral Development
Fr Chiedza Chimhanda SJ – Archdiocesan Evangelisation Co-ordinator
keywords: Methods of Prayer ParishAlive.com/TeachUsToPrayCourse
The Catholic Bookshop has moved alongside the Archdiocesan Chancery at No 14 Bouquet Street, Cape Town. This is a short distance from where we were before and should be easy to find. Please see the map below.
Though our address is different, our telephone number 021 465 5904 and our email address sales@catholicbookshop.co.za will stay the same. We are now open for business, but online purchases can also be made on our website: www.catholicbookshop.co.za. You can also contact on 063 222 2724.
Parking can be found in Roeland Street, Hope Street or St John’s Street. For a clearer indication, click HERE and a Google Map will open.
As we end this Season of Creation, Bishop Sylvester David has asked that we continue to keep creation foremost in our minds throughout the year by using the Creation Grace (before or after meals) below.
As we remember “the horrifying events of October 7th and the violent aftermath… it is imperative that we, as Christians, commit ourselves to fervent prayer for peace and to work for justice.”
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On Sunday 29 September 2024 we celebrate the World Day of Prayer for Migrants and Refugees. The theme is “God Walks with his People”. Please see below an introductory letter from Cardinal Stephen Brislin, a message from Pope Francis, a message from the SACBC Liaison for Migrants and Refugees Bishop Kizito, a special prayer by Pope Francis, as well as liturgical suggestions for celebrating this day at Mass.
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