S C J - South Africa Province

II N D A B A - E X P R E SS 1/2001

Information  Bulletin (08 March), no1

 

**********

Dear Confreres,

This is our next attempt of spreading information among us - the SCJ's; it is “in statu nascendi” hence read it, please and advice Mark or Adam “Junior” on how to make this leaflet better.

Mark&Adam “J”

                          

THANKS to God and to all who participated in, prepared or helped to conduct the ordination of  Br. Mabeka; particular thanks to Br. Bona, Frs. Adam “Senior”, Matthias, Chris, Br. Paul and the singing Bethulians. May this little event of the 24th February help all of us to look into the future with more confidence and trust. We whish dk. Mabeka all God’s favor! (From: Fr. Mark)

 

GENERAL UPDATE

 

* Fr. Anthony and Beno are not well at the moment: for some time they consulted specialists in Bloemfontain. By the 6th of March they will have to under go some treatment in the hospital.

 

* Fr. Ofenloch - surgical veteran (22operations!) - prepares for med. treatments in Europe and stays cool. Praying for them let us remember to be periodically checked by a doctor: you never know.

 

* Br. Bona is busy as usual pushing work at the “Guest house” before his holiday. He is also involved in St. Teresa’s alterations (presbytery, convent and Leoninum-clinic). In the evenings he entertains the Monastery dogs.

 

* Fr. Alfons  goes periodically to the doctor and takes short walks. Summer is a tough period so he goes to bed before 08 PM. Fr. Alfons however concelebrates every day and does not complain about the appetite.

 

* Fr. Jan Piet - still drives, celebrates Mass on Sundays and Wednesdays and keeps company with the Mount Carmel Holy Cross sisters.

 

* Fr. Adam “Senior” - packed himself for the second time this year; till his holiday (see further) he is staying in Bethulie. From mid May he will replace Fr. Ziggy in Graaff-Rainet for a month.

 

* Bp. Baay - will celebrate his 80th birthday on the 24th of March - Congretulations! His new fax NR is: (o41) 373 141; and old tel. NR - (041) 373 4734

 

NOVICIATE

 

- Fr. Peter - spent some time of February “holidaying” (lovely ward, isn’t it?) charging batteries for the third year as the director of novices. Presently he takes care of two pre-novices - Lebohang and Joshua - and two novices - Tsikelelo and Shawn. Sadly Shawn went for the funeral of his granny three weeks ago and there is no contact with him since.

 

MERRIVALE

 

***** Fr. Chris pushes hard his master’s thesis which are to be  ready towards the end of the year

 

****  Deacon Mabeka is doing his final year, which is very  pastorally orientated; final exams in November!

 

***    Br. Paul - does the 3rd year of theology and prepares for perpetual vows

 

**     Br. Abram - is still being introduced to philosophy and enjoys the freshman’s confusion

*       Br. Mutanyu - spends the first semester in Middelburg and helps Fr. John; he will finish the 3rd year of theology this year.

 

PROVINCIALATE  (extract!)

    

Fr. Mark :

looks with confidence into the future; computer is not as scary as he always thought and he sleeps well in the Monastery

 

- took part in Senate Meetings of Aliwal and De Aar dioceses

- visited St. Teresa three times to clarify Br. Bernard’s stay there and in connection with the clinic project

 

- visited Fr. Ziggy in Graaff Rainet, Bethulie (with Fr. Alfons), Holy Cross Sisters’ Convent as well as  S. Heart Sisters’ Convent

- messed up his e-mail/internet services - for 4 days; Fr. Adam “S” rescued him

- got accustomed to the Monastery

 

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL MEETING - 26.02.2001

 

1. Fr. Benno accepted office of the provincial treasurer for the next three years

2. Fr. Peter was appointed the provincial secretary

 

3. 2001 Calendar:

a) Assemblies:10-11 May and 25-26 September

b) Council Meetings: 19 March, 17 April, 9 May, 21 June, 21 August, 24 September, 27 November

 

4. Other events: Council "brosbberaad” - 16/20 April (at the coast); Sacred Heart Feast - 22 June in Aliwal North; Annual retreats - 21/26 October in Palloti Farm

 

5. The Council:

- updated upon the provincial membership issues

- talked about the structure of the communities highlighting some confusions in the matter

- shared about the present vocation work and its possible improvements concluding that at the moment there is no possibility for full time voc. Director; this task should be tackled and shared by Merrivale and Bethulie communities

- prepared some tasks for the Provincial: we will be informed about their progress later and some of them will be discussed during the first Assembly

 

ALIWAL DIOCESE

 

+ Bp. Lobinger will ordain to the presbyterate Matthias Nsamba on 21 April in Sterkspruit (10am )

+ TERESA MISSION: Now there is solar electricity, hot water in all rooms, and a shower for the parish priest. There is also new 5000l water tank (thanks, Br. Bona!). The Charity Sisters’ Convent has also a hot water system installed. A proper electrical system soon. Consider applying for a post there!

 

DE AAR DIOCESE

 

+ Bp. Potocnak will ordain to presbyterate deacon Albert on 02 June at St. Joseph’s Mission in De Aar

+ Sr. Mary Kewuti, primo voto Veronica ( formerly uMhlanga ) is back; this time in De Aar.

   Fr. Paul, any comments?

+ From the beginning of January 2001 Fr. Ziggy stays with Br. Douglas, a Zambian candidate to the priesthood for the diocese. Br. Douglas has already completed the 3rd year of theology; he will proceed with studies at St. J. Vianney Seminary.

+ The diocese reintroduced the Priests’ Council required by can.495; all priests are its members.

 

IMPORTANT FROM ABROAD

 

+ THE FIRST SCJ’S SAINT WILL BE BEATIFIED ON 11 MARCH 2001!!!

   Fr. JUAN GARCIA MENDEZ, martyr, was killed during 1936/39 Spanish civil war.

   More info on the SCJ web site!

+ Fr. Zolile is in India till 29 March; he underwent cultural shock when visiting SCJs in Kerala and Andra Pradesh states.

 

+ Fr. Andrew Malek came back to the USA in January after 3-month holiday in Poland. He stays in Hales Corners and works “part time” in a near by parish. He will remain in South African Province at least till Feb. 2002. Address: see - Hales Corners, PO BOX 566, tel.(414) 4258 300 ask 6303.

+ Fr. Wojciech Wozniak is still learning French at Metz University; he works as a chaplain of scouts and serves to the Servants of the S. Heart - sisters that were good acquaintances of Fr. Dehon.

+ NB. New address of the new SCJ Paris house ( for holidaymakers! ):

   19, rue St.Maur, 75011 Paris/France, (METRO: /Voltaire), tel. 33 144 932 000;

    fax. 33 144932338

   e-mail: efsecprov@infonie.fr

 

V A R I A

 

+ dn. John Mohlakola will be ordain priest on 21 April in Worcester by Bp. Adams; congratulations!  Br. Bernard plans to visit John on the occasion.

+ Fr. Andries succeeded to print the S. Heart Auto League prayer card; it is part of SHAL Prayer Crusade. Quite many people answer positively to this initiative and ask for membership. Are you a Sacred Heart League member???

+ Fr. Adam “Junior” Maslowski’s whereabouts: PO BOX 38, Petrusville 8770, 2 Church Str.

   (pink painted house), tel.(053) 6630099

+ Forthcoming overseas holidays’ probable schedule:

   Bona            -      3?4? months from mid June

   Adam “S”    -     4 ? months from mid June

   Karl-Hainz   -    4 ? months from  some time in May

   Ziggy           -      3   months from mid May

   Chris            -     2   months from mid May

   Paul             -      2   months from mid June plus one month course in England

   Adam “J”    -      2   months from mid April

   Anthony      -     2 ? months from mid April (Germany)

   Benno         -      might go for 1 month this year (August)

 

Text -  Fr. Mark   Layout and graphics - Fr. Adam “J”