Information Bulletin,

21 August, 2001/no 6

HOME UPDATE

K Fr. Notermans celebrated his 89th birthday and Br. Abram his feast-day, in the Monastery on 23 July. At supper, evening prayer and at recreation they were joined by Frs. Alfons, Benno, Anthony, Zolile, Marek, Peter, Michael, Willie Tratz, Br. Bernard and by the young Bethulians; "Oh, Zuzana" and some Xhosa/Sotho songs were performed and a few shots taken by Fr. Benno.

K Fr. Zolile started a series of workshops for the SCJ's as well as the S. Heart Sisters' pre/novices, in Aliwal on 24 July. These will continue till the beginning of September.

K     Br. Paul Tiragalo Ntwe's perpetual profession took place in the Monastery's chapel, on 28 July. Fr. Provincial presided the Eucharist and Fr. Zolile preached. On that occasion Br. Paul, a son of Botswana, was visited by his mother and brother as well as by the representatives of the family and the Lobatse parish. After the Eucharist a meal for 45 people was served in the Cathedral's hall.

K Fr. Benno left for Germany on 29 July; he will be back on 25 August.

K Br. Bernard addressed the Bp. Demont's School pupils in the morning of the 03 August.

K Fr. Alfons was taken to "Fatima" where a serious cardiac failure was diagnosed, on 03 August. After a few days the condition of Fr. Alfons started to improve; he will, however, have to remain in "Fatima" for quite a while.

K     On 10 August DISASTER striking: the study permits granted to the Cameroon SCJs who are/were to come "is effective only from 01.01.2002". This means that they cannot come earlier to improve their English. Fr. Provincial was crushed. The following negotiations with the Home Affairs Office in Pretoria did not change the situation for the better.

K     Fr. Michael got sick and has spent the beginning of August (2 - 10) in the Monastery's bed.

K    A container with the Canadian equipment for the Teresa Clinic has reached its destination on 17 August. The clinic admitted the first patient on 02 August and to 18 August some 775 people were seeking medical help there. Recently 2 new generators have been brought to Teresa: one for the clinic and one for the Mission. There is a visible progress in Teresa, however plenty of work remains: bore-hole water supply (in progress), some electrical works in the clinic, strengthening of the presbytery's foundations (in progress).

K   Fr. Ziggy came back from Poland, on 17 August. Although his physical "form" improved he is not "100%" well; next week he will consult a socialist in Port Elizabeth.

VARIA

New Administration in Mozambique (since 19.06.2001):

Provincial - Ounorio Matti, 2nd triennium

vice - Claudio Zuanna

and - Carlos da Cunha Sousa Lobo

and - Renato Comastri

and - Azevedo Saraiva

M Fr. Ofenloch sends greetings to all from his Iberian pilgrimage and Fr. Wojciech from Lourdes.

M Fr. Marek stopped smoking on 25 July and Fr. Michael a week later; both of them do not know weather they have quit...

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL MEETING - 27 July 2001

A half-day meeting dealt with:

1. Provincial 3-year plan; Fr. John presented a summary that he had prepared upon discussions during the last Provincial Assembly and its directives.

2. "Last Comfort" funeral project in Middelburg; this business is in difficult situation (pending court-case, the manager in bed after stroke...). The Council considered a possibility of indirect financial assistance.

3. Planning of the forthcoming ordination/s; the Council agreed to conduct the next one in Teresa Mission, if possible. The date is not yet decided but the mid December seems convincing.

4. Some minor issues were:

- future of our aspirant Anele

- tax exemption

- financial arrangements

5. The Council agreed to have a two-day brosbberaad on 10-11 September, preferably in Graaff-Reinet.

PROVINCIAL

21.07 Meeting with Bp. Lobinger, Fr. Benno, Fr. Michel and a few Charity Sisters for preparation of the Teresa Clinic constitutions.

23.07 With Fr. Anthony to Bloemfontain for a check-up.

27.07 To Bloemfontain with Br. Paul - morning

Back with Fr. Andries - afternoon

To Bloemfontain again with Fr. Zolile trying to catch the night bus to Johannesburg (this bus left Aliwal at 21.55 and not 22.55...); the chase was a success so Fr. Provincial came back home very happy at 3.15 am.

6-7-8.08 To Johannesburg and Pretoria; to Home Affairs and to pick-up Fr. Zolile who was coming back from Madagascar.

12.08. Visited Fr. Notermans in Mount Carmel; by bicycle.

14.08 Senate Meeting, Aliwal

18.08 Meeting with Bp. Lobinger

19-20.08 In Teresa Mission