On the 5th of January, two SCJs, Frs.: Mpambani and Mabheka went to the Democratic Republic of Congo for a conference of African formators. On the same day Fr. Capofferi SCJ went to Italy to be with his mother who was seriously ill. A few days later she passed away. We give our condolences to Fr. Capofferi and his whole family.

On the 17th of January, Fr. Chwaja SCJ officially became the perish priest of the St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Eastwood, Pietermaritzburg.

On the 19th of January, Fr. Mpambani SCJ came back to the scholasticate and started a new year of formation with the present scholastics.

On the 31st of January, two SCJs, Frs.: Bambatha and Mpiti were officially appointed as parish priests of the St. Teresa Mission (Aliwal Diocese) and Fr. Austin SCJ became their "superiore delegatus." We wish them joy in their pastoral ministries.

On the 2nd of February, the new Administration of the South African Province began the 3-year term of its work (2010-2013). During the celebration of the Eucharist, Fr. Grzelak SCJ shared some ideas concerning the feast of the Presentation of the Lord and reflected on the consecrated life and service. He challenged and encouraged members of the Province to renew their daily commitments as SCJs.

On the 7-8th of February, members of the SA Vocation Team met in the St. Teresa Mission to prepare a plan of action for 2010.

Last week, Fr. Joseph Mukuna SCJ came back from Germany and will continue his studies at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal.

On the 14th of February, Fr. Mabheka SCJ began his pastoral ministry in Petrusville and Fr. Bojar SCJ (PO) continues his pastoral ministry in Hopetown, in De Aar Diocese.

From the 3rd to the 6th of March, Br. Schmedes SCJ spent time in the Hilton Community.

From the 4th to the 5th of March, Fr. Grzelak SCJ attended a conference in Johannesburg organized by the Higher Education Forum.

On the 6th of March, Fr. Maslowski SCJ went to the St. Thomas High School in Lesotho and met some of possible candidates to a pre-novitiate program.

From the 10th to the 16th of March, Fr. Mabheka SCJ and Fr. Maslowski SCJ visited various religious congregations (the Dominican Sisters, the Precious Blood Sisters, the Sisters of the Child Jesus, the Marist Brothers, the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, the Divine Word Missionaries) and the diocesan priests in Zimbabwe. The aim of this visit was to establish contacts with the local clergy and promote vocation to religious life.

On the 14th they celebrated commemoration of our Founder Leo Dehon's birthday in the Dehon House (Scholasticate) and on the 19th they spent time in the Hilton Community.

From the 17th to 19th of March, the AM Province hosted all provincial superiors from Africa and Madagascar who came for a conference on their mutual collaboration to the Formation Dehon House in Pietermaritzburg. The main themes of the gathering included: the existential situation of the various African provinces, the state of cooperation among them, collaboration in preparing personnel for the future needs of Africa, and a possibility of creating centers of Dehonian theological reflection on the continent. The provincials drew a number of proposals which will hopefully consolidate further their mutual relations.

During the conference, a special moment was destined for a guided reflection (lecture) on the consecrated life and the notion of formation in the African context. This was delivered by Archbishop Jabulani Kxumalo of the Diocese of Bloemfontein. Another interesting experience shared by the participants was attending a graduation ceremony held by the St. Joseph’s Catholic Theological Institute on its patronal feast of St. Joseph.

The provincials shared that this kind of gatherings are very much needed for they allow them to know better each other, especially the challenges and joys which the various provinces experience. They allow them to see how alike and, at the same time, how diverse their situations are. It also became evident that through their mutual collaboration the provinces have become more integrated, confident, and full of hope concerning the future of our presence on the African continent.

On the 22nd of March, the first financial meeting took place. Last year budgets were reviewed and new ones approved. This year the meeting was arranged in Hilton, KZN instead of in Aliwal North.