Fr Gerald Gostling
Reports from South Africa
7 Oct 2020
 
NPO:22841(2019) / 211 373 (2017)
From the Caritas Desk – Good news in the Lockdown CARITAS DUNDEE NEWSLETTER (10/10) October 7th 2020
Diocesan Coordinator: Nduduzo Shandu Chaplain KZN: Fr Mthetho Ndlovu Chaplain Mpumalanga: Fr Gerald Gostling (Newsletter) Working as Caritas “Love in Action” – each and everyone is invited!
Greetings of peace, hope, joy, and perseverance to you all.
This Newsletter will be the last in this series from the time Lockdown came into force in March.
Nduduzo, Father Mtheto Ndlovu, and myself hope that the Newsletters have been of some benefit. Thank you again those who have humbly shared over these months of both difficulty and suffering, and opportunity. We have come to realise that this virus will be with us for a while yet! We need to keep up the efforts.
It is not only what has taken place but the faith and the love and the ‘daring to do something’ that has supported the action. The activities shared exemplify so much more sincere outreach and initiates that have, and continue to take place in the Diocese. Fr. Gerald G.
CONTENTS
VINCENT DE PAUL AT REGINA COELI PARISH, MADADENI The SVP members present shared with CARITAS about their life and work in the Community. We thank God for the SVP Conferences in the Diocese who quietly but efficiently help many of the poor in their parish and local area. Each member is committed to a daily SVP prayer. The gathering was an opportunity to share the good work and refocus on the Gospel principles on which the SVP operates.
WORKSHOP KZN IN AMAKHASI The workshop organised by CATHCA on “Counselling of the sick” for KZN projects took place on the 15th of September 2020 in Amakhasi Parish Hall. The Workshop was facilitated by Melese Shula from CATHCA. 16 people took part in the Workshop coming from the Project of Buyelekhaya, from St Vincent De Paul (Madadeni), Amakhasi Clinic, and also St Antonine’s Home for the Aged, and a good representation of the Franciscan Minoress Sisters. The Workshop concluded with a much appreciated cooked lunch for all the attendees.
The coming together also provided the important opportunity for listening and sharing together about how life and work is, and in this way providing encouragement.
The Workshop that took place in Mpumalanga featured in the last Newsletter.
Figure 1. KZN Workshop and Gathering hosted in Amakhasi SANDWICHES FOR THE POST OFFICE QUEUE – MADADENI Observe the situation (there are no shortage of Queues) – share it with someone – make a decision – do something
A question often put to all of us:
What is it that I, that we, dare to do…..and see the face of Christ?
Father Musa Mncwango (Maria Consolata Newcastle) and Nduduzo Shandu creating the sandwiches and then offering them in the Post Office queue . Someone has noticed us!
NATIONAL MEETING via Zoom – REFUGEES AND MIGRANTS (SACBC) October 1st 2020 – WEBINAR for the 106th World Day of Migrants and Refugees
Caritas Dundee Diocese participated in this ZOOM meeting organised from the SACB’s Refugees and Migrants Desk.
There were plus minus 50 participants and the majority of Dioceses in South Africa were represented. There was input covering the “General overview of Catholic Social Teaching” and “The global and local reality of internal Displaced Persons”. Each Diocese that had a representative was given an opportunity to share their local experiences. Dundee Diocese shared but Nduduzo had also sent in a short written report prior to the meeting.
Fr. Patrick Rakaketsi CSS was the Facilitator, and speakers included Fr. Rampe Hlobo SJ the South Africa Social Apostolate Coordinator, and Fr. Avelino SJ – Holy See – Migrants and Refugees Section. Closing and summary remarks were given by Sister Maria de Lurdes Rissini CSS the coordinator / SACBC Migrant & Refugees Office.
“Like Jesus Christ, forced to flee. Welcoming, protecting, promoting and integrating Internally displaced persons” DENIS HURLEY CENTRE AND BEYOND
Also encouraging us locally: Promoting the Active Citizens Movement
The growing schemes are producing vegetables enough to advertise for selling and supplying kitchens. Just look at this spinach as an example of how good the soil is and the good gardeners (ref the involvement of the ‘homeless’ in the September Newsletter)
FAREWELL AND HANDOVER in MPULUZI PARISH A BONUS The Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi Sunday October 4th: Farwell to the Pallottines Father Gaspart and Father Francis and a welcome to Fr. Simpiwe Kheswa.
It was a very happy and positive celebration that took place in Maria Consolata Church Mpuluzi; an occasion of thanksgiving and gratitude, and one of welcome, and great hope.
Father Gaspart read out the Letter from Bishop Graham appointing Fr Simpiwe Kheswa as the new Priest-in-charge of the Parish, and then with ceremony handed to Fr. Simpiwe the keys and the Parish Registers Figure 2. Fr Gaspart Reading the letter of Appointment of Fr Simpiwe as the Priest-in-Charge
Fr Gerald Gostling 7th October 2020 Mpumalanga Catholic Aids Response – M-Care Website—> … Ithemba neNjabulo Project Report—> |
