O.S.A.’s in S.A. from the U.S.A.

Hi Everyone:

As of this month a year will have passed since I’ve scripted some news on the OSA’s from the USA on our SA website. Life has a way of passing by as we go from daily matters that slide quickly into weeks and months before the realization of another passing year. If you haven’t had the feeling, just wait, you’ll see what I mean.

Life moves on. The world turns. Visitors come and go. Others have indicated they’ll be on their way. Progress, sometimes evident, continues imperceptibly. The question before me is, where do I pick up from the last ‘Hi Everyone’ missive. Augustine’s Retractations come to mind as there were some things I’d restate differently, having had the advantage of time and reflection. However, that’s for another day.

For now may I express genuine kudos for the countless ways you support us with our three missions. The impact of your genuine interest in what is happening on this continent is truly sustaining and appreciated more than words can express, truly.

The seeds of “happenings” have been sown by prayerful discernment and sponsorship by the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova. Come, December 8, 2007 the Augustinians will have taken up residence at St. Rita Friary ten years ago upon completion of extensive repairs started in October of 1997.

Highlights over the past year have been our American visitors, Augustinian and lay. We feel so privileged to have you come for an invitation to hospitality and experience of the Church in South Africa. Another piece of good news will be Father Mike Sullivan’s arrival in August to give a Parish Mission. Two of Villanova’s Nursing School staff have also come for a look-see regarding the possibilities of outreach in cooperation with Deputy Health Ministers.

Anne Whiting, whose grandparents are Paul & Anne Dow, from St. Augustine Parish, Andover, is presently ministering as a physical therapist at Mrianhill Hospital, cir. 20 minutes down the road from Our Lady of Mercy Church. Anne is a Boston University graduate and shall finish her two year stint come February. Anne writes about her interesting experiences and if you want to latch on to some fascinating reading, the OSA link will tell you how. We are delighted to have Anne come to our Sunday Evening Liturgies when she can hitch a ride with a parishioner.

Yesterday, Fr. Ed Hattrick left for reassignment at the request of Fr. Don Reilly, our Provincial, to take up new ministry while residing at St. Thomas of Villanova Monastery. Fr. Ed has been in South Africa just shy of ten years. While here, he has been engaged in lay and priest retreats, assumed pastorate of O.L.M., built a new St. Leo Mission Church and just last week met with the Cardinal and his Board to state the case for a new St. Helen Church.

St. Leo School has advanced scholastically and improved tremendously under Father’s support and yes, even to the extent of the building of a computer lab for 25 students (no such facility exists for miles around), which was dedicated to Fr. Ed as a center of learning in this technological age. Last, certainly not least, is Father’s love for the poor which has been demonstrated through his ceaseless outreach.

Hopefully, I have made up somewhat for the time lapse in writing to you. You are not forgotten. We are ever grateful for the many ways you think of and support us over here.

Fr. Al

Hi Everyone:

Last Monday evening I had the good fortune of a dinner invitation at the residence of Guy and Barbara Koenig, who live at 31 Hildray Cres in Kloof. Not knowing my way around town with its narrow, twisting and often steep residential roads, Guy graciously offered to chauffer me over and back to the rectory at evening’s end. Promptly at 6:30, Guy was at the gate and in perfect time as I had just completed answering a series of questions submitted by Mary-Ann Pringle, a participant and leader of Café, a series of presentations and discussions on the Catholic Faith.

At the Koenig residence I was greeted by Barbara and in short order was offered a choice of red or white wine, poured by Guy before repairing to the study for an exchange of pleasantries while Barbara attended to last minute ‘fixins’ in the kitchen. That’s when Guy started relating a series of recent past and somewhat chilling occurrences at 31 Hildray Cres.

In listening, I soon suspected this true tale to have been often repeated as it remained vividly in memory, as though yesterday. Obvious too, was how deeply admired and affected the Koenig’s were with Ogrina, who served faithfully for thirteen years as an esteemed and trustworthy friend and servant.

Getting on in years, Ogrina’s health began failing a mere two years before her demise. The bond of mutual friendship which unfolded over those years blossomed into mutual concern for one another as evidenced by those rides and visits to and from hospital. She was “family.”

In the Spring of 2003 Ogrina passed on to her eternal rest, well, not completely, as you shall see. In one sense, yes, and in another, not really, as her presence remained evident throughout her cherished domain at the Koenig residence.

Six weeks after Ogrina’s demise, Guy packed her belongings and took them to the family residence. Only later did he realize that the custom of inviting family members to come and pack her possessions would have been the proper Zulu protocol. Neighboring servants say, because a family member did not fetch her clothes, it meant that she would be coming back and her spirit would protect her job. This was a mystery to Guy as she did not die in the home, nor did she work for 6 months before her demise.

Ogrina’s spirit remained present throughout the house by various manifestations, movements, footsteps and sounds. It became quite clear that she was still in charge at the Koenig household and was not about to abandon her post through the mere separation of body and soul. It was her domain and she’d let anyone who thought otherwise, know that she was in charge.

Strange as it may seem, the Koenigs were unable to keep a domestic employed for any length of time thereafter. For the next eighteen months there were a series of hiring and resignations of eight to nine maids. The newly employed would come; some, for days or a few weeks or even a couple of months and then leave.

Back to the Anglican Church, where an unemployment office was located, Guy would go to fetch yet another domestic. He noticed some of his former employees there and began to wonder why they were back here seeking employment when they had employment, a decent wage and accommodation. Something had to be wrong. It was not until Guy saw the man in charge who informed him that someone wanted to speak to him. It was the lady who had only worked a half day.

Here is what she told me. You will not find a maid until you get rid of the ghost of your former maid who died. People who worked in your house heard her. She was moving furniture behind them. They would look around and see nothing. They were frightened.

One incident in particular frightened both Barbara and me as we were having breakfast in the kitchen. A god-awful scream from another part of the house came from our newly hired domestic which resounded throughout the whole house. We ran to see what happened. She is shaking like a leaf. We tried our best to calm her, gave her water and have her seated.

“What happened?” She would not respond. She said nothing. She wouldn’t divulge anything of her frightening experience. “Nothing” she would say. “No! Nothing.” “You screamed. You tremble. You can’t say nothing.” The next day she left.

After this incident, I had gone back to the church unemployment office at St. Agnes and managed to seek her out when she told me that Ogrina’s spirit was still there. I asked how do I remove her spirit? She told me I had to speak with a member of her family and tell them what is happening.

I did. I spoke to her son who told me that his mother was so pleased to work for us that she didn’t want to leave and so her spirit stays there. He said he would have to come and take her spirit away. This is what is required. He needed money to purchase a live white rooster and two candles. He would come to the house, but I had to fetch him in three days time. Three days later I greet the son who has the white rooster in a cardboard box and we set off to 31 Hildray Cres.

After arriving, he said to my gardener, you must tell your boss that I am going to my mother’s room. When I come out he must not speak to me at all. Nobody must speak to me. He must take me back to the cemetery and leave me there. That I did.

On the way and as we moved away from the house I heard a murmur in the car. As we had gone through the gate, I heard the same murmur again. This happened six to seven times as we passed old land marks on the way to the cemetery.

Later, her son explained what he was doing. Telling his mother that she must now come back to where she should be, in her grave. At every stage of the ride he would be telling her where they were as they proceeded to the cemetery, naming all of the old familiar landmarks to and from her domain of thirteen years, from her home and extended family.

News got around that Ogrina’s spirit had been summoned and when I questioned one of the workers, why I wasn’t told, the answer was, white people don’t believe in this type of practice. They laugh at us so we don’t bother to have ourselves ridiculed in front of them.

Fr. Al

On June 14, 2006, I shared this talk with my brother Augustinians during our chapter gathering at Villanova, PA.

Please accept the souvenir elephants at your places as a reminder of our commitment in South Africa as well as our connectedness over the miles.

May the handout featuring our Augustinian volunteers be helpful in furthering our understanding and their desire in ministering to our Zulu people.

The map may be helpful in visualizing our commitments and their proximity to Durban, which is between 15 and 20 miles distant from our Lady of Mercy parish in Kloof and our three missions: St. Leo, St. Helen and St. Aloysius.

We are grateful to all of you, the council and Don for your continued and heartfelt support. You have given us ample evidence of the province’s seriousness and commitment to the poor of South Africa. Simply, it is impossible to adequately express gratitude for your concern. We feel very much connected to all of you.

Beginnings

In June of 2005 – at the retreat and dedication of the monastery, yours truly was launched/sent/commissioned by Son for South Africa. I finally arrived on August 31.

In September Don, Joe Mostardi, Jim McCartney, I and Ed met with Cardinal Napier as a courtesy call. The one caveat (I’ll never forget it) was: “Do not enable my people. Rather, teach them how to do for themselves so that when you leave you will not have created an unhealthy dependence, even though well intentioned. This is of no help to us. In fact, the second state could become worse than the first.”

History

It was at the general chapter of September 1995, that Miguel Orcasitas presented for consideration, an Augustinian sisters’ request that friars be sent to South Africa. Three provincials heeded the call: Jack, Paul graham and Desmond Foley from the Irish/English and Scotland Provinces. They met in Hammersmith to work out the particulars. Each was to send a man and our Province committed to undertake the financial responsibilities.

A letter from Jack went out to the province membership. Ed Hattrick answered the call and traveled to South Africa on June 6, 1997. He stayed until the end of the month searching for suitable property for a house that would accommodate six friars. The Augustinian sisters were very instrumental in encouraging us to purchase property next to theirs.

Ed left and came back on October 15. Jack had given permission to rent with an option to purchase for six months thus enabling Ed Hattrick, John Bresnan and Aidan Power to become the first Augustinian missionaries in South Africa.

After extensive repairs to St. Rita friary the Augustinians moved in on December 8, 1997. It would be terribly remiss of me not to mention Tony Burrasacano who oversaw the transition of the Augustinian sisters who provided accommodations and encouragement during that period. Ed tells me that the average age of the first friars was 69 and one friar came off the plane in a wheel chair.

Friary

The friary is situated atop a hill overlooking the valley of 1,000 hills, a magnificent site. One could consider it a haven for artists and writers without a centimeter of exaggeration. The friary has six bedrooms, four showers, a lovely chapel and common room on two or three acres of land. The view is stunning and on a clear day one can see the Indian Ocean without binoculars.

November 15 of this year will mark the advent of our tenth year in South Africa.

Commitments

Our Lady of Mercy parish located in Kloof, has 900 parishioners and is considered the mother parish of our three mission churches.

St. Leo church is estimated at 500 families and has a school of 395 students, grades zero to seven. Two years ago, because of Ed’s leadership, a new and spacious church that seats 600 faithful was built.

St. Helen, another mission has circa 300 families. A month ago 18 children made their first holy communion to an overflowing assembly. Ed is hopeful in the building of yet another new church in a year. It is much needed.

The faithful who participate at mass here, mind you, think nothing of walking six miles to and from mass on Sunday. Mass becomes a kind of social event too. Ed has acquired property circa a mile away for a future church and has some generous Japanese benefactors, as well as his brother, who have helped immensely with needy projects.

The third mission, St. Aloysius is a future project. Presently, mass is celebrated in the classroom of one or our parishioners who will be retiring soon and after that time the classroom will no longer be available. It is a growing area and presently has 60 to 100 parishioners in the vicinity.

Our outstations have 18 lay ministers who conduct prayer services, funerals and wakes. They proclaim the word and minister the Eucharist on Sundays when no deacon or priest is available.

The archdiocese of Durban saw an increase of 46% received into the church at the Easter vigil. 44 were Episcopalian and 38 Methodists. We had 32 candidates received into the church.

Matt
Augustinian Volunteer

“Our purpose is to be with the people and not to be their savior. We’re not here to change them or tell them what’s better for them. Be respectful of what’s happening in their lives; not, do this and you’ll become better by doing it. An invitation is appropriate, like: would you like to try this and see if you prefer doing it this way?”

“Issue of methodology: hire someone to do the job or empower the people by teaching them how to do the job? Educate them to become self-sufficient.”

“Put America behind you. There are no quick fixes. There is no jumping from theory to practice overnight.”

“Listen and help if you can and realize that most times you can’t. Then what? Be a friend and human being. I came with one idea and now I have a completely different perspective.”

“Feed them now and then what, when we go? It’s not what I’m looking forward to. Walk with them and do not be project oriented. Understand them and walk with them.”

Amy
Augustinian Volunteer

“The great needs are proper nourishment and proper education. How do we, the white population, become more aware of Zulu needs? There are two different worlds in South Africa. There is the awareness issue. Zulu basic needs are unknown to a great extent.”

“Teachers lack motivation. Proper hygiene and AIDS education is critical. I had no expectations in coming. I had to deal with two deaths in one day. Tierney and I have experienced the deaths of 40 people since on the job in the Inchanga AIDS unit. We had an exhilarating moment when a baby we almost lost, came back to life.”

“We’re better for living in community as we become aware of differences and this is a growth experience in that I now have more patience and respect for the rhythms of others. I’m more conscious of poverty and now use both sides of the paper when writing.”

“We must continue the program. I am a more committed person now as I witness different levels of poverty.”

Deacon Lawrence

The Augustinian volunteers brought a new understanding by helping to bridge the gap that existed during the time of apartied. We now look at one another as equals. They hug our children. They came to our weddings. They are a part of us. They have made history. They come and stay and talk and play with our children.

Before Ed was assigned to Kloof and St. Leo’s became attached as a mission, Mass was celebrated monthly. Today, there is a full compliment of Sunday liturgies and para-liturgies at the missions and is unbelievably appreciated. We are family now and our parish priests are Kloof’s parish priests. In the missions, small Christian communities take care of the poor and sick.

Andrew - Chair of SVDP

When Ed came to Kloof and they had their first meeting, the first question Ed asked was: “Do you have an SVDP?” The rest is history. Life 15 kilometers away changed too with regards to ministry, awareness, and the incorporation of the missions into their conscious awareness that had not been there before. What happened was real and personal and the change is much more than improvements, like a new church. The fact is that if Ed were not here they would not have a new church, is what I am told.

SVDP has given impetus to a seeds project which has taught families to grow their own crops. Now at St. Leo’s there is a shipping container for food and clothing distribution – a new initiative. They are advocates for those without work, plowing through the bureaucracy to get them needed assistance.

Saint Leo School

St. Leo School has 395 students. 120 members of the student body have no parents. 75 students have one parent only. 200 students have both parents, one half of whom are unemployed.

St. Leo’s is recognized as a leadership school. 23 school principals have come to learn how to manage a school.

It is the only school in the area that provides pastoral care in the following areas: lunch, clothing, school fees, uniforms, English, weekly prayer, Catechism twice a week, transportation to the doctors, volunteers, supply food parcels. Also, volunteers facilitate children & family issues.

NGO (non governmental organization) teaches parents to handle HIV. They teach gardening skills, sewing and how to organize government grants for students without parents and unemployed parents.

The school offers parent classes on how to help them teach their children. Our teachers work from 7:30 in the morning to 7:00 in the evening which is termed ABET or adult base education training.

After school hours they teach students how to pray the rosary and teach basketball as a community service for the young.

St. Leo’s is number one in netball and basketball in the area. Believe it or not their budget is the equivalent of $17,500 per annum.

The school has a healing room (decorated by our volunteer, Tierney Echlemeir). It is a place where teacher-parent-student issues get resolved.

Our volunteers put in anywhere from a 40 to 60 hour week. They minister at Mayville, a home for 70 students from ages 3 to 15. Erin puts in a five day week and has lots of stories to tell, as do all of the volunteers. Hillcrest respite unit is an AIDS hospice of 10 beds – another five day a week ministry. Street Wise is another ministry for children who runaway from home and sniff glue and live in the streets.

Thank you for listening. Thank you for remembering us. Thank you for staying CONNECTED.

Hello Everyone:

It has been awhile since my twentieth letter appeared on our South African website. Interesting events have occurred though not recorded sorry to say. It has been by and large the same ole, same ole of catching up on this and that, the usual line you’ve heard many times and may have even used. Of course Holy week and the week prior were taken up with administering the Sacrament of Reconciliation, liturgical and church preparations.

Just yesterday before noon a mother called in frantic tones over her cell phone while driving with her teenage daughter. She needed to see a priest, she said. Joan, our secretary asked if I might be available and I said of course, have them come by. After a series of directions it was estimated they would arrive within twenty minutes or so.

It sounded like I should get ready for some sort of spiritual combat, so I dashed to my room, dawned the Augustinian habit and then to the sacristy for the aspergillum of newly blessed Easter Water. To my surprise mother and daughter arrived sooner than anticipated, having entered through the chapel by way of the church before I realized they were at my office door. I invited them in to be seated and handed over a box of tissues as the daughter was crying uncontrollably.

After some time Catherine, eighteen years of age, was able to speak in a halting manner, barely audible. I inquired about the time, place and circumstances of the strange occurrences they related. When did they first manifest themselves to you? Did they happen under suggestive conditions that brought these strange and unusual manifestations on? They began last November, she said.

Had you been engaged in any occult practices, I asked, as they can leave one vulnerable to suggestive machinations and open to unsavory behaviors. She couldn’t remember if she had or had not, but didn’t think so. What happened in November, I asked.

She began by relating that she noticed four distinctive finger marks just below her larynx and two months ago, another distinguishable set of four fingers appeared on the back of her right hand and arm.

Gayleen, her mother, is understandably more than a little worried about her daughter’s behaviors as any mother would be, regarding the appearance of those unexplainable finger imprints, the sporadic crying and episodes of uncontrolled laughter. The acceleration and frequency of these strange outbursts could no longer be passed off as just one of those phases before maturity and adulthood finally arrives. Their frequency in the past two weeks had particularly caused alarm. Catherine also claims to be clairvoyant since her thirteenth birthday. She sighted an example of a person she envisioned dying at a certain time and place which actually happened the way she envisioned it. To this, her mother attests.

Another series of unnerving disturbances in Catherine’s life are the nightmares she now experiences, horrible nightmares, ten to twelve in a single night, each waking her up in a fright and she can remember them vividly. Gayleen mentioned that her daughter’s eyes change color accompanied by a frightening, eerie, vacuous stare.

Catherine claimed to have been a Catholic and left the Church three years ago to join another congregation, not of her mother’s Methodist persuasion. After listening and wondering about what action to take in her regard, I asked if she would like to be prayed over. They both said, yes, in desperation tones.

During our time together, I excused myself to take down a lovely crucifix containing a reliquary, which hangs in my bedroom. This black and silver sacramental (five inches long and three inches in width) has an accompanying certificate stating that the tiny sliver contained therein if of the True Cross or at least touched or been in proximity of the True Cross.

I had Catherine hold the crucifix and proceeded to pray over her by imposing my hands above her head. After praying spontaneously and invoking individually the Three Persons of the Blessed Trinity, as well as Our Lady for healing and wholeness, I concluded with an old Latin blessing.

Are you all right I asked and she said something shot down her arm. They were quite grateful and appeared relaxed and relieved. They committed themselves to come to Mass together at the 6:00 o’clock Sunday Evening Youth Mass.

Fr. Al

Today, I asked Flossie Zumama, our dear and wonderful employee (who keeps me, the friary and business offices in good order), to sit awhile and tell me how things had gone since the previous Thursday after leaving the premises early that morning for public transportation (in a 12 passenger van) to Impendla, a Zulu area of several thousand inhabitants, an hour and a half ride from Our Lady of Mercy in Kloof. Her family obligation was to be present and supportive in whichever way possible, while at the same time grieve and greet those who came to render condolences to the family of Zanele Mchumu, Flossie’s 39 year old single niece, who died of asthma - often, a euphemism for HIV/AIDS.

Grieving over the loss of a dear relative is more than enough to deal with. Certainly, one does not need the blatant and callous injustice Flossie hesitatingly began relating. Get this, cash in hand first, before any services are to be rendered by any Funeral Home establishment.

Six years ago Zanele Mchumu purchased an insurance package that was to take care of all funeral expenses from the point of death to burial and a merci meal thereafter. The cost - R 30 ($5.00) a month is the equivalent of three to four hours pay, a Zulu domestic would ordinarily earn.

Here’s what happened. In the last month of Zanele’s illness she missed one payment in six years and it was because of that one missed monthly payment that the funeral director refused to render any services to the deceased’s family. After paying out R 2, 160 with one missed payment the family and relatives are now left on their own to come up with sufficient funds for a proper burial or be embarrassed for not doing so.

As it turned out, the sister of the deceased paid in R 800, Flossie paid in R 2,000 and her brother put in the remainder of R 1,000. Mind you, there is no proper funeral arrangement until cash is in hand.

You might ask the question, ‘What about Welfare?’ Surely, they would do something. Guess again. Here’s what happens in these cases. A mass grave is dug not knowing where or when this may occur. This is another sad story of good living people who try their best to do what is honorable and fitting for family or friends who have preceded them. Yes, there are many poor, unsung heroes and Flossie to my mind is one of them.

Fr. Al

On Monday, Deacon Lawrence Mthethwa took time out of his busy schedule at the chancery to give me an interview, as I was interested in hearing more about the eerie events at our mission of a Zulu lady in her late twenties. There is no convincing Lawrence that we have a case other than satanic possession; such as an obsession, psychological aberration or depression. Nor could the Prayer Teams keeping vigil 24/7 be dissuaded otherwise either.

Some of these unusual events were related to me on the previous Friday when Lawrence stops in after leaving the chancery for home. He usually drops in to pick-up the weekly Zulu Catholic paper, UMAFRIKA and a fifty pound bag of dried soup, delivered monthly at the rectory on his way back home.

The mother, Ndokweni, told Deacon Lawrence that peculiar noises started occurring in her home, never experienced before. Her daughter, she said, was unaware of having fallen in love with a man who was also a Satanist. In retrospect it was realized that, that was when these weird happenings started to occur.

In conversation with her mother, the daughter tells of plans to purchase a flat in Pinetown. The mother forbids her to do so; however, after a bit, an agreement to rent an apartment was reached. After listening to the mother at length, Deacon Lawrence advised the mother to forbid her daughter to marry that man and the mother agreed.

It all began with beguiling behaviors in December. Her daughter wasn’t coming home after work anymore. The phone would ring at odd times with no answer at the other end, only strange and heavy breathing.

Then, one evening Ndokweni receives a call from a lady who asks her if she is the mother and then proceeds to tell her to please pray hard for your daughter as she is in danger. Pray as hard as you can, the lady pleads. The mother prayed through the night and through the morning. Deacon Lawrence comments that it is a well known fact that Satan works hardest from 12:00 midnight to 2:30 in the morning.

Physical abuse occurred in the relationship. At 12:00 midnight the daughter calls and pleads with her mother to pick her up. “Where are you?” and asks for directions. When Ndokweni arrives she instructs her daughter to get in the car, I’ll follow you and drive it back to the owner.

The daughter says “I can’t, a devil is in the car.” The mother then orders her daughter to get the keys and come with her. Arriving at the boyfriend’s house, the mother gives him his keys and tells him his car is at such and such a place and leaves with her daughter.

The next day, a Wednesday, Ndokweni invites the neighbors to come to her home and pray for her daughter from 7:00 in the evening all through the night and the next three days non-stop. With her body shaking violently, the evil spirit came out of her daughter on Saturday Evening and so did an excess of drenching water all through her bedding.

On the Friday night before, two ladies dressed in black came to the house requesting to take the daughter to their minister. The mother refused. On Saturday shortly after midnight ten people also dressed in black wanted to get into the house. However, fifteen Catholic ladies were already there praying and sprinkling holy water, calling upon the name of Jesus of Nazareth. This seemed to make the visitors outside not only shy away from entering the house, but run when the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel was recited.

Deacon Lawrence mentioned that the position of the crucifix in a home is quite important. As you walk in the front door it is best to have it in view of the person entering. The Bible’s position in the house is to have prominence as well. Sacramentals, such as blessed water, incense and rock salt are part of the Zulu Catholic household too.

I asked Deacon Lawrence about prayers he says during such times. He told me of three very powerful invocations he uses:

1. Mary, Mother who crushed the head of the Serpent, pray for us.
2. St. Michael the Archangel, pray for us
3. Precious Blood of Jesus conqueror of the Devil, save us.

Fr. Al

Hi Everyone:

On this morning’s walk back and forth on the church parking lot, which is nearly the length of a football field (though not nearly as wide), I happened upon an unusual sight. A night crawler was minding its own business making its way along the macadam surface when an army of ants began gathering around and attacking it. A noble effort of trying to fend off the attackers ensued, though to no avail. I left the scene and upon my return the ants were already carrying away a severed section and the remainder soon to follow wherever the feast was to take place. I had a slight qualm of not picking up that worm early on and throwing it into the flower bed, thinking it might possibly have a chance at survival, but I didn’t. Mother Nature took its course.

This past Tuesday and Wednesday the Archdiocese sponsored a clergy study day at the Glenmore Pastoral Center. It was an opportunity to meet clergy, hear from the Cardinal and listen to informative topics. One of the topics was on “Suicide and Youth.” It was an eye opener as South Africa has one of the highest suicide rates in the world. The presenter was Fikile Mogubane who wrote a book on the subject. What prompted her was the suicide of her own son. Simply, she had no idea.

Some of the signs and symptoms are of isolation from what one likes or when one starts to give things away or bully’s people. Eating very little or not at all. When there is a feeling of non-acceptance or signs of helplessness or unworthiness. Incest at a young age is a contributing factor too. If a person says he is going to kill himself, take it seriously.

Drugs play a part as well as certain TV programs. And then, there are some diseases which can bring on that helpless feeling too. Girls attempt suicide but boys do it. Make a contract with the person, saying, I am going to help you and be with you. If a person remains in a slump for two weeks you must do something now. Most don’t want to die but want the pain taken away. Proper food, exercise, a new outlook on life, good music and nutrition are important. Suicide is preventable.

These are a few tidbits of information along other lines that may be of interest. The Cardinal mentioned that it takes R 1,000,000 or $166,000 to educate a seminarian to priesthood. When I went through seminary the cost was $1,000 a year, so the total cost of our education totaled $10,000. Of course that was a few years ago.

The Cardinal asked the priests to give him feedback on two issues regarding marriage. His own words: “shaking up and the length of remote prep time for those contemplating marriage.”

The Cardinal summed up the Bishop’s Conference for us in the following areas: The growing problem of trafficking women and children by promising them all kinds of opportunities, but they end up on the slave trade market or prostitution.

He told us of the long battle ahead regarding same sex marriages. The lawmakers are saying that they won’t force priests to perform these marriages. The priest is also a minister of the state.

Next was a voting issue. One of the unhealthy alternatives is apathy or violent street demonstrations. Vote here means vote African National Conference, Mandela’s old party which is for abortion, gay marriages and reverse discrimination.

Cardinal Napier spoke of his Ad Limina (every five years visit) with Benedict XVI. With the lack of priests comes the issue of Priestly Masses verses Lay Masses in that they are not to be similar as confusion arises in not recognizing the differences. Popular devotions verses Sunday Liturgy and which is to be preferred.

The laity is asked to address a plan for evangelization. Seminaries are in need of good formators. Quick action was requested on the appointment of bishops for five dioceses that have been vacant for quite sometime. A reply on Jan. 1 to continue as a holy day is still being considered.

Benedict XVI is at ease with English and listens attentively. The two disappointments of the conference were in regards to dealing with peace and justice issues and the family. The topic on health care was very helpful in expressing the need to help people dealing with HIV/AIDS. Ecumenism is at a standstill. A lack of leadership is not surfacing as there is much disarray, although spiritual ecumenism is alive. The mushrooming of Pentecostals is evident and they are not interested in dialogue.

Entrepreneurship comes at an early age. 60% of 12 year olds run shops. ¾ of the children under 18 are orphans and have experienced death of a loved one. A thought for the day: “Do our little patch and let the project grow. Self reliance is more than money.”

Fr. Al

Hi Everyone:

This morning I was up by 5:30, unlocking doors (12 of them), pulling blinds and drawing curtains to let the sunshine in. Yes, the sun was up already and shinning brightly too. When I unlocked the front door and looked out towards the main gate, to my surprise just inside the gate was a monkey. I hurried to my office for a camera in the hopes of getting a picture. On returning my animal friend was no longer to be found.

It is the time of day when the weather is pleasantly cool, an ideal time for a meditative walk in our parking area behind the wrought iron fence which stretches a fair distance running parallel to Old Main Road, number 79. It is a good time to pray the rosary while walking about as trees are in bloom and the sun rises ever so quickly. A number of bikers whiz by as early as 4:30 and for that matter, walkers and joggers too before rush hour.

After a decade on the rosary, I hear a lot rustling in the trees. I look up, way up and see monkeys, a good number of them swinging from branch to branch and tree to tree - at least ten of them. What came to mind were those old Tarzan movies and without missing a beat, I tried to remember the name of Tarzan’s monkey. Was it Cheeta?

Several monkeys alighted on the church and rectory roof s. I took a picture of them. One, started to come towards me. It may have wanted food. I didn’t know what to expect or what I would be in for, so I decided to go inside and to the chapel to continue Morning Prayers.

This morning a Zulu lady came to the office in need of a recommendation from the pastor for her 8th grade daughter in order to be accepted into an area Catholic School. I obliged. Father Benji patiently waited for me and we were off together for a visit to St. Leo School. I have a meeting with the principal, two teachers and two of our Augustinian Volunteers.

The purpose of the meeting was to try to address some school needs. First on the agenda was an outstanding water bill calling for a payment of R 3,000. Next, was an attempt to solve the problem of wind-driven sand which surrounds the school buildings and causes all kinds of irritation to the children as it gets into their eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and somehow a parasite finds its way under their skin too. I suggested an overall plan as the area is considerable and the project will need to be well thought out if it is to serve the school community for years to come.

Per se, the school is not Catholic, though most of the teachers and the student body are. Lindiwe, the school principal, requests Mass at the beginning and ending of each semester, of which there are four.
Father Bill asked that I find out the cost of food for a family: husband, wife and two children per week. The answer I received was R 200. Merely divide the rand by six and you will have the estimated cost in American dollars.

It was brought to my attention that the janitor who practically does everything by way of services rendered by a maintenance crew, oversees the property even when school is let out. He gets a mere R 500 per month. I asked what the wage should be. They tell me three times that amount. Presently, he is paid out of the money received from student tuition which they tell me is R 75 per child.

This meeting was an eye opener in a number of ways for me and perhaps for you too. A computer for the administrator’s office would cause much rejoicing, for sure. Nine classrooms are without electricity and during a certain time of the day, the students can no longer see writing on the chalkboard. The cost of a fan and electricity for one of those classrooms is R 1,000 and there are nine of them.

The list could go on and on I am sure as you have already surmised. They are also in need of approximately 100 combination desk, chair and drawer sets which are priced at R 800 per set.

The last piece of news for the day came at 5:20 this afternoon for a second appointment with a couple who are contemplating marriage at Our Lady of Mercy Church. The gentleman believes he is a Catholic and has actually been coming to our church for sometime with his fiancée, Miki Mrwetyana who is an Anglican. Here’s a question for Fr. Bill’s canonical opinion.

The Zulu custom is for the lady to follow the religion of the man when marrying. Her future husband Sifiso Dlamini was a baptized Catholic, so he thought. Since our first meeting, credible witnesses have told him he never was baptized. They are open to joining our RCIA program. How reasonable is it for a young couple to wait for a year and a half, complete the course and then get married when they had their hopes on marrying at Easter time, 2006? Fr. Al

Hi Everyone:

Yesterday, I had my first experience at participating in a Zulu funeral which took place in a hall easily accommodating four hundred people. The church near the home of the deceased was simply too small for those wishing to express their condolences. The service started at 9:00 a.m. and ended at 1:00 in the afternoon. The women sat in the main body of the church while the men were primarily in the sanctuary area. The ratio of women to men, I estimate - 15 to 1.

Flossie, our homemaker wanted to pay her respects to the family and I volunteered to drive her to the funeral. I really wanted to go, but was unsure of the way and a bit hesitant of what to expect being the only non black person amongst so many. So, when Flossie spoke of wanting some time off to pay her respects to the family, I grasped the opportunity to accompany her. My going with her swept away any apprehension of traveling into uncharted territory by myself.

Winnie Ngcobo, one of our employees comes to work at Our Lady of Mercy on Monday and Friday mornings to put things back in order. Her daughter, Kohsi, (mid twenties), started helping her mother two months ago when she suddenly took sick with a mysterious illness that claimed her life.

Koshi died on a Sunday – the funeral was on the following Saturday. Why so long a wait? The simple answer is that it takes that long to gather family, travel time, wait for payday and help with exorbitant expenses such as funeral fees especially when you factor in the low wage scale of domestics ($15.00 a day) coupled with 70% unemployment in many areas. The weekend is time off from work which allows friends and neighbors to pay their respects to the family.

Expenses are an issue. The cost of preserving the body during the grieving period, cost of a casket, viewing fees, food for those who come to pay their respects and other expenses could easily amount to R 30,000 or $5,000, an enormous expenditure for a domestic worker. In order to make up the difference a parent or brother would go to businesses in the area and beg store owners to help pay those expenses incurred. It is not a matter of the family being extravagant at funeral, it is part of the custom, that, that is what you do.

I wore my habit to the funeral. It paid off as they allowed us to drive close to the entrance of the church. We were ushered down front. It was packed. I was directed to sit up on the stage with all of the other men. One of the preachers invited me to speak. I obliged. Fortunately, I brought a funeral sermon with me just in case. As I read it to the assembly another person translated into Zulu. “Go Down Death” is one of my favorites.

During the four hours of preaching and singing, a young man attentively paced up and down the middle aisle of the assembly with a water pitcher and glass in hand for anyone desiring refreshment. There were lots of alleluia and amen responses elicited from the eulogizers. At various times the congregation, with eyes and heads raised, would stand, sway and sing with hands waving in charismatic fashion.

Spontaneous and audible voices of praise were interspersed throughout the congregation at various times. The music was loud and at times the preaching was deafening. There were tears and lots of perspiring. One of the preachers wore a black leather jacket, screamed a lot and evoked amen’s and alleluias about every three or four sentences. When Scripture was quoted the Bible was ready in hand and followed ready to mark the passage referred to.

A decorative blanket was draped over the casket and a picture of the deceased was near by on a stand. The temperature had to be in the nineties.

Time was getting short. I had a wedding at 2:30. I excused myself, left the stage area, quickly paid my respects to Winnie and left with Flossie. Would we make it out of the parking area was the next hurdle as people were streaming out of church and blocking the narrow pathway of drivable terrain. With some help, we made it out to the road and off to a wedding, even with a little time for refreshment.

The body was transported back to the home where it was to be buried on the family property, most likely in the back yard. This is a common practice amongst Zulus in South Africa.

So ends another day of a different experience from another culture of the world in which we live.

It may be of curiosity if not of interest that daylight starts early this time of year. Light is noticeable at 4:30 and the sun is up by five. Our turn of dark days will come in May, June & July, so I’m told.

I see from looking at the 2006 liturgical calendar we still have a month and a half before doing some serious thinking about one or two Lenten resolutions. May your Christmas have been a time of blessings and cherished surprises. I’ve read about some early snow over there, so tobogganers, skaters and skiers must be particularly pleased.

The day before Christmas it rained and rained. Christmas Day was lovely, not hot, as I’m told it can get that way. After all it is summer. People go to church here like they do around the world. Christmas was packed with people at all four Masses and so friendly. Everyone is in a festive mood. The Augustinian Sisters invited us Augustinians and the Volunteers for a lovely noon gathering at their retreat house.

We do live in a different world, the difference however, may be more in volume per population. Take for an example, the following headline in the morning paper: “Smash-and-grab warning issued to motorists.” The Chamber of Commerce would not be pleased if they knew this type of reporting was going on.

“Always lock your vehicle doors, even when driving and never open your window more than five centimeters. If possible, vary your route to work and back and avoid stopping in remote areas. Store all valuables in the car boot. Be alert at traffic lights and stop streets. Be aware of people loitering around your vehicle. Keep your vehicle in gear. Make sure your driveway is well lit. Look around before you enter.”

Three months ago I was speaking with Terry, a parishioner and car dealer. My recollection of that conversation and his comments were quite startling to me and I’ll assume to you as well. One caveat of many related was, do not pick up hitchhikers. At his car dealership lot approximately ten to twelve cars are stolen annually. People are moving abroad, he says. Australia is a preferred port of emigration. England and New Zeeland are next on the list. Because of a streamlined educational system in S.A., people are moving abroad.

The statistics released by the Law Reform Commission reports 1.7 million rapes a year, or not too far from five thousand per day. South Africa has lots of resources, but no political will. S.A. does have state of the art mining extracting techniques. I finally did get to something positive from the conversation. Of course there are lots of positives, though this article didn’t take that turn. There are always two sides of the coin.

Last Sunday after the 8:00 O’clock I invited three Augustinian Sisters to a coffee in our dinning room. Allow me to mention a couple of stories. One incident was of a woman who was having her septic tank delivered by way of a truck carrying a heavy load of bags of cement. The truck was commandeered and immobilized on the side of a hill. The upshot before an investigation and proper authorities arrived on the scene, everything was taken away, tires and motor too.

Another story. Before robbing a household, thieves will burn a CD by an open window. The vapors will knock you unconscious and I’m sure you can guess what happens next.

This will be the last story of a lady living alone in her home. Upon cleaning her yard she notices a soda can on the property and so she picks it up and brings it into her home not thinking anything of it. The next day as she was sweeping around her home, she notices another soda can and so she pick it up as the day before. Guess what? On the following day she again sees another soda can and then she inquires of the children in the neighborhood nearby about the appearance of the soda cans. They tell her, the color red stands for a safe home and a green can means that the house is easy for robbing.

I’m determined to end on a positive note. Driving into Durban, along the route and up the hill, is a cluster of 200 housing units which were built, I’m told in 2002 by Jimmy Carter and his volunteers.