75 YEARS OF SCJ PRESENCE IN SOUTH AFRICA


Following is a brief report on the celebration of 75 years of the presence of the SCJs in South Africa, serving in the dioceses of Aliwal and De Aar.

The celebration took place on the 19th of December 1998 in Aliwal North. The date of the 19th as such has no particular significance. It was only chosen because of its convenience. Among other preparations done, it was preceded by a week of retreat for all the members of the Province. So they all celebrated the day renewed spiritually.

Here I have no intention of getting into the history of the Province since 1923. This might, hopefully, be provided by the Province itself. All I intend doing is to give a brief report on the day itself.

It was preceded by a holy hour and adoration, during which the four student confreres, Innocent Mutanyu, Innocent Mabheka, Paul Ntwe and Golden Muyambi renewed their vows. For that reason Fr. Adam, the Provincial himself presided. A fraternal get together had been organised where the confreres had a very light-spirited supper together. When the provincial welcomed all the confreres present he said, "I do not call this supper, but I call it get together and recreation." It was therefore, in that spirit that supper was enjoyed.

The D day came and at 9.30 began the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, the principal celebrant of which was Bishop emeritus Evert Baaij. It took place in the Sacred Heart Cathedral. All the confreres concelebrated at the Eucharist. Both dioceses were fully represented. Absent due to an operation he underwent a few days earlier was Bishop Joseph Potocknack. Present also was Fr. Westendorf representing the German Province as one of the mother provinces together with US province, which was represented by Fr. Charles Brown. The Polish province was unfortunately not represented due to sudden sickness of the Polish Provincial who was supposed to represent the province. He also underwent an operation just a few days earlier.

The right hand side of the Cathedral was packed with sisters of the Holy Cross, who came a few years before the SCJs in Aliwal and still continue their work there. Together with them were the Sacred Heart Sisters who still continue their work in the diocese; founded by Bishop Demont in 1929, the Dominican Sisters who also have been working with the SCJs for quite a long time. The lay representation was, on the other hand very weak. Present was the choir from St. Francis parish. With their music they really gave life to the celebration.

Fr. Zolile Mpambani (CU) represented the general council and he had been asked to give a short homily as well as read a letter from Fr. General on that occasion of the 75th anniversary of the presence of the SCJs in the country.

The Mass was then succeeded by refreshments, followed by an academic session during which Bishop emeritus Evert Baaij, Bishop Fritz Lobinger, the representative of the bishop of De Aar, Fr. Westendorf, Fr. Charles Brown gave some inspiring messages.

During lunch, which was organised at a restaurant Steak Baron, the Holy Cross sisters, the Sacred Heart sisters and the Dominican sisters got their chance to say a few encouraging words on the occasion. It was at that time also that a short message, which came by fax, from Fr. General was read by Fr. Zolile. The mood was a very festive one throughout the day.

In the evening all the confreres and the guests gathered for a braai (barbecue). The celebration continued for the rest of the evening with everybody really contented.

As a souvenir some stoles and stickers were made. A booklet entitled "75 years of service in South Africa" was distributed.

Looking back, as the son of the soil, I really commend the Priests of the Sacred Heart for the work they did in Aliwal and De Aar. With the help of the sisters mentioned above and the missionary doctors, as far as evangelisation, education and health are concerned they really did an excellent job. One can judge that by the number of church buildings erected schools and hospitals that used to belong to the Catholics. The signs of faith and education imparted by Catholics are still visible in the people even today.

The one and only disappointment, which I feel I will not have done justice if I leave unmentioned, is that of lack of local vocations. In 75 years the number of local vocations for the SCJs has not reached 10 yet. The diocese of Aliwal has not had a single local priest yet, while the diocese of De Aar has four. Something somewhere went wrong. At this juncture I would like to reiterate the words of Fr. General, "The fishing system does not produce the desired results, try Vocation Pastoral." Quite a lot in that area has to be done if the Province wants to see itself flourishing in the next 75 years to come.

On behalf of the AM province I thank you all for you supportive prayers and well wishes. Through the intercession of Fr. Dehon and the Blessed Virgin Mary, may that province see prosperity in the future.

By Zolile Mpambani scj
(General Council)