St. Thomas' Catholic Church

“Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.”

Fr. Philippe — 2010-08-28T19:27:11Z

“Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.”
(St. Jerome, a father and Doctor of the Catholic Church from the 5th century AD)

We read in the Gospel of Luke how, on two occasions, Jesus opened the Scriptures to his disciples after his resurrection. Through the Scriptures they came to believe in the Risen Christ. This indicates how important the Scriptures were to early Christians. Our Bishops similarly underlined this importance by their decision to establish a National Bible Sunday (January 2005). The Catholic Bishops Conference supports this initiative and encourages the faithful to celebrate Bible Sunday as a further step in making Scripture an essential part of their spirituality.

Signed: † Buti Tlhagale, President of the SACBC

What is Authority For?

Fr. Philippe — 2010-08-21T19:34:00Z

Quotation: The common good is 'the reason the political authority exists' (Catechism of the Catholic Church).

Reflection: I remember a philosophy lecturer once arguing that no authority exists of and for itself. All authority, he maintained, is there for the sake of something else and has therefore to be justified by something outside of itself. So the authority of a pastor exists for the sake of the congregation, that of the principal for the good of the school and that of the politician for furtherance of the peace and prosperity of the country and people. According to this school of thought, human authority certainly does not exist for its own good or the gratification of the one holding it. It is established to serve. Jesus saw himself as employing his undoubted authority as ‘Lord and master' to ‘serve rather than be served'. Many South Africans claim to follow, or be inspired by, this remarkable leader who washed his followers' feet like a lowly servant.

Prayer: Father from whom all authority on earth finds its origin, recall to our minds the responsibilities that come with the authority with which you invest us – be it great or small. Grant that we may cherish this weighty gift and use it carefully but eagerly in loving and serving those whom you love and thereby love and serve you the author and giver of this gift. Amen.

Shared by YOU on FACEBOOK

Fr. Philippe — 2010-08-06T12:36:00Z

Some Facebook users are sharing their thoughts or thoughts they have read somewhere, sometimes quoting their origin. I strongly encourage Christian Facebook users to continue edifying their friends and relatives. Here are a few quotes from the few last posts.

Keep yourself deaf to the limitations which others set for you. You are capable of anything through Christ Jesus who strengthens us.

"If enough of us send out love, the energy will permeate the ignorance and darkness of those beings lost in their limited mind-sets...." -JAMES VAN PRAAGH.

No four words said together have greater power than "I love you mommy" or "I love you daddy".

If God sends us on stony paths,he will provide us with strong shoes.

In the depths of the human soul lies the key to life's mystery - seek and u will find...

Si tu as de nombreuses richesses donne ton bien ; si tu possède peu, donne ton coeur. (If you are very rich, give of your wealth; if you have little possessions, give your heart.)

Love begins by taking care of the closest ones, the ones at home - Mother Theresa.

Dwelling by your treasure

Fr. Philippe — 2010-07-30T09:58:00Z

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (Matthew 13:44)

While reading last Wednesday's gospel, I was suddenly struck by some apparent discrepancies. At the time of Jesus, most people would not have access to a bank. So, when they had some kind of treasure to keep away from, for example, enemies during wars, they would choose a spot in their field and bury their treasure. If they died in the attack, the treasure would be lost forever unless someone found it out of sheer luck. The Law had it that such a treasure belonged to the one who found it. Why then did the man in the parable of Jesus, who found the treasure hidden in a field, hid it again? He could have just walked away with it... But, instead, he buried it again, sold everything he had and bought the field... Strange, no?

Well, it is a parable ! Jesus is talking about the Kingdom of Heaven. We could say “Eternal Life” or “Eternal Glory” or “Life with God” or... “Life in the Holy Spirit” ! Something that we cannot really possess, something we cannot have a grip on, something that we cannot control, not even utilise for our own interest. It's all about a new relationship with God ! And that is why the man in the parable hides his treasure again, sells everything he owns and buys the field... so that he can “dwell” next to his treasure.

Have you ever made the experience of the Holy Spirit? Have you ever caught a glimpse of the Kingdom of God? Jesus is telling us that the way to prolong the experience is not by hi-jacking the Holy Spirit for our own benefit, but rather by freeing ourselves of anything that would prevent us from “dwelling” with him / her (the man sold everything he had and acquired the field). Do free your heavy schedule for some intimate encounters with God ! “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing...” (Luke 10:42)

Awesome LISS for our Youth

Fr. Philippe — 2010-07-25T06:03:00Z

"Life will never be the same again..." The Life in the Spirit Seminar was awesome. Thank you to Glenda and Nick Tunner and their team, thank you for your prayers. And thank you to "Daddy" who is unconditionally dedicated to enter into relationship with those who accept Him.

Please visit the following link to some photos.

Inter-diocesan consultation 2012

Fr. Philippe — 2010-07-17T05:37:00Z

“Africa, rise up, take up your pallet, and walk (Jn 5:8). ”

Introduction

"Africa is not helpless. Our destiny is still in our hands... Africa is already moving; and the Church is moving with her, offering her the light of the Gospel. The waters may be turbulent. But with our gaze on Christ the Lord, we shall make it safely to the port..."

With these closing words from the final message of the second Synod of Africa the Bishops invite us to listen to God, to one another and to the world around us, in an atmosphere of prayer and reflection. We, your Bishops of SACBC, invite the whole Church at this moment of transition and kairos to engage in a struggle for the soul of Southern Africa in an inter-diocesan consultation.

The Previous Consultation

In the l980's the Catholic Church engaged in an inter-diocesan consultation involving all Catholics to respond to the struggle for justice and transformation. From our rich sharing there resulted the Pastoral Plan, Community Serving Humanity, which has borne much fruit.

Our conditions of life in Southern Africa and in the world have changed radically since then. It is time to meet again, to share our concerns and hopes and to do so in the light of our faith. The Church needs to evaluate its Pastoral Plan in the light of our new world of 2010.

Present day pastoral challenges

We face new challenges in Southern Africa today. We thank God for the peaceful transition to independence and for our new democracy and freedom. We are a people of many talents in a country of great potential. We are part of that Africa of which Pope Benedict said was ‘the spiritual lung' of humanity today.

However, as Christians we find elements which unsettle us. There is a loss of Christian vision. The Bible as a source of morality and ethics is often replaced by worldly values. Traditional values are abandoned and corruption and mismanagement are rampant in administration. Some constitutional decisions are at odds with Gospel values and agnostic lobby groups are influential.

Urbanisation creates problems of housing, poverty and crime. The divide between the rich and the poor is increasing and many feel betrayed. With the scourge of HIV Aids our society is ravaged and education is for many a failure. Christian values are rarely emphasised in parliament and public debate. The family and family values are under severe assault often in the name of the constitution.

Urgent need for faith formation

We feel the voice of the Catholic Church has weakened. Though the Church played a leading part in education and health care in the past this role is now sidelined and ignored. While we put emphasize on Welfare, Aids Ministry and Justice and Peace over the past 30 years there would seem to have been a mediocre Formation of Catholic people in the areas of Evangelisation, Liturgy and Faith and Morals which are at the core of Catholic identity.

Many of our youth are drifting from the faith. The world of our youth is a new sub-culture, a mall culture, dominated by music, fashion, cars, alcohol, sex, cosmetics, sport, soapies, facebook and mixit. This urbanized youth is being de-Africanized and de-christianised. Rural youth aspire to the city, their schools are places of despair, their hope of employment minimal and their access to the comforts they see everywhere a mirage. Secure and loving families, where children encounter and experience God through the love and faith of their parents, are becoming rare.

Everyone is called into the vineyard.

The primary apostolate of lay people, since the early Church, has always been to spread and defend the faith among the families and neighbours and to bring the teachings of Christ to bear on the issues facing their communities. Lay believers are a priestly people with a primary mission beyond the sanctuary of the church.

We cannot help but to proclaim and testify to the great difference that Jesus Christ has made in our lives. We cannot be silent about what we have seen and heard and felt. We are, as Paul tells us, ambassadors for Christ. Invitation to a consultation.

We your bishops wish to engage with you in a faith-filled and real conversation. Community serving Humanity must be revisited. Over the past ten years the Church in Africa has held two Synods which emphasise ‘The Church as the Family of God' and the ‘Church in the service of reconciliation, justice and peace'. Through these events God is calling us to discern together how to realise his kingdom now. This inter-diocesan consultation will bring the whole community together, bishops, priests, religious and laity.

Conclusion

The final message from the second Synod of Africa is insistent: "All members of the Church... must be mobilized to work together in the unity that brings strength. We are challenged and encouraged by the African proverb which says that “an army of well organized ants can bring down an elephant”. We should not be afraid of, less still be discouraged, by the enormity of the problems of our continent". I encourage all of you to join in this consultation with hope, energy and confidence, chartering the way forward for the local church into the millennium.

l would like to end as John Paul always did when he wrote his encyclicals by invoking the assistance and intercession of Mary, Queen assumed into heaven, as patron of Southern Africa to be with us all in this endeavour.

+ Bishop William Slattery, OFM

(i.c. of Evangelisation, on behalf of all the Bishops)

RUMOURS OF POST WORLD CUP XENOPHOBIC VIOLENCE

Fr. Philippe — 2010-07-09T05:34:00Z

ARCHBISHOP BUTI TLHAGALE ON RUMOURS OF POST WORLD CUP XENOPHOBIC VIOLENCE

Recently there have been rumours in various sections of our community of the possibility of xenophobic attacks once the World Cup is over. Immediately after such a successful hosting of the World Cup, where South Africans demonstrated to the world and to each other what can be achieved when we all work together, we call on the Government, employers and citizens to listen with renewed vigour to these voices expressing legitimate grievance and act for our common good. We, the Catholic Bishops of Southern Africa, join our voices to those of South Africans everywhere, asking that those tempted to violence for whatever reason find other means of expressing their grievances. We call on government and communities at all levels to confront the issue of violence in a proactive and productive manner that will make for peace and tolerance. Let us all use the goodwill shown during the World Cup to build a better country.

South Africa, as a whole, needs to find positive and constructive ways to raise and debate issues as one community. Catholic Social Teaching encourages the right and responsibility of all sections of a community, including the poorest, to find a voice in the public domain in order to express their legitimate needs and grievances.

Rumours and assertions must be tested. We cannot allow the rumours to become fact. Many of the targets of previous xenophobic attacks have been “foreigners”, people from other countries now living legally in South Africa. It is commonly said that these people take away the jobs of South Africans and that they bring criminal behaviour into the Country.

Current evidence suggests that the foreign born are no more likely to be involved in crime as any other part of the population and that they are generally more likely to create employment opportunities rather than take away employment.

It is also misleading to assert that the cause of xenophobia is a hatred of foreign-born persons living in South Africa. In the past violence against foreign communities in the name of protests against poor service delivery suggests that we must be vigilant and work harder to improve the lot of the poorest of South African residents.

Catholic Social Teaching has provided criteria that must be met for people to move between countries both to improve their own opportunities and when they are forced by the situation in their own country to flee. It is incumbent on our government to manage the legal flow of people in and out of the country. Proper management will ensure that legitimate migrants are provided with proper documentation and the ability to settle peacefully into the South African community having gone through the proper application processes.

It is equally proper that our government, as part of its international responsibilities, open our borders to those who are fleeing persecution and the breakdown of the economy of their own countries through no fault of their own. South Africa's own recent history clearly demonstrates how such movement can be of long-term benefit to all the countries and people involved.

Our Police Service has demonstrated a gratifying professionalism and dedication during the World Cup. We call on authorities such as the Police Service and local government to remove any vestige of the culture of impunity that sometimes developed in the past around crimes associated with xenophobic violence. Violence against foreigners and their businesses should not be seen as tool to elicit local political or economic advantage. Rather they should be seen for what they are: criminal acts that demean and disadvantage us all.

As custodians and teachers of truth and human dignity, we pledge the support of the Church to build greater local integration, tolerance and participation in public life.

A combination of tolerance from our communities and resolute action on the part of government can help ensure that the positive experiences of so many visitors to South Africa in recent months can continue to be replicated in our local communities.

Our successful hosting of the World Cup has shown a continent and country united. We are proud of South Africa and call on all South Africans to take this positive winning attitude forward in 2010.

NEW CHANCERY — Share the Load

Fr. Philippe — 2010-07-02T09:08:00Z

A letter from our Archbishop Buti Tlhagale

Dear Fr. Docq,

As you are aware, the process that we have followed to give the green light on commencing this exciting project has been slow, but meticulous and thorough. The professional team appointed by us and the dedicated team of Archdiocese parishioners carefully appointed from various Parishes has astounded me with their dedication and focus on achieving our objectives.

I sometimes do wonder if we have made the right decision in these difficult economic times, but feel that if it was not me then someone sometime in the future would have had to make the decision to upgrade the very old, present make-shift Chancery — temporarily housed in an old factory for over 40 years now! Through our various debates within committees and to the Archdiocese priests, all opinions carefully analysed and debated, I have felt an overwhelming support for the project which has developed into a very exciting adventure for us.

I suppose this vision is best described by our Architect, Franco Pellegrini: “What I see us creating here is not just a new Chancery but a whole uplifting of the pinnacle within The Archdiocese of Johannesburg — its Cathedral. The new Chancery has allowed me to look at the whole site and create an environment that will be something that all Catholics and all visitors will be very proud of. An environment that plays its part in uplifting the whole of Johannesburg, an environment that respects the sanctity of a place of prayer, quiet and celebration. A place to cultivate your soul. I and my team and the input from many members of the Archdiocese, have enjoyed creating a model that will be with us for hundreds of years.”

Let's now make this model a reality. The cost of the Chancery Project is R 30 Million. One of the harsh facts however is that we need to share the load by finding the funding for this. I have approved an additional amount for upgrading the Cathedral precinct. Funds for this will be raised separately. This project needs to involve every Catholic within our Archdiocese and I hereby ask for your assistance. We are looking to each Parish to contribute four times the levy they paid in 2009 if this was below R100.000 and for the larger parishes five times. So in the first example if your parish contributed a levy of R40,000 in 2009, we are looking for your parish to raise R160.000 over the next two years. Please see the commitment statement attached, which I ask you to sign as an indication of your parish's commitment and fax or post it back to me.

Our fund-raising team will assist with an exciting programme, pamphlets and tickets with good prizes so that your appointed fund-raising team can help us meet the target. You are not required to use these ideas and can carry out your own program or combine this with your own ideas. Note - Any fund-raising that you collect over the required amount, we will share 50/50 with your Parish.

I wish you the best in your efforts and thank you for ‘Sharing the Load'. Yours sincerely,

+Buti Tlhagale OMI
Archbishop of Johannesburg

The contribution we have been asked to raise over the next two years is R322 000.00 in addition to our normal parish levy of R80 500.00.

Our goal : eternal life

Fr. Philippe — 2010-06-18T19:42:00Z

During Greece vs Nigeria a Greek player was intentionally kicked in the thigh. The Nigerian player received a red card and left the game. Australian hard man Tim Cahill was reduced to tears by his dismissal in the 4-0 loss to Germany in their World Cup opener on Sunday... Tempers flared among fans and players alike when goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune received a red card and was sent off the pitch for tackling a Uruguayan striker near the end of the game, leaving the squad short of one man.

At stake, the glory on the 11th July and... huge amounts of money! Yet, both are temporary rewards that will eventually fade away.

There are lots of similarities between the World Cup and our own race towards Heaven. But the one huge difference is that the reward we are seeking has nothing temporary. It is not less than a share in the “eternal glory” of God!

Our field is the world, “Go into the whole world...” is the motto of our coach Jesus, fight the opponent, he says, for they are godless and want you also to quit the race and become godless. Pay particular attention to nr 3 – Johnny Walker – who will stop all your attempts to score, mid-fielder Alex Consumer whose passes to striker Gold Van Geld are so precise that a goal against your side is almost inevitable.

The referee is a model of integrity. Beware of the yellow cards that should play on your conscience. They are only warnings, but please take them seriously for a red card will mean you are out of the race... It will often become manifest in times of crisis, scary sickness, loss of a dear one, unexpected retrenchment from work... Yet, if you get one, take heart and repent. The referee is, fortunately, full of compassion and will definitely always reconsider his decision as long as you reconsider your behaviour.

Our goal keepers must be well trained, both during the official times of training and during their daily life. Their qualities should be temperance, prayer life, boldness and steadfastness. They will be carefully selected as parents, educators, catechists, lay leaders, clergy.

The supporters are not playing a lesser role. Their vuvuzelas should not produce a low B Flat sound. Rather they should blow sounds of encouragements, songs of praise and thanksgiving. They should get involved as much as they can to ensure the success of their team. Hooligans should be dealt with strongly, “Talk to them with love, take them to the elders, and – if no result – let them leave the community”, recommends our coach.

Success will only be possible with a strong team spirit. Everyone has a role to play, from the goal keeper to the striker to the supporters. Our coach often speak of the members of the body, which all have a role to play to bring the whole body to harmony and effectiveness. When one or the other member is not playing its role, the body becomes dysfunctional. Work hard at building up your community. Be gentle - but bold - with each other. There is no competition amongst us, rather oneness in our differences with only one goal: to defeat the enemy.

St. Thomas, Ayoba! Ke nako!

Fr. Philippe (reserve goal keeper)

Feast of the Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Fr. Philippe — 2010-06-06T17:33:00Z

Fortunately, the heart is not logical. Although it knows that Holy Thursday and the Easter Vigil are the highest Eucharistic celebrations, although each Sunday is in itself a Eucharistic feast, as though it was afraid to get into a routine, it rekindles the flame, revives it. Then this burning heart exposes the Body of Christ, adorns it with flowers, shows it to the whole world...

A bit of history

In the Middle Ages, around the year 1200, the faithful were not allowed to receive communion as they pleased. There were special conditions to fulfil in order to receive it and very few times in the year when the faithful could partake in the Eucharist. It is at that time that the priests started elevating the Body of Christ and the Cup of the Blood of Christ during the consecration, so that the faithful could compensate the lack of receiving by looking at the Eucharist! It is also at that time that the first monstrances were used to expose the body of Christ to the faithful for adoration.

The feast of the Holy Eucharist (Corpus Christi) was first established in Belgium under the impulsion of a mystical nun, Julienne de la Retine, in 1246, before being extended to the Universal Church in 1264. For many centuries, on the Thursday following Holy Trinity Sunday, Catholics everywhere organised processions with the Blessed Sacrament in the streets. They so expressed their faith in a pilgrim Church, marching to the Celestial Jerusalem (Heaven) led by its Shepherd.

Eucharist... just a symbol ?

Most of the Christians issued from Protestantism will affirm that the Eucharist presence is just a symbol. But we Catholics believe that it is much more than a symbol. “This IS my body”, says Jesus. He is really present in the piece of bread we call a host. On the other hand, we must avoid to imagine too much of a materialistic presence. The Christ of the Eucharist is a Christ of glory, He is risen. He is present through His Holy Spirit. We are not cannibalistic by eating the Body of Christ and by drinking His Blood! At the time the Gospels were written, the “body” meant the “person”, and the blood contained “life”. When we received the Eucharist, we receive the “person of Christ”, we receive “His life”.

The Eucharistic Prayer... Highest moment in mass

Recently in St Thomas, we started kneeling again during the Eucharistic Prayer. That is because we want to express our extreme humility in front of what is being done in front of us, but also because, in the liturgy, with an extreme audacity, we offer again and again the sacrifice of Christ to the Father. Consider these words that come straight after the consecration of bread and wine in the Eucharistic Prayer nr 3:

“Father, calling to mind the death your Son endured for our salvation, his glorious resurrection and ascension into heaven, and ready to greet him when he comes again, we offer you in thanksgiving this holy and living sacrifice.”

The Church disposes of Christ as of her own possession and therefore her prayer, as poor as it may be, her intercession, filled with our sinful thoughts and demands, are rich of Christ himself! Knowing that, who wouldn't hold his breath and feel his heart beat in Christ's own heart?

Who has the right to receive communion?

Generally, all the baptised should receive communion, as long as they have been well prepared, so as to understand clearly what they are receiving, the person of Christ, his life. Unless they have committed some serious sin, in which case they would have to receive the pardon of Christ in the sacrament of reconciliation. What about ecumenical communion? Well, there are two problems: what is the faith of the other Christians concerning the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and secondly, the partaking into the Eucharist should precisely express our communion.