A founding member!

Fr Mel Loftus OSM

Magdalena Mdletshe, originally from Mozambique, for many years was a domestic worker at St. Lucia Mission. She retired under Fr. Robert Kucera and built homes in various areas and had to abandon them due to family problems. She finally settled in the government sub-economic housing project at Ndlovu Village.

Deacon Mandla Msweli

AVI

On Saturday 19^th December, the community of St Alexis (Ubombo) gathered for a special celebration: Mandla Msweli would be ordained deacon. It was probably the first time that an ordination would be held there. Many priests from the Vicariate, the Daughters of Charity, the Dominican Sisters, the members of the Good Shepherd Institute and people from the different Missions were present.

During his sermon and following the Gospel where John the Baptist points to two of his disciples “the Lamb of God” and later on one of them, Andrew, introduces his brother Peter to Jesus, the Bishop reminded the people that in Mandla's life it was the word and example of Fr Thomas Carrol OSM who helped Mandla to understand his call to priesthood. It was also the support of his family, especially his mother, who helped him all these years.

Orphans Project

Sr Lidia Danyluk OP

Italiano Español

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

“The living conditions in the Vicariate Apostolic of Ingwavuma are rural. The population experience problems related to the lack of basic amenities such as water, fuel, electricity, telephones and roads. Water is carried from taps, rivers, pumps and occasionally wells”. (McLaren et al 2002:15) The review report IDP 2005/2006 of the Hlabisa Municipality reveals that “over 60% of the households use water from unprotected springs, dams, stagnant, pools and rivers. Over 47 % of the household do not have any form of sanitation service.” (Hlabisa Municipality IDP Review Report 2005/2006: 24). Firewood and candles are used as the main source of energy. The main road is tarred the other roads are gravel.

“There are limited employment opportunities in the area and most of the working population is migrant workers. People survive on subsistence farming, selling their produce” (McLaren et al 2002:16) and there are few handcraft initiatives that were started. Many people depend on the government social grants.

Ukhisimusi omuhle!

AVI

Happy Christmas! - Feliz Navidad! - Buon Natale!

Ndumo (Ingwavuma Mission)
24 December 2009

Feeling challenged...

Sifiso Mchunu, OSM

I have been challenged by a small article written by Buyani Zwane in this very website. He wrote about Star of the Sea High School and he mentioned that he finished his matriculation from there. The issue that he is bringing foward is that Star of the Sea High School used to be among the best schools in South Africa (and for my opinion, it is still good) and he really appreciates it but he is worried the way the school is today. It needs to be renovated and many other things that he mentions there.

He mentions that Star of the Sea High School has produced a lot of graduants who are today successful in life (which is very true as I know some of them) and what do they say whenever they see the school the way it is today? I really agree with Buyani that if only people who studied at Star can join their hands, something can be done to renovate the school. He is not the only one with such an idea; this year (2009) around July I was at Star and I happened to have a conversation with a lady who studied at Star of the Sea High School and she is now working very well. She was so sad to see the school the way it is today and she expressed that if only she will able to gather people who studied at Star, she is sure that something can be done there. She also promised that she would try to do something about this issue. I also hope that Buyani will try or is trying to do something about this challenge.