MaOblata Bloemfontein

Congregation Feast

2010-02-16T08:02:00.003+02:00

50 Oblates gather in Bloemfontein
The 17th Feb is traditionally the Feast day of the Oblate Congregation - this year however we celebrated on the 15th because the 17th falls on Ash Wednesday.

The 15th is also the Birthday of the late Fr Frans Claerhout OMI. He was mentioned on the National Television News as the Excelsior Municipality have featured Fr Claerhout as their symbol of unity for their Community Feast.

Renewal of vows is part of the celebration. As it was mentioned by the Provincial that many Oblates are moving towards retirement or RAM as we call it (Reduced Active Ministry) but at the same time young Oblates are presenting themselves to continue where our elders have left off. There was a special thanks to the collaboration that we have with the Lesotho Oblate Province and the Oblates coming recently from there were highlighted.

Cranking up the New Year

2010-01-08T21:12:00.008+02:00

Ordination of 9 Deacons in Lesotho

We were happy to witness the vibrancy of our neighboring Province in Lesotho. Members of the OMI Southern District attended this happy occasion. Congratulations to the Lesotho Province and we wish you new Deacons a fruitful and happy ministry!

Oblate Students at home and visiting the Central Province

Regency:
Br Simon Mphana OMI starts his Regency year in the Central Province. He will be focusing on the Oblate Youth Ministry.

Recent Visitors:
21 Jan 2010 Fr Paul Decock OMI and his family visited the Claerhout Retreat House.

13 Jan 2010 Also Fr Hermeneguild OSB and Fr Stuart Bate OMI visited us while attending the Missiology Conference at UFS.

21 Jan 2010 Opening Mass for the 2010 Academic Year for OMI Student Community
13 Oblates gathered for Mass and Supper at Universitas Bloemfontein.
Fr Paul Decock OMI and Fr Motsiri Mosai OMI concelebrated.

15 Jan 2010 Opening mass for St Marys & St Bernards Schools:
After the excellent results obtained by the 2009 Matric Students, the Clergy of the Archdiocese, as is the tradition, gathered with the Teachers and Students and celebrated mass for the opening of the 2010 School year. In the pictures (provided by Jeremea Makau) learners at the school accompanied the procession with traditional dancing.

Matric Results announcement - St Bernards High School - Bloemfontein
Fr Leo D'Aes and Fr Francis Masike are pleased to announce that the Matric results of the St Bernards High School students were impressive and consistent in the tradition of the school. The Pass rate for the Matric Class of 61 students was 96% , only two students out of 61 failed the exam. There are a very good number that have achieved exemptions and some distinctions.
Congratulations to Mr Thapelo Pitso and his teacher team for launching these students and giving them hope for future progress. Teaching and accompanying the youth is an important ministry that we share with you and we are excited by your success.
OMI Southern District
Should anyone wish to send a congratulatory note - Please send it to Fr Leo D'Aes OMI who has given 35+ years to education of Youth. Send to: leo.daes@gmail.com

OMI Students - 14 Streams 2 -4 Jan 2010
The Retreat Centre at 14 Streams was the venue for this years gathering of Oblate Students. You would have been surprised by the number: 26 Scholastics, Novice, Pre-Novice and aspirants gathered to meet the Provincial. It was a time of sharing, evaluating, and exploring. It is also a time of clarifying individually and communally the direction of formation.
The number was boosted by visiting Kenyan Oblate Students and the Regents from the Congo. Also the aspirants who had come for interviews.

Long time in Hibernation

2009-12-29T13:25:00.004+02:00

It is a long long time that I have made any additions to this blog. AND.....Many many things have happened since Dec 2008 that have not been recorded here.....

Here is an attempt to start again:

28 Dec 09 - Wishing Fr Louis Vandenbroeck OMI a good trip.

Many Oblates and friends from the parish were at Kimberley Airport to see Fr Louis and Fr Peeraer off as they departed for Belgium. Fr Louis has to focus on his health challenges and has opted to take some time in Belgium to address these. Fr Pieter Peeraer is accompanying him home. Fr Louis has been a Parish Priest and Superior at the Oblate Community at the Provincial House. He has also dedicated himself to the ministry of Provincial Bursar and the administration in general at the Provincial House.

25 Dec 09 - Christmas Day

Christmas Day lunch is hosted by the Cathedral Parish Community - Each year the Sacred Heart Cathedral assist the priests of the Archdiocese to have Christmas Lunch together. This year Beryl Solomon was the caterer for the lunch - and it was a truly festive meal. She also has her own unique way of promoting the Christmas spirit with Christmas dolls, sweets, presents, Crib and decorations.

19-Dec-09 - Fr D'Aes 80th Birthday Celebration

On the 19th December, the parish of St Rose invited everyone to celebrate the 80th Birthday of Fr Leo D'Aes their parish priest for the past 36+ years. He has had a string of celebrations among the Oblates and the Archdiocese as well as at home in Belgium where he also celelebrated all the family birthdays together. His brother in law was 90yrs this year.

December 2008

2008-12-02T11:56:00.002+02:00

2nd Meeting of the SA Oblates in the Central Province.
In an attempt to challenge ourselves to take up the batton responsibly in the Central Province the SA Oblates met in Bloemfontein at the Oblate House (Sunday till Tuesday) Br Mike Atoro was the convenor and the organiser. It was a challenging programme!

Opening & Blessing of the new Church St Peter and Paul. On Sunday, the first day of Advent 2008 the anticipated opening of the new Parish in the F Section Botshabelo was enthusiastically marked with the celebration of Mass and a feast. This is a culmination of many years of work by volunteers in the community. They collected the funds and built it themselves. Congratulations on the achievement. Archbishop Jabulani Nxumalo OMI, in his address, made pointed mention of the success of the Parish of Emmaus in maturing as a selfsustainable Church. They have had a continuos building progamme in which a set of classrooms were built followed by a hall. Later they sponsored the new Hall and a Church in the F Section by their contributions and their labour. Fr Brian Ievers OMI is the parish priest of the two communities.

October into November

2008-11-06T11:17:00.014+02:00

Bloemfontein Clergy Golf Tournament
The annual Golf Tournament starts on Monday 24 November - Priests from as far as Postmasburg and a Bishop from De Aar are gathering in Bloemfontein for this Masters Event. Fr D'Aes is the convenor of the event.Metropolitan Bishops Meeting
The Bloemfontein Metropolitan Bishops met at the Claerhout Retreat House from the 10th -13th November. Archbishop Jabulani Nxumalo and Bishops: Hecht, Bucher, Risi, Brislin who make up the new Metropolitan. The meeting finished on Thursday with the Joint Witness with the Major Superiors of the Congregations in the Province. All in all both were successful encounters.

Recent Visitors:

Br Jens Weniger OMI,
a student from Germany, has come to our Province as part of his Regency. He will be staying in Mafikeng with Fr Meindl for an experience of a mission situation outside Germany. Here he is pictured visiting our community at the Oblate House in Bloemfontein together with Fr Mahlomola.

Fr Jef Cleymans a diocesan priest and Fr Eugene Van Helden OMI both from Kappellen, Belgium, near Antwerp have been visiting Fr Joye & the communities in Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp also Fr Bessemans & Fr Louis in Kimberley and Fr D'Aes in Bloemfontein.

Oblate House Bloemfontein.

The Kelly Family:
If you ask the Children at St Bernard's or St Mary's School what is happening - they will quickly reply that the most significant reality for them is the visit of the Kelly family from Maynooth, Ireland. They are inspired and excited by this international contact. We congratulate the Kelly family for their listening to the situation here in SA and in the schools. We hope that together an exciting programme of exchange can be developed.

OMI Youth Ministry
The Oblate Youth Ministry was given a boost this year with the appointment of Fr Thidiso Moleko OMI to be full time Provincial Youth Chaplain and further boosted by the talents and commitment of our two regents Br Lehlohonolo and Br Paneng. They have worked systematically in the District to launch and support the Youth activity in the individual parishes where the Oblates are the Parish Priests. On the 15th & 16th of Nov the leadership group met at the Oblate House to do some strategic planning for 2009.

OMI Annual Retreat
Fr Dave Power OMI preached the Retreat for the Province this year. Here he is pictured with Fr John Nolan at the Oblate House where he came to rest between retreats in the OMI Sub-Region.

Oblates from the District in Rome

Fr Selomo Sooli OMI is fitting well into the International environment of the General House. He has done well in the first round of exams in Psychology and Italian which are essential for his studies.

Arcbishop Jabulani Nxumalo OMI seen at the General House after representing the SACBC at the Synod. Present from Africa were Bishop Phillip Pöllitzer OMI from Namibian Bishop's Conference, Bishop Evaristus Bitsoane Lesotho Bishops Conference. From further afield were Bishop Bejoy D’CRUZE OMI (Khulna, Bangladesh) and Bishop Rayappu Joseph (Mannar, Sri Lanka).

Br Rex Harrison OMI attended this third meeting of the Standing Committee for Oblate Brothers (Rome 2008), which is essentially one representative brother from each of the Oblate Regions and a Rep from Poland and the General House together with Fr Oswald Firth liaison for the General Council. In this meeting we consentrated on Formation issues, finalised Statutes, attempted to find ways of adequately articulating the Oblate Brother vocation relevant to the needs of the church today and we prepared for the Chapter in 2010.

August - October OMI News

2008-10-04T18:28:00.021+02:00

Short bits of news

Welcome Back Fr John from holidays in Ireland
Welcome to Fr Brian’s Family - to his brother John & sister Aideen - out on a short visit.
Also welcome to Fr D'Aes' family Heidi & Swa from Belgium - on holiday in SA for a month.
Also visiting Br Paneng was his family from Bergville, Natal - A big welcome to Nkosinathi, Mpho, Jabu, Sifiso & Fana
Fr Leo Roche’s Birthday on the 21st Oct – Happy Birthday!
Oblate Annual Retreat in Klerksdorp, Rabbuni Centre 27 Oct - 1st Nov 2008.
The Retreat Master – Fr David Power OMI– will be remembered for all his books & and as a lecturer to some of us in Ireland or Cedara and for the conference on Liturgy that he gave our District some time back. - He arrives via Durban and will stay a few days with us before our annual retreat at the Claerhout House.
Br Rex will be leaving for Rome on Thursday 23rd Oct till the 2nd Nov for the meeting of the Standing Committee for Oblate Brothers

In Memoriam

Saturday 18th October we bid farewell to the late Halifele "Hantjie" Phalole who came for a short while to assist at the Claerhout house.

She spent most of her working life caring for the sick. She loved the church and had a profound respect for the Fathers and Brothers that serve in it. She was happiest being a part of the team.
She was burried on the18th October 2008 in Botshabelo and she will be missed by all her knew her.

May she Rest in Peace!

Installation of the New Provincial Administration

The Oblates of the Central Province
converged on Assumption Parish in the Floors, Kimberley
on Monday 13th October for the
Installation of the Provincial and his Council.

We were also privileged to be able to celebrate
Bishop Hecht's Birthday
at the same event.

The Province is meeting very soon (27 Oct - 1st Nov) for the
Annual Retreat in Rabbuni Centre Klerksdorp.

OMI International and Local Family Visitors

Br Paneng Mohlakoana's family fromBergville, Natal visited us.

It is enriching to meet and to feel the support that our families give us in our ministry.

Nkosinathi, Mpho, Jabu, Sifiso, Fana & Paneng.

Heidi and Swa Verschuerey, family of Fr Leo D'Aes are visiting SA and staying in Bloemfontein for the Macufe weekend 10th - 14th October 2008.

Also John and Aideen , brother and sister of Fr Brian Ievers OMI (Botshabelo) in the country and staying over at Claerhout House on a few occasions during their visit.

Br Mike De Klerk and Br Greg Kennedy attended the St Joseph's CBC prize giving and visited the Oblate House

There is a very long association between the Oblates and the Christian Brothers' in Bloemfontein and we are happy to continue this mutual relationship

A big Welcome to all the visitors
from ALL the Oblates
of the
OMI Southern District Community.

YOUTH Leadership Workshop 3-5 October at Maseru Farm.

On the 3rd of October various representatives from five parishes in Bloemfontein and Botshabelo gathered for a leadership workshop. The workshop was conducted under Oblate Youth Ministry in Central Province on South Africa. Parishes that participated were Kriste Tshepo Ya Rona, Emmause, St. Mark, St. Rose and Christ the King. There were 50 young people participating and five facilitators, Brs. Lehlohonolo Molete, Paneng Mohlakoana, Pule Pitlele, and Teboho Molise. Ms. Lieketseng Setlaba also played an important role in the organization. The workshop was centred on the theme of leadership and different aspects relating to the topic were addressed and tackled. Areas like participative leadership, leadership within the Church, leadership in the bible and individual leadership coupled with self-awareness were major topics shared. Questions like what is leadership? How do we become heralds and witnesses of tomorrow’s Church? The workshop also focused on the values, morals and the vision of young people within the Church and the society at large.

We also elected a central committee for the parishes that participated in order to have an ongoing relationship that will help each youth group in terms of moral support. The committee members comprises of members from each youth group.

Br. Lehlohonolo Molete O.M.I

ACTS - Cultural Day
Heritage day was celebrated earlier by the combined ACTS groups of the University of the Free State and the Central University of Technology. There was a colourful turnout filling the lecture theatre Mass with energy and enthusiasm.

Fr D'Aes gets a new vehicle - and as is good tradition, we celebrated it at St Rose. Fr D'Aes has two loves at the moment the new car and he has just received Hans Kung's memoires in Dutch.

We also celebratedFr Motsiri Mosai's Birthday on the 29th September

Joint Meeting of the Lesotho Provincial Council and the Central Province SA
A meeting of the two Provincial Councils took place on 16 Sept at Assisi to discuss Fundraising, Areas of Cooperation and to explore the possibility of Restructuring.

Bloemfontein Cooling towers are getting a creative face in the run-up to the 2010 World Cup.
Among the hero's being depicted on the Tower art is a painting by the late Fr Claerhout called "The Suncatcher". Watch this space!

Womens Day - Fr Masike celebrated Women's Day with the communities of St Rose and the Lourie Park Churches on Sunday 10th of August 2008.

Jubilees & Special Birthdays were Celebrated in the Archdiocese on the 24th Sept

Final Vows on board a ship in Cape Town Harbour 50yrs ago
Br Hans Günter Arndt OMI recently celebrated his 75th Birthday at the Oblate House in Bloemfontein among the local Oblate District Community and at a Special jubilee Celebration of of the Archdiocese of Bloemfontein.

At these occasions two other Jubilees were celebrated: that of 50yrs in South Africa and his Golden Year Jubilee of Perpetual Vows in the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

This brings us to an interesting story of how Br Günter made his Final Vows on a ship in Cape Town Harbour. It was on the Feast of the Assumption 1958. There was no clarity whether the ship would dock on time so Fr Duttmann, who was had been delegated by the then Superior General Fr Deschatelets, proceeded to receive the Perpetual Vows of Br Hans Günter Arndt OMI on the Usambara in Cape Town Harbour. Captain Bujes was in command of the ship at the time.

Br Günter received his obedience for the Kimberley / Bloemfontein OMI Province and worked mostly in St Paul’s Mission Taung. There he is well known for the numerous churches, Hospital additions, Mission buildings, schools and clinics that he built. He also had number of projects with his building team providing houses for the poor when they were not on some major project. The building and rebuilding of houses was particularly relevant after the floods in Taung.

In 2007 he represented the OMI Central Province SA at the Unification of the OMI Province of his homeland, Germany with that of the Czechoslovakian and Austrian OMI Units to become the Central European Province.

Br Günter is also a draftsman and an artist. He is now retired in Bloemfontein but still continues to manage the retirement house and upgrade the property where the Oblates have their home.

Fr Brian Ievers and his volunteer team have almost completed the new Church in the F Section, Botshabelo. This project has taken many months of consistent work. The parishioners have volunteered to build the church themselves.

From the digging of the foundations to the hanging of the ceiling and the laying of the tiles a representative group of the parish have always been on hand to handle the next phase of the construction.

News from the WYD Group

2008-07-21T22:54:00.003+02:00

Angoma sent the following message:

"The WYDSY08 was Great experience

.....for the whole world

....seeing so many Countries together in one place,

like the Pope Benedict 16th said (live in the Spirit),

and the youth were really living in the Spirit.

Oblate Study Day

2008-07-18T21:04:00.009+02:00

Oblate District Study Day - 15 July 2008
It is Mid winter in our part of the World at this time. The cold has been quite severe in the last 3 weeks but for the last two days it has let up somewhat. Some of our Oblate Priests are on holiday in Europe, enjoying the warmer weather and spending time with family. So our gathering was a little smaller than usual. The visiting students on mid year pastoral work made up somewhat for the regulars but the day was enjoyed by all.
We meet to check in and share our programmes and successes and struggles with each other. It is really community building.
Mr Godfrey Lehasa, a well known funeral Director, was invited to share with us some of the problems that he witnesses in providing funeral services for the poor. We were surprised by the large number of pauper burials they find themselves having to provide. It was an eye-opener! Our sharing ended with collecting each other's contact details and expressing a firm resolve to work together to alleviate the plight of the poor when confronted with the high cost of burying their loved ones.

Fr Michael Sekoati OMI
Has recently returned from Germany where he spent some time at the Franciscan Sisters of Siessen's Mother House prior to the start of their Congregational Chapter.

Fr Lebohang Malemoha OMI, Parish Priest in Zastron.
Conducted the retreat for the Franciscan Sisters at their Regional Mother House in Assisi, South Africa.

Br Don Claerhout OMI
We were happy to receive Br Don Claerhout for a short visit at the Oblate House on Wednesday and Thursday.

Br Don is an exceptional missionary having been stationed in a good many Oblate missions in a very short time: At each of these appointments he has left a major impact.

At the moment he is in Lesotho assisting the community there with their hostel project. Only a few months ago he was in Kenya helping to complete the Water supply project. And only a few months before that he was a formator at Cedara Scholasticate.

Another Claerhout
Paul Vanhee the nephew of the late Fr Claerhout is also an established artist. He has been featured on the Netherlands PZC web site - Click on this highlighted link to see the featured article - this is especially interesting for our Flemish brothers: PZC Website
Congratulations Paul & Katrien from all of us Oblates here in South Africa. We also believe that your son is touring South Africa at the moment - greetings to him!

WYD & Vocations Workshop 2008 & Renovations

2008-07-11T20:54:00.005+02:00

WYD 2008

Tomorrow Fr Papi Mothai OMI and Angoma Maemba leave for the WYD in Sydney, Australia. Both are being sent by the Oblate Community of the Central Province SA. We hope that they will have a wonderful adventure, and that like those that attended the last WYD experience in Germany that it be an important touch stone for years to come.

Vocations Workshop 2008 - Regina Pacis Retreat Centre - Assisi

Each year we try to hold a Vocations Workshop. We missed out last year. It would have taken place only it had to be sacrificed for the schools catch up programme after the difficulties in the mid year. Long ago we were inundated with candidates - now days we don't advertise - we leave it to Parish Priests to recommend who should attend and so the numbers are smaller but we would like to believe that they are more focussed on their vocation.

To meet the more serious candidates we have introduced a retreat into the programme. Now comments like: "It was a beautiful time - I felt close to God, are regularly heard.

There is also a significant time spent on explaining the stages of formation of Religious and Diocesan Priests. Oblate Brothers and the Oblate Associates also get promoted.

Brs: Paneng and Lehlohonolo together with Fr Putlele & Deacon Rakaki were the main organisers - Brs Pule, Bruce and Rex and Leduma Mohale shared their particular vocations on the Wednesday.

We hope that this workshop will also realise a few more candidates next year at the Seminary and the Scholasticate.

Fr Tshidiso Moleko has also been busy in the Taung, Kimberley and Mafikeng areas promoting vocations workshops there together with a team of priests and Students.

Renovations at the Oblate House in Bloem
Br Teboho Molise and Br Bruce Mwenda together with Br Rex have been active with renovations at the OMI House extension (See Pictures).

The Claerhout House task team have had their proposal to the Provincial Council confirmed and are going into action with a plan to better utilise the facilities.

YOMI Conference

2008-06-23T23:15:00.022+02:00

The YOMI Conference starts today at Good Shepherd Retreat Centre - Hartbeespoort Dam - Br Mike Atoro reports from the gathering that the Young Oblates of the Sub-Region are arriving and that the Spirit is moving!

Fr Mike Foley OMI writes from his sabbatical in Ireland:

I Am presently at Inchicore in Ireland.

Wish you well for your meeting and hope that it will be (or was) a very fruitful, restful and enjoyable time of fraternal sharing and renewed missionary energy.

Mike Foley

Fr. A.P.Joseph Benedict O.M.I. from Sri Lanka working in Chile:

Dear young Oblates I am glad to write to you all this letter to just to say hello from the Mission in Chile. I am a Sri Lankan Priest working as a Missionary here for the last 6 Years. I am Fr. A.P.Joseph Benedict o.m.i. Well I was in pakistan as a Missionary for 18 Years and then I went to Sri - Lanka and after the death of my father I volunteered to Chile Mission it is very interesting to be here in this mission and lot of work for us as Oblates to do here. We are very few Oblates in total 18 Priests many Foreign Missionaries few "Chilenos" . Last year we had one Ordination after a long time.
Well as Young Oblates you have the Enthusiasm and will do lot of work for the people, it is very good but what is important, I think, is to be in closer to the people and to listen to them much more than talking. This is our Mission now in the Modern world because everyone is busy. No time to Listen to the People. Here in the parish of St. Paul we are three priests from three different Countries. Spain, Argentina and Sri Lanka. We have organized our parish with a Plan Pastoral and we have 4 Different Religious women in the parish as well as two Men religious. Work is going on very well and I am glad that all are doing their pastoral work very well. The Laity too are fully dedicated to their work.
Well I wish all of you a good YOMI Conference and may the Good Lord Bless all of you in whatever decisions and the plans you draw up for the future for your Mission.
May Our Mother Mary Guide and guard each and everyone of you in the Mission. My prayers are with you say a prayer for us too. Bye for now

Fr. A.P.Joseph Benedict O.M.I.

Fr Paul Decock OMI of the
St Joseph's Theological Institute, Cedara.

Greetings to you all and good wishes for your meeting.

I am at present at Lusaka and have just come back from Kalabo and Mongu.

Paul Decock omi

Fr R.Mariyanayagam, omi of Sri Lanka, writes from Lesotho where he is in the Formation Ministry at MaJesu Scholasticate:

Dear Young Oblate Friends, Kindly accept my prayerful wishes for the success of your fellowship gathering. As young and zealous members from various units, the experiences that you may have shared would have further increased your zeal to appreciate the charism better.

I am happy to realize that all of you are young now, but I wish that you remain youthful always in your life. God bless you and the Queen of Oblates intercede for you.

R.Mariyanayagam, omi

Fr Selomo Sooli OMI sent the following message from Rome:

I am thinking of you guys and be assured of my prayers. I feel very much part of you especially that I was involved with the initial preparations of this congress.

Modimo a le hlohonofatse bohle.

Selomo

Br Rex Harrison OMI sent from Bloemfontein SA:

Wishing you YOMI's a successful conference - We pray that the Holy Spirit inspire you with the gifts of wisdom and enthusiasm to address the many challenges facing us in this African Region.

Rex

Fr Paolo Archiati, OMI, Assistant General in Rome says:

Hello there! I hope I'm still on time to reach you with this short message. It's time for meetings in many places all over the Oblate world. You are gathered there at the Good Shepherd Retreat Centre, in a few days a meeting will start in Cochabamba, Bolivia, for the formators of the whole Region of Latin America, in August there will be a meeting in Aix, also for formators. I know you are not all formators, but you have in common with formation the very fact that you left a formation house not long ago... and maybe some of you are now working in a formation house as formators. No matter what you ministry is in the present moment of your life, what is important is that we all work for the same mission, the same Oblate family, the same Kingdom of God. I accompany you all and each one of you with my prayers and support, I'm thankful to God for what you do in His vineyard and for the generosity of your young age. Be happy to be Oblates! And be happy to spend your life as missionaries sent especially to the poor and the most abandoned. May Saint Eugene be proud of you! And may our blessed Mother keep you under her protection and guide you in your journey, especially when life becomes a little tough... If we are the one family that saint Eugene wanted us to be, nothing will stop our efforts for announcing the saving Gospel of the Lord. So go ahead, be happy and keep giving your life to your brothers and sisters! Thank you once again for your generosity!

Paolo Archiati, OMI

Fr Jean-Bosco Musubi OMI - General Councillor for Africa says:

Greetings from Rome where it is getting warm!
Since you are meeting at the moment at the Good Shepherd Retreat Centre, the same place that the Inter-Chapter was held in 2007, I would like to greet you and say I am happy with your reflection time.
Please don’t forget Fr General’s message to our Regional Conference held in Dakar in January 2004: “The Africa-Madagascar Region is full of vitality. (…)
The Oblates all over the world will be looking more and more towards Africa-Madagascar, our fastest growing Region.
The strength the Lord is giving you, will be a blessing for the many missionary needs on the increase in your own countries. It is at the same time meant to become a blessing for other parts of the world.
May Saint Eugene and the spirit of his apostolic zeal accompany you at your gathering.” So be ready to answer the challenge of Mission in Africa and everywhere in the world. God bless!

Jean-Bosco

Fr Donaat Bohe OMI from Potchefstroom says:

Dear young Oblates,

May you all be inspired and blessed during your days together.

Donaat

Inter-National Scholastic visitors

2008-06-22T23:49:00.005+02:00

Saturday evening: Simon-Petrus Shikongo, Nhlanhla Mhlanga, Bruce Mwenda & Chibre Tembo arrived from the Scholasticate in Cedara by bus to the Oblate House in Bloemfontein.

Each year Scholastics, during the June holidays, are sent for pastoral experience to an Oblate Province. Our visitors this year come from the Zambian, Namibian and Zimbabwean Oblate Units.
Welcome brothers!

Mosupatsela Radio Station - Botshabelo

2008-06-20T16:35:00.004+02:00

The community Radio Station in Botshabelo invited Br Lehlohonolo to an interview on the theme of Celibacy and HIV/AIDS. The interviewer tried to explore a connection between Celibacy, abstainance as a mode of living and as positive attitude development to combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The interview was in Sesotho and broadcast to the Botshabelo and Thaba 'Nchu region.

Br Lehlohonolo is on his Regency year and he and Br Paneng are leading up a Youth Programme in Botshabelo and Bloemfontein Parishes. They are invited by Parish Priests to promote the Youth structures and activities in their parishes.

Youth Day 16 June 2008 & Other news

2008-06-20T15:34:00.007+02:00

Fr Ralph Mothe OMI & Deacon Makhetha

Kriste Tshepo ya Rona was the venue for this years YOUTH DAY celebrations in the Southern District. Brs. Lehlohonolo and Paneng were up early on Monday to host about 250 Youth at the Church coming from as far as St Mark's & Christ the King Parishes in Bloemfontein.

The theme challenged the Youth to focus their lives for their future inspired by the Youth of 1976 who were able to bring about big change to the society they lived in.

HIV & AIDS
Crime Prevention
Talent Show
Dramas: on Township Life & June 16
Youth Mass

Fr Selomo Sooli OMI leaves for Rome

He has been accepted for the course in Psychology at the Gregorian University in Rome. He left on the 16th June 2008 and has arrived safely and is presently orientating himself at his new home: The Oblate Generalate. He is applying himself for the first two months with learning Italian.

Selomo we wish you all the best for taking on this challenge! He can be contacted on Skype but be prepared to speak Italian with him - he is that focussed and determined.

Africa Madagascar Region Meeting
The Africa Region met in Madagascar recently - This was for all Provincials and Unit Leaders. It seems from reports that the main focus at that gathering was the preparation for the upcoming General Chapter. Africa is the fastest growing Region in the Congregation and the realisation is that Africa will have to play a more concerted role in the International Oblate Community. It will be important to be well prepared for the General Chapter in 2010.

Prison Ministry

Fr Motsiri Mosai attended a Conference in Linbe, Cameroon in April for Catholic Prison Chaplains.

He found it inspiring and he has provided us with a full account.

You will find it on our Web Site at PRISON CHAPLAINCY

OMI District Retreat

2008-06-10T23:35:00.005+02:00

The OMI Southern District attended the monthly retreat in Assisi (Free State) on the 9th & 10th June 2008. It was a silent retreat but also has moments of deep personal sharing and a brief audit of our pastoral response the the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Fr Brian Ievers OMI led a meditation on the late Fr Claerhout's : "The Suncatcher" during the Reatreat Mass.

We were also happy to have Fr Mariyanayagam OMI (SriLanka/Lesotho) and Fr Joseph Sephamola OMI from Lesotho on the Retreat of the Local District. Fr Mari was the celebrant at the Benediction to conclude the Retreat.

Recent events in the District

2008-06-03T21:57:00.006+02:00

Youth Rally 2008

(ACTS - Association of Catholic Tertiary Students)

The annual ACTS Youth Rally at the Cathedral this year, follows successfully in the tradition of past years.

Once again youth from all over the Archdiocese and especially from the Tertiary Institutions where ACTS is active, gathered in their numbers, +/- 1000 to spend the day following a tightly packed programme.
There were inspirational & challenging presentations and discussions groups in the morning. Inbetween teas and lunches were provided. The afternoon moved into a deeper spiritual mood with a Penitential Service and Mass.
Even though the weather on the day started cold and wet - the Youth came in their droves and enjoyed every minute right up to the finish around 8pm.

Feast of St Eugene - Celebration of our Oblate Elders 21 May 2008

Today we paid special recognition to those of our District who have reached the stage where we look on them as "Elders". Here we do not refer to age but more in an African sense where they become our wise and experienced guides. We honour them for their years of committed ministry and for the Community of Faith they have contributed to building up.

Drs Louis & Lynn Goedhals installed as Honorary Oblates by the late Fr Zago, S General

The Elders we honoured this year are:

Fr Leo D'Aes OMI
Fr Michel Bissonnette OMI
Br Gunter Arndt OMI
Fr John Nolan OMI
Fr Tommy Swords OMI
Mr and Mrs Louis & Lynn Goedhals (Honorary Oblates)

Fr Malemoha OMI - Zastron

2008-03-27T22:41:00.003+02:00

-
Fr Lebohang Malemoha OMI has been working as Parish Priest of Zastron since the late Fr Mahara retired. He has been working hard on building the parish community and has also mobilised the parish to take care of some urgent repairs.

The first major project was to put a Security fence around the Church - the perimeter of the Church property is long if you are thinking of a high steel fence all the way round and paying for it. And that is exactly what the parish has managed to do in a relatively short time.

Chaplaincy - Sacred Heart

2008-03-27T22:12:00.004+02:00

The leadership of the Inter Diocesan Sacred Heart Sodality is handing over.

The present team is from the Metropolitan Province of Bloemfontein and have been serving for the period 2005 - 2007. Fr Raphael Mothe OMI has been the Inter Diocesan Chaplain for this period. It will be handed over to a Leadership Team elected from the Durban Metropolitan Province.

Well done Fr Ralph for this big service to the Church during your term as Chaplain. It is rumoured that the next chaplain will also be an Oblate: Fr Jabulani Mtolo OMI.

OMI Gathering & 75th Birthday of Br Günther OMI

2008-03-22T12:11:00.006+02:00

On the 19th March in Holy Week the whole community of the Oblates in the Southern District met the visiting General Councillor of Asia Oceania, Fr Fredrico Labaglay OMI. He came to conduct the official consultation for Provincial in the Central Province.

The other big event was celebrating Br Günter Arndt's 75th Birthday.
We are happy to have Br Günther in Bloemfontein. He is a "baan breeker" a pioneer, in that he is leading the way in affirming that retirement can be a creative adventure as well as a necessary change of gears after long service in the mission.

He is better known in the Taung area of the Diocese of Kimberley where he worked as a Master Builder & architect.
He constructed many of the Churches and prayer houses, schools & convents.

He is still busy, even today, with the reconditioning of the Oblate House, especially the retirement section. He has recently renovated the dining room and now the front flat has been tastefully upgraded.

The consultation process went very well. There was a presentation on Leadership by Fr Labaglay which wet the appetite for the open sharing on the Urgent needs of the Province and the expectations of leadership. Ballot papers were distributed with an appeal that they should reach Rome no later than the 7th of April 2008.

The community then recreated while some had individual interviews with Fr Labaglay OMI until 5.30pm when we all went up to the Cathedral for the Mass of the Blessing of the Holy Oils.

Br Gunther Arndt's Birthday

2008-03-18T21:52:00.003+02:00

At Mass today in the community we celebrated the 75th Birthday of Br Gunther Arndt OMI one of our senior members of our Community in Bloemfontein. Fr Pat who presided at the mass remembered our elder brother in the prayers and presented him with a beautiful present at the end. His Birthday will be celebrated properly tomorrow at the Gathering of the Oblate Community on the 19th March at Oblate House

Oblate Assembly & Bishop's Ordination

2008-03-01T16:02:00.006+02:00

Oblate Celebration 18th - 20th February 2008

Oblates of our whole Province gathered in Assisi for the annual cerebration of the Approval of the Constitution and Rules of our Congregation. It was an exceptional turn out of the Community.

The Provincial had prepared a well organised and appropriate programme for the two days. It was good to spend some time with each other - not rushing off as we do sometimes if it is only the Mass and lunch. It was a wonderful celebration!

Ordination of Bishop Michael Wursenberg, Bishop of Aliwal. Br Rex was asked to take the photos at the Ordination of the new Bishop on Sunday 24th February 2008.

Archbishop Ndumbukuti Nashenda visited Bloemfontein for a few days after the Aliwal event. Br Rex took him to meet the Holy Cross Community in Botshabelo where there are three Namibian Sisters working there at present. They were delighted to see their Archbishop.

Many Vocations but no new Pre-Novices for 2008

2008-02-18T09:17:00.004+02:00

We are fortunate to be able to celebrate the renewal of vows with so many enthusiastic young men renewing their vows at different parishes throughout to Province yesterday 17 Feb. But there is also a small alarm in that there are no new Pre-Novices for 2008. There is a similar happening in the big province of Lesotho this year as it has no Novices for 2008. Provinces like ours need a constant trickle of committed students joining our ranks to ensure the future of the Oblate Mission world wide. God continues to call we need to be ready to welcome them.

Yesterday the following Oblates renewed their Vows on the 17 Feb Feast
Br Jeremiah Gama OMI & Br Pule Pitlele OMI at St Ephraim Potchefstroom District.
Br Mofihli Moalusi OMI & Br Teboho Molise OMI at St Rose in Bloemfontein
Br Lechie Molise OMI at Emmaus in Botshabelo
Br Paneng Mohlakoana OMI & Br Lehlohonolo Molete OMI at Kriste Tshepo ya Rona Botshabelo

Novices 2008

2008-02-14T17:39:00.003+02:00

Sefatsa, Habofane, Kele, Lungile

New Novices preparing to leave for Novitiate in Namibia and Gauteng
This month we are sending Sefatsa Qopane from Bloemfontein, Habofane Paulus Modupe from Westminster and Mojalefa Francis Kele from Botshabelo and Lungile Cutshwa from Bultfontein to the Novitiate. Some will go to the Novitiate in Namibia and other to the Novitiate in Gauteng. We wish these deciples of Jesus a deep experience as they spend some time in the desert as Jesus did before he embarked on his public ministry. We will pray for you!

Bits of News

2008-02-14T15:40:00.011+02:00

Farewell to Fr Tshidiso Moleko OMI (See next post to see a picture of Fr Tshidiso)
The Oblate and Diocesan Priests and Brothers met at St Rose Oblate Community last night (Wed) to bid farewell to Fr Tshidiso as he accepts the challenge of Oblate Youth Chaplain for the Central Province SA.
This will mean animating youth in three Dioceses and networking with other Oblate Youth activities throughout the African Sub Region.
He will be missed here in Bloemfontein & Botshabelo where he has made a solid impact in the tasks which were entrusted to him.
He will be most missed in our District and especially in the St Rose Oblate Community.
YOUTH IS A FOCUS OF OUR MINISTRY - ESPECIALLY SINCE THE LAST GEN. CHAPTER.

Fr D'Aes' bell - New Church nears completion in Lourie Park
A new bell has arrived from Belgium weighing a few tons....or so it seems by the size of it.
The bell tower was recently constructed nicely in time to see the arrival of this mammoth bell which now resides comfortably at the highest point of this beautifully constructed Church.

Click on the pictures to get a clearer view

Visit from Fr Joseph Sepamola OMI and Fr David Khoaene OMI

Fr Khoaeane visited our community while he was attending to some health issues. Our Community is well situated for visits to specialists and hospital clinics. It was great having these distinguished visitors from our neighbouring Province Lesotho. Both Fr Sephamola (Novice Master) and Fr Khoaene live together at Villa Maria.

Br Gunter Arndt OMI has been renovating the front room/flat and dining room of the OMI Retirement House. A new aluminium window and sliding door replaces the old steel widow frame giving more light and access to the stoep ara. Also the dining area has been revamped by restoring the original tiles and repainting the entire room. Br Gunter together with Ntate Davo have managed to complete most of the work themselves thus saving much.

Retreat for the Renewal of Vows - A number of our brothers will be renewing their vows on Sunday 17th February 2008
Br Jeremiah Gama OMI & Br Pule Pitlele OMI ---------------- in Ikageng, Potchefstroom
Br Teboho Molise OMI & Br Mofihle Moalusi OMI--------------in St Rose (Bloemfontein)
Br Lehlohonolo Molete OMI & Br Paneng Mohlakoana OMI ----in Kriste Tshepo (Botshabelo)
Br Lechie Molise OMI ----------in Emmaus (Botshabelo)

On Friday and Saturday they will attend a retreat to prepare themselves for this commitment. We are blessed with fine vocations and we thank God for these blessings. We wish them faith and perseverance as they prepare themselves to his instruments, his agents in the world.

Br Jeremiah Gama OMI is transferred to Potchefstroom for the last part of his Regency before heading for continuation of his studies in the Congo

Rotary Annes Educational Aids Project: Handed over to Grade 1 & 2 teachers at the Oblate House on Friday 15th Feb 2008 - Mrs Glynis Walkerley, the designer, did the demonstration of the teaching aids for the Rotary Women's Organisation. Dr Lynn Goedhals promoted this project while she was chairperson of the local Rotary Annes. The material will be just in time for the new school year now that teachers have settled in the new pupils into their first years of a long academic journey.

Latest News!

2008-02-06T17:52:00.000+02:00

First Vows 5th Feb 2008. We congratulate Br Simon Mphana OMI (of Kriste Tshepo Botshabelo) and Br Khotso Moleko OMI (Tweespruit) who made their vows at the Novitiates in Dobra, Namibia and Johannesburg respectively. We are proud to welcome you into the ranks of our Oblate Family! Thanks also to their families at home for encouraging them in their vocations. They now proceed to Cedara for their studies in Philosophy.

Fundraising Committee of the Province starts its work at a meeting held at Rabbuni Centre, Klerksdorp. Br Michael Atoro OMI has been appointed Executive Convenor of the Fundraising Committee.

There will be a follow up to the Assembly last year when the whole Province gathers in Assisi on the 18th - 20th February to celebrate our Congregation Feast and to mark the Jubilees and the important milestones celebrated by members in 2008. There will also be a challenging programme.

Fr Tshidiso Moleko OMI has been appointed to head the Youth Programme of the Central Province. He will work in the entire province and network with neighbouring Oblate Provinces and with the respective Dioceses and their structures. Youth is one of the main focusses of the last Chapter and the one which the Central Province has embraced full heartedly.

The funerals of the Grandfather & Uncle of our two scholastic Brothers: Teboho & Lechie Modise was held on Saturday - Our deepest sympathies to you and your families - RIP

Excelsior, 15th - 17th February 2008, celebrates its Dorp's Fees. They have chosen to honour Fr Claerhout by calling it the "Claerhout Fees" and this year is the second year running, that it is so called and promises to be bigger and better than last year - according to the newspapers.

Please see web site for pictures and tributes of the late Fr Lazi Moiloa OMI. On the 9th Feb it will already be a month since his sudden passing. May he rest in peace!

Recent Events in the OMI Southern District Community

2007-12-16T10:22:00.000+02:00

14th December
Funeral of the late Fr Maqalaka Sebastian Mahara OMI from Sacred Heart Cathedral - See report on:

Requiem Mass - Sacred Heart Cathedral - Bloemfontein

Programme of tributes: (Fr Masike MC for Tributes)
Seminary: Fr Sipuka Sethembele
Parishes: Smithfield/ Zastron Mr Johannes Thuhlo
All Saints Mr Daniel Tohlang
Priest Friend Fr Ephraim Mailula OMI
Family Member Rev. W. Gill

10.00 Requiem Mass MC (Fr Ralph Mothe OMI)
Main Celebrant: Archbishop Nxumalo OMI
Main Celebrants: Bishops & Fr Mosoeu (Provincial)
Choir: Zastron Choir
Homily: Fr Emmanuel Mosoeu OMI (Prov)
Liturgy: Fr Tshidiso Moleko OMI
Proper Parts of the Mass (Latin):Fr Raphael Mothe OMI

6th December 2007
Immaculate Conception Feast celebrated in the Oblate District at the Oblate House on Dec 6th

Welcome: Provincial, All the Oblates of the District and visiting Districts, Our Oblate Students, Our Honoury Oblates.

I also welcome our newest Oblate Ancestor the late Fr Sebastian Mahara - we ask that he intercede for us

We remember our sick – Fr Lazi is in Millpark Hospital in Johannesburg

There are others that have also to take special care of themselves …..

Here we encourage everyone to have a check up at least once a year

The Provincial at the last retreat encouraged us to take small breaks when the stress builds up

This year has been an action packed year……

Unfortunately it hasn’t been the same intimate experience that we have been used with regular retreats and Oblate days

The Province and the Congregation made inroads into this programme……. The Provincial Assembly and the Inter-Chapter held in Johannesburg this year. A big privilege …..but heavy on time and commitment from the Region. With it came a host of Regional and sub-regional meetings which made use of the members being together.

A little news:

There is new leadership at the Oblate House - after a Provincial Consultation process Fr Mike Bracken was appointed Superior of the Oblate House – The General Councillor for Asia Oceania Fr Fredrico Labaglay, during his visitation, was present at the appointment.

We have a new Oblate Communty at St Rose - Thanks to Fr D’Aes’ many years of work there it is important to support that commitment and so we have established a community to ensure the ongoing ministry in that area.
Fr Masike is the Superior and Fr Motsiri the Treasurer and Fr Tshidiso is still heavily committed with his studies but helps with supply.

There has always been a community in Botshabelo – Next year it will be intensified ……… Fr Mothe has been appointed to the Oblate Parish there ……we have also accepted the request of the Natal Province to place a Regent, Br Paneng, and he will form part of that community – and will be following the effective Youth Research programme that has been pioneered in the Kimberley area by the Regents.

We have also had an experience of Regency this year - Br Jeremiah Gama has been an active member of the Oblate House community
Now we say goodbye and thanks to him…..and wish him well for his next Oblate challenge as he completes his studies in the Congo.

Some of the Oblates are attending to health and prior commitments Fr Pat, Fr Brian, Fr Lazi, Archbishop is on retreat

Wishing you all a Happy and Holy Feast of the Immaculate Conception ……and a Happy Christmas and New Year

1st December 2007 (Sat)
Fr Jean Baptiste & Br Paneng & Provincial visit Botshabelo & M Section where he will do his regency – pursuing the Youth research under Fr Mothe We had an improptual Braai for the visitors

28th November 2007 (Wednesday)
OMI Supper – Farewell to Br Jeremiah Gama OMI & Br Greg Kennedy CFC also 47th Anniversary of Fr Mahara’s Ordination (his first mass to be exact on that specific day)
Sr Francina also thanked the community for her stay and for the time of rest to restore her for her work in Botshabelo.

27th November 2007
Jeremea Makau – Pre-Novice arrived from Rayton on his way for his home leave - we had the chance to catch up with his experiences in the Pre-Noviciate this year.

We received a visit from Br Atty Sobayeni CFC - who is the Ex-Principal of St Mary's School near Fr D'Aes' Parish in Bochabela, Bloemfontein. Always good to receive a visit from people working in the cutting edge programmes for rural and urban schools. Br Atty gives support via the Catholic Institute of Education based in Johannesburg for these schools.

26th Nov - 1st Dec Directed Retreat at Rabbuni Centre Klerksdorp
26th November – 1st December 2007

23 November 2007
We received a visit to our community from Fr Dan Corijn OMI he has just finished his term as President of the St Joseph's Theological Institute and will be the new Rector for St Paul's seminary in Rome

Assisi Preached Retreat 5th - 10th November 2007

Welcome back Fr Pat and Fr Brian

2007-09-13T01:23:00.000+02:00

A big group Oblates met Fr Pat Towe and Fr Brian Ievers at the airport on their return from their overseas leave. We are happy they are back safely and well rested.

The Bloemfontein Airport is undergoing a major rejuvenating programme.

Cedara - SJTI - New President

2007-09-06T21:06:00.000+02:00

Monday 3rd September we attended the Installation of the St Joseph's Thelogical Institute's new President: Fr Sylvester David OMI.

Fr Dan Corijn OMI, president of SJTI for the past years has been appointed as Rector to the Pontifical College of St Paul in Rome.

Fr Sylvester David OMI was installed in a packed Cedara Chapel, including Academics, Priests from all the congregations associated with SJTI and Cardinal Wilfred Napier and Auxillary Bishop Barry Wood OMI. The Provincials of the SJTI Board as well as Academics and Ministers of the Theological Cluster were there to witness the occasion.

From the Liturgy - Speeches - farewells and welcomes right up to the banquet afterwards in the Hall it was a moving and festive event!

As many of us in the Southern District OMI who could, have signed a card wishing Fr Sylvester a successful term of leadership. We are especially supportive as most of our students pass through their hands. Fr Sylvester is well known to us for the Biblical Theology retreats he has conducted in our Province.

Fr Sylvester is the first South African President of SJTI.

He succeeds Fr Dan Corijn OMI who succeeded Fr Paul Decock OMI (the first SJTI President). Fr Dan was also Rector of St Joseph's Scholasticate for a term before he served in Rome as Vicar General of the OMI Congregation.

Visit to Kimberley

2007-09-01T13:51:00.000+02:00

I (Rex) visited Kimberley on Wed & Thurs to attend to some family business. The Provincial House was alive and well. I arrived to find the Provincial alone writing a paper - the rest of the community were out on a wide variety of missionary activity. Exciting to see so much energy generated by a community.

The next day I joined in the activities around the house repaired some computer connections - Fr Papi was busy with a beautiful garden he has designed near the gate. Teboho was painting Fr Remi's room, Fr Tebogo was busy with a mountain of washing and Fish was preparing the next pastoral programme, Fr Remi was on retreat and Fr Louis was attending a bursar's conference.

There was a quiet but creative energy in the house. I enjoyed the sense of belonging that everyone felt, including myself, a visitor from another community.

Thanks guys I really enjoyed the visit!

Roof High!

2007-08-29T23:50:00.000+02:00

Fr D'Aes Parish Priest of St Rose in Bochabela Bloemfontein recently completed the renovations of St Rose itself. And it looks gooood!

Lourie Park is an outstation of St Rose. The new Church Building there has just reached roof high. At this rate Christmas can be celebrated in the new church.

The community are presently using a tent.

Rumours of rain!

2007-08-28T11:40:00.000+02:00

OMI Southern District Leaders Meeting at the Oblate House on Monday 27th.

Justice and Peace Ministry promoted by the Province moving into top gear. Fr Lazi Moiloa has been rolling out a comprehensive programme before the Assembly - since the Provincial Assembly it is gaining new momentum.

St Rose OMI Community have become more settled now that all the renovations have been completed. The community facilities have a clean homely feeling. Thanks in a big way to Fr Motsiri who did most of the repainting and repairs. Fr Masike, the third member, still has responsibilities to take care of before he too will join the group.

Fr D'Aes, Mrs Mapitse, Mrs Mapeshoane and Br Rex were thanked at the recent St Bernard's Cultural day mass for their long involvement in the school.

ESSENTIAL MAINTENANCE: Thanks to the help of our students: Jeremea Makau & Paulus Modupe of Rayton Pre-Noviciate and Chancy Molete and Lechie & Teboho Molise of the Scholasticate we have managed to repair the swimming bath at Fr Mahara's and Br Gunter's house at cost. Without their assistance, a professional pool repair company would have cost thousands. We completed the task for a modest R200 because we were able to do it ourselves. Mr Mosoeu also provided some specialised assistance when we had made the preparations.
SO WE INVITE YOU ALL TO COME AND SWIM WHEN THE WEATHER IMPROVES.

Spring has sprung!

2007-08-26T23:27:00.000+02:00

Friday and Saturday were Cultural Days at St Bernard's School - Fr Tshidiso preached and Fr D'Aes presided at the Eucharist. The mass was a moving testimony to the school's commitment to wholistic education and formation of young people with a sense of mission and purpose in life. The feasts of St Bernards St Marys and St Rose are celebrated at this time. We salute the Educators and learners of this school. This is an essential ministry to Youth and to the future!

Spring is in the air! this is also witnessed by the trees sprouting new life in the form of buds and blossoms. The ladies that take such good care of us Nankie and Stompie have started doing the spring cleaning rituals and the blankets of the past winter are being washed and stored. We still encounter cold fronts pushing up from the Artic South bringing bitterly cold bouts but for the most the winter is on its way out.

Bloemfontein has another bigger and better Shopping Mall. The Waterfront has been under construction for a long time now and they have managed to keep the new centre under wraps for the entire construction time. Today we had a peek! And although it is not yet completed it is a mammoth Centre! Well ahead of the 2010 for which it is undoubtedly preparing for.

Feast of the Assumption

2007-08-15T21:55:00.000+02:00

We celebrated the Feast of the Assumption at the Oblate House - starting with Mass this morning and ending with solemn Vespers in the chapel and drinks and a beautiful supper of Ox Tail Stew prepared by our own Br Jeremiah Gama OMI. It was a great evening.

Br Greg Kennedy CFC let us into a secret that it was also his own Golden Jubilee today! ie 50 years ago today he joined the Christian Brothers Congregation in Ireland

Funeral of Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Bloemfontein

2007-08-12T15:10:00.000+02:00

Friday 10th August 2007 was the funeral of the late Fr Valentine Kelello Tsoebeane.

Fr Tsoebeane was the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Bloemfontein when he passed away on the 3rd August in the Medi-Clinic hospital after a longish time in the ICU.

A tebello (wake) was held at St Rose parish on the night of the 9th August and the Funeral was at a packed Cathedral Church on the 10th. He was laid to rest at the old Memoriam Graveyard, in an acre reserved for Priests. He will long be remembered by the entire Archdiocesan community.

May he rest in Peace

Golden Jubilee of Priesthood of Fr Victor Croos OMI

2007-08-09T23:24:00.000+02:00

St Anthony's Parish in Mafikeng was the venue for Fr Victor Croos OMI Golden Jubilee Celebration of Priesthood. St Anthony's is such an International Parish Community! And this is reflected in their liturgies, their style of celebrating Fathers jubilee. Family and friends were invited as far afield as Sri Lanka (Fr Victor's home) and London and from all over. The parish did a miracle of organisation and hospitality!
The Mass was a moving experience - from the lighting of the lamps to the final blessing! Fr Victor is well loved in the parish he has served now for 20 years.

Development & Health

2007-08-06T12:49:00.000+02:00

The Oblate District participate in the Health and development programmes by implementing them in the parishes where we have responsibilities and by helping to attract funding and support for them in the Archdiocese. On Sunday we had a visitor, Mr John Sheils, an independent consultant who visited our sites namely: HIV/AIDS Coordination in the Archdiocese of Bloemfontein (Sr Electa)and the Tertiary Students Ministry of which Fr Pat Towe OMI is the chaplain.

OMI Central Province - Provincial Assembly

2007-08-04T00:26:00.000+02:00

All the Oblates of the Missionary Oblates of the Central Province of SA - gathered at Assisi for the Provincial Assembly. We expected sub-zero temperatures but it was quite comfortably cool.
There was a lot of preparation done by a capable pre-Assembly preparation team. This made all the difference. The Assembly tried to discern a community direction on a number of recurring themes - this was successfully achieved.

Some of the key issues were:

Listening to what others & other significant groups were feeding back to the Oblates - namely: what we did well and some challenges to us us as a community.
We confronted our financial situation - and looked at ways to become more sustainable
Reports from the Districts
Examined the Vows from an African contextual perspective.
Leadership & Governance - Mission and Evangelization
Announcement of 4 Scholastics to complete their Theology in the Congo in a French African environment.
Reports from - Youth Ministry & Justice and Peace Ministry

Kimberlites!

2007-07-20T18:13:00.000+02:00

A penny for their thoughts ........

If anyone could guess what these two distinguished Kimberlites are saying
please add to the comments
at the bottom of this posting !

Welcome!

2007-07-20T15:57:00.000+02:00

We were happy to receive recently Fr Lazi's family, Fr Thabang's brother and also the Visiting Scholastics from Kenya, Namibia and Zambia on their way back to Cedara after completing their pastoral work in our Province. Fr Moteaphala and Fr Valerio paid a fleeting day visit on Thursday.

Oblate District Retreat at Assisi

2007-07-19T00:52:00.000+02:00

The Oblate Southern District held its retreat at Assisi from the 16th - 17th July 2007.

The Monday evening was devoted to the District Response to the Questionnaire in preparation for the Province Assembly. This was a deep sharing on issues that have been surfacing repeatedly from the past Congresses. A report was sent with Fr Masike who left early in the morning of the 17th for a meeting in Kimberley where the Preparitory Committee met. Fr Masike is our district representative on that committee as is Fr Papi Mothai and Fr Thuso Modibedi for the Western and Eastern Districts respectively. Fr Tobogo Jantjies is the overall coordinator of the committee.

The whole day Tuesday was devoted entirely to the monthly retreat. Please see the Year Plan on our Web Site for the plan for the next months.

Funeral of the late Fr Tom Choeu OMI

2007-07-14T22:18:00.000+02:00

Fr Thomas Choeu OMI was burried from the Fatima Parish in Kimberley on Monday 9th July 2007. It was a festive occasion - many people, four bishops and many priests from all over. Fr Tom was well known and very well loved and we know he has gone home!

e!

Scholastics from Namibia and Zambia

2007-07-05T23:20:00.000+02:00

We had visitors at the end of last month coming from Namibia and Zambia. It is that time of the year when the Scholastics from Cedara are on the move. They are deployed in a province different from their own. This is to gain a wider experience of where Oblates are working. Some of our own Scholastics are in Zambia and Zimbabwe. "Join the Oblates and see the world" as the saying goes. Since we are a missionary congregation this is good preparation of our scholastics for missionary assignments later!

Fr D'Aes OMI - building projects

2007-07-05T23:11:00.000+02:00

Fr D'Aes is involved in several building projects. He is erecting a new Church Building for the extension of St Rose Parish in Lourie Park.

St Rose Parish itself is also being renovated and decorated with a beautiful new colour scheme with contrasting pillars giving a much more spacious appearance to the Church.

Snow in Bloemfontein!!!!

2007-06-26T20:50:00.000+02:00

Today was an experience! It was snowing, not heavily but quite profoundly (see pictures). The Oblate House also hosted the Provincial Council and the Pre-Provincial Assembly Committee. No wonder it was snowing!!!!

Secretary of the AMR

2007-06-23T21:43:00.000+02:00

Visiting the Oblate House this week is Fr Edy Mabila OMI. He is the new full time Secretary of the Africa Madagascar Region. He will have offices in Johannesburg and will help the communication throughout the African Region and liaise with other Regions through the Secretariat.

The Region presently operates as two sub-regions: The Francophone and the Anglophone Sub-Regions and then as an African Region at the AMR Conference held every two years.

Fr Edy Mabila is from the Congo Province - he has taught Philosophy at the Scholasticate and is a keen author of scientific papers mostly in the area of Ethics / Medical Ethics.

Preparation for the Provincial Assembly

2007-06-21T00:00:00.001+02:00

Oblates in the Central Province SA have been meeting in groups this past weeks to evaluate our Oblate Missionary style and vision.
The groups in the Southern District have all met and their reports are being sent to the Provincial Assembly Preparation Committee. This Committee comprises a member from each District under the Chairmanship of Fr Tebogo Jantjies OMI.

Fr Dan Corijn appointment

2007-06-17T19:46:00.000+02:00

Father Dan Corijn, OMI, President of St Josephs Theological Institute has been appointed rector of the Pontifical College of St Paul in Rome.

(Apologise for the quality of the picture!)

Fathers Day in SA

2007-06-17T18:53:00.000+02:00

Today Sunday 17th June 2007 is Fathers Day in South Africa, Yesterday was the famous June 16th now called YOUTH DAY and today is also the day of the Comrades Marathon

We at the Oblate House in Bloemfontein received many visitors and messages of good will to all the Spiritual Fathers that serve in the Oblate District around Bloemfontein.

In the picture is Fr Mahara OMI receiving a visit from senior parishioners: Ntate Maitlani and Ntate Thoopa, Also at Sunday lunch in the picture can be seen: Fr Patrick Towe OMI and Br Jeremiah Gama OMI

Happy Fathers Day!

ANNIVERSARY

2007-06-12T13:52:00.001+02:00

10th Anniversary of the Death of the Late Archbishop Butelezi OMI RIP

2007-06-11T19:41:00.000+02:00

The clergy of the Archdiocese of Bloemfontein gathered at the tomb of the late Archbishop Peter Butelezi OMI in the Sacred Heart Cathedral to remember the 10th year Anniversary of his death. Archbishop Jabulani Nxumalo OMI presided at the Mass and the prayers at the tomb, assisted by Fr Kelello Tsoebeane (Vicar General) and most of the Priests of the Archdiocese. May he rest in peace!

Parish of Emmaus Celebrates Mother's Day

2007-06-10T15:27:00.000+02:00

Fr Brian Ievers OMI, Parish Priest of Emmaus Parish in Botshabelo, celebrated MOTHERS DAY with 150 Mothers of the Parish last week at a special lunch after Mass.
This week the Parish celebrated Corpus Christi and the First Communion of 50 children. One of the First Communicants was deaf & dumb and he came with his teacher from their school to translate the ceremony for the child. Another Miracle today on the feeding of the 5000!
The parish is also in the process of building a new Church for the expansion of Emmaus into a new parish in Sections F & K

Fr Tom Choeu OMI celebrated his 80th Birthday

2007-06-06T21:49:00.000+02:00

Sunday 3rd June 2007 the Oblates of the Provincial House in Kimberley together with members of the Bloemfontein Community celebrated the 80th Birthday of Fr Tom Choeu OMI.

Fr Mahara OMI gave a rousing speech and related how they had first met at the Seminary in Lesotho in 1946

The Community gathered around 12 Noon for a drink and a celebration lunch at which Oblates recalled the wonderful memories experienced around Fr Tom. He himself gave a short history of his 80 years in his family and among his Oblate family. It was a happy day!

Clergy Golf Tournament

2007-05-25T14:39:00.000+02:00

The Annual Clergy Golf Tournament took place 21st - 22nd May 2007 in bitterly cold conditions. Bloemfontein had temperatures reaching as low as -6 Deg C in the early mornings. Fr Michael Bracken OMI is this year's Champion followed up in second place by Br Atty Sobayeni CFC. Fr D'Aes was the main organiser and Fr John Nolan the Match Referee.

Province Assembly - Preparation Meeting

2007-05-24T19:02:00.000+02:00

Representatives of the three Oblate Districts met at the Oblate House in Bloemfontein to prepare for the upcoming Province Assembly.

They have issued a questionaire to gather responses to emerging themes from earlier Congresses.

The committee hopes that the pre assembly process and the Assembly itself will addresses these issues instead of having them as endless recurring themes.

Mass concelebrated by 5 Priests educated at St Bernards

2007-05-24T00:46:00.000+02:00

The Feast of St Eugene De Mazenod was celebrated with the St Bernard's High School on Wednesday 23rd May 2007. Five Priests who had been educated at the school were the main concelebrants. They are Fr Ralph Mothe OMI, Fr Tshidiso Moleko OMI, Fr Selomo Sooli OMI, Fr Papi Mothai OMI, Fr Thabo Lesenyeho. The late Fr Tefo Sefoli OMI was remebered in the mass and a picture was displayed in front of the Altar. The Provincial thanked the Staff for their team ministry and for forming the whole person, not only the mind but the heart as well.

Feast of St Eugene & New Oblate Community

2007-05-21T22:46:00.000+02:00

Today on the Feast of St Eugene we officially opened the new community at St Rose. The Provinical was in attendance to install Fr Francis Masike (Community Leader), Fr Motsiri Mosai (bursar) and Fr Tshidiso Moleko into the new community. Afterwards we celebrated lunch at the Cathedral and later returned to properly wet the roof.
Fr Motsiri has been very active in renovating the old building. The Oblates sat on paint tins and a strange variety of old chairs and stools making it as Fr Pat recalled very similar to the start of the congregation when to first members met for a liturgy in the corridor of the building they were to use as the first residence.

Meditations RECONCILIATION BY WOMEN - theme

2007-05-20T19:34:00.001+02:00

Fr Claerhout is still speaking and inspiring us through his art ESPECIALLY the big series paintings. Recently we have conducted three retreats using the paintings of the RECONCILIATION BY WOMEN. Fr Rakaki and Fr Bracken lead us in this audio visual prayer experience:
January 2007 - To the Priests and Religious
-----------------Retreat of the Southern Dist OMI
April 2007 - National Council of the Sodality of St Anne
-----------------King Williams Town
May 2007 - Lay Minister's Retreat of the Cathedral
-----------------at CBC Bloemfontein

Fr David Power OMI Spirtual Conference for OMIs in Bloemfontein

2007-05-20T18:56:00.001+02:00

Fr David Power OMI and Fr Sylvester David OMI visited the District to give us a Spiritual Conference on Friday 18th May. For a long time now it has been suggested that we approach academics like this to give us some inspiration at our Retreats. A big thanks to Fr Leo Roche and Fr John Nolan for organising it and providing a wonderful lunch for all.

Please note our earlier published retreat for the 21 -22 May has been replaced by this retreat day.

Updates May 2007

2007-05-20T14:58:00.000+02:00

Fr Adrien Gesse OMI of the Congo Province visited us for a few days. Fr Tshidiso had spent some time with him during his stay there. During his time here he visited the Oblates and even tried to visit the Lesotho Oblates but unfortunately could not get accross the boarder. We are excited about our growing contact with our Oblate Brothers in the Congo.

Members of the Lesotho Provincial Council paid us a fleeting visit while concluding some business in Bloemfontein - they were accompanied by their Provincial Fr Moteaphala OMI - here again we are encouraged by the growing cooperation between our two provinces.

On Monday, on the feast of the Founder, we formally open the New Oblate Community at St Rose Parish Bloemfontein. This community will be the base for a Prison Chaplaincy and a Hospital Chaplaincy. The new community is to be installed by our Provincial at a mass at St Rose at 11am.

Br Gunter Arndt OMI from our Bloemfontein Oblate House Community and Fr Louis Vandenbroeck OMI of the Provincial House Community in Kimberley are representing our Province in Germany at the Unification of the German, Czechoslovakian & Austrian Units. Fr. Thomas Klosterkamp is the first provincial of the new Central European Province. Br Gunter will take his holiday after witnessing these big events.

YOUTH RALLY - Fr Pat Towe and his team of priests, Scholastics & ACTS members have once again hosted an exciting Youth Rally at the Catherdral on the 5th May 2007. The day included a reconcilliation service and Mass.

Provincial Council visit new Oblate Community

2007-05-20T14:52:00.000+02:00

Recent Events leading up to Easter

2007-04-05T11:12:00.000+02:00

Fr Lebohang Malemoha OMI, newly appointed Parish Priest of the Catholic Community of Zastron and surrounding towns. Fr Lebohang comes from Lesotho, he was formerly in formation at the Oblate Scholasticate in Roma. He has been in the Province for a while now only I did not have a picture to publish before this. Welcome Ntate Lebohang!

Fr Malemoha also conducted the Annual Retreat for the Matric’s of the St Bernard’s High School together with Sr Patricia of Assisi

Fr Rayappu Mariyanayagam OMI is en route to Lesotho. He is to be the a formator at the Scholasticate in Lesotho. Fr Mari, as he is likes to be called, has been staying at the Oblate House in Bloemfontein while his papers have been processed for Lesotho. He is assisting with the Easter Services in the Archdiocese. We are happy to have had the opportunity to share this time with you and for your help over the Easter Season. Happy Easter!

MASS OF THE HOLY OILS
The blessing of the Holy Oils took place at the Sacred Heart Cathedral last night followed by a festive supper at the Cathedral for the priests. The Archbishop used Afrikaans, English and Sesotho to demonstrate the Unity in the Church.

HOLY THURSDAY
Today, as it has been a tradition in the Archdiocese, that the Bloemfontein priests have their lunch, on the feast of the priesthood at St Rose Parish.

Fr Bracken Celebrated his Birthday yesterday - but since the day's programme was so full: Archdiocesan Priest's Meeting and Priests Lunch and then the OILS Mass in the evening with supper, it was not possible to specially celebrate his birthday. Happy Birthday from all of us in the District

Fr Tshidiso has been helping the Parish of St Raphael with the HOLY WEEK & Easter Masses and services.

Easter Road Death Toll

2007-04-04T16:28:00.000+02:00

Fr Thabang Molefi OMI, Police Chaplain, together with the Spiritual Services devision the South African Police Services organised special services on the National Roads before the Easter Weekend Traffic.

In the picture, courtesy Express Newspaper, Fr Thabang can be seen together with the Police and other ministers blesssing the highway

Graduation at St Joseph's Theological Institute

2007-03-28T02:05:00.000+02:00

Four of our Oblate Students graduated in Philosophy on the 26th March 2007 at St Joseph's Theological Institute in Cedara. From L - R Br Teboho Molise, Br Sixtus Moahloli, Br Jeremiah Gama, Br Mofihli Moalusi and Fr Mosoeu in the middle

They are presently continuing their Regency in the Province. Br Sixtus is preparing to leave for Germany where he will specialise in Philosophy. We are very proud of their achievements.

Fr Mosoeu, our Provincial has a doctorate in Theology he is seen here supporting the members of the Province.

From all the reports we heard it was a really grand occasion!

Fr Motsiri & Fr Mothe completed 30 Day Retreat AIX

2007-03-26T15:47:00.000+02:00

Fr Motsiri writes:
Yesterday we returned from our 30day retreat led by Phil Estrella at Notra Dame de Lumieres. It was a fantastic personal experience for me!
This morning we started a week on Missiology conducted by our 1st Ass.General; he is a practical, clear and amazingly humble-wise man. His insights are very interesting and relevant for Mission in today's World.
Our group numbers 16 and from nine different nationalities. It is a prophetic sign of the demographic challenge that our Congregation is facing which is both very disturbing but also exciting especially for those who come after us. But surely the present is as important for the flow into that future of our Congregation. The Lord is great!
Greetings!

Happy Birthday Br Günter OMI

2007-03-18T17:20:00.000+02:00

Br Günter Arndt OMI celebrated his 74th Birthday today. We wish you health, peace and a happy home visit later this year in August. Mahlohonolo!

What energy Crisis?

2007-03-12T22:14:00.000+02:00

Br Gunter was interviewed today by two young ladies from a Technical School in Bloemfontein about his Solar Cooker. Br Gunter regularly cooks meals, boils water, melts wax to make candles using his solar cooker.

In South Africa the large diameter Solar Reflector is probably too efficient but it helps on cloudy days when it can still easily cook a meal. When I say too strong look, in the picture to see what it does to a newspaper in only 10 seconds.

The young ladies went away very impressed by the Solar cooker but also with the information provided by Br Gunter who has been making these cookers to assist people in the Taung Mission area.

Priests of the Archdiocese meet the Nuncio

2007-03-05T20:46:00.000+02:00

Second Sunday of Lent

2007-03-04T18:27:00.000+02:00

Archbishop Jabulani Nxumalo OMI and the New Nuncio for South Africa opened the Kriste Lesedi la Dichaba (Christ the light of the nations) Church in Turflaagte, Bloemfontein. Fr Alois Ganserer is the parish Priest. The sanctuary of the old church was enlarged and the back wall adorned with a beautiful stain glass window. Stunning!

Tomorrow the Priests of the Achdiocese meet the Nuncio at the Cathedral.

Fr Brian Ievers OMI, note the ash on his forehead, Parish Priest of Emmaus Church, Botshabelo, is building a church in the F Section. The parish has recently completed the Meeting room/classrooms. Now they are collecting money to complete the church. A team of volunteer builders from the parish erected the meeting rooms and are now in the process of building the Church. The steel construction in already up. The parish as a whole contibute by "buying a brick". The brick is symbolic of their contribution. This lent the parish is challenged to donate a days wages to the building fund.

Fr Brian is in hospital today for a small medical procedure tomorrow.

OMI Meeting Postponed! Since the priests of the Archdiocese are invited to meet the Apostolic Nunico tomorrow (Monday) the scheduled meeting for Tuesday of the Oblates of the Southern District will be postponed. (See Year Plan)

Fr Mahara OMI celebrates the Sunday Mass for the Oblate Community in the Oblate House Chapel.

After Mass Fr Mahara sometimes visits his family for lunch.

On Mondays he attends the Monday Lunch for Priests at the Cathedral. Tomorrow will be special because the Nuncio will be there.

Torch of Peace handed over at St Bernards

2007-03-03T14:16:00.000+02:00

St Bernard's High School was chosen by the MEC for Education in the Free State to be the venue for a special celebration of handing over of the Torch of Peace. This torch is traveling through the 9 Provinces of South Africa and was handed over to the MEC for Education of the Free State by the MEC for Education from the Northern Cape. Fr Tshidiso OMI opened the event with a prayer and a short reflection on the Gospel. Fr D'Aes OMI and the Teachers and Students of the School as well as principals and Heads of Departments from other schools in the Free State. Fr D'Aes has been managing the school through 30 years of sometimes turbulant political and educational history.
The theme at the handing over of this symbol of peace was that we should always be on the guard against Abuse to Women and Children

Please be careful visiting the Graves alone

2007-02-25T16:46:00.000+02:00

A lady visiting the Oblate graves at the Old Grave yard, the Memorial grave yard in Bloemfontein, was attacked and robbed. She had just placed some flowers on the grave when she was attacked at knife point, beaten and robbed. It appears robbers lie in wait behind trees and grave stones while you drive up. As soon as your attention is diverted they attack.
Luckily the lady was not badly hurt. Her bag and jewelry was taken. They threw her car keys away which gave them some time to get away while she searched for them. Later she drove to the policeand made a statement.

A visit from JPIC OMI

2007-02-24T16:29:00.000+02:00

Fr. Eliseo Jun Mercado OMI, Visited us today, Saturday, at the Oblate House together with Archbishop Jabulani Nxumalo OMI. Fr Jun has been visiting South Africa since the World Social Forum in Nairobi, Kenya which took place at the end of January 2007.

Br Mike “Oupa” Atoro OMI also attended the WSF representing the OMI Central Province.

A link to Fr Jun Mercado’s JPIC web site can be found at: http://www.omigen.org/jpic/
Or contact him at :EMail: jun.mercado@gmail.com; mercado@omiphil.org; junmeromi@yahoo.com

Fr Motsiri on De Mazenod Experience says:

2007-02-23T13:15:00.000+02:00

We are back from Lourdes, a fantastic faith experience!
We are now on a two day Charism workshop withFr Frank Santucci OMI.
On Monday we will begin our 30 day retreat at Notra Dame de Lumier. This will be a big adventure; We will just take it piece by piece till we get there.
Wishing you all the best to everyone in the Province back home!

Vows, Jubilees and Congregational Feast

2007-02-21T14:05:00.000+02:00

Monday was the big Congregational Feast of the Year. We all gathered in Klerksdorp at the Rabbuni Centre. There were 50 of us at the Celebration at Mass and a festive meal.

Brs Sixtus, Jeremiah, Mofihli, Teboho and Pule renewed their vows (temporty vows) As is the tradition all the professed Oblates renewed their vows as well.

An Exciting experience was hearing the Oblate Associates also making vows or promises to follow in the charism of the founder Eugene De Mazenod, assisting the missionary endevours of the unit where they are living. Their vow formula is challenging and refreshing. There were about 20 members. They also anounced that they would be embarking on a Youth Project in their parish which is one of the big focusses of the Central Province and the Congregation as a whole after the last Chapter.

News from our Brothers on the De Mazenod Experience

2007-02-18T22:54:00.000+02:00

Thank you for keeping us up-to-date with your blog. Enjoy yourselves in Klerksdorp, & happy feast to all the guys there. Tell them always think about them and pray positively for them. I hope they are all well. It was nice to see Wilfred and FW together - they looked like big friends! 2morrow we are early on our way to Lourdes.
Fr Motsiri OMI and Fr Ralph OMI

Burials, Blessings & Oblations

2007-02-18T21:20:00.000+02:00

Fr Thabang has had the sad task this weekend of burrying his Grandmother and two other relatives. We pray with you and your family that they may rest in Gods Peace and love.

Fr Ievers at the Emmaus Parish in Botshabelo had a special blessing today for those in the matriculation class in their respective schools this year 2007. There were at least 50 pupils that presented themselves for the blessing today. Earlier in the month he blessed those children entering school for the first time at the Sunday Mass.

Tomorrow, Monday 19th February, the Oblates of the Central Province converge on Klerksdorp to celebrate the Feast Day of the Congregation. Br Jeremiah Gama, Br Teboho Molise, Br Mohihli Moalusi and Br Pule Pitlele renew their vows. The jubilees celebrated this year will also be acknowledged.

The Parables

2007-02-16T22:57:00.000+02:00

A series of paintings by the late Fr Frans Claerhout called the Parables have been reproduced into a limited series print collection. It is hoped that this will allow them to enjoy a wider audience. The Print set was launched at a celebrity packed exhibition in the SMAC Gallery in Stellenbosch on Fr Claerhout's Birthday - 15th Feb.
The speakers at the occasion were Nobel Peace Laureate and former President of South Africa, Mr F. W. De Klerk and our own Provincial Fr Emmanuel Mosoeu OMI. Both gave moving tribute to the late Fr Claerhout and went on to describe the contribution he made to reconciliation in South Africa.
Fr Wilfried Joye OMI also exhibited at the launch - his paintings found a very enthusiastic audience.

A special thanks goes to the organisers of the launch - The Sandri family. Mr Mof Terreblanche and his wife and to Dominee Symington and to the OMI.

A quote from Fr Claerhout's own words that stands out on the programme was the following:

You can wait my God! You have a lot of time.. I don't ! Help me live before I die!

Don't meet by accident!

2007-02-12T20:25:00.000+02:00

Today a truck drove straight into the back of the car driven by Br Rex. He was parked at the traffic lights behind two other cars when all of a sudden a big truck drove straight into the back of him. He was launched from a stationary position into the back of the car in front of him. The car was sandwiched between the speeding truck and the car in front. The car was bounced to and fro like a ping pong ball until the truck's speed was brought to stand still leaving the back of his car stuck to the front of the truck.
It was a shocking experience!

Fr Mahara celebrates his 75th Birthday

2007-02-12T01:45:00.000+02:00

Sunday was a big day for Fr Mahara and for all of us! A 75th Birthday is a big milestone.

Happy Birthday Fr Maqalaka! from all of us in the Oblate District.

After celebrating the Sunday morning mass for the Oblate House community, he celebrated his birthday with his family.

Monday when all the priests meet at the Cathedral they will celebrate this big event.

The Big match

2007-02-08T17:05:00.000+02:00

Fr Frank Bermingham challenged the reigning champion Lazi "the rocket" Moiloa at the Sacred Heart Cathedral today. Nobody is sure who won it is a closely kept secret but what is sure is that great fun was had by them both. Fr Frank you are always welcome here in our community - enjoy the rest of your holiday and think of us when you are back home

Announcing our new Novices and Pre-Novices

2007-02-04T22:45:00.000+02:00

Last night the first of the new Pre-Novices Morena left by bus for Cleland, Pietermaritzburg.

Morena Mokupi and Jeremea Makau (New Pre-Novices) were introduced to the S. Dist Community at the retreat day.

Jeremea Makau................. Morena Mokupi

We are also happy to announce that Simon Mphana and Khoto Moleko have been accepted to enter the Novitiate. Simon will go to the Novitiate in Namibia and Khotso to Johannesburg.

Visit from Fr Frank Bermingham

2007-02-03T12:20:00.000+02:00

We are happy to be hosting a visit from Fr Frank Bermingham from Bristol in England. He is well known to the Irish Oblates of our District and was in the same class as Fr Mike Bracken. He will be staying for a few weeks and we wish him a pleasant visit.

Visit from the National President & Treasurer of the Sodality of St Anne

2007-02-03T12:01:00.000+02:00

On the eve of the Ordination of the new bishop of Kroonstad 27th Jan 2007, Fr Rakaki took the National President of the Sodality of St Anne Mme Nomangesi Saliwa and Mme Nomabaso Ndaki their National Treasure to view the Reconciliation by Women series at Oliewenhuis. They were so moved by the message that they enquired if the same meditation could be experienced by the National Council a their next meeting in Port Elizabeth.

Catching up on recent events

2007-02-03T09:40:00.000+02:00

30 Jan The Oblates of the Southern District held their monthly retreat at Oliewenhuis Art Gallery. The Gallery had been featuring Fr Claerhout's two series from Christmas till the end of January. The Oblates and some invited guests spent the day in meditation on Reconciliation. Fr Mike Bracken OMI and Fr Emmanuel Rakaki led a guided meditation on Reconciation using the Reconciliation by women series as their focus. By all accounts the retreat was an inspired event.

29 Jan We are happy to welcome Br Jeremiah Gama into the Oblate House Community for his Regency year - Among other things a regent has to do during his regency year is to Live in an Oblate Community, Prepare for final Vows, Learn a new skill and get to know the Oblates where he is sent. The new skill that Jeremiah has been asked to learn is that of Administration. He will be attending a bookkeeping course and helping in the Oblate House Office.

The Province has two other Regents - they have been stationed in the Oblate House in Kimberley - they are Br Teboho Molise and Br Mofihle Moalusi

28 Jan The episcopal ordination of Bishop Stephen Brislin - New Bishop of Kroonstad - Many of the Priests and people attended the ordination at St Domonics Catholic Church in Welkom. The Ordaining Bishop was our own Archbishop Jabulani Nxumalo of Bloemfontein.

Fr Nhlanhla Nkosi OMI had been visiting the Oblate House for the past week and a half. He spent his holidays last year with us and has repeated the experience again this year. We are always happy to have him with us. Fr Nhlanhla and Br Rex celebrated their silver jubilee in the Oblates together on the 26th Jan 2007. Fr Nhlanhla caught the bus for Durban together with two Kenyan brothers who had been doing their pastoral work in Kimberley during their holidays.

27 Jan Fr Tshidiso Moleko arrives home in Bloemfontein from a stint in the Congo to learn French and to build bridges with our Northern Oblate neigbours. He looks well and has many exciting expereinces to relate.

26 Jan St Bernards H. S. Opening Mass - Traditionally both schools celebrate this mass together but since both schools have grown so much in numbers it was celebrated seperately giving each school space to express its own symbolism and character.

25 Jan School Mass at St Mary's Primary School - to open the school year.

22 Jan The Oblates have established a new high speed internet connection in Kimberley at the Provincial headquarters and community to facilitate better and cheaper communication between our Oblate Communities

Upcoming Events

2007-01-21T21:40:00.000+02:00

"The Morning sun carries the kiss of reconciliation"

There are a few interesting dates that we need to take note of:

30th January 2007 Retreat at Oliewenhuis - On Reconciliation led by Fr Bracken and Fr Rakaki

15th February 2007 Official launch of the The Parables - Claerhout Prints - in Stellenbosch

19th February 2007 Feast of the Oblates celebrated at Rabbuni Centre Klerksdorp - starting 11am with Mass followed by Lunch - If you would like to stay a few days or come earlier on Sunday afternoon - Please contact Fr Jef Hollanders tholl@lantic.net

News from France

2007-01-21T20:18:00.000+02:00

Fr Mothe and Fr Motsiri arrived safely in France on the 18th Jan and are now fully into the De Mazenod Experience programme. Fr Motsiri writes:

Hi Brothers! we are having a good time here in Aix-en-Provence though I get lost now then around this big house. But the international personalities amazingly make us all feel at home.

Provincial Visitors & from the Congo

2007-01-19T19:41:00.000+02:00

Visitors at the Oblate House - Fr Okim Valère Eko from the Congo together with Fr Nhlanhla Nkosi of Natal and Br Rex of the Oblate House

.

The Provincial of Lesotho Fr Emile Moteaphala and our own Provincial Fr Emmanuel Mosoeu together with Fr Valere and Fr Nhlanhla discussing outside the Oblate House in Bloemfontein.

WYD Cross on Pilgrimage in Africa

2007-01-13T01:48:00.000+02:00

Bloemfontein Cathedral was the venue for the Youth Pilgrims from all over the Archdiocese and neighbouring dioceses. They came to paricipate in the the ceremony of the reception of the World Youth Day Cross as it makes its way through Africa to Australia which will host the Next WYD. Fr Pat Towe from the Student Chaplaincy Ministry and Fr Thabo Lenyatsa from the Archdiocesan Youth Department were the main organisers of the event. Other Priests from neigbouring Dioceses took part.

Happenings!

2007-01-09T21:33:00.000+02:00

The District Leadership met at the Oblate House today. This was the first meeting of the new OMI Southern District leadership. They also met the new candidates for the Pre-Noviciate before they completed the final items of their application documentation.

Sefatsa, Kele and Habofane are passing through the Oblate House en-route to the Pre-Novitiate in Rayton for their security shift and for the start of the new Pre-Noviciate year.

Father Pat Towe and the Archdiocesan Youth Chaplain Fr Lenyatsa are preparing for the arrival of the World Youth Day Cross on Friday and for the ceremonies that accompany it. There is a general call on the youth of the Archdiocese of Bloemfontein to attend the programme at the Cathedral which includes an all night vigil.

Br Günter Arndt OMI - Artist

2007-01-07T12:15:00.000+02:00

Br Günter has been very creative in the production of artworks painted in oil on card. Many of his friends have made requests for more of these gems.

Christmas Message from Fr Schneider OMI

2007-01-06T13:12:00.000+02:00

Fr Schneider OMI sent us (Our Province & District) this message for Christmas and New Year

P. A. Schneider OMI Hünfeld, den 6. Dezember 2006
Klosterstrasse 5 ,D-36088 Hünfeld,
Telefon (mein Zimmer:06652/94-163
(Haus: 0 6652/94 — 536

Republic of South-Afrika
Fellow Oblates Oblate House (+ Eastern Freestate)
Batho basebetsang libakeng tsena
P.O.Box 29583
Bloomfontein
9310

,,Freut euch, im Herrn,
heute ist uns der Heiland geboren.
Heute ist der wahre Friede vom Himmel herabgesdegen.”
(Mitternachtsmesse)

Not too long ago, I think it was this year, there was here at our place a Meeting for Oblate-Experts on the History of the Oblates. I thought I might meet somebody known to me from South Africa. But only Fr. Santucci was around. But I was myself busy with translating Fr. Hubenig’s book “Living in the Spirit’s Fire” into German. Fr. Hubenig used this book for his Retreat he guided during my last year with you under the African sun!
In the Spirit of my German etxt from teh Midnight-Mass of Christmas all the best for all of you for Christmas und for die year 2007!
Yours in Christ and Mary Immaculate,
Fr. A. Schneider OMI

Getting back into rhythm

2007-01-05T11:36:00.000+02:00

Fr D'Aes and Fr Bracken have completed a golf week exercise workout.

Every year after Christmas Fr D'Aes has the habit of taking a few days in Cape Town. That after an intensive 4 month Catecumen Programme and all the pastoral renewal that goes with it, of outstanding marriages and the sacraments. Christmas day is a celebration of Christmas and renewal for many of his new parishioners.

Fr Lazi is attending another series of treatments and is doing well.

We ask that you keep all the members of our community in your prayers: Particularly Fr Lazi, Br Gunter, Fr Mahara & Fr Bissonnette and also Fr Choeu and Bishop Hecht in Kimberley.

Fr Tshidiso OMI who is learning French at one of our Oblate Communities in the Congo... said this in one of his recent communications ...

Happy New Year from the Congo It is good to hear of how you celebrated Christmas and New Year. It is clear that it was nice.The pictures you send are beutiful and our scholastics appears to be happy. God bless Tshidiso

Fr Motsiri and Fr Mothe are preparing themselves for their De Mazenod experience 17th Jan to 8th April. We wish them a journey of renewal in the Charism of Eugene and the Congregation.

Habofane and Lungile will be leaving next week for Rayton and Cleland Pre-Novitiates respectively to do their stint of security at their formation houses.

Professor Louis and Dr Lynn Goedhals are regularly on trips around the world attending conferences in the course of their ministry as doctors and care givers in the interest of better treatment of Cancer. We are always amazed at the workload and commitment that they can fit into their day to participate in new medical drug trials in the fight against Cancer.

Answering the call in 2007

2007-01-03T20:41:00.000+02:00

The Province & the Archdiocese organised Vocations Workshop in July and Dec 2006.
The first workshop was to source interested candidates from all the parishes in the Province and the second was to shortlist those that are really discerning about becoming Priests or Brothers.
This year we are glad to be able to inform you that there are three possible candidates for the Oblate Province and two for the Archdiocese. It is also exciting to hear as we discuss with the young people that they mention by name Priests and Religious that have inspired them by their example.

Today we interviewed the aspirants. We will introduce them to you later when the interview and the documentation processes have been completed

Irish OMIs gathering including "Fr O'Hara and Fr Mc Leo"

2007-01-02T13:44:00.000+02:00

Every year the Irish Oblates gather and host a lunch. This year the Oblate House was the venue for the famous poker challenge. Fr Swords is usually the big fish in the poker. In the picture you may be able to make out two special Irish "Fr O'Hara" (Mahara) and "Fr Mc Leo" (D'Aes)

Br Fidelis Mufthenya OMI and Br John Mbogo OMI

2007-01-01T10:50:00.000+02:00

We are happy to have visitors from our Oblate Community in Kenya over this New Year!

Feast of Mary Mother of OMI

2007-01-01T10:42:00.000+02:00

On this feast of Mary and that of New Year's Day - We celebrated Mass at the Oblate House and prayed for a blessing on the new year and all our community all over the world.
We are blessed with visitor Oblates from Kenya Br Fidelis Mufthenya OMI and Br John Mbogo OMI. In the picture taken in our chapel are Br Gunter, Br Fidelis, Br John, Fr Mahara and Fr Pat and myself (Rex) behind the camera. Happy New Year and Happy Feast!

Claerhout House on Old Year's Eve

2006-12-31T19:36:00.000+02:00

We had some interesting visitors today: Eddie Smith of "Ou Greenpoint" Kimberley, and his family, popped in for a very welcome visit. He is now in Pretoria and active in the parish there at a parish run by the Oblates of Francis de Salles.
Eddie and I spent a lot of time together many years ago in the Youth activity in Kimberley. His whole family gives the thumbs up for the Claerhout House Project-they think it is a wonderful idea. (written by Rex)

End of the Year 2006

2006-12-30T14:53:00.000+02:00

The end of a very busy and eventful year.

Today I visited the Oliewenhuis Art Gallery and experienced again the power of the late Fr Frans Claerhout's art. It is on display until the end of the holiday period. A very necessary pilgrimage at the turn of the year - well worth the visit. Please sign the book at the Gallery!

Br Teboho and Br Gunter & Br Rex visited these last few days.

Oblate Students Gathering

2006-12-29T21:56:00.000+02:00

The Oblate Students of the Southern District met at the Oblate House for a braai and a get to know you. Strange but true! The Oblate Students of our Province are being trained at a number of different formation communities around the country and as a result dont necessarily know each other or meet each other in the course of the academic year.
The day was an exciting one and one that most felt should be repeated in the future!
Next year we start with new group joining the Pre-Noviciate after a successful Vocations workshop in Assisi earlier this month. We thank God for the generosity of young men wanting to join the ranks of our congregation and to serve God as an Oblate priest or a brother.

Christmas at Oblate House

2006-12-27T22:46:00.000+02:00

Christmas is always a busy time for a community of Priests. This year was more so because of Christmas falling on Monday. It was like having two Sundays back to back. Christmas however has its own energy and spirit. Emmanuel - God with us!

After all the Christmas ceremonies had been completed in the parishes and outstations of the Archdiocese the Priests gathered at the Oblate House for lunch - CHRISTMAS LUNCH.

We celebrated well, We ate well and we have shared that special time together being together.

May everyone have a blessed Christmas! and a very happy New Year!