Moving On
Hi Everyone:
As of this month a year will have passed since I’ve scripted some news on the OSA’s from the USA on our SA website. Life has a way of passing by as we go from daily matters that slide quickly into weeks and months before the realization of another passing year. If you haven’t had the feeling, just wait, you’ll see what I mean.
Life moves on. The world turns. Visitors come and go. Others have indicated they’ll be on their way. Progress, sometimes evident, continues imperceptibly. The question before me is, where do I pick up from the last ‘Hi Everyone’ missive. Augustine’s Retractations come to mind as there were some things I’d restate differently, having had the advantage of time and reflection. However, that’s for another day.
For now may I express genuine kudos for the countless ways you support us with our three missions. The impact of your genuine interest in what is happening on this continent is truly sustaining and appreciated more than words can express, truly.
The seeds of “happenings” have been sown by prayerful discernment and sponsorship by the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova. Come, December 8, 2007 the Augustinians will have taken up residence at St. Rita Friary ten years ago upon completion of extensive repairs started in October of 1997.
Highlights over the past year have been our American visitors, Augustinian and lay. We feel so privileged to have you come for an invitation to hospitality and experience of the Church in South Africa. Another piece of good news will be Father Mike Sullivan’s arrival in August to give a Parish Mission. Two of Villanova’s Nursing School staff have also come for a look-see regarding the possibilities of outreach in cooperation with Deputy Health Ministers.
Anne Whiting, whose grandparents are Paul & Anne Dow, from St. Augustine Parish, Andover, is presently ministering as a physical therapist at Mrianhill Hospital, cir. 20 minutes down the road from Our Lady of Mercy Church. Anne is a Boston University graduate and shall finish her two year stint come February. Anne writes about her interesting experiences and if you want to latch on to some fascinating reading, the OSA link will tell you how. We are delighted to have Anne come to our Sunday Evening Liturgies when she can hitch a ride with a parishioner.
Yesterday, Fr. Ed Hattrick left for reassignment at the request of Fr. Don Reilly, our Provincial, to take up new ministry while residing at St. Thomas of Villanova Monastery. Fr. Ed has been in South Africa just shy of ten years. While here, he has been engaged in lay and priest retreats, assumed pastorate of O.L.M., built a new St. Leo Mission Church and just last week met with the Cardinal and his Board to state the case for a new St. Helen Church.
St. Leo School has advanced scholastically and improved tremendously under Father’s support and yes, even to the extent of the building of a computer lab for 25 students (no such facility exists for miles around), which was dedicated to Fr. Ed as a center of learning in this technological age. Last, certainly not least, is Father’s love for the poor which has been demonstrated through his ceaseless outreach.
Hopefully, I have made up somewhat for the time lapse in writing to you. You are not forgotten. We are ever grateful for the many ways you think of and support us over here.
Fr. Al