Times of Masses at SS Alban & Stephen Catholic Church in St
Albans
Update from Tshwaranang,
the HIV/Aids hospice
in South Africa led by the
Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts
Newsletter 9, October 2011
What’s NEW at Tshwaranang
The hospice has struck lucky in appointing Rueben Mohulatsi as their new
General Manager, following the retirement of Fr Herman MSC from this post.
The multi-talented Rueben is not new to the hospice or charity organisations,
in fact, he has been involved with the hospice and been chair of the Orphans
& Vulnerable Children Care Centre and of Pastoral Councils
As a former teacher and financial manager of a utility company, Rueben has
much needed experience in running the hospice, which has received recognition
and accreditation in the Gauteng province.
He wrote to us, “The Board of Tshwaranang roped
me in I suppose, inter alia; because of my vast experience and most importantly
that I know the culture of the Hospice as the former Chairperson of the Board.”
In response to our donation of R63 840 (£6K) on the 12th July, he said,
“We have already started using the money, it came handy. ...Greetings to
all and once more thank you so much.” A few thanks
Depending on your hemisphere, the busy-ness of
autumn harvest, or spring planting leave little time for sentiment.
Words of thanks and recognition, however, are in order for two special people:
Fr Herman Van Dijck MSC, founder (picture to the right) and out-going manager
On Monday 31st October we received an e-mail from Reuben
Mohulatsi
From: Reuben Mohulatsi
Sent: 31 October 2010 To: Charles Sweeney
Subject: Tshwaranang,
Thank You
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for the donation of 28,000
Rand which was credited to our bank account on Friday.
You are really an amazing group that generously takes an organisation under
your wing and expend efforts to raise funds for it without fail.
May the Almighty bless you.
Kind regards
Reuben Mohulatsi
General manager of Tshwaranang HIV/AIDS Hospice
Also to Fr Pat Courtney MSC (pictured below Fr Nick) under
whose watch the hospice was opened, expanded and developed. But for their
great courage, personal sacrifice and trust, many hundreds would not have
received the care they needed in this unique home-from-home
Entering the
fifth year of our parish community’s sponsorship of Tshwaranang hospice seems
an opportune time for horizon-scanning: our southerly horizon, their future
and perhaps even our shared perspectives. While surely our northern-hemisphere
horizons look quite different from theirs, how about our hopes and fears,
our goals for growth, the reality of our harvest, the inevitable nature of
our futures. For some in both our communities facing difficulties, illness
and uncertain ways forward, horizons might reflect our wishes to be with family,
to have a break, the scene from a window, a distant voice, even.
On the walls of an early desert church that sprung up near the monastery
of St. Antony in the desert, the kohl-rimmed eyes of the Egyptian Christians
are said to be firmly fixed on a heavenly horizon. Surely, something to aspire
to and admire. Still, wouldn’t we miss the down-to-earth happenings in our
own lives, and those around us?
We wish Fr. Nick Harman well on his visit to South Africa during November
and send our love and good wishes to all at the hospice. While he listens
to their stories and shares the compassionate love of Christ’s heart with
those he meets, let us hope he has a chance to gaze at some of their beautiful
and sunny spring-time horizons!
Thank you for all your donations throughout the year, large
or small, from special events, memorable occasions, professional fees, standing
orders, Alpha Soup money or tea-towel sales.
£2.3
K (28K Rand) has just been sent, but another £2,000 is needed to reach
our goal of £10K for 2011! Cheques made out to ‘Missionaries of the
Sacred Heart’, can be put into the black box at back of church.
Donations can be gift-aided. Forms or envelopes will be on the black
box.
This newsletter is also available at the back of Church and the
Mass Centres and it's also available for download
What’s NEW at Tshwaranang
A few thanks
