“GO AND INVITE EVERYONE TO THE BANQUET”
The image represents the feet of the Risen Jesus, in motion, showing the wounds of his Passion, yet ready to reach out and invite all to the banquet of his mercy. Likewise, Jesus invites to us to his mission in co-responsibility to bear witness to the power of his resurrection and to bring Jesus’ message of peace and fraternity to the whole world.
RADAR
WITBANK CELEBRATES THE ORDINATION OF NEW DEACONS
BY DCN KOPE MALATSI | LUKAU, LIMPOPO
ON SUNDAY, 22 September 2024, the Bishop of Witbank, Rt. Rev. Bishop Xolelo Kumalo, ordained ten men into the Diaconate Ministry at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Witbank-Emalahleni, Mpumalanga. Among them, two were ordained as transitional deacons and eight as permanent deacons.
This ordination marked the culmination of a long journey, bringing immense relief and joy to the candidates, their families, and the parish community. The atmosphere in the cathedral was reverent yet celebratory, filled with inspiration and gratitude.
The Diocese of Witbank-Emalahleni is expansive and faces a shortage of priests. The addition of these deacons will support the mission of bringing Christ’s life and teachings closer to the lay faithful. As the Bishop highlighted, Christians often talk about Christ but must also let Christ’s message shine through their lives to foster genuine encounters with him.
The journey ahead for these newly ordained deacons will be demanding yet deeply meaningful. Blessings are extended to them, their families, and the Mother Church. Congratulations, Rev. Deacons!
A CALL TO LOVE AND EVANGELIZATION AMIDST WEALTH AND DIVERSITY
The final stop of Pope Francis’ recent 12-day Apostolic Journey across Asia and Oceania was in Singapore, a small and wealthy state, rich also in the diversity of its population.
“PEOPLE ARE DYING WHILE THE WORLD REMAINS INDIFFERENT”
In Sudan, the African country devastated by an endless war, tens of thousands of people have died and some ten million people have been displaced.
SYNODAL PATH OF THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
The synodal path of the Southern African Catholic community is marked every three years by a so-called ‘Joint Witness’—three days of mutual sharing, prayer and discernment by the SACBC (Bishops Conference of South Africa, Botswana and eSwatini) and the LCCL (Leadership Conference of Consecrated life) in the three respective countries.