CLC
COMMUNIQUÉ
2010/5 – May
The Communication of the South African Region
Western Cape – Eastern Cape – Gauteng
Dear National Community
Invitation to Prayer
The National Exco invites the National Community to a moment of prayer. As CLCers we are called to mission – to go out and bear fruit – many of us are doing precisely that as individuals and bearing much fruit. It is time to discern together as a community how we as CLC SA are called to a communal vocation and a common mission. We are invited to a discerning process – to listen to what God is asking of us now.
· What is CLC’s identity here in South Africa?
· How do we see ourselves?
· How does an outsider see us?
· Can we come together as one, to pray for a common mission?
· Are we called to individual mission and as a consequence to discern the way of CLC SA rather than a national activity?
These are questions to ponder over the next months and we, the Exco, ask the Community to pray together using the Apostolic Body programme From Reflection to Action: Becoming an Apostolic Body (Formation for Mission) that is being emailed to each region. We are aware that each group is at a different stage in their journey and may be in the middle of a programme they are currently working with. We ask you to decide on your own course of action – whether to complete your programme; to put it aside for a while and take on the AB Programme; to find a convenient place to pause for a couple of months... this will be for each group to decide.
We ask however that the exercise be completed by the end of November. It is a 12 week programme so allow yourselves enough time before sending in your report to the Regional Excos at the end of November.
We ask a lot from our Community – knowing the generosity of CLC and the desire to do God’s will is inherent in the Community. As you pray reflect on how God is calling you. The Community needs people to be contemplatives in action: some will be called to act and others will be called to pray for those who act. WE have to have both as without the prayers of intercession those who are more active will not be able to do. We remember that God is never outdone in generosity and our own, in giving all to praying together over the next months will be more than matched by God’s generosity in return.
Holy Spirit descend on us this Pentecost as You came down on Your disciples 2000 years ago, set us on flame with your fire and enable us to reach forward with great hope and joy guided by You into discerning our own particular apostolic vocation of the Christian Life Community of South Africa.
Help us become more and more sensitive to your presence so that through our prayer in action we may draw more people to You.
We ask this in the name of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen
Carol Little
24th April, 1943 - 4th May, 2010.
Carol Little joined the
St. Bernadette CLC Group about ten years ago was a loyal and enthusiastic
member right to the end. Carol had been battling with cancer for the last
five years and died on Tuesday morning, 4th May. There is no doubt
that her survival during these years was due to her faith and positive attitude.
Her response was always “I’m fine.” In the months preceding
her death we had, at her request, our weekly Friday meetings at her home.
On the Tuesday before her death she was visited by Fr. James from Victory
Park Parish and received the Sacraments of Anointing of the Sick, Reconciliation
and the Eucharist. One of our group brought communion on each of the four
days immediately preceding her death.
Carol lived life to the full. She was secretary of the St. Vincent de Paul Society at Victory Park Catholic Church and was a member of the St. Charles Tennis Club, a member of a book club and a caravan club. For many years she led a team making Christmas puddings which were sold after the Sunday Masses for the handicapped residents of San Salvador.
Every week she shared the many happenings in her life and the lives of her family and friends. Of major concern was her ninety four year old Mother who has lived with her for the last few years and for whom prayers were offered by the Group each week. This will continue and will include Carol in her new role as intercessor.
On the Friday before her death we prayed and shared around her bed and she said:”I wish God would take me now, I am ready to go” and as one of our members said, she literally sailed into eternity. We will always remember her because of her enthusiasm, her wonderful acceptance of her illness and her faith which enabled her to surrender to our Blessed Lord.
Rest in Peace dear Carol.
June & John Nourse
News from Jane Hulley regarding the Botswana National Assembly 28th- 30th May
Graham Pugin, Veronica Miller, Sabie Makgothi and Jane Hulley are going to Botswana to attend the Botswana National Assembly 28th-30th May.
At the moment Botswana is not a full member of CLC World. There is a set of guidelines to help new national communities become full members. In these guidelines, it is suggested that a companion National Community accompanies the developing community so that the community is not left alone on its way to membership. The "companions" help the candidate community to grow according to the General Principles and General Norms and the formation guidelines of the World CLC. They help in the formation of the members of the new community.
Since 1999 Veronica Miller, with the support of the National Exco. and help of various CLCers and Jesuits has been visiting Botswana regularly as a guide and companion. Last year, when Fr Alberto Brito was in South Africa he had the opportunity to visit Botswana. He was impressed with their progress and felt that Botswana has fulfilled all the criteria required for becoming a full member of World CLC.
Sabie and Veronica are going to facilitate this assembly. The work of the Assembly will be to consider the Fatima recommendations as we did at our Assembly at La Verna in 2008.
Graham will give some input at the Assembly and most importantly will take the opportunity to visit the Bishops of Gaborone and Francistown. There is some resistance to CLC from the Church hierarchy and Graham is hoping to win the support of the Bishops, which is vital for the growth of CLC in Botswana.
Jane is going in her capacity as coordinator for CLC in Africa, to encourage the developing community and to share some experiences of CLC communities in other parts of Africa.
Please pray that the Spirit at Pentecost will flood the meeting. Pray also for safety on the roads ….there are many kilometres to travel from Cape Town and Johannesburg to Mahalapye, the venue for the Assembly.
Terms of Office of Exco Members
Both Jane Hulley and Kaye Henrick’s current term of office on the National Exco will be ending in the middle of this year. The National Exco asks the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape to prayerfully reflect on the need for nominating and electing representatives to the Exco. Both Kaye and Jane are eligible for re-election. As the Eastern Cape has at present only one representative as Desmond Plaatjies resigned in February 2010, and his term of office would have ended mid year, also. There should be nominations for two members although this is optional.
Leadership Course
Sabie Makgothi and Jane Hulley will be presenting this course in Gauteng over the weekend of 5th an 6th June. If you would like to attend please email Mandy on sheradjones@gmail.com. There is a cost of R250.00 per person and you are asked to bring something for a shared lunch. The Course will be conducted in the Western and Eastern Cape later this year.
The Gauteng 8-Day Retreat
This will be from 17th -26th September. Fr Anthony Egan SJ will direct the retreat. Please let Mandy know if you wish to attend this retreat. The cost is approximately R2000.
30 Day Retreat
13th November-18th December 2010. This will be in Pretoria and the cost is R14,000.00. Please email the Jesuit Institute at admin@jesuitinstitute.org.za or tel: 011 403 3790, if you wish to do this 30 day Retreat.
If you wish to receive the e-newsletter and weekly reflection from the Institute please mail them on library@jesuitinstitute.org.za.
Website
Remember to visit our website designed by John Stiekema. The address is http://www.clc-sa.za.org
John is managing the site and Jane Hulley is the liaison officer so please send any information that you feel could be posted, to Jane Hulley at: tamarin@mweb.co.za
Mandy Jones for National Exco