St Francis of Assisi Anglican
Church, 373 Milner Street, Waterkloof, 0181
Tel. 012-346 1106/7, Fax: 346
4226. mail@st-francis.co.za
http://www.st-francis.co.za/
Clergy: Fr. Timothy Lowes,
Robin Heath, June de Klerk, Ed Smith, Martzi Eidelberg, Liz Horne - Children's
Chaplain.
Editor: Mark Napier. Typing: Christine Lawrie. Production: Anne Allison. Collation:
Amy Macnamara
Letter from Fr Timothy
My dear people
PRAYER
“Prayer is not
something we DO, it is something we ARE.”
It rather fascinates
me when I hear people who worship faithfully in the Church of Christ – people
who lead good Christian lives - readily acknowledge that they rarely give
themselves to private prayer, for the simple reason that they “say all their
necessary prayers on Sunday”.
With due respect, I
must confess I am uncomfortable with this attitude. Prayer is the foundation of the Christian life. I would argue in fact, that the very essence
of our vocation as Christians begins and ends in prayer, and that ultimately we
can give no witness to the Gospel whatever unless we are continually “present”
with Our Lord through prayer. It is an
activity which involves our total response to God, as we consecrate not
only our minds but our wills and emotions also to His will.
“…..and Prayer is more than an order of words, the conscious occupation
of the praying mind, or the sound of the voice praying.”
TS
Eliot, Little Gidding
So, whilst I fully
recognise the essential role the Mass on Sundays plays in terms of our
spirituality, it cannot overtly replace the communion we have with God day by
day. Rather, it needs to fit into the
warp and woof of our daily encounter with Christ (in prayer) during the week.
I would like to offer
FOUR reasons for my argument, and my own prayer is that we would take these to
heart as we continually grow in our spirituality at St Francis and become
increasingly, people who reflect His Kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven”.
Firstly, prayer
‘releases’ the SPIRIT of God both in our own lives and in our world. Through prayer, God’s power is unleashed and
the world can and will be changed.
In the words of Father
Thomas Merton “This age which by its very nature is a time of crisis …. calls
for the special searching and questioning which is the work of the Christian in
his silence, meditation, his prayer, for he who prays searches not only his own
heart but he plunges deep into the heart of the world ….”
Through our prayers we
are able to penetrate the darkness of sin, the inner depths of social,
political and economic justice and allow the Living God to shed His own
Marvellous Light on desperate humanity.
Perhaps William Blake best sums up what I’m trying to say.
“Unless the eye catch fire, then God will not be seen,
Unless the ear catch fire, then God will not be heard,
Unless the tongue catch fire, then God will not be named
Unless the heart catch fire, then God will not be loved,
Unless the mind catch fire, then God will not be known.”
Secondly, prayer
ENABLES us to live the Christian life.
Many people are of the opinion that it is difficult to lead a good
Christian life. This of course, is
nonsense. The Christian life is impossible. It is impossible, that is, without prayer.
The Christian faith is
a personal friendship with Jesus Christ and that is a friendship which calls us
to emulate Christ’s life. It is not
possible to live such a life by our own power.
We need the grace, the help, of God.
And to obtain this help we must first ask for it. A careful reading of the Church’s saints
will reveal that they were very much in agreement with this. Saint Alphonsus puts it this succinctly: “If you pray, you will be saved; if you do
not pray, you will be lost.” i.e. we
will not manage to live the life of witness we are called to live through our
baptism.
Thirdly, prayer is an
essential means of getting to KNOW God and God’s will for our lives. In the words of St Augustine: “We shall rest and we shall see, we shall
see and we shall love, we shall love and we shall praise…”
Surely if it is our
desire to encounter God, we need to hear Him when He speaks – and it is mainly
through prayer that we hear the Still, Small Voice. Sadly, for some people even
two minutes a day (in prayer) is a foreign concept. But, if they were to start, it would be two minutes longer (in
prayer) than they spend at present. Not
a bad place to start.
Therefore, if our
praying is to be more than mere spiritual self-indulgence, the need is for us
to focus on a practice of prayer which is not only sacrificial but also
reflects an openness to ‘listening out’ for God.
And finally, to pray
is to be reminded of our NEED for God.
We often rather presumptuously assume that it is God who ‘benefits’ from
our prayers. The opposite is indeed
true. Our prayers are not, in the
truest sense, necessary to God who is wholly transcendent. He stands Supreme
beyond our limited humanity, even though His love is such that it responds to
our fragile attention.
Rather it is us who are
totally dependant on His Goodness and Mercy.
Prayer is absolutely necessary for US, his creation, and it is for OUR
sake that God calls us to pray. “God
seeks to be glorified not on His own account but upon ours”, wrote St Thomas
Aquinas.
Let me conclude by
going back to where we started.
Whilst it is true that
the Sunday Eucharist lies at the heart of the Christian’s life – for it is
there that our prayers and the prayers of all Christians find their fulfilment
in Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice - we are nevertheless ultimately called to go out
from there into the world “to live and work to (God’s) praise and glory”, as
praying members of His Body, the Church, the Christian Community.
So may God bless the
Community of St Francis as prayerfully we continue our journey of faith.
Fr Timothy
Back to contents
From the Presiding Bishop of New York,
Frank Griswold
Statement from the
Presiding Bishop on the World Trade Centre and related
tragedies.
The events of this morning in New York and
Washington D.C. make me keenly aware that violence knows no boundaries and that
security is an illusion. To witness the
collapse of the World Trade Center was to confront not only our vulnerability
as a nation in spite of our power, but also the personal vulnerability of each
of us to events and circumstances that overtake us. My heart goes out to those who have been killed or injured, and
to their stunned and grieving families and friends.
Our President has
vowed to hunt down and punish those who are responsible for these depraved and
wicked acts. Many are speaking of
revenge. Never has it been clearer to
me than in this moment that people of faith, in virtue of the Gospel and the mission
of the Church, are called to be about peace and transformation of the human
heart, beginning with our own. I am not
immune to emotions of rage and revenge, but I know that acting on them only
perpetuates the very violence I pray will be dissipated and overcome.
Last week I was in
Dublin where I found myself convicted by the photograph of a young girl in
Northern Ireland being taken to school amid taunts and expressions of hatred
because she was Roman Catholic. I know
the situation in Northern Ireland is complex, and that religion is but a
convenient way of ordering hatred and justifying violence. But the tears
running down the little girl’s terrified face spoke to me of all the violence
we commit in word and deed against one another – sometimes in the name of God
whose passionate desire is for the wellbeing and flourishing of all.
Expressions of concern
and prayer have poured into my office from many parts of the world, in some
instances from people who themselves are deeply wounded by continuing violence
and bloodshed. I pray that the events
of today will invite us to see ourselves as a great nation not in terms of our
power and wealth but measured by our ability to be in solidarity with others
where violence has made its home and become a way of life.
Yes, those responsible
must be found and punished for their evil and disregard for human life, but
through the heart of this violence we are called to another way. May our response be to engage with all our
hearts and minds and strength in God’s project of transforming the world into a
garden, a place of peace where swords can become plowshares and spears are
changed into pruning hooks.
From Don MacRobert
Back to contents
IF
(for phonies)
Anglican Church a Powerful
Force in
Battle Against AIDS
As the Anglican Church
works with other faith-based organisations, philanthropic, welfare and humanitarian
societies together with structures of government, it can do so much more than
many other sectors in doing away with the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS,
according to Deputy State President Jacob Zuma.
Speaking at the end of
the first day of the All-Africa Anglican Conference in Boksburg, he said the
stigma attached to AIDS had resulted in "horrific forms of discrimination
and violence - even rejection, ridicule and death itself, for HIV infected
individuals and people with AIDS related aliments."
In many instances
families and relatives had suffered untold pain and discrimination. Zuma, who also heads the SA National Aids
Council, said that, without the stigma, voluntary testing and disclosure would
go a long way towards combating the pandemic.
"We acknowledge the fact that the Anglican Church sees this as a
top priority. The human and legal rights, as well as the human dignity of those
living with HIV/AIDS ought also to be respected and upheld."
Anglican Archbishop
Njongonkulu Ndungane said the deputy president's support was greatly
reassuring, especially his offer to feed the outcome of the conference into the
SADC region and the African Union.
"Our initiative" Ndungane added, "is unique and a global
first in that it draws together: faith-based communities; international
agencies and the donor community.
"Most
importantly, the programme is poised to become the critically needed catalyst
that will ultimately bring governments, the private sector, civil society and
faith communities into a synergistic and effective relationship as they join
forces in this crucial battle for survival."
The main thrust of the
"train-the-trainers" conference, which is actively supported by
archbishops, representing some 73 million Anglicans worldwide, is the
development of a basic "tool kit" that can be used to address core
issues.
"If one considers
the ability of churches to reach deep into communities and to adopt a hands-on
approach to the pandemic, there is little doubt that our commitment can and
must impact on all Africa and, indeed the whole world. We know this is not
going to be an easy task. In many instances we are going to have to cut across
tradition and culture in terms of issues such as sex education for our young
people and burial customs that take up too much land and place poverty stricken
families into a permanent debt cycle.
"We ask for the world's prayers as we embark on a prophetic
challenge in which we dare not fail."
Back to contents
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
1906 –1945
“Bonhoeffer was one of
the very few men I have ever met to whom his God was real and close,” said an
English officer who was imprisoned with him at Flossenburg in Bavaria. The son of a professor of psychiatry,
Bonhoeffer grew up in an academic atmosphere.
He studied theology at Berlin and in 1930 became a lecturer there. Within a few years Hitler had risen to
power. As early as 1933, Bonhoeffer
denounced the Nazi ideology in a radio broadcast. He spent two years in charge of German congregations in London,
urging them not to compromise with Hitler as the German church had done. Inevitably, in 1936 he was forbidden to
continue lecturing.
Concerned that
Christianity should mean getting involved in society, he gradually moved from a
pacifist position to the view that a dictator like Hitler could only be
overthrown by force. In 1943 he was
arrested, implicated with his brother-in-law in a plot to assassinate
Hitler. Two years were spent in various
prisons where he stood out by his cheerfulness and care for others. On 8 April 1945 he held a service for his
fellow-prisoners, “finding just the right words” according to one of them. The following day he was hanged.. “This is the end,” he said as he was led
out, “for me the beginning of life.”
The
Paraphrase of the Our Father
by St. Francis of Assisi
Our Father: Most Holy, our Creator and Redeemer, our Saviour and our Comforter.
Who art in Heaven: in the angels and the saints. Who gives them
light so that they may have knowledge, because Thou, Lord, are Light. Who
inflames them so that they may love, because Thou, Lord, are Love. Who lives
continually in them and who fills them so that they may be happy, because Thou,
Lord, are the Supreme Good, the Eternal Good, and it is from Thee that all good
comes, and without Thee there is no good.
Hallowed be Thy
Name: May our knowledge of
Thee become ever clearer, so that we may realize the extent of Thy benefits,
the steadfastness of Thy promises, the sublimity of Thy Majesty and the depth
of Thy judgments.
Thy Kingdom come: so that Thou may reign in us by Thy grace and
bring us to Thy Kingdom, where we shall see Thee clearly, love Thee perfectly,
be blessed in Thy company and enjoy Thee forever.
Thy Will be done on
earth as it is in Heaven: so
that we may love Thee with our whole heart by always thinking of Thee; with our
whole mind by directing our whole intention towards Thee and seeking Thy glory
in everything; and with all our strength by spending all our powers and
affections of soul and body in the service of Thy Love alone. And may we love
our neighbours as ourselves, encouraging them all to love Thee as best we can,
rejoicing at the good fortune of others, just as it were our own, and
sympathizing with their misfortunes, while giving offence to no one.
Give us this day
our daily bread: Thy own
beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to remind us of the love He showed for us
and to help us understand and appreciate it and everything that he did or said
or suffered.
And forgive us our
trespasses: in Thy infinite
Mercy, and by the power of the Passion of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
together with the merits and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and
all your saints.
As we forgive those
who trespass against us: and
if we do not forgive perfectly, Lord, make us forgive perfectly, so that we may
indeed love our enemies for love of Thee, and pray fervently to Thee for them,
returning no one evil for evil, anxious only to serve everybody in Thee.
And lead us not
into temptation: hidden or obvious,
sudden or unforeseen.
But deliver us from
evil: Present, past, or to
come.
Amen.
This
translation is based on that of Benen Fahy, OFM, as it appeared in "The
Writings of St. Francis of Assisi," Burnes & Oates, London, 1964. (http://www.franciscan-archive.org/patriarcha/)
Back to contents
Morning
Prayers
In me there is darkness,
But with thee there is light,
I am lonely, but thou leavest me not
I am feeble in heart, but thou leavest me not.
I am restless, but with thee there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with thee there is patience;
Thy ways are past understanding, but
Thou knowest the way for me.
Marabastad
Thanks
June van der Merwe
received this letter and poems in response to an appeal we responded to after
the fire at Marabastad. This appeal was
made during the Week of Bounty.
Tirisano ya Tswelopepe
Homeless Service Centre
Marabastad
Bell-ombre
Appreciation letter
for the donation issued over our disaster period of the fire.
The above stated
office will like to thank you for helping us over the disaster time of fire to
our homeless people in Marabastad. Also
the committee of Marabastad Homeless chairperson Mama Lillian Songwane extend
the word of appreciation to all people who were of great help during the time
of problems.
We are grateful for
the tremendous response over the homeless in Marabastad.
Thank you for your
help
Yours truly
MA Ntithe (social
worker)
L Songwane
(chairperson)
Sorry for the late
replay. May the Lord bless you More
Poems
from Marabastad
sent with the letter
Sing glory sing sing
homeless people
let every engel open
his ears
let the Lord hear your
song
let almighty take your
struggle
you are in a lost city
where nobody
can hear your
voice. But God will be
your revenge. You are not lost you can
still make it, Try homeless people
let the shop stoep be
your bed let the
people see you don’t
be shy try try
hard hard will be your
reward not
only on earth but also
in heaven
where you will be
called hard workers
of sorrys. Try harder.
Glory will be
your daily songs of
joy.
Oh. Marabastad you are
Alpha and Omega
you are worthy to be
praised
you are a shiny city
home for helpless
people you are Gold to
those who can
work by selling what
ever they can
sell from empty
bottles to cardboxes
you make us proud by
keeping us
alive and being next
to our bread
‘Oh’ Lord see us
through raining days
and keep our burning
shacks safe
Oh shine lovely day
shine
let all the window of
shop shine
let every person feel
free and safe
Oh Marabastad you are
my home
if I had wing I will
only fly up and
still land on you my
lovely home
Marabastad wake-up
people wake-up
the sun has rised
every bird is sing
all the car hoot
louder every hawker
sell what they can
sell Lillian
Songwane (1997)
The
Game
From the Meiklejohns
At a fundraising
dinner for a school that serves learning-disabled children, the father of one
of the school's students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by
all who attended. After extolling the
school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question.
"Everything God
does is done with perfection. Yet, my
son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand
things as other children do. Where is
God's plan reflected in my son?"
The audience was
stilled by the query. The father continued. "I believe," the father
answered, "that when God brings a child like Shay into the world, an
opportunity to realize the Divine Plan presents itself. And it comes in the way
people treat that child."
Then, he told the
following story: Shay and his father
had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay
asked, "Do you think they will let me play?"
Shay's father knew
that most boys would not want him on their team. But the father understood that
if his son were allowed to play it would give him a much-needed sense of
belonging.
Shay's father
approached one of the boys on the field and asked if Shay could play. The boy
looked around for guidance from his team mates. Getting none, he took matters into his own hands and said,
"We are losing by six runs, and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess
he can be on our team and we'll try to put him up to bat in the ninth
inning."
In the bottom of the
eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. At
the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the outfield.
Although no hits came his way, he was
obviously ecstatic just to be on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his
father waved to him from the stands. In
the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs
and bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base. Shay was scheduled to be the next at-bat.
Would the team actually let Shay bat at this juncture and give away their
chance to win the game?
Surprisingly, Shay was
given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay
didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the
ball. However, as Shay stepped up to
the plate, the pitcher moved a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay
could at least be able to make contact.
The first pitch came
and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The
pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly toward Shay.
As the pitch came in,
Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball to the pitcher. The pitcher
picked up the soft grounder and could easily have thrown the ball to the first
baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have ended the game.
Instead, the pitcher
took the ball and threw it on a high arc to right field, far beyond reach of
the first baseman. Everyone started yelling, "Shay, run to first. Run to
first." Never in his life had Shay ever made it to first base. He
scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.
Everyone yelled
"Run to second, run to second!" By the time Shay was rounding first
base, the right fielder had the ball. He could have thrown the ball to the
second baseman for a tag. But the right fielder understood what the pitcher's
intentions had been, so he threw the ball high and far over the third baseman's
head. Shay ran towards second base as
the runners ahead of him deliriously circled the bases towards home. As Shay
reached second base, the opposing shortstop ran to him, turned him in the
direction of third base, and shouted, "Run to third!"
As Shay rounded third,
the boys from both teams were screaming, "Shay! Run home!" Shay ran
home, stepped on home plate and was cheered as the hero, for hitting a
"grand slam" and winning the game for his team. "That day," said the father softly
with tears now rolling down his face, "the boys from both teams helped bring
a piece of the Divine Plan into this world."
Back to contents
Letter to the Editor
18 June 2001
Dear Editor
It is with dismay that
I view the back page of the Pentecost Tidings (June 2001), for I see the
picture of a semi-nude woman, revealing her breasts. I am used to seeing
similar exhibitions of female attractiveness on the back page of the Sunday
Times and other secular publications, but not on our official parish
newsletter.
May I suggest that
such pictures should be avoided, or explained and put into context, lest they
lead our parishioners, young and old, into temptation, if not astray, or at
best create a false impression of what our beloved St Francis parish is all
about?
Concerned parishioner,
Eckart.
By way of
explanation, the Art Nouveau-style woodcut of the angel in the article about
gender-inclusive language used in the Bible and liturgy to refer to God and to
angels, was meant to illustrate that not even in art have angels always been
portrayed as male - Ed.
The Bad
Kid
So I was chilling out
in the fields, grafting it away when my brother went to see the old man. He tuned pops, “Dad I want my share of your
dough so I can get out of this dump.”
So Dad gave him the
dough and no sooner did he have the cash when he skipped the country. I heard that he spent all the loot living it
up with the chicks and the booze. Then
he was in a spot of bother. He went to
work for some oke who had these pigs.
He was so hungry that he thought he could chow some of the pig
food! Then he skeemed that Dad’s
servants got better treatment than him so he decided to come back. I was out in the field, grafting again, when
I heard this major commotion up at the house.
I asked Johannes what was going on and he tuned me that Pietie had
returned and that Dad was gooi-ing a huge bash for him. I was so ticked off that I went up and tuned
Dad grief. All the old geyser had to
say was that we should be happy coz Pietie was dead and is now alive. Come on old man get real!
