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  Homily Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – 2026 Gospel: Mark 7:14–23 1. Introduction My brothers and sisters, today’s Gospel invites us to look in a direction we often avoid: inside ourselves . We are very good at managing appearances, polishing behaviour, and pointing out what is wrong “out there”. But Jesus gently, and firmly, turns the mirror towards our own hearts. 2. Humorous Story There is a story of a man who went for a full medical check-up. After many tests, the doctor said, “Good news, everything is fine. You just need to change your lifestyle.” The man asked, “What must I change, Doctor?” The doctor replied, “Your diet, your sleep, your stress levels, and your attitude.” The man sighed and said, “Doctor, can’t you just give me tablets? This sounds like hard work!” Many of us would rather take tablets than do inner work. And yet, Jesus tells us today: the real problem is not what goes into us, but what comes out of us. 3. Exegesis (Brief and Clear)...
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  Archdiocese of Pretoria Commissions 47 Catechists By Sr Mary Otsanya Orinya MSHR Photos by Sr Mary Otsanya Orinya MSHR The Archdiocese of Pretoria commissioned 47 catechists during a solemn Eucharistic celebration held on Saturday, 7 February 2026, at the Church of the Beatitudes, Zwavelpoort. The celebration began with Holy Mass at 10:00, presided over by Archbishop Dabula Anthony Mpako. The liturgy was concelebrated in the presence of four priests and assisted by five deacons, highlighting the importance of catechesis in the life and mission of the local Church. In his homily, Archbishop Mpako reflected on the Gospel mandate, “Go therefore to all nations” , urging the newly commissioned catechists to be fearless proclaimers of the Good News of Christ. He reminded them that they are “disciples of mission” , called not merely to teach, but to witness through their lives. The Archbishop emphasised that catechists must first be disciples to themselves before becoming disciple...
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  Church in Southern Africa Celebrates 75 Years of a Local Hierarchy: A Light That Continues to Shine By Fr Mathibela Sebothoma Hundreds of Catholics, together with representatives of ecumenical and fraternal churches, gathered at the Church of the Beatitudes in Zwavelpoort for a historic celebration marking 75 years since the establishment of the Catholic hierarchy in Southern Africa . The solemn Eucharistic celebration formed part of the jubilee commemorations of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) and coincided with the bishops’ annual plenary session, held this year in the capital, Pretoria. The liturgy was marked by joy, reverence and a deep sense of gratitude. The Archdiocese of Pretoria choir led the congregation in spirited singing, giving expression to a faith that has taken deep root in the soil of Southern Africa over the past seven and a half decades. A Jubilee of Maturity and Responsibility The principal celebrant was Cardinal Stephen Brisl...
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  Water Is Life: A Call for Transparency, Accountability, and Moral Courage I do not wish to sound alarmist. I am not a biologist, a scientist, or an engineer. I speak neither with laboratory authority nor technical expertise. I speak simply as a citizen, a pastor, and a communicator who knows one fundamental truth: water is a source of life . When questions arise about the safety of water, silence is not neutral—it is dangerous. The televised water tests aired on the @Newzroom405 channel should worry us all. Although these tests were conducted in a few municipal towns in the Eastern Cape, their implications go far beyond provincial borders. Water infrastructure, governance failures, and institutional neglect are not isolated realities in South Africa. They are systemic. What we see in one part of the country often reflects what is happening—or what may soon happen—elsewhere. The concern here is not the television station, the test kits, or even the exact scientific interpretati...
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  New Year Homily: “Blessed by God, Born of a Woman, Sent with Hope” Introduction As we begin a brand-new year, the Church does something very wise: she does not start with fireworks, resolutions, or predictions. She begins with a woman and a child . On this first day of the year, we celebrate Mary, the Mother of God , and we pray for peace . The world rushes forward; the Church pauses and says: Let us begin with blessing, relationship, and grace. Story Someone once said: “My New Year’s resolution is 1080p… because 720p wasn’t clear enough last year!” Another said: “I stopped making New Year resolutions because by 3 January I was already asking God for mercy.” The truth is: we start the year with great intentions, but often weak stamina. That is why today is not about our promises to God, but God’s promise to us . Readings 1. Numbers 6:22–27 – The Blessing “The Lord bless you and keep you…” This is one of the oldest prayers in Scripture. Notice something important: God d...
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  Accountability Without Overreach: Why the CRL Commission Risks Undermining Religious Freedom By Fr Mathibela Sebothoma  The failure of parts of the Church to govern itself responsibly is no longer in dispute. Financial misconduct, abuse of authority, and weak internal accountability have rightly provoked public anger. These failures demand consequences. But they do not justify a solution that threatens a core constitutional freedom. In its growing intervention into religious life, the Cultural, Religious and Linguistic (CRL) Rights Commission risks crossing an important line: from protecting citizens against abuse to policing belief itself. A constitutional democracy must be able to hold religious institutions accountable without deciding what counts as a “legitimate” religion or how faith should be practised. When the state assumes that role, freedom of religion becomes conditional—granted only to those who pass official approval. To be clear, churches are not above the...
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  Four Men Ordained Permanent Deacons for the Archdiocese of Pretoria on Reconciliation Day Zwavelpoort – 16 June 2025 Four Christian men were ordained to the permanent diaconate for the Archdiocese of Pretoria on Monday, 16 June 2025, at a solemn Eucharistic celebration held at the Church of the Beatitudes in Zwavelpoort. The ordination coincided with South Africa’s Reconciliation Day, adding a profound symbolic dimension to a celebration rooted in service, unity and peace. Those ordained were Mr Pieter Kroukamp O.F.S. (Presentation Parish, Montana), Dr Patrick Makawa-Mbewe (St Thomas More Parish, Monavoni), Mr Piet Nkgoogo Mashilo (Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Dennilton), and Mr Michael Machalo Tloubatla (St Thomas More Parish, Monavoni). At the beginning of the ordination rite, each candidate was called by name and, in a moving gesture reflecting the vocation of married deacons, they were accompanied to the sanctuary by their wives. Also present were their children, paren...
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