Br Aelred led a weekend retreat for a group of lay ministers from St Andrew’s Anglican Church in Steenberg. His input was appreciated, and the group attended chapel prayers with the Brothers, some of whom made themselves available for individual spiritual accompaniment, together with Rev Wilma.
Brs Josias and Roger travelled to Mariannhill Monastery in KZN to attend the annual meeting of the ACSA Religious Life Council, together with representatives from most of the other Anglican religious communities in southern Africa as well as the new Liaison Bishop, Bp VV Mnculwane. It was good to share the experiences of religious life together with prayer and fellowship.
Afterwards, Brs Josias and Roger attended the celebration of three Silver Jubilees by the Sisters of the nearby Community of Jesus’ Compassion. It was an especially meaningful occasion, as CJC were so supportive of Br Mpumelelo in his discernment of a vocation to monastic life in our community.
While in that part of KZN, Br Roger took the opportunity to visit with his sister in nearby Howick.
Earlier, Br Roger had provided spiritual accompaniment to one of our Associates from Cape Town during a weekend visit to Volmoed to pray with the Brothers. Br Roger also attended a meeting of the Holy Cross School trustees and, together with Br Luc, a meeting of our Order’s Council. Both of these meetings took place online.
Br Luc negotiated an interview during which he submitted an application for an extension to six months of his visitor’s visa. He awaits the outcome.
Br Daniel travelled to Gauteng to visit with some good friends of his.
Br Daniel provided spiritual accompaniment to a Dutch Reformed minister who was on retreat at Volmoed. He also met with and offered a blessing to some pilgrims who passed through Volmoed.
Several individuals on retreat attended chapel prayers with the Brothers during their time at Volmoed.
Last, but by no means least, we are very glad to have Br Mpumelelo back with us, after four months at our Holy Cross Monastery in the USA, where he had a rich experience with the community there while participating in their formation programme.
We were privileged to have the presence and input of Bp Dr Rowan Williams, a former Archbishop of Canterbury, at Volmoed during the first week of November. I will say more about this in the November news.