Towards the end of September, Br Josias organized and our Juniors hosted an online workshop for young people in religious life within the Anglican Church of South Africa. Sr Patricia CHN facilitated the consideration of religious vows in contemporary life, her input being well received by those who participated in the workshop.
(Shortly after this news update was posted, we learned of the passing of Sr Patricia from this life after illness. We pray for the repose of her soul in the kind care of her Lord, whom she loved and served so faithfully. She was a good friend of our community for many years. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.)
In late October, Br Roger and Br Josias attended the annual gathering of the Religious Life Council at Mariannhill Monastery Retreat House. The Council consists of representatives from all religious communities within ACSA. An intensive day of business was preceded this year by a three-day workshop facilitated by Fr Michael Lapsley SSM and two co-facilitators from the Healing of Memories Institute.
In an interesting symmetry, our guesthouse provided accommodation for Nicci, the principal of our Holy Cross School, and her partner, in late September, and to Christine, an Associate of Holy Cross from the USA, and her friend, towards the end of October. Christine and Louise came to us from a ship docked in Cape Town for a week. The ship hosts a “Semester at Sea” and so becomes a floating university campus for some months while making its way around the world.
We continued to provide spiritual accompaniment to various people, whether in person or online, and to appreciate the regular presence of various local people at our daily prayers and Sunday Eucharists. One couple included our chapel prayer as part of their celebration of their wedding anniversary, giving thanks to God for 35 years of married life.
Br Roger participated in a couple of online RLC Executive Committee meetings in preparation for the AGM. He also attended a quarterly online meeting of the HCS trust board. Br Ephrem, as our new Superior, chaired that meeting for the first time. He continues to provide weekly classes for our Juniors while Br Robert James is on sabbatical.
Br Josias participated in an online meeting of the ACSA Disability Justice Commission. The commission focuses on advocacy, education, and pastoral care to foster disability inclusion and justice within the church community and broader society. November is Disability Rights Awareness Month in South Africa.
Br Aelred spent a weekend in his hometown of Worcester, where he attended the confirmation of his younger brother at the local parish. A number of family members gathered to celebrate the occasion.
The helpful local timber company that previously removed several fallen trees from around our property returned to bring down several tall gum and pine trees that were uncomfortably close to our buildings. While not every tree fell exactly along the line intended for it, minimal damage was done and for the most part the challenging operation proceeded as planned. The company recoup their costs by harvesting the resulting timber.
The process of regularization of our new property with the local municipality began with a complete site survey. The whole property was digitally scanned inside and out to provide data for as-built plans of all the buildings, including their various positions on a site development plan of the property.