Missions

CLOYNE MISSION TO SOUTH AFRICA

THE TEAM: The Diocese of Cloyne sent its first Mission Team to South Africa early in 1998. The members of the team were Fr. Jackie Corkery and Michael and Ella Lovett from Kilworth, Co. Cork.

Early in 1999, Fr. Stephen Cummins replaced Fr. Jackie, who returned home for health reasons. The team worked in St. Michael's Parish, Mashabela with Fr. Paddy Gallagher of St. Patrick’s Missionary Society.

The mission team ideally consists of a priest, lay people and Religious.

Volunteers for this Mission Project are always needed.

Are you interested in joining our Mission Team in South Africa?

Contact 025-27162

THE PLACE: The Parish of Mashabela in the Diocese of Witbank is situated in the Northern Province of South Africa. The Tropic of Capricorn divides the province in two so the place gets very hot. There is no rain from March to October so the countryside is dry, semi-desert. Water is very scarce apart from a few springs and a small stream. Cattle, sheep and goats wander the countryside in search of grazing and return to the kraal at night time.

Fr. Stephen Cummins writes:

Our lives as missionaries are spent as guests of the Northern Sotho people. As such, we have come to walk with them. This journey requires a lot of listening. It also requires some knowledge of the native language of Northern Sotho. This rural area was not spared the ravages of the apartheid policy of the former white government South Africa. Today, the Church is involved in the national process of reconciliation and justice. The Diocese of Cloyne is happy to have been invited as active partners in this process .

Since its arrival, the Cloyne Mission Team has immersed itself in the life of the parish. Alongside local people, we have initiated various pastoral and developmental projects. These include:

	The formation of local catechists and lay pastoral councils;
	Rural women self-help projects;
	Establishment of a Day Care Centre for Mentally and Physically Handicapped children and youth;
	Educational Projects for school leavers and women's groups
	Electrification of the village of Mashabela
	HIV+/AIDS Workshops

Underpinning all of our work is the spiritual life of our people. The celebration the Eucharist and sacraments is enthusiastic and energetic: local rituals in song and dance are in abundance. Living and working here, one is struck by the strong faith in the divine. This is no pious thing: when placed against the backdrop of life under an apartheid regime, when faith in God and man must have been tested, the strength of the faith of our people is all the more remarkable. Indeed the simple daily smile and air of joy amidst a subsistence life, is in itself a cause for reflection.

CLOYNE MISSION SUPPORT TEAM

Cloyne's presence in South Africa depends on an increased mission awareness in the home diocese. To assist this, Mission Support Team was formed in the Diocese of Cloyne. The aims of this Team is to make Cloyne's missionary dimension known throughout the Diocese of Cloyne and further afield; to encourage and invite priests, religious and laity to join the Mission Team in South Africa; and finally, to ask for the prayers and financial support of Cloyne for the success of its young mission. Anyone interested in joining the Mission Support Team, should contact Fr.Padraig Keogh, PP, Lisgoold or Ella and Michael Lovett, Kilworth, Co. Cork.

CLOYNE PRIEST IN THE DIOCESE OF DOWN & CONNOR

Fr. Pat Winkle, Finaghy, Belfast