PRAYER FOR THE WOMEN OF SOUTH  AFRICA

Almighty God, You are father and mother to us, your children.   We thank you for the particular and special gifts you have given to women,  the gift of nurturing life, of sustaining and supporting life,   the qualities of compassion, commitment, generosity and a willingness to share.  As they progress towards their rightful place in society  we request your blessing on all women   that they may continue also to hold their rightful place in the family, that women and men together may build a society which will bring about the Kingdom You have promised us.

We call on Mary, the Mother of Jesus, who with the help of St Joseph, her spouse, nurtured and cared for her son and now reigns with Him in heaven, to inspire the women of South Africa, to pray with them in their joys and in their struggles, and to intercede for them with her Son.  Mary, Queen assumed into heaven, Patroness of South Africa, pray for us.

August 9.   WOMEN’S DAY.  Women and the Common Good.  A virtual interdenominational workshop for women and men had been organised by the Diocesan Laity Council.    Groups were discussing various topics around the Common Good.    One group discussed taxes.  There is income tax, sales tax, e-tolls as road tax but there are also different grants.  “Some of us give, but it is mostly others who get.  Is that fair?”  “I think the principle of the common good is a “good” one.  For me it puts a positive spin on the fact that life isn’t fair.”  “Don’t women on the whole carry heavier financial burdens as so many of our families are headed by single mothers? Shouldn’t that be considered in the light of the common good?”   “I think we need to look more holistically at family units rather than at men’s or women’s perspectives only and separately.  What about family income tax and family grants?”  And so the conversation went.

“The collectors of the half-shekel tax went up to Peter and said, “Does not your teacher pay the tax?”  Read Matthew 17:22-27. 

Pope Francis: There is a general feeling of powerlessness in the face of socio-cultural realities that oftentimes end up crushing families. The State has the responsibility to pass laws and create work to ensure the future of young people and help them realise their plan of forming a family.  AL 43.   “I appeal for a renewed appreciation of politics as a lofty vocation and one of the highest forms of charity, inasmuch as it seeks the common good.   FT 180