MARFAM WEEKLY E-NEWSLETTER 22 OCTOBER 2025

Naturally Mission month and Mission Sunday on the Church’s liturgical calendar led me to consider the role of missionaries in the Church and of course how priests, together with brothers and sisters led the way.  Without a doubt the mission was a part of the colonial trend and brought many men and women from Europe to Africa.  The whole mission movement has been changing over the last 200 years since the Catholic church began in South Africa.  Enculturation in 20th century focused on “bringing Christ to Africa and Africa to Christ”  as stated in the 1994 African synod document Ecclesia in Africa.  This changing view brought missionary congregations  from other African countries but also a more universal vision of mission together with the need for local vocations.

 Since the Second Vatican Council the Church has begun  to focus more on the task of the laity. An awareness of the role of families for themselves, one another and the Church as a whole is a growing need.

On a personal note, almost all of my time from our arrival in South Africa was spent in Johannesburg.  My aunt had kindly arranged for my mother and us three daughters to be accommodated in the Rosebank parish where we briefly attended the parish which was staffed by the Oblate fathers.   After that we lived in Linden for a time and were members of St Charles in Victory Park, again an Oblate parish. Later in Chris’ and my ministry to the engaged and in parish work with MARFAM we again encountered many Oblate fathers some of whom were really ready to go the extra mile.

Clearly the Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate were the backbone of the diocese of Johannesburg for many years, in more affluent and in poorer parishes of all the races, although most often separately.    However, it didn’t seem to me as if this was missionary work in the sense of reaching out to poor missions, the yet unconverted and uncatechized.    However after many more years, in my interview with Fr Frank McGreal, for my FAMILY MATTERS programme on Radio Veritas, my perception was corrected as he explained the history of the Oblate presence in South Africa in the 19th century and particularly in the Johannesburg diocese when it was formed. Fr Frank himself, came to South Africa in 1961 as a young Oblate missionary priest and has recently celebrated 70 years as an Oblate working in many aspects of the mission field, as he incorporated his story into the greater history. His work included as parish ministry, teaching and education in general and clergy formation. Our contact was in the area of Parish Family Ministry in Eldorado Park, as we were developing this MARFAM project.  Although since Vatican II Oblate numbers have decreased, as is the case with many of the other older congregations, there are, apart from the old men, still young men too entering this area of the mission and dedicating their lives to the service of God’s family and families.   I find Fr Frank’s story enlightening and important too for younger generations to consider and appreciate.   Congratulations and thank you Fr Frank.    

FAMILY MATTERS is broadcast weekly on Radio Veritas from 10-11 on Wednesdays.   Live-streamed on    https://radioveritas.co.za/  and also on DSTV channel 870. 

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY . LEGITIMATE PUNISHMENT

22 October.  Continuing a reflection and discussion on work across generations was interesting. The younger people were horrified at the thought of ever beating a servant, never mind more or less severely.   And yet until quite recently that was a common practice and a form of “slavery” still exists in some “patriarchal” relationships where men sometimes beat their wives and other circumstances may differ.  Sometimes in the context of trafficking or the treatment of foreigners by locals or the authorities the reality can leave much to be desired as is a current reality right now.  There are also occasions when workers,  employees and employers are assaulted.   What is the legitimate and correct punishment for a particular offence is the question?    

Reflect, share, act. Scripture:  The servant who knew his master’s will and did not act according to his will shall receive a severe beating.  But he who did not know and did what deserved a beating shall receive a light beating.  From Luke 12:39-48    Pope Francis: “That public opinion is manifesting a growing opposition to the death penalty, even as a means of legitimate social defence,” is a “sign of hope.” “Rendering justice “does not mean seeking punishment for its own sake, but ensuring that the basic purpose of all punishment is the rehabilitation of the offender. Fratelli Tutti 263.   In a trial of two murderers St Augustine asked the judge not to take the life of the assassins but that by the measures provided by the law they be turned from their irrational fury to the calmness of men of sound mind and from their evil deeds to some useful employment.”  FT 265.  JUBILEE. We are called to be tangible signs of hope for those of our brothers and sisters who experience hardships of any kind. I think of prisoners who, deprived of their freedom, daily feel the harshness of detention and its restrictions, lack of affection and, in more than a few cases, lack of respect for their persons. I propose that in this Jubilee Year governments undertake initiatives aimed at restoring hope. SNC 10.  Act and Pray for the needs of families and our calling to become true missionary disciples.