Cabinda and the World Cup

Submitted by Chris Chatteris SJ on 20 January 2010 - 10:00am

Terrorists are such effective geography teachers! Who could have located Yemen quickly without Google Earth until the Christmas Day bomb attempt on United Airlines? And who even knew of the existence of the Cabinda Enclave until the Togolese soccer team was attacked on its border?

Raymond Perrier: Profile of the new Director of the Jesuit Institute

Submitted by David Smolira SJ on 18 January 2010 - 9:00am

David Smolira, as Regional Superior of the Jesuits in South Africa, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Raymond Perrier as full-time director of the Jesuit Institute. David will continue to oversee the Institute as President, while Raymond will be responsible for leading the Institute on a day to day basis.

We are All Haitians Now

Submitted by Chris Chatteris SJ on 17 January 2010 - 10:00am

The disaster in Haiti has been described by it's President as 'unimaginable' and by many of his people as 'the end of the world'. The estimates of the numbers of the dead range from 50,000 upwards. It's of tsunami proportions, but concentrated in a small island nation, the poorest country in the Western hemisphere.

POPE BENEDICT XVI'S MONTHLY PRAYER INTENTIONS 2010

JANUARY
  • Young people and Social Communications Media.
      That young people may learn to use modern means of social communication for their personal growth and to better prepare themselves to serve society.
  • Christian Unity.  That every believer in Christ may be conscious that unity among all Christians is a condition for more effective proclamation of the Gospel.
FEBRUARY
  • Scholars.  For all scholars and intellectuals, that by means of sincere search for the truth they may arrive at an understanding of the one true God.
  • The Church’s Missionary Identity.  That the Church, aware of its own missionary identity, may strive to follow Christ faithfully and to proclaim His Gospel to all peoples.
MARCH
  • World Economy.  That the world economy may be managed according to the principles of justice and equity, taking account of the real needs of peoples, especially the poorest.
  • The Churches in Africa.  That the Churches in Africa may be signs and instruments of reconciliation and justice in every part of that continent.
APRIL
  • Fundamentalism and Extremism.  That every tendency to fundamentalism and extremism may be countered by constant respect, by tolerance and by dialogue among all believers.
  • Persecuted Christians.  That Christians persecuted for the sake of the Gospel may persevere, sustained by the Holy Spirit, in faithfully witnessing to the love of God for the entire human race.
MAY
  • Human Trafficking.  That the shameful and monstrous commerce in human beings, which sadly involves millions of women and children, may be ended.
  • Priests, Religious and Committed Lay People  That ordained ministers, religious women and men, and lay people involved in apostolic work may understand how to infuse missionary enthusiasm into the communities entrusted to their care.
JUNE
  • Respect for Human Life.  That every national and transnational institution may strive to guarantee respect for human life from conception to natural death.
  • The Churches in Asia.  That the Churches in Asia, which constitute a “little flock” among non-Christian populations, may know how to communicate the Gospel and give joyful witness to their adherence to Christ.
JULY
  • Justice in Electing those who Govern  That in every nation of the world the election of officials may be carried out with justice, transparency and honesty, respecting the free decisions of citizens.
  • An Urban Culture of Justice, Solidarity and Peace.  That Christians may strive to offer everywhere, but especially in great urban centers, an effective contribution to the promotion of education, justice, solidarity and peace.

AUGUST

  • The Unemployed and the Homeless  That those who are without work or homes or who are otherwise in serious need may find understanding and welcome, as well as concrete help in overcoming their difficulties.
  • Victims of Discrimination, Hunger and Forced Emigration.  That the Church may be a “home” for all people, ready to open its doors to any who are suffering from racial or religious discrimination, hunger, or wars forcing them to emigrate to other countries.
SEPTEMBER
  • The Word of God as Sign of Social Development.  That in less developed parts of the world the proclamation of the Word of God may renew people’s hearts, encouraging them to work actively toward authentic social progress.
  • The End of War.  That by opening our hearts to love we may put an end to the numerous wars and conflicts which continue to bloody our world.
OCTOBER
  • Catholic Universities.  That Catholic Universities may more and more be places where, in the light of the Gospel, it is possible to experience the harmonious unity existing between faith and reason.
  • World Mission Day.  That the World Mission Day may afford an occasion for understanding that the task of proclaiming Christ is an absolutely necessary service to which the Church is called for the benefit of humanity.
NOVEMBER
  • Drug Addicts and Victims of Every Form of Dependence.  That victims of drugs or of other dependence may, thanks to the support of the Christian community, find in the power of our Saving God strength for a radical life-change.
  • The Continent-wide Mission in Latin America.  That the Churches of Latin America may move ahead with the continent-wide mission proposed by their bishops, making it part of the universal missionary task of the People of God.
DECEMBER
  • The Experience of Personal Suffering as a Help to Others who Suffer.  That our personal experience of suffering may be an occasion for better understanding the situation of unease and pain which is the lot of many people who are alone, sick or aged, and stir us all to give them generous help.
  • Opening Our Doors to Christ.  That the peoples of the earth may open their doors to Christ and to His Gospel of peace, brotherhood and justice.

 

For further details about the Apostleship of Prayer you can contact the National Secretary:

Rev. Fr. Chris Chatteris SJ
c/o Jesuit Institute - South Africa
PO Box 31087
Braamfontein
2017, South Africa

Invictus by Clint Eastwood (Film Review)

Submitted by Chris Chatteris SJ on 7 January 2010 - 10:00am

There's a certain high dudgeon about in the celluloid circles in South Africa with regard to the playing of South Africans (such as Winnie Madikizela-Mandela) by foreigners. (See Stop Whining and Start Acting in The Sowetan http://www.sowetan.co.za/Entertainment/Article.aspx?id=1099352). Clint Eastwood's Invictus is an almost unanswerable reply to this complaint.

Vocations and what to do with them: Discerning Priestly and Religious Vocations

Submitted by Chris Chatteris SJ on 9 November 2009 - 5:41pm

Vocations and what to do with them: Discerning Priestly and Religious Vocations by Chris Chatteris SJ

Vocations and what to do with them: Discerning Priestly and Religious Vocations by Chris Chatteris SJ

Guardian of the Light (Book Review)

Submitted by Chris Chatteris SJ on 30 October 2009 - 9:00am

Chris Chatteris looks at the life of a rare, genuinely big man who could admit when he erred

Guardian of the Light: Denis Hurley Renewing the Church, Opposing Apartheid by Paddy Kearney (UKZN Press and The Continuum International Publishing Group)

I was fortunate enough to be in Durban in 1985 when Alan Paton dubbed Denis Hurley "guardian of the light" in an address at Hurley's 70th birthday celebration.

Read more at:
http://www.mg.co.za/article/2009-10-20-seeker-of-the-truth

The Interim Budget – Doing More With Less

Submitted by Chris Chatteris SJ on 30 October 2009 - 9:00am

The newspaper billboard summed up Minister Pravin Gordhan's difficulties perfectly - 'No Money, But We'll Deliver'.

"It can't happen here."

Submitted by Anthony Egan SJ on 25 June 2009 - 2:31pm

So says Doremus Jessup, liberal editor of a small-town Vermont newspaper, and his friends at the beginning of Sinclair Lewis’ 1935 novel of the same title. What can’t happen in the United States is fascism and tyranny along the lines of Hitler, Mussolini or Stalin – even in a time of great economic difficulty. But…

In 1936, ‘Buzz’ Windrip, a populist senator from the US Midwest gets elected president of the United States on a radical ticket – tight control over capitalism, funds to help all citizens (almost a Basic Income Grant), national reconstruction, etc. Within a few months the US Congress has been silenced, the authority of the Supreme Court hobbled.

Lotto: the State as Croupier?

Submitted by Chris Chatteris SJ on 24 June 2009 - 3:57pm

The Lotto is in trouble again apparently. It now stands accused of hoarding monies it should have disbursed to the charities it likes to remind its critics that it supports. But what is a lottery in reality?

John Ralston Saul labels lotteries ‘stealth taxes’.

We work with people from the business, political and educational sectors as well as those from various faith backgrounds. We are keen to engage with all who have an interest in improving our society.

The Jesuit Institute is dedicated to providing training and encouraging debate on current social and religious issues from a faith perspective and to stimulating critical reflection, research and dialogue.

The Jesuit Institute provides reflection and training on, and critical analysis of, contemporary social and religious issues from a Catholic perspective. We are motivated by the service of faith and the promotion of justice.

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