ENGLISH FOR REFUGEES
These classes continue to be blessed and prosper. The 3rd course of 2015 ended in mid-September and a new Beginners’ course, the 4th of the year, commenced on 21st.
Category: Uncategorized
NEW RESIDENTS
We welcome two new arrivals at Mercy House, Angelo from Chad and Ivan from Rwanda. We wish them both a grace-filled and joyful stay with us.
OUR FRIENDS AT ST RICHARDS
We extend our very warm gratitude to Father Paul, Father Andrew and the Mercy House Team at St Richards parish in the UK led by Mrs Judy McGregor, for raising funds for us once again. This parish has helped to keep us alive for around 18 years and we could never thank them enough. They held a mid-year luncheon for us, which has helped towards covering the costs of the extensive and very necessary renovations currently being done at Mercy House. On Saturday, 27th September, one of our former residents who came to us with her family at the time of the genocide in Rwanda, visited the parish and was able to represent us in thanking everyone there personally for their help. She was very warmly received
EASTER – THE POWER OF LOVE AND MERCY
Easter celebrates the resurrection. It is the victory of life over death, grace that overpowers sin, mercy that replaces judgement. It is our Christian celebration par excellence.
The paschal candle for 2015 has been lit. It stands for the risen Christ who brings light and warmth to the world. Jesus is the new fire, prefigured in the burning bush that appeared to Moses; he is the column of light that marches ahead of the Israelites on their journey through the desert; he is the fire that burns in the hearts of the two disciples of Emmaus. He is the blazing flame that bursts into our darkness and warms our cold nights.
Jesus lives, he defeats death, he blots out our sins and heals our wounds. He is with us until the end of times. He walks with us and precedes us in the most unexpected corners of the world. He meets us in the face of the poor and challenges us in the suffering of the refugees and asylum seekers; he strengthens us when we are discouraged and encloses us in his embrace of love and mercy. We rejoice and we are glad, because Christ is alive.
Father Jeremias
EASTER JOY
This year Easter was again celebrated meaningfully and joyfully. We attended the Holy Week services and those of Easter Sunday. Thereafter our joyful celebration at Mercy House was well attended and, as the photos show, the children had immense joy from the visit of the Easter bunny and catching their Easter eggs. A big thank you to CALTEX for arranging the visit of the bunny to us, also to those who actually brought him.
MALVERN YOUTH VISIT
On 28 February a large number of the Malvern Youth group, and St Vincent de Paul Society visited Mercy House, providing a delicious luncheon and playing with our children. Everyone enjoyed the occasion very much, as the photos show, and we were happy that they got to know who we are.
OUR FIRST RECOLLECTION DAY
As a thank you to our Mercy House supporters and co-workers we are planning intermittent spiritual input, in the form of occasional full-day of half-day recollection days. These are only for those who are interested in this, no pressure being put on anyone who, for one or another reason, may prefer not to attend. Our first one was held on 7 March at the Comboni Centre in Pretoria, being attended around 20 participants. Father Jeremias gave a very inspiring talk and Father Gunther assisted in other ways. We thank both these fathers for their support and help. The photos below were taken in the chapel and at the lunch.