ARCHDIOCESE OF DURBAN
Associations in Durban

We are firmly reminded of the fact that we are in it for the long haul. It is the feast which brings us face to face with the truth that we have the Lord’s own Body and Blood as food and drink for our journey. While predominantly Zulu, the local Church serves a broad variety of people from diverse cultures and many languages. Since the demise of apartheid there has been an influx of many people from north of the South African border. Many are refugees while other have come to seek their fortune in this better developed part of Southern Africa. The Archdiocese incorporates some very first world parishes in and around the cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg, as well as a considerable number of rural mission parishes, some with remote outstations. Under the patronage of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, the Durban Archdiocese has been served for over 150 years by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate who, while reduced in numbers, still maintain a strong and active presence in the Archdiocese. Recent years has seen an increase in the number of local Diocesan priests. There has also been a greater number of religious orders and congregations who have settled in the diocese. Such gatherings usually only take place once every five or seven years. They plan Youth and Formation days and are also able to assist with the training of Parish Youth Teams. Professor of the History of Christianity at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. It is in our accepting of the yoke together with a willingness to learn (be receptive) the Gospel approach to the specific challenges which begins the process of living in and through difficult and painful circumstances. We must avoid the debilitating mistake of only taking up the yoke when we find ourselves in the wilderness areas of life and living. His yoke is intended to be a daily taking up of Gospel values applied always and everywhere. This week we have, in large measure, confined ourselves to our Gospel reading. It may be useful if we accept that real peace and happiness is not getting what we want but, rather in wanting we have got. IN THE YOKE, get down to getting ourselves INTO it and feel comfortable in and with it. Then, it becomes possible for the Lord, as today’s Gospel promises, to reveal the Father to us.