by Fr Mark James OP
Seven Catholic Deaf from Eswatini join with Mariannhill celebrations
Seven Catholic Deaf members will join Mariannhill Catholic Deaf for their celebrations in Mariannhill from 8-10 December 2018.
This is the cementing of a long-established relationship between the two communities that goes back to the days when Fr John and his A-Team, including his brother Brian Turner and Debbie Eaton, used to come to Eswatini to say Mass. They did this for many years. Sadly, it ended with the death of Fr John on 17 June 2013.
However, the bonds of friendship between the Deaf communities Eswatini and Mariannhill continue to endure, a wonderful testament to the work that Fr John did.
Three delegates from Eswatini to attend a Southern African Catholic Deaf meeting
Sibusiso Zulu, Nkosingiphile Nkambule and Bonginkosi Maphosa will represent the Eswatini Catholic Deaf community at a Southern African Catholic Deaf meeting being held at Mariannhill from 14-16 December 2018. Fr Mark will also be attending. Every two years, Deaf Catholics from Eswatini, Lesotho and South Africa meet to discuss the challenging the different Catholic Deaf communities in these countries. This is an opportunity to share ideas and offer support to one another as well as to celebrate the liturgy in sign language. A new executive will be also elected. The present chairperson is Faith Cronwright from Cape Town.