Karabo Ntanzi
Our Lady of Fatima Shrine parishioners will not forget Sunday, 11 February, because the church admitted the first 15 Catholic Men’s Association Associate Members as full sodality members.
One hundred male voices led Mass from members from as far as Mafikeng, Taung, and Kimberley parishes, such as St Charles, St Peters, and St Boniface, to pledge support to their counterparts and witness this historic occasion. Members of the sodality wear black trousers, a black blazer, a white shirt, and a red tie with a crucifix.
Johny Moheta, Founder Chairperson for Kimberley Diocese, narrated the origin of the sodality and the road traveled, “The sodality emanates from a call made by the Southern African Catholic Bishops Council when they expressed a concern about the absence of male sodalities within the Catholic Church,” he said.
Based on the above statement, St Theresa in Mothutlung under the Arch Diocese of Pretoria heeded the call and launched the first branch.
Then, St Theresa mentored and established Kreste Modisa in Mafikeng, in 2014. At their launch, Kreste Modisa invited parishes in their deanery, such as St Mary’s, St Hendrik, Holy Family, and Boikanyo
After that, the sodality grew within the diocese. In 2018, Kreste Modisa extended its wings beyond Mafikeng Deanery and launched St Boniface in Kimberley.
St Boniface gave birth to St Charles, St Peter, and now Our Lady of Fatima Shrine.
The sodality also has footprints in Taung Deanery; St Ann in Mokgareng leads the pack.
“Our responsibility is divided into three legs in the church called apostolic works. We encourage other men to take their rightful place by being visible at church and home. We must lead by example, including initiating prayers at home and attending Mass regularly. Mediate where there are misunderstandings and deal with social illnesses within our communities. Not only protect our families but our faith by following in the footsteps of St Peter and St Paul, hence we adopted them as our patron saints”, continued Moheta.
He explained that St Peter was the first Pope of the Catholic Church, while St. Paul used to preach and convert non-believers.
The Parish Priest Fr Molefe Griffiths Koloi celebrated Mass.
Emotions went up during the of service when members remembered Kagisho Peter Salome, a talented percussionist who passed on before becoming a full member of the sodality.
The Catholic Men’s Association membership has grown to 200 in the Kimberley Diocese.
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