It's party time in Braamfontein
Mike Lewis SJ has found a South African parish that knows how to party
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At the age of one hundred and six, our city parish of the Holy Trinity, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, went festive from Pentecost to Trinity Sunday - in no uncertain manner. It wasn’t only the feast of its dedication that was being celebrated, but also its becoming the University church and its evolving into a multicultural community to match our rainbow nation.
Needless to say, the spiritual and liturgical side was not neglected. In fact there was Morning and Evening Prayer in the church each day, and the usual lunchtime Mass was preceded by an hour-long organ recital with Exposition for personal prayer. There was an all-night Vigil for Pentecost and a concelebrated Mass for Trinity Sunday with great singing by the Johannesburg Youth Choir.
But what made this festival exceptional was the amazing variety of the events and entertainments that were presented, and the wealth of the talents that were displayed. The festival opened with a concert on the Friday evening and, after the Masses of Pentecost Sunday, an outdoor Multicultural Day Fete was held on part of the university campus - with multicultural lunchtime fare. Meanwhile, Saturday saw the opening in the chaplaincy of an exhibition of paintings by Fr Frans Claerhout OMI, and the start of a constantly changing flower festival in the church.
Like the organ recitals, there were attractions that went through the week, such as Fr Alan Peter’s talks at 6.30 each morning on ‘Why be a Christian in the REAL world?’ plus a series of films in the mornings under the general title of ‘Jesus Christ, Moviestar’ leading to a Saturday workshop under the direction of Fr Anthony Egan. Afternoons were given over to exotic activities, like the Liturgical Dance workshop, and a ‘Ways to Pray’ workshop guided by the Centre for Ignatian Spirituality. Evenings were part serious - with imported speakers, and part lighter fare - such as story-telling and wine-tasting, with a Festival Dinner to round off the final Saturday.
As an expression of unity in multiplicity and sheer breadth of interest, this festival has to rank high. Fr Graham Pugin, our Pastor/Chaplain, and the many co-workers who brought his concept to reality deserve all our praise and gratitude
At the age of one hundred and six, our city parish of the Holy Trinity, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, went festive from Pentecost to Trinity Sunday - in no uncertain manner. It wasn’t only the feast of its dedication that was being celebrated, but also its becoming the University church and its evolving into a multicultural community to match our rainbow nation.
Needless to say, the spiritual and liturgical side was not neglected. In fact there was Morning and Evening Prayer in the church each day, and the usual lunchtime Mass was preceded by an hour-long organ recital with Exposition for personal prayer. There was an all-night Vigil for Pentecost and a concelebrated Mass for Trinity Sunday with great singing by the Johannesburg Youth Choir.
But what made this festival exceptional was the amazing variety of the events and entertainments that were presented, and the wealth of the talents that were displayed. The festival opened with a concert on the Friday evening and, after the Masses of Pentecost Sunday, an outdoor Multicultural Day Fete was held on part of the university campus - with multicultural lunchtime fare. Meanwhile, Saturday saw the opening in the chaplaincy of an exhibition of paintings by Fr Frans Claerhout OMI, and the start of a constantly changing flower festival in the church.
Like the organ recitals, there were attractions that went through the week, such as Fr Alan Peter’s talks at 6.30 each morning on ‘Why be a Christian in the REAL world?’ plus a series of films in the mornings under the general title of ‘Jesus Christ, Moviestar’ leading to a Saturday workshop under the direction of Fr Anthony Egan. Afternoons were given over to exotic activities, like the Liturgical Dance workshop, and a ‘Ways to Pray’ workshop guided by the Centre for Ignatian Spirituality. Evenings were part serious - with imported speakers, and part lighter fare - such as story-telling and wine-tasting, with a Festival Dinner to round off the final Saturday.
As an expression of unity in multiplicity and sheer breadth of interest, this festival has to rank high. Fr Graham Pugin, our Pastor/Chaplain, and the many co-workers who brought his concept to reality deserve all our praise and gratitude