AoB/Cir 08 2017

My dear Priests, Deacons, Religious and the Faithful of the Archdiocese of Bulawayo,

Christmas 2017: Christmas is such a beautiful time of year where family, friends, and neighbours are welcomed into our homes with loving arms as we anticipate the birth of Christ. Christ is the reason for the season, and we need to be sure to celebrate His birth meaningfully, especially spiritually. Unfortunately, many of us are only concerned with the material side of Christmas. We get caught up in the hustle and bustle of shopping and deadlines and so forget why this month is so important.

Many times children are caught up in the materialistic side of Christmas. If you think about it, it is quite appalling that Christmas has become a huge retail holiday. It overshadows the joy of Christmas by making us stress out about gifts, parties, and food. When we are caught up in external things we forget the needs of our soul. Christmas is all about Christ being born again in our hearts and families. Let us not forget this fact.

As we begin the new pastoral year with the theme; “Children and youth; a blessing for the family and Church” let us do our best to instill in our children and youth the right Catholic values and practices. This has to begin in our families moving towards our parishes. As Psalms 127 says children are truly a blessing and a reward from the Lord. This blessing has to be fully realized and honoured in our families.

Therefore may I urge all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Bulawayo to do everything in their ability to bring up our children and youth in the right teachings of the Catholic Church. Let us teach them while they are young. Let us support them to be firm in their faith. Let us be with them in their journey of faith.

I wish each of you many blessings for a Very Happy Christmas and a New Year 2018. I assure you all my prayers and blessings.

Grade 7 Results for 2017: Following are the overall pass rate from our schools for grade 7:
1. St. Thomas Aquinas: 93.1%. 2. St. Patrick’s: 88.9%. 3. St. Bernard’s: 89.6%. 4. Magama: 57.7%. 5. Brunapeg: 76%. 6. Minda: 76.19%. 7. St. Joseph’s: 30.5%. 8. Ekusileni: 44.4%. 9. Regina Mundi: 57.6%. 10. Empandeni: 36.62%. 11. Embakwe: 31%. 12. Sacred Heart: 93.84%. 13. Dominican Convent: 96%.

“Do not take Jesus out of Christmas.” - Pope Francis

HAPPY CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR

Sincerely
+Alex Thomas
Archbishop of Bulawayo