Father John Bosco’s appointment to the parish of St Anne’s in Johannesburg

With the rite of induction, Father Joe Pich, the dean of the central deanery of the Archdiocese of Johannesburg, representing the Archbishop of the Diocese, Steven Cardinal Brislin, bestowed on Father John Bosco the pastoral responsibility of the Parish of Saint Anne. Inviting him “to serve and love the people in such a way that they become true followers of Christ.” Fr John Baptist read out the letter of appointment from the Archbishop that spells out the rights and duties of the pastor towards the Christian community.

In his inspiring homily centred on the solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Fr John Baptist said, “God’s unity is a model for us, calling us to live in harmony with one another, respecting each other’s human dignity. By doing so, we reflect the love and unity of God in the world.” Applying God’s word to the reality of the parish, he added, “This is our Parish, our common Church and home – whether we are native South Africans, African immigrants, or Portuguese-speaking community. We belong together.”

In reference to the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa, Fr John Baptist stated, “Where a section of the population rejects others because they are different is surely not according to the plan of God. Rejection is such a terrible hurt, because we need to be connected.”

At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, Fr John Bosco expressed his gratitude to God for the opportunity given to him to serve the people of St. Anne and thanked the persons who in various ways have supported him up to now and continue do so. To Father Letsie Moshoeshoe, the outgoing Parish priest, Fr Mubangizi expressed appreciation “for the years (eleven) of faithful service and the foundation he had laid.” At the end, he asked the congregation of Christians for three things: “your prayers, your patience, and your partnership. In return, I offer you my availability, my respect, and my commitment to serve with the humility and love of Christ the Good Shepherd.”

Fr Letsie in reply thanked Fr John Bosco and the Comboni Institute for accepting to take charge of the parish and wished all the best and God’s blessings to the new Parish Priest.

The congregation participated with enthusiasm in the celebration with songs in different African languages and in Portuguese. At the end, the congregation was invited to the hall for some refreshments and where they had the opportunity to meet personally the new pastor.

Saint Anne Parish is located in Belgravia, at a walking distance from the Provincialate, in a very poor and degraded suburb. The people who live there are mainly immigrants, mostly from various African countries. Crime and unemployment are rife in the area that in the past was inhabited by immigrants from Portugal and Italy. The new pastoral commitment that the Province is undertaking is consistent with our Comboni vocation that calls us to work for and with the most poor and abandoned.

Moreover, our presence in Saint Anne will increase our visibility and contribution to the Archdiocese of Johannesburg where we are already present, in charge of Saint Charles Lwanga Parish, in the township of Orange Farm.

Father Efrem Tresoldi, MCCJ