Brotherhood of Blessed GérardBrotherhood of Blessed GérardThe Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard celebrates its 5th Jubilee
The 28th October, 1997 saw the 5th anniversary of the foundation of our organisation. In the evening of Saturday 28th October, 1992, in the private chapel of the parish priest’s house in Mandini, Fr. Gérard T. Lagleder OSB, Dr. Paul Thabethe, Mrs. Nokuthula Thabethe, Mr. Geoffrey Kalkwarf and Mrs. Clare Kalkwarf all made a private promise and signed the foundation documents for a new and unique relief organisation.
Our ideals and aspirations and the constitution, which had been drawn up, were put before the Bishop of Eshowe, Bishop Mansuet Biyase, who gave us his full support and backed it up by signing the formal decree of acknowledgement. The foundation documents and constitution were at the same time submitted to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, in Rome. We were accepted and registered with them as a relief organisation.
After many hours of ground work and intense research, the following projects have been developed:
We began with 5 founder members in Mandini in 1992 and have progressed to 567 members, from countries as far afield as Australia, Japan, USA, South America, East Africa and Europe.
Through our many wonderful benefactors and members, we have collected a substantial amount of money resulting from donations. These funds have enabled us to build both the pre-primary school & crèche and the care centre. The latter serves a double function. The first being our organisation’s head quarters and the second being to house the training, day care, inpatient and hospice facilities. These funds which have been collected have given our organisation the ability to finance and run all the above mentioned projects.
Of course one cannot run anything without man power. Our management team with the aid of our project co-ordinators, teachers, housekeeper and secretary together with all our volunteers have succeeded in setting up systems and programmes, they have ensured that each project runs smoothly and that the people in need get the help they require.
Congratulations to all concerned on 5 years of hard work and accomplishment. May you continue your good work for the honour of God and the benefit of your fellow human beings.
Never let the little disappointments discourage us in our quest to help
The White Eight-Pointed Cross
The Cross revealed to valiant Constantine
Was a sign and promise of his victory,
An image of Christ’s conquest dimly seen
As in a glass - both here and yet to be.
"Take up thy Cross and follow me," He said,
His face set sure toward Salem’s bailiwick.
To this same city Bless’d Gérard was led
By Christ to serve our lords the pilgrim sick.
Crusading Knights then joined this humble man
to guard all pilgrim souls from hostile harm.
For Glory of the Cross they fought to ban
The foe from Rhodes and Malta as God’s arm.
Let God’s praise be on their lips
And in their hand a two-edged sword.
The Glory of the Cross lies in its pow’r
To turn our souls to Christ, to join the fray,
Like He Transfigured was before His hour
On Hermon - then from other mount He’d say:
Blessèd are the poor in spirit,
Their’s is heaven’s kingdom.
"The Lord has given, He has taken back -
And Blessèd be His name," the words are Job’s.
Detachment from all wealth we ought not lack:
Requests for tunics met as well with robes.
Bless’d are those who mourn,
Theirs will comfort be.
So great was Jeremiah’s plaintive grief,
Yet God consoled according to His plan.
How great will be our comfort and relief
Who grieve, lamenting sins in world and man.
Blessèd are the meek,
Theirs will be the earth.
True meekness and divine humility
Did not deter the patient Bless’d Gérard
From pelting Christian knights courageously
with bread. So, meekness does not strength retard.
Bless’d are they who crave and thirst for right,
They will be fulfilled.
When Holy Mattathias, nobly just,
Refused to eat the impure meat by force,
The sense of rightness in his heart did thrust
His sons to deeds of greatness in God’s course.
Blessèd are the merciful,
Theirs will mercy be.
"When I was Hungry, naked, thirsty, sick,
You came to my relief," He’ll say to us
Whose mercy works were always chivalric
As those of Tobit, most gratuitous.
Blessèd are the pure in heart,
They will see their God.
With Joseph’s single-minded diligence,
Attending to the will of God and love,
We’ll see the hand of God in evidence,
As he forgave his brother’s sinful shove.
Bless’d are those who sue for peace,
They’ll be called the sons of God.
"I have not come to bring you peace at last,"
Christ said. "My kingdom brings a sword instead."
A peace that’s superficial, false, and fast,
That finds no source in peaceful souls, is dead.
Bless’d are those who suffer wrong for right,
Theirs will heaven's Kingdom be.
The prophet Daniel in the lion’s den
Did suffer persecution for no fault.
His patient hope and faith in God’s release
Have shown us how to suffer and exalt.
The Beatific road just shown to us
By Christ who is Himself the only Way
Has been the path already set for us
Baptismally - all Christians join the fray.
This ancient roadway leads to Calvary.
The Cross upon that hill’s for us a sign
And mantle we must wear for surety
Received in Sacramental rites divine.
Great many pilgrims on this road do stride
And have protectors on the Way they wend:
The Knights of Malta God to them supplied
As fellow travellers bounden to defend.
The glorious honor of this Knightly band
Subsists in the commitment of each Knight
To follow Christ the Way in every land
And wear His Cross and conquer by its might.
IN HOC SIGNO VINCES.
Published with the kind permission of the author, our member Herman A. Peterson
Letter from Odysseus Nhleko
(Sundumbili/Mambane group leader)
Our group has been meeting on every fifth Sunday. Active members attended the service on those particular Sundays in uniform and the services were dedicated to the work of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard in our areas. These were followed by meetings. The last meeting included a prize giving for the graduates of the Community Development Centre (Sewing School) and an exposition of their work.
On behalf of the executive and our group, I would like to congratulate all nine recipients.
I would also like to thank all our members who supported us during the year and we hope that 1998 will be a year when we can achieve much more to help the needy. I would also like to wish all the members and their families a very happy Christmas.
Odysseus Nhleko
Letter from Johannes Hlongwa
(Mandikini/Whebede/Mhlubulweni group leader)
| UNyaka ka 1997 uphela nezinto eziningi ofisa ukuzikhumbula kanye nalezo ‘ezinhle zilitshelwe’. Nokho kithina kuleNhlangano nakuleliziko ubungunyaka omqoka. | The Year 1997 has come to an end with so many cherished memories and other things that ‘are better forgotten’. In our Zulu speaking group, it was a significant year. |
| Ngaphandle kokusungulwa kweziko lethu elagcotshwa ngukuhanjelwa nguMsunguli, uMqondisi kanye noMongameli weNhlangano eMandeni uFr. Gérard Tonque Lagleder OSB ekanye nePhini lakhe uMrs Clare Kalwarf, nakhu okunye okwagqama: | Besides the inauguration of our group which was marked by the presence of the Founder, Director and President of the Brotherhood in Mandeni Fr. Gérard Tonque Lagleder OSB and the Vice President Mrs Clare Kalkwarf, hereunder are some important events that occurred. |
| Ukuvulwa ngokosiko kweKhaya lokuNakekela kwaba ngesinye sezehlakalo esineqiniso lokuthi kwawubhala kabusha umlando wonke weMandeni. Ukutheleka kwezicukuthwane ezazivela emazweni aphesheya nobukhona bukaSobaba uMbhishobhi waseShowe, ohloniphekile uSobaba M.D. Biyase kwayinika indawo ebalazweni lomhlaba iMandeni. | The Official Opening of the Care Centre was one occurrence which we are sure rewrote the whole history of Mandeni. The arrival of high profile personnel from overseas and the presence of Rev. Fr. Bishop MD Biyase, the Bishop of Eshowe further gave Mandeni a place in the world map. |
| Uqeqesho lokunakekelwa kwabagulayo olwaqhutshwa alusedlulanga ngaphandle. Nabanye bethu balithola ithuba baphothula ngezitifiketi - nabangaphumelelanga ukubhala izivivinyo nokho ulwazi abaluthola luwusizo kithina sonke nakakhulu kwabagulayo. | The training of health care workers did not pass us by. Some of us got a chance of attending the lectures - even those that did not manage to sit for exams did acquire some useful knowledge to help all of us especially the sick. |
| Ukuboniswa kwendlela okusebenza ngayo uSizo lokuQala kwaba uvuthondaba ngoloMkhosi kaJohannes uMbhabhadisi. "Ababelimele engozini" yokushayisana kwebhayisikili ne roller-skate bathola ukunyangelwa khona ’emgwaqeni’, besemotini ethwala iziguli kanye naseKhaya lokuNakekela. | The First Aid demonstration which was one of the highlights during the Feast of St. John the Baptist, encouraged most of us to view the help rendered at the ‘accident’ when a rollerskater crashed with a cyclist. The "care" radiated allover - from the accident scene to the ambulance and finally, to the care centre. |
| Sathola ithuba elinqala lokuzitika ngokuzibonela yonke indawo ngaphakathi kweCare Centre kanye nesimangaliso sezinto eziphakathi kuleyandawo. | An opportunity availed itself to conduct a tour of the Care Centre of Blessed Gérard and marvelled at the construction and the furnishing of the centre. |
| Nokho akukho okungathatha indawo yemibono emihle neyakhayo eyaphakanyiswa mayelana neNkulisa yaseNkanyezini, abagulayo baseMandikini kanye noMnu. Mzimela waseNkanyezini. Kuze kube inamuhla abagulayo baseMandikini abakululibali uhambo lwethu siye kubona. Ngaphandle nje kokuthokozela ukuhanjelwa yithina, saba ngamavulandlela - amabandla amanye aseyabahambela nawo manje ngenhloso yokokhuleka kubona. | Bright ideas and constructive suggestions brought up at group meetings especially regarding the Creche at Whebede, about the blind and pensioned Mr Mzimela and the chronically sick at Mandikini are all appreciated. To date, the sick at Mandikini have not forgotten the visit the group undertook to them. Beside the prayer and brotherly visit, we became the pathfinders. Other denominations have started visiting them with the aim of praying and sharing scripture with them. |
| Ekugcineni sisaphinda ukwedlulisa ukukhalisana kwethu nabobonke labo u 1997 abe ngunyaka wokwehlukana kwabo nezihlobo, abangane, nalabo ababathandayo. | Finally we wish to sympathise with all those that were separated through death in 1997 - relatives, friends and loved ones. |
| Asiwugcine uvutha umlilo owokhelwa nguGérard oBusisiweyo | Let us keep the flame lit by Blessed Gérard burning. |
Johannes Hlongwa
Letter from Clare Kalkwarf
(Mandini/Mangete group leader)
Our group has worked extremely hard during this year. It was mutually decided that we should have an active members meeting monthly, to update ourselves on developments in our organisation, to familiarise ourselves with new equipment and to socialise and get to know other volunteers. This fact and working together, has created a sense of camaraderie, that only this kind of work can bring.
Blessed Gérard’s Care Centre opened to the public in January of this year. Since then with the help of our volunteers, we have helped 108 patients. Some on a more intensive level than others, with some people being cared for at home 4 or 5 times per day (including Saturday & Sunday), others coming into the Care Centre on a daily basis. We assisted in finding long-term care facilities for 27 people. 14 of our cases were treated as hospice patients These are just a few of our statistics. We have two mobile-home-nursing teams who are hard pressed to keep ahead of their work.
We had a few fund-raisers and some social events all which proved to be great fun. After a very full, sometimes difficult but always rewarding year - I would like to wish each and every one who reads, this a blessed Christmas and a peaceful & safe 1998.
Clare Kalkwarf
MEMBERS’ NEWS
We wish a blessed and very happy birthday to:
Frau Wally Graf on her 90th
Frau Johanna Meyer on her 80th
Herrn Hans Rohen on his 75th
Sr. M. Eugenie Löffler on her 65th
Frau Inge Glatzel on her 55th
Mrs. Rebecca Lungile Mthethwa on her 55th
Mrs. Lorraine Ragaven on her 50th
Herrn Werner Schlereth on his 50th
Dr. Ernst Eiselen on his 40th
Mr. Daithao Kamei on his 40th
Mrs. Carolyn Renaud on her 40th
Miss Elaine Taylor on her 30th
Mr. Roly Owers on his 30th
Mr. Mel Clark on his 30th
Miss Geraldine Brady on her 21st.
Welcome Home!!!
To our President, Fr. Gérard T. Lagleder OSB. After three months fund raising in USA and Europe, it is good to have you back in South Africa. Maybe now you can have your well deserved rest!
On behalf of all the members we wish you a blessed and happy Christmas season and a peaceful and fruitful 1998. May God reward you for all your hard work.
Congratulations to
Carolyn and Gavin Nunn on the birth of their baby girl
Sincere condolences to
Best wishes to the following members who have not been well
Farewell and Good Luck to
Miss Diane von Wrede who completed her studies in Cape Town and has returned to Berlin to begin her career in journalism.
A bouquet of flower to express our gratitude to the following
WELCOME to all our new members:
Frau Hildegard Banrucker, Herrn Michael Brombierstäudl, Brother Noel Chagunda, Mr Mel Christopher Clark, Mrs Mary Christine Cominato, Miss Kim Curzon, Signora Giovanna D'Angelo, Mr Petro Mehlo Danisa, Mr Kallie Hendrik Denner, Signora Anna Devita, Signora Anita Didonato, Herrn Matthias Endres, Mrs Ann Gaunt, Miss Casandra Eileen Gaunt, Miss Victoria Jane Gaunt, Herrn Ludwig Graser, Mr James Everett Grieder, Herrn Franz Haller, Frau Gertrud Haller, Frau Brigitte Hess, Mr David Holliday, Miss Mbali Faith Khuzwayo, Herrn Ernst Lang, Herrn Alois Lankes, Mr Shirin Lutfeali, Mr Siyabonga Wilmoth Mngoma, Herrn Otto Nachtmann, Frau Beate Nießl, Mr Anthony Ordona, Mrs Carrie-Ann Pieters, Miss Sasha-Lee Pieters, Mr Zan Ivan Pieters, Mr Neville Pillay, Ehrw. Sr. M. Terentia Pöschl, Mrs Patricia Prieto, Fräulein Gisela Rinderle, Miss Michalle Ross, Signora Clara Sammarco, Sr. Maria Michaelis Schaumann, Mr Eddie Stecker, Mrs Laurie Stecker, Miss Kerry-Lee Sullivan, Frl. Susanne Thamm, Frau Annemarie Ullrich, Mr Garry Wilson, Herrn Helmut Wimmer.
| Membership statistics on 06.01.98 | Active Members | Donors | Spiritual Supporters | Total |
| South Africa | 162 | 76 | 18 | 256 |
| Tanzania | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Austria | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Belgium | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Germany | 11 | 152 | 69 | 232 |
| Denmark | 0 | 0 | 11 | 11 |
| Great Britain | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Italy | 2 | 9 | 0 | 11 |
| Ireland | 1 | 7 | 1 | 9 |
| Hungary | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| USA | 6 | 16 | 6 | 28 |
| Canada | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| El Salvador | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Chile | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| UAE | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Japan | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Australia | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Total |
Thank you - once again - to Clare Kalkwarf for writing and to Caroline Beaumont for printing and mailing this newsletter!
The "Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard Newsletter" is the official mouthpiece of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard and is edited by the Management Committee of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard.
Our address is:
61 Anderson Road P O Box 440 Mandeni 4490 Republic of South Africa
Phone 032-4562743 (national) +27-32-4562743 (international)
Fax 032-4567962 (national) +27-32-4567962 (international)
e-mail 
URL http://bbg.org.za
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