HOPE BEYOND CONFLICT: THE JOURNEY TO PEACE
“It is no coincidence that repeated calls to increase military spending, and the choices that follow, are presented by many government leaders as a justified response to external threats. The idea of the deterrent power of military might, especially nuclear deterrence, is based on the irrationality of relations between nations, built not on law, justice and trust, but on fear and domination by force.”
Message of Pope Leo XIV for the World Day of Peace 1 January 2026.
Cover Photo: Protesters in Ohio rally against US funding for the Russia‑Ukraine war, March 18, 2023. | Credit: Vincent Tsai/Peoples Watch
MISSION IS FUN
Feathers in the Rafters
BY DENNIS AND WENDY VELCICH
ONE SATURDAY evening at Mass, long before our church, St Augustine’s Catholic Church, Silverton, was expanded, we all became aware of a strange, loud noise that sounded like someone ‘snoring’. As my husband Dennis was a regular culprit for dozing off during the sermon, everyone was glancing in our direction – much to his embarrassment!
“Not guilty!” He wanted to exclaim, but the ‘snoring’ continued. A couple of weeks later, the culprits were found. A family of barn owls had moved into the ceiling just above the altar and were ‘hooting’ in pleasure. However, their new abode had other repercussions. The ceiling above the altar was perforated, and their droppings were making a not-too-acceptable mess of the altar. Some brave souls went up, repaired the ceiling, closing off a section of it. Consequently, the owls were unhappy with the alterations and began migrating. It was sad to see them go, but it was, unfortunately, inevitable.
Who Killed the Chicken?
Jambo, a male Rottweiler, was given to Br Joseph as a puppy by a magistrate who was leaving the town. Vuya, on the other hand, was a female Labrador found in the streets of Lydenburg by an old lady whose passion was rescuing stray dogs and finding homes for them. Fr Mathebula welcomed the young Labrador to Maria Trost.