"South Africa Sendoff Blessing" Ten Parishioners Meet with Archbishop

February 4th, 2002

Ten SJA parishioners, led by Associate Pastor Jim Cassidy, will embark on a ten-day visit to South Africa starting February 10. To honor their goodwill, a blessing service officiated by Archbishop Flynn at his residence in St. Paul was held February 4. Fred and Anna Vagle set the musical tone for some 35 people who attended by providing tranquil instrumental music with a guitar and a kalimba, a musical box similar in sounds to a marimba.

Father Cassidy welcomed everybody acknowledging that we are all gathered to ask blessings for our brothers and sisters in South Africa and to look at "who we need to be on this journey." This diminutive audience mightily responded with the gathering hymn "We are Called" which asks us to act with justice, to love tenderly, and to serve one another. Marianne Williamson's reading "Our Deepest Fear" read by Kate Cummings, also provided purpose: "...and when we let our one light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same."

The Vagles performed a beautiful rendition of Ann Reed's "Every Long Journey" preceding Archbishop's benevolent blessing. He cited from a reading by Nelson Mandela that "we recognize the light within us in order to extend that light to others," and suggested that "the very fact that you chose to go [on this journey] shows the people of Africa that you care. A caring presence is a power that heals everyone." He also quoted what Mother Teresa summarizes about AIDS, and all its horrendous suffering and ramifications: "The one thing it will teach us is to love more deeply."

A portrait of a young South African child prominently sat on the alter as Cassidy provided a distinct memory from his last visit with her: "I realized the gift that child gave me. It's pointless to say the problem is too massive (for anyone to get involved in). It doesn't matter 'when last' or 'when next.' Simply being there reassures them. It isn't about what the ten of us do for them. It's about the gift they give back to us."

Over 1 in 10 South Africans are HIV positive and over 200,000 die each year from AIDS. It is also estimated that the average life expectancy of South Africans will drop from 60 to 40 years old by 2008.

Michael Reinbold is a professional photographer and banquet caterer with an extensive theatre background in acting, writing, and directing. He loves all aspects of the arts, staying fit, and helping and inspiring people. A passionate believer in St. Joan of Arc's mission of social justice, Michael is a continuing AIDS Ride participant, Grace House volunteer cook, mass reader, and Joan of Arc choir member. He looks forward to web reporting and photographing for the website.

Ten people have been called to act with justice. So are we called to serve one another.

Rick Spaulding is a photographer specializing in digital photography for the theater and works for National Camera Exchange. He is also an antique dealer and eBay afficianado who enjoys collecting marbles but his true joys in life are his two boys and his beautiful wife, Tinia.

Group Reports from South Africa