Silver Jubilee of Fr Mathope Philemon Thobela

On Holy Trinity Sunday this year the whole parish of Tzaneen celebrated with great joy and thankgiving silver jubilee of priestly ordination of Fr Philemon Thobela. The celebration was held at the Tzaneen Showgrounds.Fr Mathope Philemon,born in 1954,studied for the priesthood at St Peter's and at St John Vianney Major seminaries and was ordained a priest on 22 May 1988 by Bishop Hugh Slattery msc at Lorraine Village in the parish of Ofcolaco. Fr Philemon served as parish priest of Sibasa Parish and then as parish priest of Tzaneen parish. He continues to serve also as the Vicar General and consultor of the bishop and as spiritual advisor of the Sodality of St Anne and in other portfolios.

May God continue to protect him and bless him with health and courage to serve the people of God and help many more souls receive the saving grace of the Lord Jesus in their lives. Ad multos annos vivat!