Seminarians Fund collection for 2020.

 

Dear Beloved Catholics of Tzaneen Diocese,

Peace in the saving grace of our Lord Jesus be with you all.

Re: Appeal for all parishes to take up the Seminarians Fund 

collection for 2020.

The year began well and we were all looking forward to the various meetings and events we had planned for the rest of 20 20. And then suddenly we were attacked by the Covid-19 virus and everything changed with the national lockdown. Parishes were still able to take up the special collections of the Missionary Childhood as well as the Lenten Appeal to some extent. Although these contributions were very low compared to the previous years, I am still grateful to those of you who gave what you could in spite of the lockdown challenges. This year we have decided to cancel the Diocese Fund collections because of the pandemic.

However the financial support of our four seminarians is critical and cannot be postponed for next year. In spite of the pandemic, they continue in their formation and are presently studying online and doing their examinations for the first semester. They should be returning to Pretoria at the end of this month to continue with the second semester at the seminary.

Please encourage one another to make a special effort to contribute to the 2020 Seminarians Fund and aim at reaching the targets set by each parish by the end of November this year. This will be a great witness to your love for Christ and His Church in Tzaneen Diocese.

Please note that Ave Maria Pastoral Centre is closed until end of October. Remember to take all the necessary measures to combat the spread of Covid-19 in our communities. With the grace and mercy of God we shall eventually overcome this pandemic.

May God bless and protect us all.

+Joao Rodrigues

Bishop of Tzaneen