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This photo of 13-year-old Hector Pieterson being carried after he was killed in the student march in Soweto in 1976 became internationally famous and sparked the concern of the whole world in putting pressure on South Africa to change.  Soweto now has a museum named after him. The girl on the left in the photo is Hector’s sister, who spoke to members of the Christian Brothers during one of their visits to Soweto.

Photographer: COURTESY PHOTO

This photo of 13-year-old Hector Pieterson being carried after he was killed in the student march in Soweto in 1976 became internationally famous and sparked the concern of the whole world in putting pressure on South Africa to change. Soweto now has a museum named after him. The girl on the left in the photo is Hector’s sister, who spoke to members of the Christian Brothers during one of their visits to Soweto.

Let me begin by telling you about my Palm Sunday weekend, where we attended the Mass at a parish in Soweto. What you read about the people of Soweto is true: We were welcomed wholeheartedly (we were the only white people in the church); the music was incredibly good; the service lasted three and a half hours and, even though conducted entirely in Souto, it didn’t seem long.

When we came back from the Palm Sunday procession through the town, the only seat that I could find was in the middle of the choir and I had to wedge myself between two members of the choir to fit. Even though I am uncomfortable at being in unfamiliar situations, wedged into the choir, I felt like I was being carried in the womb of the choir and forgot that I was the stranger there. I tried to pick out the different harmonies that they sing so naturally: first singing with the tenor on my right; then with the bass who was somewhere on my left. I even started to “dance” at the end; by dance I mean this wonderful movement that they do in their place while singing. It seemed to me that this experience reflected how I feel in general now: I will be going into strange places, but I feel confident that I will be ok.

I now have been given assignments for the rest of this year: I will be in our novitiate in Stellenbosch (just east of Cape Town) for June, July and August to take the place of a brother going back to his home for vacation. This is a novitiate with 11 young men who just began there in March. From there I will be going to Mazabuka, Zambia until December, again replacing a brother who will be on leave for studies. I had visited this VERY rural place when I was in Zambia in 2007. Two of the brothers from my novitiate group taught there in the 1970s. The brothers have a postulancy there with about eight or nine young men.

After that, the province leader has shared with me that he will assign me to a more permanent ministry. I am really pleased with this plan and am simply taking one step at a time, confident that I will be fine as I felt today at church.

In April, I also completed a 10-day course called “Creation and Reconciliation.” Where better to study these two issues than here in Johannesburg, which has been called the “cradle of humanity”?

The trip to Soweto on Palm Sunday was our third outing connected with the battle against apartheid, which we had been discussing in recent days. We have visited the Hector Pieterson Museum, named in honor of the 13-year-old boy who was killed in the student march in Soweto in l976. The photo of him being carried after he was shot became internationally famous and sparked the concern of the whole world in putting pressure on South Africa to change.

We also visited the apartheid museum and Regina Mundi Church, which was the place where the people of Soweto met, under the guise of religious meetings, during their struggles. Bullet holes everywhere have been left to remind us that this church and many of the churches played a major role in supporting the change.

Understanding the struggle against apartheid in South Africa is not easy. It is a very complicated history. I thought I knew about it from my study of Nelson Mandela, but that was only scratching the surface.

My initial reaction during our meetings to process our experiences was one of discouragement, given the great poverty and unemployment that exists today. What good, I kept asking my group, was all the bravery if this is the result? However, I have come to view the fight for freedom and racial equality, the election of Nelson Mandela and the passing of the constitution as the most significant step made so far toward the fight for justice. South Africa is living between times: We have passed from an old order of things and are on the way to a barely visible future. Just as many movements, which seemed at the time to have been futile, contributed to the eventual downfall of apartheid, so new movements will arise to lead to a more just society.

What should I do now? I found my answer in an article by one of our speakers, Chris Langefeld, who writes: Pay attention to the signs of the time and be willing to allow these signs to challenge all your pre-conceived notions and defenses. And then struggle to preserve authentic continuity with the past and at the same time be creatively open to the future. As usual, it is a “both/and” strategy that is needed.

Comments from readers

Br Edmund Sheehan, FMS - 07/01/2011 04:39 PM
Dear Br. Richard,
Good to read your account of your spring activities. I'm sure you're looking forward to eventually settling in a permanent assignment. You are missed, but it's clear that you have carried your dedication to the Church's mission across the seas. Just recently the news recounted Michele Obama's very moving June visit to Regina Mundi Church: as usual you're blazing a trail.
Br. Edmund Sheehan, Christopher Columbus HS
Carlota E. Morales, Ed. D. - 06/28/2011 11:07 AM
Dear Brother,
As always, it is inspirational to hear from you. I am sure that your experiences have been many and to many you will bring the word of the Lord, so important in your life. Carry on, Brother, as you have always done.
With kind regards,
Carlota E. Morales, Ed. D.
Principal
Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School
Michele MacEachern - 06/28/2011 11:02 AM
Br. Richard,
You sound very much at home in your new mission. It goes withouth saying that you and South Africa will be all the more transformed by your time there. Know that your Miami community wishes you peace and good.
Elizabeth Levitz - 06/27/2011 10:26 PM
Br. Richard,
I admire you for stepping into a different world to bring the Good News. I envy you the joy you must have in being God's helper there. Stay well.
Claudio Croce - 06/27/2011 03:25 PM
Br. Richard,
I really admire your courage to explore a new begining, away from your comfortable Miami. I am sure you are learning a lot and it is bringing a lot of meaning to your life. Please keep posting your news. I know we are far from December, but don't even consider not sending your nice Christmas letters to your friends in the US. You are going to spend more in stamps this year, so start saving now!

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