Holy Cross Sisters,

P.O. 44807,

LINDEN, 2104,

Johannesburg, South Africa

23rd December 2013

‘There is a quiet light that shines in every heart.
Though it is always secretly there,
it draws no attention to itself.
It is what illuminates our minds to see beauty, our desire to seek possibility and our hearts to love life….
This shy inner light is what enables us to recognize and receive our very presence here as blessing.’

Dear TLC

It is this time of the year again when I easily call to mind dear friends who have been in my thoughts and prayers throughout the year. 

I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness towards me and the ongoing support you give to my work among our children here in South Africa and across the border to Zimbabwe.  I was in Musina (the highest point in SA before crossing into Zimbabwe) last week and it is overwhelming the number of homeless people who have crossed the border in search of work and a better prospect of life.  Many of them cross the Limpopo River illegally and if they are not eaten by crocodiles they are usually caught by the police and thrown into the already over crammed jails, often never to return to family or home country again.  It is very sad to see the mothers with small babies and children.  Sr Rudo, our Holy  Cross Sister who is a social worker, works in the camps with the women and children trying to provide them with clothes and food on a daily basis.  She can tell some heartrending stories.

The recent death of Ex-President Nelson Mandela was the highlight for the past two weeks.  The whole country came to a standstill as the preparations for his burial took place.  I was privileged to have had the opportunity to be among the 100s of 1000s who viewed his body as he lay in state at Pretoria Union Buildings.  It was a wonderful experience just to be part of the crowd of mourners.  He certainly goes down in history as a mighty SA Hero.

I thank you sincerely for all your hard work and commitment to your recent sale of work.  The amount of money raised will certainly be of great help to us here. 

You are all remembered in my thoughts and prayers.  I also look forward to the summer next year as I will be coming home for my holidays. 

I wish you and your extended family a blessed, peace-filled and joyful Christmas and every blessing for the New Year, 2014. 

Yours affectionately

Sr. Bernadette

LINDEN, 2104,

Johannesburg, South Africa

23rd December 2013

‘There is a quiet light that shines in every heart.
Though it is always secretly there,
it draws no attention to itself.
It is what illuminates our minds to see beauty, our desire to seek possibility and our hearts to love life….
This shy inner light is what enables us to recognize and receive our very presence here as blessing.’

Dear TLC

It is this time of the year again when I easily call to mind dear friends who have been in my thoughts and prayers throughout the year. 

I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness towards me and the ongoing support you give to my work among our children here in South Africa and across the border to Zimbabwe.  I was in Musina (the highest point in SA before crossing into Zimbabwe) last week and it is overwhelming the number of homeless people who have crossed the border in search of work and a better prospect of life.  Many of them cross the Limpopo River illegally and if they are not eaten by crocodiles they are usually caught by the police and thrown into the already over crammed jails, often never to return to family or home country again.  It is very sad to see the mothers with small babies and children.  Sr Rudo, our Holy  Cross Sister who is a social worker, works in the camps with the women and children trying to provide them with clothes and food on a daily basis.  She can tell some heartrending stories.

The recent death of Ex-President Nelson Mandela was the highlight for the past two weeks.  The whole country came to a standstill as the preparations for his burial took place.  I was privileged to have had the opportunity to be among the 100s of 1000s who viewed his body as he lay in state at Pretoria Union Buildings.  It was a wonderful experience just to be part of the crowd of mourners.  He certainly goes down in history as a mighty SA Hero.

I thank you sincerely for all your hard work and commitment to your recent sale of work.  The amount of money raised will certainly be of great help to us here. 

You are all remembered in my thoughts and prayers.  I also look forward to the summer next year as I will be coming home for my holidays. 

I wish you and your extended family a blessed, peace-filled and joyful Christmas and every blessing for the New Year, 2014. 

Yours affectionately

Sr. Bernadette