Diocesis Oudtshoornensis
Diocesis Oudtshoornensis
Oudtshoorn, 29 May 2026 – Pope Leo XIV is inviting Catholics around the world to join him in praying a rosary for peace on May 30. The Holy Father is set to pray the rosary live from the Lourdes Grotto in the Vatican Gardens at 7 p.m. Rome time.
Pous Leo XIV nooi Katolieke regoor die wêreld uit om saam met hom op 30 Mei ’n rosenkrans vir vrede te bid. Die Heilige Vader sal die rosenkrans regstreeks vanuit die Lourdes‑grot in die Vatikaanse Tuine om 19:00 Rome‑tyd, bid.
Oudtshoorn, 26 May 2026: The Family Life Ministry in the Diocese reminds us of the Western Deanery Family Life Parish Coordinator training that will take place on Saturday, 30 May, at Christ the King parish in Worcester, starting with registration and tea at 08h30.
Asked to tell us more about the training that are given for parish Family Life Coordinators across the Diocese, the Coordinating Couple, Kenneth and Lynette Williams tolds us that families today face many challenges, and our parishes need people willing to bring hope, encouragement, and support to marriages and family life.
“The workshop therefore will be a wonderful opportunity to share ideas and experiences; strengthen Family Life ministry in our parishes; encourage one another in faith; plan together for the future and build friendships across the deanery. You do not need to be an expert or already involved in ministry — anyone with a heart for families is welcome”, they added.
They also asked that each parish in the Western Deanery shall ensure to send representatives so that together we can continue building stronger families and stronger parishes throughout our Western Deanery.
Use this online link, to register for the workshop. More details regarding this weekend can be obtained from either Fr. Dennis Ongansie CO or Kenneth and Lynette Williams, the Diocesan Chaplain and Coordinating Couple for the Family Life Ministry.
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Oudtshoorn, 26 May 2026: The Family Life Ministry in the Diocese informs us that a Retrouvaille program will be presented in Oudtshoorn from 24 to 26 July with the intention of establishing a Retrouvaille community in the Diocese.
Retrouvaille, (French for rediscovery) is a program not only for marriages in trouble, but also those facing difficulties and challenges at different levels. A misconception is that Retrouvaille is for couples on the brink of divorce.
It is a wonderful program for the ‘perfect’ marriages as well. Any couple seeking to improve their communication skills, whether in the family or at work, in their marital relationship or with family and friends, will benefit from the Retrouvaille Program.
Retrouvaille is designed to help couples heal, rebuild trust and restore love. They often succeed where other efforts have failed. It offers tools for better communication and deeper connection in a safe space with no forced sharing. The program is rooted in Christian values and Catholic tradition but welcomes couples of all faiths or no faith. Sessions begin with a weekend experience, followed by additional sessions and ongoing support to continue healing and solidify progress.
The weekend experience is not counselling or group therapy; instead, it focuses on helping couples rebuild communication and understanding through a structured program led by volunteers who have faced similar challenges. All interactions are private between you and your spouse, allowing you to prioritize your relationship away from daily routines. This challenging yet rewarding experience provides a valuable opportunity to invest in each other.
To this end, a Retrouvaille weekend will be presented right here in Oudtshoorn 24 – 26 July, meaning that there is no need to travel to Cape Town or Port Elizabeth.
More details regarding this weekend can be obtained from either Fr. Dennis Ongansie CO or Kenneth and Lynette Williams, the Diocesan Chaplain and Coordinating Couple for the Family Life Ministry.
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Oudtshoorn, 21 May 2026: The National Director for The Pontifical Mission Societies in our Region, Fr Jerry Browne, is working on the 2027 Liturgical Calendar and needs your assistance in sourcing high quality photos for the publication.
SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Oudtshoorn, 15 Mei 2026: In Oudtshoorn het die Gebedsweek vir Christeneenheid gisteraand afgeskop met ‘n gesamentlike Ekumeniese Pinkster Openingsdiens gefasiliteer deur die plaaslike Emmanuel Leraarskring. Lidmate van die deelnemende denominasie en kerkgemeenskappe het saam gekom om van hul eenheid in Christus as gedooptes te getuig.
In Oudtshoorn, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity commenced last night with a joint Ecumenical Pentecost Opening Service facilitated by the local Emmanuel Ministers’ Fraternal. Members of the participating denominations and congregations gathered to bear witness to their unity in Christ as the baptised.
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Oudtshoorn, 13 May 2026: The Diocesan Synodal Team distributed on 21 April source material that can be used for the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The theme for the 2026 Week for Christian Unity (14 to 24 May) comes from Ephesians 4:4 …“There is one Body and one Spirit just as you were called to the one Hope of your calling.”
All parishes, priests, religious and consecrated people are invited to meaninfully participate in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity events. The Diocesan Synodal Team provided the below attached source material as a suggestion for potential gatherings while reminding all that this week offers a profound moment to deepen our shared witness, strengthen relationships among our congregations, and reflect on Christ’s prayer “that all may be one” (John 17:21) Turning to our Bishops’ 2025 Statement, we are also reminded that in the midst of South Africa’s ongoing journey of reconciliation, healing and justice, our unity as churches sends a vital message of hope and collaboration to our people.” …. SACBC 2025.
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