Dear Friends,

'Vanity of vanities, all is Vanity' cries the preacher (this sunday's first reading - Ben Sirach/ Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2:21-23). I suppose we all live in a world that has made vanity a virtue. The preacher cries out about relying on our own strengths and becoming complacent.Vanity in this case is not necessarily looks but over reliance on our own strengths and talents

If you're so strong, where is there place for God? Who gives you gifts and why?

The rest of the readings (18th Sunday cycle c: Colossians 3:1-5. 9-11 and Luke 12:13-21) help us explore why our strength is so much more than we can imagine.

The Projector Project is going ahead - we've got most of the equipment and now we just need to do installation. I hope this enhances our worship - for Catholics (yes, us!) are to fully, consciously and actively participate in our worship (cf Vatican II Sacrosanctum Concilium - the Dogmatic Constitution on the Liturgy). I also hope that we can learn responses and some new music... we have sunk into the Catholic hit parade of about 20 songs.

Please pray for our Bishops. I'll be in Mariannhill from Monday until the 13th for the Plenary session. Our Bishops get together twice a year to discuss the state of the Church and society. This period is very hard work. They'll be looking at training for the liturgy, a revision of the confirmation programmes, Ongoing formation of the Clergy, Our seminaries, Professional conduct protocols for Clergy and Church workers, Child protection issues, the upcoming laity consultation, the vocation of marriage, the Church and Land in Southern Africa and finally closing off the year for Priests... They will be busy (and I will be busier!)

If you would like to follow the progress of the meeting, find the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference on Facebook or visit www.sacbc.org.za .

While I'm away, the faculty members of the seminary will be looking after you.

Remember the Garage Sale (your junk, someone else's joy!) and the Curry and Rice for the weekend.

Finally, I'd like to invite all our students (and we have many!) to join me on Friday 13 August from 6.30 to 7.30 for Pizza! I'll provide Pizza. Other snacks and drinks are for you to bring.(even if you're broke, you're welcome!)

Keep me in prayer and I will keep you in prayer!

Best Wishes,

Fr Chris