News & Events

Be sure to visit this page on a regular basis to keep up to date with the Parish's news and events. We encourage you to also familiarise yourself with the Weekly Bulletin. 

Water is Life

The Church teaches that 'serious ecological problems call for an effective  change of mentality leading to the adoption of new lifestyles in which the quest for truth, beauty, goodness and communion with others for the sake of the common good are factors that determine consumer choices, savings and investments' (#486 Social Doctrine Compendium).

Water Exbou
 At the masses on 3 October Parishioners were graphically reminded that South Africa is a water stressed country and were encouraged to change their attitude to water and make changes to theit lifestyle that would reduce their consumpion. Through presentations encouraging food gardening, mulching and other water-wise gardening methods, rain water harvesting and water conservation and discouraging bottled water consumption, excessive use of household chemicals and planting of exotic alien invader plants members of the group engaged parishioners on the justice issues surrounding water and a healthy environment. Water drawn from streams and rivers is not fit to drink. For the poor no or little clean water means poor hygiene, poor health and greater risk of disease.

Parishioners, were interested in water - its use and misuse- as a justice issue. The number of parishioners who do conserve water, and care for the environment in accordance with the Church's social teachings is impressive.

Leaks can be reported to customerserviceemail@jwater.co.za or by phone to 011375 5555. Copies of the powerpoint presentations on "Food Gardens" and "Bottled Water" will be available on this site shortly. For more information contact the J& P Group. Judy Stockill stockill@global.co.za  

Justice and Peace Group (“If you want PEACE work for JUSTICE” Pope Paul VI )

This is a ministry of ‘faith in action’ inspired by the Gospels and the social teachings of the Church. It is carried forward from the highest levels in the Church down through to diocesan level and parish groups, working to promote a more just society – locally, nationally and internationally. But in fact it is a ministry that must be lived out in every Christian’s daily life.

In Rosebank

The J&P group works under the auspices of the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) and with Fr Harry’s strong support. We look at what is going on in the world around us, identify issues and reflect on them in the light of scripture and the Church’s teaching. We then decide on some appropriate practical actions as far as possible.

Current themes, activities

• We help make the social teachings of the Church known (through the liturgy, public events, pamphlets,…)
•  We aim to challenge people to look at business issues, and responsible citizenship in light of our faith
• We promote environmental responsibility (see Water and Life below)
• We actively promote good governance and justice in the Church and society
• We promote respect for human rights and the culture of life
• We assist with community building in the parish and more broadly

WATER and LIFE

Water supplies are threatened. Simply by changing water usage habits just a little we can have a big impact. For Instance:

-          Reporting water and sewer leaks to Joburg Water, ….petitioning the Mayor

-          Reducing domestic water usage, wastage (changed habits / behaviour, leaking washers, use of grey water, rain harvesting)

-          Responsible gardening: removal of Invasive Alien Plants (IAPs)

-          Preventing pollution of natural streams

-          Drinking bottled water may be fashionable: do you understand the impact and true costs?

 What scripture says

…. “Thus have the paths of those been straightened
and men have been taught what pleases you, and saved by Wisdom” Wisdom 9: 18

…..“As water wears away stones and torrents wash away the soils, so do destroy man’s hope. Job 14:19

Comment

Our God is continually giving us the gift of Wisdom by which we are learning to really value the earth and all it varied inhabitants.
One of the greatest gifts given to us is water and it is in our attitude to and use of this almost inestimable treasure in our daily life; that we humans demonstrate most clearly our respect for and gratitude to water. How do we use water on a daily basis; washing ourselves, our clothing, our dishes, our cars, watering our gardens. Do we, one of thousands of species sharing the earth, consume more than our share?

Learn more about saving water

www.randwater.co.za Tips on Water Wise gardening, water saving for business, around the house
www.sanbi.org National Biodiversity Institute: more about South Africa’s indigenous Flora
www.plantzafrica.com
www.dwaf.gov.za Alien plant listing. ‘Working for water’ aims to destroy alien plants, restore natural water flow.
www.watersense.co.za One site for water harvesting, reusing equipment
www.earthlife.org.za A civil society organization of environmental and social justice activists
www.jaei.org.za The Anglican Diocese of Johannesburg has an environmental initiative
www.eskomdsm.co.za Electricity generation uses vast amounts of water. Saving power, saves water. A host of tips.

PRIESTS FOR TOMORROW
A lay initiative in the Parish of the Immaculate Conception in Rosebank, Johannesburg, has sparked off an important discussion in South Africa about the shortage of vocations to the priesthood. Priests for Tomorrow, a document issued by the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC), argues that the traditional sources that supplied men for the priesthood are not able to supply the Church’s needs in the modern world, and calls for an open and honest discussion of alternative approaches.
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The Vocations Crisis As A Social Phenomenon
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The 2010 Spiritual Development Programme
This is the Spiritual Development Programme approved by the Parish Pastoral Council for 2010.  It provides details of the Parish activities scheduled for the year allowing you to plan your participation accordingly.  We look forward to seeing you and sharing the fulfillment of these wonderful events.

Parish Pastoral Council Report February 2009
Two years of the three year term of office of your current Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) have expired and this is a status update from the PPC for your information. The PPC formulated and presented you with a strategic plan for the parish, in response to the findings of an opinion survey conducted in 2007. This strategy is being implemented.
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