After more than a quarter century, the Consolata Missionaries exited Mamelodi. On the day of the handing over, the Auxiliary Bishop, Rt. Rev. John Selemela, thanked the Consolata Missionaries for their great work of evangelization in Mamelodi. He appreciated the work done by the missionaries in the past and in a particular way thanked the last missionaries both in St. Mary’s, Fr. Didier Sunda and St. Peter’s Claver, Fr. Daniel Kivuw’a. He reminded the leaders present in the occasion that, each congregation comes with its own Charism. He however noted that the Consolata Missionaries and the congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate share the Marian spirituality. He indicated to the leaders that, it would naturally occur that the Oblates of Mary Immaculate might bring in new style and spirituality. It will be, therefore, important for the leaders and the parishioners at large to accept this novelty.
“The Church breathes with two lungs” he stated. “Therefore, you were breathing with the lungs of the Consolata Missionaries and now you will be breathing with the lungs of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. But remember for the same purpose!” Emphasized the Bishop. The Vicar General, Fr. Amos Masemola, on his part encouraged the leaders to embrace the changes and own the Church. The Archdiocese, in its pastoral plan insists on the intention of growing the Church to become a self-reliant Church. That will not be possible without the cooperation of the leaders.
In a nutshell, the Consolata missionaries were given a befitting farewell after the good years of witnessing the gospel in Mamelodi. The leaders wished the Consolata Missionaries well in their next missionary experiences.
The Consolata Missionaries started evangelizing in Mamelodi (St. Mary’s Catholic Church) in the year 1995. The first Consolata Missionary in this parish being the late Fr. Alexius Lipingu Imc from 1995 to 1999. After him came Fr. Giorgio Massa Imc from 1999 to 2004, then Fr. Jesus Ossa Imc from 2004 to 2011, followed by Fr. Joseph Mang’ong’o Imc from 2011 to 2013, after him Fr. Simon Mbala Imc from 2013 to 2019, then finally Fr. Didier Sunda Imc from 2019 to 2022. On the other side, the Parish of St. Peter’s Claver had been served by the Consolata Missionaries represented by Fr. Daniel Kivuw’a Imc from 19th June 2015 to the 31st December 2022. This history of our presence in Mamelodi came to an end on the 31st December 2022 when we officially left Mamelodi.
