Fr Gethaun Gebriel OMI Visits Ethiopian & Eritrean Catholic Community

By Evangelist Hailu Adalo, The Ethiopian and Eritrean Catholic Community National Coordinator in South Africa

The Ethiopian and Eritrean Catholic Community was visited by Young Ethiopian Priest Fr Gethaun Gebriel OMI.

He was ordained on 13th May 2018 in St Hanna Parish Sadama Vicariate of Hosanna Ethiopia by Bishop Seyoum Fransua.

He came during Christmas and Happy New year 2021 Festivity Season from Ethiopia to South Africa.

During his visitation, he celebrated the last Sunday of the Advent on 20 December 2020 in Archdiocese of Johannesburg at St Francis of Assisi Catholic church Yeoville with our Chaplain Fr Joseph Guduno and Christmas Celebration Mass on 25th December 2020 and Last Sunday of the Year on 27 December 2020 at St John Baptist Chapel Phokeng Diocese of Rustenburg with Community Coordinator Acolyte Hailu.

In addition, Fr Gethaun has given his Speech through our Community WhatsApp group because the Church was closed by Government regulations regarding the Covid-19 pandemic.

During his visitation, he came together with his Father Catechist Mr Gaberiel Basha and His Mother Mrs Wolte Phiose. Their visit helped us to strengthen our Catholic Faith because, during this very difficult period, we need the courage to continue with faith and hope as a strong Catholic Faithful Community in foreign countries just as the Holy Family Joseph, Mary and Jesus undertook the refugee journey to Egypt to escape from Herod.

On their visitation they struggled to visit some historical places and Spiritual Centres, again we missed the New Year Thanksgiving Mass and Ethiopian Christmas Celebration and an event on 07/01/2021 that was planned to take place in Tembisa Holy Rosary Catholic church.

The Ethiopian and Eritrean Catholic Community Chaplain and Executive Committee wish them many blessings and guidance of Holy Spirit for their effort with great appreciation!