Catholic Men’s Association Launches In Polokwane Diocese

by Daluxolo Moloantoa · Published July 31, 2024 · Updated July 31, 2024

Launch of Catholic Men’s Association in Polokwane Diocese

The Catholic Men’s Association (CMA) launched the association in Polokwane diocese, Limpopo, with a celebratory event at Emmanuel Church in Bela-Bela on July 28. At the same event, sixteen new members from the diocese were also welcomed into the association.

The installation was attended by over two thousand members of the Catholic Men’s Association from various provinces. These include members from as far as the Archdiocese of Pretoria and the dioceses of Kimberly, Rustenburg, and Tzaneen. Members from Mafikeng were also represented.

The association is also present in Lesotho and Kenya.

The occasion was recorded by Dumisa TV, a faith-based South African television channel on the DSTV network. The day started with Mass celebrated by Emmanuel Church parish priest Fr Jan Klaas Moloto. In his homily, Fr Moloto stated that Polokwane diocese was celebrating a very significant occasion.

“This is one of the highlights of our year as the Emmanuel Church, and as the Polokwane diocese. We hope that this day will also invoke into the new Catholic Men’s Association Polokwane diocese a spirit of giving, as the Prophet Elijah has espoused on the idea in today’s gospel. Let the new red ties and the silver crosses worn by the new CMA members be a living representation of the values and the faith that the Prophet Elijah lived with and shared amongst his peers,” he said.

Mass was followed by the official installation service, where the new members were taken through their vows to the association, and also dressed in their new crosses and official CMA ties. The new members also received candles which were lit together with those held by the attendants.

At the end of the service, the CMA national chairperson Mr Kekana expressed the association’s gratitude for the warm welcome by Emmanuel Church and Polokwane diocese. He expanded on Fr Moloto’s homily to emphasise the importance of altruistic service in the CMA.

“To our new members in this diocese, you should know that as a member of the CMA, you are now carrying with you a mission of the CMA. That is to play your part in making a difference in your church and your community.

You can do this by volunteering in your church’s Caritas movement, or becoming a catechist, or becoming a member of your parish’s Justice & Peace Commission, and in many other ways at a local level. Your volunteerism is part of the CMA’s purpose and mission” he said. At the end of the Mass Mr Dominic Moloto gave a message of thanks to everyone present.

After the service, lunch was served in the giant marquee in the park next to the church, and the attendants stayed on for the afternoon before making their way back to their respective dioceses.