Parishes of Western Deanery Pretoria Gather for Joint Eucharistic Celebration
By Archdiocese of Pretoria, Photos: Clement Ndaba Menyuko –
Parish churches under the Western Deanery of the Archdiocese of Pretoria united for a significant Eucharistic celebration presided over by Archbishop Dabula Mpako and concelebrated with Bishop Masilo John Selemela on August 4.
The Holy Mass, held at Saulsville Arena, was attended by 2000 congregants, including clergy from all deanery parishes and religious sisters. Over R200,000 was collected and donated to the central administration of the Archdiocese of Pretoria.
Archbishop Highlights Needs of the Archdiocese
Archbishop Mpako, who took charge in 2019, addressed the gathered parishioners, expressing heartfelt gratitude for their contributions.
“You are the Archdiocese,” he said, acknowledging the support from various parishes through pledges and assessments. He highlighted the archdiocese’s improvements over the past few years, made possible by these contributions.
Despite managing with assessment funds and other contributions, Archbishop Mpako emphasised the need for more resources. “We are just living from hand to mouth,” he said, underscoring the importance of special fundraisers like the Harvest Festival to meet the mission’s demands.
Support for Priests and Mission Work
The archbishop elaborated on the financial needs, explaining that the archdiocese supports about 75 priests, particularly those in outlying areas who rely on subsidies ranging from R3,000 to R5,500 per month.
These subsidies are crucial for their upkeep and effectiveness in their pastoral duties. “We need vehicles for these priests,” he noted, mentioning the fleet of 75 vehicles that require maintenance and the significant expense of purchasing new ones.
Insurance and Medical Aid for Church Personnel
Archbishop Mpako also stressed the importance of insuring the 150 church buildings, many of which are in small communities unable to afford insurance. “If we don’t pay the building insurance, they will not be able to maintain or rebuild if disaster happens,” he warned.
He highlighted the provision of basic medical aid for priests, with a monthly expenditure of R150,000 to Discovery Medical Aid.
Additionally, the archdiocese supports religious priests not on medical aid. “We need enough support so that all our pastors and all our needs are taken care of,” he asserted, emphasising the equal treatment of priests in rural areas compared to their city counterparts.
The atmosphere was festive, with jubilant songs resonating throughout the solemn liturgy, reflecting the community’s solidarity and commitment to supporting the archdiocese’s mission under Archbishop Dabula Mpako’s leadership.
