Centenary Celebration of Ss Peter & Paul Church in Mokopane, Polokwane

Left: Missionaries Stone of Commemoration. Right: Vicar-General Fr Clemens Selemela

The 15 Parishes of the Catholic Diocese of Polokwane congregated at Mater Dei Pastoral Centre in Mokopane on Sunday, September 15 to celebrate the Centenary of Ss Peter and Paul church in Mokopane as well as the diocesan annual pilgrimage. Ss Peter and Paul Church in Mokopane was established in 1923 by Benedictine missionaries from Belgium.

The day began with the blessing of the missionaries’ stone of commemoration by the Vicar-General Fr Clemens Selemela at Ss Peter & Paul Church, followed by a procession to Mater Dei Pastoral Centre for the main celebration. A brief history of the church was shared by Ms Rose Manamela, followed by Holy Mass celebrated by Fr Selemela. The Vicar-General’s homily was based on the following scripture readings Acts 1: 1-11, Psalm 27, Ephesians 1: 1-13 and the Gospel of Matthew 20: 1-16.

“This centennial celebration marks a significant turning point in the Diocese’s history. It offers all of us the opportunity to honour and commemorate the laity, Sisters of Charity, diocesan and Benedictine priests, and other individuals who have given so much of themselves to evangelise our people”, the Vicar-General said,

During his homily, Fr Selemela emphasised that catechism serves as a cornerstone of our Catholic faith, which also serves as our heritage.

The premier of Limpopo, Dr Phophi  Ramathuba,  delivered a keynote address at the celebration. She highlighted the significance of the church’s 100-year milestone. She emphasised the importance of preserving the rich heritage and legacy of the church, not only as a place of worship but also as a cornerstone of community development and social cohesion. Premier Ramathuba also acknowledged the vital role that the church plays in fostering spiritual growth, promoting social justice, and providing support to vulnerable members of society, underscoring the need for continued collaboration between the government and faith-based organisations to build stronger, more compassionate communities.