Archdiocese of Johannesburg Staff Celebrate Thanksgiving Mass
By Kati Dijane – The staff of the Archdiocese of Johannesburg gathered for a special closing Mass at Christ the King Cathedral on Friday, 12 December 2025. The Thanksgiving Mass was also held in honour of Mrs Morag Richardson, who has faithfully served in the Office of the Bishop for decades and is now retiring.
Presiding at the Mass, Cardinal Stephen Brislin invited staff members to pause at the end of the year, give thanks for their work and reflect on the deeper meaning of faith, trust and service. The Mass coincided with the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which formed the heart of the cardinal’s homily.
A simple story with a powerful message
In his reflection, Cardinal Brislin retold the story of the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico. He reminded the congregation that Mary appeared not to a powerful person or a scholar, but to St Juan Diego, a simple, ordinary man going about his daily work.
Juan Diego (whose feast day is celebrated on 9 December) heard his name being called and responded immediately. When he encountered the beautiful lady shining with light, her message to him was simple and gentle: a message of love, peace and trust. She asked him to go to the bishop and request that a church be built on the mountain (Tepeyac Hill) where she appeared in 1531.
As the cardinal noted with humour, the bishop was sceptical, as bishops often are. He did not dismiss Juan Diego, but asked for time and a sign. Our Lady then instructed St Juan Diego to collect flowers from the mountain — flowers that could not naturally grow there — and take them to the bishop.
When St Juan Diego opened his cloak before the bishop, not only did the miraculous flowers fall out, but the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared on the cloak itself. It was a moment that confirmed the truth of the saint’s story and remains one of the most loved Marian images in the Church today.
God speaks through the simple
Cardinal Brislin emphasised that this story reminds us how often God chooses simplicity. St Juan Diego was uneducated and unknown, yet he was open, humble and willing to listen. In the same way, Our Lady appeared to the children of Fatima and to other simple people who were quietly trying to serve God.
Her message, the cardinal said, is always consistent. Mary never points to herself, but always leads people to Jesus Christ. She asked for a church to be built not in her honour, but for Christ, so that people could encounter Him in the Eucharist and the sacraments.
At the same time, she reveals herself as a loving mother, one who brings peace, healing and reassurance. Her words to St Juan Diego, “Do not be anxious, do not be afraid,” are words meant for all people.
A call to simplicity in a noisy world
Reflecting further, Cardinal Brislin spoke about the flowers St Juan Diego was told to pick as a sign of beauty and simplicity. In today’s world, he said, life is filled with noise, clutter, constant communication and social media. All of this can make it difficult to find stillness and recognise God’s presence.
The message of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a gentle call to simplify our lives, he said. It is often in simplicity that we rediscover beauty, peace and God Himself.
The cardinal reminded staff members that many people carry worries and anxieties about the future. Mary’s message remains the same: “I am your mother. Trust in God.”
Listening and trusting
Cardinal Brislin also connected Mary’s message to the Gospel of the day, where Jesus speaks of people who are never satisfied — unwilling to rejoice or to mourn, always insisting on their own way. This lack of peace, he said, often comes from failing to listen.
The key, both in the Gospel and in Mary’s message, is listening to God. When people listen and cooperate with God, life begins to fall into place. When they hear God’s call but choose another path, peace is lost.
A fitting message of gratitude
The Mass also provided a moment to honour Mrs Morag Richardson, whose years of dedicated service were acknowledged with gratitude and affection. Her retirement was celebrated not only as an ending, but as part of a life of faithful service offered to God and the Church.
