Music, Love and Jubilee

Dear Reader,

On our cover this month we meet a young stage actress and singer who tells us about her craft on stage and about her faith. Both intersect, in a manner, as Alexis Petersen has been a proclaimer of the Word in her parish since she was a teenager and brings her musical expertise to the band that plays at Mass in her church.

Music in the liturgy has been something of a running theme in The Southern Cross lately. In November we interviewed Cameron Upchurch, one of South Africa’s leading Church musicians, and last month we featured Raymond Sauls, who has served the Church as an organist for 50 years.

This month on page 9 we report on how music, especially of the sacred kind, can have health benefits, even for people living with dementia. And on page 7, Fr Thomas Plastow SJ answers a reader’s question about the suitability of Hillsong music at Mass. As a liturgist, he generally is not a proponent of these types of worship songs at Mass, and he explains why. I doubt Fr Plastow’s verdict will settle the matter, but his insights should be considered.

A question of faith

Any Catholic who has experience of arguing about the faith with our Protestant brothers and sisters, especially those from the Evangelical end, will know how difficult it is to find common ground. On page 24, Gerschwin Langeveldt shows by three examples how we often simply just talk past one another.

And on page 26, Fr Paddy Noonan OFM lists reasons why Catholics might drift from their Church, and what spiritual treasures they lose as a result.

Growing strong together

With St Valentine’s Day, February is the month of romance. My wife and I don’t take part in the annual ritual of overpriced roses and overbooked eateries on February 14, for the practical reason that our wedding anniversary follows less than two weeks later.

This year we mark 33 years of marriage, and it has been a good life together. An article in this issue may help younger couples navigate married life with faith and love. Daluxolo Moloantoa gathered advice from people in the family ministry; we read their good counsel on page 14.

For any family with children, the question of schooling is imperative. In his monthly column, Raymond Perrier introduces a new innovation that will help parents in Gauteng find a suitable Catholic school. One may hope that this concept will spread throughout the country and encourage Catholic families to send their children to Catholic schools.

A silver jubilee

Finally, at the risk of appearing vainglorious, I agreed to an idea by the renowned broadcaster Ray White to be interviewed on the occasion of my 25th anniversary this month as editor of The Southern Cross. I suppose a silver jubilee is a landmark, and the past quarter of a century has created many experiences and memories. Most of them have been wonderful, and those that lacked joy were certainly educational.

It’s strange how time passes you by sometimes. Last year it occurred to me that I was catching up with the longest-serving Southern Cross editor, Fr Louis Stubbs. A little research revealed thatI had overtaken his length of service almost a year earlier.

Serving The Southern Cross for a total of 31 years has been a vocation — how could it not be? — and an honour. I am grateful to all those who travelled with me on that long journey: colleagues and boards of directors; the many contributors; our loyal Associates; our advertisers; the many supporters in parishes (especially those who actively promote and sell The Southern Cross) and among the episcopate, clergy and religious; my fellow pilgrims on so many memorable tours — and above all, you, the reader, without whom there would be no Southern Cross!

May your Lenten season be filled with light and graces.

God bless,
 Günther Simmermacher
 (Editor)