ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT MERA
This painting represents the turmoil experienced during a time of crisis. Typhoon is a symbol of anxiety, chaos, destruction and struggle. However, once those trial moments are surmounted, the inner energy of the typhoon brings transformation, putting life in order and strengthening one’s spirit. Emotional typhoon
seems to tear life apart when it hits. One can’t turn away from it, but once it is over, it brings new potential; visions become clear and one sees brighter days ahead.
MISSION IS FUN
The rain dance
BY Fr Nazzareno Contran | Namokora, Uganda
FR TARCISIO Pazzaglia has always believed in the usefulness of mass media in catechesis. Over time, he brought himself up to date and, with his video camera, filmed cleverly and tastefully recreated scenes that mediated messages of belief and morality. One day he had organised the famous ‘rain dance’. To make it more real, he had asked the dancers to present themselves in the traditional way: raffia petticoats, beads, ostrich feathers, drums, etc. Weeks of preparation ensured that no detail was missing from the colourful choreography. The dance was performed superbly and the numerous spectators were granted an encore.
As if to take everyone’s goodwill seriously, the sky moved and two days later a violent thunderstorm hit the area, with water never seen during the dry season. The wind carried away the rooves of many huts, the market and the dispensary.
The village chief came to Fr Tarcisio and without the usual compliments said to him: “Did you see what your unplanned and unauthorised dance did? Did you see the damage it did?”
Fr Tarcisio responded: “Yes, but it also did some to the mission. Look at the metal sheets it tore off the roof of the school!” Having ascertained that the heavens had spared no one, the chief left it at that.
| Dates To Remember |
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August 9 – Women’s Day in South Africa 9 – International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 12 – International Youth Day 21 – The Assumption of the Virgin Mother 21 – International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism 22 – International Day Commemorating the Victims of Religion or Belief Violence 23 – International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition 24 – Heritage Day in South Africa 29 – International Day against Nuclear Tests 31 – International Day for People of African Descent September 5 – International Day of Charity 7 – International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies 8 – International Literacy Day 9 – St Peter Claver, patron of the missions 9 – International Day to Protect Education from Attack 12 – United Nations Day for South-South Co-operation 15 – International Day of Democracy 18 – International Equal Pay Day 21 – International Day of Peace 23 – International Day of Sign Languages 25 – World day of Prayer for migrants and refugees 26 – International Day for the Total Elimination of nuclear weapons 27 – World Tourism Day 28 – International Day for Universal Access to Information 29 – International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste 30 – World Maritime Day |