Community service at St Mary’s is an important part of who we are as a community. Reflecting on the year that has been; how the community service team has had to change because of Covid, raises some questions about service going into 2023. Our challenge is to find new and meaningful ways to serve our community and to establish sustainable relationships and partnerships. Service at St Mary’s is embodied in the words “caritas” (love) and “charity”.

In our Statement on our Christian Identity and Ethos of St Mary’s, the above sentiment is expressed as follows:

Christ’s ministry consistently illustrates Christ’s preferential option for the poor and the marginalised. Jesus’ example in this regard underpins St Mary’s School’s striving to increase the ease of access to education at the school via its bursary and scholarship programmes, the school’s commitment to its community affairs programmes, its relationship with neighbouring schools and with the broader community. (Statement on Christian Identity and Ethos of St Mary’s #15).

One expression in everyday life and language from society that bears this out is:

Modidi ke Moloi, translates: “A poor man (i.e., who has nothing of his own) is a sorcerer”. Therefore, the underlying purpose of Sotho-Tswana community life is to ensure that there are none totally destitute…Modidi ke moloi is often said by the rich, the powerful and successful, to remind themselves of the lot of the poor. Perhaps it is this principle which lays the charge at the door of African Society that it discourages entrepreneurship which excessively increases the gap between the successful [person] and [their neighbour]. Success, in order to be permanent and lasting, must be shared with the less fortunate.

(Setiloane 1986:75).

At this time of the year, we say thank you to parents and staff for their generous donations of both time and money. Your generosity of spirit has made a profound difference in people’s lives.

REVD RAKGADI KHOBO
CHAPLAIN