‘Community Serving Humanity’ was the theme chosen for the centenary anniversary of Kokstad Diocese Cathedral.

Thousands of faithful dressed in green joined the parade on Sunday, March 17, the Solemnity of St Patrick to celebrate the one hundred years of ‘community serving humanity’. In the spirit of Synodality, young and old, religious and clergy, Bishops and laity walked side by side with some dancing to the sounds of Kokstad East Griqualand Brass Band.

The weekend celebrations began with Solemn Vespers on Friday evening led by the first native Bishop of Kokstad Cardinal Wilfrid Napier OFM. In his homily, the former Bishop of Kokstad Diocese Archbishop Zolile Peter Mpambani SCI encouraged the faithful to remain united in Christ.

“The Church will realize her unity and her strength only when she realizes that she does not exist to propagate the point of view of any body of men but to provide a home where the Spirit of Christ can dwell and where everyone who loves him can meet in that Spirit,” said Archbishop Mpambani on Saturday, March 16.

The Local Ordinary of Bloemfontein Metropolitan Archdiocese went on to invite the people of God of Kokstad Diocese to continue to journey together in the spirit of synodality.

He said, “In the spirit of Synodality we are all in this journey together, in Communion, united in One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.  We are all Participating in the maintenance and the ongoing building and strengthening of this building, all in the mission of the Church as Baptised and Sent.  May St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of this Diocese intercede for us all.”

Meanwhile in his homily during the Mass of Dedication held at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Saturday morning Bishop Thulani Victor Mbuyisa CMM said the “time of Lent is a season of taking stalk of our relationship with God and with one another,” and called on the people of God to renew their “pledge to be a United, loving Community that is at the Service of Humanity” in Kokstad and beyond.

“As we recall the dedication of our Cathedral, let us rededicate ourselves to God, renewing our pledge to be a United, loving Community that is at the Service of Humanity in this area of Kokstad and beyond,” said Bishop Mbuyisa.

He continued, “We can’t do that effectively unless we each, rededicate ourselves and renew the missionary spirit in us following the footsteps of St. Patrick whose heart longed and burnt Only for Christ and His People!”