Sept. 3, 2021
There is one other
special event that I forgot to mention. One of our Mariannnhill priests, who
was recently made a bishop, was appointed as the new archbishop of Durban. Wow.
Cardinal Napier finally gets to retire and Bishop Siegfried Jwara takes over.
You ask how did a Zulu child get a name like Siegfried. His parents gave him
the name of the priest who baptized him. It was a great honor not only for him
but for the Mariannhill community as well. He is a local person having grown up
in the Mariannhill diocese which is 98% Zulu. We are neighbors to Durban. It is
an honor that has a huge responsibility going along with it. But we are all
convinced that he is the right man for the task. I and many others promised to
support him with our prayers and any other way we can as it is a daunting task to
be in charge of a huge Archdiocese like Durban with all its many and varied
problems.
Also, yesterday was my
last or next to last session with the physiotherapist. I got to know and like
him and will miss him. There may be one session left before he is taken off the
payroll. But the exercises will continue, with Br. Albert coming faithfully every
day. The object of the exercises is to stretch the hamstring muscle so that it
makes it easier to straighten the leg out. Right now, after 3 yrs., the hamstring
muscle has shortened so that its default position is up close to the knee in
the 90% position. It is also amazing with what force the spasm unleashes
itself, like a coiled spring. There are times when the spasm is a bit quiet,
but there are other times when it reminds you that it still wants to be in charge.
Br. Albert has to push down hard when the spasm tries to pop up so that it gets
used to not being wanted now. We shall see how it works out. I can keep going
for another 2 months with my exercises and with the help of Br. Albert, hoping
that at the end of all these exercises we succeed in getting the leg straight
(at least as straight as it is ever going to be) and getting the spasms at
least a bit more under control.
