Dec. 25, 2021

I feel as though I have the housewife’s syndrome, always tired. I have little energy and this is the first time in my life that I have neglected to send out my Christmas wishes to almost everyone. I was so attracted to the bed that I just turned over and tuned out my desire to send to all of my family and friends and supporters a Christmas and new year greeting.

    I am thinking of taking the advice of a friend and having a checkkup by a doctor. I have never ever felt so listless and giving in to the temptation of just havging a lie down.

   I hope that there is nothing serious wrong, but I have a terrible guilt complex on top of it.

    Have a new year full of unexpected blessings. Lots and lots of love to you all. Spread the word.

Cas

 

Yes  that's me

 

Dec. 20, 2021

 

 

 

                                          Fr. Cas. Paulsen, cmm—re-tyred

                                          Monastery Mariannhill

                                         10 Monastery Rd.

                                        Mariannhill, KZN  3624

                                              SOUTH  AFRICA

                                      Cell Ph. (27) (0)83-635-0151                               Abbot Francis    

                                                                                                                                                                                                    Pfanner

                                       Email: frcascmm50@gmail.com

Dear Everyone,

 

       Would you believe that this is the 52^nd dear everyone missive I have sent out.(since I came to Africa in 1966).

 

Well this is a year that most people will be happy to say goodbye to. We welcome the advent or 2022 even thought it brings with it omicron ( it is the new normal, covid and its many offshoots are not going to go away, as I  understand it.)

 

Covid has had its positive side. When you watched the news on TV, you could see Russia, China UK, US, Venezuela, Sa Paulo, all wearing masks. Has that ever happened before?????? We were all om the same boat and all were working on trying to find a vaccine, and they did in record time. What usually takes 10 yrs. Now took only 2 or even less. We really need each other and depend on each other.

 

Then you saw the greedy 1^st world nations stock piling while the 3^rd world nations got almost zilch, and are still far behind.  We saw glaringly the gap between the haves and have nots and know that we can never go back to the former status quo. And the silly and thoughtless people who refuse o wear a mask and are willing  to risk their own lives as well as all those others they come in contact with. A real no-brainer.

 

I am still fighting my spasms and it looks as though it is going to be that way until I die, unless they find where these messages are coming off and can shut them off. But I had a physioterrorist come for ten sessions to prevent the leg for going up into a 90% position and freeze there. When he stopped (paid for by  Mariannhill), Br. Albert filled in the gap by coming faithfully at 2 pm to doo the necessary exercises, which, at times can be painful, but, as they say, no pain no gain. The aim is to stretch the hamstring muscle so that it can’t pull the leg up into that 90 degree configuration. Br. Albert experienced something similar with his knee sometime back.and knows the routine.

 

I Had a terrible itch on my back and we tried all kinds of salves, etc, with no effect. Then I went to a dermatologist and he prescribed something that had to be mixed at the pharmacy and it really worked..

For  a while the care givers put it on my back at night but they are no longer here so I have to do it myself. It would be better if I were double jointed.

 

As you know, I have had a justice and peace accounte---socio pastoral account with which I have been able to help people. For many, because of the pandemic, they have no income, having lost their jobs and it is really a matter of life and death survival. This year, surprisingly, many of you have been super generous and I have even had a chance to go around a second time. I say thank you in their name.

When the restrictions were eased and lifted, I was able to take a wedding (in in a wheel chair) and another Mass at the Denis Hurley Center in the middle of town. The Center is  the combined effort of all the religious groups ( all Christian denominations, Muslims, Hindus, Buddists, and others ) to help the homeless people in the city center, where they have a meal a day, s clinic, a place to shower and get clean clothes, offices for migrants, etc, etc, etc. These are all manned by volunteers. I think it is unique in the world where all the religions work together to help the homeless and all who are struggling just to keep alive (There are many ongoing projects as well )

 

There are too many other things to enumerate here o let me wish you all a blessed Christmas, Catholics, other Christians, Hindus, Buddists, Muslims, since Christmas means Peace and Love and Hope, all of which I wish to all of you, including my atheist friends.

 

And I also wish you all a happy, fruitful, challenging, hopeful new year full of many blessings ( mostly in disguise) with the love, wisdom, courage, to face and deal with all the surprises that will be thrown at you in this  coming 2022. But please also be a bit joyful too.

 

I am sorry I am so late this year. It is combination of laziness and being overwhelmed by things to be done at the last minute, especially disbursing all the money that you so generously sent to help people.

 

Your fellow citizen of mother earth (abused as she is), your brother in the Lord,

 

Fr. Cas, cmm

 

PS. a spcial thanks to Mariannhill, Fr. Tom Szura, for all his help.

 Dec. 11, 2021

Two great outiings…..1. Alain and Bronwyn, the couple I married back In October and their parents. They fetched me and we spent a good time together and I had a look at their hhouse which overlooks the sea (but it was raining and misty so you couldn’t see much.) I also found a new friend in their dog Sammy. They said he doesn’t usually like men but we hit it off immediately. I love dogs and he must have smelled a positive smell. Ha. Alain has a collection of books that could match any library and he does a lot of writing.. Very enjoyable. I am already looking forward to our next get together.

Outing #2..Dr. Don O’Mahony, who moved up from Port St. Johns (in the Transkei, about 100 km. from Mthatha). He was the only doctor in Port St. John’s for a while and almost all of his patients were Africans. His wife is a Xhosa woman, a nurse by profession but also a very good business woman. She developed cottages and a conference center at the sea (Indian Ocean). But has now gone deep into dementia and doesn’t know her husband or anyone but just wanders around the house and the grounds, but her smile melts hearts. He has to wash, her and dress her and look after her, but he has some help from one of her relatives and her 5 yr. old son, Alwandle. Don has become a beloved grandfather figure.I was thinking of the marriage vows, in sickness and in health. I was touched and moved by the tender and understanding and patient love I witlnessed.

 

Those are the main things that happened. There is one other to be mentioned. I went to see a dermatologist about a terrible itch. Nothing that we tried helped. But he gave a prescrption that had to be mixed in the pharmacy and it worked like  charm. Itch gone. One of the care givers helped by smearing this stuff on my back before I slept when she was around.

 

I just realized that I haven’t even thought of my annual Christmas letter. I must do that tomorrow.

 

 

Also, I was worried about all those who are suffering because they have no income and are really struggling. My cupboard was bare but there was an outpouring of generosity that took care of that. It will be great to be able to offer some help with Christmas money, far more than  I could ever have expected and it will be a great help to many. For all of you who contributed , many many thanks.

    That’s enough for now.

As for me, I am alright. I use two elbow crutches when I am out and about, but in my room I have been trying to move around without crutches or the 4 legger. I sometimes also try to walk without touching anything. I feel that the physio (thanks to Br. Albert every day) has helped to make progess. But the spasms also complicate things but I am getting used to them too.

 Nov 30, 2021

   Several big events…Saturday, 27^th, My friend of more than 50 yrs. and I celebrated our birthdays together with Chinese at her house. I had Chop Suey and later  some sweet and sour pork, (doggy bags for both….I finished of the left over chop suey yesterday, ending with the south African version of a hot fudge Sunday (ice cream and chocolate sauce) mmmmmm.  And lots of sharing and reminiscing . a lovely day. Shirley is a well known painter   I enjoy critiquing her paintings. She is very gifted. She is just over a year older than  I and is still functioning well, though there are signs old age like for all of us in that age. I am now heading for 87, having completed 86 yrs. on planet earth.

    The second big event was Sunday the 28^th when we managed to persuade the Archbishop emeritus of Pretoria who was sent here to help straighten some problems in  our diocese. We wanted him to experience our neighbors, the happy clappies (they call us the frozen chosen,,,ha). Their service is very loud but also very attractive for some of our people ( I am also attracted.>>)They surround us and drown out, often, our singing and praying. Then he would understand why we are anxious to have our own church…..we have been collecting for our fund for years now and covid threw a big wrench in our plans. He  was the main celebrant for our Zulu mass, assisted by our friend Fr. Des Royappen.( who has been helping us for some years now). I was just a decoration up front there as I find it difficult to stand without support).The Archbishop, Slattery, had the mass in Zulu, and to the astonishment of some of the community, he also preached in Zulu, white as he is. I think he enjoyed being with us as much as we enjoyed his presence, being a real people person. (all 3 of us, the archbishop, Fr. Des and me received gifts..our sommunity is very thoughtful that way).

    Our community leader, Mr. Mike Pillay, then took him to see our church site and I went back ro my home, MD (Mater Dolorosa….emakehleni….the old age home. Our small community (many can’t see well any more or hear well but we keep on keeping on with the help of retired archbishop Paul Khumalo, who has the job of looking after us and does it well. So we had birthday cake and as much wine as you wanted. I had one glass (amazing as a Polak I only had that one glass of wine the whole day and I survived,,,ha)

I went back to the   Pillay home in the afternoon for a Braii Vleis (cook out) Where    many people had been inv ited and where I received the gift of a candle and some other things which I forgot to take. I hope they are still there..

I was very tired and wanted to sleep but the whole night the spasms were pumping, the whole bloody night…no sleep at all. But I survived, as you see. Monday night I took something called a parasetemol, and slept through the whole night. (the spasm are kicking up under the desk as I try to write.

Hey, it is way past my bedtime. I will continue tomorrow. Good night.

What I wanted to say last night was please don’t be hurt if you don’t get an answer from me regarding birthday wishes. I have been swamped by messages from email, facebook, linkedin, messenger and messages (sms). There was no way I could keep up with answering them all. It would take at least a week or even a month. But I appreciate the love that lies behind all those greetings and I promise you that I keep all of you in my prayers and thoughts. Please forgive me for not answering some of your greetings. Just know that I love you all too and keep you all in my heart. You all are my greatest blessing. Love and Peace always.     Cas

 

 Nov,24,2021

On the 10th, my friends from Pretoria ( I married them 11 yrs. ago) Phola, Nhlanhla and

 a friend, Llungi, invited me to lunch. I was delighted, and pictures were taken to remember the occasion.

 

On the 12^th I had a visit from a friend, Robby, who owns a trucking company that has only Volvos. I keep teasing him about going electric now before it is too late, and Volvo is shutting down their combustion engines in a few yrs. He will be caught with his pants down. I also noticed  that I had an infernal itch that was driving me crazy.

 

On the 20^th, we had the ordination of two Mozambican priests, Palabra and Leopoldo, and two deacons, one from Kenya, Otieno, and the other from Mozambique, Petardo. We are making headway and the Africans are the future, And even present, of Mariannhill, if it is going to continue when we old timers fade out of the picture.

 

Yesterday, the 23rd, I had Mass at the Denis Hurley Center, in remembrance of Archbishop Hurley and his collaborator, Paddy Kearney, both icons in the struggle against aparatheid and founders of this center, unique in the whole world, All Christian denominations, Jews, Hindus, Muslims and Buddists working together to bring help to the people in the inner city, the marginalized, homeless, sleeping under bridges or in the park…..a place to take a shower, pick up some old clothes,… a meal a day….a clinic staffed by volunteer doctors and nurses…a legal center for migrants,,, and other involvements (like classes for the migrants who live n natal, to learn Zulu). Unique in the whole world, all working together. Wow , it was an honor to be invited to lead the service. And I enjoyed it, from my wheelchair. I wasn’t sure if it was going to work but it went well.

 

And today, the 24^th, H had forgotten that I had a dentist appointment at 8am, and I was in line for communion when I remembered. Ha. Right after communion (I only use one crutch to go up to communion, the other is lying in my pew) and because I was late, I went running out of the chapel with one crutch. I only realized it when I got to the door. Too late to go back and fetch the other. I managed to get to the car, drive there (in the convent next door…not far) and managed.   Progress. I have also been trying yesterday and today to walk from my office to my bedroom without leaning on anything and I did it. It is definitely a walk but not one you would want to immmitate.

 

On Saturday, the 27^th, I have an appointment with a dermatologist at 9:30 and lunch with my friend Shirley, celebrating out birthdays, her 27^th and my 26.  (Sunday is my birthday, the 28^th, but that will come in the next blog.

 

Nov. 8, 2021

You may remember that some friends from the States paid a visit a few weeks back. Ai had their wedding in Texas 34 yrs. ago. Laura wrote a kind of report on their experience here…

Laura Forest	Sun, Nov 7, 7:05 PM (15 hours ago)
to me

Hi Fr. Cas,

Hard to believe it’s been a month since we saw you, 2 weeks since we returned from our trip (to shortening days and cold, although today unseasonably warm).

34 years ago you married us in Temple, Texas! We were so glad you were able to marry us; it was truly a special mass!

Thanks for your blessing on our marriage, we feel fortunate to have found each other and still have so much fun together.

Please take care of yourself. Thanks so much for arranging the meals at your friends’ homes, the lovely young men who drove us around to take in Durban, the sea, the Denis Hurley Center and the surrounding hills and communities. It was a trip of a lifetime for us and we won’t ever forget it. We won’t forget visiting you and getting a feel for your continued ministry to the community. We felt like we were traveling with a pop star! Everyone knows you.

Fondly,
Laura

 

Its nice to get a little bit of taffy now before the epi-taffy comes. Ha.

I went to the dentist today ---Sr. Michael---and she removed the last bit of a tooth that had been broken off way back when (the older I get the more I fall apart). The assistant held my head solid, she shook the tooth and it came loose nicely (another one gone, sigh) but it was bleeding so she put a was in my mouth and told me to clamp down on it. After  a few hours I decided to check to see how it was doing and it was still bleeding so I put another wad in from my own supplies and then just before lunch another. By that time it was almost finished bleeding so I took it out and ate a lot of extra soup for lunch.I am invited for lunch with some visitors on Wednesday so it should be OK by then. Enough of my medical history for now.

 

 

 

Nov, 4, 2021

I seem to be getting lazier and lazier. All I want to do Is lie down and get into a position where the spasms are least active,, hoping even to maybe get a few winks. Once ai get comfy on the chair at my desk, I want to read and read and read.

Learning to Pray ( by James Martin, SJ, which I have read and am re-reading),   Biden’s Catholicism;   Promises to keep (by Biden);  The Abbey, a novel by James Martin---I like his style, easy to read; The Genesee Diary by Henri Nouwen…I am reading it for maybe the 5^th time, He is taking time out to stay in a Trappist monastery and is challenged by many questions about his life, his faith, his prayer, his everything…. They are questions that challenge me too.; Ghandi Now---a few articles; and a big book, The Good Book of Human Nature….The Bible from an archealogical and Historical point of view written by two agnostics, which I am enjoying . Everything else gets put on hold.