It took four years of discussions, planning, strategizing, budgeting and designing, but on 23 February 2014 it all came full circle with the consecration mass of the newly refurbished Catholic Church building of St Clare of Assisi in Jeffreys Bay. The building used to be a community hall for social events and informal religous gatherings, and not a consecrated Church. It was the desire of the collective heart of the Jeffreys Bay Catholic community to have a consecrated Church, worthy of serving as their place of worship. Partnering with the members and the leadership we embarked on a long and rewarding process to achieve this goal.
I can honestly say that I count myself blessed to have been involved in this project, and to have established the relationships that flowed from it. New relationships were formed while existing ones were strengthened and redefined to be treasured.
Having traveled extensively in Europe, and with a keen interest in Catholic Church design and history, I thought I had it all down, but soon realized that there is much to learn (always is in life). I especially obtained a greater appreciation for the paradigms between history, tradition and contemporary practice and belief.
I am not a Cotholic, but I was reminded by the regalia and pomp and circumstance of the consecration mass that tradition and ceremony serve contextual purpose, lest we loose sight of the consequences of our actions, the results of our behaviour or the object of our worship.
Cliche or not, but there truly is great pleasure in giving, and through giving I received much more than I could ever have hoped for, or could ever have given.
