DIOCESE OF BETHLEHEM
(Province of Bloemfontein)
PATRON:
The Immaculate Heart of Mary
Right Reverend
BISHOP JAN DE GROEF, M. Afr.
Appointed Bishop on 31st December 2008
Ordained Bishop the 28 March 2009
Address
PO Box 366
Bethlehem 9700
Tel: (058) 303 5351
Fax: (058) 303 5352
Bishop Jan De Groef was born in Belgium on the 7 January 1948. He entered as candidate of the Missionaries of Africa in 1972 in Louvain and did his noviciate in Birkdale, Great Britain in 1974. He did his theology studies at the Missionary Institute London in London from 1974 till 1979. He was ordained priest on 7 July 1979 in home parish of Belgium. He arrived in Africa on the 15 February 1980 and in Bethlehem on 6 March. He was member of the pastoral Animation Team and worked in Senekal, Qwaqwa and Bohlokong-Bethlehem until 1990. He turned back in Belgium for 5 years then went in Burkina Faso for five years before coming back in South Africa where he worked in Pretoria Diocese. His last appointment was in Merrivae, Cedara. In 2007 he was appointed as the sector superior of the Missionaries of Africa working in South Africa. On the 31 December 2008, he was appointed as bishop-elect of the Diocese of Bethlehem.
COAT OF ARMS AND MOTTO
“Alive in Christ” is taken from Gal 2: 20. Our life as Christians and still more as priests and bishops is to be a sharing in the death and resurrection of the Lord.
The green color expresses life. The light from the son radiating all over Africa is the light of Christ which is proclaimed in all sphere’s of life. The shield yellow turning into orange is a warm color which is welcoming and homely.
The three figures have different shades pointing out the different cultures called to be the one family of God. Above their heads there are tongues of fire: the fire of the Holy Spirit who makes them truly alive praising God and announcing the Good News to the whole of creation.
The map of Africa reminds that it is as a member of the society of Missionaries of Africa that I came to Africa. The little star indicates the Dioces of Bethlehem. The Rosary reminds us of Mary, our Mother in the faith. She has a special place in the Diocese, dedicated to her with the Marian Shrine at Tsheseng, Qwaqwa. At last, the pelican reminds that it is believed that in case of need it is prepared to give her own blood in order to feed her young. As the pelican, I am to give my life for the flock.
1. Rt Rev Leo Klerlein CSSp
Vicar Apostolic of Kroonstad 8 April 1935 – died 22 May 1950
2. Rt Rev Bishop P Kelleter CSSp
first bishop of the Diocese of Bethlehem 11 January 1951; died 7th January 1991.
3. Rt Rev Bishop Hubert Bucher
Retired since March 2009
Email: bucher@bhm.dorea.co.za
HISTORY
Prior to 1924 this territory formed part of the Kimberly Vicariate. From 1924 it was known as the Kroonstad Vicariate. Msgr. Leo Klerlein CSSp was appointed Prefect Apostolic in 1924, Vicar Apostolic in 1935. By Papal Decree dated 12 February 1948, the Sacred Congregation of Propagation of the Faith partitioned the Kroonstad Vicariate into two separate Vicariates. The western part with Kroonstad was entrusted to the Dominican Fathers of the Dutch Province. The eastern part with Bethlehem was entrusted to the Holy Ghost Fathers (CSSp) of the German Province. Msgr. Klerlein retired in 1948, with the creation of the new Vicariate. He was succeeded in 1950 by Bishop Peter Kelleter CSSp, who resigned on 5 July 1975.
The diocese comprises the following magisterial district: Bethlehem, Clocolan, Ficksburg, Fouriesburg, Frankfort, Harrismith, Lindley, Reitz, Senekal, Vrede, Phuthaditjhaba (Qwaqwa), and part of Ladybrand.
Area: 34 965 sq.km. Total Pop: 714.807 Cath Pop: 74.343
ADMINISTRATION
Po Box 366
Bethlehem
9700
Tel: (058) 303 5351, Fax: (058) 303 5352
Email: diocese@bhm.dorea.co.za
Vicar General
Rev. Fr. Mosebetsi Mokoena
PO Box 5087, Phuthaditjhaba 9866
Tel: (058) 713 1585; Cell: 082 947 5141
Financial Administrator
Msgr George Wagner
PO Box 366, Bethlehem 9700
Tel: (058) 303 5351; Fax: (058) 303 5352
E-mail: gwagner@webmail.co.za
Diocesan Financial Committee
The Bishop, Frs. D Mofokeng, M Mona, Mrs Rita Pestana, Msgr George Wagner, Mr Michael Weldon
College of Consultors
Frs. L M Moeketsi, S S Mofokeng, M S Mokoena, K Radebe, A Taele OMI, Msgr George Wagner
SACOP Representative
Msgr. George Wagner
PO Box 366, Bethlehem 9700
Tel: (058) 303 5351
E-mail: gwagner@webmail.co.za
Diocesan Committee for Youth
Fr. Leuta Lengoabala,
PO Box 219, Ladybrand 9745
Tel: (051) 924 2431
Diocesan Committee for Catechesis
Sr Catherine Owens OP
PO Box 366 Bethlehem 9700
Tel: (058) 303 9077
Diocesan Committee for Liturgy
Fr. Sakhi Mofokeng,
PO Box 5035, Bohlokong 9700
Tel: (058) 313 0042
Vicar for Education
Deacon Benedict Mokheseng
PO Box 1023, Ficksburg 9730
Tel: (051) 938 0355
Vocations Co-ordinators
Frs. Mosebetsi Mokoena & Dikotsi Mofokeng
PO Box 5087, Phuthaditjhaba 9866
Tel: (058) 713 1585
Fr William Kaupa
PO Box 6, Harrismith 9880
Tel: (058) 622 1570
Justice & Peace
Fr William Kaupa
PO Box 6 Harrismith 9880
Tel: (058) 622 1570
Pontifical Mission Societies
Fr. Patrick Molise
PO Box 164, Clocolan 9735
Tel: (051) 943 0109
Bishops’ Lenten Appeal
Msgr George Wagner
PO Box 366 Bethlehem 9700
Tel: (058) 303 5351; Fax: (058) 303 5352
E-mail: gwagner@webmail.co.za
Bloemfontein Inter-diocesan Matrimonial Tribunal
Fr. Cyprian Agene
PO Box 366 Bethlehem 9700
Tel: (058) 303 0458
CATHOLIC ASSOCIATIONS
Association of Catholic Educare Centres
Fr. Makalane Monyeke
P.O. Box 459, Senekal 9600
Tel: (058) 481 2831
Association of Women Religious
Sr Emmanuel Mokoena CSP
PO Box 12, Reitz 9810
Tel: (058) 863 2585
Catholic Community Service (CCS)
Programmes Director: Hubertus von Lindeiner
PO Box 1893, Bethlehem 9700
Tel: (058) 303 9447, Fax: (058) 303 8584
E-mail: director@ccsbhm.co.za
Sekwele Centre for Social Reflection
Fr Mokesh Morar
PO Box 1768, Bethlehem 9700
Tel: (058) 303 1459 (office), (058) 303 8055 (House/Fax)
E-mail: moksa@telkomsa.net
EDUCARE CENTRES AND PRE-SCHOOLS
| Bethlehem | – Bohlokong | Leratong Educare Centre Paballong Pre-School Pelong Pre-Primary School |
| Ficksburg | – Meqheleng | St Peter Claver Pre-School St Helena Educare Centre |
| Fouriesburg | – Mashaeng | St Elizabeth Educare Centre |
| Frankfort | – Namahadi | Little Flower Educare Centre |
| – Namahadi | St Canisia Educare Centre | |
| – Villiers-Qalabotjha | Assumption Educare Centre | |
| Harrismith | – Ntabazwe | Emfundisweni Educare Centre |
| – Warden-Enzenzeleni | Sizanani Educare Centre | |
| – Fatima | ||
| – Tshiame A | ||
| – Tshiame B | Fatima Educare Centre St John the Baptist Educare Centre Christe Lesedi la Ditjhaba Educare Centre |
|
| Ladybrand | – Manyatseng | Modisa ya Molemo Educare Centre |
| Lindley | – Ntha | St Theresa Educare Centre |
| Phuthaditjhaba | – Makwane | |
| – Mangaung | St Martin de Porres Educare Centre Bl Mary Rose Educare Centre |
|
| – Tebang | Iketsetse-Itumele Educare Centre | |
| – Thaba Bosiu | Theresa-Mmabana Educare Centre | |
| Reitz |
– Petsana | St Theresa Educare Centre |
| – Petsana | Thusanang Educare Centre | |
| – Tweeling-Mafahlaneng | Thusong Educare Centre | |
| Senekal |
– Matwabeng | Tshepong Educare Centre |
| – Paul Roux | ||
| – Fateng Tse Ntsho | Modisa ya Molemo Educare Centre | |
| – Tambo | Rebolokehile Educare Centre | |
| Vrede | – Thembalihle | |
| – Cornelia-Ntswanatsatsi | Jabulani Pre-School Mazibuye Educare Centre St Catherine’s Educare Centre |
SCHOOLS
Breda H.P. School
Farm Breda, PO Box 20, Fouriesburg 9725
Tel: (058) 223 0326
Ekwaluseni H.P. School
PO Box 643, Vrede 9835
Tel: (058) 913 2367
Glen Ash P. & H. School
PO Box 1219, Bethlehem, 9700
Tel: (058) 303 4868
Oom Japie H.P. School
Farm Oom Japie, PO Box 95, Clocolan 9735
Tel: (051) 943 7078
Sibonakaliso Primary & High School
Farm Fatima, PO Box 6, Harrismith 9880
Tel: 082 594 4075 & 072 377 1788
St Benedict’s H.P. School
PO Box 219, Ladybrand 9745
Tel: (051) 924 2368
St Joseph’s H.P. School
PO Box 1224, Ficksburg 9730
Tel: (051) 938 1039
Tshebedisano H.P. School
Farm Mariadal, PO Box 224, Ficksburg 9730
HOMES FOR THE HANDICAPPED
House of St Paul
PO Box 12, Reitz 9810
Tel: (058) 863 2700
Mmabahloki-Clara Home
Petrus Steyn-Mamafubedu
PO Box 24, Petrus Steyn 9640
Tel: (058) 871 3906
OTHER INSTITUTIONS
Gethsemane Health Care Centre
140 Fontein St, PO Box 265, Ficksburg 9730
Tel: (051) 933 6220 & (051) 933 6221
John Paul II Conference Centre
Farm De Rust, Old Fouriesburg Road, Bethlehem
PO Box 1768, Bethlehem 9700
Tel: (058) 303 3072, Fax: (058) 303 9378
MEN RELIGIOUS
Congregation of the Holy Spirit
1. Spiritan House Glen Ash, PO Box 1219, Bethlehem 9700
Tel: (058) 303 1170, Fax: (058) 303 4314
2. Spiritan House & St Conrad’s Church
PO Box 473, Vrede 9835
Tel: (058) 913 3904, Fax: (058) 913 3275
Congregation of the Sacred Stigmata (Stigmatines)
Lindley, PO Box 3, Lindley 9630
Tel: (058) 463 0128
Missionaries of St Paul of Nigeria
PO Box 209, Ficksburg 9730
Tel: (051) 933 2710
Oblates of Mary Immaculate
PO Box 637 Senekal 9600
Tel (072) 348 8266
CONVENTS
Daughters of Charity of the Sacred Heart
Pelong Educare Centre
PO Box 5077, Bohlokong 9702
Tel: (058) 304 2516
Daughters of St Francis of Assisi
1. Ntabazwe
PO Box 1045, Harrismith 9880
Tel: 082 422 9295
2. John Paul II Conference Centre
PO Box 1768, Bethlehem 9700
Tel: (058) 303 3072, Fax: (058) 303 9378
E-mail: jpcentre@telkomsa.net
Dominican Contemplative Nuns
St Dominic’s Convent
5 Busschau Street, PO Box 637, Senekal 9600
Tel: (058) 481 3915, Fax: (058) 481 5101
E-mail: domicannuns@xsinet.co.za
Dominican Sisters of St Catherine of Siena (King William’s Town)
1. PO Box 366, Bethlehem 9700
Tel: (058) 303 9077, Fax: (058) 303 5352
Franciscan Sisters of Siessen
St Pius X, PO Box 219, Ladybrand 9745
Tel: (051) 924 0929
Good Shepherd Sisters
Farm Breda, PO Box 170, Fouriesburg 9725
Tel: 073 298 6783
Sisters of the Holy Names
1. PO Box 10113, Mokodumela, 9868. Tel: (058) 789 1028.
Sr Leonia Khechane SNJM, Sr Leonius Namane
Sr Constance Selialia, Sr Ernestina Mofolo, Sr Clementina Manyatsa, Sr Regina Ntisa
2. PO Box 5173, Phuthaditjhaba 9866. Tel: (058) 713 2848.
Sr Eugenia Masheane SNJM, Sr Ernestina Selialia
Sr Agnes Khauoe, Sr Cecilia Matheso, Sr Bernadette Rammoneng
3. Farm Oom Japie, PO Box 1237, Ficksburg 9730. Tel: (051) 943 7078.
Sr Christina Ketso SNJM, Sr Carmelita Matamane
Sr Agnes Mohaka, Sr Ambrosiena Monkhe, Sr Francisca Seipati
Sisters of St Paul
1. Regional House and Novitiate
PO Box 12, Reitz 9810
Tel: (058) 863 2585 & (058) 863 1142, Fax: (058) 863 3126
2. Mmabahloki Clara Home
PO Box 24, Petrus Steyn 9640
Tel: (058) 871 3906
3. Bishop’s House
PO Box 366, Bethlehem 9700
Tel: (058) 303 5351
4. Formation House, Makwane
PO Box 22074, Dikgakeng 9872
Tel: (058): 721 0223
5. Tebang, Qwaqwa
PO Box 5333, Phuthaditjhaba 9866
Tel: (058) 716 2053
PARISHES
| BETHLEHEM | Holy Ghost Cathedral (1958) | 7290 Extension 2, Bohlokong PO Box 5035, Bohlokong 9700 Tel: (058) 313 0042 Outstations: St Joseph’s, Geduld; Mon-Reve; Danielsrus.
|
| CLOCOLAN-Hlohlolwane | St Leo’s (1957) |St Mary’s (1936/1958) |
36, 3rd Avenue West PO Box 164, Clocolan 9735 Tel: (051) 943 0109 Outstations: St. Boniface (1992) Farm Boditho; Bl. Joseph Gerard (1892/1988) Farm Evening Star; Uganda Martyrs (1966) Moemaneng-Marquard
|
| FICKSBURG-Meqheleng | St Joseph (1933/1946) St Peter Claver (1934/1961) Bl Isidor Bakanja (1996) |
141 Fontein Street, PO Box 209, Ficksburg 9730 Tel: (051) 933 2710 Outstations: Bl. Anuarite (1991) Farm Oom Japie; St Basilius (1957) Farm Rivenhill; St Helen (1969) Farm Kommandonek; St Peter Claver (1966) Farm Hammonia; St William (1967) Farm Gumtree
|
| FOURIESBURG-Mashaeng | St Elizabeth (1967) | 25 Du Preez Street PO Box 20, Fouriesburg 9725 Tel: (058) 223 0065 Outstations: Holy Cross (1991); Clarens-Kgubetswana; Mother of Sorrows (1948), Farm Breda; Fouriesia; Magdalena; Slabberts.
|
| FRANKFORT-Namahadi | St Paul (1935/1965) St Konrad of the Burning Thornbush (1997) Little Flower (1938) |
10 Brand Street PO Box 137, Frankfort 9830 Tel: (058) 813 3621 Outstation: St Martin de Porres (1981) Villiers-Qalabotjha |
| HARRISMITH-Ntabazwe | St Peter’s (1894/1960) Immaculate Conception (1926/1960) John the Baptist (1992) Kriste Lesedi la Ditjhaba (1993) |
81 Warden Street
PO Box 6, Harrismith 9880
Tel: (058) 622 1570 Outstations: Aberfeldy; Holy Ghost (1968) Warden-Enzenzeleni; Heritage; Kwa Thintwa; O. L. of Fatima (1982) Farm Koelwaters; Summerslie |
| LADYBRAND-Manyatseng | St Michael (1922) St Pius X (1956) |
35 Piet Retief Street PO Box 219, Ladybrand 9745 Tel: (051) 924 2431
Outstations: Avalon; Modderpoort; Pinekloof; Riverside; St Alphonsus (1968) Farm Tripolitania; Tandem/Italy |
| LINDLEY-Ntha | St Albert (1947/1957) St Anna (1954) |
23 Van den Heever St PO Box 3, Lindley 9630 Tel: (058) 463 0128 Outstations: Sacred Heart (1961) Arlington-Leratswana; St Agnes (1961) Petrus Steyn-Mamafubedu; St Gabriel (1977) Steynsrus-Matlwangtlwang
|
| PHUTHADITJHABA/Qwaqwa | St. Martin de Porres (1972) | PO Box 5087, Phuthaditjhaba 9866 Tel/fax: (058) 713 1585 Outstations: Phuthaditjhaba; The Assumption (1976) – Makwane; Uganda Martyrs (1989) – Matebeleng; St. Joseph Gerard (1983/2001) – Makeneng; St Joseph the Worker (1993) – Riverside; St Therese of Lisieux (1982) – Thaba Bosiu; St. Francis of Assisi (1987) – Tlholong-Kestell; St Francis Xavier (2001) – Tebang; The Immaculate Conception (1983) – Tsheseng; St John Bosco (2003) – Bluegumbosch; St Maximilian Kolbe (2003) – Letshalemaduke; Holy Family (1984) – Monontsha; Holy Trinity (1982) – Tseki; St Philipp’s (1983) – Sehlajaneng, Bl Mary Rose (1982) – Mangaung
– Tsheseng Diocesan Marian Shrine PO Box 10947, Mokodumela 9868 |
| REITZ-PETSANA | St Monica’s (1997) | 450 Shop Street PO Box 750, Reitz 9810 Tel: (058) 863 2833 Outstation: St Henry (1972) Tweeling-Mafahlaneng
|
| SENEKAL-MATWABENG | Christ the King (1937) St Catherine of Siena (2000) The Good Shepherd (1967) |
4 Olivier Street PO Box 459, Senekal 9600 Tel: (058) 481 2831 Outstations: Libertas; St Elizabeth (1946/1985) Paul Roux-Fateng Tse Ntsho; St Rose (1993) Rosendal-Mautse |
| VREDE-THEMBALIHLE | St Paul (1934/1969) | 2 Kerk Street PO Box 225, Vrede 9835 Tel: (058) 913 1324 Outstations: Ascent; Montpelaan; St Joseph (1980) Memel-Zamani; St Stephen Cornelia-Ntswanatsatsi (±1965); Strydplaas; Sweetwaters |
PRIESTS AND DEACONS
Priests in the Diocese
| AGENE, Cyprian | Cathedral Administrator | BETHLEHEM |
| ATORO, Papi | ||
| BUCHER, Hubert | Bishop Emeritus | BETHLEHEM |
| DE GROEF Jan August, M.Afr | Bishop | BETHLEHEM |
| DUNIYA, Pius MSP | FICKSBURG | |
| KAUPA, William | HARRISMITH | |
| KHUMALO, Mahlomola | QWAQWA | |
| LENGOABALA, Leuta | LADYBRAND | |
| MENYATSO, Menyatso | HARRISMITH | |
| MOEKETSI, Mareka | REITZ | |
| MOFOKENG, Dikotsi | Rector Diocesan Marian Shrine | TSHESENG |
| MOFOKENG, Sakhi | BETHLEHEM | |
| MOKHESI, Mokhesi | BETHLEHEM | |
| MOKOENA, Mosebetsi | Vicar General | QWAQWA |
| MOLISE, Patrick | CLOCOLAN | |
| MONA, Mpho | QWAQWA | |
| MONYEKE, Makalane | SENEKAL | |
| MORAR, Mokesh | Director Sekwele Centre for Social Reflection | BETHLEHEM |
| MOTAUNG, Tshepo | HARRISMITH | |
| NTOMANE, Moshoeshoe | FRANKFORT | |
| RADEBE, Krismis | QWAQWA | |
| RAKEKETSI, Bernard CSS | LINDLEY | |
| TAELE, Alphonse OMI | Dominican Sisters’ Chaplain | SENEKAL |
| TAMBWE-KAPUMET, Jean-Pierre CSSp | VREDE | |
| VAN DYK, Gregory | National Director, PMS | FOURIESBURG |
| WAGNER, Georg | Dioc. Financial Administrator | BETHLEHEM |
Priests serving outside the Diocese
| KHOZA, Bangizwe | Staff, St John Vianney Seminary | Pretoria |
| NGONDO, Jordan | Deputy Director, Correctional Services | Gauteng |
Permanent Deacons
| LELUKA, John Bosco | Tel: (058) 7131585, c/o PO Box 5087, Phuthaditjhaba 9866 |
| MOFOKENG, Daniel | Tel: (058) 3041171, 2059 Tumane St. Bohlokong 9700 |
| MOHALALI, Michael | Tel: (051) 9380296, 482 Meqheleng, Ficksburg 9730 |
| MOHLAPING, Vincent | Tel: (058) 7210158, PO Box 14653 Witsieshoek |
| MOKHESENG, Benedict | Tel: (051) 9380355, PO Box 1023, Ficksburg 9730 |