The ABBOT PFANNER TRAPPIST TRAIL ASSOCIATION (APTTA)
PHASE ONE
July 2017 Phase one was to contact people interested in establishing a pilgrimage trail between the Trappist Missions in KwaZulu-Natal. The first meeting was held on 27 July in Westville. People present were Sylvia and Finn Nilsen (hosts) Jenny Rooks (amaWalkers Camino and Durban Ramblers) Jon Stevens (Durban Ramblers) Fr Brian Southward (retired priest from St Dominic's, Hillcrest) Gravin Phyfer (St Dominic's) and Nicki von der Heyde (Battlefields author and tour guide). (Apology from Sharon Miller - Durban Ramblers). Our Mission Statement was:
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PHASE TWO
August, Sept, October 2017 After meeting with Trevor Tshuma of Kohwa Holdings, it was agreed that the place to start would be with the Bishops of the different Diocese who, if they supported the project, could let their priests know and encourage them to support us as well. Meetings were held with Bishop Dlungwane of the Mariannhill Diocese and Bishop Dziuba of the Umzimkulu diocese. They were delighted with the idea of bringing pilgrims from all over the world to visit Mariannhill and the missions built a hundred-and-thirty years ago. (Trevor met with Fr Shabalala at Mariannhill) A meeting was held at Centocow with Bishop Dziuba, the local priests of Centocow and Lourdes, as well as Sr Imelda from Emaus. Pauline and Morrelle Rousseau joined the APT Trail group. |
PHASE THREE
19 and 20 October 2017 A reconnaissance drive along the proposed Trappist Mission trail was done on 19 October from Mariannhill, visiting Einsiedeln, Mariathal, Emaus and Centocow. (Other visits were planned for Maria Hilf, Lourdes and Kevelaer). On 20th October a meeting attended by 21 people (two Bishops, five priests, Sr Imelda and local people interested in preserving the missions) was held at the Umzimkulu River Lodge. At the end of the meeting a request was made that we form an umbrella committee or association so that all interested parties could contact one person or group when they had queries or suggestions. A number of priests and local people agreed to be representatives. A meeting was planned for 2 November. |