Cutting from a Kilkenny newspaper referring to a report in 'The Father Mathew Record' on an inspection tour by Fr. Edward Walsh OFM Cap. and Fr. Canice Bourke OFM Cap. for the proposed Irish Capuchin mission in South Africa. See also CA AMI/1/3/1.
Cutting from 'The Cape Argus', 2 July 1932, referring to the newly-built Redemptorist Retreat House at Heathfield in Cape Town, South Africa. A manuscript annotation reads: ‘Cost £4,000’.
Cutting from an article by Terence O’Hanlon in the 'Sunday Independent' referring to Fr. James O’Mahony’s recent publication, 'African Adventure' (1936), which covers the pioneering missionary work of the Irish Capuchins in Northern Rhodesia. The article includes photographic prints of Fr. James and the church in Parow parish, Cape Province, South Africa. See CA AMI/1/8/1.
Cutting from the 'Cork Examiner', 20 Oct. 1938, reporting on the opening of a bazaar in Father Mathew Hall, Cork, to aid the work of the Capuchin African missions.
Cutting of an article from 'The Southern Cross', 16 Nov. 1938, lamenting the recent departure of Fr. Alban Cullen OFM Cap. for California. The article reads: ‘Fr. Alban arrived in Cape Town some nine years ago and took over what was then a struggling, obscure little mission, know as St. Raphael’s, Athlone, Cape Flats, and now, on his departure, we find a handsome and commodious church … [and] a dignified and roomy presbytery’.
A complete copy of 'The Southern Cross', 12 Oct. 1949 (No. 1,514. Vol. XXIX), containing an obituary for Fr. Eustace Burke OFM Cap. referring to his work as a missionary in Barotseland (until Aug. 1947) and later in Cape Town, South Africa.
Cutting from the 'Cape Times' of a report on the drowning of Fr. Frederick McConvery OFM Cap. (d. 28 Nov. 1968). Fr. McConvery of Parow Church died whilst swimming at Hermanus in the company of Fr. Patrick Flynn OFM Cap., Fr. Leo McAuliffe OFM Cap. and Br. Daniel Duffy OFM Cap.
Report on the Irish Capuchin mission in South Africa. It is noted that ‘much of the Fathers’ time is taken up with convert work, pre-nuptial courses and teaching Christian Doctrine to children attending the public schools’. Statistical information (population, racial composition, and number of priests) is given in respect of the friars’ work in Parow, Athlone, the Welcome Estate, Belgravia and Langa. It is affirmed that the ‘bulk of the non-white people, i.e. the poorest of this diocese, is attended by the Capuchin Fathers’.
Copy decree of Fr. Flavio Roberto Carraro OFM Cap., General Minister, for the establishment of the Capuchin Vice-Province of Southern Africa. The decree reads: ‘In response to the missionary call of Pope Pius XI and the invitation of the Apostolic Vicar of Cape Town, the Irish Capuchin Province of Saint Francis and Patrick extended its Capuchin Franciscan witness to South Africa, arriving in Cape Town on 20 October 1929. After overcoming many initial difficulties and having established a clear understanding of the commitment required of the Province in this missionary endeavour, the new plant began to take root and to grow’. The Vice-Provincial Minister was named as Fr. Sylvius McCarthy OFM Cap. (1931-2011).
