A PARISHIONER of St Peter’s Catholic Church is setting out to transform the grotto at the church, in memory of her parents, who would’ve celebrated their 110th birthdays this year.
Cecile Kathan said Rasmal and James Kathan were brought over to South Africa on a boat in 1860, and she felt she wanted to do something to honour them this year, the 160th anniversary of Indians being brought into South Africa as indentured labourers.
“I have been a parishioner of the church for 21 ears and although I have retired from working with the church, I feel I want to do this project now. To commemorate my parents’ 100th birthday I undertook a project to paint and maintain the church,” she said.
Kathan plans on revamping the grotto outside the church building. “This is an important place where people come to pray. Ashes of former parishioners have been scattered and planted here over the years and it is a sacred place which deserves to be transformed,” she said.
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She plans to instal new candle holders in the grotto, and grass the front area.
“My son in the US is sponsoring the project, as well as my sister and her family and myself. I am doing this for myself, to improve the church. Once the project is finished, I will be erected a plaque in memory of my parents and all deceased parishioners by the grotto,” she said.
Although this is a self-funded project, Kathan is appealing for any assistance from the public regards the donation of gardening equipment such as a wheelbarrow, rake, mower, hosepipe and compost.
“We want to maintain the garden by the grotto as well, as there are many plants donated by the Lions Durban Host over the years that need to be maintained,” she said.
If anyone can help, they can contact Cecile on 082 781 6699 or Father George Rogers on 060 498 7857.
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