Heavenly Houndz

Heavenly Houndz?

Members of the Order of Preachers in the Roman Catholic Church are fondly called after their founder, St Dominic. We are Dominicans. Bl Jane of Aza, St Dominic's mother, had a vision of a dog, carrying a flaming branch and setting the world alight. From there the simple pun on Dominic's name Dominic becomes Domini Canes, hounds of the Lord. Watchdogs of the church and guard dogs of the faith, we rejoice in the canine connection!

Who we are and our needs.

The Priests of the Dominican Order of the Roman Catholic Church will have been present in South Africa for 100 years in 2017. The last twenty years have been a period of growth and expansion, and in 2016 the General Chapter of the Order granted us the status of Vice Province.

With expansion comes greater responsibility to educate the young men coming to us to be diligent preachers and students of the Gospel.This takes a great deal of financial resources, especially for the seven years of initial study mandated by the Catholic Church for her priests and the additional studies Dominican pursue as a matter of course.

The contribution of the Order of 800 years to theology, philosophy, art, ethics, inter religious dialogue, ecumenism and many other fields has been far in excess of her numbers. We continue that stringent tradition in South Africa.

The proper investment in people has resulted, in our current economic conditions, that we face doing ever more with ever less financial means. This is inherent in to our vows. However we also need to risk expansion and honour the people who have donated means to us by the proper upkeep of our material facilities.

Where we face the greatest challenge is in our student community, completed in 2000 and now needing a series of renovations, based on the experience of the last sixteen years and looking toward a sustainable future, not only for the house, also for the planet.

The campaign thus has the following targets, contributions will be directed from first to last as the targets are fulfilled, contributions may also be designated in a particular way on the contribution page:

1. Refurbishing the kitchen. The kitchen was designed for electricity. Steep price increases brought about the conversion to gas for cooking. The original gas stoves have reached the end of their lives and require about US$2000 to replace. If you wish to contribute directly to this project directly please add KITCHEN as a comment with your contribution.
2. Reflooring the building upgrading from industrial carpet to tile. The carpet is at the end of its life and tile is more hard wearing, water resistant, and practical in terms of keeping control of allergens. There are 24 bedrooms and nine communal spaces (including the library). This requires the equivalent of US$600 for every bedroom at around US$5000 for the larger communal spaces. Three bedrooms have already been renovated in this way. If you wish to contribute directly to this project please add FLOOR as a comment with your contribution.
3. Water Capture and Conservation : Funded by the Dutch Dominican Province
4. Solar Energy to Electricity : Funded by the Dutch Dominican Province