Advent Season and Christmas Pastoral Letter
My Dear Beloved Albanian Community,
I greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who calls us to be His hands and feet in a world yearning for hope, light, and love.
“Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” – Matthew 10:39
As I write this final pastoral letter, I am filled with gratitude, reflection and a deep sense of joy for the journey we have shared over the past four years at St Alban’s College. These years have been transformative, not only for the boys who walked these hallowed corridors but also for me as your Chaplain. It has been my profound privilege to serve a community that seeks to prepare young men for life – not merely through academic or extracurricular excellence, but through nurturing a moral and spiritual foundation rooted in the Gospel of Christ.
I came to St Alban’s College with the hope of building authentic relationships and keeping alive the cherished traditions that define us as a school family. I quickly learned that the heart of the College is its people: boys who dream big, teachers who give selflessly, parents who trust deeply, and a leadership team that strives to honour God in all things. Together, we have laughed, cried, prayed, and celebrated as one.
From the quiet moments in the Chapel to the spirited gatherings on New Boys’ Chapel Services, Mentor and Rookie Services, Carol Services, Speech Days, and Confirmation Services and walking with young men through their personal triumphs and trials, I have witnessed the hand of God at work among us. It is this sacred privilege of walking alongside others in their faith journey that I will carry with me always. I have seen the truth of Christ’s words: “Whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” In giving ourselves to others, in serving with humility and love, we discover the true essence of who we are in God’s eyes. These experiences have reaffirmed for me the deep joy of ministry and the transforming power of faith and community.
As I now prepare to step away from St Alban’s College, I am reminded of the Apostle Paul’s stirring farewell in his second letter to Timothy:
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
While it is difficult to part from a place I now call my home and people I love so dearly, I do so with a heart full of peace, knowing that my time here has been part of God’s greater plan. Like Paul, I feel the weight of parting but I am obedient to God’s calling and believe that I have fought the good fight. Allow me to pay tribute to my predecessors who also fought the good fight of faith and have paved the way at the College, especially to the late Fr Andrew Nel, 6th Chaplain – may his soul rest in eternal peace. And then to Fr Gradwell Fredericks, 7th Chaplain, Fr David Swanepoel, 3rd Chaplain, and to Bishop Timothy Bavin, the 1st College Chaplain. Thank you for your unwavering support. These men of faith have become more than friends, they have become mentors and spiritual fathers who have encouraged and given guidance.
It has been a privilege to take the baton from them and run the race with perseverance. My prayer is that God, in His perfect time, will anoint and send another faithful servant to serve this wonderful community.
This Christmas, as we gather to celebrate the birth of our Savior, I urge you to reflect on the promise that lies in the manger: Emmanuel – God with us. The world may shift and change, but Christ remains our anchor, our unshakable hope, and the light that shines in every darkness. He is the anchor for our souls, and the love that conquers all.
St Alban’s College has always stood as a place where faith, tradition and community converge to prepare young men for life. My prayer is that this spirit continues to flourish and that each boy leaves this institution not only equipped with knowledge but transformed by a deeper understanding of God’s love and their role in His kingdom. Though I leave, I take with me the love, lessons, and memories forged here.
Though my journey here concludes, the relationships we have built in Christ endure forever. As Paul wrote to the Philippians: “I thank my God every time I remember you.” My prayer for you is that you remain steadfast in your faith, holding firm to the truth that ‘nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord’ (Romans 8:39).
May this Christmas bring you joy, peace, and the hope that only Christ can provide. As you continue to serve one another in love, may you find the fullness of life that comes from living for His sake. I entrust you all to the grace of God and to enduring the vision and mission of St Alban’s College. Dear friends, we have been richly blessed by God. “Custos Veritatis” – Guardians of the Truth has not just been our motto but a call to live out the truth of Christ in all we do.
May the Lord continue to bless each of you with wisdom, courage, and love as you walk in His light. May He guide you in all your endeavours and fill your hearts with the hope and joy of His presence. Farewell, my friends, and may God’s grace and peace be with you always.
With all my love, gratitude and blessings,
The Reverend Thabang Jack Bengani
8th College Chaplain