Nababeep

The Prefecture Apostolic of the Orange River having been raised to a Vicariate, the three Missions of Pella, Matjieskloof and Heirachabis could no longer cope with the ministry in this wide area.
Bishop Simon chose Nababeep in Namaqualand as the ideal spot for establishing a fourth Mission Station. The Copper Company had decide to begin serious work there, as the copper deposits in O’okiep were diminishing. Several hundred workmen ,among whom many catholics, were openings up pits. Moreover, a number of Pella families that had been ruined by the drought had moved to this new mine. Approval for a foundation was easily obtained from the Cooper Company through the genial Mine Superintendent, Mr Dean. The missionary set to work without delay. A small church and a simple, rather primitive rectory were soon built.

Father Cure was to be the first resident priest in Nababeep, where he was sent in 1900. This young priest, who had been ordained only four months earlier, had four years experience of missionary life. He soon learned to know and love his people. In the short time that he worked amongst them, he ruled out misunderstanding and brought the erring back to the fold.
His winsome ways drew many children to that Mission, where he taught them in church which served as classroom during the week. A good musician, he conducted a choir which was to render great service in many ways.
To all appearances, Nababeep was soon to develop into a flourishing station. Man proposes and God disposes. Suddenly, on 19th June, a few months after arrival, Father Cure was called to his eternal rest. He was buried in Matjieskloof, alongside the two promising missionaries, Sister Marie-Emmanuel and father Paul Rougelot, who had gone before him. Father Fages was called upon to succeed Father Cure as priest in charge of Nababeep. Father Hubert van’t Westeinde and two lady teachers took over the school with about a hundred pupils on the roll.
Father Fages devoted himself zealousy to this congregation, which he, in turn, learn to love. It was a sad day when he had to tear himself away, to leave for Keimoes where he was to found a new Mission. Nababeep, with its copper mines and hundreds of labourers grew quickly. Today the mission is a testimony of progress and prosperity under the longstanding leadership of Father Schlight, who also serve the O’okiep congregation.