As the sun was setting over Suva Harbour on the evening of 23nd November 2022, a significant celebration was beginning at the Columban Central House, Suva in honour of our Patron Saint, St Columban. The staff of the central house with help from our students had beautifully decorated the carport for the Mass and the social that was to take place afterwards. This celebration was historic for a few reasons - it was our 1st such celebration of the Columban family (priests, students, lay missionaries, CCIM members, invited local people) for the last few years because of Covid restrictions,
This celebration was also significant for us Columbans in Fiji/Oceania. Frs Felisiano (Tongan) and Carlo Jung (Korea) replaced Frs John McEvoy and Frank Hoare (Irish) on the new Council of Oceania. This is a big change and a welcomed shift in the Columban leadership in Oceania. Fr Felisiano Fatu also became Vice Director of the Columban Region of Oceania. After 70 years of Irish, Australian, New Zealand and American leaders, the leadership passes for the first time to a local Pacifican. These two Columbans form the Fijian members of the five-member leadership team/Council of Oceania that took over on Nov 23. The new Regional Director is Fr Peter O’Neill assisted in Australia by Fr Patrick McInerney and Fr Tom Rouse, the New Zealand Counsellor.
The 60 or 70th guests present were delighted and rejoiced with our celebrations which went on, late into the night. All expressed support for Columban Mission in the future. Your prayers are requested for Fr Felisiano and the others members on the Council of Oceania as they carry the charism of the Society of St Columban forward.
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