Fr. J.J Ryan Leaves Fiji

Today I will take Fr J.J. Ryan from Suva to Nadi. There Fr Pat Colgan will take over and accompany him on the long flight to Ireland through San Francisco. It will be sad for J.J. to leave Fiji and especially Labasa where he has worked for the last 20 years. He loved the people of Labasa and refused to move to and easier assignment to Suva because of the bonds of friendship which held him there.

He came to Suva 15 months ago for medical treatment and because of the COVID lockdown and his own frail condition he was unable to return.

J.J. will be missed in Labasa and in Fiji for his passionate homilies and his great example of prayer. He was a great listener and advisor as a spiritual director and many of the religious he had for class or spiritual direction continue to correspond with him. He is extremely thoughtful in remembering birthdays and anniversaries and many of us received from him email messages or phone calls of congratulation or of sympathy.

His family in Ireland will be very happy to welcome him back and have him among them again. Fr J.J. thank you for your dedicated service to the Reign of God and for your witness to the Risen Christ.

by Fr. Frank Hoare