Naanise Mo’unga Columban Lay Missionary Coordinator both in Region of Fiji and then the Region of Oceania was farewelled by the staff at the Central House on the 20th June 2022.
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Then the Columban family farewelled her at our Sunday Evening Community gathering on evening 26th June, 2022. Here she presented her iTatau to the Columbans in Oceania. She returns to Tonga for an overdue and a well-deserved holiday today the 30th June 2022. |
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Having served as a Lay Missionary in the Philippines for about 10 years, Nani was called back to Fiji on the 1st June 2017 to take over the role of a CLM Coordinator for the Fiji Region. She was delighted to come back and serve in her home Region. Her time as LM Coordinator was certainly not an easy time for her but it was a significant time for us all here in Fiji and Oceania. Nani writes: -
“There was a time of mourning when my friend Losana Ve’ehala died while visiting here from Tonga and who was also former LM Coordinator in Fiji. But there was joy in many of the celebrations that I was privileged to attend, the Ordinations of Frs Pat Visanti, Martin Koroiciri, Teakare Petero and Amini Ravuwai, the Fiji Region/ Community Retreats, the celebration of different feast days – the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the Society of St Columban worldwide 2018, the Silver anniversary of the starting of the Columban Lay Missionaries in Fiji, the 25th Anniversary of the CCIM in Fiji, the 50th Anniversaries (Golden Jubilees) of ordination for Fr Donal McIlraith and John McEvoy and Fr JJ Ryan’s 60th Anniversary of his ordination as well as the 70th Anniversary of the Columbans coming to Fiji.
It was a privilege to be part of the Amalgamation meetings and to be involved in the dialogue where the Regions of ANZ and Fiji eventually became the Region of Oceania. The first Lay Missionary joint orientation, training and sending group of 4 were missioned and sent from the Region of Oceania. Then it was time to be involved with Katarina Mukai’s Orientating to become the new Columban Lay Missionary Coordinator for Oceania who has taken my place.
The Pandemic (Covid-19) dictated new ways for us to be creative in mission by using modern technology and social media to communicate with one another. I became involved and participated in all Virtual prayer meetings, Eucharistic celebrations, and Professional Development.
May the Holy Spirit continue to guide me and all of us in our discernment as Columban Missionaries and reminding us that “WE BELONG TO CHRIST NOT TO OURSELVES “(St Columban)”.
Nani may I on behalf of Fr Trevor Trotter, Regional Director and all the Columbans in Oceania wish you a restful holiday and a time of deep discernment guided by the Holy Spirit for what God may be calling you to do in the future.
We are grateful and thank you for your witness among us in Fiji and Oceania for the past 5 years.
John McEvoy
