St Patrick’s Day - Columban Central House, Suva - 17th March 2023 - Fr John McEvoy
All ready to welcome our guests
This year’s celebration of St Patrick’s Day here in Fiji, was significantly different, in the fact that the House Manager, Fr Felisiano Fatu, (Tongan National) hosted the celebration. He was the 1st non-Caucasian to do so, and what a wonderful celebration we had. Fr Felisiano assisted by our cook, Sala Qaqa and housekeeper Cory Behari – had the place decorated for the occasion with the appropriate Irish colours. The feast which contained Irish stew won the praise of all present.
Those present included, our Archbishop Peter Loy Chong; Ro Teimumu Kepa, high chief of Rewa (the Fijian province that we live in); the well known linguist from USP, Paul Geraghty; Marist Fathers Jim Ross (Dublin) 90 years old and Kevin McGuire (NZ); Mrs Veronica Arjun, with Fijian and Columban connections over the years (back visiting from England); Jacqueline Ryle (England) USP Professor; Patrick McGowan, (Cavan and Dublin) Foculare and working with the Archdiocesan post Confirmation Programme; Michael Payer (Antrim) press and information officer EU for the Pacific; Paul Horkan (Mayo) Principal of the International Secondary School here in Suva; our students, Paula and Elia; our lay missionaries, Kata and Naanise and our two returned lay missionaries from the Philippines, Mereani and Latai; some members of the staff and their friends.
The main celebrant at our Mass at 5.00pm was Fr Frank Hoare, who said some parts in Gaelic. He was assisted by Donal McIlraith who gave the homily and John McEvoy.
Frs Frank Hoare, Donal McIlraith and John McEvoy.
The Mass was followed by a happy hour, but the company and chat was so good that it turned out to be 2 happy hours!!! The meal was served at 8.00pm by which time everyone was hungry and really appreciated a beautifully prepared feast. It was after 10.00pm when our last guest departed for home, all happy with how the evening turned out.
The grog drinkers with Fr Felisiano and Paul Geraghty in green Irish Rugby Jersey.
Serious conversation across the table
Since we are now an International and Multicultural Society, Fr Felisiano intends to organise similar celebrations for St George’s Day (23rd April) Tongan Day, (4th July) Korean Day (15th August) Fijian Day (10th Oct), and of course St Columban’s Day 23rd November.
Praise and Honour and Glory to God for our Gifts to one another.
Hail Glorious St Patrick
A quick group pic after Mass
Fr Jim Ross and Veronica Arjun
The Archbishop in white with the yaqona drinkers
The Mayo Connection. Veronica's mother was from Mayo and Paul Horkan from Mayo also.
Patrick McGowan and Fr Kevin McGuire
Paula and Elia and friends
Mareani and Latai, lay missionaries just returned from the Philippines after 3 years.
Sala Qaqa, Donal McIlraith and John McEvoy
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