A group of Ba Indo-Fijians
A Senior Citizen’s organization in Ba has weekly gatherings for elderly, mostly Hindu and Muslim women, from the area. A bus collects and brings them to a house in a quiet street which has a big lean-to shed attached. The weekly get together is mainly a social outing but the multi-religious committee also organizes visits by doctors, nurses and other professionals for advice and help.
Special programs are organized before religious festivals. The sponsoring religious group provides lunch and explains the meaning of the Hindu, Muslim or Christian festival. Catholics take responsibility for the lunch and explanation of Christmas and Easter.
I was happy to join the Parish Priest, Fr Pat Colgan, before Christmas, 2022. It was surprising to see the large crowd, easily over one hundred people. I suggested to them that it was like a wedding. “Where is the groom?” shouted some of the ladies. Fr Pat and I told some stories of past Christmas experiences in Fiji, indirectly bringing out the meaning of the feast for Christians. Mr. Desmond Kumar, one of the Catholic committee members, told the story of Christmas from the gospels. His wife, Anjina, then explained the large crib that she had specially constructed and decorated for the occasion.
I then began a funny story with audience participation. Just as I had captured attention a small lady dressed as Santa Claus created a diversion by beginning to hand out some little presents. Someone restrained her until later. There was loud laughter for the story. Someone put on some dance music
by Fr Frank Hoare
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