3 April 1983,
Joseph was from Taveuni where his parents cut copra to feed a large family of 9 children. I first met Joseph when he was newly married and staying in Jittu Estate. He learned the skills of construction and building maintenance and started his own small firm. He did well.
He was living in Nadera and I was staying in Kinoya while teaching during the week at Pacific Regional Seminary. At the weekend, Joseph would sometimes accompany me in visiting other Catholic Indo-Fijians whom we were inviting to join our mandali prayer meeting.
I wanted to visit one ‘black sheep,’ Vikram, at his home. Joseph and I had difficulty finding his house but we eventually arrived there. He was at home but refused to come out to speak with us. I gave vent to some frustration but Joseph calmed me down by saying, “Father, don’t be too hard on him. He is a poor man and has to struggle for life.”
by Fr. Frank Hoare
