21/12/1975 Over-enthusiastic Celebration of ChristmasFeb 01, 2023
On the fourth evening of our Christmas pilgrimage Sog Lingam and I arrived at Wainikoro settlement where we met Ram Samuj in front of the store beside the road. He greeted us enthusiastically and invited us to sit in a shady spot on the grass. Read more
19/12/1975 Explaining ChristmasFeb 01, 2023
On our week long journey walking from Naleba to Lagalaga, Sog Lingam and I explained to the families why we were making this journey.
All those in the house and sometimes neighbors too would gather around us as I went through the routine. “You know that Christmas is coming?” “Yes”. “Do you know the… Read more
17/12/1975 EXPLAINING THE GOOD NEWS OF CHRISTMASFeb 01, 2023
I am living in the settlement of Naleba about 10 miles from Labasa, the main town on the second-largest island in the South Pacific nation of Fiji a few years ago. The 40,000 Hindus and Muslims in the area weren’t beating a track to my doorstep to learn about Christianity. But I had one thing going for… Read more
May 2020 On Being a Celibate ‘Father’Feb 01, 2023
“I really only understood the Our Father when I became a father myself,” said the Anglican vicar to me. I believe he was just sharing something of his spiritual experience but it reminded me that, as a Catholic priest, I would never be a father. Read more
July 2020 REUNION AFTER 40 YEARSJan 31, 2023
A couple approached me in Nadera parish hall after Mass.
“Are you Fr Frank Hoare?” the lady asked. Something about the timbre of her voice stirred a memory.
“You used to visit our house 40 years ago,” she said. “We have been searching for you in recent months because we heard you were here in Suva.… Read more