On the boat to the mother and baby clinic in Yasawa - Photo: Fr Pat Colgan
‘MOCE MADA VAKALAILAI’ (“Goodbye for the moment”)
It was with mixed feelings that, after a wonderful 5-month vacation in Ireland, that I returned to Fiji on 22nd Aug 2023, knowing that it would be for a short time having already received my appointment to Ireland earlier in the year.
I was delighted to finally get a chance to minister in St Pius X, Raiwaqa, the only Columban parish I had never served in. I adapted gradually to working in an urban, largely English-speaking, community (at least in the liturgy!), and was struck by the poverty, and climactically very-challenged, squatter communities of Wailea and Nanuku. I was very happy to work with Kelemete Rausauvanua (RIP) and Naanise Mo’unga (CLM) on a daily basis, along with the leaders of the various communities and Commissions. I took a particular interest in the youth, whom I could see were very talented (witness their leading role in the Archdiocesan Youth Rally), but sometimes lacked the confidence to move out of their ‘comfort zone’ (i.e. ‘hanging out’ with each other) to assume leadership roles in the parish. The present leadership group are largely the “old faithfuls” whose loyalty is an inspiration, but who naturally don’t have the “tools” to deal with the new, largely digital evangelisation. That’s where the youth are needed. Some cultural blocks are also present, such as the habit of ‘not talking to elders’, as well as unrecognised, nor non-processed, family hurts. Thankfully these issues are now coming out into the open where they can work through.
We also had creative liturgies for the Season of Creation, along with community and parish-based clean-ups. I was glad too, to be near the PJ Twomey skin clinic, as I dealt with a very persistent rash. I pay tribute to the medical staff who gave me First World treatment, including 12 sessions in a UVB machine, for which one would have had to wait months in Ireland.
Several parishioners perceptively remarked, “Father, your heart is still in Ba”, and so it was with joy that I participated in both the Xavier College 70th Anniversary celebrations as well as the welcome and First Mass of local lad Fr Sefo Lui, from the 15-17th Sept. I could how the parish was both building on its 71-year Columban history and also moving in new directions.
When Paul Tierney returned from his vacation, I was finally free to take a holiday, and I chose to do so in the place in which I can say that I first fell in love with Fiji – namely the Yasawa Islands, which consistently win tourism awards for both their beauty and their friendliness. I went to Vuaki, where the new parish Church of St Patrick was built by Fr Eddie McColgan SSC. Stories still abound about “Fr McCol” – his quick temper but also his generous heart and deep pockets. My own story was about when I was a student on my first visit there, how Eddie insisted that I call him “Sonny Boy” while he called me “Daddy”!! (In Irish, his surname McColgan means ‘son of Colgan’ and his insistence was “in order to prove to the Fijians (where family relationships are precious) that we white [missionaries] also have a culture where relationships are honoured!)
Farewell parties in Raiwaqa parish - Photo: Fr Patrick Colgan
Finally, it was my time to leave, and on 20th Oct, I boarded a flight to Hong Kong, where I stayed a week before arriving in Dublin on 27th. It was great to meet old friends there too, including speaking on the radio slot that we had started for the foreign prisoners in my time as chaplain there.
As the winter days get both darker and colder here in Ireland, it is good to enjoy the memories of the sun and laughter-filled days of Fiji. Moce mada vakalailai, edatou na qai sota tale ena dua na gauna totolo – Insh’ Allah !!
Related links
- Read more from the current e-Kaulotu - December 2023
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