Our ordination preparation committee made up of Natovians and majority Nausorians with Cm reps started working since November 2020. The logistics is always the challenging bit amidst all the COVID 19 restrictions. The not knowing what will happen next was always the hardest to comprehend. Any other serious hit of COVID 19 or sudden appearance of a Tropical Cyclone would jeopardize everything. We always had a plan B and C (possibly a D!!!) Our 3 parishes, Natovi, Nausori and Kadavu all came in numbers and their respective food contributions. The young and old gathered in faith and for the subsequent celebrations. I actually thought we would downsize in numbers with attendance!
When the day actually arrived, the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart was packed inside and flowing outside. It was unbelievable. There were approx. 20 clergy on the altar representing different congregations. Visesio sang the psalms beautifully and Pateresio was one of the trios on the Litany of Saints. Waisale was our driver for the deaf and Kadavu contigent and Vili was the backUp support. I was moved. We were all moved. From the outset, the hard times we have had and yet, the colossal crowd came out of their faith convictions towards the Vincentians community in our connectedness to their joys and struggles. We would have fed approximately 1500people that came to join us at the St Joseph the Worker School grounds, Nakasi, with over 300-400 people who turned up for refreshments at the Cathedral Crypt after the ordination. We would have mobilise approx 300 lay collaborators to help us on the ground. Our conferers Fili, Kaituu, Jefferey and Lario were impeccable in their contributions. It was faithtastic!
The liturgy was amazing. Sr Carmel Pilcher RSJ our PRS liturgist was in super impressed.. There were lots of affirming comments. Fr Simon Mani MSC PRS Rector attended the two first masses for Thomas and Manu and was just happy with the kind of support the Vincentians were getting. It is amazing to see the humbleness of our people and the display of their faith. Again it was an opportune blessing to breaking bread and sharing from a common table with the deaf, the blind, wheelchair users, our special friends on the streets and the rest of the people of God. We could not complain but give thanks to God for our newest confreres, Manu and Thomas and their respective families. The Archbishop gave a very good homily on St Vincent de Paul and cited some of our works that are visible on the ground with the deaf, with cyclone relief work, women on the streets, and the Nausori Parish hall for housing market vendors who come from the mountains of Naitasiri, Tailevu and the Rewa Deltas. We could only thank everyone for journeying with us and responding with such fervor and their generosity of family spirit.
We are small community of men on mission in Fiji, yet we have done this together by walking and working with our lay family. I am forever grateful to our parishioners and conferers of Natovi, Nausori and Kadavu. They have done well. Our FamVin spirit was unbreakable as we rose together from the ashes of ash Wednesday and ensured all was done well when we celebrate Laetare Sunday. Lenten Season had brought us some sense of renewal.
On their first masses, Thomas and Manu had theirs in Nausori and Tamavua respectively! Their respective families hosted the thanksgiving lunches. Again the generousity of family vincentian spirit. We were all again struck with the family blessings on how the families came forward on the thanksgiving celebrations. Some of us had to go to both places. In the end it was just as prayerful and beautiful. Both the Lanyon and Naigulevu families fed the masses that gathered, adhering to health instructions of Covid 19. Both days were streamlived.
Our two newest Priets will now have a month of “thanksgiving masses” and some holidays with their respective families.
We have the passion week coming up and have allocated supplies to our existing apostolates and some to the diocesan parishes.
We are a bit tired. But its Monday, normalcy yet again kicks in. PRS lectuers resumes today! Our first contigent of Kadavuans travelled early morning today by fibre boat and our second lot travel tommorow on the passenger liner. All other Natovians and Nausorian affliates travel back today. Its been a weekend of hope, faith and joy!
Please pray for John Anifaemamu as he departs from Manilla today and travels to Solomon Islands. Please keep Simon Pindi and Michael Nihonipo in their respective pastoral communities.
Thank you again for prayers and confidence/trust placed in us.
Blessings!
Joseva N Tuimavule cm
