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St. Joseph’s Advocate Mill Hill Missionaries Spring 2020 Spring 2020 1
Advocate
Pause to Ponder
The Wonder of God’s Creation: “Some people, in order to discover
God, read books. However, there is a great book: the very nature of
created things. Look above you. Look below you. Note it. Read it. God
whom you want to discover did not write that book with ink. Instead, he
sets before your eyes things he had made. Can you ask for a louder voice Spring 2020 Volume 60 No. 1
than that? Why, heaven and earth shout to you: God made us!”
(St. Augustine) ST. JOSEPH’S ADVOCATE
Published by: Mill Hill Missionaries
Editor: Fr. Jim O’Connell
Printed in Ireland by: Modern Printers, Kilkenny
CONTENTS
From the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Fr. Tom Rafferty’s Golden Jubilee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
18 Mill Hill Priestly Ordinations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Uganda: Fr. Declan O’Toole Fellowship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
My Irish Mill Hill Colleagues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Novena to St. Joseph.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
My time in Ireland and moving on. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
From watchman to graduate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Doctor Denis Mukwege.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
The evil web of human trafficking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
In memory of Fr. Pat Byrden, mhm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Obituary List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Photos credits:
Tom Rafferty, Daniel Foley, Emmanuel Nzenze Epie, Anthony Emeka, George Olale.
Front cover: Kotido, Northern Uganda. Photo: Fons Eppink.
MISSION OFFERINGS
All Postal Orders and Cheques to be sent direct to us at St. Joseph’s Advocate,
Mill Hill Missionaries, 50 Orwell Park, Rathgar, Dublin D06 C535.
Bank Giros to be sent directly to our Bank account.
Details of the a/c available from our office: 01 412 7707
St. Joseph’s Advocate
Mill Hill Missionaries Email:
50 Orwell Park organisingmhm@gmail.com
Rathgar, Dublin D06 C535 Website:
Tel: (01) 412 7707 www.millhillmissionaries.co.uk
2 Spring 2020 Spring 2020 1
From the our hearts. It opens up questions about and heal us, “think of the Love the
Editor
the attitudes we have to people and Father has lavished on us” (1 Jn. 3:1).
the notions we have about them and As we journey with Jesus during Holy
ourselves. It points out the dangers Week, we remember that, “Greater love
of pride and the need for humility and than this no one has than to lay down
shows how difficult it is to know who is one’s life for one’s friends.” (Jn. 15:13)
humble and who is proud – who is the For many of us of an earlier generation,
sinner and the saint in our midst! The the story brings back memories of how it
story shows that there are traces of pride used to be. The fear and worry can still
Fr. Jim O’Connell, mhm in all of us; Jackie was not immune – he be very real. It can take years to break
was delighted to have one up on Nora! away from the false images of God that
Jackie’s situation as he headed for his affect us. It takes time to realize that we
A Lenten Reflection your sins? I don’t know what the priest first confession brings home to us the carry the burden of sin in the presence of
will do with you at all, Jackie. He might amount of fear that is often present in a gracious and merciful God, as we try
When I was in school, there was a story have to send you to the bishop.” our Faith and in our idea (picture) of to open the door of the heart to his love
that we liked - My First Confession, by God. and forgiveness. Humility is the key to
Frank O’Connor. It belongs to the Ireland To Jackie’s great surprise, the confession that door. In the Gospel story, the tax
of the past, but it is still interesting and was a good experience. His fear quickly Fortunately, much has changed since collector managed to have it, while the
amusing! melted away when he started talking to Frank O’Connor wrote the story. The Pharisee did not. (LK. 18:9-14)
the priest. He left the church in great younger generation have escaped the
Jackie and his sister Nora were on their spirits, feeling at ease with himself, at excesses that instilled such fear of God The Novena to St. Joseph is on pages
way to the church for confession. It is peace with God and delighted to have – and fear of making a bad confession! 15-18. We have copies of the Novena
Jackie’s first confession and he was “one up on Nora.” There is now a welcome stress on a available in leaflet form if any of your
weighed down with “the crimes of a As the story continues, Nora goes to loving God, a Father who is fond of us friends or a prayer group might like to
lifetime.” He felt he had broken all confession and later questions Jackie and embraces us and is ready to forgive avail of them.
the Commandments and was in a state about his confession. The exchanges
of fear and anxiety. His sister Nora’s between them when they left the church
constant teasing had not helped matters. are very amusing. I cannot go into the
However, there was something else. details here and can only suggest that
The teacher had drilled the fear of hell it is well worth reading the full story.
into him with stories of what happened Briefly, Nora felt annoyed that Jackie
to people who died having made a bad the sinner was delighted with himself.
confession. The stories shocked him and As far as she was concerned, there was
affected him deeply. He ended up with a no justice. She saw herself as being
fear of God and little notion of a loving good, while Jackie was a big sinner:
and forgiving God. To add to his misery, “Lord God”, she moaned, “Some people
on the way to confession Nora tormented have all the luck! Tis no advantage to
him: “Oh, God help us”, she moaned, anybody being good, I might just as well
“Isn’t it a terrible pity you weren’t a be a sinner like you.”
good boy? Oh, Jackie, my heart bleeds
for you! How will you ever think of all The story challenges us to look into
Greater love than this no one has than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends
2 Spring 2020 Spring 2020 3
Fr. Tom Rafferty – Golden Jubilee
Fr. Tom Rafferty is from Milltown, Ashbourne, Co.
Meath. He was ordained in 1970 at St. Patrick’s
Church, Donaghmore – his home parish church.
Fr. Tom has spent 50 years in Pakistan, working in
the Diocese of Islamabad/Rawalpindi. He has been
ministering in a very difficult and dangerous area;
in his own words: “the police, who stand guard
over our church in Nowshera since 2001, are the
first people I greet every morning.” Fr. Tom has
published two books: ‘The Crimson Lily in Our
Midst’ and ‘Never Easy’. The following article,
based on his writings, gives precious insights into
his extraordinary life as a missionary.
In Balakot the parish vehicle is surrounded by people
The Mission who have lost everthing in the 2005 earthquake
has been A-Changing to promote the missionary spirit of the be taken by America, and could
local church. So on the 3rd of July 1988, also recognize the possible serious
50 Years in Pakistan the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle, implications for the safety of the
Patron of Pakistan, Tom together with Sr. Christian people and churches. They
Fr. Tom arrived in the Diocese of was with the previous houses. A tractor Iris Gill founded the Missionary Sisters were determined not to desert the
Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Pakistan, in and plough were purchased so that the of St. Thomas the Apostle (MST). Tom flock in a time of crisis and danger.
January 1971. His first appointment people could get the crops in on time. was requested to take over Nowshera Therefore, it was decided that they
was to the catholic village Josephabad, Electricity for the village was next on parish and to have it as the centre for the would stay put and remain at their various
where Fr. Toon Vaneman was parish the agenda, and this was accomplished newly formed community, which was posts. However, on Sunday the 28th of
priest. In 1973, the prolonged monsoon by the time Tom went on his first involved in missionary outreach in the October of that same year, an attack on
rains caused massive flooding in the home-leave in 1975. On his return, far Northern Areas of Pakistan. the Catholic Church in Bahawalpur left
Punjab. Josephabad was marooned. Fr. Tom continued his ministry in parishes, sixteen Christians dead and several
Vaneman was struck down with Typhoid building up relatively young churches. After the Nine/Eleven Attacks more severely injured. Since that date,
and Hepatitis, and went back to Holland As a missionary more in the line of St. in New York the police have been stationed in the
for treatment and rest. Paul, Tom was surprised and delighted In 2001, with the attack on the Twin Nowshera church compound giving
when in 1987 he was set free from parish Towers of the World Trade Centre, round the clock protection.
Tom was now on his own and with the work in order to explore the possibilities ‘nine-eleven’ became a household
help of local people and funds from for mission in the far Northern Areas word. The Mill Hill priests were quick On the morning of October the 8th
people at home, he started to reconstruct of Pakistan. He spent weeks on end to see the gathering storm clouds, and 2005, a massive earthquake struck
the village, roads and bridges. When roaming in the Himalayas searching for, realised that they might well be living the Northern parts of Pakistan. The
this was done, 118 one-roomed houses and finding, pockets of Christians. His uncomfortably close to the area where earthquake was the deadliest natural
were built with bricks - not mud as it experience convinced him of the need retribution on Al-Quida would surely disaster in the country’s history. Entire
4 Spring 2020 Spring 2020 5
villages and towns were wiped from of Nowshera is roughly an area the so. The governing and dispensing of lost. Miraculously the old walls of the
the face of the earth. In Balakot, a same size as Ireland, with the great justice in the Swat area was simply Nowshera church compound held back
sparsely populated area, 85,000 people difference that the Himalayas run handed over to the Taliban, and they the high waters and the compound
died, including more than 17,000 through the greater part of it; the took full advantage by invading a became something of a Noah’s Ark, a
children, and over two million were parish contains within its boundaries new area, Buner. It was then that the refuge for people and many kinds of
left injured and homeless. Although seven of the highest mountains in Pakistani Military got serious with drenched animals. Tom and the Sisters
badly shaken themselves, Tom and the world! Exotic you may say, but the Militants and drove them out of were immediately reaching out once
the Sisters were soon on the road and in 2007, the local Taliban made these Buner and Swat. Once again, Tom again to bring aid to stricken people.
visited the refugee camps to distribute beautiful valleys places of unrest, fear, with his assistant priest, Fr. Amer, and
blankets, bedding, food and milk. sounds of firing, bomb blasts, people the Sisters got involved in helping the Fr. Tom says, “Aid in all the times
There were so many people there with beheaded and slaughtered - all in the people in the refugee camps, in the of disaster came from the generosity
broken bones and compound factures name of God! The most prominent record-breaking temperatures that was of the Irish People and from Church
in the makeshift tent hospitals. school in the Swat valley was lost, the summer of 2009. Organizations. It has helped us rise
when the militants bombed, looted again, build back people’s lives, build
Death and destruction in the and gutted the Presentation Convent Another disaster and now back their houses, drag them through
beautiful valleys School in Sangota. Forty-three years relative peace dark winters, bind up their wounds,
Over the years, what has gone on of solid missionary work by the Irish In 2010 after many days of torrential cloth and feed them. Through it all,
in Afghanistan only served to drive Presentation Sisters was wiped out, rain, the floodgates of the Warzak we thank God for his Divine Mercy
the Taliban and Al-Qaida over the perhaps forever, with the push of a Dam Peshawar were opened with little and constant protection from violence,
border into Pakistan, where gradually button. warning, sending a tsunami like flood bomb and bullet, danger where you live
they began to dream of taking over down the already swollen Qabul River. and danger when you travel. We thank
this country also. Unfortunately, the At this time, Tom and the Sisters were Nowshera in its path was inundated, God in these days of relative peace to be
dream became, for a short time, a going in and out of the Valley of Swat, ending up under ten feet of water. Many able to leave the 99 once again and go in
reality in Nowshera parish. The parish depending on how safe it was to do lives both human and animal were search of the isolated”
Mardan church procession - with Fr. Tom The beautiful Swat Valley in peaceful time
6 Spring 2020 Spring 2020 7
Philip Shube Bawe was ordained Rombo Stephen Odhiambo was
priest on 7th June 2019 in the Parish ordained priest on 21st December
of All Saints, Bayelle, Archdiocese 2019 in Kakamega Cathedral, Kenya.
of Bamenda, Cameroon. Philip has Stephen has been appointed to the
been appointed to further studies at Diocese of Lugazi, Uganda.
Maynooth, Ireland.
Seventeen Mill Linus Kang was ordained priest on
Nayak Ananth was ordained priest on
17th January 2020 in Christ the King
15th June 2019 in St Anthony’s Parish, Parish, Ramanthapur, Archdiocese of
Hill Priests Njinikom, Archdiocese of Bamenda,
Cameroon. Linus has been appointed
Hyderabad, India. Ananth has been
appointed to the Diocese of Malindi,
ordained to the Archdiocese of Juba, South
Sudan.
Kenya.
in the last Andiega Kevin Barasa was ordained
Potunuru Madhu Babu was ordained
priest on 17th January 2020 in Christ
twelve months priest on 28th September 2019 in the
Canadian Martyrs Parish, Nangina,
the King Parish, Ramanthapur,
Archdiocese of Hyderabad, India.
Diocese of Bungoma, Kenya. Kevin Madhu has been appointed to the
(You can see where these priests are from and where they will be on mission. has been appointed to the Diocese of Diocese of Ambikapur, India.
Countries on the list: Kenya, Uganda, Cameroon, D.R. Congo, India, Pakistan, Lugazi, Uganda.
the Philippines, South Sudan, South Africa, and a new Mill Hill mission in Seelam Govinda Rao (Marianna) was
Cambodia; also one newly ordained from Cameroon is in Ireland for studies.) Okwara Joseph was ordained priest ordained priest on 17th January 2020
on 10th November 2019 in St. Joseph in Christ the King Parish, Ramanthapur,
Balikuddembe Parish, Kisoga, Lugazi Archdiocese of Hyderabad, India.
Zachaeus Okoth Adet was ordained Parish, Calinan, Davao, Archdiocese
Diocese, Uganda. Joseph has been Govinda has been appointed to the
priest on 18th May 2019 in St. of Davao, Philippines. Glen has been
appointed to the Diocese of Kotido, Diocese of Varanasi, India.
Therese of the Child Jesus Parish, appointed to the Apostolic Prefecture
Uganda.
Kakrigu, Diocese of Homa Bay, Kenya. of Battambang, Cambodia.
Sobhapati Chandra Sekhar was
Zachaeus has been appointed to
Rebenie Maricasia Madar was Djam Leonard was ordained priest on ordained priest on 17th January 2020
the Diocese of Hyderabad, Sindh,
ordained priest on 23rd May in St. 7th December 2019 in St Anthony’s in Christ the King Parish, Ramanthapur,
Pakistan.
James the Greater Parish, Maasin, Parish, Njinikom, Archdiocese of Archdiocese of Hyderabad, India.
Brian Owino Kamau was ordained Iloilo, Archdiocese of Jaro, Philippines. Bamenda, Cameroon. Leonard has Chandra has been appointed to the
priest 18th May 2019 in St Therese Rebenie has been appointed to the been appointed to the Diocese of Diocese of Antique, Philippines.
of the Child Jesus Parish, Kakrigu, Diocese of Hyderabad, Sind, Pakistan.. Rustenburg, South Africa.
Diocese of Homa Bay, Kenya. Brian Epiti William was ordained priest
has been appointed to the Diocese of Michael Calopez Gemanga was Tapang Marius Tendongue was on 24th January 2020 in Immaculate
Islamabad-Rawalpindi, Pakistan. ordained priest on 24th May in St. ordained priest on 14th December Heart of Mary Parish, Ocodri, Diocese
Ann Parish, Molo, Iloilo, Archdiocese 2019 in St Charles Lwanga Parish, of Arua, Uganda. William has been
Glenn Bibero Diaz was ordained priest of Jaro, Philippines. Michael has been Molyoko, Diocese of Buea, Cameroon. appointed to the Diocese of Ngong,
on 18th May 2019 in Most Sacred Heart appointed to the Diocese of Islamabad- Marius has been appointed to the Kenya.
Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Archdiocese of Kinshasa, Congo.
8 Spring 2020 Spring 2020 9
In September 2019, the Embassy of A plaque on the weir in Lake Corrib erected by contact with their brother’s former parish; she
local fishermen from Fr. Declan’s home area
Ireland in Uganda launched a new said: “I got married there in 2005, three years
Education Fellowship in memory of after his death, and my brother and his wife went
Fr. Declan O’Toole, mhm, who was there on their honeymoon. We stay close to the
murdered in Northern Uganda in parish.”
2002. The purpose of the Fellowship
is to support further education During his time in Kotido, Declan was involved
amongst Karamojong people working in parish ministry, development work and peace
in local government and civil society making. He wrote frequently about the insecurity
in Karamoja, where the late Fr. Declan in the area and about the many killings that were
worked. Applicants have to be born in taking place. He was very aware of the danger
and resident in Karamoja and commit for missionaries working there. In the days
to working for development there for leading up to the dreadful murders, Declan had
two years after graduation. spoken out against some army personnel who
were mistreating the local people. This was
Over the last seventeen years, we have
had various articles in St. Joseph’s Honouring the happening to innocent people, as the Ugandan
army was involved in a campaign to disarm local
Advocate about Fr. Declan who was
murdered in March 2002. Declan died
Memory of militia. Declan felt that there was an abuse of
basic human rights and had reported what was
on a lonely road far from his family
and his home. He was only thirty-one,
Fr Declan O’Toole happening to the Irish ambassador in Kampala.
He paid the ultimate price for his concern when
having been ordained five years earlier he and his companions were shot dead a few
in the church at Claran, Headford, Co.
Galway. On the day he was murdered,
Irish Embassy in days later.
Declan was travelling in a pick-up with Uganda Memorial Declan, at such a young age, was a martyr in the
true sense of the word; he was a person whose
Patrick Longoli and Fidelis Longole
- the cook and catechist from the
Fellowship faith in Christ gave him the strength and courage
mission in Panyangara. Two soldiers to speak up for the poor, defenceless people
stopped them on the road and shot that he loved and served. It cost him his life. Memoriam Card
all three at point blank range. A short He is a true witness to Christ’s love for some of
time later, the bodies were found in the poorest and most vulnerable people in our
the vehicle. Nothing had been stolen troubled world.
from the car. “Perhaps we are too used to thinking of the
In 2015, Declan’s sister Ita said: martyrs in rather distant terms, associated
“Declan was based in Kotido for five especially with the first centuries of the Christian
years after his ordination and he loved era. However, our own time is particularly prolific
the people. He knew he was in danger in witnesses, who in different ways have lived the
when he was on the road and that is Gospel in the midst of hostility and persecution,
where he was killed.” She added that often to the point of the supreme test of shedding
the O’Toole family had stayed in close Fr. Declan O’Toole Memorial Hall their blood”. (Pope John Paul II) Panyangara, Karamoja
10 Spring 2020 Spring 2020 11
Italy, the USA and Ireland. These missionaries
They Nurtured strengthened the catholic faith of my people; they
constructed churches, opened schools, educated
my Faith and Vocation scores, built health facilities and roads; they started
sustainable agricultural schemes and even a credit
MY IRISH MILL HILL COLLEAGUES union.
By Fr. Emmanuel Nzenze Epie The first Irish Mill Hill priest I met was the late Fr.
Patrick Harrington, who was then diocesan financial
secretary and later my parish priest in Buea, a man
of integrity, very straightforward. Some years later
while I was studying at the University of Buea, Fr.
Tony Murphy came as the first parish priest of the
newly created University of Buea Catholic parish.
His simplicity and availability to his parishioners
inspired and enkindled in me the fire of true service.
He became my mentor and journeyed with me as I
discerned the will of God in my life and hence my
call to the missionary priesthood.
After completing my BSc. Degree (Physics), Fr.
Tony linked me up with Fr. Gerald Doyle who was
then responsible for recruitment in Cameroon. Fr.
Fr. Emmanuel (at back - centre in his Mass vestments) with Primary school pupils and teachers in Loyoro Gerald accepted my application to join the Mill
I am a Mill Hill Missionary priest to God for this honour. I am a direct Hill training program in 2006. Fr. Maurice McGill Fr. Emmanuel visiting
endorsed my admission; he was then the leader of the sick in Loyoro
from Cameroon. I arrived in Ireland product of the incredible service of
in September 2019 to do a formation Irish Mill Hill Missionaries in Africa.
ministry course for a year. I have been These missionaries left the security of
resident in our House in Dublin where I their families, friends and home church,
live with Irish Mill Hill colleagues who and fearlessly went to distant lands
have been on the missions for many unknown to them. There, welcomed
years in all the continents of the world. or unwelcomed, they earnestly and
I would like to pay tribute to those who persistently proclaimed the Good News
have had (and continue to have) a direct of Jesus Christ. They lived very simple
impact on my life. lives as they offered tremendous services
to God’s people. They remained true to
As I interact daily with them, I realize their vocation of being “Baptised and
how greatly privileged I am to sit at sent” and fulfilling “Christ’s mission on
their feet, listening and learning from earth,” with zeal.
their experience and wisdom. Their
presence and sharing awakens in me Mill Hill in Cameroon since 1922
my commitment to proclaim the Good Since 1922, many Mill Hill people have
News of Jesus Christ with renewed served in Southern Cameroon. They Fr. Emmanuel with the late Fr. Patrick Harrington and parishioners in his home parish
enthusiasm. I am therefore thankful came from the UK, Holland, Austria,
12 Spring 2020 Spring 2020 13
Mill Hill in Cameroon. The kind words
from Fr. Michael Corcoran when he last
visited Cameroon, as Councillor for
Africa, made me believe that the choice
NOVENA TO
of becoming a Mill Hill member was
just the best of all.
To East Africa – More Irish Mill Hill
ST. JOSEPH
Priests
As part of my training, I went to East MARCH 11 - MARCH 19
Africa in 2010 where many Irish Mill
Hill people have served. While in Fr. Emmanuel with parishioners in Witu
Nairobi, Kenya, Fr. Liam Cummins The Mission of Christ continues In addition to the nine day Novena of Masses, a
was directly responsible for my training Some of those that I mentioned are still in Mass will be offered each day in March for the
for two years. He instilled in me the active ministry, while others are retired, intentions of all our subscibers and benefactors.
essence of being responsible as an adult. and two have died. The good work of
I also met Frs. Pat Ryan, Tom Keane, the Mill Hill Missionaries continues Please join the Novena by reading the short
Brendan Jordan (RIP), Tom McGrath with young members from Africa and reflection for each day, and saying the Novena
and Philip O’Halloran, who was in Asia. Saint John Paul II noted, “The Prayer to St. Joseph.
Jinja, Uganda, when I was appointed mission of Christ the Redeemer, which is
to Kotido, Northern Uganda, in 2016. entrusted to the Church, is still very far Novena Prayer to St. Joseph
Philip with Fr. Denis Hartnett and the from completion … and we must commit
late Fr. Declan O’Toole had started the Ever glorious St. Joseph, good and faithful servant,
ourselves wholeheartedly to its service.” God was pleased to place his own family in your
mission there in 1998. There are still parts of this world where care. We thank you for being such a wonderful
Christ has not yet been proclaimed; example of humility and faith, of prayerfulness and
All these Irish Mill Hill priests have there is still so much injustice, poverty, courage, in your ordinary daily life.
had (and still have) a direct impact on discrimination, marginalisation of many
my life and training. They nurtured my peoples and religious indifference. Through your intercession, may God grant us the
person and catholic faith; they guided
blessing of living continually in his presence, and
me to proper discernment of God’s My generation thus feel challenged; are responding to his love in our daily lives. And when
will in my life and my call to be a good we going to be able to fit into the huge we have lived our days on earth, may God give us
missionary priest. Numerous others and mission-shoes of our predecessors? Are the great joy he gave you - that of entering eternal
I therefore symbolise the good fruit of we also going to be able to affect people’s life in the company of Jesus and Mary. Most loving
the tremendous ministry of these Mill lives as they did? Since we are cooperating St. Joseph, accept our Novena prayers and obtain
Hill members. That ministry was made with the Holy Spirit “who precedes us in for us through your powerful intercession, the
possible by the immense support they mission”, and with the support from our favours and graces we ask for in this Novena.
received from family and friends back esteemed predecessors, we say, “Yes we
home in Ireland. Their family members are able!” Pause to call to mind your special intentions ...
and friends persistently prayed for
them and generously supported them So, thank you my Irish teachers of the St. Joseph, Pray for us.
financially, materially, morally and Catholic faith. Yes! From you I have learnt Add: Our father..., Hail Mary...,
otherwise. (and continue learning) the wisdom that leads Glory be to the Father..., Amen.
to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
14 Spring 2020 Spring 2018 15
DAY 1 JOSEPH - THE PROTECTOR/GUARDIAN DAY 4 JOSEPH - MODEL OF HOPE AND LOVE
‘Joseph took the child and his Mother and left for Egypt’. (Mt. 2:14) (Jesus said) ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled, trust in God and trust in me’ (Jn. 14:1)
When Fr. Herbert Vaughan founded the Mill Hill Missionaries (St. Joseph’s Missionary Joseph is an example of one who lived with a deep awareness of God’s Spirit in his heart
Society) in 1866, he chose St. Joseph to be the patron and protector of his missionaries. and life, always noticing and responding to the movements of the Spirit. This was the
He wanted them to be in the care of this great saint. Joseph would look after them as he ground of his hope and the source of his boundless love for Mary and Jesus.
looked after Mary and Jesus in the ‘flight to Egypt’ and at all other times. He took Mary “If anxiety has its grip on you, think of the hope of Joseph. If exasperation or hatred seizes
and their new born child to Egypt to protect the infant Jesus from Herod. Joseph was the you, think of the love of Joseph, who was the first man to set eyes on the human face of
‘guardian of the redeemer’ (Saint John Paul II) on that ‘missionary journey’ to a foreign God in the person of the infant conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin
land and fulfilled his role as guardian or protector of Jesus and Mary for the rest of his life. Mary. Let us praise and thank Christ for having drawn so close to us, and for giving us
Joseph as an example and model of love.” (Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI)
Pope Francis sees St. Joseph as a protector to whom we can turn when we are struggling to
cope with suffering or heartbroken with grief or weighed down with distress and loneliness. Through the intercession of St. Joseph may we grow in faith, hope and love.
May St. Joseph be our protector on our journey through life.
DAY 5 JOSEPH – A CARING, LOVING FATHER
DAY 2 JOSEPH - A JUST MAN “Where did that man (Jesus) get all this wisdom?” (Mt.13:54)
‘Joseph was a just man who always did what was right’ (Mt. 1:19) “We can now see that Joseph must have played a decisive role in the formation of the youthful
What a predicament Joseph was in when he discovered Mary was pregnant. Joseph did Jesus and his message. A key pointer in this area is the question of the contemporaries of Jesus:
not know who was the father of the child. He only knew that the child was not his. We can “Where did he (Jesus) get all this wisdom?” (Math.13:54) Traditionally, Christians would be
inclined to answer: “Well, Jesus was divine, so he knew everything.” That is not a good answer;
imagine how devastated he was when he discovered that the love of his life was pregnant
St. Paul tells us that Jesus never took advantage of his divine nature and had to learn the same
before they came to live together. What was he to do? In the culture of the time he had no lessons as all of us. The better answer would be that he learnt it at home, from his parents Mary and
choice but to divorce Mary. It must have been heart-breaking for him but he was not going Joseph.” (Hans Burgman, mhm) At home in Nazareth “Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature and
to make a fuss. in favour with God and with people.” (Lk. 2:52) It is clear that Joseph and Mary played a decisive
role in the life of the youthful Jesus.
Even before he received the Angel’s message that Mary was pregnant through the Holy “From the time of his betrothal to Mary until the finding of the twelve-year-old Jesus in the Temple
Spirit, he had decided to act in a caring way. He was going to act quietly and thus save her and then back in Nazareth, Joseph is there at every moment with loving care.” (Pope Francis)
publicity and disgrace. He was a caring, honourable man, a just man, a man of God.
May St. Joseph help us to experience God as a caring, loving Father.
May St. Joseph help us to put our problems before God and trust in Him.
DAY 6 JOSEPH - THE WORKER
DAY 3 JOSEPH - A MAN OF FAITH “Isn’t he the carpenter’s son?’ (Mt. 13:55)
‘An angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph and said …’ (Mt. 1:20) In 1955, Pope Pius XII chose May 1st as a special day to remember St. Joseph the worker.
“If discouragement overwhelms you, think of the faith of Joseph.” (Pope Emeritus He described him as the patron of all working people. Joseph was dedicated to his work as a
Benedict XVI) Joseph lived his life in the light of faith, always drawing strength and carpenter and Jesus, the carpenter’s son, would have learned the skills of his trade from him. For
courage from his openness to God. He was a good listener. His heart was in the right place Pope Francis: “Saint Joseph appears as a strong and courageous man, a working man, yet in his
to discern God’s Will. We see this when Joseph had decided to divorce Mary quietly, but heart we see great tenderness and a capacity for concern, for compassion, for genuine openness
then received the Angel’s message that Mary ‘had conceived what was in her by the Holy to others, for love. Joseph exercised his role as teacher of Jesus discreetly and humbly, but with
Spirit’. He responded with the ‘obedience of faith’ (St. John Paul II) and took Mary to unfailing presence and utter fidelity. I like St. Joseph because he is a tradesman who gets things
his home as his wife. “St. Joseph exercised his role by hearing God’s voice and being done. Like many tradesmen, he might keep you waiting for a while but you can always rely on
guided by God’s will in his daily life. He did this with faith and fidelity, with goodness and him.” Pope Francis said that he writes his problems on a piece of paper at night and places it
tenderness, as a strong and courageous man.” (Pope Francis) under a statue of St. Joseph, lying down, asleep. He then sleeps well when he goes to bed!
Joseph probably knew the hardship of unemployment when there was little work or no work
May Joseph lead us to a deeper faith and trust in God. for himself and Jesus.
St. Joseph help us to be committed to our work and help those who cannot find work.DAY 7 JOSEPH - THE FAMILY MAN
Mary said: ‘See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you’ (Lk. 2:48)
Some of the Saints were convinced that `the discovery of Joseph` is a personal journey to
Nazareth, to meet Joseph in the intimacy of the Holy Family. We can be sure that he held
the baby Jesus in his arms and sat him on his lap; that he often carried Him as a child. St.
Francis de Sales found the thought of this closeness fascinating: “I find nothing sweeter to
my imagination than to see the child Jesus in the arms of this great Saint, calling him daddy.”
With Joseph everything is so simple and yet so profound, so ordinary and yet so special. Fr. Tony and his new community in Iloilo, the Philippines
He is a person we can feel at home with. He was the village carpenter, the family man who
worked for his living. He was profoundly loved by God and experienced that love and lived
it and shared it, especially in the home at Nazareth with Jesus and Mary. My Time in Ireland
May St. Joseph help us to discover God’s closeness in the ups and downs of family life.
- And Move to the Philippines
DAY 8 JOSEPH - PATRON OF A HAPPY DEATH By Fr. Anthony Emeka, MHM
‘At death life is changed, not ended’
In the Autumn Issue of St. Joseph’s Advocate, we usually have a photo of a stained glass (Fr. Anthony is a young Nigerian priest, who joined Mill
window that depicts St. Joseph on his deathbed. The text at the base of the window reads:
Hill when his family lived in Cameroon. He completed a
‘Saint Joseph, Patron of a Happy Death, pray for us.’ Jesus is holding Joseph’s hand and
year’s course of study in Dublin in June 2019. We had an
blessing him, while Mary is praying and grieving close by. Just gazing at the window
can bring comfort when we have to turn our thoughts to death or perhaps find ourselves article written by Tony in the Spring 2019 Advocate.)
grieving the loss of a loved one. The same gentle, loving Jesus is with each of us all
through life and at the hour of our death. We draw great comfort from his promise: ‘I am Since my ordination in 2013, I worked Missionaries that I knew in Cameroon:
the Resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live; for five years in Witu Parish, Diocese Frs. Maurice McGill, Gerald Doyle,
everyone who believes in me will never die.’ (Jn. 11:25-26). The preface of the Mass for of Malindi, Kenya. Then in 2018, I was Tony Murphy and Fr. Liam Cummins
the dead reminds us: ‘At death life is changed, not ended.’
asked to do a course in Formation in who was our rector in Nairobi. I was not
St. Joseph obtain for us the grace of entering eternal life in the company of Jesus and Mary. Ireland, and I really resisted because looking forward to going to Ireland but
a lot was happening in Witu that gave I did not have a choice. So, I could only
DAY 9 JOSEPH - LOVING SERVICE me fulfilment in my call to being a
missionary. The parish was flourishing
pray for God’s grace and providence
as the time approached for me to leave
‘To love and to serve’
and it was just good watching the parish Witu finally. One of the signs that made
‘To love and to serve’ is the motto that was chosen by Herbert Vaughan in 1866 for St. grow spiritually and in numbers from me feel God wanted me to move on
Joseph’s Missionary Society of Mill Hill. He pointed to the example of Joseph’s life of loving nothing. So when the news came that was that I got my visa for Ireland in
service and wanted his future missionaries ‘To love and to Serve.’ He saw in Joseph a model
I was going away, it was so difficult for less than ten days after I went for an
for missionary life. Later as Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, he wrote: “Of old it was
said to the needy and suffering people in the kingdom of Egypt: ‘Go to Joseph, and do all that me to accept and also difficult for the interview, a process that usually would
he shall say to you.’ (Gen. 41:55). The same is now said to all needy and suffering people: ‘Go Christian community I had journeyed be a nightmare for many and at times it
to Joseph.’ What was truly said of the first Joseph in the Old Testament as to his goodness and with for 5 years. I was to leave the took several months to get a visa.
love is verified much more perfectly in the second Joseph – St. Joseph”. In 2016 the Mill Hill continent of Africa for the first time to
Missionaries celebrated 150 years of missionary service. Our mission continues now with this unknown land called Ireland. Until Experiences in Ireland
around 120 young missionary priests from Africa and Asia and around 200 students preparing then, my only contact with Ireland was In Ireland, our Irish Mill Hill Members
for the missionary priesthood. through a number of Irish Mill Hill who had worked for years in different
We celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph (March 19) with gratitude for the past and hope for the future.
Spring 2020 19parts of the world and had now retired Invitation to go elsewhere
at home welcomed me. They made I fell so much in love with these
me feel so much at home and gave prayer groups in Ireland, I spent many
me all the support I needed. Besides weekends and some of my free days
my course, I was able to help in some with them. At the end of my course, as
parishes on weekends and although was the case with my former parish,
it is true compared to Africa that the it was so difficult to let go of Ireland,
Church attendances was poor, I did the same country I did not want to
not believe the faith was dying out. I come to in the first place. I would have
also had the opportunity to experience wished to stay longer and like Simon
working with different prayer groups in in the gospel, many wanted to keep
different counties in Ireland, something me especially members of the prayer
that no one talks about and something groups I was working with.
I did not know about before I arrived.
I found such tremendous faith in these However, in the course of my one year
Fr. Tony (right) visiting a family in Witu, Kenya
Catholic Christians who have a great in Ireland, I was appointed to venture
longing to grow in their faith and into a new mission of forming young
knowledge of God. My experience with men who are aspiring to become Mill us go elsewhere”. “Simon and his I am now two days in Iloilo, the
them made me compare the faith in Hill Missionaries in the Philippines, companions set out in search of him, Philippines, where God wants me
Ireland, which is going through trying a completely new continent and new and when they found him they said, to serve Him now. I believe in His
times, to hot charcoal covered with dimension of mission. So like Jesus ‘Everybody is looking for you.’ He promises: “Do not fear: I am with you;
ashes; from the outside looks like the telling Simon and his companions he answered, ‘Let us go elsewhere, to the do not be anxious: I am your God. I will
fire is extinguished. However, all that is has to carry on to other villages and neighbouring country towns, so that strengthen you, I will help you, I will
needed is for the ashes to be cleared off towns, I also felt I had to ‘let go” and I can proclaim the message there too, uphold you with your victorious right
and then the fire will be ignited again. heed to the invitation of Jesus “Let because that is why I came.’” (Mark hand.” (Isaiah 41:10) Please keep all
1:36-38). missionaries in your prayers.
Fr. Tony (2nd row, 4th from right)with Friends of Mill Hill, Iloilo, the Philippines
Fr. Tony celebrating Mass with prayer group in Kilgarvan, Kerry
New mosaic of the Apparition in the re-furbished Basilica
20 Spring 2020 Spring 2020 21Our Night with Fr. Tony
(A Note and Song from Our Lady of All Graces Prayer Group, Kilgarvan, Co.
Kerry)
My Journey
“This song was written by Tom Mullins to remember a wonderful open air Mass from Watchman By George Olale
to Graduate
celebrated by Fr. Tony Emeka mhm for our Prayer Group. Another Mill Hill
Missionary, Fr. John Akain mhm, who is now working in Uganda, introduced him
to us. We were very blessed that both of them became such an important part of our George with his family on graduation day
lives while they were based here in Ireland. May God bless them abundantly. They
will always be in our hearts and in our prayers, and we will always be grateful to fmsj,
(Sr. Bernadette Nealon,
the Mill Hill Missionaries for the great work they are doing.” of the Pa nd ipieri
who is in charge
e in Kis um u,
Catholic Centr
to giv e you
Kenya, wrote “Just
orge
Our Night with Fr. Tony - by Tom Mullins the good news that Ge
red for
(To the air “The Moon behind the Hill) Olale whom we sponso
the
computer lessons is now
Help us bring glory back to God His theme tonight is all about class
proud holder of a first
out in the open air. forgiveness and healing. e in Inf orm ation
Honours Degre
We spread the word, And we can almost touch the peace, mp ute rs, etc ).
Technology (co
our prayers were heard, so great is the anointing.
now what a crowd is here. Lakes
He graduated from Great
And then appears midst rousing cheers The hours go by, they seem to fly, da y 23
University Kisumu on Fri
a sight not seen before; the moon and stars are shining. man,
August 2019. As a young
a bus with eager pilgrims comes We feel as if we`re not on Earth man’
George worked as a ‘watch
to Killafada Mor. but in God`s arms reclining. ) at Mil l Hill
(security guard
Now, as I start within my heart, Ge org e still
House, Kisumu.
We sit beneath the azure sky these memories to store, Ce ntr e. He
works in Pandipieri
with bright expectant faces. the bus, with bold rekindled souls be au tifu l
is married with three
And smiling sweetly over all leaves Killafada Mor. ry.” )
children. This is George’s sto
Our Lady of all Graces.
In songs of praise, all voices raise, All praise and glory to our God
that echo loud and long. and to Our Blessed Mother. In 2003, I started working as a watchman (security
across the valley, hills and dales, And thanks so much James and Siobhan guard) in Pandipieri Catholic Centre, which is
right up to Mangerton. for bringing us together. dedicated to helping the poor in the slum areas
So now, when next we do reflect of Kisumu town. I had completed my secondary
A hush descends, as Mass begins, on joys of our life`s journey. education and the thought of furthering my study
all eyes on Fr. Tony. Close to the fore, forever more, was not possible for me because of the economic
The awesome reverence he shows, our night with Fr. Tony. situation at home. My mam had lost her job as a
bring tears of joy to many. nurse and she was doing manual work to support
our family. This is what forced me to work as a
watchman, even though the pay was very little
22 Spring 2020 Spring 2020 23and the job was boring and could be In May 2006, I joined the Health Communication Technology and Data
dangerous. I just wanted to help my Programme in Pandipieri Catholic Management at Pandipieri Centre.
mam in supporting my brother who Centre when there was a need Throughout my studies, I gained a lot.
was joining a college and my sister for someone with knowledge of I learned that one has to work hard,
who was in Secondary School. I felt computers and moved from being a be focused in life, have self-respect
the need to further my education but I watchman (security guard) to working and respect for others, and be ready
was not able. in the administration office. My first and flexible to learn new ideas. I also
assignment was to come up with graphs gained knowledge in data management,
A breakthrough in my life showing disease trends at the outpatient computer repair and maintenance
During the time I was working as clinic, which I did thoroughly, and and more importantly, I learned
a watchman, I used to work in Mill the Health Programme Officer Sr. management skills. I see myself having
Hill House. It was there I met a Mill Bernadette Nealon, fmsj, was so a bright future full of blessings; I also
Hill priest, Fr. Jim O’ Connell, and happy that she offered me full time want to instill this in my children so that
the first time we talked he asked me a employment in the Health Programme. they can see me as a role model.
question that I will never forget and I
quote “George you are a young man; Graduation on August 23, 2019 I have a lovely wife, two beautiful
is this the kind of work you want to do Still focused on pursuing studies daughters and a son; they are my life.
for the rest of your life?” My answer I joined a college in which I did a I can now confidently stand tall with
was ‘no’. I told him I was interested diploma in Information Technology, my head held high as a person with a
Serious business for all at the water pump in a computer course but could not which I completed successfully in degree in Information Technology. I
in Pandipieri Centre! afford it. Fr. Jim offered to pay for it 2013. This gave me an opportunity am grateful for what Almighty God
and I was able to enroll in one of the to enroll for a Bachelor of Science in has done for me in my journey from
computer colleges in town. Actually, Information Technology at Great Lakes being a watchman to where I am now.
this was a breakthrough in my life; it University, Kisumu, in May 2016, and I Of course, I also have to thank Sr.
was a starting point for my career in graduated on 23 August 2019 with First Bernadette and Fr. Jim for giving me
Information Technology. Later on, I did Class Honours. Sr. Bernadette and Fr. the opportunity to develop as a person
the ‘International Computer Driving Jim supported me financially all along. with skills and talents.
License’ (ICDL) exams. Currently I am the head of Information
“Education is the most powerful weapon
which you can use to change the world”
“George you are a (Nelson Mandela)
young man; is this
the kind of work you
want to do for the
rest of your life?”
My answer was ‘no’.
Pandipieri gate
Market scene Pandipieri-Nyalenda area
24 Spring 2020 Spring 2020 25
where Sr. Bernadette and George workout to wild cheers. But he also asked such as respect for human dignity.” Dr.
people to forgive, saying: “We must Mukwege pleads for the equal dignity
respond to violence with love.” of men and women: “Our Congolese
society will not be able to go ahead
For nearly twenty years, Dr. Mukwege if a woman is not given the place she
deserves, a valid necessity for Africa
has kept a major hospital running in
and for the whole world.”
Bukuvu, one of the most turbulent
parts of the D. R. Congo, sometimes He tells his story as an obstetrician:
performing as many as 10 operations a “Having ‘lived’ for years in the
day on women who have been raped so operating room where I took care
viciously that they stumble in close to of mothers and their daughters who
death. What suffering! were victims of terrible violence, it
wasn’t acceptable for me. It’s why
The American playwright Eve Ensler, I had to go outside the operating
who works closely with Dr. Mukwege, theatre to simply seek to sensitize
the world to what is happening in
describes him as “a spiritual force.” He
the Democratic Republic of Congo.
has received a number of awards from The country has lost more than
human rights groups, and in 2018, he six million people, often due to
Doctor Denis Mukwege was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
He is a truly remarkable man.
massacres, hunger, or lack of care.
Six million people is an enormous
number! And hundreds of thousands
meets Pope Francis Dr. Denis meets Pope Francis
On May 22, 2019, Pope Francis
of women have suffered violence;
this situation is very grave.”
exchanged greetings with Doctor
Mukwege, at the end of the weekly Dr. Denis received the 2018 Nobel
(Dr. Mukwege is a truly remarkable man who was awarded Peace Prize, together with Nadia
General Audience in St. Peter’s
the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018) Square. The Pope “knows very well Murad, survivor and witness of the
I
the problems of my country” explained genocide of the Yazidis by ISIL: both
n 2013, Jeffrey Gettleman wrote thousands of brutally raped women. Dr. Mukwege to “Vatican News” were rewarded for their efforts to put
in the New York Times about Dr. He returned home triumphantly from after their interview. “I appreciate the an end to the use of sexual violence as
Denis Mukwege, “In Bukuvu, exile more than two months after principles defended by the Vatican, a weapon of war.
Democratic Republic of Congo, it nearly being assassinated for speaking
was as if someone extraordinarily out on behalf of the countless women
famous had come to town. ‘There he who have been gang-raped by armed
is!’ someone yelled ‘The Doctor.’ In groups that stalk the hills of eastern
the back of a white pick-up - zooming Congo.
past so fast it spewed clouds of dust
- sat a kind-faced man staring out at Overwhelmed by the outpouring of
the crowds. Doctor Denis Mukwege emotion on his return, Dr. Mukwege
is a native of the D.R. Congo and a mopped his face with his sleeve and
gynecological surgeon renowned stepped to the podium. “The power of
for repairing the damage done to darkness will be defeated,” he called
Dr. Mukwege A shelter at Dr. Mukwege’s hospital - a group of Women recovering from surgery
26 Spring 2020 Spring 2020 27The Evil Victims of
human trafficking
Web of An estimated 24.5 million adults
Human
and children have been victims of
trafficking worldwide in the past decade
by organized crime syndicates. Human
traffickers are criminals who operate in
Trafficking many ways. Most of the 24.5 million
victims are women and 33 percent are
children under the age of 18.
By Fr. Shay Cullen, SSC.
The victims of human trafficking are
often poor, unemployed, not well
educated and vulnerable. Many of
them come from broken families. They
(On the 23rd of October 2019, 39 Vietnamese nationals were found are sold to traffickers for a promised
dead in the refrigerated container of a lorry at Grays, Essex, near job in a hotel or as a domestic helper.
London. The following article by Fr. Shay Cullen, SSC, was written They are frequently abused, underpaid
before that happened. Fr. Shay is involved with helping victims of and sexually exploited. (While there
is a difference between smuggling and
Human trafficking
human trafficking in the Philippines. Here he offers insights and
information into his own work but also trafficking in general) trafficking, people who are smuggled
when they pay large sums of money can
an everyday crime
also be victims of trafficking.) Angelica suffered greatly. She hated
The most recent case of human were complicit in the trafficking and he what her mother and the man did to
trafficking that I have been involved raped her there. Her mother was guilty If you know a child is being abused her. One day just after another session
in here in the Philippines is that of of human trafficking of her own child. physically, psychologically or sexually, in the hotel where the abuse happened,
Angelica - a 15-year-old girl sold by The man is a child rapist who sexually you are morally and legally obliged she managed to escape; she went to a
her mother to her employer. He is a abused Angelica several times and gave to report the abuse to the parents or local government official and reported
rough, crude man, the owner of several money to her and to her mother. The relatives, to a trained social worker, a that she was being abused. She did not
mini-buses from which he earns a lot of child could not resist; she was under the police officer or government official or report that her mother sold her to the
money and could afford to buy children power and influence of the adults over to anyone who can help. Failure to do accused. The suspect was arrested right
for sexual abuse. Angelica was brought her and controlled by her own mother. so makes a person liable to complaints away since the report was received
to this middle-aged Filipino man in a There are many hundreds of thousands of complicity, aiding and abetting child within 24 hours of the crime being
distant town to be sexually exploited and of similar cases of human trafficking abuse and human trafficking. committed. Her abuser was charged
abused and that is the crime of human and abuse happening every day in with human trafficking and child rape.
trafficking, child rape and sexual abuse. countries around the world. It is all too The case is ongoing and Angelica, after
He brought her to a hotel where the common, especially where laws are lax a year in recovery, was able to testify
manager and staff either ignored it or and not enforced. clearly and coherently. He will surely
be convicted.
28 Spring 2020 Spring 2020 29It is very important that we all beings like what happened to Angelica
In memory of
understand and are aware what is going is indeed slavery, banned but never
on in the world. Human trafficking is an conquered, condemned but never
everyday crime. It is all around us. We eliminated, opposed but still lives on.
just do not know about it as the victims
are ordered with threats to remain silent.
We must never give up the fight to
overcome this pernicious evil and save
Fr. Pat Byrden, mhm
the millions of exploited victims.
It is a fact that one-in-four girls are
Fr. Pat (Paddy) Byrden died on 29 Hyderabad and Secunderabad. He also
sexually abused at least once in their (Acknowledgements and thanks to Fr.
September 2019, aged 88. Fr. Pat was born helped those involved in the Mill Hill
lifetime. The demand is persistent; Shay Cullen and www.preda.org for this on 25 June 1931 in Ranelagh, Dublin. Pat Formation programme. This continued
abusive men even consider it an article.) is survived by his sister Sheila McNamara; for five years until a providential meeting
entitlement to do it and disregard his three brothers predeceased him. After with the Indian Ambassador in Ireland
laws forbidding it with the help of Pope Francis: Modern-Day Slavery doing his matriculation in a school run by led to him being given a long-term visa.
human traffickers, corrupt police and “Although we try to ignore it, slavery is the Christian Brothers in Dublin, he did He continued to build up the ‘Friends of
sex tourist hotels and resort owners. not something from other times. We a year in St. Joseph’s College, Freshford, Mill Hill’. He also wrote short reflections
In some countries, local government cannot ignore the fact that there is as 1950/51. He then went to Roosendaal, on the Gospel for a calendar published in
units give operating permits to sex much slavery in the world today as there The Netherlands, to study Philosophy India.
bars, hotels and resorts. They see them was before, or perhaps more. Faced and he studied Theology at St Joseph’s
as a sexual Disneyland. Some officials with this tragic reality, no one can wash College, Mill Hill, London, where he was On the occasion of his Golden Jubilee the
are child abusers themselves. It is an their hands of it without being, in some ordained on 13 July 1958 by Archbishop Superior General wrote in a message of
urgent demand fuelled by the internet way, an accomplice to this crime against Godfrey. congratulations: “Your deep love of India
and online cyber-sex business catering humanity.” A day of prayer for victims of did not prevent you from combining your
Pat’s first appointment was to Nellore, commitments in India with substantial
to the wealthy elite who want such evil trafficking is celebrated every February
India, where he taught in the Diocesan and regular periods of ministry in Kenya.
sexual satisfaction, dominance and 8 - the feast of St. Josephine Bakhita.
seminary. In 1969, he moved to Hyderabad Your ability to straddle these two very
control of other human beings. Josephine was a Sudanese woman sold to teach in St John’s Regional Seminary. diverse cultures is testimony to your
into slavery as a young girl. In 1975, he moved to Bangalore to engage adaptability and missionary skilfulness.”
The terrible exploitation of human in Marriage Counselling and become In 2015, Pat retired to St Joseph’s House,
chaplain in St Martha’s Hospital. He Rathgar, Dublin. The last year of his life,
returned to Ireland in 1982 and helped with he spent in Foxrock Nursing Home where
mission promotion work in the Diocese he died peacefully.
of Kilmore. In 1983, he left for Kenya.
He taught first in the Sisters’ Novitiate at His funeral Mass was celebrated at St.
Lwak in Kisumu Diocese and later in St Joseph’s House, Rathgar, on Thursday,
Mary’s Major Seminary, Molo. October 3, 2019, with burial afterwards
in the Mill Hill plot in Bohernabreena
In 1990, he returned to India on a tourist Cemetery.
visa, which gave him a maximum stay
of six months. Therefore, he had to go His sister Sheila and family, his Mill
back to Kenya for six months each year Hill colleagues and many people in
and continue with his work there. In India where he spent so much of his life
India, he spent his time setting up the remember Fr. Pat with deep affection.
‘Friends of Mill Hill’ in the twin cities of Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis
30 Spring 2020 Spring 2020 31You can also read
