The Unsung Hero
Today is the 24th of May. Yes, today is my 22nd birthday but let's do away with the usual 'today's my birthday' blog entry and talk about someone who deserves to be blogged.
I opted to rise early and attend mass awhile ago. Perhaps, going to mass had been customary in our culture. Today, however, I did not go to mass because I am obliged to do so. Rather, it was a personal choice because today, this 24th of May, I would like to enjoin one of our parish priests as he presides his last mass in our parish. Later in the afternoon, Fr. John Flynn, Irish parish priest of Society of African Mission (SMA), will be going home to Ireland and speanding his retirement years on one of the retirement houses for SMA priests.
To have Fr. John preside mass in our chapel is a blessing. In my formative years, he was one of the figures who imparted a life worth of wisdom in a few words for thoughts to ponder. With his knowledge and powerful voice, he had been an effective teacher to people of various ages and walks of life.
For some, his stern-look might have kept them at bay whenever he was around. Perhaps he seems to appear like a grouchy old man who would like to have his way in everything. Or maybe, his stature could have intimidated most of the church goers. Then again, people have varying perceptions on what they believe they could see. More often than not, these perceptions are limited and subjective.
For instance, his sermons were never imposing to begin with. Most of the time, it aims to provide the faithful with explanations that the lay people could understand. He translates gospels and reading from its theological sense to the simplest possible form that people could undertstand it.
As he set foot to a place he never knew, he carried a mission to build a parish in our community. He was one of those who spearheaded to unite chapels and serve its faithful.
During our visit to the gallery of our Parish, I have seen pictures of Fr. John from when a non-existent Good Shepherd Parish was just drawn in blueprint till it celebrated it's silver anniversary.Browsing through the gallery a lot could attest to the contribution of this Irish man. Close to his heart were the sick people who could no longer attend mass. He had been a part of everyone's life in our parish as he took part in every of the 7 sacraments. Perhaps, I could tell that Fr. John serves in passion and compassion.
Fr. John who spent a third of his life in a strangers' land will set-off to his place of birth. For some, going back 'home' indicates a home where a family awaits. For him, however, as he spent his life as a missionary in our country he had built networks and friends he considers his family. Leaving our country, to him, felt like leaving home for he was uncertain whether he still has a family who awaits him after so long.
As Fr. John narrates: 'There were people telling me that they would be saving up for air fare ticket to Ireland. I tell them, "That's good but hurry up."'
I opted to rise early and attend mass awhile ago. Perhaps, going to mass had been customary in our culture. Today, however, I did not go to mass because I am obliged to do so. Rather, it was a personal choice because today, this 24th of May, I would like to enjoin one of our parish priests as he presides his last mass in our parish. Later in the afternoon, Fr. John Flynn, Irish parish priest of Society of African Mission (SMA), will be going home to Ireland and speanding his retirement years on one of the retirement houses for SMA priests.
To have Fr. John preside mass in our chapel is a blessing. In my formative years, he was one of the figures who imparted a life worth of wisdom in a few words for thoughts to ponder. With his knowledge and powerful voice, he had been an effective teacher to people of various ages and walks of life.
For some, his stern-look might have kept them at bay whenever he was around. Perhaps he seems to appear like a grouchy old man who would like to have his way in everything. Or maybe, his stature could have intimidated most of the church goers. Then again, people have varying perceptions on what they believe they could see. More often than not, these perceptions are limited and subjective.
For instance, his sermons were never imposing to begin with. Most of the time, it aims to provide the faithful with explanations that the lay people could understand. He translates gospels and reading from its theological sense to the simplest possible form that people could undertstand it.
As he set foot to a place he never knew, he carried a mission to build a parish in our community. He was one of those who spearheaded to unite chapels and serve its faithful.
During our visit to the gallery of our Parish, I have seen pictures of Fr. John from when a non-existent Good Shepherd Parish was just drawn in blueprint till it celebrated it's silver anniversary.Browsing through the gallery a lot could attest to the contribution of this Irish man. Close to his heart were the sick people who could no longer attend mass. He had been a part of everyone's life in our parish as he took part in every of the 7 sacraments. Perhaps, I could tell that Fr. John serves in passion and compassion.
Fr. John who spent a third of his life in a strangers' land will set-off to his place of birth. For some, going back 'home' indicates a home where a family awaits. For him, however, as he spent his life as a missionary in our country he had built networks and friends he considers his family. Leaving our country, to him, felt like leaving home for he was uncertain whether he still has a family who awaits him after so long.
As Fr. John narrates: 'There were people telling me that they would be saving up for air fare ticket to Ireland. I tell them, "That's good but hurry up."'