Fr John McEvoy Celebrates Fifty in Fiji

Fr John McEvoy Celebrates Fifty in Fiji

“Do this in memory of me.” Following Christ’s command, on Easter Sunday, 2 April 1972, Bishop John McCormack of Meath ordained John McEvoy and his nine classmates into the priesthood as Columban missionary priests in Dalgan Park, recalls Fr Donal McIlraith. Later that...
Good Friday in the Hills of Ba

Good Friday in the Hills of Ba

It has always struck me that the Fijian translation of Good Friday is simply and literally, ‘Day of Death’. No massaging, no theological euphemisms, just saying is “as it is”, writes Fr Pat Colgan.  Preparations for this day are taken very seriously, and the...
A Hopeful Start to Holy Week in Ba

A Hopeful Start to Holy Week in Ba

Palm Sunday this year was a very busy one for me, serving as the lone priest here in Christ the King Ba in Fiji, writes Fr Pat Colgan.  We have three Masses each Sunday, one in the main town church followed by two in village churches. Palm Sunday’s liturgies were...
Sunday in the Rain

Sunday in the Rain

Cancelling Masses and sacramental services in favour of direct aid to flood evacuees – is this the ‘new normal’ for a priest on Sundays in the Pacific, asks Columban missionary Fr Pat Colgan. Heavy rain began in Ba on the night of 4-5 February. It continued...
A Parish Confirmed in Faith on its Feast Day

A Parish Confirmed in Faith on its Feast Day

Fr Pat Colgan, parish priest of Christ the King in Ba, writes about the 20th anniversary celebration of the opening of this church in Fiji, which was marked by a Confirmation ceremony presided over by Archbishop Peter Loy Chong. French Catholic missionaries first...