DIOCESAN PRIESTS HAVE RETIREMENT HOME After almost 25 years as a priest in Cakaudrove, Vanualevu, Fr Mateo Sovaki fell seriously ill last September, and received a health leave letter from the Archbishop Peter Loy Chong and was brought to Suva last Monday to seek medical attention in CWM Hospital. Fr Mateo is housed in the former residence of the late Archbishop Emeritus Petero Mataca on Loa St Tamavua, which has been converted to the official Diocesan priests retirement home and now known as the St John Vianney Retirement Home Led by their Parish Chairman, the group of 12 parishioners from St Andrews Parish, Savusavu, accompanied their former parish priest to the home last Monday and had taken it upon themselves to clean the house and compound and refurbish the house at their own expense. Fr Mateos bedroom was furnished by the villagers of Nukubalavu, 2nd bedroom by Wailevu villagers,3rd bedroom by Naweni/Nasinu villagers, sitting room by the Town Area and the kitchen by Nacekoro/Nabaka villagers. We understand that the furnishings used were all brought from Savusavu via a truck on the MV Westerland. Fr Mateo Sovaki who is originally from Naiviteitei Village, Bureta, Ovalau was Parish Priest of St Annes Parish, Napuka for 9 years and St Andrews Parish, Savusavu for almost 16 years before being appointed Episcopal Vicar Northern region by the Archbishop last year. He has been replaced by Fr Luke Nalau at St Andrews Parish, Savusavu We admire and thank the parishioners of St Andrews for their act of love and charity for the Church and their priest Meanwhile, Fr Daniel Sinclair was welcomed as the new parish priest of St Joseph the worker Parish yesterday afternoon. During this Year of Consecrated Life, we give thanks for these courageous witnesses of Faith and models of inspiration (Source: Sacred Heart Cathedral Proclaimer 18/1/15) Photo credit: Ma Tawake
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 06:23:28 +0000