A Send-Off
Msgr. Jean-Sylvain Emien
Onwards to New Zealand. Wellington to be precise.
New Zealand?!!!???Lord of the Rings, Hobbits and Hercules and Xena, the Warrior Princess….
Got to be a very exciting place.
The first time I heard him from the pulpit, I waited like an eternity of a time before the next words came out. Mother tongue? French.
Mrs. Dorothy Barraquias aided him to communicate better in English.
And a fast learner, he was…He got the grasp. And his witticism shone through.
Not the fiery sermons. Who need that? Already had plenty from our bosses. Ha ha ha.
It’s laughter all over while pricking ones conscience, like ‘killing you softly.’
Words worming through ones heart. Telling you digest it or…well,…digest! And…practice the words of God.
September 6, 2011 at exactly 7:00pm, friends gathered to bid him farewell. The Papal Nuncio, Msgr. Augustine Kasujja just arrived from abroad at around 6:00pm. (only an hour to rest).
As he went to the ‘podium’ (meaning the foot of the stairs), he cheerfully greeted his flock. The parishioners were equally elated to have their spiritual father back.
As he extolled Msgr. Emien’s dedication and devotion to his calling, his musings stirred everyone with amusement.
‘I love Nigeria. I do not want to leave you. The very warm and hospitable people. You are all welcome to come and see me when you chanced to be in that side of the world…’ With his wide and engaging grin, these words from Msgr. Emien drew a loud applause, even as he told of their rigid regimen – the last to go to bed and the first to ‘rise and shine…’ so much to do and so little time.
With his departure, Msgr. Kasujja got two new additions to the Nunciature: Rev. Msgr. John John Kallarackal, Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission of the Apostolic Nunciature and Rev. Fr. Dong-Jin Andrew Shin, the new Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature. Quite a feat. Although these two are now literally ‘citizens of the world’ where faith calls them, Msgr. John is an Indian and Fr. Dong-Jin is a South Korean.
A novelty to the flock.
Onwards to New Zealand, an island country. Just in time for the 7th Rugby World Cup? He left on the 7th of September and definitely reached Wellington on the 9th. Yeheheeey – opening of the Rugby World Cup. A rousing welcome for him.
From us here, we pray for his successful tenure there as he had had here.
New Zealand:
2010 population – roughly 4.5 million.
September 9, 2011 population: 4.5 million + ONE.
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| Arrival of guests; Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Jos, Cardinal Okogie of Lagos and Madame Tessa Ikimi |
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| Msgr. Emien with guests; Mrs. Barraquias with Ambassador of Ireland; honoured guests |
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| High Commissioner of Uganda and the Apostolic Nuncio; Dr. and Mrs. Martin Uhomoibhi; Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Jos, Msgr. Jean-Sylvain Emien, Archbishop Valerian Okeke of Onitsha, Archbishop John Onaiyekan of Abuja |
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| ...catching-up: Prof Maurice and Archbishop Lucius Ogurji of Umuahia; Msgr. Emien and Mr. Julius Bala; Mrs. Padalhin and Maximillian Zych; Rev. Fr. Andrew and Engr. Bernie Mercado; a guest and Fr. Narcisse SMA; | |
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| The Papal Nuncio, H.E. Augustine Kasujja has only high praises for Msgr. Emien |
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| ...and as Msgr. Kasujja reminisced, amused smiles broke through... |
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| ...there's always a tinge of sadness when a colleague leaves for another place ... |
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| ...last minute briefing before the main event... |
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| Msgr. Emien; Fr. Narcisse SMA, Ambassador of Ireland, Madame Zandra |
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| Sr. Aurelia, a beautifully arranged cutlery and Sr. Marilou | |
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| ...main event: Dinner time |
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| ...as guests partake of the meals prepared by the MCST sisters |
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| Efren and Jay R among others; Prof. Dora Akunyili; Nicola Bazzani, Deputy Head of Italian Embassy with Massimo de Luca First Secretary Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria |
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| Sr. Aurelia with Mrs. Padalhin and Msgr. John John Kallarackal and Sr. Marilou |
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| Janette and Angie; H.E. Pauline Tallen, former Dep. Governor of Plateau State; Tess and Sr. Marilou |
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| Fr. Raymond Hickey OSA with Archbishop Felix Alaba JOB CBCN President and Archbishop of Ibadan; Msgr. Emien with the Archbishop of Onitsha His Grace Rt. Rev Dr. Valerian Okeke; Rev. Fr. Dong-Jin Andrew Shin, new secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature sharing views with Rev. Fr. George Ajana, Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) National Director |
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| Fr. Andrew, Fr. Narcisse, Sr. Mary Joseph of Pauline Sisters |
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| Marisa Mercado of the Austrian Embassy, Prof Dora Akunyili, H.E. Pauline Tallen; MCST Sr. Mary Grace with friends; Tess Azarcon with Mr. and Mrs. Barraquias |
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| Msgr. Emien, CRS country Rep; Msgr. Kasujja with the High Commissioner of Uganda |
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| OFWS Annie, Angie, Rex, Janette, John, Bernie, Tess; CRS Country Rep succumbing to the 'abracadabra' of a guest and Msgr. Jean-Sylvain with Angolan Embassy Staff |
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| Papal Nuncio with Nicola Bazzani and Ampy Ronquillo of the Italian Embassy; Dr. and Mrs. Martin Uhomoibhi of MFA |
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| Msgr. Emien with OFW Gilbert Bernados; Philippine Ambassador Netor Padalhin; OFW Donald Tulalian with Msgr. Emien |
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| Rev Sister; OFW John Hernandez and Ampy Ronquillo; Vicky and friend |
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| Rev. Msgr. John John Kallarackal, Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission of the Apostolic Nunciature with Archbishop John Onaiyekan Archbishop of Abuja; guests |
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| Guests rounding-up.... |
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| Msgr. Kasujja with Mr. Barraquias; Sr. Marilou with the Bishop of Ekiti; Msgr. Kasujja and Sr. Aurelia; Msgr. Emien with Ms. Vicki of Portuguese embassy and friends; with Angolan sisters; Sr. Marilou and EHJ sisters |
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| ...kitchen side: Con-Gen. Lamadrid, Vangie, Annie, Gilbert; Sr. Efling with Donna and Khaye; Tess, Annie and Angie |
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| ...Gilbert Bernados, Donna Cayabyab and Maebs Mercado; Msgr. John and Fr. Raymond and Otie; and a very able aide, Emmanuel Hotepo, after a hard day's work... |
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| OFWS Tess, Vangie, Ampy, Angie; Donna and Otie; Donald, Annie, Khaye, Benjie, Gilbert and Sherwin |
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| ...must he go without...us? Presto...here we are with him!!! |
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| ...refugees?... Time to say good bye.... |
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