In the January/February issue of The Far East, we carried the story of Columban Fr John O'Connell who had died recently in Lima, Peru. It was Columban Fr Leo Donnelly who had written to us about his great friend, Fr John, whom he had known for many decades as a great priest and missionary to the people of Peru. Sad to say, now it is Fr Leo himself who has also died in Lima.
Readers of The Far East will be familiar with the missionary life and priesthood of Fr Leo Donnelly in Peru. Many of the same qualities that he wrote about his friend, Fr John O'Connell, also apply to him. In this issue of the magazine, we publish a tribute to Fr Leo Donnelly written by Fr Peter Woodruff who worked with him for many years in Peru.
Just before Christmas, Columban Fr John O'Hara died. Fr John also left a great legacy as a priest and as a missionary both in Korea and in Australia. He served the people of Korea for over 30 years. Upon returning to Australia, he served in several parishes around Melbourne up unto a month before his death.
The liturgical season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on March 5th this year. Pope Francis calls on all Christians to find ways so that this season of self-denial and sacrifice may be a time when we reach out to others in need in concrete ways to benefit them. We are called to follow the example of Christ who became poor so that we may become rich.
This Lenten issue of the magazine, carries other stories of Columban missionaries reaching out to those in need in different countries across the globe. From Peru, we have the stories of Columban Fr Liam Carey who uses his motorbike in his parish work in the back blocks of Lima and Columban Fr Cathal Gallagher who works with people living with the stigma of HIV/AIDS.
Columban Fr Brian Gore from the Philippines tells us about his work with the Negros Nine Human Development Foundation in creating awareness amongst farmers on small holdings of sustainable and organic methods of agriculture and cooperative methods to market their produce.
Columban Fr Shay Cullen, also in the Philippines, tells us about his meeting with the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan, particularly with the orphans the typhoon has left.
Columban Fr Kelvin Barrett sees the hand of God at work in the events of his life leading him to his ministry of seminary formation in Korea.
Columban Fr Neil Magill attends the ordination of five new Kachin priests. One of the newly ordained relates the influence of Columban missionaries on his vocation.
Fr Dan Harding
TFE@columban.org.au