EAO Elders - living witnesses to the Da Mihi Animas
EAO: 22nd December 2007 -- Just a few days ago we
received notice of the death of possibly the oldest member of the EAO
Region, Brother Ottavio Masiero (1912-2007) who died at Beppu, Salesio
House Kyushu, Japan. He was a simple, joyful man and until 2006 kept
house in the Osaka community. He was famous for his sense of humour and
contribution to family spirit.
Christmas seems an appropriate time to remember not
only those who have passed on, but the good number of 'EAO Elders'
still working in the Lord's vineyard at this late hour! While
they might have, in most cases, retired from active ministry, their
living example of faithfully lived consecrated life is inspiring.
Only a day or two ago, a note from the AUL provincial named two men -
Fr Hans Dopheide and Fr Bill Edwards, who are reduced by illness to a
state of dependency on others' help - in Fr Hans' case it is not so
much advanced age as advanced illness. For Fr Bill, it is a case
that his life 'is fall’n into the sear, the yellow leaf' as
Shakespeare put it beautifully (Macbeth 5.3.30-36). And for both these
men, as for those named below, we might take the first part of
Shakespeare's insight to heart as our own, musing on "...that which
should accompany old age, as honour, love, obedience, troops of
friends...". It can be our way of recognising the great value of
faithful witness.
Possibly amongst the three oldest men in the Region
at the moment are three in Japan: Fr Clodoveo Tassarini (1912- ) a
former GIA provincial, and Fr Mikalaj Moskawa (1915- ) in Yokohama, a
former novice master and still active as confessor and spiritual guide
to some members of the Salesian Family, and Fr Martino Yasuo Akimoto
(1913- ), in Beppu, the first Japanese Salesian priest. I wouldn't want
to overlook a fourth, still a 'younger' man than those just
mentioned,another sterling missionary, Fr Frank Drohan (1919- ) still
doing a power of translation work down in Miyazaki.
In CIN there is Fr Ernesto Rescalli (also 1913- ) in
Macau and still teaching catechism at Yuet Wah College, then Fr Gaetano
Nicosia (1915- ) [cf austraLasia
1817 interview] also in Macau, and Fr Luca Yao Wei (1916- )
in Taiwan, still clear-minded and cheering his confreres on during the
centenary celebratiions in China province.
In FIN we have Fr Georg Schwarz (1914- ) in
Canlubang, until a few years ago still teaching physics! He was a
founding member of the Philippines Salesian mission in the 50's.
Nearby in FIS there is Fr Anthony Gircour (1919- ) in Cebu-DBTC still
active as confessor to seven different sisters' convents.
In ITM Bro Jose Ribeiro (1924- ) is in Los Palos,
the last of the 1946 Timor Leste re-founding expedition, still
catechising and assistant to the boys in the orphanage.
In KOR there is Fr Rinaldo Fanichelli (1920- ) in
Shin Weol Dong, Seoul. He has spent some 50 years in Korea and 10
years in Japan.
In THA there is Bro. Prachin Piemsiri, Simon (1923-
) at Banpong Sarasit School, well known for his cheerful and dedicated
work in many schools around the Thai province.
In VIE Fr Isidoro Le Huong (1926- ) still active in
parish ministry near Dalat.
We began with AUL, so let's add one more - Fr Alan
McDonald (1918- ), a stalwart of the Brooklyn Park community now for
many years, still remembered at the Casa Generalizia where he was Vice
Rector for a time, and still managing some translation work.
To all these men who are but representative of many
other 'elders' amongst us who have gone unmentioned in this item but
certainly not unsung, a simple 'thank you' for the value of witness,
and the wish that this Christmas they be remembered in a special way. _________________
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