By Cl. Peter Duc Nguyen, SDB

Suva, Fiji Islands, 14 May 2020 – On Sunday 10th May, 2020, the Don Bosco community celebrated the 40th anniversary of priesthood of Fr James Kyaw Hoe SDB. The celebration was quite simple but very warm in the family spirit.

Due to the influence of Covid-19, the celebration was attended only by community members and a few guests. During the Mass, Fr James expressed his gratitude to those who have accompanied his journey of vocation, especially to his dear mother. In the meal with the presence of all confreres of the community and a few guests, Fr. Mika Leilua, vice Rector, representative of the community, conveyed good wishes to Fr. James and he also expressed heartfelt gratitude for the contributions that Fr. James has made to our mission in the Pacific. Fr. James usually shares with us that he always inscribes in his heart Mama Margaret's memorable words for Don Bosco when he became a priest: “You are now a priest, and you celebrate Mass. You are, therefore, closer to Jesus Christ. But remember that to begin to say Mass is to begin to suffer.”

Fr. James has been working tirelessly in the Salesian mission as a missionary in the Pacific. He spent 12 years (1984 - 1996) dedicating his youth and enthusiasm to the Salesian mission in Samoa. From 2009 until now, with the same enthusiasm, he has worked as an educator at the community house and a Biblical professor at the Pacific Regional Seminary, in Suva, Fiji Islands.

Forty years as a priest is a long time and Fr. James certainly had to face a hard time too on his journey. Congratulations and sincere thanks to Fr James for everything he has been doing for the Salesian mission in the Pacific. May Mary Help the Christians and Don Bosco always accompany him in his consecrated life.

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