47 years of loving commitment

by Fr. Stephen Kamoa OP, Provincial Vicar of the Dominicans

Fr. Dominic Meese op, was born on 21st March, 1926, in Australia. He professed into the Dominican Order on 25th February, 1945. Hence he was the oldest Dominican in the Dominican Province of Australia and New Zealand, before his death. He was ordained priest on the 20th March, 1950. Later after his ordination, together with Br Paul Purcell and others, he came over on the Mission boat known as Salve Regina in 1957. They were one of the second group of early Dominicans.

"A young Fr. Dom Meese op, was on the Salve Regina on a 6 months assignment to the missions of the Western Solomon Islands as Procurator. That ´six months´ assignment turned into a ´47 year loving commitment´. He was a generous and hardworking servant of the Lord making a sure foundation for the Church in the West by using all his talents for God´s glory. He was a preacher, teacher, procurator, and almost mayor of Gizo town. He was a builder, a sailor and an evangelist who took the Gospel to all to whom he encountered," stated Bishop Chris Cardone op, at the Requiem celebration.

Most of his time in the Solomon Islands, he spent in the Diocese of Gizo. A very dedicated, gifted and committed priest, he served the people of God as Vicar General to the Bishop of Gizo, administrator of St. Peter´s Cathedral, Gizo; Parish priest of Nila parish in the Shortland Islands; Sirovanga Parish on Choisuel Islands and other places. His skills in administration were of great benefit to the Diocese of Gizo and the Dominican order – as he dealt with immigration and government matters. He had a great sense of humour, but was at times short tempered. A keen businessman, he helped several of the early Chinese community establish their business, built up a good relationship with them and was even nicknamed ´Chaplain to the Business people´.

"In 1988, he came to work in the Archdiocese of Honiara and was parish priest of ´Ya-tu-sa´ (the islands of Yandina, Tulagi and Savo). A man of his word, he was ever ready to celebrate the Sacraments for his people and was always there as stated", said Archbishop Adrian Smith sm.

He returned to Australia in 2000 as he was quite ill. Even during his time of illness, when his mind was still good and clear, he kept talking about the Solomons and would ask many questions about the people and the country he loved.

Fr. Stephen Kamoa op, Provincial Vicar, based in Honiara shares his experience -
"I was privileged to visit him in hospital the day before he died. He slept peacefully; breathing in the joy of a life well lived. ´Dom, you are a joyful friar´, I whispered. I then prayed over him, shook his hands, waved him good bye and wished him a happy journey to the real sweet home, where the Lord was ready to welcome him home".

He passed away peacefully in the afternoon of 29th August, 2006.

A prayerful Requiem Mass was held at Holy Cross Cathedral, Honiara at 6pm on 2nd August, 2006, celebrated by Bishop Chris Cardone op, Bishop of Auki, concelebrated by Archbishop Adrian Smith sm together with several other priests, at which religious, students and people were present. The melodious voices of the students of St. Joseph´s Catholic School, Tenaru and Bishop Epalle Catholic School, Rove set a very reflective mood to the celebrations.

Ambrose Pereira sdb
Catholic Communications Solomons, P.O.Box 647, Honiara, Solomon Islands
Tel: 677-36212/22125 Fax: 677-36333
E-mail: ambrose@donbosco.org.sb;
Web page: http://www.catholicnet.com/solomon
Voice Katolika

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