FR DAMIAN MARINUS ss.cc

at a special mass on their patronal feast day thanked Fr Damian for the years he served Matavera. And St. Paul's Titikaveka are doing the same on the patronal feast of their parish. St. Paul the apostle, which this year they will celebrate with all parishes on Rarotonga, in the cathedral.

Born 13th July, 1929 Father will be 86 this month. Baptised as Petrus Cornelius Marinus. Professed on 24th September, 1949. Took the religious name of Damian. Coming up 66 years professed. Ordained 29th August, 1954. Coming up 61 years as a priest. Arrived in Rarotonga on the Maui Pomare 11th Nov. 1957. Has been in the Pacific 58 years.

Parishes: Mauke as assistant to Fr Edwin. Taught Maori by Irene Turua, the mother of Sr. Clara. In Mauke Fr. Damian taught in the school.

• Mauke: 12th December, 1957 - 1964
• On the10th July: 1958 he was appointed Parish Priest in Mauke.
• Atiu: 25th September, 1964 - 1974. Father Damian worked on Atiu for just under 10 years.)
• St. Joseph Avarua: 1975. Briefly in the Cathedral until mid year.
• Sacred Heart, Matavera: 1975 - 1980; While living at the Cathedral was responsible for Sacred Heart Parish Matavera. Also involved in the translation of the Bible with a committee set up for this work. Teaching Religion daily in St. Joseph's School and Chaplain to Nukutere College.
• Sacred Heart Matavera: 1985 - 2015
• St. Paul's Titikaveka: 1991 - 2015
• Pacific Regional Seminary, Suva: 1980 ? 1985; Fr. Damian was appointed by Bishop Browne to the Pacific Regional Seminary in Fiji as Spiritual Director.
• Holidays: In 1963, 1973, 1986 and again in 1992 Fr Damian took holidays in the Netherlands.
• Study/Renewal. 1973. EAPI Philippines from August for nine months for pastoral and catechetical renewal. 1987 October. Canon Law and Marriage Tribunal in Auckland.
• Responsibilities. 1. Vicar General. 1973. 1974 1977, 2. Chancellor and Vicar General 1992 - 2015
• Accidents. 1972. In Canada on his way home as a result of a sledging accident, ended up with 83 stitches in his face. 19th July, 1999. Motor Scooter outside Wigmore's Strore. In hospital for 12 days with concussion, broken collar bone and abrasions. 25th Dec. 2014. Motor Scooter. Hospital for three days. Abrasions and bruising.

This is the year of the Consecrated Life. Let me make the point that Fr Damian is first and foremost a religious priest. He has been living his religious life for 66 years. Priesthood for 61 years.

In considering a religious vocation, a text that has to be taken into account is that of leaving father and mother for the sake of the kingdom of God. " If any man comes to me without hating his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes and his own life too, he can not be my disciple. Anyone who does not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." Luke 14: 26.

This is not only challenging for the candidate him or herself. But also for the family. In my own congregation when the first Marists left for the Pacific in 1836, families struggled with the departure of their sons leaving France for the Pacific. One of the mothers had a breakdown. The departing priests had to trick their parents over when they were leaving as they knew the family would do their best to prevent them leaving. One left without saying goodbye. It seems to me it has not got any easier. For Pacific Islanders to let go of land. Not to generate children for the family can become serious issues in the vocation choice.(note rules for Diocesan priests are different than those for religious priests.)

Just looking at the life of Fr Damian my information shows that he returned home four times in 58 years. After the last visit he was reported as saying, "I don't miss Holland anymore". Like Fr. John Rovers his home is amongst the people he has served and ministered here in the Cook Islands.

This is not only challenging for the candidate him or herself. But also for the family. In my own congregation when the first Marists left for the Pacific families struggled with the departure of their sons leaving France for the Pacific. One of the Mothers had a breakdown. The departing priests had to trick their parents over they were leaving as they knew the family would do their best to prevent them leaving. . One left without saying goodbye. It seems to me it has not got any easier. For Pacific Islanders to let go of land. Not to generate children for the family can become serious issues in the vocation choice.

Just looking at the life of Fr Damian my information shows that he returned home four times in 58 years. After the last visit he was reported as saying, "I don't miss Holland anymore". Like Fr. John Rovers his home is amongst the people he has served and ministered here in the Cook Islands.

In talking with Fr Damian I have noticed the years in the classroom, particularly in Mauke and Atiu were memorable days for him. It gives him a great thrill today when someone approaches him and says something like this, "Father do you remember me. You taught me in Atiu in 1969.

Last year at the launching of the new translation of the Maori New Testament, the organisors invited Fr Damian to the launching acknowledging the important work he and other committee members had done when the project first started.

The religious and priestly life of Fr Damian has meant many years in the parishes of the Diocese. Sixteen of those years had him teaching in the classroom. Another six years involved the spiritual formation of Pacific Island priests. And then many years in the Administration of the Diocese. This priest deserves his retirement and I hope he has many years to enjoy it.

Those who have seen Fr Damian's prayer book, know it is heavily stained from frequent use. Now that Father Damien is living a quieter life, his prayer will be beneficial for the church, the diocese and individuals who ask him to pray for them.