MSC INTERPROVINCE COLLABORATION: US - WITH FR JOANE SIGARARA AND FR CORNEILLE BOYEYE.
FR JOANE SIGARARA MSC – FROM FIJI, PACIFIC UNION. MILITARY
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Two photos from 2019, at Mass and in uniform for Veterans’ Day. We delved into the website archives and found two items. We thought them well worth reproducing. The first is from 2019: During Mass on December 8, 2011 (the Feast of the Immaculate Conception), Fr. Ioane Sigarara, MSC was sworn in as an officer (captain) in the US Army. Fr. Ioane is a Missionary of the Sacred Heart from Fiji who has been living and working in the United States for several years. He previously served as pastor to St. Anthony Parish in Hillsdale, MI and, more recently, has been working at St. Charles and St. Helena Parish Church in Clio, MI. Major Don Michael, who is also a deacon at St. Anthony, served as the witnessing officer. Fr. Ioane will be serving as an Army Chaplain. Now that he has been sworn in, his next step is to attend 12 weeks of officer training school. Congratulations Fr. Ioane and may God bless you in this new ministry. From the US MSC site. |
The second is from 2014.
The Reverend Ioane Sigarara of Saint Anthony Catholic Church in Hillsdale, once a Fijian military man, will enter the United States Navy in January to serve as a chaplain.
Ioane grew up in Fiji-the islands where there are only two seasons: cool and dry or warm and wet. Ioane said he would describe Fiji as the place where fish and octopus are eaten raw for increased flavour, electricity is almost non-existent and "running water" is the creek out back.
Another unique characteristic of the Fiji Islands is the love of rugby that they inherited from British colonisation. Ioane said he played quite a bit growing up, and when he came to Hillsdale in 2007, he visited the college rugby club practice to provide insight into how to better their rugby game.
"He was an incredibly holy and personable man – and a great rugby player," Ian Faley '10, captain of the college rugby team in 2007, said. Ioane's passion was not limited to this sport, however. He said the Catholic community in Fiji is very strong, and even as a young boy, Ioane said he desired to become a priest.
As soon as he graduated high school, Ioane joined the military, as was expected by his family. His dreams of becoming a priest were put on hold. Ioane spent six years in the Fijian Navy. His duties ranged from serving on a minesweeper vessel to guarding the Israel/Lebanon border. During his time in the navy, Ioane said he felt again the call to pursue priesthood.
As he encountered countless young men and women returning from battle permanently scarred by the sights they had beheld, Ioane said he also developed a passion for counselling. Ioane returned home to become a priest.
Ioane said that this was a revolutionary decision in Ioane's family since everyone in his family was either a teacher or part of the military. They had trouble accepting this decision, he said. "They thought I was mad to become a priest," Ioane said, Nevertheless, Ioane followed through with his education, keeping his ties with the Fiji Armed Forces so he could minister as a chaplain.
On a visit to see his uncle – who was assisting at St Anthony – Ioane said he was introduced to Hillsdale. In August 2007, his uncle returned to Fiji, and the Rev. Tom Butler, current pastor at St. Anthony, asked Ioane to take his place.
Ioane said that, within the first five minutes of their meeting, Butler convinced Ioane to stay in Hillsdale. Ioane has remained here for the past few years, leaving a few times to return for short sabbaticals to Fiji.
But the next chapter of his life will unfold in the Navy.
And in 2019 the photos.
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FR CORNEILLE BOYEYE, FROM CONGO, CHAPLAINCY
On Saturday, October 20, 2019, Fr. Corneille Boyeye, MSC, was unanimously recommended for board certification by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains at a national interview which was held at Mercy Hospital in Rockville Centre. Fr. Corneille has been working and studying for this achievement for three years.
Ordained in 2002, Father Corneille was Pastor of Sainte Marie Madeleine Parish in Kinshasa, DR Congo before coming to the United States. He is a member of the MSC’s Pennsylvania Community and resides at St. Patrick’s Parish in Smithtown, NY.
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