Friends Of Nyumbani

Category Remembering Fr. Angelo
Bookmark :              

 just got word of dear Dag's passing. I sit here staring at my computer screen trying to evaluate just what it is that I am feeling.
Devastated? No
Horrified? Nope
Sad? A bit
Scared? The tiniest bit
Shocked? Immensely
Peace? Definitely.
This is all very odd. Fr Dag was a hero to me. .. Someone I really admired and looked up to, despite the fact that he was several inches shorter than I. He was a giant of a person, seemingly unstoppable. So often we have heroes that we forever look up to and and try to emulate, but never have the good fortune of meeting. I have been blessed and lucky! Not only did I get to meet this amazing man, but I counted him among my dearest friends.

In mid-October I was able to share a wonderful meal with him and we chatted about his childhood, what he had wanted to be when he grew up, and I got to hear stories about growing up in the shadow of WWII, ripe with details.
Fr Dag had a brusque manner that I found to be entirely endearing. He was definitely a pit bull, fighting for his children and those marginalized and traumatized by HIV.
He was a pioneer, hope for an entire country, father to hundreds, one amazing man and MY HERO!
Rest in peace Dag! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I will miss you.
 
Peace to you and your family!
Becki

Posted by Anonymous At 06:30:11 AM Location | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks ()

Category Remembering Fr. Angelo
Bookmark :              

Greetings to all Family and Friends,

Just arrived home this evening and wanted you all to understand what happened over the past several days. This will be a summary and I will not be able to give all the details that are so important. But, that story will come out piecemeal later.

For those who have not heard, Angelo D'Agostino, SJ, MD, passed away on Monday, 20 November 2006. He was about 2 months shy of 81 years. During a routine procedure, 2 days earlier, to discover the course of severe pain in his colon, his heart stopped for 10 minutes and he never recovered from the comatose condition that developed from that moment.Sister Mary Owens was on the phone with us daily as soon as he was admitted into the hospital. She was at his side when he passed away and described it as peaceful.We all join with her in her loss and Nyumbani's.

Mary Ellen and I left Virginia (Dulles Airport) for Kenya Tuesday, 21 November, in the late evening and arrived in Nairobi on Wednesday evening to the greeting of Sr. Mary and Father Francis Rodrigues, SJ, the Superior of the Pedro Arrupe Residence where Angelo has lived the past two years. From that moment, S. Mary, Fr. Francis and all of Nyumbani could not have been more solicitous for the two of us. At the expense of missing someone, I also wish to add the solicitude of Fr. Val Shirima, SJ, Provincial of the East Africa Province, Archbishop Boniface Lele, Mombasa Diocese (formerly of the Kitui Diocese), John Noel, Lorna MacLeod of Micato Safaris, Fr. Ludwig Peschen, Protus, the SABS Sisters, the Loreto Sisters, the Severini's, and so many others. We were given a room at the Pedro Arrupe Jesuit Residence where we were able to have Mass daily with the priests and the amazing staff.

Thursday, 23 November, Thanksgiving Day (and our 34th Wedding Anniversary), Mary Ellen and I were invited to spend time with the working committee to prepare for Angelo's Funeral. I was impressed with the detail work of the Jesuits, Sr. Mary, members of the Nyumbani Kenyan Board and staff of Nyumbani. (They had two other lengthy meetings to care for each and every detail which showed on the day of the Funeral and Burial.) Following our meeting we were all invited and enjoyed dinner hosted by the Jesuit Loyola Community headed by Fr. Gaspar, SJ, the Superior.

Friday, 24 November, Sr. Mary took us to the Lee Mortuary where the first private service was held for Fr. Dag. It was closed to the public and opened for all of the Nyumbani staff members and older children who had not been able to say goodbye to Angelo. It was held in a small room in the mortuary. The room was crowded and many mourners filed past during the prayers offered by Fr. Rodrigues, and the Sisters of several Religious Orders. Prayers are special remarks were offered by the Nyumbani SABS Sisters, and a special visit by Hon. Jeremy Hunt, MP of the UK, who apologized that he could not attend the Mass on Monday due to a serious schedule conflict and who flew in for this one opportunity. That evening Fr. Val invited us to a private dinner where he could share with us his feelings and help us in handling our own.

Saturday, 25 November, was spent assisting in sorting out a lot of Angelo memorabilia having to do with the family. We had a private luncheon with Protus who served as Manager of the Children's Home for thirteen years and helped in so many ways to prepare the children and facilities for this final tribute. That evening, Fr. Val invited us to the Jesuit Community at Loyola where he hosted a US Thanksgiving Dinner for us with Turkey, Cranberry sauce and apple pie...among many other delicious items.

Sunday, 26 November, was spent renewing our acquaintances with the children of Nyumbani at their traditional weekly Sunday Mass, celebrated by Fr. Rodrigues and Fr. Peschen (-a White Father and an MD), with great joy and music. Once again, Protus showed his masterful way of interacting with the children after the Gospel in explaining it to them, getting them to act it out and then getting them to respond to questions in his dialog...-all in Swahili!. The music and the children were joyful and welcoming. The expressions of loss were touching. I was asked to say a few words to the children who were understandably upset at the loss of their longtime supporter and "Father", Angelo. I assured them that the USA Board and all of their colleagues in the USA will continue to care for their welfare. (It was mentioned to us that a number of children had expressed concern that since they were displaced after the death of their parents that the same would happen here at the death of Angelo. -It was important to speak to continuity.) I was joined in making remarks by Ambassador Denis Afande representing the Kenya Nyumbani Mother-Board and by Admiral Marcello DeDonna, Chair of the Italian Nyumbani Board, and Hon. Jeremy Hunt who knew many of the children.

Monday, 27 November, was a most memorable day and an overwhelming tribute to our brother, relative, close friend and colleague, Angelo. Sr. Mary took us to the mortuary where we had a final committal ceremony for Angelo at 8:30 AM. With police escort, the hearse took Angelo to the Consolata Fathers Shrine Church nearby, arguably the largest Church in the Nairobi, followed by several cars. (We had been told to expect a crowd, but I could not believe the onset of people as we approached the Church.) Angelo was brought to the center aisle where the body was open for public viewing from 9 AM to 10 AM. The people came continuously and we stood outside the Church to greet them. -To mention a few: Dr. Dominic Makawiti, Chair of the Kenyan Nyumbani Mother-Board, Stuart Eastwood, the Chair of the UK Nyumbani Board, other Kenyan and International Board Members: Vice Chair, Paula Lanco, Dr. Lorenzo Bertolli, Paddy Migdoll, Vice Chair Adriana DePero Lodi, and a host of others.

Of course, while there had been rumors, never fully confirmed, the presence of a host of military and police officers indicated there would be very special VIP persons attending. At exactly 10 AM, a series of large autos rolled in accompanied by great protection and it was the President and First Lady of Kenya: the Honorable Mwai Kibaki and Lucy Kibaki. We stood next to Fr. Rodrigues and Sr. Mary who greeted them as they stepped out of their car. Then they were brought to the receiving line where Mary Ellen and I had the privilege of greeting them first. They could not have been more gracious and solicitous. At one point, the President, who is a charmer said something like: It is obvious that you are a much younger brother of Fr. D'Agostino. I thanked him for his wise perception. (As an aside, the Presidential Press people were taking a host of photos. If I can do it, I will send you a copy of their press release showing Mary Ellen and I greeting the Kenyan President. I guess you can say it was a thrill for us but we are quick to say that it is a monumental tribute to the passing of a giant in Kenya.) You may wish to check this link. How can you top that?


Read More

Posted by Anonymous At 06:30:11 AM Location Washington, DC | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks ()

Category Remembering Fr. Angelo
Bookmark :              

REST IN PEACE, FR. D’AGOSTINO, WITH OUR LOVING GOD

Fr. Angelo D’Agostino SJ, MD, was laid to rest on Monday 27th November, 2006 in a very moving and prayer-filled ceremony.

From 9.00a.m. onwards, crowds thronged the Consolata Shrine Church in Westlands to pay their last respects as Fr. D’Agostino lay in view for the last time. Throughout the viewing, prayers and hymns ascended to God, thanking God for the gift of his life and commending him to God’s loving care. A scan of the congregation, numbering approximately 1,000, confirmed once more the extent of Fr. D’Agostino’s compassionate outreach. People from all walks of life were there: the young represented by all the Nyumbani Home children and a great number of the Lea Toto 2,000 children; the adult congregation representing leaders in State and Church, Staff from Nyumbani Home, Lea Toto and Nyumbani Village, Religious Sisters, Priests, Brothers, friends, a variety of nationalities, professions, services, the wealthy and the needy.

Shortly before 10.00a.m., His Excellency, Archbishop Paul Lebeaupin, Papal Nuncio, arrived. At 10.00 a.m. His Excellency, Mwai Kibaki, President of the Republic of Kenya and his wife, Her Excellency Lucy Kibaki arrived.

Mass of the Resurrection then began, the Chief Celebrant being His Grace Raphael Ndingi Mwana ‘n Nzeki, Archbishop of Nairobi, assisted by Archbishop Boniface Lele of Mombasa, his predecessor, Archbishop John Njenga, and Bishop David Kamau, Auxiliary of Nairobi, with Archbishop Lebeaupin in attendance. Nearly 70 priests also concelebrated.

The Nyumbani Home Children, with some assistance, formed the choir, the readers being children from Nyumbani Home and Lea Toto, and the liturgical dances were performed by the Nyumbani Home children. Fr. Valerian Shirima, Jesuit Provincial Superior, gave the homily where he emphasized Fr. D’Agostino’s compassionate outreach to HIV+ children at a time when they were being shunned by society. ‘By serving them, he was serving Christ.’ He called on all Christians to respond especially now to AIDS orphans who number approximately 1.5 million in Kenya alone.

After Mass, Dr. Joseph D’Agostino read the Life History of his brother and then spoke on behalf of both the family and the USA Nyumbani Board. He recalled that very soon on in his life, the family knew that Angelo was different and that they would have to share him with a wider circle. He ended with the very moving statement of a Kenyan lady who described Fr. D’Agostino’s work as helping to save the next generation of Kenyans. A group of children from Nyumbani Home then presented a heart-rending poem on how death robs us and a young boy from the Lea Toto program paid an extraordinary tribute to Fr. D’Agostino.

Prof. Dominic Makawiti, Chair of the Kenyan Nyumbani Board, spoke next: He paid a glowing personal tribute and read Fr. D’Agostino’s retirement statement in which he handed over leadership, effective from 1st November, to Sister Mary Owens, Loreto Sister, who was then invited to say a few words. Equally glowing tributes were paid by the Chairs of the UK and Italian Boards, who also pledged their continuing support. Her Excellency, the First Lady, during her speech described Fr. D’Agostino as her colleague in caring for orphans and in fighting the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and assured the children of her continuing support.

His Excellency, the President, then addressed the congregation. He called on all associated with Nyumbani to carry on Fr. D’Agostino’s work, saying: ‘I am sure that this is the assurance Fr. D’Agostino would have liked. He founded these homes and wanted them to succeed in reducing the prevalence and effects of HIV/AIDS. You should take the responsibility of ensuring that Fr. D’Agostino’s work continues.’

After the final prayers, Fr. D’Agostino’s coffin was escorted out of the Church and the funeral cortege left for Nyumbani Home where the coffin was solemnly carried by the staff from the entrance gate to a memorial centre in the Home. There followed a short service of prayers and hymns and then, Fr. D’Agostino’s remains were brought to his final resting place at Pedro Arrupe Community. Archbishop Lele led the final commendation in the Pedro Arrupe Chapel after which we all escorted the coffin to the burial ground. After further prayer, each child placed a rose on the coffin followed by the adults. When the grave was filled in, Joe D’Agostino and his wife, Mary Ellen, laid a wreath, followed by a wreath from the Jesuit Society. Others present placed a white rose on the grave.


Read More

Posted by Jack Dausman At 06:30:11 AM Location Nairobi, Kenya | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks ()

Category Remembering Fr. Angelo
Bookmark :              

Vatican Radio has a short overview of Fr. Angelo, and it includes a link to an audio interview.


Read More

Posted by Anonymous At 06:30:11 AM Location | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks ()

Category Remembering Fr. Angelo
Bookmark :              

Dear father D'Ag wherever you are. Dear Sister Mary and Dear Protus, Dear Children, Dear Mummies and Uncles, Dear Sisters ......   
Read More

Posted by Anonymous At 06:30:11 AM Location | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks ()