From: joachim omolo ouko
News Dispatch with Father Omolo Beste
THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014
Death can be a scary topic, especially to your close friend. This is exactly what scares me as I pay special tribute to my friend and mentor on pastoral work, Rev Fr Gradus Ochieng, who until his death was the Parish Priest of Bondo Catholic Church and Dean.
When I arrived from New York on March 10, 2000 where I have been studying at Fordham University, Fr Gradus Ochieng had been posted to Ukwala Parish in Ugenya Constituency, Siaya County. Fr Gradus wanted a priest who could be helping him during Easter Christmas seasons. I was then approached by a Camillus seminarian (now Fr Raphael Otieno) who asked whether I could be of a help to Fr Gradus.
This time I had already joined People for Peace in Africa and giving a hand on pastoral work would not be a problem. My first help began in April 2000 and continued until he left Ukwala to Bondo Parish where I followed him for the same help until 2012 when I left People for Peace in Africa and posted to Magadi Soda in Ngong Diocese, Kajiado County.
I first knew Fr Gradus Ochieng in early 1980s as a seminarian at St Thomas Aquinas National Seminary. This time I had just finished my Novitiate at the Apostles of Jesus and assigned at Uruthiru in Meru Diocese for my pastoral experience.
When I came back to begin my theological studies every afternoon after lunch I used to join him for a soccer fun play at Apostles of Jesus sports ground in Langata. He loved soccer so much. He played no 7. Even when he was ordained Deacon and posted at Madiany to work with Fr Linus Okok (now bishop) he still had his ball with him.
Although I am scared to write about his death, my courage is that because of the resurrection, our faith is not empty, we will be made alive, we have the hope of eternal life, and we will receive glorified bodies. We do not mourn like those who have no hope, because we know we will see deceased believers again (1 Thessalonians 4:13).
I learnt from Fr Gradus Ochieng that the even though the work of a priest is both a joy and a burden, a calling and plain hard work, you get cherished when you work for the people of God he has entrusted to you.
Fr Gradus Ochieng was a committed priest, very kind and friendly. It was a challenge to me to see him waking up past mid night to go to attend to the sick. He was always ready and willing to give service any time people wanted his service.
He loved peace and always wanted his Christians know their rights. He once invited People for Peace in Africa in collaboration with Fr a Maryknoll priest, Fr Ken Thesing at Bondo Parish to give a seminar and empower his Christians on water and food security.
He taught and encouraged me to face pastoral challenges with courage. Many priests have succumbed to burnout or stress. Fr Gradus taught me to overcome all these. He was my close friend and a colleague. He shared a lot of things with me.
He taught me that, though pastoral ministry is one of the most fulfilling calls a priest can have, it is inherently challenging and stressful, yet cherishing. He taught me how to face criticism some Church members have appointed themselves to be your weekly critics. Even Jesus was criticized.
Finally Fr Gradus Ochieng taught me that in order to fulfill you pastoral duties successfully, you must be committed to your work, be available, approachable, kind and friendly even to Christians who criticize you.
MAY GOD REWARD YOU ABUNDANTLY FOR THE GOOD WORK YOU DID TO HIS PEOPLE HE ENTRUSTED TO YOU-REST IN PEACE BROTHER UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN- AMEN.
Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578
E-mail obolobeste@gmail.com
Omolo_ouko@outlook.com
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Twitter-@8000accomole
The uncle i was just about to get to know. He had a big heart. God Rest him in peace
Fr Joachim, they were kind words you said of our dear Friend – Gradus Ochieng.
I had the greatest pleasure of hearing of Fr Gradus’s mission -in caring for the orphan’s of HIV AIDs victims. Some years ago he had befriended my Parish Priest at the time and was invited to Chadstone, just outside Melbourne Australia, for a holiday. He got to work right away by making friends.
He was a real pleasure to listen to as he related stories of his work, culture etc. over dinner with my family.
Australians are a very generous people (I migrated from Sri Lanka) and they assisted his mission.
Sadly, he has left a legacy or numerous orphans, who I do hope his successor will assume care for.
News of his passing was indeed too much to take. Hence, your words were in fact, somewhat comforting.
We do thank you.
Gordon
Thank you so much Fr. J. Beste, for remembering our mentor and dedicated pastoral worker, Fr. Gra dus Ochieng. I worked in Ukwala where he was the Parish Priest. He was such a revolutionary leader. He worked tirelessly to build people of God Spiritually and Physically. He greatly face-lifted the infra-structure of Ukwala Parish through a high skill in mobilizing resources from the Stakeholders of the Parish. Congratulations! May Our Almighty God rest his soul in ETERNAL PEACE! The Lord gives and takes at the opportune time. To Him we surrender our lives.
We thank God for the gift of Fr. Gradus Ochieng. May his soul rest in eternal peace. He was a dedicated servant of God. His Courage in performing his ministerial duties is worth reckoning. Thank you Fr. Beste for remembering him globally!