The founder of Good Shepherd, Fr. Peter von Adrichem, purposely situated it in a parish so that the seminarians would have practical experience and be involved with a community. Fatima Parish celebrated its 60th Anniversary “Diamond Jubilee” earlier this month.
The first day of the three-day festival we skipped, but Anastasia did get to tambourine practice with her Sunday School teacher.
The second day had the main event of a singsing. Our neighbor Cornelia was going to dance with a group from the Primary School.
Meriam works on Cornelia’s face paint
Rock-a-bye baby… Tobiah hangs out while Meriam’s busy
Tabitha saw her getting ready and said that she wanted to wear bilas too! So I got out the child-size purpur (yarn skirt) that Annie had worn and the feather headband, necklaces and bracelets with it.
She was very happy to be wearing bilas!
Anna Ding puts on her nose paint
But she got tired of waiting…
We learned that toddlers should put on their bilas last, because when Tabitha had been done and ready to go for at least 20 minutes and Cornelia had still at least 40 minutes of prep left, Tabitha decided to start taking necklaces off. So, no traditional dancing yet for Tabitha.
We went down to see the singsing at lunchtime. There was a carnival atmosphere and lots of stalls to buy food from; Brandon bought fifteen fried potatoes and some egg sandwiches and we walked around munching and looking at the sights.
Some students from the vocational training school in coastal headdresses, plus a woman in local garb
We found Cornix in her full regalia, with a proud Anna looking on
To get this girl with the interesting headpiece to smile for the photo, Brandon said “Say “Waitman’!”
The dancing groups were spread out over a large field, showing off their chops to knots of people around them
This group from the parish outstation of Mala had beautiful voices
Some groups opted for a fusion aesthetic
others decided to enter the “modern dance” category
An assembly of salacious skeletons (complete with suggestive hip wiggling?!)
I often see older people with nose piercings, but someone wearing a nose ornament is rarer
There were also a few comedy sketches – this one was a teacher trying to educate rubes from the bush. I like the pens stuck in his socks.
Annie’s schoolmate Ainsley is ready for an Islander dance
The final day of the Jubilee was a mass with the Archbishop. Anastasia had all her practice dancing in the living room come to fulfillment when she got to be part of the procession leading the celebrants in!
An outdoor mass at the Fr. Peter Grandstand; we sat on a blanket at the back
Annie and the other sundayschool children have one last practice of their moves
All lined up and ready to go
Processing!
Annie (and now Tabitha too) are still banging tambourines in the house and singing “Diamond Jubilate, everybody, serve the Lord with all your ways! Enter now his gates with singing, enter now his courts with praise. Jubilate, Diamond, Jubilate Deo!”
Happy 60 years, Fatima Parish, we wish you many more!
Plotinus in the Jungle 
I have witnessed the 60th diamond jubilee for Fatima Parish. But sadly as the bus drop me at the Fatima busstop I was much saddened to see Late Fr Peters grave yard just in front of the chapel. As tears filled my eyes I recalled the last days i’ve seen him back in 2007 a year later his passing. I was then in 2008 doing my first year at university to hear the sad news that Fr Peter passed on. Every ex Fr Peter Secondary school students around the country mourn for him that sad day.
After 8 years coming back to the place I’ve loved I was really shattered as I saw his grave yard. Before the could go on to witness the diamond jubillie I spent a moment pause for a while staring at the symmetry as the tears fall on my eyes.
However, I was quiet astonished to meet few teachers who were still around at the school. I would warmly urge them and as well share a light moment together as we enjoyed watching the dancers marching & plays being held.
Unfortunately time was not on my side as I got to took off early without listening to speeches been made at the grandstand.
Just last year I was lucky enough to meet the deputy head master who was then my maths teacher & class patron in 2007, Mr Simon Gising. I thanked him for his invitation on the jubillie and also saluating him & his organising committee for a job well done to organise such an important event back then.
To wind up, I would say Fatima Secondary school was just more than a school. Every graduate who are out there in the fields could agree with me as am writing this piece. We have learned most importantly is “self discipline” indeed it was a key. In every masses Fr Peter would encourage us by saying “choose life & not death”. I thank the Lord that I was fortunate enough to attend Fatima Secondary school and that is were succeeded. Part of Fr Peter lives in me as long as I live.
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