Father Joeker

By Fr Joseph Panabang SVD

Airport Time

‘Scientific’ time is always a problem here in Ghana. It is almost next to impossible to start any activity promptly and exactly as it is scheduled . But once in Sogleboi village I was impressed that the people really agreed to have the Mass at 5:30 a.m. sharp which they did. After the Mass the men, excited, were rushing. “Why the rush?” I asked. “Father, they are going hunting,” said the Catechist. “Now I understand why you were early for the Mass,” I murmured to myself.

White Coffee

Gladys Dalanao, my lovely grandniece, was brought by her mother to Sunnyside SVD Retreat House in Baguio City for a visit when she was seven years old. Offering them snacks, I put milk in her tea. Looking at it curiously, she said, “Look Ma, their coffee here is white”, to the embarrassment of her mother.

Where the Cows Are

During my catechism class in Kunsu village, I was explaining the Sign of the Cross stressing that it is the trademark of a Catholic – a way by which we know one is a Catholic even without asking the person. Similarly, among the different tribes here in Ghana, each has its own tribal mark. For instance, “How do you know one belongs to a Grussi tribe?” “When he is following the cows,” shouted one boy at the back to the laughter of the whole class. (Fulanis are still wanderers living by following wherever their cows go.)

Walang Diesel

At Gulumpe, I was vehemently accused of irregular visits. Before I could say anything, one member of the Christian Mothers’ Association came along and sprung to my defense saying, “He could not come; there was a diesel shortage for sometime.” I did not say anything except inside I was laughing for there was indeed a diesel crisis but it had been a year ago.

Sinister Hand

In Busuama, I asked our catechumens, “Why do we touch the left shoulder first before the right in making the Sign of the Cross?” “Because Christ’s left arm was nailed first on the cross,” quickly came a reply from a small boy. I like this question most because it always generates a healthy quarrel among the catechumens. After exhausting all possible reasons, I came in with a simple explanation: Well, the left is usually associated with something bad. That is why in your culture, you do not shake hands with your left; you do not eat with your left. “Left” is sinister. So, in making the sign of the cross, we touch the left first to mean, God the Father sent His Son Jesus Christ to make bad people good (right hand is associated with what is good). This they really remember.