Mass of celebration with Fr Arbo
6.00pm Saturday 22nd August 2009
followed by a party in the Parish Garden
The Mass and Party were well attended by many friends of Fr Arbo from St Chad’s, South Norwood and St Joseph’s, Bromley, where he worked for over six years in total. Parishioners from St Anthony of Padua, Anerley, where Fr Arbo has assisted since May this year, were represented as well, as were the parishioners of St James’. Trustees and associates of the charity You Touch Africa, and several students from the School of Oriental and African Studies London, where Fr Arbo has recently finished further studies, were also present.
To the many parishioners of St James the Great and St Joseph’s Bromley, who contributed so much to make the occasion such a success, Fr Arbo says Thank You. He adds “my short period of service at St James the Great, allowed me to experience a tremendous amount of warmth and blessings from so many parishioners. My heart is full of gratitude and praise to Fr Bryan for his support to me and for his great dedication to the parish community. I pray for God’s strength and hope our paths will soon cross again.”
Many of you will be interested to read a little of Fr Arbo’s background. He was born in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania and was ordained in the Society of the Missionaries of Africa (The White Fathers). He worked as a missionary in several parts of Africa, mainly in West and East Africa. In 2000 he assisted in the establishment of the International Movement ATD Fourth World in Tanzania, before joining the Southwark Diocese in 2001. Since then Fr Arbo has worked as an assistant priest at St Chad’s Church, South Norwood and St Joseph’s Church, Bromley.
For the last two and half years, while residing in the flat at St James’, he embarked on further studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London University, where he obtained an MSc in Globalisation and Development. He founded the charity You Touch Africa in order to assist the poor through education and health projects. Before his departure to Our Lady Immaculate, Tolworth, he has been assisting Fr Sunith at St Anthony of Padua, Anerley and he was happy to stand in for Fr Bryan during his summer break.
He is a great believer in Our Lord Jesus, in poverty alleviation through the poorest and Arsenal (not on the same footing though!).
Grateful thanks to Peter Duncan of St Chad's who took most of the photos in the garden.