30/08/2026
WE CRY, BUT WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD, IN MEMORY OF FR. MICHAEL KELONG
This Sunday morning at St. Stephen’s Parish, the Mass was celebrated with hearts heavy with sorrow. The memory of the passing of our beloved Rev. Fr. Michael Kelong brought tears to the eyes of many parishioners. Some tried to hold back their tears, but the pain was too deep. The Church was filled not only with prayer, but with the silence of people mourning a priest who had become part of the story of the community.
In African wisdom, we say: “When a great tree falls in the forest, the ground trembles.” Indeed, the departure of Fr. Michael has shaken the hearts of many.
Fr. Michael was a builder. He built not only churches and physical structures, but also people, relationships and communities. He was a peacemaker, bringing reconciliation where there was division and encouraging people to live together in harmony.
He was also a prophetic voice to the Nshar community. He spoke courageously, reminded people of their responsibilities before God, and challenged the community to choose truth, justice, peace and goodness.
He loved God's creation. Through his planting of trees, flowers and his care for cleanliness and the environment, he reminded us that the earth is God's gift and that we are its caretakers, not its destroyers.
Today, our tears speak a language that words cannot fully express. We cry because we loved him. We cry because his presence mattered. We cry because a familiar voice has become silent.
But as Christians, we do not mourn as people without hope.
We believe that death is not the end, but a passage to eternal life. The priest who served God's people on earth has now been called to meet the Master whom he faithfully served.
Fr. Michael has gone ahead of us; his voice may be silent, but his legacy continues to speak. His hands may no longer plant trees, but the trees he planted will continue to tell his story.
His feet may no longer walk among us, but the paths he built will remain. His lips may no longer preach, but the Gospel he proclaimed must continue through us.
May we therefore not allow Fr. Michael's death to be only a reason for tears. Let it become a call to continue his work of peace, faith, service, environmental care and building the community.
Fr. Michael, you have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, you have kept the faith.
Go in peace, faithful servant of God.
May the earth you loved receive you gently.
May the Church you served remember you gratefully.
May the people you loved pray for you faithfully.
And may the God whom you served receive you into His eternal kingdom.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
