The Good News “I have seen the Lord” - John Paul II Bible School

Hope of the
future
By Harvey Clement
The Bible School has had many visitors from far and wide. This
week we have with us Father Casmir Muobike from Nigeria. He
is a member of the Sons of Mary Mother of Mercy (SMMM), an
order of priests.
Word of God. He wanted to share with others the love of God
that was poured into him, so that they may experience it and
so draw closer to God. He wants to minister the truth about
the life and teachings of Christ to all. The one thing that brings
him the greatest joy is celebrating the Eucharist.
We are truly blest to have such a devoted, spirit­filled priest
sent to our Diocese of St. Paul by the SMMM. The harvest is
plentiful but the laborers are few. Pray to the Lord of the
harvest that he may send forth laborers into the harvest. “Not
by choice, but out of obedience and the opportunity to serve
the Lord and His church” said Fr. Casmir. Welcome Fr. Casmir.
His call to the priesthood began at about
the age of 8 or 9 years old. He really enjoyed
being an altar server, and was very
close to the parish priest – who he spent a
lot of time with, learning and growing in
the faith. This kind of bond with the parish
priest sparked in him the desire to become
a priest. So Fr. Casmir pursued that
burning desire he had for the priesthood;
he attended junior seminary, then secondary
education, did his novitiate, studied philosophy
for four years, and then a year of
pastoral experience. Following that, he
studied four years of theology and in his
third year – December 21 st , 2002 – was
ordained a deacon. The next year – July 12 th , 2003 – he was
ordained a priest and is now coming to his fourth year of being a
priest.
There are many things that spurred Fr. Casmir on in
his vocation such as his faithfulness to
his prayer life and indulging
in the
After being in Canada for just a couple
weeks he feels that there are many
challenges that lie ahead apart from
the “challenges” that have already presented
themselves – cold weather, culture,
food, etc. “‘But I can do all things
through Christ who strengthens me.’
(Phil 4:13) I will adapt.”
It has really been a blessing having him
here with us.
He celebrates Mass with us, and is
very passionate about the Word of God
and the breaking of the bread. He has
heard our confessions, pouring out the
mercy and wisdom of God. He has prayed with us, laughed
with us, served us, been served by us – just embracing our
community life.
Harvey and Fr. Casmir
Of the Bible School, Fr. Casmir says that, “It gives me great
joy seeing young people grow together in faith. I can see the
cooperation and mutual acceptance. The spirit of daily Mass
here is needed to bring us as one. Seeing the devotion those
young people have in their prayer life, just walking in and
finding them in the chapel…and the joy they have in all
the activities they do. This is a very wonderful place and
the world needs more places like this to give all youth
direction in the spiritual life, because the world is going
in the opposite direction and dragging lots of the youth
with it. Teach them while they are young, with the
proper direction needed. That is why there are so few
vocations to the priesthood and religious life, because
of the lack of proper direction, many are lost. Both
the church and the state depends on the youth. The
young people are the hope of the future. It is the
call of the church and the state to bring out, assist,
help, build more places like this.”
Fr. Casmir & JPII students & staff enjoying a game of soccer
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