Fr. Joe Shea and Bemanonga, Madagascar

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Written by Bp. Donald Pelletier, M.S.

 

Several years ago, Fr. Joe with Maureen Daniels (from St. Louis, MO) on the right, in front of the foundation walls of St. Joseph’s
Bp. Donald Pelletier, M.S., writes about the village of Bemanonga, Madagascar. Surrounded by rice fields, it is situated just a few miles east of the coastal city of Morondava. Once a mission outpost, it has grown in size and importance. Fr. Joe Shea’s memory lives on with countless people who met him or worked with him over almost 50 years ministering in Madagascar. But his memory lives on in a very special way in the village of Bemanonga where he served so well from 2000-2006.
 
Having acquired a spacious piece of land along the national highway, Fr. Joe Shea, M.S., never one to linger once his plans were made, had forged ahead to build a church in honor of St. Joseph. You can't miss it as you drive by. Not only is the structure impressive and beautiful but driving by at ten miles an hour – the fastest you can go on that stretch of road – gives you time to admire the large structure.
 
It will be all of five years since Fr. Joe left Morondava in extremely perilous health. He died from his cancer while still in the USA and we thank God that his work goes on in Madagascar. Our new Bishop has already been there frequently. Before I left Bishop Fabien explained to me that he plans to name a permanent priest (or priests) in residence there. Presence of a full-time priest would certainly assure growth in this Christian community. The new School buildings are now built and functioning. The rectory is not yet completed. Joe had built foundations that could serve for that purpose. All this means new life for Bemanonga. The Sisters of Our Lady of La Salette have already inaugurated their agricultural center for young women, and will assure direction of the Catholic school.
St. Joseph’s Church, Bemanonga, Madagascar
In previous articles on Joe’s visions for Bemanonga, I already shared how, when building the church tower, he had placed a 6,000 liter water tank in it – a clear indication that Joe was determined there would be water in and around the church. A drilling company that we hired from Antananarivo hit a wonderful artesian spring at thirty feet, giving crystal clear water. A pump has been installed to send the water to the top of the lank. In forty minutes it’s full! Two outlets, with two faucets each, serve the needs of the church and school. 
 
What a blessing for Bemanonga – clean, clear, abundant, free water. Did not Christ say to the Samaritan woman: “If you knew the gift of God and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him and he would have given you living water” (John 4:10). What a blessing for Bemanonga.
 
All elements are now in place – a large piece of land, a spacious new church, sisters, school, water – and soon a priest will be in residence. Fr. Joe, you must be very proud!