Rev. Sister Emmanuella Nkengasong Fomenky

Sister,
It's been 3 years now, the pain is still the same and the emptiness is still felt. As a kid I never imagined how painful it is to lose a loved one, you are a mother to me (no I won't talk about you in the past). 

When I came to boarding school, that was my first year ever in boarding school, you did with open arms welcome me into your world, you guided me, you were my counselor, my protector, you took care of me like mother does, you encouraged me to never give up in my studies, you wiped the tears from my eyes and you shared your amazing laughter with me.  Sometimes you would get mad, but how can somebody so beautiful like you get mad ? You used to laugh at how "ajeabo" I was but still you understood me and taught me how to grow in the young woman that I am now.

I remember that day like it was yesterday, when we were called to the hall to announce your departure amongst these world of humans. It's been 3 years now, Mother you still watch over me I know, you guide me I know and I am grateful for that.

Sister, Please come and hug me everytime I feel lonely. The angels, your brothers and sisters are happy to have you back with them.


In God We Trust,
Beloved Sister, safe trip and see you soon. 

Sr. Emmanuella Fomenky laid to rest

To honour the fallen religious, UIDB Chancellor and Bishop of Buea, Mgr. Immanuel Bushu issued a communiqué on her burial eve announcing the creation of Sr. Emmanuella Fomenky’s Memorial Heart and Chest Clinic at the UIDB – CERI Research and Business Park. The clinic will promote preventive medicine in cardiovascular diseases. The communiqué was also read to thousands of mourners who converged on the St. John’s College Kumba Town esplanade for her funeral Mass.
In his homily, Douala Emeritus Archbishop and the deceased uncle, Christian Cardinal Tumi, said death is a mystery we cannot understand on earth, but will surely understand after death. He said death is a reality as people see their brothers and sisters and parents leave for eternity. 

He therefore said when we contemplate death, “we suffer from pain; we suffer from the slow breaking down of our bodies. We suffer especially from the fear of perpetual extinction and from the great fear of being reduced to dust and ashes as by principle each and every man shall die; but in reality, we will not all die. Christ has said that He shall come to judge the living and the dead.”

He continued, “When a Christian leaves this world, it is for a better home where he will live eternally with angels and saints. With them he/she gets to know all that God has prepared for those who love Him and we love Him by keeping His Commandments. All His Commandments are summarised in one commandment or two if you like: love God, love your neighbour”.


He then prescribed what a Christian must always remember. “There are four things a Christian should never forget: Death, Judgement, Pardon and Hell. God has given us what to do to enter Heaven. Love is the law; there is no mention of sin. What is mentioned is charity which is the basis of the final judgement for each and everyone. “I was hungry and you fed me; thirsty and you gave me to drink; naked and you clothed me; in prison and you visited me”. These are things everybody can do. Therefore, before God everyone is rich in the sense that there is nobody who cannot pose an act of charity”. (---) Wherever you find yourself, live in a way that you are ready to welcome Christ. That is why we should live everyday as if it were our last day in this world. Carry out every act as if it were the last.”

He asked mourners to examine their lives by asking how they would live if they knew God will call them to eternity by the end of the day. He asked them to examine their consciences every day before going to bed and ask the Lord for pardon. “Our home is not in this world. We should not grieve over Sr. Emmanuella because according to Christ she is asleep,” he noted.

He added that all who believe in Christ shall not die forever and so Sr. Emmanuella has not died forever because she believed in Christ. He therefore implored them not to mourn like pagans who have no hope in the resurrection. “When you transform a piece of wood by fire, the piece of wood becomes ashes. The ashes did not spring to creation from nothing. There is something that was in the wood that continues in the ashes. The ashes are of the wood”.

Cardinal Tumi said when people die they change and take another form. “We could become spiritual bodies like the transfigured body of Christ at Mount Tabor. The form of a thing is what makes it what it is. When at last we die, the loving kindness of God the Father calls us back to life in the company of Christ and all the angels and saints in Heaven to live with them eternally. Since the death of Sr. Emmanuella, only one hope consoles us Christians - it is our Christian faith in the resurrection of the body and everlasting life.”

The Archbishops of Bamenda and Douala and all the bishops of Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province and about 150 priests, concelebrated the funeral Mass. Also present for the occasion were hundreds of religious men and women of various congregations, principals from the public, denominational and lay private colleges, staff and student representatives in Buea Diocese, the Catholic Men  and the Catholic Women Associations and prayer and action group members from the North West and South West Regions. An estimated 4000 mourners turned out for Sr. Emmanuella Fomenky’s burial. She will be remembered for her selfless love, generosity and joyful nature.

University Institute of the Diocese of Buea

                                      

 

(UIDB)

                        P. O. Box 563, Buea,                                                                             Tel:  (237) 33 32 28 29

                      SouthWest Region,                                                                                                              Fax: (237) 33 32 28 29

                              Republic of Cameroon,                                                             E-Mail:   info@uidb-cameroon.net

                             Central Africa.                                                                            Website: www.uidb-cameroon.org

 

 

 

 

HOMILY DELIVERED BY THE PRO-CHANCELLOR AND INTERIM PRESIDENT OF UIDB REV. FR GEORGE NKEZE JINGWA ON THE OCCASION OF THE FIRST FUNERAL MASS IN HONOUR OF THE LATE REV. SR EMMANUELLA NKENGASONG FOMENKY AT ST CHARLES LWANGA CHURCH, MOLYKO, BUEA

THURSDAY 14^TH FEBRUARY 2013

 

Theme: Three Men, Three Choices,Three Crosses and Three Deaths

“Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him, along with the criminals – one on his right, the other on his left” (Luke 23:32-33).

 

My Lord BISHOP, Proprietor and Chancellor of UIDB,Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Let us give thanks to the Lord for all his goodness to us. Let us give thanks to him for the life he gave to Rev. Sr. Emmanuella on this earth. On behalf of the UIDB family I wish to thank all of you for coming to pray for her at this first funeral mass in her honour. May the good Lord reward you abundantly for your kind heart and presence. It is my prayer that as I deliver this sermon on behalf of the UIDB Family, there will be far more lucem as you listen than crucem. And I will beg to repeat - far more lucem than crucem.

Three Men, Three Choices, Three Crosses and Three Deaths

Our Gospel reading for today’s Eucharistic celebration taken from Luke’s passion narrative of Jesus Christ (Luke 23: 32-46) presents  us with a scenario of  three men, who made three choices, found themselves on three crosses and experienced death afterwards.  There are many ways in which one might end one’s journey on this earth. It might be an accident, it might be disease, it might be young age, it might be a brief illness, it might even be through neglect or intent, or it might be a sudden heart attack as in the case of Sr. Emmanuella who died on Saturday 19^th of January at the age of 42 and whose body lies in front of us here at this mass. That was the path that the Lord had prepared for her.  Asking “why” questions are not very important at this moment. Sometimes we have the world so much in our hearts, and are so taken up with thoughts and cares of worldly things that we have neithertime, nor spirit to see God’s hand in them.  In 1 Cor. 13:12 Paul reminds us that we will never have the whole picture of things, until we meet God. It is often said that half-truths are not only dangerous, but destructive. Utterances such as Rev. Sr. Emmanuella died because of overwork or because of family disagreements or because of the so-called “Buea Diocesan crisis” are not only destructive, but show that we have taken God’s place who alone knows and makes the future possible. Only God knows the whole story about our destiny here on earth.  St Paul knew this truth when he wrote:

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God. How     unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God that God should repay him? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen”

(Romans 11:33-36).

 

Isaiah reminds us in similar words (Isaiah 55:8-9) that – “My thoughts are not your thoughts, my ways are not your ways, it is the Lord who Speaks”.  In the book of Job, Job 1:21, we are also consoled with these words– “The Lord gave, the Lord has taken, Blessed be the name of the Lord”. Therefore, for us gathered here today as mourners, as Christians, particularly as the UIDB family, we must embrace moments like this per crucem ad lucem.

Three Men, Three Choices, Three Crosses, Three Deaths

Though there are many means by which one might experience death, the Gospel passage of this funeral Mass reminds us that there are three possible conditions in which one might meet the hour of death. And this depends on the choices we each make daily. Life is full of choices. We choose our cars, our homes, our jobs, our vocation, our congregation, our diocese, and our school. We choose to be good employees or poor employees. We choose to be good parents or bad parents. We choose to be good priests or bad priests, we choose to be good students or bad students, we choose to be good religious brothers and sisters or horrible ones, we choose to be envious of others and hateful towards them or we allow them exhibit their talents and gifts knowing that to those that much has been entrusted, much more is expected of them (Luke 12:48). Whether we know it or not, everything we do and say is either born of the light or the darkness and will either bless someone or destroy someone. Success has never been part of the life that is constantly negative.  We can say that our choice of attitude serves to determine our approach to life, our relationships with other people. Our attitude at the beginning of a task will affect the outcome more than anything else. It can turn our problems into blessings. One spiritual writer has truthfully remarked that -God chooses what we go through we choose how we go through it. Let us see the choices made by the three men in today’s gospel and how they ended up their journey on this earth.

 

1. 1.    The First Man – the Scoffing Cross

The First man we are told Died in Sin. Though a thief, he joined the other mockers railing and abusing Jesus verbally. The word “railed” means to utter reproaches; to scoff; to use insolent and reproachful language. His heart was not softened by the certainty of his impending death. Those who make choices of this nature and behave accordingly belong to what is known as the scoffing cross or the cross of rejection. The First Man cursed, he spat, he blasphemed, he raved, and he gnashed his teeth against the very one who could save him.  There are times that the scoffing cross encroaches on the sacred precincts of the house of God. The scoffing cross never realizes the importance of a commitment.  It never acknowledges the goodness of others. It never appreciates selflessness, excellence, hard work and dedication. The scoffing cross never fully understands, or will want to understand the blessings of hard work and dedication in God’s house and Church.  Someone has rightly remarked that if hard work were to kill, then all donkeys will be in the grave. The Scoffing cross is never really able to shake off the pulls and whims of the flesh such as negativity, envy and hatred. The scoffer is always looking for one more loop-hole to justify his own sins, wickedness and unbelief. On the cross of rejection, I want to notice lastly, the lack of humility. Instead of being humble and looking for mercy, we are told the thief in Luke 23:39 “railed” on Jesus.  Isn’t this the method we see most of the time being used even in the House of God? That is the difficulty and perplexity of the first cross and the first choice.

Three men, Three Choices, Three Crosses, Three Deaths

 

1. 2.    The Second Man – the worshipping  or believing Cross

Let us consider the second man on the cross.

Not long before, this man too had hurled verbal venom at Jesus. But eternity dawned on him. Death’s cold hand touched him. Judgment came to mind. And he repented and Died not in sin but against sin. He chose to repent.   -The second thief watched and waited. He watched and heard the Lord say, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”  There was no “if” in the mind of the worshipping thief; he flung himself at the foot of the middle cross. It became a pardoned cross, it became a worshipping cross, it became a believing cross, the cross of reception not rejection. It is this cross that leads to the pathway of contentment, for we hear the Lord say “This day, thou shalt be with me in Paradise”. On this day, he became the man with the greatest faith.

The Church today needs Christians who are of the worshipping Cross, the believing Cross. The Church today needs couples who can say to each other – I have sinned, I am sorry. The Church today needs priests and the religious who can admit after scandalizing the Christian Community by their attitude or behavior, that they are sorry.  Please note, however, that beyond repentance, this man is not a model of Christian conversion. You cannot use the thief on the cross as a reason for not living a good life or receiving the sacraments of the Church.  Rev. Sr. Emmanuella’s death should touch our hearts like this thief to turn to her casket that lies in front of us all and request: mea culpa mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. It is not out of chance that her funeral falls during the great Season of LENT immediately after Ash Wednesday when we are all reminded of the importance of asking for compassion and turning back to God. Rev. Sr. Emmanuella, we ask you to forgive us for the times we told lies about you, accused you falsely for having embezzled Church funds, wrote letters based on lies about you and circulated around the world under the name of “Concerned Christians in the Diocese of Buea”.  Sr. pardon us for the times we were jealous of you because of your simplicity and goodness. Sr. Forgive us for the times we even threatened to take away your life and we did not succeed. To become part of the worshipping cross will not be an easy assignment.  But we must remember that as Christians, it will have to be per crucem ad lucem.

Pope Benedict XVI in declaring this year of Faith has exhorted all Christ’s Lay Faithful and people of Good will to stand by their faith and live up to the demands of the gospel. This is not an easy task in a world that has gone secular and “neo-paganism at its rise”.  There is a massive spiritual battle going on in the church today. Many devoted Catholics sometimes wonder what is happening to the Church when even those who are to lead them talk and write as “pagans” – so and so died because she has been killed, or so and so uses spells, charms, magic, witchcraft over God’s Holy ones, as if the devil has suddenly taken control over the good or that God’s church has suddenly been overpowered by the devil. Even some Christians, sad to say, seem to give more power to the devil than to the power of faith in their lives. Christ’s words to Peter in Matthew 16:18-19 are still relevant: “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld will not prevail against it”. Being a human church, these challenges will be there.  But the thrust upon the dedicated Catholic at these trying times is ad extra. We must join the Holy Father and pray for an increased faith amongst God’s people.  But this will demand a lot of sacrifices and can only be effective per Crucem ad lucem.

 

1. 3.    The Third Man – The Cross of Redemption

I would like to notice the third cross, the Cross of Redemption. The word “redeem” means to “buy back”. Jesus buys back from the slave market of sin, from eternal damnation in a lake of fire all those who call upon Him to save them. I would like to notice here thatJesus was not the victim of circumstances.  He was a willing planner of, and participant in, the Cross. He was in complete charge of his own destiny.  Listen to his own words:

“For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from me, but I lay it down on my own initiative. I have the authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father (John 10:17-18).

Our gospel text of today tells us that Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said: “Father, into your hands I commit my Spirit.  And having said this, He breathed his last.” 

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

It is not enough to say that Jesus was an innocent man who was killed for crimes he didn’t commit. The Bible teaches that Jesus willingly submitted to death in order to accept the penalty for our sin. If Jesus really was who He said he was, nails couldn’t have held him to that wooden cross. But if Jesus was the Son of God with all the power in the universe at His disposal, He gave His life, it wasn’t taken from Him. Peter will remind us in 1 Peter 1:18 that:

 “It was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed….but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect”.

 “Sincere love” involves selfless giving; a self-centered person can’t truly love. God’s love and forgiveness frees us to take our eyes off ourselves and to meet others’ needs.  By sacrificing his life, Christ showed that he truly loved us. Now we can love others by following his example and giving of ourselves sacrificially. It is for this reason that we can truly say that the cross of redemption can only be embraced per crucem ad lucem.

Three men, Three Choices, Three Crosses, Three Deaths

Throughout these thoughts I have used the simple Latin phrase of per crucem ad lucem or “through the cross to the light”. The important word here is per which in Latin is translated “Through”. My dear brothers and sisters here present, our Christian faithful, dear mourners, we know well what our vocation requires us – it is through the cross, not around it or bypassing it or pausing to bow to it, but through it that we find the light. God the Father did not spare the agony of the cross  for his Son Jesus Christ but in the end, light came from and through darkness, triumph overcame defeat, eternal life arrived but only through death on the cross.  No one has ever promised the Christian a rose garden. We ought to keep in mind that Jesus is our Savior and that what is good in life is often accomplished through the crosses we are invited to carry and what is light in life is made even more glorious by what awaits us.  As Priests and the religious, we are  forever witnesses to the cross and light and sentinels in the darkness of contemporary society, forever making the effort to live and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, per crucem ad lucem.

Three men, Three Choices, Three Crosses, Three Deaths

This morning we gather here to say Good bye to Rev. Sr. Emmanuella Fomenky. Her Congregation fondly called her Mother Charity (Mami Charity), as she was known to be very generous and gave herself sacrificially for others especially the poor and underprivileged of Society.  Her friends in the US and guests who visited the Diocese from abroad gave her the name “The angel of Tiko” due to the fact that she was welcoming, kind, simple,  selfless, honest, trustworthy  and one you could count on for anything and at anytime.  She was a cheerful and laughing person and everybody who met her commented about her laughter.  No matter the situation, she will laugh and you will look stupid thinking that there was something wrong with her. Rev. Sr. Emmanuella was a mother to many people and because of that many people also referred to her as Grand Mother (Big Mami) as she was a good counselor, empathetic than herself, frank and very protective of others.  As one who had worked closely with Rev. Sr. Emmanuella, as her Education Secretary and later Pioneer President of UIDB,  I can testify to this.  She will remind me about my vocation, and the need to be prayerful, defend the Church, remain firm in the faith, be simple and hardworking. When I was education Secretary, she will even draw my attention to the fact that I should not forget my roots and do all I could to help the teachers and make them happy. These titles and many only confirm who she was – a religious who knew very well what was required of her – per crucem ad lucem.

Reflecting on her life, one can truly say she lived her life here on earth “per crucem ad lucem”. As a religious, she knew that Jesus was her spouse and truly made the effort to live her life here on earth trying to meet others’ needs. Rev. Sr. Emmanuella will put on sandals as if she was a man. She loved to appear natural and will never do any make-up. Her students in the University used to joke about this of her. It is not that she lacked the means.  She grew up in a very wealthy family and her brothers and sisters abroad would want to buy her lavish things. But she would refuse. It is important to note here that even in the academic milieu, very few people knew that she had studied beyond “A” Levels as a result of her simplicity. After her first degree in Microbiology at UB, she later on had a Post Graduate Degree in Theology and Spirituality in Ireland. Before her death, she was rounding up an MBA degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Pan African Institute for Development-West Africa, Buea. The truth is that she loved to be at the background and understood that her call was to live her religious vocation per crucem ad lucem.

One of Sister’s favorite book, her sisters will testify to this, was Joyce Rupp’s classic book titled “Praying Our Goodbyes” (Joyce Rupp OSM, Praying our Goodbyes, (1988), Ave Maria Press Notre Dame, IN, p. 26). Joyce Rupp, a serviette Sister describes herself as a “spiritual midwife” She wrote this book to help millions of people in the world whom she discovered found it difficult to cope with change and the pain, sometimes very deep, powerful, wounding experiences that can trail around our hearts for years because we find it difficult to say Goodbye, a reality that no one can avoid. In life, for example, we say Goodbye to parents, spouses, children, friends and sometimes until we meet them on the other side of this life. We change teachers, schools, parishes, ideas, values, and our self-image. In our work world we experience transfers, (that of priests and religious which sometimes comes too sudden or unexpected like the military can be very painful), changes in skills, different positions and retirement; in natural disasters; in illnesses, whether our own or of loved ones etc. All these involve some kind of leave-taking and it is not always easy. That is a reality we cannot avoid. We are told by the Sisters of her Congregation that every time a sister was transferred, she will act as a “spiritual midwife” to help her move on with her life in a positive way. That was Sr. Emmanuella. When her students were confused about life and needed answers, she was there for them. She never got upset about a transfer during her life here on earth. She did this because she believed it was the sacrifice every religious had to make per crucem ad lucem.

Rev. Sr. Emmanuella before her death was Director of the Research and Business Arm of the University Institute of the Diocese of Buea, known as UIDB Centre of Entrepreneurship, Research and Innovation (UIDB-CERI).  How did she come into the UIDB story? UIDB as the Proprietor always says began with No money and he launched the project in faith knowing that God would see into its growth since his whole idea was to address a huge pastoral need in his diocese that had a good number of young people brandishing certificates without jobs. And indeed, God has been the one directing the project even though some people believed that millions were set aside for the Project and saw it as a golden opportunity to make fortunes for themselves.  Three weeks before opening which had been announced for 4^th of October 2010, UIDB could not boast of anything. There was an urgent need for a religious who will help set up things within the University knowing that the Diocese hadn’t much money.  Bishop Immanuel Bushu made a request to the Superior General of the sisters of St Therese, Sr. Mary Kombe, to recommend a sister who was smart, honest, business inclined, good planner, multi-task oriented, accountable, hardworking, simple, selfless and loved the Church. The Bishop wanted someone who will feel or think with the Church (Sentire cum ecclesia). These are persons who can sacrifice for the Church and not think about their personal gain. The mother superior proposed Sr. Emanuella Fomenky except for the reservation that she was Principal of CKC. The Bishop had no problem bringing her on board as her character, talents and quality were very rare to find. That is how Rev. Sr. Emmanuella came to be part of the UIDB story. 

In two weeks, and with the little income that was given by the Diocese, Sr. Emmanuella with the assistance of one other sister of her congregation purchased the present University bus that seats up to 35 students, bought every single equipment that the University needed including setting up the present computer lab with 50 screens, all brand new, setting up the UIDB St Martha restaurant, bought executive tables and chairs for all administrative offices just to mention but a few. And knowing Sr., she probably even used her own money, just to prepare to welcome these students and to get the job done. As a result of her accountability and selflessness  and with her assistance again and again, we were able with the little money we had to do the fencing of the campus, built the restrooms and security post,  built water tanks, re-structured halls and equipped them with tables and chairs.  On the 8^th October 2012, the world was stunned at the official inauguration of UIDB. Everything was in place. The “doubters” who came to see a failed inauguration and, I am sure, make a mockery of the Bishop and his team, must have walked away in shame. Knowing who Sr. Emmanuella was, the meals and catering service on that memorable day was out of this world. It was indeed thanks to you Sr. Emmanuella that this Diocese of Buea could stand with pride to say, we can run a University. Rev. Sr. Emmanuella, you spent sleepless nights to make this happen. As Pioneer President, I got almost angry with you for coming late from Douala many times, 1.00 am and 2.00 am in the morning. But you always smiled and reminded me that we were serving the Church and we must sacrifice for the Church and support the Bishop to achieve his vision.  Your life was a shining example of the servant who multiplied instead in the parable of the talents. (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-28).  You did all these with your usual laughter per crucem ad lucem.

While this success story gave joy to many Cameroonians and Christians in the Diocese of Buea and around the world, thanks to your selflessness and hard work, it brought its own challenges. Some people began circulating false stories about you and how you had been brought to UIDB to steal money and hide in private bank accounts. They marred and almost tried to destroy your character and gave you all kinds of names. The high point was when they accused you of being one of the ring leaders of an imaginary student strike at UIDB. Based on that and as a precautionary measure you were relieved of your functions including the Pioneer President and some other members of faculty and staff. Some people began rejoicing and to ensure that they were consistent with their stories, made more stories which they did a good job to circulate all over the world. UIDB, which you worked so hard to build, which the Bishop intended to be a world class refuge for the young who are suffering from lack of a good Catholic Higher Education, suddenly became a hotline and a topic of gossip, hatred and accusations. When you received the letter relieving you of your functions, you begged to keep the news from the rest of the congregation and the world because you knew it was going to create unnecessary gossips, tensions and divisions in the Diocese.  You silently bored the humiliation and you went about joyfully executing your functions in CKC per crucem ad lucem.

 

It was you Sr.Emmanuella, on your own, on the 11^th of December 2010, who contacted me while on mission to the US as Pioneer President of UIDB  at that time to solicit for books for the University Library in the areas of Agriculture and Natural resources,  Engineering, IT and management Sciences and to follow up papers for the creation of the  UIDB foundation which is today a recognized US Florida based 501 © 3  not for Profit organization,  and  pleaded with me not to give up helping the Diocese abroad since I had also been  relieved of my functions for precautionary reasons by the Competent Authority.   And the story was that the administration did not keep any financial records.  On the 15^th of December 2010, I returned home having shipped the container of books for UIDB. For the sake of the students at UIDB, you opted on your own and quietly cleared the container of books from the Douala Port, stored it somewhere at Douala and later on delivered the books and equipment to the University. Only God alone knows how you did all this. Today, UIDB boast of a small but functioning library of its own thanks to your selflessness. You were always doing good but unfortunately, the false accusations never stopped, even when some people  saw you carrying out some transactions at the Douala port to get the books they accused you of starting a business in Douala at the Pioneer President’s instructions. These false allegations did not dampen your spirits. You went about your daily activities with your usual laughter per crucem ad lucem.

Again, it was you, Rev. Sr.Emmanuella, who approached me, as did  a few good Christians in the Diocese, on my return to Cameroon and proposed that as Pioneer President, I stay strong and calm  and put everything in God’s hands.  This faith oriented approach to challenges yielded fruit as in less than two months the truth began to surface. And I firmly believe the Local ordinary was struck by your openness, honesty, simplicity, gentleness and smile.  To those who doubted you and said you had embezzled Church funds and manipulated on records, shame on them. Providentially, even at your sudden death, your records were impeccable, showing the world the kind of person you were; ready to hand over the baton at any time.

Having worked with you as Education Secretary and Pioneer President, I can understand why people were drawn towards you.  By your character and attitude, you were a likeable person, gentle, respectful, harmless, selfless and hardworking. Added to this was the fact that you were very Smart and people found it difficult to play tricks on you. With you it was just enough to say Sr. Emmanuella, I have this difficulty, what do we do. You will immediately take over control and make things happen. There is a Latin saying that Bonum Divisivum sui – that goodness diffuses itself. That was you. Having discovered the true Sr. Emmanuella the Bishop then reassigned you in June 2011 as Director of the University Research and Business Park known as UIDB-CERI. You were brought back not because you were being favored but because you were a wonderful, multi-task oriented and resourceful team player. While you looked at it as serving the Church, some people accused you of  being the only Rev. Sr. who mattered in the Diocese. As usual, these false allegations and blackmail did not deter you from carrying out your dedicated service to the Diocese with a smile and per crucem ad lucem.

There is no doubt that your reassignment to UIDB was not only a blessing to the Diocese but by Divine Providence God’s intervention towards the demise of UIDB.  As a result of your smartness and frankness, you were part of the team that uncovered the 4 billion francs CFA deal to borrow money to build UIDB from a South African Bank.  You had always supported the Philosophy that we work within our means - begin small and grow big. The justification of some people was that since you and the former Pioneer President of the University, as they had made the world to understand including those who were relieved of their functions, had embezzled all University savings there was a need for this loan. Only God alone knows who was to pay back the principal and the interest for 18 years.  The perpetrators had seen themselves rich overnight including their friends, families and well-wishers. Booties had already been allocated as the deal was at its last stage of approval. Then things turned around. If this had gone through, UIDB would have gone bankrupt by now and probably crippled the Diocese of Buea. The perpetrators then embarked on a strategy to eliminate the former President of the University by every means since they felt he was an obstacle to their selfish intents.  Two attempts were made but God not only miraculously saved his life but converted the heart of one of the assassins who called him on one of the stolen phones and revealed some hard truths which you knew. You can now understand the bitterness on the Pioneer President and anyone who worked with him closely. When all attempts failed, it was attributed to a spell he has over people (even the Bishop included).

When all this was going on, I remember a time when you approached me and told me you were praying for me and that I should be careful with my life and continue to work in harmony with the Bishop.  You said you did not want the work entrusted to me by the Bishop be left and uncompleted.  This move of yours was to confirm who you were - a people person. You had a soft heart and concern for every human being particularly those you felt were unjustly treated. Even though this Character of yours brought forth its own challenges, you remained steadfast on the grounds that it was a matter of dying for the truth and you will stand by the truth. And truly, you carried your cross like Jesus till your death. No amount of intimidation, false accusations kept you away from doing what you believed was the right thing to do. You accepted some of the bad names given to you by those who mocked at your kind ways and you remained focus, thanks to your attitude of a true religious per crucem ad lucem.

When you were appointed Director of the Research and Business Arm of UIDB in June 2011, you singlehandedly started the St Martha’s restaurant with little or no money. How you managed it nobody knows thanks to your business acumen. Today UIDB can boast of a good University restaurant. This kind gesture of yours was misinterpreted by some people who as usual made up stories about you receiving millions of francs to set up the restaurant. Stories like these never disturbed you and like Jesus, your spouse, you went around doing well and imparting values, because you truly understood the life of Jesus, your spouse who lived his life to the fullest, but always per crucem ad lucem.

Dear mourners,

What are some of the lessons that we can learn from the death of Rev. Sr. Emmanuella, I have a few for our meditation:

1. God’s Call home can be at any time: Sr., your death took us unawares. This is a reminder that the Lord can call any of us on this earth at any time – young, middle aged or old. Let us learn to be ready for we do not know the day or hour when the Son of man will come.
2. Learn to Discover for yourself who people truly are: We will never have the same Rev. Sr. Emmanuella.  So while we live here on earth, let us try to discover for ourselves who people are and appreciate their God-given talents and gifts. The Social media is not the forum to know about people; Neither the newspapers, nor Beer Parlours. We know people by meaningfully interacting with them.
3. Sentire Cum Ecclesia: The Church today needs people like Sr. Emmanuella who can think and feel for her, treat her as a Mother. As God’s Church, there is a kind of way we should address issues – always in love and humility knowing that we ourselves are sinners and in need of forgiveness. It is said that those who have glass houses should not throw stones at others.
4. Your Legacy: Your legacy of service, love and forgiveness is a message to everyone today who will listen.  Your life is convicting us to become mature leaders and followers of Jesus Christ; convicting us to turn away from hatred, jealousy and divisiveness and become positive and responsible servants of God.  Your life is convicting us to remember that there are many things that unite us than divide us. The message you have left us is one of servant leadership, selflessness, generosity, peace and unity. We have learnt from you that it should not matter if you or your parents were from the Northwest or Southwest, or that you are a priest of religious from this Diocese of not or that you are male or female, priests or Christ lay faithful.  All that matters is that we are one in Christ if we may echo the famous song of John Oxenham – “In Christ there is no East or West, in him no south or north; but one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth”(stanza 1).

 

Mother of Charity (Mami Charity), Grand Mother (Big Mami), the Angel of Tiko, the University Community, friends and family are here today to officially pray Good bye to you. The word Goodbye, a word you loved, originally “God-be-with-ye” or “Go with God” is recognition that God is a significant part of ones’ going.  When you dreaded or feared the journey there was strength in remembering that the One who gave and cherished life would be there to protect and to console.  Goodbye therefore is a blessing of love, proclaiming the belief that if God went with you; you would never be alone, that comfort, strength and all the other blessings of loving presence would accompany you. We your family at UIDB on this day cannot keep you from this journey. We hurt deeply, we miss you dearly…you have made your home in our hearts. As we say Goodbye, we know your leaving is God’s doing and plan for you. So go, go with God. Go the “unblemished lamb” of UIDB, Go, Mother Charity, Go Grand Mother, Go, the Angel of Tiko, Go .per crucem ad lucem. as together we sing as one family  Alleluia to the Lamb of God.

Amen.

Done on this day, Thursday 14^th February 2013 on the feast of SS Cyril and Methodius, (Bishops).

 

Rev. Fr. George NKEZE JINGWA (Ph.D.)

Pro-Chancellor and Interim President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Sister Nkeng.
 I have been in denial of your sudden departure for a while now, hoping someone would give me a call and tell me it was a hoax. I have been told by reliable sources that you are indeed, no more!
 You played such a huge role in my life. You were my father and my mother molded up in one. I remember our days at St. Augustine College. Remember how you would tell me that if i did not change my ways, no "chap" would pick my height? I am laughing and crying at the same time while I reminisce about our days. How about the time you came to Kikaikelaki to do my laundry?  You did embarass me there I must admit! And one of my favorites. My first day in form one as a student of yours and you were teaching Biology. You told the Students to name Charasteristics of living organisms. While other were putting their hands up and yelling, growth, nutrition, mating etc etc, I put up my hand, you selected me, and yelled with all the confidence in this world, "Goat!" You stood there bemused for a sec. Not knowing if you should burst out with laughter, or hide your face in embarrassment, only to realize that you were teaching. I can remember the "I can't wait to go make phone calls about this incident" look on your face.
I remember all the tough love you gave to me growing up as a young boy.  While my friends were using all these expensive lotions at the dorm, you crushed soap and mixed with glacerin and that was my lotion. Not knowing how funny you were trying to be.haha. I actually loved it because it worked better than anything out there.  I remember the day I was to finally depart to America to be with my parents. You made sure you made that trip to Yaounde, spend time with me, and make sure everything went well and you made sure your eyes saw me get into that plane.
That is who you are! Not who you were, but who you are! The master planner. The person that makes sure everything goes well.
I spoke to you over the summer and you gave me an assignment. I called you over and over on New Years day to talk to you, but I guess you were busy. On January 18th, I was planning to call you the  next day and joke with you how you treat me like a step child, and give you the findings of the assignment you gave to me. Then Auntie Theo called me that next day at 6:00am to broke the news. I cried like a little babe all day. My fiancee did her best in consoling, but I could no control it. Came to my office and will cry every 5 mins.
You are one of the few people I have been looking forward to seing. I am still in tears, Auntie.
Why did it have to be you? You were all and all. I can write a whole book about our endeavors, but ill just end here.
Rest In Perfect Peace. While you are up there, tell my mom(your sister Mildred Ayeah) that Tony and I love her and we miss her down here. Let me take my fingers of this keyboard.
I love you. 

 

Dear Nkeng,

I still cannot believe that today is the day you are laid to rest. It brings to my mind the story I was told of your birth, of how your mother was so traumatised by my father’s death, she went into premature labour during his funeral. Your mother, because of the love she had for my mother and father, named you Emmanuella. And so my brother and I acquired a sister by default. From when you were born until we left Cameroon our families were inseparable. As the sayings goes we lived in each other’s pockets. The weekends, the shared birthday parties, the numerous bazaars, memories flood in as I write this. We have managed to keep that relationship going over the years despite the distance between us, you were always the bridge builder. When we last spoke, I remember saying pray for us, I know our prayers will be answered if you petition God on our behalf, thank God for having someone in the family with a close ear to God.  My only regret is that I never got to spend quality time with you but I am eternally grateful that you saw my children. Even more grateful that you spent time with your namesake , my son Emmanuel also named after my father.

I never forget that faithful Saturday when I got the call to say you had died! I could not believe it, I thought someone was playing a nasty joke, so I called my mother and she could barely speak from the grief. Her words to me, Nkeng has gone, a light has gone out and more poignantly, she observed, “2013 would make it 42 years since your father died, I have been a widow for 42 years and Emmanuella came into this world 42 years ago, now she too is gone”. From Daddy’s death to your birth and now your death which triggered memories of the death of my father, that is how intrinsically we are linked.  No words can tell you how I grieve for you, for lost moments, for always saying that we will see again, we will be together like before. That day will never come now. However, even in death you still work your miracles, I are back in touch with your siblings some of whom I have not spoken to in over 30 years. So my darling bridge builder, even before you are laid to rest, you managed to bring us together to celebrate the joy and sweetness that was you. My firm promise to you is that I will try harder and I will make every moment count.  Ecclesiastes 3:1  'To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under the sun. A time to be born and a time to die’. It is your time, go in peace and prepare a space for us in the Father’s house. Eternal rest grant unto Nkeng, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

This is such a great loss indeed to the residents of Fomenky street as she was our pride and joy. We all looked up to her. She will be greatly missed and May she rest in perfect peace. Take heart chief , God is in control.

Mother Keng

I found myself sitting on cold snow when I read an SMS from Sr Caro Fon. I had fever , headache and you can name the rest. The shock was too much. I shouted like a mad woman just to ease the tension in my head. We enjoyed our postulancy because of the motherly warmness we received from you. Good people do not last . We gave you all sorts of names, Mother, Mami Abundance, Mami Clean clean" because of the type of person you were. The one year we spent in Baseng with you was heaven for us. Baseng is not a place that one will like to be there , but you made life sweet and comfortable for us. You spoiled us really and that is why we all called you''MOTHER". Whatever we asked of you in Baseng you were ready to give us. Some of us loved eating Calaba chalk and you bought it in a good quanty each time you went to Kumba. I remember you brought this idea of visiting the families of the candidates before admission into the postulancy. This worked so well and you knew all of us and our backgrounds. Now our parents are calling left and right that , sister Nkeng is no more. Mother Nkeng  who shall ever call me PASCA again? It is too heavy on me because I cannot see your remains. You have gone with your wonderful smile. You were unique in SST. You touched the lives of many. We shall forever mourn your departure. Mother Nkeng , I know you have gone to continue your work in a better place. Do Pray for me in a special way. What I learned from you during my postulancy, taking care of the poor, the unloved and your generousity , shall maintain a fresh Memory of yours in me.
Mother Keng Travel safely and extend my greetings to Sr Angeline Fonyuy. Little did we know that you will follow Maa Ange so soon.
 Do rest in Perfect peace.

Pascaline Ghandzeni
in Netherlands

I am deeply saddened by the loss we all share. I am sure we will be comforted by your memories and your Love which is very much alive. I am at a loss of words. I know there is nothing for me to say which will make this loss easier. The sorrow of the faithful is not of permanent loss, but the tender sense of sadness that comes in saying good-bye for now to someone we love like you. God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be. So He put His Arms around you and whispered "Come to me". with tearful eyes we watched you and saw you passed away. Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hardworking hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best. May today's sorrow give way to the peace and comfort of God's infinite love. Beloved Sr Emmanuella, keep shining bright above.

Dear Reverend Sister Nkeng Fomenky,

My name is Caroline Nanje - the Oldest Daughter of late Mr. & Mrs. Nanje of Kumba, who were friends to your Parents. My Baby Sister is Ola Nanje (ex QRC Student, also attempted Reverenship at one point), who owns a Store in Limbe Market, a place you visited often and had conversations with her days before your sudden departure. My Sister Ola Nanje called me crying that "Oh Sister Caro, Our Beloved Sister Nkeng Fomenky has just passed. She said to me that you told her you were tired, tired and tired all the time. My first thought was "those Bad Roads". Whey Cameroon! Even for Holy Missions carried by Blessed & Holy Personnel such as Sister Fomenky, why is the infrastructure still so bad? Rev Sister Fomenky, my Sister tells me that you were like a Older Sister to her. You made every effort to see her, prayed for her and gave her advise whenever she was in Cameroon for business and talked often with her when she was back in US. Rev Sister Fomenky, I never met you but all the wonderful words from my Sister Ola makes me wish I had met you in person or even had an opportunity for a 5 minute phone conversation. Oh Dear God Almighty! I have searched for your photos via internet to see what you look like and to say "Thank You For All Your Kindness& Graciousness". You are a Saint to us all. You've touched me through my Sister Ola. On this Sunday Feb 10th, I have watched the slides, read the tributes and just cried & cried. Whey! Why did I not meet you. Such a Beautiful Person you are. As a Catholic, I pray to Our Almighty God to keep you safe.

You will be missed immensely but never forgotten.

Sincerely,

Caroline Nanje
San Francisco, CA

  Sister Nkeng,
                    The news was shocking, in fact the greatest shock yet it was confirmed true hours later. You were a source of inspiration. Norbi or Nobiroy, 'appellations called only by my close freinds' you always when we met. Why so soon. The entire world misses you but most especially the St theresa sis, the UIDB, CKC, Mount Mary and the Menkt and Tumi families. I wish i knew it will be so soon, i would have sent greetings to our fathers, uncles etc. But pls do it Saint Nkengasong. I write with tears and cann't contnue. Adieu my sister and please do intercede for us.