Daijworld.com Abu Dhabi Network (OD)
Abu Dhabi – 02 February 2006: Catholic Community of Abu Dhabi Parish bid a emotional farewell on 1st Februray 2006 evening, to their beloved Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Eugene Mattioli who served Abu Dhabi and its remote areas for the last 17 Years, at an open air ceremony held at St. Joseph’s Church Premises.
The ceremony was attended by large number of people from all walks of life, to show their love and gratitude to the holy priest who lead the community with dedication and love.
The farewell ceremony was so emotional that one could witness people wiping their tears, as they felt an important member of their family leaving them for good.
The evenings proceedings began with a concelebrated Thanksgiving Mass by Fr. Eugene, along with his assistant priests, Priests from the Bishops house and visiting priests joined by the community. The joint choir consisting of various nationalities added extra solemnity to the occasion.
The Holy Mass was followed by a 3 hour long cultural programme by various church groups presided by the H.E. Bishop Paul Hinder - Bishop of Vicariate of Arabia and departing Fr. Eugene Mattioli, which consisted of classical dances, songs and audio visual presentations by Malyalam Community, St. Joseph’s School, Italian Community, Legion of Mary, young adults, St. Joseph’s Choir, Alter Servers both boys and girls, French Community, Arabic Community Spanish Community, Joint Philipino Choir, depicting Fr. Eugene’s love for the youth – depicting their love and Fr. Eugene’s dedication to the community.
Bishop Hinder thanked Fr. Eugene for his outstanding work in the parish, Fr. Antony – the assistant Parish Priest shared his experience leaving in the church community and thanked him for his guidance and his fatherly love.
Lucas Xavier briefed the audience the services rendered by Fr. Eugene and his love for the poor. His dedication to the poor and helpless. He highlighted Fr. Eugene’s missionary work at Ruwais, Mirfa, Das Island and other remote areas of the emirates. During his tenure how the various groups had come up serving church community and thanked on behalf of the whole Abu Dhabi Parish and how they will miss his presence.
Fr. Eugene in his farewell speech, thanked his parishioners for their support without which he would’nt have achieved so much of success in the parish consisting of over 90 nationalites. He thanked God and his Bishop of having given him this opportunity to serve people. “I will not forget you and do remember me in your prayers because I love you all and let Gods will be done” he continued.
Fr. Eugene has been serving the community nearly for 5 decades - , 48 years to be precise spreading his tenure of service in Saudi Arabia, Aden, Doha, Bahrain, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other places in Arabia doing a wonderful missionary work for the love of God.
The community was so emotional as Fr. Eugene Spoke, forcing everyone to drop a few tears – such was the impact Fr. Eugene had made to the Abu Dhabi community specially the small children and the young adults whom he loved so much.
The ceremony concluded with the hymn "Magnificat" - a favourite of Fr. Eugene with a standing ovation by the attending audience, followed by dinner served by the Parish.
Abu Dhabi will miss Fr. Eugene, who has been transferred to Jebel Ali in Dubai as their parish priest, where he will take charge on Thursday 3rd February 2006.